The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Special to The Laker/Lutz News

Compass Concierge Helps Increase Your Home’s Value

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True Story: Recently a homeowner was offered $595,000 for their home from a national online iBuyer service. They promised less hassle, no showings, no waiting or worry. The homeowner chose to list his home with an agent instead, and after just four showings, the agent executed a contract for $694,000 – $100,000 more than the iBuyer company had offered.

Would you show your house four times to earn an extra $100,000?
Many times, a homeowner will choose to utilize an iBuyer service so that they can sell their home in “as-is” condition. Homeowners may not have liquid cash assets for required repairs or updates before selling. That is where Toni Hedstrom, PA and Compass come into the picture.
Compass Concierge allows you to tap into your home’s equity with an interest-free loan that you will pay back at closing. Invest a little upfront with interest-free money to have a much greater return on your home sale.

Here are examples of how the money can be used to increase your home’s value or make your move experience simple and stress-free:
·   Painting
·   Staging
·   Replace appliances
·   Update light fixtures
·   Replace countertops
·   Replace flooring
·   Update landscaping
·   Decluttering service
·   Professional cleaning
·   HVAC replacement
·   Window replacement
·   Paying for movers
·   Moving materials
·   Trash removal
·   Pay for a storage unit
·   Down payment for assisted living or retirement home
·   Short-term housing
·   Dog walkers during showings
·   Post-inspection repairs
·   Replace knobs & hardware
·   Replace faucets & shower heads
·   Deep clean carpets
·   Replace roof
·   Resurface pool
·   Fix or replace pool equipment

Options are endless as the money can be used for any purchase that supports the sale!
Use any vendor you choose and use any of the following three methods to pay them: Concierge Capital Debit Card, check payment sent directly to the vendor, or cashout to your bank account to pay vendor via cash, Venmo, PayPal, etc.

For more information, call Toni Hedstrom at 813-830-8664, or email .

These Can’t-Miss Events Are Coming Up At Avalon Park Wesley Chapel

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As we head into the final months of the year, Avalon Park Wesley Chapel — a premier master-planned community in Pasco County — has tons of fun events in the works for the local community.

From movie nights, a spooktacular Halloween event, community yard sale and so much more, check out what’s coming up at Avalon Park Wesley Chapel.

Jazz Under The Starz
During this event, guests can enjoy live music, art and poetry, and check out different vendors and food trucks.

The next Jazz Under The Starz takes place on Oct. 29 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Tickets are $20 per person, which can be purchased at JazzUnderTheStarz.com. Kids ages 12 and under are free, and pets are allowed as long as they aren’t aggressive and the owners are cleaning up after their furry friends. Concert guests also can bring lawn chairs and coolers.

Movie Nights
This fun-for-all-ages event gives families a chance to watch a hit film under the stars. All movies start at dark.

Here is the movie line-up for the remainder of the year:

  • Oct. 14: “Zootopia” & “Hocus Pocus” — Avalon Park Wesley Chapel will have a Disney double-feature as they play Walt Disney’s “Zootopia,” a comedy-adventure set in a city of anthropomorphic animals; and Disney’s “Hocus Pocus,” a classic Halloween movie about a trio of diabolical witches.
  • Nov. 11: “Brave” — Disney and Pixar’s “Brave” is about Princess Merida determined to carve her own path in life, which results in chaos to her kingdom. She must use her bravery and archery skills to undo a beastly curse before it’s too late.
  • Dec. 9: “The Grinch” — The 2018 animated version of the classic Christmas tale, The Grinch plots to ruin Christmas for the village of Whoville.

Community Yard Sale
Avalon Park Wesley Chapel’s fall community yard sale will take place this year on October 22 from 8 a.m. to noon. If interested in participating, you can contact Avalon Park Wesley Chapel at or call 813-783-1515.

Spooktacular
On Oct. 22, Avalon Park Wesley Chapel will host its annual Spooktacular event, a spooky fun-filled Halloween Celebration! Festivities will include trick-or-treating prizes, a haunted house, food trucks, vendors and more. Come out to play, and be sure to bring your best costume. The event, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., is free and open to the public.

Avalon Aglow
Join Avalon Park Wesley Chapel for its annual fun-filled holiday celebration, Avalon Aglow. The festivities kick off on Dec. 10 starting at 5 p.m. There will be pictures with Santa, REAL snow, vendors, live music, and a complimentary bounce park, followed by a spectacular fireworks show. This event is free and open to the public.

Vendors Wanted!
With all of its festivities coming up, Avalon Park Wesley Chapel is looking to add more vendors and performers to its list. If interested, contact Marielle Fernandez at M or 813-783-1515.

Published September 28, 2022

Zephyrhills begins rebranding efforts

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The City of Zephyrhills has begun an initiative to rebrand the community —  an effort that’s expected to take months, and will involve everything from the town’s logo, slogan and perceptions about the community.

The city, which is now the largest municipality, has partnered with North Star Place Branding + Marketing to assist in the effort, according to a news release.

This is a view of downtown Zephyrhills. The city has embarked on an initiative to rebrand itself and is seeking the community’s help in those efforts. (Mike Camunas)

The Jacksonville-based consulting firm will conduct research within the community to uncover how Zephyrhills is perceived, attitudes that people have about it and will explore the city’s unique offerings.

The rebranding effort is aimed at increasing interest and investment in Zephyrhills from residents, entrepreneurs, companies and visitors, the release adds.

The city is looking to “rebrand” itself beyond being widely known as a great place for skydiving and for winter residents. The effort also includes rewriting the city’s current “The City of Pure Water” slogan.

As part of the initiative, North Star has created a community engagement/brand story site to serve as an online tool to direct traffic of residents and stakeholders who are interested in learning more about the rebranding project and getting involved, according to the release.

Those who are interested can take part in the research stage or can become a brand ambassador to help launch the city’s new brand, which is expected to happen in mid-2023.

“Now is an exciting time for the City of Zephyrhills to undergo a rebranding effort amid a period of rapid growth and development,” said Zephyrhills City Manager Billy Poe, in the press release. “We want to ensure we’re telling the right story and have a unified message across all city departments, as well as with our dedicated community stakeholders, to foster a vibrant, distinguishable future for our wonderful town.”

North Place Branding + Marketing has worked with over 200 communities in 44 states over the last 20 years, including Marshall, Minnesota; Gallatin, Tennessee;  Johnson, Tennessee and others.

For more information or to sign up as brand ambassador, visit AuthenticZephyrhills.com.

Published September 28, 2022

Board seeks to end human trafficking

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Kathryn Starkey

Pasco County Commission Chairwoman Kathryn Starkey has been selected to serve on the Florida Alliance to End Human Trafficking.

She has been appointed for a three-year term.

Starkey was appointed by Florida House Speaker Chris Sprowls, according to a Pasco County news release.

In a letter to Starkey, Sprowls congratulated the chair for her involvement, the news release says.

“It is a pleasure to appoint you to serve as a member,” Sprowls said. “Thank you for your willingness to serve on behalf of the Florida House of Representatives.”

According to the release, Starkey said: “We need to end human trafficking in Florida, and I’m ready to help with this important mission. If we’re engaged and focused, we can put a stop to this horrible crime.”

The Florida Alliance to End Human Trafficking is a nonprofit organization created by the Florida Legislature to provide funding, support and assistance to the statewide efforts to end human trafficking. Human trafficking involves the use of force, fraud or coercion to obtain some type of labor of commercial act. Florida ranks third in the U.S., in human trafficking cases reported, according to the Alliance.

Published September 28, 2022

Morris Bridge Road, at State Road 54, to close temporarily

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Morris Bridge Road will be temporarily closed at State Road 54, from Sept. 17 through Sept. 22.

An around-the-clock detour of Morris Bridge Road is scheduled to begin after midnight on ay, Sept. 17.

Motorists are asked to follow the detour signs along State Road 54, U.S. 301, State Road 56, and Morris Bridge Road, according to a news release from the Florida Department of Transportation.

Weather permitting, the detour is expected to be active from Sept. 17 to Sept. 22.   Detour Map

The closure is needed for the contractor to construct the southern side of the intersection of State Road 54 and Morris Bridge Road.

Published on Sept. 14.

Pasco County has redesigned its website

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Pasco County has redesigned its website and invites the public to check it out.

The website has been upgraded, with the aim of creating a user-friendly experience, as well as improved navigation and functionality, according to a county news release.

Here are some of the changes:

  • The site has been consolidated from more than 1,500 pages to 650 pages
  • The drop-down menu features popular web pages and customer tools
  • There’s a department director with contact information
  • The county’s social media icons are prominently displayed on the website’s homepage
  • The news, videos and spotlight sections are in one location

The Pasco County Commission meetings are streamed live on the website’s homepage.

The county calendar has been redesigned, too.

Pasco County Commission Chairwoman Kathryn Starkey offered this assessment of the new website, in the county’s news release: “This is our first website upgrade in five years, and we couldn’t be happier with our new look. Our customers can easily find information on services, events and news items – with a simple click.  We wanted to make the site faster, with an intuitive layout, and that’s exactly what we’ve done.”

Pasco County’s information technology and media relations teams collaborated to design the new layout.

To check out the new site, visit MyPasco.net.

Published on Sept. 14.

The Lutz Branch Library reopens

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The Lutz Branch Library has reopened, with limited services, after being closed for a month because of plumbing problems.

The Lutz Branch Library reopened on Aug. 30, after being closed a month due to plumbing problems. However, the new library now needs minor repairs and is without restroom services to patrons. (File)

The library, at 101 W. Lutz Lake Fern Road, reopened on Aug. 30.

It was closed temporarily after experiencing septic tank and plumbing problems on July 27.

The problems caused a backup of sewage into the library, causing a small amount of damage and leaving the facility without working plumbing.

The library posted to its social media and on its website that limited service will be available Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and that restrooms will be unavailable.

During that time, the library still had curbside service available, and will continue to offer that to patrons.

In the meantime, the Hillsborough County Library System suggests the Jimmie B. Keel Regional Library, at 2902 W. Bearss Ave.

All of this comes after the Lutz Branch Library underwent a six-month, $790,000 renovation that gave the interior a fresh, bright new look — from more natural lighting, to new flooring, to new paint and walls, and even new furniture and installations. Those renovations, which also featured new glass walls and a self-checkout hub, were finished in late 2021.

Additionally, the library announced in July that its Friends of the Lutz Branch Library book collection program had returned to providing an array of affordably priced books for patrons’ reading pleasure. The Friends were inactive for some time due to the COVID-19 pandemic and hiatus during the six-month renovation.

Published September 07, 2022

Billy Brown to receive special Pasco EDC honor

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Billy Brown, known for his philanthropy and leadership, will receive a special honor at the Pasco Economic Development Council’s 34th annual awards ceremony on Sept. 8. (Courtesy of Pasco Economic Development Council)

The Pasco Economic Development Council (Pasco EDC) is honoring Billy E. Brown with its Leadership Award this year.

The economic development organization always singles out one person who has made extraordinary contributions and this year, it chose Brown, according to a news release.

Brown began his employment with Withlacoochee River Electric Cooperative (WREC) in 1956 as a lineman making just $1.10 an hour, the news release says.

Over the years, Brown’s leadership skills were recognized and he rose through the ranks, being promoted into supervisory positions, executive vice president and general manager — a position he has held for 49 years.

During his half-century of leadership, he has contributed to the community in myriad ways.

Brown has made an impact on many local charitable projects including the Boys and Girls Club, the Lacoochee Project, and the Vincent House Project, as well as being instrumental in the development of One Pasco Center, which has served as a catalyst economic development project and provided pad-ready sites for companies looking to locate to Pasco County, the release says.

Under Brown’s leadership, WREC has awarded over $15 million in local scholarships, provided lighting for college baseball fields, and funded equipment and technology for the local school system, release adds.

“Mr. Brown’s footprint is forever embedded in Pasco County; he has touched thousands of lives and made a lasting impression on our community. We are privileged to honor Mr. Brown with the 2022 Leadership Award,” Bill Cronin, Pasco EDC president/CEO, said in the release. “He is an exceptional example of a leader and philanthropist making a difference in the local community.”

Brown will be honored with this award at the Pasco EDC’s 34th annual awards, accompanied by a tribute from family and friends.

The event is set for Sept. 8 from 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., at the Pasco-Hernando State College Instructional Performing Arts Center (IPAC), 8657 Old Pasco Road in Wesley Chapel.

Tickets are available online, at PascoEDC.com.

Published September 07, 2022

Pasco cleanup needs volunteers

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Keep Pasco Beautiful is gearing up for its annual cleanup and is seeking volunteers to help out.

The annual countywide event aims to pick up debris before it has a chance to enter the area’s waterways.

Volunteers will work to pick up litter on roadways and in public spaces all around Pasco County, according to a county news release.

An estimated 80% of the trash that ends up in the county’s waters started out on land, so the cleanup efforts help to prevent pollution from entering the county’s stormwater system, which often leads to waterways and the Gulf of Mexico.

Here are the event details:
When: Sept. 17, from 8 a.m. until noon
Where: Various Pasco County locations.
Info: Visit KeepPascoBeautiful.org.

Registrations are being accept through Sept. 9.

Disposable gloves, trash bags and Keep Pasco Beautiful Cleanup T-shirts will be supplied while supplies last, the news release says.

“We’re excited to have the support of so many community organizations,” Keep Pasco Beautiful Coordinator Kristen King, said in the release.

She also expressed gratitude to Rotary District 6950, in partnership with West Pasco Rotary Clubs of New Port Richey, Holiday, Hudson, Seven Springs, Trinity and West Pasco Sunset for providing grant funding to support this year’s event.

This event is part of the International Coastal Cleanup coordinated by Ocean Conservancy.  The worldwide event has collected more than 348 million pounds of trash with help from around 17 million volunteers – since 1986.

Published September 07, 2022

Pasco Fire Rescue employee named ‘public educator of the year’

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Lisa Brekke, an employee of Pasco County Fire Rescue, has been the focus of attention lately — in a good way.

Lisa Brekke was honored during the Aug. 24 Pasco County Commission meeting. She received a resolution from the county board, recognizing her contributions and for being named the 2022 Public Educator of the Year by the Florida Fire Marshal and Inspector Association. (Courtesy of Pasco County)

Most recently, she received a resolution applauding her work from the Pasco County Commission, during its Aug. 24 meeting.

The board acknowledged Brekke for her recognition from the Florida Fire Marshal and Inspector Association, which named her as the 2022 Public Educator of the Year.

The state association’s award recognizes “leadership for superior life safety strategies through inspection, investigation, public education, and code management,” according to the board’s resolution.

The distinction “signifies dedication and leadership in preventative risk education and fire safety,” the resolution adds.

Brekke joined Pasco Fire Rescue in 2018.

She has served as the lead contact for Pasco County’s Prom Promise, a program that educates high school students throughout Pasco County on the dangers of driving under the influence.

She also coordinates both Pasco County’s smoke detector installation program and the Knox Box program, which allows firefighters quick access into citizens’ homes during emergencies.

Brekke also is a program instructor for the Juvenile Fire Starter Intervention Program, according to the resolution.

The county’s commendation also notes that “Lisa does not hesitate to assist her coworkers in whatever way she can. She will do whatever it takes to ensure her team’s success, even if it includes working early in the morning, late at night, or on the weekends.”

The resolution goes on to credit Brekke’s “work ethic and spirit of cooperation” for bringing her team together, and it notes that beyond her work on countless safety events and programs, she also serves as “a preventative safety instructor in Pasco County Fire Rescue’s Community Risk Reduction division.”

Published September 07, 2022