The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Special to The Laker/Lutz News

Now accepting credit cards: Your local school

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Pasco County Schools will begin accepting credit and debit card payments during registration and orientation days this year through the SchoolPay company.

Parents will be able to purchase school merchandise and yearbooks, and pay for fees, field trips, and other school items at the school or online through links on the school websites, according to a release. The district human resources department also will accept credit card payments to pay for fingerprinting fees.

An undisclosed transaction fee will be charged on each transaction.

The secure online site will accept Visa, Mastercard and Discover cards. Parents also can search their full history of payments by date and child.

“It’s important to me as superintendent to offer parents convenience and to increase our use of technology in our daily operations,” superintendent Kurt Browning said, in a release.

The district piloted the program at Wiregrass Ranch High School as well as Connerton Elementary School last school year. Both schools reported increased collections and positive feedback from parents about the ease and convenience of paying school fees online with credit and debit cards, officials said.

The district’s food and nutrition services department also accepts online credit and debit card meal payments at MyLunchMoney. School vending machines will accept credit and debit cards, and each school will have a dining room credit card readers for meals at point of sale stations.

MOSI wins national award from Noyce Foundation

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The Museum of Science & Industry in Tampa has been selected as one of just seven museums in the country to receive the Bright Lights Community Engagement Award from the Noyce Foundation.

The award recognizes science centers, children’s museums and natural history museums that have done what it considers to be an outstanding job of engaging with their local communities, especially in areas like science, technology, engineering, art and math. It comes with an undisclosed monetary prize said only to be above $100,000.

“For decades, MOSI has been engaged in the issues of Tampa and the region, with particular emphasis on underserved and at-risk populations, and those who work with them,” said Ann Bowers, chair of the Noyce board of directors, in a release. “Outreach and community engagement are not a separate department at MOSI, but embedded in its organization culture and actions. Commitment to community and improving lives permeates everything this institution does.”

The goal of the award, according to the foundation, is to discover and shine a light on those willing to embrace their communities in new and profound ways. A panel of 15 judges helped select the winners.

MOSI provides more than $3 million annually in free passes, scholarships and memberships to those who cannot afford them. In addition, MOSI works with educators, Head Start teachers, families and children to increase science interest and improve science inquiry, according to a release.

“Our impact on students in the Tampa Bay community and beyond through outreach programs, scholarships and trainings, allow us to bring fun, interactive STEAM education to those who might not otherwise make it to our science center,” said Molly Demeulenaere, MOSI’s vice president of growth, in a release. “This award will allow MOSI to continue its mission of being an educational resource with an emphasis on underserved communities.”

Other museums winning the Bright Lights award include Explora in Albuquerque, New Mexico; the Science Museum of Minnesota in St. Paul; the Monterey Bay Aquarium in California; the Hands On Children’s Museum in Olympia, Washington; The Franklin Institute in Philadelphia; and The Tech Museum of Innovation in San Jose, California.

The Noyce Foundation was created in 1990 to honor the memory and legacy of Robert N. Noyce, co-founder of Intel and inventor of the integrated circuit, which fueled the personal computer revolution and gave Silicon Valley its name.

The Bright Lights award and donation will allow MOSI to continue reaching underserved populations with initiatives like scholarships, outreach programs, teacher trainings, and science assemblies to help meet the needs of families and schools with limited resources.

For more information on the Museum of Science & Industry, visit MOSI.org.

Gas prices hit 4-year low

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Does the cost of gas seem cheaper than usual? It should, because drivers haven’t experienced prices like these since 2010.

Back then, gas was $2.74 per gallon, according to AAA. Within a year, it would jump nearly 80 cents, and climb even higher in 2011.

Yet, the national average of $3.50 set over the weekend not only is 3 cents cheaper than last week, but the lowest it’s been since those prices started to climb in August 2010.

“Typically, gasoline prices fluctuate in July and August, but for the most part, prices have steadily declined,” said AAA spokesman Mark Jenkins, in a release. “Oil prices decreased dramatically this week, so there’s no reason gas prices should go up any time soon. In fact, if these conditions continue, prices could eventually slip below $3 a gallon by the end of the year.”

Of course, there are always events that can get in the way of such an occurrence, like refinery outages, spikes in oil prices, and merely the threat of a hurricane in the Gulf of Mexico, Jenkins said.

The price of a barrel of oil dropped $4.21 in just a week to $97.88 — the biggest weekly decline in seven months, and the lowest since February. Refineries are running at record levels, and there is more than enough gasoline in the market, which has helped bring down prices despite multiple overseas conflicts, AAA said.

Florida’s gas is at $3.41, down a nickel from last week, and at its lowest point since February. Just a month ago, gas in the state was at $3.61. Last year at this time, drivers were paying $3.58 at the pump on average.

As of last Sunday, gas prices in the Land O’ Lakes and Lutz area ranged from $3.21 to $3.49, according to GasBuddy.com, with the cheapest found at Lutz Petroleum on U.S. 41. The cheapest gas in the Wesley Chapel and New Tampa area was $3.22 at Sam’s Club on Bruce B. Downs Boulevard, with high prices around $3.47.

In the Zephyrhills area, gas cost between $3.37 and $3.42, the cheapest found at the Marathon station on Eiland Boulevard. However, drivers willing to go a little further for cheaper gas could find it at $3.31 at the Shell station on the corner of Cortez Boulevard and U.S. 301.

 

Legislature cuts revenue, but misses goal

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Florida TaxWatch is praising the state Legislature for working to be more efficient with taxpayer dollars after an evaluation of bills passed in the most recent term showed revenue to the state would decline by more than $550 million.

That reduction would still leave $1.65 billion in general revenue reserves for the fiscal year.

Fiscal stewards in the Legislature wisely did not spend all of their available revenue,” said Dominic Calabro, president and chief executive of Florida TaxWatch, in a release. “Rather, they left a considerable amount in reserves, which strengthens Florida’s fiscal future. However, TaxWatch encourages the Legislature to improve the integrity and transparency of the appropriations process to ensure accountability in budgeting.”

The Legislature did, however, fall short of its $500 million tax cut goal. The package reduces state and local revenue by $398.8 million this year, and $469.4 million next year.

In addition to bills reducing revenue, a few measures were passed by the 2014 Legislature to slightly increase revenues, including possible sales tax revenue from medical cannabis and an increase in collection of E911 fees.

The cuts will provide only $128 million more in general revenue available for the next budget, Florida TaxWatch said.

 

Trinity hospital earns stroke advanced certification

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Medical Center of Trinity has earned an advanced certification for primary stroke centers from The Joint Commission and the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association.

Earning the certification shows the State Road 54 hospital’s demonstration that they meet critical elements of performance to achieve long-term success in treating stroke patients, according to a release.

The hospital has done a number of things to work closely with stroke victims, including training registered nurses in the AHA Stroke Standards of Care, said chief executive Leigh Massengill, in a release.

With the certification, the Trinity will be able to display the Gold Seal of Approval from The Joint Commission, as well as the AHA check mark. Those signify Medical Center is providing the “next generation of stroke or heart failure care,” and help differentiate it from other facilities that have not received this certification.

To earn the designation, Medical Center of Trinity went through an on-site review earlier this year, paying close attention to primary stroke center requirements, treatment data and performance improvement activities.

“Certification is a voluntary process, and The Joint Commission commends Medical Center of Trinity for successfully undertaking this challenge to elevate its standard of care and instill confidence in the community it serves,” said Jean Range, executive director of The Joint Commission’s Disease-Specific Care Certification, in a release.

The certification was developed in collaboration with the American Stroke Association, and was launched in 2003.

Medical Center of Trinity is a 236-bed hospital located at 9330 State Road 54 in Trinity.

Tax collector, AAA join forces to make summer roads safer

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Pasco County Tax Collector Mike Fasano is partnering with AAA’s Auto Club Group Traffic Safety Foundation to encourage motorists in the county to take extra precautions and drive safely as summer continues on.

Through the Safe Summer Campaign, Fasano will promote the importance of staying safe on the roadway, especially as many families are preparing to go back to school and enjoy last-minute vacations, according to a release.

Tax collector offices will promote the foundation by encouraging customers to make a voluntary contribution of $1 or more, and get their name on a wall hanging. Customers who donate $2 will receive sunglasses, while those who give $10 will receive a AAA first aid kit.

Customers also can check off the box marked “ACG Traffic Safety Foundation” on the back of their vehicle registration renewal form if they choose to renew by mail.

“Traffic safety is an important part of our daily lives,” said Fasano, in a release. “With newly licensed teen drivers entering the road daily, to seasoned older drivers who have been driving for a lifetime, it is impossible to overstate the value of traffic safety. The foundation has many educational programs that provide needed assistance, training and other services to ensure that each driver is safe behind the wheel.”

The check-off promotions runs through the end of August, and can be made at all five tax collector locations in Land O’ Lakes, Wesley Chapel, Dade City, New Port Richey and Gulf Harbors.

To learn more, visit AAA.com/foundation, or PascoTaxes.com.

PHSC elects new board of trustees leaders

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Leonard Johnson is the new chair of the Pasco-Hernando State College district board of trustees, set to serve the 2014-15 academic year after a vote in the board’s July meeting.

Johnson, a Dade City attorney, is a shareholder at Johnson Auvil Pratico & Chane PA, where he practices real estate law, business and banking law, construction law, and estate planning.

Born in Thomasville, Georgia, Johnson received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Florida, and his law degree from the University of Florida College of Law. He has practiced in Pasco County and the surrounding areas since 1981.

Morris Porton of Spring Hill was elected as vice chair. He is a retired senior vice president from Florida Traditions Bank, and had served on the college’s foundation board of directors from 2009 until he was appointed to the main board of directors in late 2011.

He is the owner of Lift More Fitness, which is set to open in September in Spring Hill. He earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of South Florida, and a banking degree from the Graduate School of Banking at Louisiana State University.

Porton also is a reserve lieutenant with the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office, and served in the U.S. Navy Reserve from 1965-66.

Local construction jobs continuing slow climb

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New homes, apartment buildings and even commercial structures are in construction mode … and with that comes an influx of well-paying construction jobs.

The number of jobs available in the greater Tampa Bay market rose 3 percent in June compared to what it was a year ago to 58,600 workers.Yet, when compared to the rest of the state, that growth is below average, according to a new report by Associated General Contractors of America.

“Contractors have been expanding their work force in about two-thirds of the country for several months in a row,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist, in a release. “Some metro areas are adding workers at a strong clip, but the gains remain modest and sporadic in many localities.”

The Fort Walton Beach and Naples area had the largest growth in the state with a 16 percent increase in workers. However, those two areas combined have just a little more than 16,000 construction jobs, a fraction of the Tampa Bay region.

The greater Orlando area, which has the second highest number of construction jobs with 54,900, had an 8 percent increase year over year.

The state added 44,500 construction jobs since June 2013, an increase of 12 percent.

Builders are facing a challenge where some federal infrastructure and construction programs could be in jeopardy. AGCA members are asking Congress to pass a continuing resolution that would set federal spending levels for next year, and to enact long-term surface transportation legislation. Having these measures, they say, would make it easier for many construction firms to make hiring, purchasing and expansion plans.

“It is hard to make sound business decisions when you don’t know how much work will be available in the near future,” said Stephen Sandherr, the association’s chief executive, in a release.

Avoid surgery. Eradicate pain.

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Peggy Boyd, owner of Surgical Alternative, has found a way to end pain without costly and traumatic surgical procedures. “My work goes far beyond massage therapy,” says Peggy. “A better term for my work would be structural therapy.”

She graduated from massage therapy school in 1998 and started out doing sports massage. Her work moved to a whole new level as she began to learn neuro-muscular methods. She saw significant results as she focused on rehabilitative massage.

Peggy Boyd
Peggy Boyd

“I began to see lasting changes in people’s bodies, in their posture and in their attitude toward their daily life,” says Peggy. “Their quality of life improved as their pain was gone as a result of our work.”

“I want to help people eliminate pain, not just temporarily as is often what happens with standard massage therapy,” says Peggy. “I want to get to the source of the problem and rehabilitate it. Then the pain will go away long-term.”

“We want people to know this type of therapy exists,” says Peggy. “We can help people avoid extreme physical actions like surgery. This type of therapy also works well in conjunction with other non-invasive therapies like chiropractic, physical therapy, acupuncture, etc.”

The therapy as Surgical Alternative is designed to help people before they need surgery. They also recognize that sometimes surgery is necessary. This therapy can help clients recuperate faster, reduce their pain after surgery and help them get back to a normal range of motion pain-free.

“My focus is on rehabilitative work, helping people with injuries, and with those who want to prevent problems,” says Peggy. “We pride ourselves on educating our clients about their bodies and helping them to see how their routines may be contributing to their painful conditions.”

Repetitive use injuries are a big problem they see all the time. The therapists at Surgical Alternative help their clients understand where the source of their pain really is coming from. The cause of their pain is not necessarily where the symptoms show up.

“We take the time to understand our clients lifestyle and work routines which often contribute greatly to their condition,” says Peggy. “We can reverse many conditions without surgery.” “Call us and make us explain to you how we can help release your pain,” says Peggy.

“We also see clients who fall between the cracks,” says Peggy. “The doctor can’t find anything wrong, but the pain is real. We can help clients find the source of the problem and release the pain long term rather than simply masking it with unnecessary medications.” An example of this is hip pain. Many times it is tightened muscles that are keeping a person’s structure out of balance. This improper alignment can cause uneven wearing at the joints resulting in pain.

Surgical Alternative offers packages as well as a monthly maintenance program for those who want to keep their body balanced. Their typical session is 90 minutes and cost $120. Peggy has been in business for 12 years and at her current location for a little under 4 years. They have clients as young as 6 years of age and some well into their 90’s. “We see everyone from triathletes with plantar fasciitis, to the person whom has lost range of motion and thinks that their body should not feel like this,” says Peggy.

Peggy and her staff want to help people get beyond merely existing and into truly living.

They’re having an open house on Saturday, August 2, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. They will also be celebrating the grand opening of their new store, Upward Spiral, where they’ll be offering products to support health and healing. They’ll have product samples for you and giveaways too.

Surgical Alternative is located at 17886 N. U.S. 41 in Lutz. They can be reached at (813) 948-6300, or at SurgicalAlternative.com.

– Mike Matthew

This story is a feature of the advertising department.

In Print: The beauty of art, politics, nature

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Megan Burgess likes to do many things young women her age do. She likes to paint, and create.

But Megan, 21, also is a low-functioning autistic. She has trouble communicating verbally, which makes it hard for her to express herself in ways others practically take for granted.

Megan Burgess doesn't want to lose her art class, so her family is looking for more students willing to take part. (Photo by Michael Hinman)
Megan Burgess doesn’t want to lose her art class, so her family is looking for more students willing to take part. (Photo by Michael Hinman)

But she does look forward to hearing to the Land O’ Lakes Recreation Center where she knows she’ll have a chance to express herself through art and music. That is, if the program can continue.

Low attendance is threatening the VSA Florida program, and that could be terrible news for Megan.

“It would be horrible,” Megan’s mother, Violetta Burgess, told reporter Michael Murillo. “You want the kids to be socializing.”

The classes require at least seven students, each paying about $40 each, to break even. The Land O’ Lakes program, however, is averaging about half that, and more is needed.

“My daughter would lose out because I don’t know what I would do,” Violetta said. “She’s older, and it’s hard to find something for her that’s close.”

What can be done? Find out in this week’s print edition of The Laker/Lutz News. Or you can read the online e-edition for free by clicking here.

In case you haven’t been keeping up with what’s been happening with The Laker/Lutz News, this week’s print edition is the last one you’ll find in what we in the industry call a “tabloid” format. Beginning Aug. 6, we’ll increase the physical size of our paper by 6 inches into a broadsheet format, typically what you would find with the daily newspapers in the area.

As we get ready for that big switch, we’re also getting you ready for the upcoming primary elections for later in August. We kick that off with profiles of two candidates who have not received a lot of attention as of late, because they haven’t actually drawn any primary opponents.

Beverly Ledbetter of Dade City is the Democrat seeking to replace state Rep. Will Weatherford in state House District 38, while Erika Remsberg of Land O’ Lakes is the Democrat who will face the winner of the primary race among Ken Littlefield, Mike Moore and Bob Robertson to see who will replace Pat Mulieri on the Pasco County Commission.

Both talked to reporter Michael Hinman this past week, sharing who they are and what they would do if elected to serve the residents of the region.

Beverly Ledbetter
Beverly Ledbetter

“One of the things that you learn as a teacher is to look at both sides of the issue,” Ledbetter said. “There are Republicans who have good ideas, just as there are Democrats who have good ideas, and they should be acknowledged.”

Yet, as in Washington, D.C., Tallahassee has had its share of polarization between the parties as well. And Ledbetter wants to head up there and fix it.

“There are a lot of things I see with our lawmakers that are very frustrating,” she said. “I’m particularly concerned with the lack of respect in Tallahassee.”

Remsberg has seen some bitter arguments among Pasco County commissioners lately, and she feels that her background as a social worker might help bring some understanding and better unity on the commission.

However, Remsberg also feels that the commission can’t lose its voice for the little guy when Mulieri retires.

Erika Remsberg
Erika Remsberg

“I have been very vocal that the county has not done enough to coordinate social service, and they haven’t done enough to deal with the critical needs in the county,” Remsberg said. “I think Pat Mulieri has done the best job in trying to advocate and listen, but now the best advocate that we have is now retiring.”

To read more about what both candidates think can help change lives for everyone in their communities, check out the print edition of this week’s The Laker. Or, if you would like to stay here on the Internet, read more about Ledbetter in our online e-edition by clicking here, and more about Remsberg by clicking here.

Finally, there are many beautiful places to travel to in Florida, and reporter B.C. Manion has been finding as many as she can share.

This week, she travels to Tarpon Springs to take a look at the various offerings of Sun Line Cruises.

The company started up on the other side of the county thanks to Suzanne Upchurch’s instant love she had for the Tarpon Springs area. She and her business partner traveled up and down Florida’s west coast looking for the perfect spot, and she found it right here in Central Florida.

Now they offer all kinds of boat rides, many inexpensive ways to get out on the water. But it’s also a good way to help the environment, Upchurch says, in more ways than one.

Aaron Kalwa, one of the ship’s captains, said a March outing became instantly memorable when a passenger saw something strange floating on the water.

“We were on our way out of Anclote River,” he said. “As soon as we got out to St. Joseph’s Sound, a passenger pointed out something floating in the water. We stopped to get a better look at it, and it looked (like) it was a turtle having some distress, struggling.”

What did Kalwa and the passengers do? Find out by picking up this week’s print edition of The Laker/Lutz News. Or if you really want to know without getting up from your computer or iPad, find this story in our 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.