The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Andrew Powell

Florida’s Duke Energy customers again voice opposition to rate hike proposal

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(The Center Square) – Florida regulators have held four public meetings over the past several weeks to gather feedback from customers who will be affected by Duke Energy Florida’s proposed base rate hike.

In April, the company petitioned the Florida Public Service Commission to permanently increase its base rates beginning Jan. 1, with annual increases for at least the next three years.

Duke Energy Florida claims that it wants to get a fair rate of return on its investment after going without a rate increase since 2021. The company provides electricity to over 2 million customers and covers an area of 13,000 square miles.

If the rate hike proposal is approved, residential customers using 1,000 kilowatt hours per month can expect to pay $169.16, an increase from $157.47. Duke has further requested a minimum bill of $30 per month.

During the June 18 commission customer service hearing, Duke Energy Florida customers voiced their concerns, which centered around the increased cost of living and the price hike, which will put additional strain on families.

Chairman Mike La Rosa stated that the commission will hold a technical hearing in August, during which it will decide whether to approve base rate hikes.

Austin Watrous, an attorney with the Florida Office of Public Counsel, stated that if Duke Energy Florida approves its proposal, base rates will increase in 2025, 2026 and 2027. This would increase the company’s base rate revenue by $593 million for 2025, an additional $98 million the following Jan. 1, 2026, and then by another $129 million on Jan. 1, 2027.

Watrous said the counsel challenges the legality and lack of supporting evidence for these increases and also challenges the reliability and speculative nature of future cost projections. Watrous added that Duke is entitled to a reasonable return. However, in the opinion of the counsel, the proposed rates are an excessive return on equity.

Jordan Luebkemann, representing Florida Rising and the League of United Latin American Citizens, stated that Duke Energy Florida had the fifth-highest residential customer bills in the U.S. in 2023.

“Duke’s proposal includes a minimum bill, a substantial rate increase, and a big hike on the return on equity – essentially guaranteed profits which will be applied to a wave of construction projects that Duke hasn’t shown they needed,” Luebkemann said.

Published July 03, 2024

New sports to try this summer

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Summer is the perfect time to break out of your routine and try something new. If you’re looking for fresh and exciting ways to stay active, there are plenty of innovative sports to explore. From adrenaline-pumping activities to leisurely pastimes, here are some new sports to try this summer:

Pickleball has been gaining popularity because of its ease of learning and increasing access. ((Sye Williams/Getty Images))

1. Pickleball
Why it’s great: Pickleball is a fast-growing sport that combines elements of tennis, badminton and table tennis. It’s easy to learn, making it accessible for all ages and fitness levels.
What you need: A pickleball paddle, a perforated plastic ball, and a pickleball court (or a modified tennis court).
Tips:

  • Start with casual games to get the hang of the rules and gameplay.
  • Join a local pickleball club to meet other enthusiasts and improve your skills.

2. Footgolf
Why it’s great: Footgolf is a fun fusion of soccer and golf. Players kick a soccer ball into large cups in as few shots as possible, following the layout of a golf course.
What you need: A soccer ball and access to a footgolf course (many golf courses now offer footgolf).
Tips:

  • Wear comfortable athletic shoes, as soccer cleats are often not allowed on golf courses.
  • Play with friends for a competitive and enjoyable experience.

3. Spikeball
Why it’s great: Spikeball is a high-energy game that’s perfect for the beach or park. It involves bouncing a small ball off a round net set at ankle level with teams of two trying to outscore each other.
What you need: A Spikeball set, which includes the net and ball.
Tips:

  • Practice your hand-eye coordination and agility to excel in the game.
  • Play on a soft surface like grass or sand to prevent injuries from dives and falls.

4. Stand-Up Paddleboard Yoga (SUP Yoga)
Why it’s great: SUP Yoga combines the balance and tranquility of stand-up paddleboarding with the flexibility and mindfulness of yoga. It offers a unique way to connect with nature while enhancing your core strength.
What you need: A stand-up paddleboard, paddle and a calm body of water.
Tips:

  • Start with basic yoga poses to get comfortable on the board.
  • Take a class with a certified instructor to learn proper techniques and safety practices.
Bubble Soccer takes soccer to a bouncy new level. (Peter Keleman/Getty Images)

5. Bubble Soccer
Why it’s great: Bubble Soccer, also known as Zorb Soccer, involves players wearing inflatable bubbles that cover their upper bodies and heads. It’s a hilarious and safe way to play soccer, as the bubbles protect you from impacts.
What you need: Inflatable bubble suits, soccer ball and an open field.
Tips:

  • Play with friends or join a local bubble soccer league for organized games.
  • Ensure the playing area is free of obstacles to avoid injuries.

6. Sandboarding
Why it’s great: Sandboarding is the desert equivalent of snowboarding. It’s an exhilarating sport where you ride a board down sand dunes, providing a thrilling experience without the cold.
What you need: A sandboard and access to sand dunes.
Tips:

  • Apply a wax coating to the bottom of your sandboard for a smoother ride.
  • Wear sunglasses and sunscreen to protect against the sun’s glare and UV rays.
Sandboarding brings snowboarding technique to the desert. (Dener Vieira/Pexels)

7. Bossaball
Why it’s great: Bossaball is a unique sport that combines elements of volleyball, soccer, gymnastics and capoeira. It’s played on an inflatable court with a trampoline on each side of the net, making for high-flying and acrobatic gameplay.
What you need: A Bossaball set, including the inflatable court, net and ball.
Tips:

  • Warm up thoroughly to prevent injuries, as the game involves a lot of jumping and dynamic movements.
  • Try different techniques to utilize the trampoline effectively for scoring points.

8. Ultimate Archery
Why it’s great: Ultimate Archery, also known as Archery Tag, combines the strategy of paintball with the precision of archery. Players use foam-tipped arrows and bows to tag opponents and score points.
What you need: A bow, foam-tipped arrows, face mask and a designated play area.
Tips:

  • Practice your archery skills before playing to improve accuracy and confidence.
  • Wear protective gear and follow safety guidelines to prevent injuries.

9. Flowboarding
Why it’s great: Flowboarding is a water sport that combines elements of surfing, snowboarding and skateboarding. It’s done on a simulated wave machine, allowing for endless rides and tricks.
What you need: Access to a flowboarding facility and a flowboard.
Tips:

  • Start with basic maneuvers and gradually progress to more advanced tricks.
  • Take a lesson to learn proper techniques and safety measures.

10. Disc Golf
Why it’s great: Disc golf is a fun and low-impact sport that involves throwing a disc into a series of target baskets in as few throws as possible. It’s a great way to enjoy the outdoors and get some exercise.
What you need: A set of discs (drivers, mid-range and putters) and access to a disc golf course.
Tips:

  • Learn the different types of throws and techniques to improve your game.
  • Play with friends or join a local disc golf club for social and competitive play.

Trying out new sports can add excitement and variety to your summer activities. From the fast-paced action of Spikeball to the serene balance of SUP Yoga, there’s something for everyone. So, step out of your comfort zone, gather your friends, and make this summer unforgettable by exploring these innovative sports.

Published July 03, 2024

Business Digest 07/03/2024

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FiCare Grand Opening
A grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony will be held for FiCare – Healthcare’s Financial Planner on July 10 at 11 a.m., at 26644 Silver Maple Parkway in Wesley Chapel. Admission is free and there will be snacks, drinks and vendors, according to a news release.

Suncoast announces ZooTampa partnership
Suncoast Credit Union has announced a new partnership with ZooTampa at Lowry Park, offering benefits to its 1.2 million members, including a Buy One, Get One (BOGO) offer on zoo tickets from June 19 to Sept. 30, according to a news release. Members can use the BOGO promotion by presenting their Suncoast credit or debit card at the zoo’s ticket gates. Additionally, kids attending summer camp at ZooTampa can open a minor savings account with Suncoast, with the credit union matching the opening deposit up to $20. Suncoast also will be the presenting sponsor of a future zoo feature. For details, visit Suncoast.com/promo/zoo-tampa.

Pasco EDC Annual Awards event announced
The Pasco EDC Annual Awards will be on Sept. 5 from 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., at the Pasco-Hernando State College Instructional Performing Arts Center in Wesley Chapel. Now in its 36th year, it’s billed as a premier business event in Pasco County, attracting over 400 business and community leaders, including state legislators, county commissioners, and city officials, according to a news release. The event features the Annual Industry Awards, which honor local companies for achievements in job creation, capital investment, technology, innovation, and community service. Online registration is now open at PascoEDC.com/events/details/36th-annual-awards. For sponsorship opportunities, contact .

Organizations awarded Bell Seal
Several Tampa Bay organizations have received the 2024 Bell Seal for Workplace Mental Health certification from Mental Health America, with the support of Tampa Bay Thrives, a local nonprofit, according to a press release. Bell Seal certification recognizes organizations meeting high standards for promoting worker mental health. The awarded organizations and their achievements are:

  • Champions for Children: Offers 100% no-cost health insurance and mental health services
  • Crisis Center of Tampa Bay: Provides self-care days, a DEI&B Committee and self-care rooms
  • Juvenile Welfare Board of Pinellas County: Revised policies to include six weeks of paid parental leave and allows sick leave for mental health
  • Polk County Board of County Commissioners: Provides mental health support through various programs, including an on-site wellness coach and free gym access.
  • The Mosaic Company: Offers guided self-care, therapy and counseling services.

For more information, visit TampaBayThrives.org.

Pasco County lifts emergency burn ban

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Recent rains have helped lower the drought conditions, allowing Pasco County to lift the Emergency Burn Ban for all areas as of June 27, effective immediately, according to a news release.

While drought conditions improve, it’s important to remember the county is still drier than normal. Pasco County Fire Rescue urges everyone to prioritize safety while burning outdoors. Proper measures and precautions should be taken to protect people from fire danger.

Everyone living in unincorporated areas of Pasco County may resume outdoor burning, including:

  • Open burning
  • Campfires/bonfires
  • Burning yard waste

Anyone planning to conduct an open burn should comply with all Florida Forest Service permitting requirements.

For outdoor burning rules and safety tips, please visit MyPas.co/OutdoorBurning, or contact Pasco Fire Rescue’s Community Risk Reduction Division at 813-929-2750.

New Florida Human Trafficking Strike Team cracking down on border-related crime

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(The Center Square) – A new multi-agency human trafficking strike team has been created in Florida to target border-related crime. As the result of a recent months-long operation, 10 victims were rescued, and several alleged perpetrators were arrested.

Attorney General Ashley Moody announced the creation of the new strike team with law enforcement leaders on June 13. 

“Human trafficking is a challenge for every state,” Moody said.

(Florida Attorney General’s Office/YouTube)

The investigation began in October 2023 in Manatee County after the sheriff’s office acted on a search warrant and turned over information to Homeland Security Investigations and the strike team, FDLE (Florida Department of Law Enforcement) Special Agent in Charge Mark Brutnell said. 

Investigators identified businesses that were commercial fronts for sex trafficking operations in Manatee and Hillsborough counties, where alleged ringleader Lina Payne recruited women from Columbia and allegedly held them hostage in Florida. She then allegedly forced them to have sex to pay off their debt to bring them into the country under threat of violence. 

“What we found was a fully functional, highly organized international human trafficking operation” based in Hillsborough and Manatee counties, Brutnell said. Payne was allegedly making frequent international trips to Latin American countries where the victims were living and were later trafficked through the border into Florida, he said. 

The victims had no accessible modes of transportation, their identification documents were taken from them, their food was delivered to them, they were forced to live inside massage parlors, barber shops and other businesses, where they could not leave, he said.  

Payne’s alleged accomplices — her boyfriend, Sebastian Jurado, and her son, Andres Payne — were involved in recruiting women from Venezuela and Colombia who agreed to pay between $40,000 and $50,000 to be smuggled across the southwest border into the U.S., according to the investigation. Payne allegedly promised them legitimate work, but once they arrived, they were held hostage. 

At one point during the investigation, it appeared Payne was attempting to flee the country and was arrested at the Fort Lauderdale International Airport. Not soon after, her boyfriend and son were arrested in Tampa. Another alleged trafficker remains at large. Each defendant faces multiple felony charges and is being prosecuted by Moody’s Office of Statewide Prosecution.

Through the course of the investigation, the strike team rescued 10 victims. They also believe they identified more than 117 victims of Payne’s trafficking operation over years. 

Pasco County Sheriff Chris Nocco said the victims “were brought here to Florida and had no idea what hell they were being brought into. We’re talking about human lives. If someone was drowning, we’d go out and save them. These are people who are lost out at sea, in hell, living in captivity. We are going to rescue them.”

While he said he was glad they caught the traffickers, he said, “there are a lot of evil people who pay to have forced sex, rape, with these women.” 

One way to break the cycle of sex trafficking was to enhance criminal penalties “against people who are buying and forcing sex on and raping women.” Another is to create a civil penalty to enable victims “to easily sue” their abusers, he said. “If we take away the livelihoods of the people buying and forcing sex on victims, take their houses, cars, … it will set a tone. Just like everything else we do in Florida, we will protect people.”

Moody said, “The disturbing facts of this case highlight the need for our new statewide Strike Team, and demonstrate how this expert team of investigators, prosecutors, analysts, and victims’ advocates can help coordinate efforts to take down trafficking operations and rescue victims.”

The new strike team is providing intelligence, guidance and support to law enforcement agencies statewide and is also coordinating emergency victim support services. The team works directly with Florida’s new statewide human trafficking tip line, 855-FLA-SAFE. 

It’s currently assisting local law enforcement efforts with more than 20 human trafficking cases and making contact with nearly 40 victims—including the 10 victims from this investigation, Moody said. 

Also joining Moody in making the announcement were FDLE Commissioner Mark Glass, Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office Colonel Chris Rule, Manatee County Sheriff’s Office Major Todd Shears and Homeland Security Investigations Tampa Special Agent in Charge John Condon.

Published June 26, 2024

Car tires on a gravel road

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Well, I was born in a small town
And I live in a small town
Probably die in a small town
Oh, those small communities
-John Mellencamp, “Small Town”

As I was driving through Lutz, on the six-lane divided highway that is now U.S. 41, past some newish storage buildings and a yet-to-be-built mega-7-Eleven, it really struck me how much Lutz has changed. 

I was born and raised here and my family has quite a history in Lutz. My Great-Uncle Matt was the game warden out here. He built and lived in the little house on the corner of 41 and County Line Road where Rogers Dirt is now located.  

My first gun that I learned to hunt squirrel with was a 20-gauge top-break single shot that Uncle Matt had confiscated from some duck poachers when they threw it down and ran away. Same gun my dad and his brothers learned with. I’ve still got it. 

(National Archives at College Park, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons)

Dad used to ride his bicycle up from Seminole Heights to Uncle Matt’s. They would pull the little fishing boat over to where Dale Mabry is now and set up camp about where my office currently sits and then fish the lake to the immediate south. Dad swore that one night a big ole bass jumped in the boat while he and Uncle Matt were fishing by the light of a kerosene lantern. 

I’ve seen a lot of changes, but I think the clearing of that parcel on the east side of 41 by the Walgreens at Sunset made it more real to me than it has been in the past. I was just so used to having that patch of woods and swamp sitting in the middle of “downtown” Lutz. It reminded me of how Lutz has maintained its rural character despite all of the development occurring on all sides of us.  

US 41 was a two-lane, barely-paved road. Concrete poured over an old asphalt brick base. You’ve heard of some towns having a single stoplight? Well, in Lutz we didn’t even have that. We had a flashing light that hung down on US 41 in the middle of the intersection with Lutz Lake Fern Road. 

We had a Shop n’ Go where the Latin market is, a volunteer fire department and, get this, a band shell at Bullard Park, where the library is now. And we had our own pharmacy, but that is a whole ‘nother story in itself.  

But we had TWO gas stations: Donovan’s Phillips 66 and Steinke’s Dixie Station, run by Bill Steinke, the first Lutz fire chief. Steinke’s was much more than a gas station. It was the de

facto men’s social club. It had gas pumps, of course, but also cane poles, bait, beer and even a little bar. It is said it had a secret tunnel or hidey-hole, but I was too young to know for sure. 

Lutz was dry on Sunday, as was the rest of the county, but just about every Sunday, on the way home from church, we would stop by Steinke’s and Dad would go in and come back out with a brown paper bag containing a six-pack of Schlitz. I’m told Steinke also carried the harder stuff, or “spirits,” which made him right popular around town. 

As growth came, we got a Mr. Swiss and even a Whataburger for a while. My first real job, after working at the Shop n’ Go sweeping the mole crickets out of the parking lot at night, was at Eagle Army Navy in what is now the Winn Dixie Shopping Center. 

For the most part, this area has very little resemblance today to the Lutz of my youth.

Yet despite all of the population growth and development, and the loss of the groves and pastures I grew up with, Lutz is still an oasis of peace in the midst of traffic, turmoil and turbulence. 

Other than Gainesville for law school and a brief stint in Jacksonville as a young assistant public defender, I have lived my entire life in Lutz and I would have it no other way. Although I do miss the flashing light. 

(Randall C. Grantham is a lifelong resident of Lutz who practices law from his offices on Dale Mabry Highway. . Copyright 2024 RCG)

Published June 26, 2024

Commissioners settle lawsuit with county clerk

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The Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) recently approved a settlement to a lawsuit filed against Pasco County by Clerk & Comptroller Nikki Alvarez-Sowles over funding of technology that tracks criminal justice records.

Commissioners agreed on June 18 by a vote of 4-0 to pay $1,024,069 to reimburse the clerk’s office for monies spent on the Multiagency Criminal Justice Information System, according to Ryan P. Hughes, a Pasco County public information officer.

Their decision came after County Attorney Jeffrey Steinsnyder told them an agreement had been reached between attorneys representing Alvarez-Sowles and Pasco County regarding the lawsuit that had been filed almost three years ago.

(Katrin Bolovtsova/Pexels)

Commissioners Kathryn Starkey, Seth Weightman and Lisa Yeager joined Commission Chairman Ron Oakley in approving the settlement. Commissioner Jack Mariano wasn’t present at the meeting.

In other business, commissioners:

  • Approved funding agreements for $4.1 million with the Pasco County Housing Authority for the construction of 77 units of new multifamily rental housing for homeless veterans and their families, and non-elderly disabled persons and their families. 

The units will be in an addition known as Magnolia Oaks, at 7338 Massachusetts Ave., in New Port Richey. 

It was anticipated in October 2021 that Pasco County’s cost for the project would be $2.1 million. However, delays in getting development of the project started due to the COVID-19 pandemic, along with inflation, increased the cost to $4.1 million.

Plans call for 34 one-bedroom units, 33 two-bedroom units and 10 three-bedroom units to be constructed. Forty of the units will be for veterans, while the remaining 37 will be allocated for the non-elderly disabled. 

The project will be developed in phases with Phase One consisting of 30 units beginning in the summer of 2024. Funding for the construction of these units will be provided by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

  • Approved a revision to an agreement reached in 1980 that required low-income housing rental units to be constructed on 15.63 acres in Lacoochee. The property, which had been owned by the Pasco County Housing Authority, is bounded by Chapman Street to the north, Story Drive to the south, and Patti Lane and Dosha Drive in its interior.

Uradco Inc. acquired the property in July of 2019 and sold it to One Lacoochee Center Inc. in November of 2019. The site is now the subject of an economic incentive agreement and is under contract to be sold for an industrial project. The county needed to record an instrument terminating the clause listed in the deed in 1980 so One Lacoochee Center would have a clear title to the property. Development of the property for industrial use is anticipated to generate increased employment in the rural, unincorporated area of Lacoochee.

  • Adopted an ordinance establishing a Road Rehabilitation Services Municipal Service Taxing Unit to raise funds to make necessary improvements to county roads. Funds the county had been receiving from taxes on the sale of gasoline have not been sufficient to cover those costs according to Justin Grant, director of Pasco’s Public Infrastructure Financial Operations. Under conditions of the ordinance, the county will not continue to collect the remaining three years of a 10-year assessment residents have been required to pay because of road improvements in the areas where they live. County staff will need to prepare the first year’s Municipal Service Taxing Unit (MSTU) assessment for inclusion in the 2024 property tax bill. This will have to be done in time for a BOCC meeting in July during which the assessments must be adopted.
  • Agreed to the recording of a plat with performance guarantees for Pulte Home Company, LLC – Vida’s Way Legacy Phase 1A for the development of 167 residential lots on 94.985 acres on the east side of Watergrass Parkway, approximately 0.69 miles south of Overpass Road. The county received two Surety Bonds, totaling $8.255 million, to cover the cost of required infrastructure and landscaping improvements. The property is located in Commission District 1 in south central Pasco County.
  • Agreed to the recording of a plat with a performance guarantee for Taylor Morrison of Florida, Inc. – Esplanade at Wiregrass Ranch Phases 4A & 4B for the development of 29 residential lots on 65.8 acres on the east side of Provinciale Parkway approximately 0.75 miles east of Wiregrass Ranch Boulevard. The county received a Surety Bond in the amount of $4,621,253.13 to cover the cost of required infrastructure improvements. The property is located in Commission District 2 in south central Pasco County.
  • Approved an ordinance that changed the zoning of 8.84 acres of property on the southern side of State Road 52, approximately 3,300 feet west of Land O’ Lakes Boulevard, from RES-3 (Residential-3 DU/GA) to COM (Commercial), OF (Office), and CON (Conservation). Attorney Barbara Wilhite, who represented the applicant, informed commissioners it is planned to have the commercial portion of the property located at a frontage along SR 52. The parcel will contain 2.32 acres of OF to complement the 4-acre COM portion along SR 52. The remainder of the site can be considered as additional land for employment-generating uses.

Published June 26, 2024

DeSantis signs $116.5B state budget into law

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(The Center Square) — Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed the state budget during a news conference in Tampa on June 12.

The state budget, House Bill 5001, comes with a price tag of $116.5 billion but is less than what was allocated in the fiscal 2023-2024 budget. DeSantis said the bottom line is providing historic support for education, conservation efforts, transportation and infrastructure along with significant tax relief.

“We are proud to maintain a AAA credit rating,” DeSantis said. “Florida is rated higher than the federal government and we’re going to continue to keep it that way…Since taking office, largely because we’ve been prudent and we’ve been fiscally responsible.”

(Governor Ron DeSantis/Facebook)

DeSantis noted that Florida has the lowest debt-per-capita than any other state and added that it was important to keep spending in check, and one way he did that was by using his line-item veto authority.

The two-term Republican governor used his line-item veto pen to slash $949.6 million in spending from this year’s budget. 

“We did close to a billion dollars worth of line-item vetos and part of that is just a reflection of we wanted to keep the budget within a certain parameter, some of the stuff I don’t think was appropriate for state tax dollars,” DeSantis said.

DeSantis pointed out that he has no issue vetoing unnecessary appropriations because he wants to prioritize paying down state debt, having large surpluses and growing the “rainy day fund.”

“So, less spending than last year, record investments, this is the most we’ve ever spent for transportation and infrastructure, for building roads, for doing all the things that we need to do,” DeSantis said.

Since 2019, the state has provided over $6 billion in tax relief for Florida businesses and residents despite not having a state income tax. DeSantis noted this is because Florida has the best policies and added that job growth in the private sector has increased by almost 250,000 jobs from April 2023 to the present.

DeSantis noted that his administration is responsible for the largest amount of money ever provided for education, which includes scholarship programs and public universities. Environmental restoration and stewardship have also been top priorities for the Legislature.

“This budget will include $1.25 billion that can only be used to increase teacher salaries,” DeSantis said. “No money to unions, no money to bureaucracy, only for teacher salary and that is more than the state of Florida has ever done.”

Published June 26, 2024

Review: ‘Camp Snoopy’ brings pathos and joy to a boy and his dog tale

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Everything I know about summer camp I learned at the movies … and now from “Camp Snoopy,” the delightful new Apple TV series created, in part, to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Peanuts’ universe’s Beagle Scouts. Snoopy’s round-headed pal, Charlie Brown, is, of course, an old hand at summer camp fun (and its emotional complexities). He’s been going there since June 5, 1965, the day the late cartoonist Charles M. Schulz first placed a forlorn Charlie Brown at a bus window as it drove him away from home. In a follow-up strip, Charlie Brown wrote a letter home, saying, “My first day of camp is over. I lived through it.”

(Apple TV+)

In the first of the 13 20-minute “Camp Snoopy” episodes, all directed by Rob Boutilier, Snoopy, wearing his green Beagle Scout troop leader hat (with a yellow paw print as its center emblem), comes into the kitchen where Charlie Brown is preparing his little sister, Sally, for her first camp summer. Suddenly, the telephone rings. It’s Beagle Scout Headquarters with distressing news. Snoopy’s troop is on the verge of being kicked out for not having earned enough performance badges. Snoopy sputters in outrage but then does some quick arithmetic to calculate how many badges his troop has earned: 5 + (-5) = 0. To attain the necessary badges, Snoopy’s five-bird troop, which includes Woodstock, hurriedly prepares their own trip to Spring Lake. Charlie Brown and Sally take a bus. Snoopy calls a taxi.

This might be the moment to say that Spring Lake and the mountains that surround it have never been so artfully rendered. The Peanuts gang went to camp in some of the 1970s-era feature films and TV specials, but the color palettes of yesteryear pale considerably against the sweet vibrance of “Camp Snoopy.” The daytime skies over the camp are pastel blue and the verdant landscape below is darkened with a marker, as Schulz himself might do. At night, the moon shining down on the tents has rings radiating from it, like a child’s painting pinned to the refrigerator.

There are three segments in each episode, all of them jauntily scored by composer Jeff Morrow, who clearly keeps a reverent ear tuned to the original Vince Guaraldi Peanuts music. Morrow appears happiest when bringing to life the adventures of Snoopy and his Scouts, who demonstrate in each episode a key lesson from their Handbook, such as How to Pitch a Tent and the importance of being Trustworthy. They also steal all sorts of extra screen time. My favorite: Snoopy is sleeping atop his tent and his noisy snores are generating giant Zs that float up and over the tents of the bird troopers, one of whom gets so annoyed that he flies over with a butterfly net, captures Snoopy’s Zs and buries them.

Kids are sure to love the antic “Beagle vs. Bug” and relate to “Sally’s Tooth,” which finds her worried that the Tooth Fairy won’t be able to locate her at camp. Lucy is not sympathetic; she knows to always leave a forwarding address. Among the summer’s key events are a cardboard boat regatta, the presentation of the Piney Awards (Pigpen wins Tidiest Bunk), and a bonafide crisis when Linus’s blanket goes missing: “I guess I have to learn to live as one-eighth of myself.”

In the surprising “Leave It Like You Found It,” halfway through the season, the kids crash into an idyllic meadow the Beagle Scout troop has discovered and end up ruining it with loud music, trash and general disregard for the natural world. Snoopy is disgusted. The gang quickly sets things right, but the story remains jarring, one of the rare times Charlie Brown and his friends have acted rashly, and, worse, affected the world in a negative way.

The brilliant 2022 special “It’s the Small Things, Charlie Brown” finds Sally becoming the protector of a lone dandelion growing in the middle of Charlie Brown’s pitcher’s mound. Desperate to clear the field for a big game, Charlie Brown grabs at the flower and the dandelion is destroyed, devastating his little sister. Such moments, so unexpectedly fraught, confirm that the Apple TV Peanuts renaissance spearheaded by Charles Schulz’s son Craig is not only pleasing to the eye but thematically ambitious. And the filmmakers are quietly bringing joy into Charlie Brown’s life. It was there at the end of “The Peanuts Movie,” and it’s all through “Camp Snoopy.” He’s still a pessimist and still trips over his own feet (literally), but he also becomes something of a touchstone for his fellow campers. They continually turn to their friend Charlie Brown for insight when they feel down on themselves. Who better?

Snoopy loves Charlie Brown, too. He always has, of course, but in the emotionally evolved Peanuts animation of today, he’s more willing to show it. As summer ends, boy and dog get locked in a storage shed and end up playing astronaut, and they’re having a blast when rescued. Not long after, it’s time to head home. Charlie Brown climbs onto the bus. We don’t see him at the window, but we know he’s not sitting alone despairing at his summer failures. He’s sitting with his friends, sure as anything, and he’s smiling.

Published June 26, 2024

Duke Energy Florida customers oppose proposed rate hike in public meeting

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(The Center Square) — Florida regulators hosted a public meeting the week of June 10 about a proposed rate increase by one of the Sunshine State’s largest electricity providers.

Duke Energy Florida filed a petition in April, requesting that the Florida Public Service Commission approve a rate increase for its residential and industrial customers. Duke Energy Florida delivers service over 13,000 square miles and serves approximately 2 million customers.

Charlotte, North Carolina, Duke Energy Plaza, corporate headquarters office building. (Jeffrey Greenberg/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)

According to the petition, the company wants to make the base rate increases permanent. However, the commission hearing on Tuesday saw a huge amount of pushback from customers and another hearing on the proposed rate increases is scheduled for August.

Austin Watrous, an attorney with the Office of the Public Counsel, said that Duke Energy’s base rate increases will occur every year until at least 2027.

“If their original proposal is accepted, on Jan. 1, 2025, Duke’s base rates would be increased by $593 million, $98 million more on Jan. 1 of 2026, and then another $129 million on Jan. 1 of 2027,” Watrous said.

Watrous noted that Duke Energy is entitled to a reasonable return on equity but said that Duke has requested an excessive return of around 11%.

“Our research indicates that Duke only requires a return on equity of just under 9.5%, which is consistent with the current market for electric utility operations and has been more than adequate for Duke to maintain its financial integrity and creditworthiness,” Watrous said.

A representative for Florida Rising and the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) agreed that Duke’s proposed return on equity of 11% is excessive and noted that the real cost of new grid infrastructure is the same regardless of Duke’s return.

LULAC and Florida Rising said that returns on investment for other utilities in other states are trending downwards because commissions recognize that there is not much risk in investing in a monopoly utility with guaranteed profits.

Duke Energy customer Lillian Alvarez spoke to the commission about why she opposes the rate hike and said it often comes down to choosing between gas, food or electricity.

“As a Duke Energy customer, I’ve seen my light bill go up tremendously. This has also impacted me because I have to make life decisions on whether I keep my A/C on,” Alvarez said, noting that Florida’s summer heat makes this choice impossible.

Published June 26, 2024