The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Special to The Laker/Lutz News

Local health departments monitoring monkeypox outbreak

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County health departments in West Central Florida are monitoring and responding to the nationwide outbreak of monkeypox, according to a news release from the Florida Department of Health-Pasco.

As of July 22, there were cases of monkeypox in at least 43 states and Washington D.C., and no deaths had been reported outside of the endemic countries.

If a case is discovered within the West Central Florida region, the health department will conduct epidemiological investigations to notify possible exposures and offer potential post-exposure prophylaxis.

Health departments in West Central Florida will offer the monkeypox vaccine to high-risk groups, as doses become available from the federal government, the release says.

Current information on monkeypox is available at FloridaHealth.gov.

Case data for monkeypox, as well as other reportable diseases, can be found on FLHealthCharts.gov.

Health care providers who suspect a possible case of monkeypox, should immediately contact their local health department or the 24/7 disease reporting hotline at 850-245-4401.

Local county health departments can help providers obtain monkeypox virus-specific real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing.

Human-to-human transmission generally requires prolonged, face-to-face contact, direct contact with lesion materials, or indirect contact with lesion materials through contaminated items, such as contaminated clothing.

Health care providers should remain vigilant of information related to monkeypox:

  • Monkeypox symptoms, especially among individuals with relevant travel history
  • Transmission and incubation periods
  • Specimen collection
  • Infection control procedures in the home and hospital settings
  • Clinical recognition, and the characteristic rash associated with monkeypox
  • Prophylaxis and possible treatments for monkeypox
  • Monitoring of those exposed to monkeypox

The public also should remain vigilant of the current meningococcal outbreak

Demographic impacts are similar among meningococcal and monkeypox cases. The release says.

The meningococcal vaccines are available for free to high-risk populations at every county health department.

For more information or questions, contact your county health department.

Published August 03, 2022

Hillsborough County breaks record on property appraisals

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Hillsborough County continues to report soaring property values, according to a news release from the office of the county’s property appraiser.

These homes are in Heritage Harbor, a community located off Lutz Lake Fern Road, in Lutz. (Mike Camunas)

The average sales price per square foot in 2021 was $200 for residential properties, up from $167 in the prior year. Gross sales for Hillsborough County residential was a record-breaking $12.94 billion, the release said.

Notice of proposed property taxes has been tabulated and will be sent to all Hillsborough County residential and commercial property owners in August.

Ahead of the notices going out, Property Appraiser Bob Henriquez presented figures to the Hillsborough County Commission that provide insight into the Tampa Bay real estate market’s current state and expected county revenue.

“The 2021 figures show a healthy real estate market with soaring property values leading to an uptick in government revenue,” the release said.

“We have observed strong year-over-year growth in building permit activity, sale prices, and transaction volume in all property types. For our taxing authorities, revenue is up 15%, which means more money going back to the communities served,” Henriquez said, in the release.

Under state law, county property appraisers must make annual assessments on the value of the properties within their individual counties.

“While the appraised value is lower than the actual market value, a hot market like Tampa Bay’s still drives an increase in appraised values,” the release said.

Published August 03, 2022

Avalon Park Wesley Chapel Breaks Ground on Downtown Area

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Do you dream of living where you work and working where you play? Look no further than Avalon Park Wesley Chapel!

Avalon Park Wesley Chapel hosted a groundbreaking ceremony on July 14, to celebrate the start of construction on the first phase of its highly anticipated downtown area.

This well-attended event comes from a June 2 press release where Avalon Park Group announced they entered into an agreement with Lema Construction. According to the agreement, the three-story, 73,067-square-foot mixed-use building plans to include 40 multi-family apartments and 23,720 square feet of commercial/retail space on the ground floor. Initial plans for the commercial/retail space include an approximately 12,000-square-foot food hall called The Marketplace at Avalon Park, as well as a co-working space, The 5th Floor.

(Courtesy of OurTownFla.com)

“This phase of construction really helps us move even closer to that vision of building a place where families can build memories and traditions together in a town they can call their own,” says Beat Kahli, president and CEO, Avalon Park Group.

“And while this may not be the most cost-effective time to begin construction, we feel like it is important to continue on to the next step in developing our vision for Avalon Park Wesley Chapel.”

Additionally, a 2-acre community park with an amphitheater is in permitting and will begin construction later this year. The park will host community events such as Avalon Aglow and Fourth of July celebrations, as well as community partners like Jazz Under the Starz and The Wesley Chapel Theater Group, who are already hosting events and activities in the community. Construction of both the park and mixed-use building are scheduled for completion in late 2023.

Upon completion, Avalon Park Wesley Chapel will encompass more than 1,800 acres and will host approximately 400,000 square feet of retail and 100,000 square feet of office space in its downtown. The initial construction in Downtown Avalon Park Wesley Chapel began in 2019 with the addition of the Pinecrest Academy K-7 Charter School. Pinecrest also is now under construction of its second phase, which includes the addition of approximately 600 sixth- to eighth-grade student stations.

The Vision of Downtown Avalon Park Wesley Chapel
“We are creating a town very much like the footprints of small towns found across America,” says Stephanie Lerret, senior vice president of marketing for Avalon Park Group.

“Downtown Avalon Park Wesley Chapel will bring conveniences like dining, shopping, schools, grocery stores, and your neighborhood doctor all within a short walk or bike ride from your home,” says Lerret.

At Downtown Avalon Park, there will be room for everyone — from entrepreneurs wanting to showcase their businesses in storefronts, local marketplaces where chefs can serve and musicians play, schools for children to learn, medical centers where neighbors can receive exceptional care, and even a general store where artisans can share their wares. All of it will lie along the sidewalks of Avalon Park Wesley Chapel’s picturesque town.

This way of living stems from Kahli’s upbringing in Switzerland.

“In my native hometown, Zurich, I could walk from my home to anything I need in my daily life… work, school, grocery stores, restaurants, etc.,” says Kahli.

Kahli’s hometown culture was the blueprint for Avalon Park Wesley Chapel, where his vision is to create a town where residents from all stages of life could live, learn, work and play.

For more information on Avalon Park Wesley Chapel, please visit AvalonParkWesleyChapel.com or email

Published July 27, 2022

Affordable Living At Club Wildwood

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Older adults in central and east Pasco County are discovering the charming manufactured home community of Club Wildwood in Hudson, which boasts affordable homes, first-class amenities and a five-minute drive to the beach.

Club Wildwood is the largest retirement community in north Pasco County, with close to 500 homes. Living in a large community means there is always someone to share things with, including swimming in the resort-style heated pool, taking your pup to the friendly dog park, enjoying crafts and potluck dinners at the clubhouse, and even fishing in a well-stocked lake. Residents are friendly, and welcome newcomers to the community’s many clubs and activities.

There are several resale homes available in Club Wildwood, very affordably priced from $48,500 to $69,900. Most resale homes in the community have been updated with the latest designs and flooring, and are a tremendous value for a single-family home in terms of cost, amenities and location.

For folks moving from Land O’ Lakes, Lutz and Wesley Chapel, living at Club Wildwood costs less than renting an apartment. The community’s monthly lot rental fee is less than $700, and includes trash, landscaping and full use of all recreation facilities.

Club Wildwood’s location on U.S. 19 gives residents quick access to major roadways, shopping and dining, and area attractions. In addition to its Olympic-size heated pool, amenities include a picnic area, shuffleboard courts, a bocce ball court and horseshoe pits. A spacious clubhouse has recently been remodeled, and boasts a fully equipped kitchen and large meeting room, small library, pool tables, fitness room and card tables.

Regular activities include bingo, karaoke, potluck dinners, coffee hours, dart tournaments, happy hours, pancake breakfasts, line dancing and bridge games. During the social distancing requirements of COVID-19, some of these activities have been suspended, but all will be back when it is safe to gather together again.

Outside of the park, many Club Wildwood residents participate in special interest clubs, including bowling and golf leagues, the Red Hat Society, and volunteering at nearby Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point.

The 290-bed hospital, which is less than 10 minutes from Club Wildwood, is the only Level II Trauma Center and Comprehensive Stroke Center in Pasco County, and its renowned Heart Institute provides comprehensive cardiac care and an open-heart surgery program.

Make Club Wildwood your next home by contacting Community Manager Sean Terris for a private tour at 866-799-6707or .

Published July 27, 2022

Jolie Smiles Helps Patients Rediscover Their Confidence

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Jolie Smiles, a denture and implant studio in Odessa, provides state-of-the-art dentistry and permanent solutions for patients struggling with either loose, broken or crooked teeth, and/or have been suffering from teeth-related pain. The studio mainly focuses on full-mouth reconstruction procedures, dentures and dental implants.

The studio is led by Dr. Caroline Truong, who with her devoted team provides high-quality, affordable care to her patients who range from 8 years old to 94 years old.

Jolie Smiles has an in-house laboratory, which allows Dr. Truong to fully customize every smile she designs — from shape, color, bite and fit. The in-house lab allows Dr. Truong to offer same-day service and repairs for smiles.

“A smile is one of the most important parts of our body. It’s one of the first things you see on a person,” says Dr. Truong. “It plays a huge role in your overall confidence.”

Dr. Truong time and time again sees new patients walking into Jolie Smiles, with little to no confidence due to their teeth concerns. For Dr. Truong, the confidence she and her team are able to give back to these patients is the most rewarding part of the job.

“We see these success stories all the time, where our patients light up and become a completely different person once they leave that dental chair,” says Dr. Truong.

This is evident in the photo album Jolie Smiles has in its consultation room, which is full of before-and-after photos of patients. The one thing they all have in common? The undeniable physical improvements and confidence they radiate after their procedures with Dr. Truong.

Besides Dr. Truong’s excellent patient care (which has resulted in only 5-star reviews on Google), another way the studio stands out from the crowd is the unique atmosphere it creates.

The dental studio is French-Influenced (“Jolie” is French for “pretty”), and is a nod to Dr. Truong’s childhood. She was born and raised in France, where she experienced the country’s beautiful culture and learned the French language, before moving to Florida when she was 8.

Extremely proud of her upbringing, Dr. Truong makes sure to display the French culture at Jolie Smiles.

When a patient enters the reception room, they will be offered french roast coffee and madeleines, and enjoy experiencing a walking tour of France playing on the TV.

As they walk into the procedure room, and sit down on high-quality black leather dental chairs, they will see “Bonjour (followed by their name)!” on the TV, which also can play movies and shows while the clients’ teeth are being worked on.

Jolie Smiles currently is offering complimentary consultations and second opinions with its 3D scans (value of $460). The studio also offers many flexible financing options to ensure the payment process is as smooth as possible for its patients.

Ready to say goodbye to tooth pain, broken or crooked teeth, and enjoy a healthier smile? Make an appointment with Jolie Smiles today! www.joliesmiles.com

Send us your First Day of School photos

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It’s that time of year when students of all ages are beginning a new school year and for many, that means it’s time to pose for the traditional First Day of School photos.

The Laker/Lutz News loves sharing these photos that have been taken by parents, grandparents, friends and relatives.

It has become of our annual tradition to share these special moments with our readers, and we can’t do that unless families choose to send their photos to us.

Besides being fun in the moment, in many ways these photos are similar to tiny time capsules, capturing a moment and recording changes in height, hair styles and fashion over time.

We hope you enjoy seeing these photos as much as we enjoy publishing them.

If you’d like to submit your photos, please be sure to let us know:

  • The first and last name of the student
  • The student’s age and grade
  • What school the student attends and the name of their community, such as Lutz, Land O’ Lakes, Wesley Chapel, Zephyrhills, and so on
  • The name of the person submitting the photo, along with contact information, in case we have questions.

We’re planning to publish the photos on Aug. 24.

To enable us to meet that deadline, please send your First Day of School photos by Aug. 14, to .

Jazzy likes The Laker

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(Courtesy of Debbie Morton)

Dog walker Debbie Morton shared this photo of Jazzy, a 1-year-old whippet, who lives in Land O’ Lakes. Jazzy waits patiently for Morton to arrive so she can retrieve the paper for her owner, Christina Becker. Jazzy likes to read The Laker, too!

Lutz Branch Library recruiting ‘friends’ of the library

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The Friends of the Lutz Branch Library are back in action collecting your used books and providing an array of affordably priced books for your reading pleasure, according to a news release from the group.

The group also offers many children’s books and a dedicated bookshelf to support home-schoolers.

The Friends, as they are known, were inactive because of the COVID-19 pandemic and also on hiatus during the six-month renovation of the library.

(File)

The library is open again and The Friends have organized and stocked the Book Depot with a diverse collection of hundreds of donated books ready for patrons, the release says.

The Lutz Friends of the Library was formed in 2000 by Helen Swisshelm, its first president and Hillsborough County Library Board member from 1990-2005.

The Friends of the Library is a nonprofit group, with members who have a passion for books and the betterment of the local community.

Funds raised from book sales are used to sponsor programs and events at the Lutz Branch Library.

If you’d like to help, you can visit the Book Depot and make a purchase, donate books for the store, become a member of the Lutz Friends chapter, make a donation, and spread the word by telling your friends and liking their Facebook page.

You also can provide the Friends with feedback via a Patron Survey found on the Book Depot door. The group is volunteer- based and anyone can join.

If you’d like to find out more, stop by the Lutz Branch Library, at 101 W. Lutz Lake Fern Road, in Lutz.

Hillsborough seeks help with Ecochallenge

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Hillsborough County and its partners are seeking help in the 2022 Plastic Ecochallenge.

The county is asking you to help the county earn points by completing waste-reduction actions.

The Plastic Free Ecochallenge is an international monthlong event that ends July 31, according to a Hillsborough County news release

“The goal is to encourage a shift away from single-use plastic dependency and create a more sustainable society,” the release says.

You can get involved by visiting ReduceYourUseTampaBay.org.

After joining Reduce Your Use Tampa Bay, visit the Ecochallenge page to sign up for the challenge and start earning points for the team by completing waste-reduction actions.

The site suggests dozens of ways you can help reduce waste, or you can think up some actions of your own.

Some ways to help reduce waste include: being committed to skipping plastic bags, using a reusable water bottle, or preparing meals without using any items packaged in single-use plastic.

The Reduce Your Use Tampa Bay Ecochallenge team includes Hillsborough County, Pinellas County, City of Tampa, City of St. Petersburg, Keep Tampa Bay Beautiful, and Keep Pinellas Beautiful. These municipalities and nonprofits also are partners in the Reduce Your Use Tampa Bay campaign.

The three Reduce Your Use Tampa Bay team members from Hillsborough or Pinellas counties with the most points by July 31 will receive eco-friendly items provided by the campaign, according to the release.

Published June 20, 2022

During disasters, they’re ready to help — and reliable

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It almost goes without saying that hurricane winds wreak havoc on power lines and make it harder to communicate — and that those damages often occur at precisely the same time when communications are critical.

D.M. Barrett modulates over his ham radio set, utilizing an antenna he designed. (Fred Bellet)

When that happens, there are volunteers who stand ready to step in and help.

They’re called ham radio operators.

Volunteer amateur radio operators provide a free public service to their communities during a disaster or emergency — without the need for a cellphone or the internet.

Dan Lindberg tunes in on his radio and prepares to check-in on the air.

Members of the East Pasco Amateur Radio Society recently took part in the national Amateur Radio Field Day, to demonstrate the ability of ham radios to work reliably, under almost any condition and from nearly any location.

The field day exercises were held over the weekend of June 25 and June 26, at the San Antonio Train Depot, 32700 Railroad Ave., in San Antonio.

The field day demonstrated how ham radios can be used to establish an independent communications network.

The East Pasco Amateur Radio Society is affiliated with Pasco County Emergency Management and many members of the group belong to the Amateur Radio Emergency Services. Some are certified in Pasco County’s Community Emergency Response Team (CERT).

The Amateur Radio Emergency Services consists of FCC licensed amateur radio operators who are trained in emergency communications and voluntarily registered with their qualifications and equipment for communications duty in public service, when called upon or when a disaster strikes. It provides support as a reliable back-up system, if regular means of communications fail.

The Amateur Radio Emergency Services provides communications as public service to the federal, state and local governments, as well as nonprofit organizations.

For more information about the East Pasco Amateur Radio Society, visit EPARSonline.org.

For information about the Amateur Radio Emergency Services, email , or call 813-991-7160.

Published July 13, 2022

Wearing his call letters on his cap, 85-year-old Bill Roller, of Zephyrhills, was the first to arrive for the national Amateur Radio Field Day exercise at the San Antonio Train Depot on Railroad Avenue, in San Antonio.
Using a hand-held microphone, Chris Bloxsom makes contact with another amateur radio club and uses call letters to identify the East Pasco club. The field day exercise is crucial for ham radio operators, who often provide a vital link of communication during emergencies.
Volunteer Tim Cunningham coordinates Pasco County amateur radio groups during the field day, as a volunteer for Pasco County Amateur Radio Frequency Services. Here, he contacts a west Pasco amateur station participating in the field day event. Cunningham is a former member of Pasco County Fire Rescue.