The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Special to The Laker/Lutz News

Graduation rates up at Pasco schools

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Nearly 70 percent of all Pasco County’s public high school earned an A or B grade from the state, with no D’s or F’s — and graduation rates are up to almost 80 percent as well.

Florida released its grades for high schools on Thursday following a more strict grading scale that suggested some schools may not improve as well as educators may have hoped. Yet, five schools in Pasco received an A grade — with Land O’ Lakes High School improving from a B to an A.

Graduation rates in the county hovered around 76 percent last year, but climbed to 79.4 percent this year, well above the state average of 76.1. Pasco County Schools superintendent Kurt Browning said it’s that statistic, not the grades, that parents should be focused on.

“I’m ecstatic about the significant increase in our gradation rate,” Browning said, in a release. “I can say that I’m pleased that most of our schools either maintained or raised their grades, especially when the bar was set higher this year. But I’d still caution anyone from reading too much into these grades.”

The preliminary grades this year for Pasco’s high schools were:

Anclote High School C
Fivay High School B
Gulf High School B
Hudson High School C
Land O’ Lakes High School A
Mitchell High School A
Pasco High School B
Ridgewood High School C
River Ridge High School A
Sunlake High School A
Wesley Chapel High School B
Wiregrass Ranch High School A
Zephyrhills High School C

Health 12-17-14

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(Courtesy of Gulfside Hospice & Pasco Palliative Care)
(Courtesy of Gulfside Hospice & Pasco Palliative Care)

Remember loved ones with paper dove
Gulfside Hospice’s five thrift shop locations will be selling paper doves to remember loved ones, while supplies last. For $5, you receive two doves to write a loved one’s name on — one for a tree at the shop, and one for your tree at home. Erin Labbe, Gulfside Hospice special events coordinator, hangs a dove to honor a loved one. For information and shop locations, call (800) 561-4883, or visit GHPPC.org.

Huntington’s disease support
The Medical Center of Trinity, 9330 State Road 54, will host a support group for anyone whose life is affected by Huntington’s disease Dec. 18 at 6:30 p.m.

Guests should check in at the front desk for directions to the meeting room.

For information, call Nina Qualters at (727) 236-3578, or email .

Breast cancer support group
Florida Cancer Affiliates will host a breast cancer support group meeting Dec. 18 at 6 p.m., at its Trinity center, 3611 Little Road.

For information, call (727) 372-9159.

Lymphedema support meeting

The Medical Center of Trinity, 9330 State Road 54, will host a lymphedema support group meeting Dec. 18 at 3 p.m.

Lymphedema is a persistent swelling usually affecting an arm or leg that sometimes occurs as a side effect of cancer treatment.

For information and reservations, call (727) 834-5630.

Caring for Cancer group
Oak Hill Hospital, 11375 Cortez Blvd., in Spring Hill, will host Caring for Cancer, a support group for anyone dealing with cancer, cancer survivors, family members and caregivers, Dec. 23 at 11 a.m.

Participants will receive educational material about cancer and cancer treatment.

For information, call Julie DiRenzo at (352) 597-6030.

Free health care event
The Land O’ Lakes Community Center, 5401 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., will host a free health care event Jan. 5 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Guests can get help in choosing and signing up for a health care plan.

For information, call (813) 995-0078.

Tools to Quit smoking
The Medical Center of Trinity, 9330 State Road 54, will offer the free Tools to Quit program for tobacco users Jan. 6 at 2 p.m.

Participants will set a quit date, make a plan, and work through steps to quit.

Those attending also will receive free optional nicotine replacement therapy including patches, lozenges or gum.

For information and to register, call (813) 929-1000, Ext. 208, or email .

Lodge offers TOPS program
J.F. Swartsel Lodge, 3309 Lutz Lake Fern Road in Lutz, offers the TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) program every Wednesday.

Weigh-in is at 9 a.m., followed by a meeting at 9:45 a.m.

For information, call Mary Clark at (813) 908-3587.

Balance program for senior citizens
Anytime Fitness, 7016 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., in Lutz, is offering an Agility & Balance Program for senior citizens on Saturdays at 10:30 a.m.

The cost is $5 per session for Anytime Fitness members, and $8 for non-members.

For information, call Tom Marbell at (352) 409-2984, or email .

Caregiver support
The Alzheimer’s Association caregiver support group meets the first Wednesday of the month at 11 a.m., at the Land O’ Lakes Library, 2818 Collier Parkway.

The group is open to anyone who has a loved one with any form of dementia.

Topics include caregiving frustrations and successes.

Admission is free.

For information, call (813) 996-1361, or email .

Senior citizen strength classes
The Groves Golf and Country Club, 7924 Melogold Circle in Land O’ Lakes, offers a Silver Sneakers Strength & Balance program on Wednesdays at 9 a.m.

These are low-impact classes to improve flexibility and balance.

Classes are free to Silver Sneakers members, and $5 for non-members.

For information, call Tom Marbell at (352) 409-2984, or email .

OLOR cancer network
Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Church Family Cancer Network meets the second and fourth Thursday of the month in Rosary Hall, 2348 Collier Parkway in Land O’ Lakes, beginning at 7 p.m.

Cancer survivors and caregivers are invited to attend.

For information, call (813) 949-4565.

Free pregnancy care
LifeChoices Women’s Care, 1527 N. Dale Mabry Highway, Suite 101 in Lutz, offers free pregnancy testing and limited obstetrical ultrasounds to teenagers, women and couples facing an unplanned pregnancy.

The center is open Monday from 9:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., and Tuesday and Thursday from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Appointments are recommended.

NAMI offers support
The Pasco County Chapter of National Alliance on Mental Illness offers the following support groups:

Family & Friends Support Meetings for family and friends of those with mental illness:

  • NAMI Pasco Office, Jallo Plaza, 6480 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., in Land O’ Lakes, first and third Tuesday of every month, at 7 p.m.
  • Medical Center of Trinity West Campus, 5637 Marine Parkway in New Port Richey, second and fourth Monday of every month, at 7:30 p.m.

NAMI Connections for those living with mental illness:

  • NAMI Pasco Office, 6480 Jallo Plaza, 6480 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., in Land O’ Lakes, every Tuesday, at 7 p.m.
  • Medical Center of Trinity West Campus, 5637 Marine Parkway in New Port Richey, every Wednesday, at 7 p.m.

For information, call (727) 992-9653.

Celebrate Recovery from addictions
Victorious Life Church, 6224 Old Pasco Road in Wesley Chapel, offers a Celebrate Recovery group on Mondays at 6:30 p.m.

The group is a recovery resource for healing from addictions. Participants will discuss hurts, hang-ups and habits.

For information, call (813) 973-2230.

Oak Hill offers mammograms for uninsured
Oak Hill Hospital, 11375 Cortez Blvd., in Brooksville, offers digital mammography screenings for $60 to patients without health insurance.

The screening includes the imaging and the radiologist’s reading.

Patients do not need a prescription from a physician to schedule a screening.

For information, or to schedule an appointment, call (800) 921-7158.

Veteran hotline help
The Crisis Center of Tampa Bay has a toll-free help line to provide emotional support and resource referral to veterans in a five-county area.

The service covers Hillsborough, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk and Manatee counties.

The hotline is staffed by veterans.

Any veteran needing help or information can call (844) 693-5838 between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., Monday through Friday.

After-hours and weekend calls will be answered by crisis specialists in the Crisis Center’s 2-1-1 call center.

Business Digest 12-17-14

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(Courtesy of Jessica Griffin)
(Courtesy of Jessica Griffin)

Jobs on the go
CareerSource Pasco Hernando has reintroduced its Mobile One Stop, a 38-foot bus retrofitted with 13 computer stations. It’s complete with satellite Internet, telecommunications, printing, copying and scanning — everything anyone would need to find a job. It provides service to more than 100 people every month with stops that include the New River Branch Library in Zephyrhills among others. For details on where Mobile One Stop will be, visit CareerSourcePascoHernando.com.

Brandon investor buys Lutz 7-Eleven
Drivers on State Road 54 going by 7-Eleven on Livingston Road may have noticed the 7-Eleven signs are gone.

The corporate parent of the convenience store chain, 7-Eleven Inc. — through its Southland Corp. affiliate — sold the 27-year-old store late last month to Sailfish Real Estate LLC of Brandon. The owner of that company, William McKnight, owns several convenience stores around the region, primarily using Circle K branding.

McKnight owns the much larger Automated Petroleum and Energy Co., which purchases and leases convenience store locations all over the state.

It’s not clear how McKnight will handle the new location, except that it will no longer be a 7-Eleven. McKnight did not return a request for comment last week.

The sale by 7-Eleven was part of a national effort to cut ties with 75 of the stores.

“There are many nice sites in this package that simply do not fit 7-Eleven’s current business model,” company vice president Robbie Radant said in a release last May. “All of those stores have solid merchandise sales, and should provide good opportunities for the right buyers.”

The store and land sold for $750,000, compared to the $225,000 Southland paid for the vacant land back in 1986. Back then, State Road 54 was just two lanes, and far less competition was nearby. Now, however, a RaceTrac is located on just the other side of Livingston.

Famous Tate plans Lutz location
The Tampa-based appliance and mattress store Famous Tate is looking to build its 10th location in central Pasco County, within arm’s reach of Walmart along U.S. 41.

Executives of the small retail chain were scheduled to meet with county officials behind closed doors earlier this month to discuss opening a 14,000-square-foot store on Land O’ Lakes Boulevard, in an outparcel just south of Walmart, not far from where Dale Mabry Highway begins.

Hagman Properties Inc., of Tarpon Springs owns the 1.6-acre parcel, and was the land’s only deed-holder, according to county property records.

This would be Pasco’s third Famous Tate store. The closest current one is at 5419 Village Market in Wesley Chapel, with a second one in Port Richey.

The company was founded in 1954, and employs more than 200 people in six counties, according to the company’s website. Aspire Engineering Inc., of Tampa will take the lead on the project.

Tony Trovato
Tony Trovato

Gulfside Hospice has new CFO
Tony Trovato is the new chief financial officer for Gulfside Hospice & Pasco Palliative Care.

In his new position, Trovato will be in charge of directing the financial and business functions of the organization, as well as provide oversight of departments like finance, business technology, physical plant, and the organization’s thrift stores.

Trovato has more than 25 years experience in the health care and hospice industry, previously spending 24 years with Halifax Health Medical Center in Daytona Beach, where he would eventually become its president and chief executive.

Originally from Chicago, Trovato graduated from Illinois Benedictine College in Lisle, Illinois.

Gulfside Hospice was originally licensed in 1989, and serves more than 350 patients daily, employing more than 250 people, with assistance from 550 volunteers.

Townhomes planned for Lake Patience
Ariel Homes has waited long enough to start development a small stitch of land off Lake Patience Road, where the developer hopes to build 51 townhomes.

The Odessa-based builder was scheduled to meet with Pasco County officials Dec. 15 to build the units on nearly 7 acres of land not far from where Lake Patience and Drexel roads intersect, north of Glendale Villas, not far from Vienna Lake.

Ariel Homes, as A-Investments Development Corp., bought the land in 2004 for $250,000. It already is zoned for multifamily.

Ariel only owns a handful of property in Pasco through A-Investments, primarily single lots in Wilderness Lake Preserve. The townhomes planned for this larger piece of land would be single-story, created by Tampa Civil Design, according to documents filed with the county.

Ariel Homes is primarily a smaller-scale developer, founded by Ariel Quintela in 1990, according to the company’s website. Quintela has lived in Tampa since 1972, and concentrates most of his work in Hillsborough County. However, the lots his company owns in Wilderness Lake Preserve are listed as high as $500,000.

Kumquat tours
Pasco-Hernando State College’s Encore Academy will offer tours of a kumquat grove and processing plant ahead of Dade City’s annual Kumquat Festival Dec. 17 from 10 a.m. to noon at Kumquat Growers of Saint Joseph, 31647 Gude Road, in St. Joseph.

The Encore Academy is a service of the school that provides lifelong learning opportunities to adults of all ages, with membership benefits and discounts available to those 50 and older.

The two-hour workshop is $12, and is open to the public.

For information, visit PHSC.edu/encore.

New Mercedes dealership wants more space
It’s not even finished yet, but a new Mercedes-Benz dealership in Wesley Chapel is looking to add a little more space.

Thomas Engineering Group had scheduled a meeting with Pasco County officials Dec. 15 to increase the already 45,000-square-foot facility by another 2,000 square feet. That would bring the total space to above 47,000 square feet.

AutoNation is building the dealership on State Road 56 near Interstate 75 for $17 million. It was originally expected to open in December, but likely will not start selling its first cars until spring at the earliest.

 

On The Agenda 12-17-14

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(Courtesy of Ed Moore)
(Courtesy of Ed Moore)

A tall order
Amy Moore, left, joins her supervisor Christine Kearney and barista Kelsey Mattox in welcoming Gov. Rick Scott to their Starbucks on State Road 54 near Suncoast Parkway during a recent visit to the area.

Pasco DEC elects officers … mostly
A new chair won’t be elected until Jan. 12, but in the meantime, the Pasco Democratic Executive Committee elected a new slate of officers unanimously Dec. 9 that included Karen Ford as vice chair, Nola Branche as secretary and Calvin Branche as treasurer.

Ford was a neighborhood team leader for Barack Obama in 2010, and is a founding member of the Trinity Democratic Club. She also worked on the two successful campaigns of Democratic state representative Amanda Murphy.

Nola Branche has been a teacher for 23 years, and served as a Democratic town committee chair. She has been the DEC’s secretary since 2006.

Cal Branche taught school for 28 years, and has spent the past 15 years as a licensed community association manager. He has served as vice chair of the DEC for nine years, and has been treasurer the past four years.

Pasco holiday closings
Pasco County government offices, including the constitutional offices and the courts, will be closed Dec. 25 and Dec. 26 in observance of the Christmas holiday season.

All government offices and courts will reopen Dec. 29.

The Pasco County Tax Collector’s office also will be closed Dec. 27, reopening Dec. 29.

Libraries run by the county will close at 5 p.m. on Dec. 24, but will reopen Dec. 27 at their regularly scheduled times. County parks and recreation centers will be closed Dec. 27 as well.

Pasco County Animal Services will have an animal control officer available for emergencies only during the holiday, with the adoption center reopening Dec. 27 from noon to 6:30 p.m. The administration office there will reopen Dec. 29 at 8 a.m.

Pasco County Public Transportation will not provide transportation services over the holiday, resuming service on Dec. 27.

The Pasco County Resource Recovery Facility and the East Pasco Transfer Station will be closed to the general public on Dec. 26, but remain open to licensed commercial haulers. All those stations will reopen to the public on Dec. 27.

Hillsborough selects CIO
The Hillsborough County Commission is expected to confirm Ramin Kouzehkanani as the county’s new chief information and innovation officer during a meeting Dec. 17.

Kouzehkanani has more than 20 years experience in organizational management and leadership of large-scale information technology programs. He is currently the chief deputy clerk for strategic planning and technology for Florida’s 13th Judicial Circuit.

He earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Brighton in the United Kingdom, and a Master of Business Administration from Western New England University.

If confirmed, Kouzehkanani would begin Jan. 5 with a salary of $175,000.

The health insurance market is too complicated to ‘Do It Yourself’

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Les Saland is an independent insurance agent and owner of A.L. Saland Insurance Solutions in Land O’ Lakes. “You don’t want to find out when you need insurance that you have the wrong coverage,” says Les. “Insurance is not for the do-it-yourself individual. There are so many variables.”

ALSalandCloser“Most people don’t have the time to do the necessary research,” says Les. “If they have a problem with a claim, they probably won’t be able to spend hours on the phone trying to get it resolved. That’s our job. We stay on top of the changes in the insurance industry and advocate for our clients.”

Les understands the insurance industry, as an agent and also as a consumer. “People are consumers of health care. They need to approach their coverage and their doctors with the same attention to detail that they use when purchasing any other product.”

“We try to educate our clients,” says Les. “We want them to know what’s going on in the industry and with their coverage in par- ticular. We want them to ask questions so they can make informed decisions about their healthcare needs.”

A. L. Saland Insurance Solutions strives to build solid relationships with their clientele. “The only way we can make good recommendations is by understanding our client’s wants, needs and budget,” says April, Les’s wife and Marketing Director. “We work hard to ensure our clients can keep their doctors and prescriptions.”

“Our knowledge of the insurance industry and our dedication to our clients is what sets us apart,” says Les. “We know how to shop for services, how to talk to doctors and what to say to the insurance companies. We know what makes sense so if a client gets a bad answer or has a claim issue we make sure we talk to someone who can get the right answer. Many times it’s a simple solution but the issue was caused by poor communication or wrong information.”

“We deal with insurance companies all the time,” says Les. “We don’t sell a policy based on commission and we certainly do not just try to make a sale. We know that as long as we do the right thing for our clients, we’ll make a living. Our clients want fair and honest advice. Sometimes people do not like what we have to say and go look elsewhere. But often times they come back after they have found out that we were honest with our assessment of their situation from the beginning.” Our clients to do not pay for our services, says Les. “That’s why we work so hard for our clients. The most important thing is to find an agent you can trust.”

Prior to starting the business in 2003, Les was in the hospitality & information technology industry and April was an office manager/event planner for an insurance company. Their prior experience makes them a natural fit for the insurance industry as they truly enjoy helping people.

A. L. Saland Insurance Solutions can help individuals Health, Life & Disability policies and can provide a complete employee benefits package for business clients. Insurance is a risk management and asset protection tool that helps smooth out temporary rough patches, manage long-term problems and a means for retiring with security and comfort.

A.L. Saland Insurance Solutions can be reached at (813) 995-0292, by email at , or online at ALSalandInsurance.com.

– Mike Matthew

This story is a feature of the advertising department.

Excellent advice from a reputable Realtor

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If you’re buying, selling or renting a home Lou Molnar, owner and lead broker for Coldwell Banker Advantage Team Realty in Land O’Lakes, can help you understand the market and avoid costly mistakes.

Lou Molnar and Karen Hernandez
Lou Molnar and Karen Hernandez

Lou started his brokerage in 1981 as Lake Padgett LOL Realty, Inc., selling homes in Lake Padgett when it was just a fledgling subdivision. His office has been in the same building ever since, on Lake Padgett Drive.

Twenty years ago he purchased a Coldwell Banker franchise. “They were a perfect fit for us,” says Lou. “They have very high standards. They’re not one of the cheapest franchises, but they provide an excellent product to support our team.”

Coldwell Banker has over 100-year legacy of commitment to exceptional customer service. “They’re a very ethical company,” says Lou. “They pay close attention to their Realtors and also provide us with exceptional ongoing education and support.”

Lou currently has six agents working with him. “At one time we had 16,” says Lou. “They come and go. Agents are coming back into the real estate business now. They can see the opportunities.”

New homebuilders are also stepping back into the market. Many buyers are purchasing new homes due to the limited inventory of used homes on the market, due to investors.

“Hedge-funds and other big investors have been buying much of the previously owned homes as soon as they go up for sale,” says Lou. “They target particular subdivisions where they can avoid entrapment by HOA’s and typically pay under market value. They turn those homes into rental properties which ultimately lowers home values.”

Lou recommends listing with a Realtor first, unless the owner is in a critical need situation. The bulk investors pay cash, making it easy for the homeowner to get out quickly.

“People need to pay close attention to their Realtor,” says Lou. “They should be asking a lot of questions before signing any contracts. The Realtor should be able to help them choose the best course of action. They also need to know who is offering to purchase their home.”

“I also manage anywhere from 30 to 35 rental properties. Anyone renting a home needs to know who is managing the property. We charge the owner for property management. That means the renter has someone local to talk to if there’s a problem.”

A distant owner may not be available when there’s an emergency, such as a plumbing or air conditioning problem. “We manage rentals for local owners and take care of problems immediately without needing to wait for owner approval,” says Lou.

“We’re local Realtors who sell and rent properties for local owners,” says Lou. “Realtors need to be close to their market area in order to be able to best serve their customers. Our clients always have someone to talk to when they have questions or concerns.”

“It costs nothing to call if you have questions about buying, selling or renting,” says Lou. “We’ve been doing this for 32 years. We know the real estate business and we take care of our clients.”

Advantage Team Realty is an independently owned and operated member of Coldwell Banker Real Estate Corp., and is located at 3948 Lake Padgett Drive in Land O’ Lakes. For more information, call (813) 996-4747, or visit Lou-Molnar.com.

– Mike Matthew

This story is a feature of the advertising department.

In Print: (Police) lights, (body) cameras, action!

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Don’t ask Pasco County sheriff Chris Nocco to wait in doing something he believes in, even if it’s unclear how taking action would be received by the public.

Pasco County Sheriff’s deputy and field training officer Kristina Perez, right, demonstrates the new body camera that other deputies in Sheriff Chris Nocco’ department will be equipped with beginning in February. (Michael Hinman/Staff photo)
Pasco County Sheriff’s deputy and field training officer Kristina Perez, right, demonstrates the new body camera that other deputies in Sheriff Chris Nocco’ department will be equipped with beginning in February. (Michael Hinman/Staff photo)

That’s why Nocco isn’t waiting for court challenges or even the Florida Legislature before ordering more than 400 body cameras that will be equipped to deputies out on patrol. And while the $400,000 annual cost will be eaten by federal forfeiture funds this year, it’s something Nocco hopes the Pasco County Commission will write a check for in future years.

“We’re not fearful of being a leader out there,” Nocco told reporters during a press conference last week, as shared by reporter Michael Hinman. “There’s always going to be bumps in the road, and there is always going to be tweaks.”

The cameras, however, are not a result of police controversies in Ferguson, Missouri, or New York City, where law enforcement officers took the lives of two unarmed suspects, Nocco said.

“This started months ago because citizens are constantly pulling their phones out and taping deputies,” he said. That prompted those deputies to ask for cameras, and even offer to buy them on their own. But Nocco insisted the sheriff’s office draft a policy in place.

So what do others think about these cameras? Find out in this week’s print edition of The Laker, available on newsstands now, or right here with our free online e-edition.

Christmas is right around the corner, and it’s usually a time we think about family and spending time with them. But for many, it can be quite difficult instead — especially couples who have suffered through a recent miscarriage.

Reina Flores-Robinson is feeling the pain of losing a baby, and is sharing her experience with others to hopefully not only provide support to other women and couples, but to also build awareness of the emotional impact such a loss can have on families.

“At first, it was just hard to even understand, just the initial shock,” Flores-Robinson told reporter B.C. Manion. “I have an amazing doctor. He told me, ‘You’re going to recount every step you took because you’re going to try and figure out what you did wrong.’ He said, ‘I’m going to tell you there’s nothing you could have changed, and nothing you could have done differently. You’re never going to find an answer to it.'”

But how do families cope? Flores-Robinson shares her personal insight in this week’s print edition of The Laker/Lutz News, available now in driveways and newsstands, and also in our free online e-edition, which can be found by clicking here.

And finally, when we think of soccer powerhouses, we think of Sunlake High School. But apparently, the Seahawks are no longer the only (perfect) game in town.

Wiregrass Ranch High School also has an unbeaten boys soccer team, and there may be no slowing these footballers down.

“They’ll run the first 25 minutes of practice without me having to do anything,” Wiregrass Ranch coach David Wilson told reporter Michael Murillo. “I say one thing to them, and they’ll be gone. They go on their run, they come out and stretch, they do their preliminary practice stuff and their preparation stuff.

“There’s expectations that we’ve set, and these kids know what to do when they come in.”

But can Wiregrass Ranch make it all the way to the state finals? Get a peek inside the school’s soccer operation in this week’s print edition of The Laker/Lutz News, available all over the central and eastern parts of Pasco County, or through our free online e-edition by clicking here.

All of these stories and more can be found in this week’s The Laker/Lutz News, available in newsstands throughout east and central Pasco County as well as northern Hillsborough County. Find out what has your community talking this week by getting your local news straight from the only source you need.

If The Laker/Lutz News is not coming to your door, call us to see where you can get your copy at (813) 909-2800, or read our free e-edition by clicking here.

Fasano raises $3,400 for diabetes research

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The Pasco County Tax Collector’s office raised more than $3,400 for diabetes research during National Diabetes Awareness Month in November.

The money was donated to Terri’s Tears Charitable Trust Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting research that seeks a cure for diabetes. It is a Pasco County-based organization founded to honor the memory of Mary Theresa “Terri” Garofolo, a Type 1 insulin-dependent diabetic for more than 35 years.

It is estimated that more than 1 million Floridians have diabetes, the tax collector’s office said in a release, and that another 30,000 children and young adults are diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes annually.

“For our first partnership with Mr. Fasano and the tax collector’s office, this is amazing,” said Vince Garofolo, founder of Terri’s Tears, about the tax collector, Mike Fasano, in a release. “The citizens of Pasco County showed not only their generosity, but also a genuine concern to help the cause.

“I’m sure Terri is looking down on us today with a beautiful smile on her face.”

“There probably is not a person or family who has not been impacted by diabetes in some form,” Fasano said, in a release. “As an agency, we are very proud of the efforts of Vince Garofolo and the trustees of Terri’s Tears Charitable Trust Foundation for their work to help find a cure for this disease. The people of Pasco County truly stepped up to show their support of the foundation’s efforts to find a cure for diabetes.

“I truly thank everyone who took the time to come to our office to make a donation. Every dollar raised will bring diabetes research one step closer to finding either a cure or better treatment options for those afflicted.”

Animal shelter to honor former commissioner

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Pat Mulieri was not always one of the biggest public supporters of the Pasco County animal shelter. But time made a difference, and Pasco County Animal Services will honor the dedication of her time over recent years on Dec. 20.

Pat Mulieri spends some time with Rocket, one of the dogs rescued by Pasco County Animal Services. Mulieri will be honored with her own window room at the shelter Dec. 20. (File photo)
Pat Mulieri spends some time with Rocket, one of the dogs rescued by Pasco County Animal Services. Mulieri will be honored with her own window room at the shelter Dec. 20. (File photo)

The shelter, located at 19640 Dogpatch Lane in Land O’ Lakes, is set to dedicate its window room to Mulieri’s Mutt Room of Hope. It will take on the kind of catchy turn of phrase that the former county commissioner and retired college professor enjoys.

The room will include a plaque at the entrance that will commemorate Mulieri’s years of compassion and generosity, according to a release. An informal dedication ceremony will take place Dec. 20 at 11:30 a.m.

“Pat Mulieri has been a champion to both the staff and animals at the shelter,” county animal services manager Mike Shumate said, in a release. “We are absolutely delighted that we can honor her in this way.”

But Mulieri wasn’t always a common sight at the shelter, especially during her earlier years in office. She explained why in an October interview with The Laker/Lutz News.

“I came to this shelter years ago when I had lost a pet,” Mulieri said at the time. “My husband didn’t lock the screen door for our two little dogs. One came back, and the other didn’t.”

What Mulieri found at the shelter, however, was something she was not ready for.

“They let me in with the place closed when they only had one building out here, and that’s when I saw the dead cats,” Mulieri said. “They had killed so many cats a day, and I didn’t even realize it. I couldn’t come back.”

But those cats haunted Mulieri for years, to the point where she realized staying away was not going to help them. So she became more involved, championing programs that would help save animals from being put down, and working to increase adoptions at the center.

Following that same theme, the shelter will host a free pet adoption event following the dedication ceremony. For more information, visit PascoCountyFl.net/PAS.

Looking for $2 gas? It might be coming soon

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Savings at the gas pump are averaging $10 for every fill-up, yet it doesn’t look like gas prices are going to start heading back up anytime soon.

In fact, prices crept closer to $2 a gallon this past week, as domestic oil supply is at a three-decade high, and forecast to keep growing. At the same time, the price of oil fell to its lowest level in five years.

“Oil prices are plunging because there is so much oil in the market,” AAA spokesman Mark Jenkins said, in a release. “It’s unclear exactly how long this will continue, but gas prices will keep falling as long as oil prices do. Right now, oil prices are forecast to fall through the first half of next year, which further increases the likelihood of $2 gasoline.”

The national average price for a gallon of regular unleaded gas has fallen 35 cents in the past month, AAA said, settling in at $2.56 on Sunday. Prices were as low as $2.09 in Brighton, Tennessee; $2.16 in Albany, Georgia; and $2.27 in Orange Park.

“Tennessee motorists should begin seeing gasoline as low as $2 a gallon at various gas stations in the next couple days,” Jenkins said. “Gas stations in some Florida and Georgia cities could start selling $2 a gallon gas within the next 15 days.”

However, it’s still unlikely that either the national or state averages will fall that low, Jenkins added. But if oil prices keep falling, then there may not be a bottom above $2 in the near future.

The price of oil fell below $60 a barrel for the first time since July 2009, closing Friday at $57.81, down $8.03. That is allowing gas prices to drop between 1 cent and 2 cents per day, Jenkins said. That could mean another drop of between 10 to 20 cents by Christmas Day.

On Dec. 25, 2009, the national average price for a gallon of regular unleaded was $2.59, but was $1.65 the year before.

Right now in Florida, the average gas price Sunday was $2.60, down a dime from a week ago, and 80 cents from a year ago.

Locally, the cheapest gas in Land O’ Lakes is found at the RaceTrac at State Road 52 and Silver Palm Boulevard, according to GasBuddy, where prices were set at $2.43 on Sunday. The most expensive was $2.59 at several gas stations throughout the area.

In Wesley Chapel, those looking for a bargain found the cheapest gas at Sam’s Club on State Road 56, where fuel was sold at $2.44 a gallon. The most expensive was reported at $2.69 at the Citgo on State Road 54 and Boyette Road. In Lutz, prices ranged from $2.39 at the Citgo at Livingston Avenue and East Bearss Avenue, to $2.69 at two stations near Van Dyke Road.

In Zephyrhills, the cheapest gas was reported at Murphy USA at Gall Boulevard near Ginger Avenue with a price of $2.47, according to GasBuddy. The most expensive was $2.59 at the Citgo at Wire and Otis Allen roads. Dade City prices were at their lowest point at D&D at U.S. 98 and U.S. 301 with a price of $2.42, and the most expensive was listed at $2.59 at two different gas stations.