The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Special to The Laker/Lutz News

Flags at half staff to remember Pearl Harbor

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Gov. Rick Scott has ordered flags Sunday for both the United States and Florida to be flown at half mast in honor of National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day.

“On Sunday, Dec. 7, we will remember and honor the 2,400 American lives that were lost during the sudden attack on Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941,” said Scott, himself a U.S. Navy veteran, in a release. “This somber and reflective day remains significant to our nation’s preserved independence and identity. May we never forget this time in history, and the sacrifices that were made on freedom’s behalf.”

The day commemorates the anniversary of Japan’s surprise attack in Hawaii that crippled American Naval forces, and would directly lead the United States into World War II. In his proclamation, Scott said “the brave men and women of the United States Armed Forces are remembered for their courage, selfless dedication and sacrifice during World War II.”

“To our military and veterans, we sincerely thank you for your sacrifice and commitment,” Scott said. “We will continue to keep your bravery and sacrifice in our hearts and minds as we continue to support those who serve to protect our nation’s freedom.”

Local lawmakers want to overhaul Public Service Commission

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The Public Service Commission could be looking at a major overhaul, thanks to the efforts of two local lawmakers.

State Sen. John Legg and state Rep. Chris Sprowls say they have introduced legislation that will make PSC commissioners “more reflective of the people they are supposed to serve.”

“The Public Service Commission should service the public good,” said Sprowls, a Republican out of Palm Harbor, in a release. “While millions of Floridians are left in the dark — or fleeced by companies like Duke Energy — the PSC continues to turn a blind eye.

“These meaningful first steps will add some diversity and accountability to the PSC as we work on other reforms that will fundamentally alter the culture of the PSC.”

The legislation, according to the release, would limit commissioners to just two consecutive terms. It also would divide the state into five districts, the boundaries aligning with the district courts of appeal, and requiring each commissioner to live in each district.

It also would restrict elected officials from earning an appointment to the commission for two years after they leave office.

“Reforms are needed to restore confidence in the Public Service Commission,” said Legg, a Lutz Republican. “Unfortunately, people don’t feel like they’ve been dealt with fairly, and that is a problem.”

The PSC is tasked to regulate the five investor-owned electric companies, seven investor-owned natural gas utilities, and 149 investor-owned water and wastewater utilities, according to the organization’s website. The governor appoints the five members based on recommendations from a nominating council. Before 1979, however, three of the five members were elected statewide.

The PSC has come under fire in recent months, especially with Duke Energy and its decision to allow the utility to collect billions of dollars from customers for two nuclear plants that are no longer in operation, or was never in operation to begin with. Another lawmaker, Tallahassee Democrat Michelle Rehwinkel Vasilinda, has introduced a bill that would eliminate the so-called nuclear cost recovery statute.

Local Pearl Harbor documentary to air Dec. 7

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It’s a day that will live in infamy, and one Pasco County Television will remember with a locally produced documentary on Japan’s surprise attack of Pearl Harbor.

“In Their War: America at War” will air on the government cable channel Dec. 7 beginning at 12:30 p.m. It features two Pasco residents — Werner Klemm of Port Richey and George Kass of New Port Richey. Klemm served on the USS Dobbin, while Kass was on the USS San Francisco.

The Dobbin was spared major damage, despite displaying admiral flags, and was not able to intervene in the attack from its moored location near Ford Island. The San Francisco was at Pearl Harbor for much-needed repair work, and was not even in combat condition. It also was spared major damage in the attack.

The documentary is produced by Spring Hill resident Matt Wilcox, currently a senior at the University of South Florida.

“The show focuses on the strategic history of the war, as well as the personal experiences of so many who lived during that time,” Wilcox said, in a release.

Pearl Harbor was attached at 7:48 a.m. local time on Dec. 7, 1941, and the documentary is set to air cad close to the anniversary of the attack as possible — converted to the Eastern time zone.

“I’m always looking for locally produced videos and documentaries featuring Pasco County,” said Doug Tobin, the county’s spokesman and the manager of Pasco County Television. “When (a) Spring Hill producer told me he had produced a documentary featuring Pasco County residents, I had to make time to air the show.”

The documentary is 22 minutes long, and covers the United States’ entry into World War II. It will air several more times on Dec. 9 (8 p.m.), Dec. 10 (6:30 p.m.), Dec. 14 (7:30 p.m.), Dec. 18 (1:30 p.m.), Dec. 20 (9:30 a.m.), Dec. 23 (10 a.m.), and Dec. 27 (noon).

A trailer for the documentary can be found at InTheirWar.org.

Pasco County Television can be found on Bright House channel 622 or Verizon FiOS channel 42.

Silver Alert out for missing Wesley Chapel man

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UPDATE: Carlton Cox was found Friday morning, unharmed, in Hernando County.

The Pasco County Sheriff’s Office has issued a Silver Alert for a Wesley Chapel man who hasn’t been seen since Thursday afternoon.

Carlton Cox
Carlton Cox

Family and friends are concerned about Carlton Cox, 64, who left driving a maroon 2005 Lexus ES300. Cox, who has been diagnosed with early stage dementia, was last seen wearing black pants, a blue shirt, and a black baseball cap.

He is 5-foot-7, weighs 130 pounds, has black hair and a graying mustache.

His vehicle has a license plate of 1340BI.

Anyone with any information on Cox’s whereabouts are asked to call the sheriff’s office at (800) 873-8477.

Health 12-03-14

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Caregiver support
The Alzheimer’s Association caregiver support group will meet 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 .

Balance program for senior citizens
Anytime Fitness, 7016 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., in Lutz, is offering an Agility & Balance Program for seniors 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 .

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.

CoDA group meets
The Medical Center of Trinity will offer the Co-Dependence Anonymous group every Thursday at 7 p.m., at its West Pasco Campus, 5637 Marine Parkway in New Port Richey.

Upcoming meetings are Dec. 4, Dec. 11 and Dec. 18.

For information, call (727) 816-8678 or (727) 858-3013.

Lecture on minerals for your body
Access Health Care, 5350 Spring Hill Drive in Spring Hill, will present “Minerals are Vital to Your Body” Dec. 4 at 5:15 p.m.

There will be a discussion on how to replenish the necessary earth substances in your body.

For information, call (352) 688-8116.

Donate blood Dec. 5
Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point, 14000 Fivay Road in Hudson, will host a blood drive Dec. 5 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

All donors will receive a T-shirt and wellness checkup.

To make an appointment online, visit OneBloodDonor.org, and use sponsor code ‘12280.’

Seminar on digestive issues
The Medical Center of Trinity, 9330 State Road 54, will host “Don’t Fear the Rear” Dec. 5 at noon.

Dr. Jared Frattini will discuss various digestive issues, including changes in bowel behavior and treatments for patients with chronic fecal incontinence.

Admission is free. A light lunch will be served.

To make a reservation, call (727) 834-5630, or email .

Coping with diabetes
Access Health Care, 5382 Spring Hill Drive in Spring Hill, will offer a lecture on diabetes mellitus Dec. 8 at 1 p.m.

The lecture is for anyone who has been diagnosed with diabetes mellitus, and their family.

To make a reservation, call (352) 200-2190.

Pulmonary embolism lecture
The Health & Wellness Center at Florida Hospital Wesley Chapel, 2700 Healing Way, will offer a pulmonary embolism overview Dec. 9 at noon.

Dr. Vasco Marques will discuss the symptoms, research and treatment of pulmonary embolisms.

Admission is free. Lunch will be provided.

For information or to make a reservation, call (813) 929-5432.

Mobile mammography at Belk
Belk, 2111 Collier Parkway in Land O’ Lakes, will host the mobile mammography bus Dec. 9 from 9:30 a.m. to 7 p.m., in the parking lot.

Women age 40 and older with no breast concerns, who have not had a mammogram in the last 12 months, and have a primary care physician, are eligible for a free screening.

To schedule an appointment, call (855) 655-2662.

SHINE program needs help
The volunteer program Serving Health Insurance Needs of Elders needs volunteers in Pasco and Pinellas counties to offer free counseling and assistance to seniors and those with disabilities on topics related to Medicare, Medicaid, prescription drug assistance, supplemental insurance and more.

A three-day training program will begin Dec. 9 at Rasmussen College, 18600 Fernview St., in Land O’ Lakes.

Transportation costs are reimbursed, and meals are provided.

For information, call Sue Samson at (727) 570-9696, ext. 234.

A volunteer application can be found online at FloridaSHINE.org.

Here’s all you need to adopt a pet

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Thinking about getting a pet? Not sure you are ready for the responsibility?

While pets require time, money and care, they also are a shoulder to cry on, an alarm clock during the week (and weekend), and a reason to skip the gym. In fact, the benefits that pets offer us — body, mind and soul — may far outweigh the cost and obligation of owning one.

Recent studies have shown that pets not only offer companionships, but also improve the health and well-being of their owners.

  • No need to hit the gym. Pets, dogs in particular, get people up and moving. Whether it is a long walk around the neighborhood, or a rambunctious romp in the park, a dog will surely get its owner heart rate up and keep them moving. The result is a fitter, healthier owner.
  • Happy heart. Studies published in Frontiers in Psychology have shown that getting a pet actually can lead to healthier triglycerides and blood pressure levels. Cats may offer protection against severe heart disease, while having a dog may help lower heart rate and blood pressure.
  • Less sneezy, breathe easy. Some research, like that published in the journal Clinical and Experimental Allergy, indicates that having a cat or dog at home may actually reduce the risk of allergies. Cats can actually reduce wheezing, a symptom of allergies, in toddlers and infants, according to the study.
  • Compassion and responsibility. What better way to teach a child or teen responsibility? While younger kids cannot care for a pet alone, they can help with feeding, grooming and walking. Middle and high school kids may be able to take on some solo family pet chores, such as changing the litter box.
  • Pick up a date. Step away from social media and matchmaker websites. Today, there are so many places that allow dogs like some restaurants and shopping centers, along with beaches and parks, that they also are great places to meet people. Dogs make great icebreakers.

The conversation that began about a loyal, beloved mutt might just end with dinner and drinks.

Although there are many benefits to owning a pet, it is not something that should be jumped into. The time, care, love and money spent on pet ownership are priceless for many people, but not for all.

Please consider carefully before bringing an animal into a home. For those who decide that a pet is right for them, don’t forget to check out the local animal shelter.

The biggest and best reward of pet ownership is the knowledge that someone made a difference and saved the life of an animal.

Business Digest 12-03-14

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Nabers Jewelers owners retiring
After 32 years of running his store from Gall Boulevard in Zephyrhills, Tom Vanater is retiring, and closing Nabers Jewelers.

The store has been open since 1933, with Vanater as the second owner of the business after Myron Nabers.

Nabers is liquidating inventory, and is open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. It’s located at 6951 Gall Blvd. near Daugherty Road in Zephyrhills.

Proposed apartment community wants rezoning
A new apartment complex in the Dade City area will have a chance to move a big step closer to reality Dec. 3 if the developers there can convince county officials to rezone nearly 22 acres of land off Clinton Avenue.

Six Feet Under LLC is asking the Pasco County Planning Commission to rezone land near Floral Memorial Gardens Cemetery from agricultural to high-density multifamily. That would allow the developers to build up to 160 apartments on now-vacant land.

The project, according to documents filed with the county, is Quiet Valley.

Six Feet Under lists Vicky Johnson of Dade City as its manager. She’s associated with another company — Matthew 6:20 LLC — that owns more than 100 acres of primarily grazing and orchard land near Trilby and other parts of rural East Pasco.

The land, located on the north side of Clinton Avenue just a quarter-mile west of U.S. 301, was purchased from Hodges Family Funeral Home in late 2006 for $94,200, according to county property records.

Although no start date for the project has been announced, a study filed by Raysor Transportation Consulting said the community should be complete by 2017.

If the planning commission approves the rezoning, the matter would then have to come in front of the Pasco County Commission, likely early next year.

Construction starts on Esplanade of Tampa
Taylor Morrison recently celebrated the beginning of construction at Esplanade of Tampa, a new community the developer has planned for the New Tampa area.

Located west of Bruce B. Downs Boulevard just south of County Line Road, the community boasts 20 acres of lakes, as well as mature trees and wetlands. Its community center includes a resort-style swimming pool with spa and lap lanes, as well as a full-time lifestyle director.

For information on the community, visit TaylorMorrison.com.

Tourism on pace for record year
For the fourth year in a row, Florida will have record tourism after Visit Florida estimated that 23.7 million people visited the state between July and September.

That’s up 3.5 percent over the same time in 2013, and represents the largest third quarter visitation Florida has ever experienced.

“Florida’s thriving tourism industry is vital to growing jobs, and today’s report that Florida has experienced three record quarters so far in 2014 — putting the state on pace for a fourth consecutive record year — is great news for Florida families,” Gov. Rick Scott said, in a release.

So far this year, Florida has welcomed 73.9 million visitors, who spent $55.6 billion. Direct travel-related employment jumped 3.6 percent, adding 39,900 jobs.

Of those numbers, nearly 3 million came from overseas, and more than 526,000 from Canada.

Catholic Business Networking seeks members
The Catholic Business Networking group is looking for Catholic business owners, employees and supporters interested in joining it for regular meetings every Tuesday from 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m., at Our Lady of the Rosary Church, 2348 Collier Parkway, Land O’ Lakes.

The group has annual dues of $60, and there is a minimum attendance requirement of two meetings per month.

For information, call (813) 833-4737, or visit CBNTampa.com.

Business Link available monthly
Business Link, a monthly small business gathering hosted by the San Antonio Citizens Federal Credit Union, meets the second Wednesday of each month beginning at 7:30 a.m.

The meeting is designed to provide a networking and information-sharing platform for the business community.

For locations, details and to reserve a seat, email , or call (352) 588-2732, ext. 1237.

Women-n-Charge to meet in December
Women-n-Charge will meet Dec. 5 at 11:30 a.m., at Pebble Creek Country Club, 10550 Regents Park Drive in Tampa.

The meeting will include a feature speaker and networking.

Cost is $15 for members who pre-register, and $18 for guests.

For information, visit Women-n-Charge.com, or call (813) 600-9848.

Wesley Chapel networking group
Networking for Your Success meets every Thursday at 8 a.m., at Lexington Oaks Country Club, 2615 Lexington Oaks Blvd., in Wesley Chapel.

Cost is $5, and annual membership to the group is $79.

Kumquat Festival selling sponsorship packages
The Greater Dade City Chamber of Commerce is now accepting reservation packages for the 2015 Kumquat Festival, set to take place Jan. 31.

Packages start at $500, and include logos and links on the KumquatFestival.org website, as well as booth space at the festival. Premier packages, which run from $1,000 to $5,000, include additional features.

The event is expected to draw 45,000 people from Florida, who live here seasonally, and who are visiting.

For information, call John Moors at (352) 567-3769, or email .

East Pasco Networking Group
The East Pasco Networking Group has scheduled several speakers for the coming months. The group meets every other week at the Village Inn at 5214 Gall Blvd., in Zephyrhills. Networking begins at 8 a.m., with the meeting starting at 8:30 a.m.

Upcoming speakers include:

  • Scott Lindner, pastor of Atonement Lutheran Church, Dec. 9
  • Michael Smith, pastor of Fair Haven Baptist Church and principal of Zephyrhills Christian Academy

The group will have its Christmas mixer Dec. 1 at 6 p.m., at Village Inn, 5214 Gall Blvd., in Zephyrhills.

For information, call Nils Lenz at (813) 782-9491, or email him at .

Dade City chamber needs volunteers
The Greater Dade City Chamber of Commerce is looking for some volunteers to help with the chamber event season.

With winter residents returning to the area, there are a number of activities the chamber needs help to staff. The chamber is looking for people who are friendly and outgoing, who have knowledge of the local area and activities, and are team-oriented.

For information, email .

On The Agenda 12-03-14

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Special election set for April
It will be April before residents living in state House District 64 find out if James Grant will return to represent them, or if someone new will go to Tallahassee on their behalf.

Gov. Rick Scott has ordered a special election for Grant’s seat after conflicting court rulings put the November election results in jeopardy. The inclusion of a write-in candidate was successfully challenged ahead of the November election, but then overturned after the election, promoting the House to not recognize Grant, a Lutz Republican, as the winner.

The election will start from scratch, with a primary set for Feb. 10, and an actual special election running April 21. Scott used an executive order to move the special election forward.

Grant beat fellow Republican Miriam Steinberg in the November election, and it’s unclear whether she will run in the new election. Grant filed for the seat Nov. 26.

Housing workshop in Elfers
Pasco County will hold a housing workshop to discuss the State Housing Initiatives Partnership program Dec. 10 from 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., in New Port Richey.

It will take place at the Elfers Senior Center, 4136 Barker Drive.

The county is set to receive more than $15 million from the program over the next three years from money funded through documentary stamp taxes. In order to receive funds, the county must have a plan in place by next May.

SHIP currently provides funding for down payment assistance, housing rehabilitation, tax payment and rental programs. Of the funds allocated, 65 percent must be used for home ownerships, 75 percent for construction, and 30 percent for very low-income households.

To RSVP for the meeting, call (727) 834-3445.

Congressman wants incentives to treat rare diseases
U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis has introduced H.R. 5750 to Congress, known as the Orphan Product Extensions Now Accelerating Cures & Treatment — or the OPEN ACT.

The bill would incentivize drug makers and innovators to repurpose major market drugs for life-threatening, rare diseases and pediatric cancers, the Palm Harbor Republican said, which would open the door to development of hundreds of treatments for rare disease patients.

“There are over 7,000 rare diseases, impacting 40 million Americans — that is nearly 1 in 10 people,” Bilirakis said in a statement. More than 95 percent of those diseases have no treatments, because each rare disease impacts just a small number of patients.

“My bill will leverage the free market to incentivize drugs to be repurposed to treat rare diseases,” Bilirakis said. “This bill can help millions of people by ensuring medications are safe and effective for rare conditions, and can be reimbursed through insurance coverage.”

Chances are, the IRS is not calling you

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Residents around Florida are getting phone calls from people claiming they are from the IRS, and that they are owed money that must be paid promptly.

However, the Better Business Bureau serving West Florida is calling these types of calls scams, and warning people around the state to not give out personal information.

“Don’t be pressured into making payments you don’t owe,” said Karen Nalven, the local Better Business Bureau president, in a release. “These callers are using scare tactics to try and catch you off guard.”

Thousands of taxpayers have been the target of phone calls in what is being described as the “largest ever” phone fraud scam costing Americans $4 million. It’s just one of the techniques, BBB officials say, scammers are using to rip off unsuspecting customers.

To avoid being scammed as well, the BBB is offering these tips:

  • Don’t give out financial information over the phone. The real IRS will not ask for financial information that way. Any contact from the IRS will be through direct mail.
  • Hang up the phone. Those asked for personal or financial information by someone claiming to be an IRS employee should simply hang up.
  • For those who receive an email, delete it. The IRS will not attempt to contact anyone through email. Any emails claiming to be from the IRS are likely scams, the BBB says. Such emails may include computer viruses that could harm computers, or even access personal information.
  • Report the incident. For those who are victims of the scam, call the treasury inspector general at (800) 366-4484. People exposed to this scam should also contact the Federal Trade Commission at FTC.gov.

Schools, sheriff’s office form health pact

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Pasco County Schools and the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office have signed an agreement to share the school district’s health and wellness centers.

“We are very excited about the partnership’s potential and that we are able to expand this very cost-effective, convenient health care program to also benefit the sheriff’s employees,” Pasco superintendent Kurt Browning said, in a release.

The district is adding space to its Land O’ Lakes center and adding another center in Wesley Chapel to provide the extra space needed to accommodate the additional utilization of services by school district and sheriff’s office staff members.

As part of the start-up, the sheriff’s office will have providers and a separate schedule for its employees, to ensure there is enough appointment capacity to provide services.

The agreement benefits the sheriff’s office because it has access to the district’s health and wellness centers. The district benefits because it is able to share some of the fixed overhead costs associated with operating the centers.

The existing centers are in Land O’ Lakes, Dade City, Hudson and New Port Richey.