The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Special to The Laker/Lutz News

News Briefs (8/6/25): Woman’s club hosting Fall Flea Market

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Woman’s club to host Fall Flea Market

LAND O’ LAKES – The Lutz-Land O’ Lakes Woman’s Club will use proceeds from its annual Fall Flea Market to benefit the community through its many projects in support of local charitable groups and nonprofits.

The sale takes place from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sept. 13 at the Heritage Park Recreation Center, 5401 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., Land O’ Lakes. 

The club will welcome donations from the community from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sept. 12 at the Heritage Park Recreation Center. Donations of antiques, art decor, small working appliances, kitchenware, clothing, shoes, children’s toys, books, tools, etc. will be accepted on this day only. All donations must be clean and in working order.  

Call Pamela at 813-838-2974 for details or visit gfwclutzlandolakeswomansclub.org for details. 

 

Tiger Bay Club to honor former mayors

TAMPA – The Tiger Bay Club of Tampa will honor former Tampa Mayor Pam Iorio and former Plant City Mayor Rick Lott with its Lifetime Achievement Award.

The award recognizes exceptional leadership, integrity and long-standing dedication to public service in the Tampa Bay area community. 

“Mayor Iorio and Mayor Lott have each led with vision and purpose, and their leadership has left an indelible mark on the region,” said Debra Bellanti, club president. “We are proud to honor them for their lifetime of service and commitment to our communities. They will join a list of impactful leaders who have earned this honor.”

They will be honored during the ninth annual awards luncheon, presented by Suncoast Tampa Association of Realtors, Dec. 12 at the Hilton Downtown Tampa. A portion of the proceeds will support the club’s newly launched Tiger Bay College Scholarship Program.

On the web: https://tigerbayclub.com/laaevent/

 

 Castor, Bilirakis want to end zombie campaigns

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Reps. Kathy Castor (FL-14), Gus Bilirakis (FL-12) and Jamie Raskin (MD-08) have reintroduced the bipartisan Honest Elections and Campaign, No Gain (HEC No) Act. 

The bill would require former lawmakers and ex-candidates to close their campaign accounts within two years, ending so-called “zombie campaigns.” 

Castor cited reports of former members using leftover funds for personal expenses. 

The bill is supported by groups including Public Citizen, End Citizens United and Issue One. 

Castor has introduced similar legislation for four sessions, citing abuses such as ski trips, festivals and winery visits paid with campaign cash.

 

Tax office wins Sterling Award

TAMPA – The Hillsborough County Tax Collector’s Office has earned the 2025 Governor’s Sterling Award, Florida’s top honor for organizational performance. 

A new mid-year video highlights major accomplishments, including the launch of smart lockers for private dealers and expanded Saturday License Services to meet growing community needs. 

“Transparency and keeping our community informed about all of the ways our office is making enhancements to better serve the community is a big part of our mission,” Tax Collector Nancy Millan said. “These accomplishments reflect our team’s dedication to innovation and our commitment to meeting the evolving needs of Hillsborough County residents and businesses.”

 

 

Protecting those who protect us

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Officers from multiple jurisdictions graduate from a certificate program at St. Petersburg College that is focused on mental health. Photo courtesy of Pepin Family Foundation

ST. PETERSBURG – More police officers die by suicide than in the line of duty. Behind the badge, many carry invisible wounds and far too often suffer in silence. A growing movement in Tampa Bay is changing that.

Law enforcement officers from around Tampa Bay walked across the stage July 28 as the second graduating class of the Sun Coast Police Benevolent Association Applied Mental Health Advanced Technical Certificate for First Responders program at St. Petersburg College. 

This year’s class includes graduates from the St. Petersburg, Tampa, Largo and Bradenton police departments. 

Each graduate is driven by personal experiences:

  • Detective Stephanie Blitz, Largo PD: A seasoned hostage negotiator, found herself in an unimaginable position when her husband was involved in an officer-involved shooting and she had to negotiate the scene. She says it highlights the importance of support after critical incidents for officers and their families.
  • Officer Angie Torres, TPD: A U.S. Marine Corps veteran now serving in the department’s behavioral health unit, she is passionate about expanding wellness resources for officers. She plans to pursue a master’s degree in counseling to further support her fellow officers and military veterans.
  • Retired Captain David DiSano, Tampa International Airport: Enrolled in the program in memory of several friends and co-workers he lost to suicide.

The certificate program was developed to expand on the mental health resources offered by local law enforcement agencies. It was a brainchild of Sun Coast Police Benevolent Association President Jonathan Vazquez and Executive Director/General Counsel Sasha Lohn, based on their experiences supporting officers facing mental health challenges. 

Vazquez said you go to war with an expectation that people may die but he didn’t expect how many of his peers would return home safe only to later die by suicide. 

“Law enforcement culture is a lot like military culture,” Vazquez said. “We need to talk about the hard things we see, hear, smell. We need to help each other.”

With legislative support from Florida Rep. Linda Chaney and Sen. Ed Hooper, the college developed and implemented the academic pathway, prioritizing the mental health needs of law enforcement officers. 

Tuition for the six specialized courses in this three-semester program is fully funded thanks to this partnership and the continued support of the Pepin Family Foundation and Tampa Bay Area Chiefs of Police Foundation.

 “Officers are trained to respond in crisis, but too often, they’re expected to carry that weight alone,” said Tina Pepin, executive director of the Pepin Family Foundation. “We believe when officers are educated and trained in mental and physical resilience, they’re better prepared to care for themselves, their families, and the people they serve. This program is already improving lives across Tampa Bay.”

Greg Mertz, president of the  Tampa Bay Area Chiefs of Police Foundation, said each officer that completes this program is helping shift the culture of law enforcement. 

“This is how we stop trauma, burnout and suicide from spiraling,” Mertz said. “This is how we protect the people who protect us.”

This fall, the cohort plans to share what they’ve learned by distributing a custom challenge coin to first responders in Hillsborough, Pinellas and Manatee counties. The front of the coin reads “First to Respond, Last to Ask for Help” with “We Fight as a Family, You are Never Alone” on the back. Each coin will be accompanied by a card and QR code linking to a vetted list of mental health resources specifically for first responders. A $5,000 donation from the Pepin Family Foundation is helping expand the reach of this initiative.

Zephyrhills recognizes champion weightlifter

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ZEPHYRHILLS – Mayor Melonie Bahr Monson and the Zephyrhills City Council recognized state champion weightlifter Malachi Woodard during the July 28 meeting. 

Woodward, who recently finished his senior year at Zephyrhills High School, was the subject of the following proclamation Monson read into the record:

 

WHEREAS, Malachi Woodard, a senior at Zephyrhills High School, began his journey in powerlifting as a freshman and has since demonstrated extraordinary dedication, discipline, and perseverance in the sport; and 

WHEREAS, Malachi earned his first state title as a sophomore and concluded his high school career with another state championship, solidifying his legacy as one of Florida’s premier high school weightlifters; and 

WHEREAS, during the 2025 Class 2A Boys Weightlifting Olympic-Snatch competition, Malachi Woodard broke the state record in the 154 lb. division by lifting an astounding 240 lbs., surpassing the previous record of 230 lbs.; and 

WHEREAS, Malachi’s achievements have not only brought pride to Zephyrhills High School but have also earned him a scholarship to Lindenwood University in Missouri, where he will continue his academic and athletic pursuits; and 

WHEREAS, surrounded by his family, teammates, and coaches – including Coach James Aguilera – Malachi signed his national letter of intent in the ZHS weight room, expressing heartfelt gratitude to those who supported his journey and helped him realize his dreams; and WHEREAS, Malachi’s story is one of resilience and inspiration, as he found his purpose and passion in the weight room, using it as a source of motivation and strength to achieve greatness; and 

WHEREAS, standing at 5 feet 3 inches tall, Malachi has proven that determination and heart outweigh any physical limitation, and he now aspires to become a strength and conditioning coach to train future professional athletes; 

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Melonie Bahr Monson, Mayor of the City of Zephyrhills, by virtue of the authority vested in me, do hereby recognize and commend Malachi Woodard 2025 State Champion and Record-Breaking Weightlifter for his outstanding accomplishments, unwavering dedication, and the pride he brings to our community. We wish him continued success at Lindenwood University and in all his future endeavors. 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the official seal of the City of Zephyrhills, Pasco County, Florida, to be affixed this 28th day of July, 2025.

 

News Briefs (7/30/25): Pasco County hosts 4-H open house

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LUTZ – The Lutz-Land O’ Lakes Woman’s club attended a recent Habitat for Humanity home dedication. The club provided the family with a housewarming gift to include a fire extinguisher, fire blanket, books and a water filtration system. Pictured from left are Nancy Branham, Melba Pineiro, Jan King, Gail Howard and Shirley Simmons. Photo courtesy of Pennee Bowen

 

23 Habitat homes coming to Brandon neighborhood

BRANDON – Habitat for Humanity and Hillsborough County was scheduled to celebrate the groundbreaking for a 23-home affordable community in Brandon on July 23. 

One of the new single-family homes will be for a woman and her family who lost nearly everything during Hurricane Milton last year.

All of the homes in Windhorst Commons, 205 W. Windhorst Road, will include hurricane shutters. The neighborhood is targeted at those with incomes at or below 80% of the area median income.

Hillsborough County contributed $1.4 million toward home construction in Windhorst Commons, plus another $600,000 for infrastructure costs.

 

Pasco County hosts open house for 4H program

PASCO COUNTY – Pasco County Cooperative Extension invites the community to a 4-H Open House to showcase the program’s fun, hands-on experiences.  

It’s a great way to connect with fellow Pasco County 4-H kids and the leaders who help make it all happen.

The 4-H Program open house takes place from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Aug. 19 at UF/IFAS Extension Pasco County Office, 36702 County Road 52, Dade City.

4-H members work with adult volunteers to complete projects, community service, camps and workshops in areas such as leadership and citizenship, environmental science, animal science, shooting sports, plants and gardening, food and nutrition, and community service.

Email for more information or to join a club.

 

Pasco to resume fees for storm-related permits

PASCO COUNTY – If you still need permits for damage related to hurricanes Helene or Milton, act fast. Pasco County property owners can save money on permit applications while fees are still waived, but you must apply by July 31.

With the 2025 hurricane season underway and last season’s recovery efforts progressing across the county, permitting fees will resume on Aug. 1 to support ongoing services. Pasco has so far waived approximately $3 million in storm-related permitting fees after last fall’s hurricanes caused billions of dollars in property damage.

To help you take advantage of zero fees on required storm-related permits, Pasco’s Building Construction Services team has permitting technicians ready to assist with your applications. To avoid fees, be sure to complete your forms properly before Aug. 1.  

Apply for your permits online at PascoGateway: https://aca-prod.accela.com/pasco/Default.aspx.

 

Veterans help veterans with donation

TAMPA – Joel Markman, CEO of Florida Veterans Assistance Association Inc., made a donation of needed supplies to Liberty Manor for Veterans. 

Florida Veterans Assistance Association Inc. collects veteran donations and distributes resources for veterans in the Tampa area.  The charity has been helping veterans since 1996.  It also hosts a holiday food basket program in which volunteers offer baskets of food to veterans so they can feed their families. Additionally, veterans have access to food certificates from various grocery stores and cash grants to VA hospitals in Florida. These cash grants help veterans pay for necessary medical equipment.

Liberty Manor for Veterans promotes the developmental and social needs of disabled and honorably discharged veterans who have fallen victim to homelessness. The nonprofit has transitioned over 1,000 veterans since 2016. Contact Connie Lindsay at 813-900-9422 for more information.

On the web: libertymanor.org

 

Florida Aquarium to open new exhibit Aug. 1

TAMPA – The Florida Aquarium is rolling out The Tide Pool, a new hands-on exhibit that brings the rugged beauty of the Pacific Northwest coast to downtown Tampa.

Opening to the public on Aug. 1, The Tide Pool is one of the only cold-water touch habitats on Florida’s west coast, quadrupling the number of animals from the previous touch experience. 

Guests will be able to connect with more than 200 marine invertebrates, from colorful sea stars to purple urchins, in a 60-foot habitat featuring crashing surf sounds, wave motion and a day-to-night light display.

“The Tide Pool offers a multi-sensory, up-close experience that connects our guests with marine life like never before,” said Roger Germann, president and CEO of The Florida Aquarium. 

Presented by Robert R. Sharp & Family and Marvin L. & Betsy Holloway, The Tide Pool marks the second major milestone in the aquarium’s multi-year expansion. The project continues with the arrival of puffins in 2026 and a new California sea lion habitat in 2027 along with a new habitat for the aquarium’s African penguins.

Buy tickets at flaquarium.org.

Chalk Talk (7/30/25): Pasco schools cheer on student historians

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Pasco County Schools cheers on student historians

LAND O’ LAKES – Pasco County Schools recognized students that won Florida History Day and National History Day competitions during the July 22 school board meeting. 

Tina Stavrou-Klem, senior instructional specialist, at Pasco County Schools, credited county coordinators, community partners and Pasco Education Foundation for helping these history programs flourish.

“Pasco County Schools is well known and is respected both at the state and national competition,” she said.  “The students’ hard work and dedication, along with the support of their families, teachers and school administrators, have led them to be recognized not only at the district level but at the state level where they competed alongside 902 students in the theme of ‘rights and responsibilities in history.’” 

Some of the Florida History Day winners recognized during the July 22 meeting were as follows:

  • Devansh Dhavale, of Wiregrass Ranch High School, won first place in the Senior Individual Documentary category with the entry, “The Geneva Conventions: Rights and Responsibilities to Protect Vulnerable Soldiers, Innocent Civilians and Selfless Aid Workers.”
  • Liam Scanlan, of Starkey Ranch K-8 School, placed second in the Junior Individual Exhibit category with the entry, “Protecting Life at Sea: How the SOLAS Treaty Became an International Life Preserver.”
  • Breanna Hewitt and Aleisa Swing, of Pine View Middle School, placed second in the Junior Group Exhibit category with the entry “The Dakota people’s rights during the 1826 Dakota war and the responsibilities of the U.S government when dealing with the Dakota people.”
  • Aiden Haston and Nhi Le, of Springs Middle School, won first place in the Junior Group Website category with the entry, “A Silence Heard Across America: Tinker v. Des Moines and the Fight for 1st Amendment Rights in Schools.”

 

Pasco-Hernando State College board elects new leaders 

DADE CITY – The Pasco-Hernando State College District Board of Trustees elected new board leaders July 15 at the college’s East Campus.
Nicole Newlon, partner at Johnson, Newlon and DeCort, P.A. in Tampa, succeeds Marilyn Pearson-Adams as board chair. Newlon served as a Dade City commissioner and attended PHSC (formerly known as Pasco-Hernando Community College) as a dual enrollment student in 1990-1991.  Newlon served as vice chair in 2024-25.

John Allocco Jr., a Realtor for Home-Land Real Estate Inc., will take over as vice chair.  Allocco is a member of the Hernando County Board of Commissioners, CareerSource Pasco-Hernando Executive Board, National and Florida Associations of Realtors, and the Greater Hernando County Chamber of Commerce.

“Their leadership and dedication to our college’s mission will be invaluable as we continue to focus on student success and serve the community,” said Eric Hall, PHSC president. “I also want to express my sincere gratitude to Marilyn Pearson-Adams for her outstanding service and steadfast leadership during her term as board chair.”

The board recognized Pearson-Adams, for her leadership through her 2024-2025 term. She has served as a trustee since 2014.

 

BBB Theatres throwing Back to School Bash

WESLEY CHAPEL – BBB Theatres Wesley Chapel is hosting The Fantastic Back to School Bash & Food Truck Rally from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Aug. 2 at the movie theater. 

Families can get free school supplies, resources, games, activities and a food truck rally to benefit the Mahogany Arts Foundation. 

BBB Theatres Wesley Chapel features a Grand Screen, Screen X and Marquee Suites, as well as a Backstage Pass program, where tickets cost $6 on Tuesdays. 

 

Student Achievements

  • Robby S. Burton, of Lutz, was named to first honors on the Clark University dean’s list. Burton earned a GPA of 3.8 or above at the Worcester, Massachusetts-based college. 
  • Colton Ash, of Lutz, made the spring dean’s list at Youngstown State University in Ohio for earning a GPA of 3.4 or higher. 

Tampa Theatre brings the chills earlier

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TAMPA – It’s easy to forget, down here where the change of seasons barely registers, that for most of the time humans have walked the Earth, to be cold was to die. And darkness was coldness. Every year, as the nights grow longer and the plants get browner and a chill starts to sharpen the air, our ancestors’ thoughts turned grim. But as lives got safer and we developed fear-as-entertainment, we learned to deploy that darkness to frighten  and thereby to thrill.

And yet if you’ve ever been on a Florida beach on an August afternoon, you know that light and heat can be shockingly scary too. Even dangerous. 

And because Tampa Theatre’s Big Picture series curators like being contrary, they’ve decided to lead into spooky season this year with a sampler of frightening films that all operate in the sunlight, though each in different ways:

  • Aug. 6: This month opens with the new classic “Midsommar,” a discombobulating, trancelike nightmare that’s still the most straightforward horror film in the series. It’s a useful introduction to the vibe all these movies have in common: something about horrible things being completely visible makes them feel both more realistic and more surreal.
  • Aug. 13: Next is “Creature from the Black Lagoon,” a groundbreaking and frequently imitated creature-feature that trades one kind of darkness for another. No matter how oppressive the heat and prickly the light is on land, go a few feet underwater and everything is dark and cold forever. The underwater scenes were filmed in Wakulla Springs, just south of Tallahassee, so this is practically a home movie.
  • Aug. 20: Then we take a slight left turn to “No Country for Old Men,” not a typical thriller but a scintillating exploration of a much more recognizable kind of monster. Every shot is desiccated and sunbleached, with cinematography that’s lizardlike in its economy of motion. All you have to do is watch what happens.
  • Aug. 27: And finally we wrap with “The Vanishing,” aka “Spoorloos,” a Dutch psychological stomach-churner about a woman who disappears at a rest stop during a sunny French vacation. It’s got the frank and wide-eyed perspective of security camera footage or a celebrity magazine profile, and Stanley Kubrick thought it was the scariest movie he’d ever seen.

Big Picture tickets cost $7 for Tampa Theatre members and $10 for others. Buy them at the Franklin Street Box Office and  at www.tampatheatre.org

Legislators want answers on sinkholes 

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. House of Representatives has passed HR 900, the Sinkhole Mapping Act, introduced by Reps. Gus Bilirakis (R-FL-12) and Darren Soto (D-FL-09). 

The legislation directs the U.S. Geological Survey to conduct studies on the short- and long-term mechanisms that potentially contribute to the triggering of sinkholes, including extreme storm events, prolonged droughts leading to shifts in water management practices, as well as ongoing aquifer depletion, and other major changes in water use.

“In recent years, we have seen throughout Tampa Bay how dangerous sinkholes can be for neighborhoods,” Bilirakis said. “To improve public safety and consumer protection, we need to study the causes and remedies of sinkholes while developing geological maps to delineate the highest risk areas for sinkholes to occur.”

Sota also addressed the bipartisan legislation on the House floor. 

“It’s all about having a public website displaying maps depicting zones at greater risk of sinkhole formation, helping with communities, helping save lives, and getting us to have more resilient communities.”

Currently, there is no database displaying all sinkholes in Florida. Lawmakers say this presents challenges not just for land developers and residents but also for community planners and first responders. The Sinkhole Mapping Act also directs the USGS director to open a public website that displays maps depicting zones at greater risk of sinkhole formation, giving community planners and first responders access to critical information.  

The Sinkhole Mapping Act awaited a vote in the Senate as of the newspaper’s print deadline. 

In addition to Reps. Soto and Bilirakis, the bill was co-sponsored by Florida Reps. Kathy Castor (D-FL-14), Maxwell Frost (D-FL-10), and Frederica Wilson (D-FL-24), as well as Reps. Wesley Bell (D-MO-01), Jim Costa (D-CA-21), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA-01), and Josh Harder (D-CA-09).

 

Health & Wellness (7/30/25): Youth explore health careers

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AdventHealth Explorers get exposure to health settings

ZEPHYRHILLS – A second year of student Explorers completed a program on health care careers at AdventHealth Zephyrhills by getting CPR-certified.  

The first-of-its-kind Explorers program started at the hospital in spring 2024 with a cohort of 17 youth ages 16 to 20. This year, 20 students were accepted at Zephyrhills as AdventHealth volunteers, giving them access to an immersive learning experience.

Explorers is a program sponsored by Scouting America, where youth can develop career experiences. Explorers meet monthly and work on various student-driven projects with adult guidance and support from AdventHealth team members.  

At Zephyrhills, Explorers left with learning experiences in areas like radiology/imagining and emergency medical services. Students finished up their months-long program by getting critical CPR training and certification. 

AdventHealth Zephyrhills started the Explorers program, but 10 AdventHealth hospitals in the West Florida Division hosted their own programs this year. Seventy of the AdventHealth Explorers attended a July 17 graduation ceremony.

“We’re excited to be able to grow this program with nearly every AdventHealth hospital in the West Florida Division taking part for the 2026 session,” said Mistie Palmer, AdventHealth workforce development programs manager. “We are excited to invest in and inspire young people in our community to pursue jobs with great potential for personal growth, professional fulfilment and financial success.”

 

AdventHealth brings Christmas to pediatric patients

TAMPA – In the heat of summer, AdventHealth Tampa is sharing the magic of Christmas. 

All July, community members have been donating toys, games and financial gifts to support pediatric patients receiving care at AdventHealth Tampa. The special Christmas in July is meant to bring comfort, smiles and a bit of cheer to children who may be going through a difficult or scary time.  

“For children staying in the hospital, every day can feel uncertain and overwhelming, but a simple toy can make a world of difference during treatment,” said McKenzie Doll, the executive director for the AdventHealth Tampa Foundation. “This Christmas in July event is also a powerful reminder that joy and kindness can shine any time of the year.”

AdventHealth Tampa offers Advanced Children’s Emergency Room care, a level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and on-site pediatric specialty services. 

 

Bill would end burn pits

WASHINGTON, D.C. Representatives Gus Bilirakis (R-FL-12) and others have introduced the Waste and Illegal Property Eradication (WIPE) Act.  

The legislation would improve, expand and enhance protections for Veterans under the PACT Act in addition to eliminating burn pits to help prevent future toxic exposure cases. 

The WIPE Act would improve servicemember health and strengthen national security by improving how the U.S. military eliminates dangerous materials both at home and overseas. 

“Exposure to toxic emissions from burn pit toxins has led to tragic consequences for far too many members of our military community,” Bilirakis said. “We owe it to our heroes to transition to safer, more sustainable waste management technologies.”

 

Saint Leo provides pathway to medical school

  1. LEO – Saint Leo University biology majors now have a direct path to medical, dental, pharmacy or podiatry school through a new partnership with Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine. 

Eligible students may apply to LECOM’s Early Acceptance Program before or during junior year. Qualified applicants can bypass the MCAT and receive provisional acceptance. 

While LECOM is based in Erie, Pennsylvania, it recently opened a campus in Bradenton, Florida, and will soon have another in Jacksonville, allowing Saint Leo students to continue their studies in the state.

LECOM offers one of the lowest private medical school tuition rates and a 94% residency match rate. Email Dr. Cheryl Kozina at for details. 

 

Support groups help moms

LUTZ – St. Joseph’s Hospital-North offers free in-person support groups and classes in August about breastfeeding and newborn care. 

The events are open to all no matter which hospital you delivered or plan to deliver your children. Events are held in St. Joseph’s Hospital-North, 4211 Van Dyke Road.

  • Breastfeeding Support Group – For breastfeeding mothers, their babies and one support person (grandmother, aunt, etc.) The group provides a place where breastfeeding mothers receive support from other breastfeeding mothers and certified breastfeeding consultants. Offered Aug. 14 and 28, 10 to 11 a.m.
  • Understanding Your Newborn – Provides information to the expectant mother and one support person about many aspects of safe infant care, including feeding, diapering, bathing, signs of illness and cues and communication. Offered Aug. 14, 1 to 5 p.m.
  • Understanding Breastfeeding – Provides information to the expectant mother and her support person about breastfeeding basics, skin-to-skin contact, tips for returning to work and when to call a health care provider or lactation consultant. Offered Aug. 28, 1 to 5 p.m.

Register in advance by visiting BayCareEvents.org or calling 855-314-8352 and pressing the number “2” at the prompt.

St. Leo creates clear path to osteopathic college 

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ST. LEO – Saint Leo University biology majors who want to pursue a health care career have a clear path to medical, dental, pharmacy or podiatry school thanks to a new partnership. 

Saint Leo recently became an Early Acceptance Program partner of the Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine, the largest osteopathic college in the United States. 

The nonprofit college offers doctoral programs in osteopathic medicine, dental medicine, pharmacy or podiatric medicine.

Through the partnership, Saint Leo students enrolled in the bachelor’s degree program in biology may apply to LECOM’s Early Acceptance Program before or during their junior year.

For students who have obtained specified scores on the SAT or ACT, the Early Acceptance Program waives the MCAT exam. If Saint Leo students meet the requirements, they will be granted provisional acceptance to LECOM and its College of Osteopathic Medicine, School of Dental Medicine, School of Pharmacy, or School of Podiatric Medicine.

“Early acceptance can help undergraduate students avoid some of the stress and cost of applying to medical school or other health care schools,” said Heather Parker, dean of Saint Leo’s College of Arts, Sciences, and Allied Services. “Like Saint Leo University, Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine focuses on the growth of our students in mind, body and spirit.”

Osteopathic medicine takes a whole-person approach to health care and practitioners partner with their patients on their journey to health and wellness, noted Chery Kozina, associate professor of biology. She advises Saint Leo students majoring in pre-health profession.

“Several recent Saint Leo graduates are attending or have graduated from LECOM in the osteopathic medicine program,” she said, “and they go on to competitive medical residency programs. Lake Erie College of Medicine already was an attractive option for students seeking a medical school education after Saint Leo, and the Early Acceptance Program will grow this relationship even further.”

While LECOM is based in Erie, Pennsylvania, it recently opened a new campus in Bradenton, Florida, and will soon have another in Jacksonville, allowing Saint Leo students to continue their studies in the state.

Email Cheryl Kozina, associate professor of biology, For information about the Early Acceptance Program.

Business Digest (7/30/25): Pasco to host career fair

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Skaggs continues leadership in credit union industry 

TAMPA – USF Credit Union President and CEO Richard J. Skaggs has been reelected to serve a second term as chair of the board for The League of Credit Unions & Affiliates. 

The league represents 381 credit unions and more than 32.7 million members in Alabama, Florida, Georgia and Virginia.

Skaggs brings more than 30 years of executive leadership in financial services, including the past 15 years as president and CEO of USF Credit Union, which serves 77,000 members and manages $1.3 billion in assets. 

“Rick’s passion, integrity and decades of experience empower us to move forward with vision and purpose. Rick’s reelection as chair is a testament to the deep trust and respect he has earned from credit union leaders across our four-state footprint,” said Samantha Beeler, president of The League of Credit Unions & Affiliates. “Under his leadership, we’ve expanded our reach, strengthened collaboration and elevated our impact on behalf of our members.”

 

Pasco to host career fair

DADE CITY – Pasco County Government’s human resources department is hosting an in-person career fair.

Managers will be on-site conducting on-the-spot interviews from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Aug. 5 at Pasco County Cooperative Extension, 36702 County Road 52, Dade City. Dress to impress and bring several copies of your resume.

The following career opportunities are available: 911 dispatchers, correctional officer trainees, engineers, field inspectors, firefighters and paramedics, GoPasco bus drivers, parks and recreation, public works/equipment operators and utility positions.

On the web: MyPasco.net

 

Denny’s reopens Brandon restaurant

BRANDON – Denny’s is reopening its Brandon location with an updated design.

The location at 1301 West Brandon Boulevard is owned by John Metz. He operates more than 60 Denny’s restaurants across the country. 

The Brandon Denny’s will be open 24/7, continuing to serve guests around the clock with comfort food, friendly service and a refreshed space.

 

Weichert-affiliated offices welcome new members

TAMPA – Weichert-affiliated offices in the Tampa area recently welcomed new members to its team.  

Kiana McLean, Jessica Sammis and Christine Zak have joined Weichert, Realtors – Exclusive Properties at 11734 N. Dale Mabry Hwy. 

Contact Hector Contreras at 727-344-9325 or for details. 

 

North Tampa Bay events

LAND O’ LAKES – North Tampa Bay Chamber will host a Business Breakfast and Leading Ladies Network discussion. 

  • The Leading Ladies Network presents a panel discussion on the topic, “Is the Grass Really Greener on the Other Side: Transitioning from Corporate to Entrepreneurship,” from 9 to 10:30 a.m. Aug. 1 at USF Credit Union New Tampa, 20610 Bruce B Downs Blvd., Tampa. Register in advance. 
  • Attorney Ron Weaver, a land development and zoning attorney, serves as speaker for the Business Breakfast from 9 to 10:30 a.m. Aug. 5 at Pasco Hernando State College’s Porter Campus, 2727 Mansfield Blvd., Wesley Chapel. Admission costs $25 for members and $30 for others. Register in advance. 

Visit northtampabaychamber.com for details about the chamber and events.

 

Greater Pasco events

NEW PORT RICHEY – Greater Pasco Chamber members will host a Hudson Business & Brochure Exchange and Medical Roundtable. 

  • Reps from Premier Community Healthcare, Cares Clinic and Good Samaritan Clinic participate in a Medical Roundtable hosted by Adam Shumaker from 8 to 9 a.m. Aug. 7 at Morton Plant North Bay Hospital, 6600 Madison St., New Port Richey. Register in advance. 
  • The chamber introduces the Hudson Business & Brochure Exchange from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Aug. 7 at Vitality Living Baypoint Village, 7927 State Road 52, Hudson. The event is free for members or $14 with lunch. Register in advance. 

Visit greaterpasco.com for details about the chamber and events. 

 

East Pasco events

DADE CITY – East Pasco Chamber members will host a ribbon cutting and networking event.

  • Members hold a ribbon cutting at Fluffy Puppy Grooming from 11 a.m. to noon July 31 at the chamber’s office, 38550 Fifth Ave., Zephyrhills. The ribbon will be cut at 11:30 a.m.
  • Members meet up for Coffee & Networking from 8 to 9 a.m. Aug. 1 at the chamber’s Zephyrhills location, 38550 5th Ave., or 8 to 9 a.m. Aug. 5 at the chamber’s Dade City location, 14112 8th St. Register in advance. 

Visit eastpascochamber.org for details about the chamber and events. 

 

Quick Hits

  • Pasco EDC presents 37th Annual Awards from 5 to 9 p.m. Sept. 4 at Saddlebrook Resort, 5700 Saddlebrook Way, Wesley Chapel. The event includes an awards ceremony, trade show and dinner. General admission costs $125. Register at pascoedc.com.
  • FloridaCommerce announced a gain of 128,100 private sector jobs (+1.5%) over the year in June 2025. The education and health services sector added 1,300 jobs in June 2025 to lead all industries.