The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Special to The Laker/Lutz News

Pressure grows on Scott to veto speed limit bill

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AAA is not a big fan of raising the speed limit on Florida highways, and is asking Gov. Rick Scott to veto a bill that would do just that.

S.B. 392, which was introduced by state Sen. Jeff Brandes, R-St. Petersburg, would allow Florida to join Maine as the only states east of the Mississippi River that would allow speeds above 70 mph. The bill would allow the Florida Department of Transportation to consider increasing speed limits by 5 mph on certain roads, meaning limited access highways could increase to 85 mph, highways outside urban areas 70 mph, and 65 mph on other roadways under FDOT’s jurisdiction.

But driving faster means more speed-related traffic deaths, AAA said. There are 16 states that allow speeds greater than 70 mph, and most are now well above the national average of 30 percent, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

“We’re deeply concerned for the safety of Florida’s roadway users with cars traveling at increasingly higher speeds on our interstates and other highways,” said Kevin Bakewell, senior vice president and chief public affairs officer for AAA, in a release. “Based upon similar action in other states, this change in state law will likely result in more crashes, injuries and deaths on our highways.”

NHTSA reported more than 10,200 deaths, or nearly a third of all motor vehicle fatalities, occurred in speed-related crashed in 2012, AAA said. The economic cost of speed-related crashes is more than $40 billion annually.

In the Florida Senate’s own analysis of the bill’s impact, a report from the National Cooperative Highway Research Program showed crash and fatality rates increased more when speed limits were increased from 55 to 65 mph, compared to a 65 to 75 mph increase. Yet, the Federal Highway Administration still points out that “there is clear and convincing evidence that crash severity increases with individual vehicle speed.”

The Senate’s analysis also pointed out that fuel efficiency drops the faster a vehicle goes, possibly more than a mile per gallon for each mile per hour a car increases speed.

The bill passed the Senate 27-11 on April 24, and the State House 58-56 on Wednesday. Locally on the Senate side, Wilton Simpson, R-Trilby, and Tom Lee, R-Brandon, both voted for the bill, while John Legg, R-Lutz, voted against.

In the House, only Reps. Richard Corcoran, R-Land O’ Lakes; Will Weatherford, R-Wesley Chapel; and James Grant, R-Tampa, voted for it.

 

Keeping it beautiful at Timber Lake Estates

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???????????????????????????????Don and Sue Mugridge of Shady Creek Drive in Timber Lake Estates accept their award for House of the Second Quarter 2014. Residents work hard to keep their yards in tip-top shape. Honorable mentions were awarded to homes on Pond Hollow and Moss Hill street as well as Countryside Drive. (Courtesy of Jo Ann Buley)

Published April 30, 2014

Grand Horizons shows appreciation in a big way

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Grand Horizons hosted its first Appreciation Day on April 6 with hopefully more to come.

I wasn’t able to attend because of a previous engagement, but I heard from Joyce Bell that all had a great time.

Appreciation Day brought out numerous residents, including from left, Chuck and Shirley Carlson, Joyce and Ron Bell, and Cheryl and Ken Leone. (Courtesy of Ron Bell)
Appreciation Day brought out numerous residents, including from left, Chuck and Shirley Carlson, Joyce and Ron Bell, and Cheryl and Ken Leone.
(Courtesy of Ron Bell)

Ken Leone was the emcee of this event that had about 85 people in attendance. Along with Ken, the following people were on the team that worked very hard to get this appreciation day flowing smoothly: Cheryl Leone, Ron and Joyce Bell, and Chuck and Shirley Carlson.

There were several thank you signs in the community center and there was a big banner also with “Thanks” on it. The menu consisted of a pulled pork sandwich that Cheryl worked very hard on. There also were beans that Shirley Carlson, Joyce Bell and Sandy Lindke provided.

In addition to the above, they also had coleslaw, potato salad, condiments, pickles and cupcakes for dessert. Many pictures were taken and several discussions occurred among the people attending.

About 37 people attended our lunch connoisseurs April 11 at Buca di Beppo Italian Restaurant in Brandon. Del O’Hara and Andy Gisondi, along with Tom and Laurie Carter hosted it.

They did a marvelous job of reserving the place and getting there early enough to greet everyone as they entered the room.

Buca di Beppo has many individual rooms and just the right size was set aside for the people of Grand Horizons. The restaurant not only had a large and varied menu, but the atmosphere was super. All the walls were covered with pictures and information about the place.

Once a month we have lunch connoisseurs, who try to go to different restaurants. This place hit the spot, and we thank the four people who worked on this gathering. We had a terrific time and look forward to many more.

Several women went on a luncheon to the Hacienda Mexican Restaurant on April 17. This is a restaurant that is located right in Zephyrhills and was hosted by Judi Davis. I heard from Judi that 11 women attended this outing and everyone had a great time. There was a special at the restaurant, and several people took advantage of this, plus other items that were presented on the menu.

All in all, everyone had a good time. We look forward to many other outings where the women get together for a good time.

By Helene Rubenstein

Published April 30, 2014

Sheriff’s office to honor fallen officers

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The public is invited to remember and honor law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty during a memorial service May 2 at 8 a.m., on the north lawn of the Historic Courthouse, 37918 Meridian Ave., in Dade City.

The memorial recognizes eight offices killed in the line of duty in Pasco County, from 1909 with Deputy Shelly Nicks, to 2011 when Hernando County Sheriff’s Office deputy John Mecklenburg was killed in Pasco while pursuing a suspect on U.S. 41.

Nicks, according to historians, was killed when he stepped in front of a bullet meant for his father, during an arrest attempt in the Fivay area. Despite the offer of a reward of $1,025 — around $25,000 today — the shooter was never apprehended.

“Once a year, we in Pasco have a formal memorial to remember those that gave their ultimate sacrifice,” Pasco County Sheriff Chris Nocco said in a release. “We should, however, every day think about those heroes and their families that have sacrificed so much to protect others.”

In previous years, multiple federal, state and local law enforcement agencies have participated in the memorial, including groups like the Dade City Police Department, the Zephyrhills Police Department, the Florida Department of Transportation, Florida Wildlife Conservation Commission and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.

Officers killed in action, according to the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office website, also include:

• Pasco Sheriff’s Lt. Charles “Bo” Harrison, 56, shot and killed while on surveillance in Lacoochee on June 1, 2003.
• Florida Highway Patrol Trooper James Bradford-Jean Crooks, 23, shot and killed while chasing a suspect who had killed two Tampa police officers on May 19, 1998.
• Pasco Sheriff’s Deputy John Herbert McCabe, 24, in a car accident on U.S. 41 in Land O’ Lakes while responding to a call about stolen grove heaters on June 26, 1948.
• Pasco Sheriff’s Deputy William Henry O’Berry, 36, shot and killed while investigating a felony where a suspect resisted arrest on Jan. 1, 1926.
• Pasco County Constable Arthur Fleece Crenshaw, 31, during an ambush after visiting an illegal alcohol distillery near Dade City on Oct. 4, 1922.
• U.S. Department of Justice Prohibition Agent John Van Waters, 46, during the same ambush with Crenshaw, on Oct. 4, 1922.

Tax collector’s office raises awareness for child hearing loss

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The Pasco County Tax Collector’s office will feature the Sertoma Speech & Hearing Foundation in May, all part of the national recognition of Better Hearing & Speech Month.

The purpose of the month is to bring attention to hearing and speech issues, according to a release. Locally, the Pasco County-based Sertoma Speech & Hearing Foundation is the key to providing hearing and speech services to children throughout the county and state.

Sertoma reports that hearing loss is the No. 1 birth defect in America, with three out of every 1,000 children being born with some level of hearing loss. In Pasco alone, 13,000 students are screened for hearing loss by audiologists affiliated with Sertoma and All Children’s Hospital.

For those children who do need hearing aid technology, Sertoma assists in providing new devices as children grow, as well as batteries to keep the hearing aids functioning.

Those who wish to support Sertoma can check off the appropriate box on their license renewal or auto registration forms, which contribute $1 or more to the fund. Cash donations also will be accepted by the tax collector’s office. 

“The Children’s Hearing Help Fund assists hard-of-hearing babies and children to avoid a life of isolation, so they can hear the world around them, succeed personally, academically and socially,” said Craig McCart, Sertoma’s executive director, in a release.  

“Hearing loss can be devastating at any age, but in a newborn or small child, it can hinder their development and ability to succeed in life,” said Tax Collector Mike Fasano, in a release. “The services provided by the Sertoma Speech & Hearing Foundation’s Children’s Hearing Help Fund have made the lives of countless children better. Your donation of any amount will assist children in being able to live their lives to the fullest.”

Contributions can be made at all four tax collector offices, including the ones in Land O’ Lakes and Dade City. For more information, call Greg Giordano at (727) 847-8179, or visit PascoTaxes.com.

In Print: From ‘rock star’ to Boston Marathon finisher

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Trish Trout said she would crawl across the finish line at the Boston Marathon if she had to. But the good news is, she didn’t — the Wesley Chapel woman completed one of the world’s most famous running events in a time of 6 hours, 14 minutes.

Trish Trout enjoyed high-fiving little kids as she completed her dream of running the Boston Marathon. (Photo courtesy of Trish Trout)
Trish Trout enjoyed high-fiving little kids as she completed her dream of running the Boston Marathon. (Photo courtesy of Trish Trout)

And for that one day, Trout had a chance to be the center of the universe.

“I was in the center of the Boston Marathon,” Trout told reporter B.C. Manion. “You’re a rock star for a day. It’s like everybody’s your best friend.”

Trout competed in the race despite a hip injury, and received some special motivation from a Land O’ Lakes trainer — despite the fact that Jacqueline Pastika wasn’t even there.

How did she do it? Check out this week’s print edition of The Laker/Lutz News.

Boxing returns to Wesley Chapel on May 3, but while these competitors might not have the name recognition of a Joe Frazier or a George Foreman, they could someday.

The American Olympic League at 5807 Ellerbee Road, will host up to 20 bouts next week, and one of them will feature Wesley Chapel High School freshman Benjamin Vazquez.

“I’m read for it. I feel confident,” Vazquez recently told reporter Michael Murillo. “The conditioning is intense. There’s a lot of stamina, running. It’s not easy.”

Finally, it’s been more than a decade since Pasco County decided that business signs should be on the ground and not high in the air. But county commissioner Kathryn Starkey — who helped bring those signs down long before she sought elected office — says it’s about time the rest of the “grandfathered” signs come down as well. And Pasco County commissioners could start exploring such ideas as early as this fall.

“One of the biggest complaints I get is the old signs that are still up, so we got to figure out a way to help those businesses bring those signs to our new look,” Starkey told reporter Michael Hinman. “It’s difficult. It’s a financial investment, but I think we should incentivize them to bring them up to the current code.”

All of these complete 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.

PetSmart to host special pet adoption this weekend

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Cat Crusaders wants people to bring a feline into their home, and are offering a chance to do just that this weekend in New Tampa.

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Courtesy of Cat Crusaders

PetSmart, located at 6248 Commerce Palms Blvd., will have a number of pets available for adoption May 3 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. as part of PetSmart Charities National Adoption Weekend.

Cat Crusaders will be joined by several other animal rescue groups, including Florida Cocker Spaniel Rescue, PetPals, Florida All Retriever Rescue, and Guardian Angel Dog Rescue. It will feature kittens, cats, puppies and dogs for adoption.

Cat Crusaders will feature special kitten and cat adoption fees for Saturday — $35 for an adult cat, $60 for a kitten, and $80 for two kittens. All cats and kittens are current on their vaccines, and have been spayed or neutered, and microchipped.
PetSmart stores typically offer adoption serves every weekend, but the additional adoption events — held four times each year — allow for specials on adoption, as well as a wider variety of pets. More than 17,000 pets find homes during a PetSmart adoption weekend, and are held in every PetSmart store in the United States and Canada.
For more information on the event, click here.

Graduation rates in Pasco, Hillsborough, near state average

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Pasco County Schools is making progress toward raising graduation rates in its system, but a new report from the GradNation campaign shows that there is still some ways to go.

Pasco is graduating 77 percent of its high school students while the Hillsborough County School District is graduating 73 percent — both nearly in-line with the state average of 75 percent. Yet, there is some silver lining for Pasco, which has a graduation rate near that of Osceola, Lake, Collier and Sarasota counties, and not too far behind leading counties like Brevard and Seminole among the most populated school districts.

Graduation rates in Florida as a whole have been steadily rising over the past decade, from 57 percent in 2003 to 75 percent in 2012. Yet, those rates are still among the lowest in the nation, beating only Alaska, the District of Columbia, Georgia, Louisiana, Nevada, New Mexico and Oregon.

GradNation arrived at the numbers using what it called the Adjusted Cohort Graduation Rate, which tracks a group of students who enter high school together and graduate “on-time” with a regular diploma. The rate accounts and adjusts for students who transfer in or out of the school, or who pass away.

Retired Gen. Colin Powell, who serves as founding chair for America’s Promise Alliance — one of the participating groups in the study — said in a letter with wife Alma Powell that nationwide, school graduation rates are climbing. However, to reach the 90 percent level, there is still more work to be done.

“Despite our gains, far too many young people still do not earn a high school diploma, and the number of non-graduates remains alarmingly high among young people of color, and those from low-income communities,” the Powells wrote in the letter. “In other words, a young person’s chances for success still depend too much on his or her ZIP code and skin color, and too little on his or her abilities and effort.”

The report was commissioned by Civic Enterprises, Everyone Graduates Center at the School of Education at Johns Hopkins University, and America’s Promise Alliance for Excellence Education. Efforts were put together after graduation rates had plateaued over a three-decade period. In the last 10 years, however, national graduation rates have climbed more than 10 percent, with a goal to move another 10 percent ahead by the Class of 2020.

Forest Service offering Wood-to-Energy grants

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The U.S. Forest Service is seeking proposals that expand wood energy use and support responsible forest management.

Part of the federal agency’s Hazardous Fuels Wood-to-Energy Grant program, the Forest Service will provide about $2.8 million to help complete the engineering design work needed to apply or public or private loans for construction and long-term financing of wood energy facilities.

On top of that, the agency announced $1.7 million in funding availability under the Statewide Wood Energy Team cooperative agreement inviting public-private teams to seek funding to advance wood energy. Activities here can include workshops that provide technical, financial and environmental information, preliminary engineering assessments, and community outreach needed to support development of wood energy projects, according to a release.

Since 2005, more than 150 Wood-to-Energy grants have been awarded to small businesses, non-profits, tribes and state and local agencies. All of them are designed to improve forest health while creating jobs, green energy and healthy communities, according to the Forest Service.

The year, the Wood-to-Energy grant program encourages geographic- or sector-based clusters, such as hospitals, prisons or school campuses to participate.

For information, visit NA.FS.fed.us/werc. Applications also can be submitted through Grants.gov.

The Forest Service is part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and manages 193 million acres of public land, as well as provides assistance to state and private landowners, and maintains the largest forestry research organization in the world.

Public lands managed by the Forest Service contribute more than $13 billion to the economy each year through visitor spending alone, according to a release. Those same lands provide 20 percent of the nation’s clean water supply, a value estimated at $7.2 billion annually.

Tax collectors could issue concealed weapons permit under new bill

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Tax collectors could soon accept applications for concealed weapons or firearms.

State Sen. Wilton Simpson, R-Trilby, and State Rep. James Grant, R-Tampa, have passed legislation that would allow county tax collectors the ability to be appointed to accept such applications.

“Allowing tax collectors to assist applicants in their home counties is not only a convenience for citizens, it makes sense all around,” said Marion Hammer, executive director of Unified Sportsmen of Florida and a past NRA president, in a release.

H.B. 523 passed unanimously in the Senate, a bipartisan support for the bill that Simpson said “shows there is some common sense alive and well in Tallahassee.” However, it passed 94-22 in the House, mostly along party lines.

Right now, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services has eight regional locations that accept the applications. The new bill, which now heads to Gov. Rick Scott, will allow Adam Putnam’s division to appoint county tax collectors to receive applications at the start of the permitting process, charging an additional convenience fee.

Those fees, according to staff analysis of the bill, is $22 in addition to the standard $70 initial application fee, or $12 in addition to the $60 renewal fee. However, tax collector offices will not be able to maintain any list of people who apply for or receive new or renewal licenses for concealed weapons.

The bill also earmarks more than $800,000 to implement the program from the Division of Licensing Trust Fund. This would allow 10 new offices to be established each year for the next three years, including more than $460,000 in additional salaries for those who would administer the program, and another $100,000 for equipment that doesn’t include electronic fingerprinting scanners.

Those scanners would run more than $17,000 each, and if purchased for every county, would cost $1.1 million.