The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Special to The Laker/Lutz News

Sloths, otters get extra love at The Florida Aquarium  

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The animal ambassador team at The Florida Aquarium prepared heartwarming surprises, including heart-shaped strawberries and ice treats in vibrant colors infused with fish frozen inside. Photos courtesy of The Florida Aquarium
The animal ambassador team at The Florida Aquarium prepared heartwarming surprises, including heart-shaped strawberries and ice treats in vibrant colors infused with fish frozen inside. Photos courtesy of The Florida Aquarium

TAMPA – The Florida Aquarium celebrated Valentine’s Day with specially crafted enrichment activities. 

From festive treats to engaging toys, these additions provided mental and physical stimulation for the animals while creating a unique experience for guests to enjoy.

North American river otters Huron, Kraken and Brandon received ice treats, providing an opportunity to forage for their food in a different way. Valentine’s-themed hula hoops encouraged activity.

Linnaeus’s two-toed sloths Liana and Apaporis were introduced to strawberries.

Guests can learn more about upcoming events and plan their visit at flaquarium.org.

 

Business Digest (3/19/25): Bauducco Foods to break ground

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Bauducco Foods ready to start construction on plant 

ZEPHYRHILLS – Bauducco Foods, one of the world’s largest producers of baked goods, will break ground March 21 on a new production and distribution center.

Founded in Brazil in 1952, Bauducco has been doing business in the U.S. for more than 20 years. 

Bauducco purchased 72 acres in Zephyrhills and plans to invest $200 million into a 400,000-square-foot building that will create 600 jobs.

Bauducco’s Panettones, Wafers, Cookies and Toasts are sold in stores across the United States. 

On the web: bauducco.com.

 

Register for networking festival

LAND O’ LAKES – Pasco EDC expects hundreds of business professionals to attend its 22nd annual NetFest.

The networking festival takes place from 5 to 8 p.m. April 23 at The Angeline Welcome Center, 11725 Angeline Place, Land O’ Lakes. It will include a dinner, raffle, mini trade show and chili cook-off.

Tickets cost $65. Register in advance at pascoedc.com.

 

Achieva Credit Union welcomes new CEO

DUNEDIN –Achieva Credit Union announced the appointment of Eric Jenkins as the new president and CEO, succeeding leader Gary Regoli, who will retire after 17 years of service.

Jenkins brings over three decades of credit union leadership experience to Achieva Credit Union. Most recently, he served as CEO at SRP Federal Credit Union in North Augusta, South Carolina, and previously led Education Credit Union in Amarillo, Texas. 

 

Hillsborough celebrates 10 years of helping entrepreneurs 

TAMPA – Hillsborough County residents who wanted to start and grow their company have found help at the Entrepreneur Collaborative Center for 10 years.  

With a decade of success under its belt, the office was scheduled to celebrate its decade of success March 14 at its Ybor City center, in which 10 of its most successful entrepreneurs were to share how it helped them. 

 

North Tampa Bay Chamber happenings

LAND O’ LAKES – North Tampa Bay Chamber hosts a Coffee Social, Lunch & Learn and grand openings in the week ahead. 

  • Members mingle during a Coffee Social from 9 to 10:30 a.m. March 19 at USF Federal Credit Union, 20610 Bruce B Downs Blvd., Tampa. 
  • Chiropractors Abigail & Thomas Farrar discuss “Stress and How It Affects Us” during Lunch & Learn from noon to 1:30 p.m. March 20 at USF Federal Credit Union, 20610 Bruce B Downs Blvd., Tampa. Registration costs $15 per person. Register in advance. 
  • Members celebrate the grand opening of Jachimek Chiropractic & Wellness from 4 to 7 p.m. March 20 at 5111 Ehrlich Road, Tampa. The ribbon cutting starts at 4:30 p.m.
  • Chamber President Hope Kennedy leads a new member orientation from 9 to 10 a.m. March 26 at North Tampa Bay Chamber Office Wiregrass Mall, 28329 Paseo Drive, Wesley Chapel. Register in advance. 
  • Members celebrate the opening of Tiny Tots Playtown from 4 to 6 p.m. March 26 at 24412 State Road 54, Lutz. The ribbon cutting is at 4:30 p.m. 

Visit northtampabaychamber.com for details about the chamber and events.

 

Greater Pasco Chamber happenings

NEW PORT RICHEY – Greater Pasco Chamber members will take part in a grand opening, ambassadors meeting and brochure exchange in the days ahead. 

  • Business professionals network during Trinity Brochure Exchange from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. March 20 at Seven Springs Golf & Country Club, 3535 Trophy Blvd., Trinity. Registration for lunch costs $13. The program is free for members and costs $10 for others.
  • Chamber ambassadors convene for their monthly meeting from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. March 25 at Mia’s Pizza, 4051 Madison St., New Port Richey. Register in advance. 
  • Members hold a ribbon cutting at Any Lab Test Now from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. March 26 at 1310 Seven Springs Blvd., New Port Richey. The ribbon cutting is at noon. Register in advance. 

Visit greaterpasco.com for details about the chamber and events. 

 

Health & Wellness (3/19/25): Hospital makes World’s Best list

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AdventHealth Wesley Chapel makes Best Hospitals list

WESLEY CHAPEL – AdventHealth Wesley Chapel has made Newsweek’s list of the World’s Best Hospitals 2025 for the fourth consecutive year.  

The award list was announced Feb. 26. Newsweek and Statista awarded the best hospitals based on hospital quality metrics, recommendations from medical experts and surveys.

Newsweek also recognized the hospital as a leader for infection prevention.

“Being awarded World’s Best four years in a row is a testament to the expertise of our committed team members and physicians and our dedication to deliver world-class health care services in a growing Pasco County community,” hospital CEO Ryan Quattlebaum said. 

 

Dr. Jonathon Tsai

Doctor to discuss gut health

LUTZ – Dr. Jonathon Tsai, a BayCare Medical Group general surgeon, will give a free presentation and discussion about the importance of gut health and how to prevent and manage diverticulitis. 

The event takes place from noon to 1 p.m. April 4 in the Garden Classrooms at St. Joseph’s Hospital-North, 4211 Van Dyke Road. A light lunch will be provided.

Learn about symptoms, treatment options and lifestyle changes that can improve your digestive well-being. 

Register for the free event at BayCareEvents.org and choose “St. Joseph’s Hospital-North” in the “Facility/Location” filter and scroll down to the April 4 date. 

Register by phone by calling 855-314-8352 and pressing the number 2 at the prompt. 

 

Bill increases access to molecular diagnostic testing 

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Rep. Gus Bilirakis and others have introduced legislation to increase access to molecular diagnostic testing for rare cancer patients. 

The Finn Sawyer Access to Cancer Testing Act would ensure patients on Medicare, Medicaid, and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) can receive testing at the time of first diagnosis, rather than only for recurrent or metastatic cancers. The legislation is named after a 3-year-old who died from rhabdomyosarcoma in 2018.

“The targeted reforms in our bipartisan, bicameral bill will have a meaningful impact on accelerating the development of treatments for rare cancers and will remove bureaucratic hurdles that currently keep cancer patients from accessing diagnostic screening and effective treatments by qualified specialists,” Bilirakis said. “Every cancer patient deserves the best chance of survival, and we must create a streamlined regulatory system and payment model to realize this important goal.”

 

SHINE offers Medicare programs

SHINE (Serving Health Insurance Needs of Elders) will have volunteers available to answer Medicare questions at several dates and venues in Pasco and Pinellas counties. 

The Florida Department of Elder Affairs and the Area Agency on Aging of Pasco & Pinellas offer the free program.

Specially trained volunteers can assist with Medicare, Medicaid, and health insurance questions by providing one-on-one counseling and information. SHINE services are free, unbiased and confidential. 

Medicare Fraud

  • April 1 at 10:30 a.m. at Centennial Park Library, 5740 Moog Road, Holiday. 727- 834-3204

Medicare Basics

  • April 3 at 10 a.m. at New Port Richey Library, 5939 Main St., New Port Richey. 727-853-1279
  • April 19 at 10 a.m. at Land O’ Lakes Library, 2818 Collier Pkwy., Land O’ Lakes. 813-929-1214
  • April 24 at noon at Hugh Embry Library, 14215 4th St., Dade City. 352-567-3576

Medicare 101

  • April 2 at noon at Largo Public Library, 120 Central Park Drive, Largo. 727-587-6715 ext. 2508
  • April 3 at 10:30 a.m. at New River Library, 34043 FL-54, Wesley Chapel. 813-788-6375
  • April 16 at 11 a.m. at Pinellas Park Library, 7770 52nd St. N., Pinellas Park. 727-369-0669
  • April 16 at 1 p.m. at Gulfport Public Library, 5501 28th Ave. S., Gulfport.  727-893-1073

SHINE counselors can be reached by calling 1-800-963-5337 or 727-217-8111.

 

NCAA recognizes Legends and Legacy Community Award winners

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Recognizing that sport has a way of bringing people together, the NCAA has leveraged March Madness to elevate the importance of service to the community and helping others. Thaddeus Bullard (aka Titus O’Neil in WWE), Jane Castor, Gwen Myers, Barbara Sparks-McGlinchy and Derrick Brooks will be honored during the weekend of the Women’s Final Four. Mike Farrant photo

TAMPA – The NCAA announced its 2025 Legends and Legacy Community Award recipients for Tampa, the host city of this year’s Women’s Final Four.

The five honorees are residents, business leaders and concerned neighbors who have committed their time, resources and influence to improve and invest in their home city and surrounding areas. Finalists have had a major impact on sports, equity, government, health and safety, and higher education in their communities and fields of work.

The Women’s Final Four Legends and Legacy Honorees include:

  • Derrick Brooks, executive vice president of corporate and community development, Vinik Sports Group
  • Thaddeus Bullard (aka Titus O’Neil in the WWE), president and chair, Bullard Family Foundation.
  • Jane Castor, mayor, City of Tampa.
  • Gwen Myers, District 3 commissioner, Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners.
  • Barbara Sparks-McGlinchy, former senior associate athletics director and interim director of athletics, University of South Florida

Community leaders will be recognized in or around game activities in Tampa during Final Four weekend. This year’s Women’s Final Four will be on April 4 and 6.

“The 2025 Legends and Legacy Community Award is an honor for local citizens whose investments and generosity have lasting positive change within their cities,” said Felicia Martin, NCAA senior vice president. “This year’s recipients are true champions for their hometowns — committed to doing something good for their neighborhoods, dedicated to creating opportunities for fellow citizens and passionate about serving their community in unique and meaningful ways.”

 

Tampa Bay Suns soccer player not giving up after ACL injury  

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As Kaylan Marckese focuses on recovery, the Tampa Bay Sun take on Spokane Zephyr FC on March 19 at home, Brooklyn FC away on March 29 and Fort Lauderdale United FC on April 5 at home. Photo courtesy of Tampa Bay Sun

TAMPA – Surgeons repaired Tampa Bay Sun player Kaylan Marckese’s torn ACL on March 6. That afternoon, Marckese announced she intends to battle back and return to the pitch. 

Just 10 minutes into her debut with her hometown Tampa Bay Sun last month, the St. Petersburg native went to the ground with a ruptured ACL. Marckese knows she faces a daunting recovery process because she just went through it.  

Marckese tore this same ACL, in her left knee, in 2023. After 15 months of grueling rehab and training, directed in Tampa by TGH and USF Health, she finally took the field with the Sun for the first time on Feb. 8.

Hometown fans cheered. Some even wore orange-and-yellow goalkeeper jerseys that matched Marckese’s. Then, heartbreak. 

“Feb. 8 was an emotional day filled with gratitude and pride,” Marckese wrote in a message to fans. “Unfortunately, that only lasted a good 10 minutes.”

“There are too many incredible people who helped me get to this point to name, but l have so much love for all of you!” she continued. 

“Now I get to do it all over again, and make it better. Stick by me, folks…”

In the coming weeks, doctors and trainers will work with the 26-year-old St. Petersburg High School graduate and University of Florida soccer star to determine her specific recovery path and timeline.

The rehabilitation for Marckese Will again be guided by USF Health and Tampa General Hospital.

 “We applaud and support Kaylan’s positive attitude and strong determination,” said Christina Unkel, Tampa Bay Sun FC president and general manager. “Those are values reflected in this team, and we can’t wait to see everything she can accomplish.”

 

BayCare offers new resource to combat mental health crisis

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NEW PORT RICHEY – BayCare has opened a behavioral health urgent care center, the first of its kind in Florida. 

The new outpatient facility offers walk-in and same-day appointments for Pasco-area adults in urgent need of mental health and substance use services.

Made possible by a $3.6 million grant from Pasco County commissioners, the center is part of BayCare’s extended behavioral health campus at 8005 King Helie Blvd., New Port Richey.

“When we evaluated how we could better deliver mental health services to the community, we recognized that there was a piece of the puzzle missing,” said Tracey Kaly, clinical operations director at BayCare. “Often, people do not seek help until they are in crisis and feel their only options are to call law enforcement or visit the ER. This center is a bridge – a safe space where people in urgent need of mental health or addiction care, can be seen in a timely manner by a trained professional who can evaluate their needs and connect them with ongoing services in their area, hopefully mitigating the need for hospitalization.”

Visitors to the new BayCare Behavioral Health Urgent Care are welcomed into a calming environment where they undergo a screening and clinical evaluation to determine which short-term interventions are needed. Patients may also work with recovery support specialists whose personal lived experiences offer hope and guidance during times of struggle.

Support from Pasco County commissioners, which awarded BayCare the largest portion of the county’s opioid settlement funds, was essential to bringing the project to fruition. 

Commissioners Jack Mariano, Kathyrn Starkey and Lisa Yaeger joined BayCare leadership Feb. 26 for a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

“It means so much for our Pasco County residents to have a place to seek help for their mental health needs,” Mariano said. “With BayCare’s experience, people will get the help they need, and it will save lives. It’s a benefit to the taxpayers as well because it will keep people out of jail, which will save our taxpayers money.”  

 

Need to go?

The new BayCare Behavioral Health Urgent Care center is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Same-day appointments can be made by calling 727-281-3350.

 

Water awareness poster contest accepting entries

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LAND ‘O LAKES – The 16th annual Water Awareness Poster Contest encourages elementary school students to showcase their knowledge of water conservation using their artistic skills and creativity. 

The STEAM program educates students about s12ience, water and the environment using curriculum developed with the Pasco County Schools. The Florida Governmental Utility Authority and Pasco County Utilities present the program, which is open to public, private and homeschool children. 

Registration can be completed by a parent or teacher. The deadline to submit posters is 5 p.m. April 4.

“Seeing all the creative ways these kids design their posters is what keeps us doing this program year after year,” said Matt Rihs, community service manager at Florida Governmental Utility Authority. “This contest is more than just an art project. It’s about empowering kids to understand the value of water and to become champions of conservation in their own homes and communities.”

The program focuses on several important water facts, including:

  • How clean and reclaimed water is provided to each community and their homes.
  • What a watershed is and why it is important to the planet.
  • Why water conservation is important and how to save water in and around the home.

“Water is one of our most precious resources, and this contest is a fantastic way to spark conversations about water conservation at a young age,” said Sandra Anderson, customer information and services director for Pasco County Utilities.

First, second and third-place winners will receive a prize package from local sponsors. All children who submit a poster receive a certificate of participation, a free Chick-Fil-A Kid’s Meal, and a free Cold Stone Creamery ice cream. 

Winning posters will be displayed in Pasco County Government Centers and showcased online at WaterContest.org.

Visit WaterContest.org or email Patti Clark at for submission details and rules.

 

Church celebrating reopening of fellowship hall

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NEW PORT RICHEY – Community Congregational Church New Port Richey will mark the reopening of its fellowship hall after extensive repairs with the Open Doors, Open Hearts celebration.

The event will take place from 11 a.m to 4 p.m. March 22 at the church, 6533 Circle Blvd., New Port Richey.

After a prolonged period of closure due to necessary renovations, the church is eager to welcome the community back into its refurbished fellowship hall. 

Open Doors, Open Hearts is designed to celebrate this milestone, raise money and strengthen the bonds between the church and the surrounding neighborhood. 

Some of the activities planned include: 

  • Live Music: Listen to the sounds of Pfister-Pitts, a dynamic band performing ageless rock and timeless country music. 
  • Food: Satisfy your cravings with a variety of offerings from local food trucks as well as classic hot dogs and ice cream.
  • Fun and Games: Participate in exciting games and karaoke sessions.
  • Raffle Baskets: Try your luck and support the church by entering the raffle for a chance to win prizes.
  • Historic Building: Take the opportunity to see the interior of the historic church building that is over 100 years old.

The event aims to raise money to support the church’s ongoing programs and community outreach initiatives. Additionally, the event serves as an opportunity to introduce the church to new members of the community and highlight its historic significance. Community Congregational Church is a United Church of Christ church.

The Open Doors, Open Hearts event is free and open to the public. All are welcome to join in the festivities and experience the warm and welcoming atmosphere of Community Congregational Church.

 

Adopt A Pet (03/05/25): Kola can light up a room

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Kola, a delightful 7-year-old dog who is ready to find her forever family! This bubbly and social girl loves to play with her puppy friends in shelter playgroups and has a knack for making everyone smile. Kola isn’t just a star within the shelter; she shines outside too! She has had positive interactions with other dogs, enjoys car rides, and has proven to be a fabulous canine house guest. With her friendly and adaptable nature, Kola is sure to be a wonderful addition to any home. Kola is reported to be house-trained, making the transition to a new home even smoother. Whether you’re looking for a playful companion or a loving friend, Kola is the perfect match. Make an appointment to meet her at Pasco County Animal Services today!

If you would like to adopt Kola, be sure to make an appointment at Pasco County Animal Services at 19640 Dogpatch Lane in Land O’ Lakes, by calling 813-929-1212. The adoption center is open Tuesday through Saturday, noon to 6:30 p.m. All adoption fees include spay/neuter, microchip and vaccines. Email for more information.

Adopt A Pet (03/05/25): Cupid has plenty of love to give

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Say hello to Cupid, a distinguished 10-year-old black cat with a heart full of love. This senior gentleman is searching for a forever home where he can spend the final leg of his life in comfort and happiness. Cupid has had a bit of a bumpy journey, having been returned from adoption twice, but he remains one of the sweetest cats you’ll ever meet. Described as a “Big Sweetie” by those who work with him the most, Cupid’s gentle nature and affectionate personality make him a joy to be around. He may be a senior cat, but Cupid still has plenty of love to give. He enjoys lounging in cozy spots, receiving gentle pets and being the calm companion you can always count on. His soulful eyes and warm purrs are sure to melt your heart. Cupid is looking for a loving home where he can enjoy his golden years surrounded by care and kindness. If you have room in your heart and home for a sweet, senior cat, Cupid is ready to shower you with love and gratitude. Visit him at Pasco County animal Services today!

If you would like to adopt Cupid, be sure to make an appointment at Pasco County Animal Services at 19640 Dogpatch Lane in Land O’ Lakes, by calling 813-929-1212. The adoption center is open Tuesday through Saturday, noon to 6:30 p.m. All adoption fees include spay/neuter, microchip and vaccines. Email for more information.