The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Special to The Laker/Lutz News

Lutz softball team headed to World Series

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(Courtesy of Amanda Torres)

The 8u Lutz girls softball all-star team has won its first-ever state championship after winning the state tournament. Following their wins at the district and state tournaments, they are now headed to the World Series, which begins July 24 in Florence, Alabama.

TrophyCatch pink tag contest

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The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s (FWC) TrophyCatch program has launched another pink tag contest, with biologists tagging and releasing trophy-sized bass with pink tags across various state locations, according to a news release.

The first prized bass of the contest, weighing 11 pounds, 4 ounces, was caught by Harry Linsinbigler IV in Lake Rochelle. He will receive $1,000 in AFTCO Fishing Apparel & Tackle and a $1,000 check from sponsor 888-BOAT-LAW.

Bruce Doolittle Sr. caught the second pink-tagged bass of the season, marking the first from Porter Lake. 

The contest includes five locations: Lake Lochloosa, Lake Beauclair, Lake Okeechobee, Porter Lake and the Northwest Winter Haven Chain of Lakes. Multiple tagged bass are present in these waters, and the contest runs until Sept. 30.

To claim a prize, anglers must cut and keep the pink tag and follow submission instructions on the TrophyCatch website. The TrophyCatch program helps the FWC conserve Florida’s freshwater fisheries. For more information, visit TrophyCatch.com, or email .

Bruce Doolittle Sr. (Courtesy of Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission)
Harry Linsinbigler IV

Business Digest 07/10/2024

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Scenthound Lutz ribbon-cutting
The North Tampa Bay Chamber (NTBC) will host a ribbon-cutting ceremony for Scenthound Lutz, a dog grooming service, on July 11 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., at 17663 N. Dale Mabry Highway in Lutz, according to a news release. The event is free to attend. Light bites and cocktails will be served.

Laceleaf MedSpa grand opening
The North Tampa Bay Chamber (NTBC) will host a grand opening ceremony for Laceleaf MedSpa on July 11 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., at 5490 Post Oak Blvd., in Wesley Chapel, according to a news release. The event is free to attend for NTBC members, and will offer refreshments, swag bags and live demos.

National board president named
Pasco County Community Development Director Marcy Esbjerg has been appointed as president of the National Community Development Association (NCDA) for a one-year term (2024-2025), according to a news release. Esbjerg, who joined Pasco County in 2018, will lead NCDA’s efforts in housing, homelessness, and community development initiatives. NCDA, comprising over 500 local governments, supports HUD community development programs. For more information, visit MyPas.co/CommDev.

U-Haul expands offerings in Tampa
U-Haul Co. of Florida has added Florida Safety Towing & Repairs Corp., 401 E. Henderson Ave., and Oldsmar Self Storage LLC, 13850 W. Hillsborough Ave., as neighborhood dealers in Tampa, according to a news release. Florida Safety Towing & Repairs will provide U-Haul trucks, towing equipment, moving supplies, Spanish language support, and in-store box pickup. Oldsmar Self Storage will offer U-Haul trucks and moving supplies. To reserve U-Haul products, visit uhaul.com/Locations/Truck-Rentals-near-Tampa-FL-33602/024571/.

New board at Habitat for Humanity
Habitat for Humanity of Pinellas and West Pasco Counties has announced its Board of Directors for the 2024-2025 fiscal year, effective July 1, according to a news release. The Executive Committee includes:

  • Chair: Heather Ford, CFO, Power Design
  • Vice Chair: Frank Starkey, president, People Places LLC
  • Treasurer: Ken Ginel, EVP, CFO & treasurer, Raymond James Bank
  • Secretary: Chris Hackney, president, SBA and USDA Lending, Bayfirst National Bank
  • At-Large: Ian Peterson, founder & CEO, Dialed In Golf Solutions
  • At-Large: Chris Majeski, SVP, Head of Private Client Group Supervision, Raymond James
  • At-Large: Lynn Skelton, owner, ProSource of Port Richey
  • Non-voting Member: Mike Sutton, president & CEO

Habitat welcomes six new board members:

  • Jim Kirkpatrick, Florida market president, Republic Bank
  • Danielle Mauck, VP of Sponsored Programs & Research, BayCare Health System
  • Amber Okoye, founder & CEO, Rubicon International LLC
  • Jason Russek, managing senior VP, market president West Florida, City National Bank
  • Jon Theile, senior manager, Business Performance Corporate Services, AMGEN Inc.
  • Heidi Tuttle-Beisner, licensed commercial real estate broker/owner, Commercial Asset Partners Realty

For more information, call 727-536-4755, or visit www.habitatpwp.org. 

Affordable apartments proposed in West Pasco

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The Pasco County Planning Commission recommended approval for the rezoning of nearly 20 acres of property in the Bayonet Point area for the construction of a 114-unit affordable apartment complex.

Tenants who rent the apartments will need to make 60% or less of Pasco County’s Annual Median Income (AMI), which is approximately $78,000 a year according to information contained in the rezoning application.

(Westend61/Getty Images)

Households that make 80% or less of Pasco County’s AMI are considered eligible for affordable housing according to Chief Assistant County Attorney David Goldstein. The county can’t require a developer to have a lower AMI than that, but the applicant for the affordable apartments project has voluntarily agreed to the lower figure, according to Goldstein.

The Pasco County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) will consider the request by Bayonet Land LLC/Bayonet Gardens (Bayonet) at its Aug. 21 meeting in New Port Richey and will have the final say on whether the rezoning will be approved because the Planning Commission only acts in an advisory capacity regarding such requests.

Bayonet is seeking to have the zoning changed from an MF-1 Multiple-Family Medium Density District to an MF-3 Multiple-Family High Density District for the property located on the southeast corner of the Intersection of Lakeshore Boulevard, Dallas Drive and Community Court, approximately 650 feet west of Fivay Road.

If this request is approved, McDowell Housing Partners plans to build a mid-level apartment building with a minimum height of four stories that will contain the 114 units. A detached, roughly 5,000-square-foot clubhouse and a swimming pool and pickleball court also will be developed on the property, according to a representative for McDowell who attended the Planning Commission meeting. This will be Phase One of three proposed phases of the apartment complex.

Between 100 apartments and 180 apartments could be built in Phase Two of the project. The total amount of affordable apartments contemplated for the project is 294, according to the rezoning application.

One of the Findings of Fact for the rezoning request was that “Pasco County has seen an approximate 67% increase in housing costs over the past three years compared to an 18.6% average wage increase. This proposal will serve the labor force, which is currently being locked out of an otherwise tight market in housing inventory.”

“The build out year for the project is anticipated to be 2030,” according to an analysis done for McDowell by Lincks & Associates LLC.

In other business, the Planning Commission:

  • Recommended approval of a zoning amendment with conditions requested by Sandhill Ridge MPUD Master Planned Unit Development – Habitat for Humanity of Pinellas County. The applicant wants to be able to build 23 affordable detached single-family homes on approximately 4.39 acres located on the west side of Little Road approximately 825 feet north of the West Pasco Government Center/Citizens Drive. The property is currently zoned R-1MH Single-Family/Mobile Home Zoning District.

The applicant is asking to be allowed to have lots that are a minimum of 40-feet-wide and to be excused from the requirement that lots of that size need to be rear-loaded. It said in the application for rezoning that county staff was amenable to a smaller MPUD because it will provide homes for working families, which is needed for the local economy and community, and will “be a transition from the commercial and heavy traffic along Little Road on the east, to the larger mobile home and residential lots to the west.”

  • Recommended approval of a change in zoning requested by Shah Sachin K and Sarmila Shrestha for approximately 0.41 acres located on the south side of State Road 54 approximately 400 feet west of Meadowbrook. The property is currently zoned AR-1 Agricultural-Residential District. The applicant wants it to be rezoned to PO-1 Professional Office District so a medical office containing between 2,800 square feet and 4,000 square feet may be constructed on the site.
  • Recommended approval of a small-scale comprehensive plan amendment requested by Tyler Suddeth for 2.06 acres of property located on the southwest corner of the intersection of State Road 54 and Ernest Drive in Wesley Chapel. The request is to have the property’s zoning changed from ROR (Residential/Office/Retail) and RES-3 (Residential-3 Du/Ga) to COM (Commercial) to allow for commercial uses that will serve the surrounding residential communities.

The BOCC also will consider these requests for zoning amendments and the comp plan amendment during its Aug. 21 meeting.

  • Approved a request for a Special Exception made by R.&J. Properties of PascoInc/Disbrow Duplex. The applicant wants to be able to convert an existing 3,416-square-foot dwelling that was previously used as an assisted living facility into a duplex. The approximately 0.26-acre property is located on the north side of

Baumann Lane approximately 210 feet west of Grand Boulevard.

  • Approved a request for a Special Exception requested by St Verena Coptic Orthodox Church Inc/St Verena Private K-5 School. The applicant wants to be able to have a K-5 private Christian religious day school for a maximum of 75 students with approximately 10 staff members, including teachers, from August to May for 180 school days. Of the 10 staff members, two would be full-time administration staff employees at the private school, according to the applicant’s agent, Angela B. Rauber, Esq., of the Tampa-based law firm of Hill, Ward, Henderson, P.A. The school will be located on 3.9 acres at 4125 U.S. 19 in New Port Richey.

The Planning Commission is empowered under an applicable portion of the Pasco County Land Development Code (LDC) to hear and decide requests for special exceptions.

Published July 03, 2024

DeSantis signs into law two bills intended to help veterans

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(The Center Square) — Gov. Ron DeSantis signed two bills on June 20 intended to support Florida veterans and their spouses.

House Bill 725 expands the eligibility for admissions to a long-term care facility for veterans to include spouses and surviving spouses of qualifying veterans.

HB 1329 revises existing programs and expands benefits for veterans in Florida. The programs are designed to help veterans ease into civilian life once they have left the military. The bill also provides free hunting and fishing licenses for disabled veterans.

(Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

“As a veteran I will tell you that I’m proud of what Florida does for veterans; we’re the most veteran-friendly state in all of these United States,” DeSantis said, adding that whenever someone would be assigned to Florida, they would always maintain residency in the Sunshine State.

DeSantis said that he sees this as a very positive thing for the state and its communities and added that state officials have streamlined opportunities for veterans to enter into other career paths once they leave the military.

He noted that he wants to make Florida a good place for veterans and their spouses, and added that spouses of active duty military members are serving, too.

“We have a military member certification pathway that I mentioned about teachers,” DeSantis said. “So we believe that military veterans have a lot to offer to young people and we’ve created an ability for them to get a five-year temporary teaching certificate as they work towards their four-year degree.”

The Heroes in the Classroom program offers a recruitment bonus of $4,000 for veterans who want to become teachers and an additional $1,000 bonus for those who take up teaching jobs in high-demand areas.

DeSantis said that there are veterans that have very significant technical expertise in sciences. He added that the state also recognizes any technical training that they have had in the military, which can be applied to college credits.

The governor noted that the state has not raised tuition fees for state universities and colleges and that fees average around $6,300.

“There’s a lot of opportunities and we want to make sure that we’re helping the veterans realize those opportunities [and] training programs,” DeSantis said.

Published July 03, 2024

Governor says Florida makes preservation of coral reefs a top priority

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(The Center Square) — Gov. Ron DeSantis announced June 19 in the Florida Keys that he has made conservation efforts a top priority and will continue to do so through continued appropriations for coral reef restoration.

“We have done, since I’ve been governor, historic investments and conservation efforts in making sure that Florida’s waterways are clean and making sure that we’re restoring the Everglades so water flows to Florida Bay like God intended,” DeSantis said.

DeSantis said that no other administration in the history of the state of Florida has done more to restore and protect the reefs.

(Matt Kieffer, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons)

“This is something that we’ve put a lot of emphasis on, so in March, I did $9.5 million through our coral reef restoration and recovery initiative to support academic and private partnerships that will help safeguard Florida’s coral reefs,” DeSantis said.

In 2023, approximately $57 million was invested in coral reef restoration and coastal protection. DeSantis noted that this year’s budget has allocated the same amount, bringing the total to $114 million since 2019.

“To put that in perspective, what we’ve done in the current year’s budget, what we did in the budget that I signed last week that will take effect July 1…exceeded the total investment requested by the Biden administration for coral reef restoration across the entire United States,” DeSantis said.

The governor noted the importance of coral reefs to the ecosystem and that they also protect the coastline during hurricanes and other major storms.

“Today, we are adding from the budget that I signed, we’ll be able to distribute an additional $5 million dedicated to artificial reefs,” DeSantis said. “This is all in an effort to support the establishment of a new framework for installing, overseeing, and preserving artificial reef habitats in the Florida Keys.”

DeSantis said they are adding additional money to accelerate projects throughout the Sunshine State, some of which were not meant to break ground until at least 2030.

“These are really significant investments, we’re using taxpayer dollars prudently, but these are by far the most substantial investments that we’ve ever done,” DeSantis said. “However, even though we’re doing that…the budget that I signed last week still actually spends less than our current year budget.”

DeSantis also announced that the recreational spiny lobster mini-season will be on July 24 and July 25, with an additional day, July 14, reserved exclusively for Florida residents.

The regular commercial and recreational lobster season will begin on Aug. 6 and end on March 31.

Published July 03, 2024

Mix up your boring meal-planning schedule with a sweet potato salad

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While the joke goes “no great story ever starts with someone eating salad,” many people’s health journeys started that way, as the right ingredients in salads are nutrient-dense, reduce inflammation in the body, and lower the risk of chronic diseases.

And with 90-plus-degree days here with no end in sight, eating something cold is welcomed.

Try a sweet potato salad at your next summer cookout. (Jess Loiterton/Pexels)

Though the go-to image for most people when they think of salad is a bowl of leafy greens and assorted vegetables, there are lots of varieties out there, including those that don’t have leafy greens (or any vegetables) at all.

In fact, salad has more to do with the salt in the dressing than it does vegetables. It comes from the Latin word “sal,” meaning salt. Back in the days of the Roman Empire, salads were covered in salty, oily dressing (which still holds true today).

Hence why pasta salad, egg salad, three bean salad, rice salad, etc., can claim salad in their title.

In my home, salad night is twice a week — spinach salad to be exact.

It’s an easy no-cook meal, and it’s two less meals I have to think of when it’s time to meal plan every week.

I know some people don’t find salads filling or satisfying as a main dish, but by rotating different toppings (hard-boiled eggs, quinoa, orzo, cashews, and so on), I have yet to be bored of salad night. 

Here’s how to boost your salad-building process. Go down this checklist of food groups and make sure you’re not missing anything:

  • Leafy greens as the foundation (the darker the color, the more nutrition it has): iceberg lettuce is mostly water, so focus on spinach, kale, arugula, Swiss chard or red leaf lettuce for more nutritional value.
  • Vegetable and fruit toppings: get a variety of color for the most nutrition. Between carrots, tomatoes, green/yellow/red peppers, beets, onion, cucumber, mushrooms, apples, berries, citrus and so on, it’s easy to make your salad colorful. Whether fresh, canned or frozen, they all count toward your daily vegetable and fruit intake.
  • Grains: barley, couscous, quinoa or brown rice mixed in with your salad, or whole grain bread or rolls as a side dish.
  • Protein: salmon, chicken, tuna, hard-boiled eggs, chickpeas, kidney beans, tofu, black beans, sunflower seeds or chia seeds.
  • Dairy: cheese can be high in calories, so just sprinkle 1-2 tablespoons of your preferred cheese. You can also use Greek yogurt as the base of a homemade dressing.
With your choice of greens, vegetables, grains, proteins and dairy, you’ll be sure to find a salad combination to match your liking. (Luisa Brimble/Unsplash)

And speaking of dressing, make sure not to overdo it, as prepared dressings (especially cream-based ones) can easily surpass burgers or pizza in calories.

If you’d like to make your own dressing, use this guideline:

  • 3 Tablespoons acid (lemon juice, rice vinegar, balsamic vinegar, red wine vinegar, etc.)
  • ½ cup oil (olive oil, canola oil, etc.)
  • 1 Tablespoon seasoning (herbs, spices, Dijon mustard, parmesan cheese, etc.)

Using one ingredient from each category, mix the acid and seasoning in a container with a tight lid, then add the oil.  

Shake well.  

If you would still rather have something else as your main meal, at least consider a salad as a side dish simply for the health benefits.

Shari Bresin is the Family & Consumer Science Agent for the University of Florida/Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Cooperative Extension Pasco County. Pasco County Extension.

RECIPES
We all know the classic potato salad dish, but have you tried sweet potato salad? Here’s a good recipe from University of Maine Extension:

Sweet Potato Salad with Apple Cider Vinaigrette
Makes 6 servings | Serving size: 1 cup

Ingredients
3 large sweet potatoes, peeled and sliced into ¼-inch slices
4 teaspoons olive oil
¼ teaspoon black pepper
¼ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon dried thyme
¼ cup scallions, thinly sliced
2 Tablespoons apple cider vinegar or apple juice

Directions
Preheat oven to 400°F.
Place potatoes in roasting pan.
Coat the potatoes with 2 teaspoons of oil, pepper and thyme. Toss well.
Cover pan. (Use aluminum foil; no need for a special pan with a cover.)
Roast 15 minutes or until easily pierced with a fork. Cool.
Toss with remaining olive oil, scallions and apple cider vinegar.
Serve immediately or refrigerate and serve later.

And for a more traditional leafy green salad, try this Whole Meal Salad from Iowa State Extension:

Whole Meal Salad
Ingredients:
2 cups salad greens (romaine, spinach, or mixture)
1 cup chopped vegetables such as cucumber, frozen peas (thawed), onion, tomatoes, carrots, fresh mushrooms or bell peppers
1 egg (cooked and sliced)
1 ounce chicken, beef or pork (cooked and chopped) or 1/4 cup canned beans, drained
1 Tablespoon shredded cheese, chopped dried fruit, or chopped nuts
2 Tablespoons low-fat salad dressing

Directions:
Arrange greens on large plate or bowl.
Add vegetables.
Add egg, meat or beans.
Sprinkle with cheese, dried fruit or nuts.
Drizzle dressing over top.

Published July 03, 2024

Report: Florida rated highly for education, lower for child well-being

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(The Center Square) — A recently released report on the well-being of children gave Florida high marks for education but ranked the state poorly for several other measures.

The nonprofit Annie E. Casey Foundation released its annual Kids Count Data Book, and while Florida ranked among the highest for education, overall health, well-being and economic security came near the bottom of the list.

According to the report, Florida ranks 30th overall, family and community in the Sunshine State was 30th, education was fifth, child health was 31st and economic well-being was 42nd.

It was found that key challenges Florida children faced during the 2021-2022 school year that impacted on school success included chronic absenteeism at nearly 35%. The other big challenge for Florida children was one or more adverse childhood experiences, which was nearly 43%.

(Polk County Public Schools/Facebook)

The report notes that a National Survey of Children’s Health in 2021-22 found that approximately two in five children in the U.S., or around 40%, had undergone an adverse childhood experience.

These include a divorce or separation of their parents, economic hardship, witnessing domestic violence or neighborhood violence, death or living with someone who has a mental illness or a substance use problem.

The economic well-being data for Florida indicated that around 723,000 children in Florida lived in poverty in 2022. Approximately 1.1 million children, or 26%, have parents who lack secure employment; 1.6 million, or 38%, are living in households with a high housing cost burden; and around 70,000 children, or 7%, are teens not in school or not working.

Health indicators showed that Florida had approximately 20,354 low birth-weight babies born in 2022, along with 336,000 children without health insurance, and 1,353 child and teen deaths per 100,000 people.

Family and community indicators showed that there are over 1.5 million children in Florida living in single-parent homes, 398,000 children live in homes where the head of household lacks a high school diploma, and 266,000 children living in high-poverty areas.

Lisa Hamilton, the president and chief executive officer at the Annie E. Casey Foundation, said in the report’s president’s letter that the U.S. is not keeping up with education that will prepare children for the workforce in the future.

“U.S. scores in reading and math have barely budged in decades,” Hamilton said in her letter. “Many of today’s fastest growing occupations require high-level reading, math and digital problem-solving skills that we are not ensuring our children possess.

“Today’s kids will become this country’s mid-21st century workforce — and we as a nation have failed to prepare them.”

Published July 03, 2024

Florida law would address ‘benefits cliff’ to promote self-sufficiency

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(The Center Square) — A bill signed into law by Gov. Ron DeSantis will help needy families receive additional help toward what the bill sponsor says will be self-sufficiency.

DeSantis signed House Bill 1267, which would revise the tenants of several commonly used public assistance programs in Florida. These programs include Medicaid, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), and Temporary Cash Assistance.

(Tim Boyle/Getty Images)

The bill is sponsored by Rep. Adam Anderson, R-Tarpon Springs, and would address the “benefits cliff” that occurs when a household income slightly increases but results in the household losing its benefits. This can create a barrier to families and discourage financial self-sufficiency.

“The bill replaces handouts with handups, with the new School Readiness Plus program helping families get off these benefit programs completely,” Anderson said in a statement. “We want smooth transitions for those moving from public assistance to financial independence. No family should choose between a pay increase and receiving benefits.”

The bill’s analysis says the majority of program participants are children and adds that benefit cliffs “create a financial disincentive for low-income individuals to earn more income due to the destabilization and uncertainty that often results from a loss in benefits, especially when the benefit lost was essential to a parent’s ability to reliably work.”

The analysis further states that other barriers to financial independence for families include a lack of child care, education and intergenerational poverty. Provisions in the bill include creating a case management system for families transitioning out of the TANF program.

Those participating in the program must provide proof that they are working or looking for work, taking part in a vocational training program, or going to school. Adult general education and high school equivalency exam preparation will now count towards these work requirements.

The Florida Department of Children and Families will expand the mandatory SNAP Employment and Training participation for adults over 18 who do not have children under 18 in their household or qualify for an exemption.

The School Readiness Plus Program will also be created to provide financial assistance to families, allowing parents to maintain access to affordable child care. The bill appropriates $23 million to the Florida Department of Education to implement the School Readiness Subsidy Program that took effect July 1.

Published July 03, 2024

Florida’s Duke Energy customers again voice opposition to rate hike proposal

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(The Center Square) – Florida regulators have held four public meetings over the past several weeks to gather feedback from customers who will be affected by Duke Energy Florida’s proposed base rate hike.

In April, the company petitioned the Florida Public Service Commission to permanently increase its base rates beginning Jan. 1, with annual increases for at least the next three years.

Duke Energy Florida claims that it wants to get a fair rate of return on its investment after going without a rate increase since 2021. The company provides electricity to over 2 million customers and covers an area of 13,000 square miles.

If the rate hike proposal is approved, residential customers using 1,000 kilowatt hours per month can expect to pay $169.16, an increase from $157.47. Duke has further requested a minimum bill of $30 per month.

During the June 18 commission customer service hearing, Duke Energy Florida customers voiced their concerns, which centered around the increased cost of living and the price hike, which will put additional strain on families.

Chairman Mike La Rosa stated that the commission will hold a technical hearing in August, during which it will decide whether to approve base rate hikes.

Austin Watrous, an attorney with the Florida Office of Public Counsel, stated that if Duke Energy Florida approves its proposal, base rates will increase in 2025, 2026 and 2027. This would increase the company’s base rate revenue by $593 million for 2025, an additional $98 million the following Jan. 1, 2026, and then by another $129 million on Jan. 1, 2027.

Watrous said the counsel challenges the legality and lack of supporting evidence for these increases and also challenges the reliability and speculative nature of future cost projections. Watrous added that Duke is entitled to a reasonable return. However, in the opinion of the counsel, the proposed rates are an excessive return on equity.

Jordan Luebkemann, representing Florida Rising and the League of United Latin American Citizens, stated that Duke Energy Florida had the fifth-highest residential customer bills in the U.S. in 2023.

“Duke’s proposal includes a minimum bill, a substantial rate increase, and a big hike on the return on equity – essentially guaranteed profits which will be applied to a wave of construction projects that Duke hasn’t shown they needed,” Luebkemann said.

Published July 03, 2024