The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Special to The Laker/Lutz News

Saint Leo recognized again for student diversity

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Saint Leo University once again is celebrating its focus on student diversity, earning another top 100 ranking for minority students from Diverse: Issues in Higher Education magazine.

The St. Leo-based school is ranked ninth nationwide for its number of African-American students earning a bachelor’s degree, and 31st in the nation of the same minority group working on a master’s degree.

Saint Leo also earned high rankings for the number of African-Americans in is graduate-level and associate-level courses, as well as for all minorities seeking a bachelor’s.

“We are pleased to again be included in these significant rankings by Diverse,” said Saint Leo president Arthur Kirk, in a release. “At Saint Leo University, students live and study with counterparts from many backgrounds, places and cultures. We are proud of our inclusive spirit, which is consistently reflected in these rankings as a top degree-granting institution for minority students. We were particularly pleased that we increased our ranking in several categories.”

The Oct. 9 edition of the magazine identifies the top 100 undergraduate and graduate minority degree producers among U.S. colleges and universities. The data is compiled exclusively for the magazine by Victor Borden of Indianapolis. It’s part of his national report documenting the ability of American colleges to award degrees to African-American, Hispanic, Asian-American and Native American students.

Pet dangers are lurking on Halloween

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With goblins, ghosts and creatures of every size and shape creeping around the neighborhood, Halloween can be frightening for the bravest of souls.

It can be especially frightful for pets and pet owners. Even the most responsible pet owner may not know all of the dangers lurking around their beloved pet during this time of year.

Thankfully, the nightmares can be avoided.

Halloween can actually be a fun and festive time for both pets and owners. These steps will help keep pets safe and away from the hidden hazards of this October holiday.

• Trick-or-treat candies are not for pets. All forms of chocolate — especially baking or dark chocolate — can be dangerous, and even lethal, for dogs and cats. Symptoms of chocolate poisoning may include vomiting, diarrhea, rapid breathing, increase heart rate, and seizures.

Halloween candies containing artificial sweetener Xylitol can also be poisonous to dogs. Even small amounts of Xylitol can cause a sudden drop in blood sugar and subsequent loss of coordination and seizures.

While Xylitol’s toxicity in cats has yet to be established, it’s better to be safe than sorry.

• Don’t leave pets out in the yard on Halloween. Surprisingly, vicious pranksters have been known to tease, injure, steal and even kill pets on Halloween night. Inexcusable? Yes. But preventable, nonetheless.

• Keep pets confined, and away from the door. Not only will a door be constantly opening and closing on Halloween, but strangers will be dressed in unusual costumes and yelling loudly for their candy.

This, of course, can be scary for furry friends. Dogs are especially territorial, and may become anxious and growl at innocent trick-or-treaters. Putting a dog or cat in a secure room away from the front door also will prevent them from darting outside into the night.

• Keep outdoor cats inside several days before, and several days after Halloween. Black cats are especially at risk from pranks or other cruelty-related incidents. In fact, many shelters do not adopt our black cats during October as a safety precaution.

• Keep Halloween plants such as pumpkins and corn out of reach. Although they are relatively non-toxic, such plants can induce gastrointestinal upset should pets ingest them in large quantities. Intestinal blockage can even occur if large pieces are swallowed.

• Don’t keep lit pumpkins around pets. Should they get too close, they run the risk of burning themselves, or knocking it over and causing a fire.

• Keep wires and electric light cords out of reach. If chewed, a pet can cut himself on shards of glass or plastic, or receive a life-threatening electrical shock.

• Don’t dress a pet in a costume, unless you know they’ll love it. If you do decide that Fido or Kitty needs a costume, make sure it isn’t annoying or unsafe. It should not constrict movement, hearing, or the ability to breathe, or bark, or meow.

• Try on pet costumes before the big night. If they seem distressed, allergic, or show abnormal behavior, consider letting them go in their “birthday suit.” Festive bandanas usually work for party poopers, too.

• IDs please! If a dog or cat should escape and become lost, having the proper identification will increase chances that they will be returned. Just make sure the information is up-to-date, even if a pet does have a microchip.

Raymond James in Pasco: Don’t hold your breath

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Just months after T. Rowe Price decided not to open offices in Pasco County, it looks like Raymond James Financial will take a step back from its expansion north.

Paul Reilly, Raymond James’ chief executive, told reporters during a recent symposium that while the St. Petersburg-based financial company is delaying plans up to five years, Raymond James is still coming to Pasco.

“Our plan always been and will continue, we will close on the Pasco land,” Reilly said, according to the Tampa Bay Business Journal. “We think it’s a great site over time, but right now, we don’t need the space, and when we need the space, we’ll look at expansion there or see what happens to our other facilities.”

Pasco County commissioners earmarked $10 million to lure Raymond James to the Wiregrass Ranch area, not far from Florida Hospital Wesley Chapel, which the company added to $5 million in state incentives. The plan was to build two 100,000-square-foot buildings on Wiregrass Ranch Boulevard, that would create 750 jobs in the county by 2024, and at least 100 by this year.

Two years ago, state Rep. Will Weatherford said he expected Raymond James to start construction by that fall, and eventually have up to 1 million square feet of space in Wesley Chapel.

“It’s going to change the game,” the Wesley Chapel Republican said at the time.

Once it was ready to start construction, Raymond James would close on 65 acres of vacant land. The company has had that land under contract since 2011.

 

It’s here! $3 gas arrives in Wesley Chapel

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It’s been years since Florida has seen its average gas prices drop below the $3 mark. And while the state average is not there quite yet, two gas stations in Wesley Chapel was selling gas at $2.99 this past weekend.

The Hess station at State Road 54 and Bruce B. Downs Boulevard in Wesley Chapel is one of the first stations locally in years to have gas under $3. (Michael Hinman/Staff Photo)
The Hess station at State Road 54 and Bruce B. Downs Boulevard in Wesley Chapel is one of the first stations locally in years to have gas under $3. (Michael Hinman/Staff Photo)

Those gas stations — the Hess at State Road 54 and Bruce B. Downs Boulevard, and the cash buyers at Citgo at State Road 54 and Boyette Road — were the lowest in the area, and below the $3 mark for the first time, according to GasBuddy.

And that might be just the beginning.

“Gas prices declined dramatically last week, and more discounts are on the way,” said AAA spokesman Mark Jenkins, in a release. “It will soon be increasingly common for motorists to find gasoline cheaper than $3 a gallon. Demand is low and domestic oil supplies are high, putting downward pressure on the price of both oil and gasoline. State averages in Florida and Georgia could be flirting with the $3 mark by Thanksgiving.”

Right now, Florida’s average gas price is $3.24, down 7 cents from a week ago, and down a dime from a month ago. However, it’s down just a nickel from a year ago.

Gas nationally is $3.21, down 9 cents from a week ago, and 20 cents lower than a month ago.

Tennessee, by the way, already is at $3 on average. That’s down 9 cents from the week before, and 20 cents from the month before.

Gas prices in Land O’ Lakes on Sunday ranged from $3.17 at three different gas stations, to $3.21 at the Shell located at Land O’ Lakes Boulevard and Hale Road, according to GasBuddy.

It was a similar story in Lutz, where gas prices were found as low as $3.15 at both the Circle K at Van Dyke and Old Tobacco roads, as well as the Citgo at North Dale Mabry Highway and Land O’ Lakes Boulevard. The highest prices there on Sunday were reported at $3.29 at the Shell located at Van Dyke and Lakeshore Drive.

To join the $2.99 prices in Wesley Chapel, there were still some highs, including a price of $3.19 at three different stations.

Murphy USA had the cheapest gas in Zephyrhills over the weekend at $3.14 on Gall Boulevard near Ginger Avenue, while the Citgo at Gall and Chancey Road had the highest reported price at $3.25.

In Dade City, prices ranged from $3.15 at two locations, to $3.22 at two other stations.

More Pasco government closings to ‘focus’ on work force

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Pasco County already is planning to close many government offices — including public bus transportation — on Oct. 13. But now libraries will join in the single-day closures, but this time at the end of the week.

All libraries in the county system will be closed Oct. 17 for what officials are calling the county’s “Workforce Focus Day.” The libraries, however, will reopen Oct. 18 and resume normal hours.

Pasco already is shutting down a number of county offices on Oct. 13 for what officials are calling a staff development and appreciation day. Those closings coincide with Columbus Day, which is not typically a recognized holiday by the government.

On Oct. 13, Pasco will close many offices, except “constitutional offices” like the sheriff’s office, tax collector and others would remain open. Pasco County Public Transportation, however, would not provide bus services that day.

For information on the library closings, visit PascoLibraries.org.

SBA offering fee relief on certain loans

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The U.S. Small Business Administration is extending fee relief on 7(a) loans into next year of $150,000 or less that was implemented last year, and originally slated to expire last month. SBA Veterans Advantage will be renewed and enhanced as well.

“We don’t want SBA fees to be an impediment to getting capital out to communities where it can make a game-changing difference, especially to our underserved communities, who use these small-dollar loans more frequently,” said SBA administrator Maria Contreras-Sweet, in a release. “We also owe a debt of gratitude and so much more to our servicemen and women, and veterans who are the cornerstone of small business ownership.”

The SBA has guaranteed more than 28,800 loans for more than $1.74 billions, each less than $150,000. That was up from 23,200 loans and $1.34 billion the year before.

Fee reductions on these loans resulted in nearly $19 million in savings to small business borrowers last year.

More than 70 percent of all SBA loans made to veterans are less than $350,000. Through Sept. 20, the SBA guaranteed 153 loans for $38.9 million under Veterans Advantage. Fee relief of those loans resulted in savings to borrowers of about $571,000.

For more information, visit SBA.gov.

Saint Leo opening some fall fest events to public

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A three-day event that traditionally welcomes Saint Leo University students and their parents, will open some of the festivities to the general public.

Saint Leo’s annual Fall Family Festival is set for Oct. 17-19, and will feature offerings like a hypnotist, a talent show, athletic events and fireworks.

It’s hosted by the school’s Campus Activities Board, and will take place on the main campus of Saint Leo, located on State Road 52 in St. Leo.

The festival provides the opportunity for family members to spend time on the campus in what officials call a fun and relaxed setting. They have a chance to enjoy fellowship with other university families, while learning more about Saint Leo.

The event kicks off with a reception for students and family that includes a welcome dinner and a live performance by hypnotist Jim Wand.

A fair will be open to the public beginning Saturday at 11 a.m., and running to 3 p.m. It will include carnival-type rides and games. The public also is invited to the women’s soccer game between Saint Leo and Barry University beginning at 4:30 p.m., followed by the men’s team facing their own competition from Barry beginning at 7 p.m.

A tailgate party for students and their families will start at 4 p.m. at the school’s soccer field.

That evening, the public is invited to a fireworks display grand finale by Pyrotechnico, which begins at 9:30 p.m., in The Bowl.

Sunday concludes with a breast cancer 5-kilometer walk, which also is open to the public.

Several campus amenities — including The Trane Stop, student financial services and the campus bookstore — will have extended hours on Saturday.

For more information on the event, visit SaintLeo.edu/FallFamily, or call Edson O’Neale at (352) 588-8856.

In Print: This is not your typical Amazon summertime excursion

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Missionary work, especially the kind that takes you around the world, is very important. And that could include all kinds of jobs — educators, builders, doctors, you name it.

But what about hairstylists?

Mayra Santiago enlisted the help of fellow church member Mahalie Rivera to cut hair during a mission trip to a small Amazon village in Colombia. (Courtesy of Mayra Santiago)
Mayra Santiago enlisted the help of fellow church member Mahalie Rivera to cut hair during a mission trip to a small Amazon village in Colombia. (Courtesy of Mayra Santiago)

Mayra Santiago helps many customers at Ulta Beauty at The Grove at Wesley Chapel. But this past summer, she traveled to Colombia, where the 43-year-old made sure the people living in the Amazon had the best haircuts Florida can offer.

“I never, never, never in my life expected to cut hair in the Amazon,” Santiago told reporter B.C. Manion.

Santiago made the trip with her church, Vida Community Church, which is temporarily based in Land O’ Lakes, but draws from the region. It’s a bilingual congregation led by pastors Dwight and Lizania Miranda, which has a heart for missions.

Just like how Santiago has a heart for cutting hair. “It’s my passion,” she said.

What was the trip like? What kind of stories did Santiago bring back? Find out in this week’s print edition of The Laker/Lutz News, available on newsstands now. Or if you prefer the digital age, you can get our online e-edition absolutely free by clicking here.

The Sunlake Seahawks volleyball team is poised to accomplish no other volleyball team has accomplished at the school before: Make the playoffs.

Coach Deann Newton has led her team to its second year in a row with a winning record. And while the 16-10 mark last year caused them to just miss the postseason, Sunlake’s 14-4 record through last Friday may end up with a far different result.

“Before, it wasn’t as serious,” junior Gianna Basulto told reporter Michael Murillo. “But when Coach Newton showed up, it was like game on. This is how we’re going to do it. She was very straight-forward, and I love that about her because that’s the type of coach that I and the whole team need.”

So what does the future hold for the Sunlake Seahawks this season? Find out in the print edition of The Laker/Lutz News, or you can read it on your computer or tablet device by clicking here.

Finally, Dave Estabrook spent 35 years helping to mold minds and lead education programs in the Land O’ Lakes area. Now the retired principal is being honored by one of his former schools when Charles S. Rushe Middle School names its media center after him.

David Salerno, who succeeded Estabrook as principal of the school, said naming the media center after him made sense, because it completely matched Estabrook’s leadership style.

“Immediately, I observed a leader who made it his mission to seek input from many stakeholders — as many stakeholders as possible — when making decisions,” Salerno said. “Not only that, he specifically sought out people that he thought might have a different point of view. He believed in the importance of considering all aspects of problems before recommending a solution.”

And the praise didn’t stop there. Read it all in this week’s print edition of The Laker/Lutz News, or get a peek at what it looks like coming from the digital realm 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.

Time to walk to school on Wednesday

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Drivers should be extra careful on school routes Wednesday as many students will take to the street.

It’s part of International Walk to School Day, which raises awareness of the need to create safer routes for walking and bicycling, according to the Florida Department of Transportation. It also emphasizes the importance of issues such as increasing physical activity among children, pedestrian safety, traffic congestion, and concern for the environment.

Statewide, it’s expected that 100,000 students in more than 375 schools will walk and bike to school on Wednesday, along with parents, teachers and community leaders.

“Bicycle and pedestrian safety is a top initiative for the department,” said FDOT chief safety officer Lora Hollingsworth, in a release. “Walking to school creates healthy habits for students and families, and we want to ensure a safe way for them to get there and home safely.”

Organizations that support the walking program include America Walks, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the Federal Highway Administration, the Institute of Transportation Engineers, the National Center for Safer Routes to School, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Safe Kids Worldwide, and the Safe Routes to School National Partnership.

For more information on the event, visit WalkBikeToSchool.org, SafeRoutesInfo.org, and IWalkToSchool.org.

Forest service invests in youth, veterans

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The U.S. Forest Service has invested $20 million in partnerships that supported work and training opportunities for 11,000 youth and veterans on national forests and grasslands this past year.

Service members worked on projects that addressed restoration, hazardous fuels, watershed protection, wilderness stewardship, recreation access, facilities management, trail maintenance, and other natural and cultural resource priorities, according to a release.

“The partnerships associated with developing the next generation of conservationists offer an opportunity to connect veterans and our young people to the great outdoors,” said U.S. Agriculture secretary Tom Vilsack, in a release. “This program engages veterans and young people from diverse backgrounds — including underserved populations — and equips them with the knowledge and critical job skills they need to pursue careers in conservation and land management.”

The Forest Service provided employment in every state and region, as part of the 21st Century Conservation Service Corps. Partners matched the funds invested by the Forest Service on a nearly one-to-one basis.