The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Special to The Laker/Lutz News

Zephyrhills on high alert for rabies

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A cat has tested positive for rabies in the southeastern part of Pasco County, putting Zephyrhills on alert for the disease.

The Florida Department of Health in Pasco County says domestic animals are at risk if they are not vaccinated, especially if there is any chance they could come into contact with a wild animal.

The alert last until mid-May, and covers an area west of U.S. 301, south of Fairview Heights Road, east of River Glen Boulevard, and north of the area just one mile south of Chancey Road.

Rabies is a viral condition that causes inflammation of the brain, and is typically fatal once symptoms start to appear. It ca be transmitted through bites and scratches, and a human infection requires immediate medical care.

An animal with rabies could infect other wild animals or domestic animals that have not been vaccinated against the disease. Domestic animals should be vaccinated, and all wildlife contact should be avoided, officials said, especially with raccoons, bats, foxes, skunks, otters, bobcats and coyotes.

The only treatment for human exposure to rabies is a rabies-specific immune globulin and rabies immunization.

The Department of Health also recommends:

* Keep rabies vaccinations up to date for all pets.
* If a pet is bitten by a wild animals, seek veterinary assistance for the animal immediately.
* Do not handle, feed or unintentionally attract wild animals by leaving pet food outside, or garbage cans open.
* Never adopt wild animals or bring them into a home.
* Teach children never to handle unfamiliar animals, wild or domestic, even if they appear friendly.
* Prevent bats from entering living quarters or occupied spaces in homes, churches, schools and other similar areas, where they might come into contact with people and pets.
* If someone is bitten by any animal, seek care promptly. Wash the wound thoroughly with soap and water, and visit a doctor or hospital for immediate medical attention.
* Report animal bites and scratches to Pasco County Animal Services at (727) 834-3216, (813) 929-1212, or (352) 521-5194.
* For concerns about wild animals, call the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission at (863) 648-3203.

For more information on rabies, call (352) 521-1350, ext. 344.

Central Pasco’s Business Expo kicks off Friday

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Food, businesses, and did we mention food?

The Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce’s Community Spotlight Business Expo 2014 kicks off today beginning at 4 p.m., at the Land O’ Lakes Recreation Complex.

The annual event helps bring area businesses to the forefront, encouraging residents to “shop local first.” Tables and booths will be set up, introducing and re-introducing them to attendees.

Those coming with an appetite can take part in the Taste of the Town event as the expo continues Saturday, from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. There various restaurants will showcase popular menu items.

The entire event runs Friday between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m., and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The recreation complex is located at 3032 Collier Parkway in Land O’ Lakes.

Sponsors include RPM Printing and Marketing, Medical Center of Trinity, Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point, Benedetto’s Ristorante Italiano, Centennial Bank, Synovus Bank, Sam’s Club, Christian Brothers Automotive, Caroline Contractors, Crew Entertainment, HPH Hospice, Proly Laporte & Mulligan, Two Men and a Truck, and The Laker/Lutz News.

For information, call (813) 909-2722, or visit CentralPascoChamber.com.

Blankenship defeats Connolly for union president

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Pasco County’s teacher of the year came up just short in succeeding Lynne Webb as president of the United School Employees of Pasco, the county’s teachers union.

Ken Blankenship, a former Land O’ Lakes High School teacher who has spent the past three years as an instructional vice president for the union, was elected the group’s leader with 55 percent of the vote. He defeated Pat Connolly, who currently teaches at the same school and earned Pasco’s prestigious instructional award, for the top job.

“I am dedicated and deeply committed to work on behalf of all employees to defend and improve contractual rights, ensure dignity and respect, and strengthen USEP membership and organizational unity for both units,” Blankenship said in a release.

Nearly 900 votes were cast in the election, which were sent by mail through the Pasco County Supervisor of Elections office. On the same ballot, Gay Kennedy won 64 percent of the vote to defeat Bill Hull for School-Related Personnel vice president.

Teacher vice president Lee Kulikauskas, secretary-treasurer Cheryl Vinson, and the union’s executive board were elected without opposition.

Webb, who served as president of the union for 15 years, chose not to seek re-election this term.

This will mean a big decision coming for Connolly. He told The Laker/Lutz News last month that if he lost the election, he would put in one more year at Land O’ Lakes High before looking for other opportunities. Based on how they felt about Connolly when helping him become teacher of the year, his students likely will be happy to have him back in the classroom.

“They trust me to take them on this ride called education,” Connolly told reporter B.C. Manion in February. “And, without that trust, I can’t do what I do. I think I have earned that trust from them. I’ve shown them that I care about them. I’ve shown them I have interesting things to teach them, and that I have faith that they can learn it.”

Don’t recognize a number? Don’t call it back

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A new scam involving “one ring” of a cellphone could end up causing unauthorized charges appearing on monthly wireless statements, according to a new report from the Better Business Bureau.

The “ring and runs” on cellphones have occurred when someone from an unknown number calls, allows the phone to ring once, but then stops. Curious people will return the call to try and find out who it is, and instead are billed just under $20 for the international call fee.

Callers may hear music, then advertising, while they are unknowingly connected to a caller-paid toll service or chat line located outside the country that could cost up to $9 per minute. They typically carry area codes from the Caribbean island like 809, 876, 284, 473 and 767.

The practice of third parties placing unauthorized charges on wireless accounts is known as “cramming.” Those who have fallen for this scam are urged to alert their cellphone carriers immediately, and keep an eye on cellphone bills. The earlier such fraud is caught, the better the chances of having some or all of the charges removed.

The BBB offers the following tips:

• When in doubt, don’t pick up or call back.  If the number is not recognized, and it’s out of state, ignore it.

• Understand mobile bills. Be sure to keep track of what services are typically paid for, so that anything out of the ordinary can be quickly identified.

• Keep a close eye on monthly statements. Anyone can become a victim of bill cramming. Monitoring bills is the best way to determine whether such things are occurring. The sooner unexpected charges are spot, the sooner they can be stopped.

• Add restrictions to phone accounts. Contact service providers to see about restricting third-party billing.

• Inform other users on mobile phone plan. It’s important to let other friends and family members on the same plan know about the scam, so they, too, can ignore phone numbers they do not recognize.

Model train show coming to Pioneer Florida Museum

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Pioneer Florida Museum in Dade City is hosting a model train show March 22 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

This collection of model train layouts, railroad memorabilia and hobby shop vendors will take place in the museum’s Mabel Jordan Barn, a 7,000-square-foot showroom, that will have several model train layouts. At the same time, the historic Trilby Depot will be open and on display, with a working telegraph and running model railroad.

The museum’s 1913 Porter 10 wheeler, once owned and used by the Cummer Cypress Co., will be open and on display.

Special admission for this event is $8 for adults, $6 for senior citizens, and $2 for children between 6 and 18. Parking is free.

The Pioneer Florida Museum is located at 15602 Pioneer Museum Road, one mile north of Dade City.

For information, call (352) 567-0262, or visit PioneerFloridaMuseum.org.

Struggling with reverse mortgage? Relief is here

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Elderly homeowners will have a little help with reverse mortgages through a new program through the Florida Housing Finance Corp.

Called the Elderly Mortgage Assistance Program, or “Elmore,” this program is designed to assist homeowners with home equity conversion mortgages, better known as reverse mortgages, who are struggling making property tax and homeowners insurance payments.

Because of that, these homeowners could face foreclosure for nonpayment of these required expenses.

“There are thousands of reverse mortgages in Florida that are in delinquency,” said Steve Auger, executive director for Florida Housing, in a release. “After implementing other (‘Hardest-Hit Fund’) programs that target the more ‘traditional’ homeowner, it is now time to help homeowners who are in the twilight of their years, on a fixed income, experiencing a hardship, and facing foreclosure. This new program should help them sustain their homes, while they look at ways to free up income to pay their homeowner expenses moving forward.”

The program is being conducted in cooperation with the Florida Department of Elder Affairs, Fannie Mae, and the U.S. Department of the Treasury. Florida has been allotted $25 million to help distressed homeowners with the program.

Reverse mortgages offer unique benefits to elderly homeowners, allowing them to access the equity in their homes. However, with a reverse mortgage, homeowners have specific responsibilities that are set by the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development, which insures most reverse mortgages, including the timely payment of property-related expenses.

If the homeowner falls behind on those obligations, the servicer may issue a demand for payment-in-full of the reverse mortgage, or even foreclose on the property.

The Elmore program is designed for those who demonstrate they will be able to reasonably recover from the hardship that contributed to the property-related expenses becoming delinquent.

Florida homeowners with reverse mortgages who want to see if they qualify for the Elmore program should first contact their reverse mortgage servicer. If the servicer is unable to assist, the homeowner should then call the Elmore application and information line at (800) 601-3534.

Additional information is available online at FloridaElmore.org, or at KnowYourOptions.com/reverse.

In Print: Shootout is coming, and weapon of choice? Cameras

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How are your photography skills?

Well, no matter how good (or bad) you might be, a noted Land O’ Lakes nature photographer couple is ready to share some of their tricks with you.

The Sunshine Skyway Bridge is a popular landmark for tourists visiting the Tampa Bay area. In this shot, Jason Hahn captures the beauty of the bridge at sunset. (Courtesy of Jason Hahn)
The Sunshine Skyway Bridge is a popular landmark for tourists visiting the Tampa Bay area. In this shot, Jason Hahn captures the beauty of the bridge at sunset. (Courtesy of Jason Hahn)

Jason and Nicole Hahn, owners of Outdoor Photo Workshops, are planning their Tampa Bay Photo Shootout during the first week in April. And it’s for all kinds of photographers, whether you have the top-of-the-line camera, a regular digital point-and-shoot, or even smartphones.

“You do have these fairly sophisticated cameras in smartphones,” Jason Hahn told reporter B.C. Manion. “They take good pictures, but you’ve got to learn how to do it right.”

The couple already have a two-day workshop they host in South Dakota that draws some 200 photographers annually.

One type of photo that might prove to be elusive to many is that coveted sports photo, especially when it’s your child who’s participating. And the cameras definitely were out for the Weightman Middle School Wildcats as the girls soccer team there finished the season undefeated.

“It’s been a while since I coached middle school and coached girls, but I was pleasantly surprised by the talent at the other schools,” Weightman head coach Brian Dorkowski told reporter Michael Murillo. “We won by wide margins, but most of our games were against talented teams. The other teams had very talented players as well. These were good teams that we were beating.”

And this success just continues from last year where the Wildcats’ only record blemish was a tie that started that season.

“It was one of the best experiences I’ve ever had as a coach,” Dorkowski said. “I told the girls at the end of the year that if we hadn’t won any games, I would have felt the same way because they were just so pleasant to coach, just the way you’d want them to be.”

Weightman Middle might be the pride of Wesley Chapel thanks to its girls soccer team, but the area also can be proud of how much its medical base continues to grow along Bruce B. Downs Boulevard, especially now that Florida Medical Clinic has plans to open an 85,000-square-foot facility in the shadow of Florida Hospital Wesley Chapel.

This will be the third-largest facility Florida Medical Clinic runs after its Zephyrhills and Land O’ Lakes campuses.

“We have a lot of physicians in the Seven Oaks area that are in independent buildings,” Gus Taylor, Florida Medical Clinic’s chief administrative officer, told reporter Michael Hinman. “This helps us provide more services for our patients. It’s extremely convenient when you can go to one location and see all of your doctors and primary doctors.”

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 find out where you can get your copy at (813) 909-2800.

Grants available to spay, neuter animals

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Florida Animal Friend, an organization dedicated to saving the lives of unwanted cats and dogs throughout Florida, is offering a grant for organizations striving to make a difference in the pet over-population problem by providing free or low-cost spay and neuter programs.

Each grant application is reviewed by a committee and scored in a number of areas including targeting important animal populations, ability to increase surgery numbers above the existing baseline, the cost-benefit ratio, the track record of the applicant, and the applicant’s sustainability.

Once applicants make it past the committee, Florida Animal Friend’s board of directors review applications.

“The goal of our grant process is to provide funds to assist in spay and neuter costs for deserving organizations throughout the state,” said Lois Kostroski, executive director of Florida Animal Friend, in a release.

Grant winners will be announced in August, but applications have to be submitted by April 1 at 8 p.m.

For more information on the grant, visit FloridaAnimalFriend.org.

How much will it cost this year to pay taxes?

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Taxpayers looking to hire a professional to complete their 2013 tax return can expect to pay an average of $261 for an itemized Form 1040 with Schedule A, according to a new report from the National Society of Accountants.

“The IRS says it takes an average of four hours just to complete and submit a Form 1040,” said John Ams, executive vice president of NSA, in a release. “You have to ask, ‘How much is your time worth?’”

Fee information was collected in a survey of tax preparers conducted by the NSA. The tax and accounting firms surveyed are largely owners, principals and partners of local “main street” companies who have an average of more than 26 years experience.

Other average fees include:

• $218 for a Form 1040 Schedule C (business)
• $590 for a Form 1065 (partnership)
• $806 for a Form 1120 (corporation)
• $761 for a Form 1120S (S corporation)
• $497 for a form 1041 (fiduciary)
• $667 for a Form 990 (tax exempt)
• $63 for a Form 940 (federal unemployment)
• $142 for a Schedule D (gains and losses)
• $165 for Schedule E (rental)
• $196 for Schedule F (farm)

The cost to prepare a Form 1040 with Schedule A varies by region, typically costing $270 in the south Atlantic region, which includes Florida and eight other states and territories. The most expensive was in the Pacific region — states like Alaska, California, Hawaii, Oregon and Washington — at $303, while the cheapest was in the east north central region — Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio and Wisconsin — at $238.

Of those surveyed, nearly 90 percent of accounting firms offer prospective clients a free consultation, which could be worth well more than $100. Also, 60 percent of firms do not require payment until returns are completed. Others may require a portion of the fee upfront, or payments throughout the tax return process.

All the fees, of course, assume the taxpayer has gathered and organized all necessary information. Extensions could cost an average of $44, while expediting a return could cost around $78.

For more information on how to find tax preparers through the NSA, visit www.NSAcct.org, or call (800) 966-6679.

Tallahassee meeting lays groundwork for elevated road discussion

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The State Road 54/56 corridor was the primary topic of conversation between Pasco County administrator Michele Baker and Pasco County Commission chair Jack Mariano with Florida Department of Transportation secretary Ananth Prasad in Tallahassee last week. And, of course, the proposed elevated toll road planned to link U.S. 301 in Zephyrhills with U.S. 19 near New Port Richey, was part of that discussion.

“This is a very unique opportunity for Pasco County,” Prasad said in a release. “It’s not every day that a private company offers to come in and design, construct and maintain a new roadway with no costs to taxpayers.”

But the project is not exactly being well-received by everyone. A group of residents along the State Road 54/56 corridor have organized in recent weeks to oppose it. This, among other things, has pushed Baker to suggest public meetings discussing the proposal happen sooner rather than later.

“It is very important that we inform our residents of the projected need to address traffic congestion, and the alternatives available,” Baker said in a release.

Mariano, however, is not convinced.

“I want to make sure Secretary Prasad looks at all of our options,” he said, in a release. “Projects like the Ridge Road extension should also be brought into the discussion to help alleviate any traffic congestion on State Roads 54 and 52, and provide another hurricane evacuation route.”

A proposed extension of Ridge Road has been tied up with environmental concerns.

Although it’s not part of the official group of public meetings to introduce the elevated road concept to the public, Commissioner Kathryn Starkey is holding a town hall meeting Monday to discuss that and other planned growth development along the growing corridor. That begins at 7 p.m. at the Sunlake High School gymnasium, 3023 Sunlake Blvd., in Land O’ Lakes.

“This proposal has the potential to create numerous jobs for Floridians, improve traffic flow in Pasco County, and enhance economic development,” Prasad said. “However, we want to hear what the community wants to help with growing congestion in this area.”

The first official meeting is planned for March 15 at Fresh Market at Wiregrass, 28211 Paseo Drive in Wesley Chapel. That meeting begins at 10 a.m.