The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Special to The Laker/Lutz News

Five things athletes need to know about asthma and summer heat

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Nearly 25 million people of all ages in the United States are living with asthma, a lifelong chronic disease that makes it harder to move air in and out of the lungs, and for athletes, the summer heat can exacerbate the disease.

Here’s what the American Lung Association wants everyone to know during summer, when extreme heat can make asthma harder to manage.

(Maarten van den Heuvel/Unsplash)

New challenges are emerging.
Beyond traditional asthma triggers like respiratory infections, secondhand smoke and pets, new challenges are emerging. Extreme heat, poor air quality, increased allergens, extreme weather events, and more frequent and intense wildfires, all are making asthma more difficult to manage.

Excessive heat and humidity increase the risk of asthma exacerbations, asthma-related hospitalization and asthma-related death, especially for children and women. Athletes should limit time outdoors during heat waves, seek access to air conditioning and take steps to improve indoor air quality, as humidity allows dust mites and mold to thrive.

City dwellers are particularly vulnerable.
Two-thirds of the average U.S. city is made up of roads, parking spaces, sidewalks and roofs. Since these surfaces are typically dark and nonporous, they contribute to flooding, increased air pollution, poor health and what is known as “urban heat,” a phenomenon in which cities experience warmer temperatures than surrounding areas. Urban heat, combined with pollutants from power plants, motor vehicles and other pollution sources, creates ozone pollution, also known as smog. Those with asthma can experience symptoms like shortness of breath, wheezing and coughing from both ground-level ozone and particle pollution, as well as from the impacts of extreme weather and airborne allergens.

Flooding can harm lung health.
Increased severe storms result in more flooding, which can harm lung health. Chemicals, sewage, oil, gas and other dangerous substances found in floodwaters can pose health risks, and mold, associated with asthma attacks, can grow anywhere there is water or dampness.

Advocacy efforts are underway.
The Smart Surfaces Coalition is made up of 40 national and international organizations committed to making Smart Surfaces the global urban design standard. Smart Surfaces encompass a suite of cutting-edge technologies, including reflective (cool) roofs and pavements, green roofs, trees, solar panels and rain gardens. Designed to mitigate urban heat, enhance air quality and improve health, these transformative urban features can cool cities by 5 degrees F, reduce flooding, provide economic benefits and potentially advance environmental justice.

The American Lung Association, an active member of the Smart Surfaces Coalition, encourages cities to take these actions:

  • Install light-colored roads, parking lots and driveways to reflect sunlight and reduce heat.
  • Install solar panels to convert sunlight into electricity and provide shade for roofs.
  • Plant trees to increase shade.
  • Select porous surfaces to collect polluted stormwater, soak it into the ground, and filter out pollution.

Other strategies to reduce urban heat, air pollution and ozone levels include using public transportation carpooling, increasing green spaces and installing cooling centers in extreme conditions.

Resources are available.
Educational programming can help people better manage the disease in summer and year-round. Patients can check out the self-management education programs, information and tools available at Lung.org/asthma or call the American Lung Association’s Lung Helpline at 1-800-LUNGUSA. Living with an illness, or being the caretaker to someone who is, can take a physical and emotional toll. Patients can get support and knowledge, and connect with others by joining the Lung Association’s Patient & Caregiver Network.

For the 24.8 million Americans living with asthma, extreme summer temperatures and emerging environmental threats can make life more difficult. Fortunately, new educational resources and expanded programming can help patients navigate new and old challenges alike.

-StatePoint

Published May 15, 2024

A special Mother’s Day wish

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(Courtesy of Mass Communications Specialist 2nd Class Keith Nowak, Navy Office of Community Outreach)

Seaman Cierra Kenney, a Spring Hill native serving in the U.S. Navy, wishes her mother, Meagan Loomis, of Spring Hill, a Happy Mother’s Day from afar. Sailors help maintain America’s advantage at sea and this means they do not always get to celebrate holidays with their loved ones. Kenney wants her mother to know she is missed on Mother’s Day. “Thank you for all you do for me,” said Kenney, in a news release. “I love you and I’m grateful to have someone like you in my life.”

Baldomero Lopez Nursing Home’s 25th anniversary celebrated

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Some of the younger residents of the Baldomero Lopez State Veterans’ Nursing Home were only teenagers when the place they now call home opened in 1999.

The 25th anniversary of the nursing home was marked by a special event on April 27 in Land O’ Lakes.

Residents of Baldomero Lopez State Veterans’ Nursing Home watch the Crossroads Band. (Joe Potter)

About 120 veterans, whose ages range from 40 to 101, now reside there.

Being at the ceremony was a “great opportunity” said James S. Hartsell, retired Maj. Gen., U.S. Marine Corps,  and Florida Department of Veterans Affairs’ (FDVA) executive director. 

“This is what makes Florida great and I’m glad to be here,” Hartsell said. “This is a ‘home,’ not a ‘facility,’ and they aren’t ‘patients.’ The ones who live here are ‘residents.’”

Bob Hatfield, left, reads what was put into the Congressional Record regarding the nursing home’s 25th anniversary as its administrator, Marlies Sarrett, looks on.

As part of the ceremony, Bob Hatfield, a member of Congressman Gus M. Bilirakis’ staff, read what had been entered into the Congressional Record in Washington D.C. regarding the nursing home’s 25th anniversary.

“Florida is home to more than 1.5 million veterans, many of whom reside in the Tampa Bay and Nature Coast areas. Through a partnership with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and the Florida Department of Veterans Affairs, the state of Florida operates eight skilled nursing facilities and one assisted living facility, including Baldomero Lopez State Veterans’ Nursing Home. These critical long-term care resources are available to Florida veterans with an honorable discharge who are in need of assistance,” read Hatfield, repeating Bilirakis’ remarks.

Baldomero Lopez offers its residents safe shelter and skilled services 24/7 to help them live out the remainder of their lives in a good, healthy environment.

Attendees visit with a mini horse from Mary Rose Mini Pet Therapy Horses.

Meals are prepared daily to help meet the individual dietary needs of residents. There is a 58-bed Alzheimer’s/dementia unit. Other offerings include 24-hour skilled nursing service, help with pain management, and a variety of social and recreational activities.

The nursing home is named after First Lt. Baldomero Lopez, a member of the U.S. Marine Corps, who died on Sept. 15, 1950, while serving during the Korean War. He was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor, our nation’s highest military decoration.

Lopez was a rifle platoon commander of Company A, 1st Battalion, 5th Marines, 1st Marine Division (REIN). 

He was only 25 years old when he was killed while serving in Inchon, Korea.

Officials attending the event included, from left: Robert ‘Bob’ Asztalos, deputy executive director of the Florida Department of Veterans Affairs; James S. Hartsell, FDVA executive director; and Marlies Sarrett, nursing home administrator.

This is the same age at which the nursing home named after him is now.

Lopez’s Medal of Honor (MOH) citation says, in part, that he was attempting to throw a grenade into a bunker from which enemy fire was pinning down the area where his platoon had just landed on a beach. He was wounded in his right shoulder and chest as he lifted his arm to throw the grenade.  

He dropped the grenade while falling backward and turned and dragged his body forward in an effort to retrieve the grenade and throw it.  

“In critical condition from pain and loss of blood, and unable to grasp the hand grenade firmly enough to hurl it, he chose to sacrifice himself rather than endanger the lives of his men and, with a sweeping motion of his wounded right arm, cradled the grenade under him and absorbed the full impact of the explosion.

“His exceptional courage, fortitude, and devotion to duty reflect the highest credit upon 1st Lt. Lopez and the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country,” the MOH citation said.

Pasco County Tax Collector Mike Fasano also attended the event.

Marlies Sarrett, who has been the nursing home’s administrator for 13 years, said she was very pleased with how many people turned out for the celebration, which also included entertainment by the Crossroads Band that performs at Baldomero Lopez monthly.

She also noted that she was happy with the number of volunteers who had helped organize and run the event. 

A large number of organizations and vendors were in attendance, including the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office’s K-9 unit, Pasco County Votes, Land O’ Lakes Library, Mary Rose Mini Pet Therapy Horses, Rosebud Continuum, Coastal Cremations and the Sertoma Club, according to Johanna Snee, Baldomero Lopez activity director.

Also attending and participating were representatives of various veterans’ organizations, including the FDVA, American Legion, Marines Forever, Operation Patriot, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Daughters of the American Revolution and Sons of the American Revolution. 

In addition, representatives of Kathryn Hintz Piano Studios, the New Port Richey Elks Club, JDog Junk Removal & Hauling, Grunt Style, Palm City Church, Pasco-Hernando State College, Tampa History Museum and Zonta participated in the event, according to Snee.

For more information about the Baldomero Lopez State Veterans’ Nursing Home, call 813-558-5000.

Published May 08, 2024

The Crossroads Band performs at the nursing home on a monthly basis.
This entrance has marked the Baldomero Lopez State Veterans’ Nursing Home for a quarter century.

Polk sheriff’s office seizes largest amount of fentanyl in county history

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(The Center Square) – The Polk County Sheriff’s Office in one operation disrupted a Mexican drug trafficking organization operating in several states. In the process, deputies seized the largest amount of fentanyl in county history of 14 kilograms, or 30.86 pounds — enough to kill one-third of the state’s population.

Two of the four individuals arrested were in the country illegally, Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said.

“Fentanyl is the drug that is coming from Mexico through an open border … and it’s killing people all over the United States,” Judd said at a news conference. “It seems like every time I talk about a fentanyl operation, I’m saying it’s the largest fentanyl seizure in the state of Florida. Once again, that’s what I’m saying. The seizure of 14 kilos of fentanyl is the single largest seizure in the history of Polk County.”

Two milligrams of fentanyl is a lethal dose for most people, according to the DEA. (United States Drug Enforcement Administration, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons)

The two criminal aliens they arrested, Judd said, “didn’t come here to better themselves and their family. They came here illegally to kill people in America with a deadly drug through a porous border that we need to seal off.”

“What’s frightening about this,” he said, is “the drugs we seized were enough to kill every man, woman and child” in 14 counties. Since January 2023, his deputies alone have seized enough fentanyl to kill everyone in Florida, he said. They’ve also saved 23 people’s lives from fentanyl poisoning using Narcan, a drug that reverses opioid overdoses if administered quickly enough.

Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody said the record amount of fentanyl seized in Polk County, “enough to kill a third of our state,” originated from the Sinaloa Cartel in Mexico. “How does that happen? It happens because our border is wide open,” she said.

“Since 2021, since (President Joe) Biden took office, over 10 million people have poured into this country,” she said, citing the record numbers reported by The Center Square. In the first six months of fiscal 2024, more than 1.7 million illegally entered, the greatest number in U.S. history.

“As long as the border is wide open, we will continue to see those that crossed over illegally pouring deadly drugs into our state,” Moody said.

She also said Florida law enforcement officers and prosecutors were “being very aggressive to take down the poison peddlers.” The Florida legislature has also ensured law enforcement officers and first responders are fully funded and residents who have substance abuse issues are provided with a range of resources.

The sheriff’s operation began in August 2023 when members of a High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force began investigating a Mexican drug trafficking organization specializing in fentanyl. The task force also worked with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, U.S. Border Patrol, and the State Attorney’s Office 10th Judicial Circuit.

In the early stages of the investigation, Polk County Sheriff’s detectives working undercover received two kilograms of fentanyl from a drug trafficker in Mexico. They later coordinated a delivery to be made in person this month at a motel in Lakeland, where they received one kilogram. They then arranged for a third delivery, with the trafficking organization agreeing to ship 11 more kilograms of fentanyl to Polk County.

On April 22, 2024, four individuals arrived at a predetermined location in Polk County to deliver the 11 kilos and were met by Judd’s team. All four were arrested: Maria Machuca-Alderete, Maria Guadalupe-Garcia, Sergio Garcia and Pedro Rodriguez-Correa. A fifth individual believed to be working with them is wanted and at-large.

Garcia, a U.S. Army veteran, brought the drugs from California to Florida, which came from Sinaloa, Mexico. His wife, Guadalupe-Garcia, said they were paid $42,500 to drive the drugs to Florida, Judd said.

Rodriguez-Correa, who was in the country illegally, drove the alleged four fentanyl traffickers and brought with them a 6-year-old boy to the delivery. The Florida Department of Children & Families was called and took custody of him.

The detectives also seized two vehicles used by the drug traffickers, and $5,461 in cash, according to the sheriff’s office.

Published May 08, 2024

Audit gives Florida Department of Transportation good grades for efficiency

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(The Center Square) — The Florida Department of Transportation received high marks on its efficiency with taxpayer funds during fiscal 2022-2023, but auditors found some issues that needed correction.

According to the annual report by the Office of Inspector General (OIG), the audit portion was done to provide independent appraisals of the performance of department programs and processes. This included an assessment of management’s performance in meeting information needs within the department while maintaining its resources.

(Michael Rivera, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons)

The audit team also provided assurance and consulting services to promote the efficiency and effectiveness of department programs, producing audits, reviews of contracts, grants, operational processes and information technology,  particularly focused on cybersecurity.

While most programs that were audited were found to be compliant, several issues included duplicate payments to certain engineering firms, unreliable performance measures and internal controls to protect personal information.

However, other programs with findings or recommendations, like the Nuclear Density Gauge Storage, and the Identity & Access Management Enterprise Cybersecurity Audit, were protected from disclosure. The report states that all findings had been addressed and actions had been taken to prevent future deficiencies.

The OIG’s investigative team worked to detect and deter activities such as contract fraud and employee misconduct within the FDOT. The investigation team received 203 complaints during the year, in which 18 investigations were opened, 112 were referred to management and 73 complaints were forwarded to other agencies.

The report noted that the OIG conducted fraud awareness briefings throughout the state to department employees, supervisor and management academies, and professional engineer trainees. Fraud hotline employees also were trained to identify and report fraud, waste, abuse, misconduct or mismanagement.

Nine investigations were carried forward from fiscal 2021-2022, and three cases were worked jointly with law enforcement. These included allegations of fraud, theft, falsification, conflicts of interest, bid rigging, false certification, lack of quality control and recording without consent.

One former department employee was believed to have misused a debit card or cash withdrawals from an Employee Benefit Fund. Investigators found unreconciled ATM withdrawals and several charges on the EBF debit card for DoorDash purchases.

The OIG found conflicts of interest involving a department employee and a contractor doing business with the department. Based on interviews and records, it was “proved that the employee created the appearance of a conflict of interest by attempting to utilize a department contractor for a fellow employee’s potential benefit.”

Published May 08, 2024

DeSantis touts more spending for the developmentally disabled in Florida

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(The Center Square) — Floridians with developmental disabilities will benefit from a record level of funding for direct services after Gov. Ron DeSantis announced a multibillion dollar investment from the state.

DeSantis spoke at the Els Center in Jupiter on Monday and announced that as part of the Live Healthy legislation spearheaded by Senate President Kathleen Passidomo, R-Naples, and his Focus on Florida’s Bright Future Budget that $2.2 billion will be going to the Agency for Persons with Disabilities for services through the iBudget waiver.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis stands with a $1 million check for the Els Center of Excellence.(Facebook/Governor Ron DeSantis)

This would allow those living with autism and other developmental disabilities to access social, behavioral, therapeutic and medical services.

“That is the highest amount ever appropriated in the history of Florida by a country mile, and the iBudget waiver offers an array of social, medical, behavioral, and therapeutic services to individuals who have developmental disabilities,” DeSantis said.

DeSantis stated that the record-high funding includes $200 million to support an across-the-board increase for iBudget waiver providers, $64.8 million to enroll additional individuals in crisis onto the iBudget waiver and $55.7 million to enroll individuals currently in a pre-enrollment category.

“So, this is a big deal, this is a big investment, it shows the state of Florida’s commitment,” DeSantis said, adding that he also has approved an additional $1 million for the Els Center of Excellence recreational complex.

DeSantis noted that the new facility will provide a specialized swim and water safety program, aqua therapy sessions, indoor sports and fitness, and a specialized autism-friendly hurricane shelter.

“The facility will also provide a specialized athletic curriculum that gives parents, teachers and coaches the best tools to assist children and students with unique abilities. We want them to get active, we want them to live healthier lives, and that’s exactly what they’re doing here at the Els Center.” DeSantis said.

Agency for Persons with Disabilities Director Taylor Hatch said that more individuals living with developmental disabilities will be empowered by the funding provided by DeSantis and the Legislature.

“This historic funding will provide services that empower a greater number of individuals and their families to thrive through the power of partnership, highlighting the importance of a strong provider workforce through first-ever, across-the-board pay increases, as well as focusing on the importance of community partners,” Hatch said.

Published May 08, 2024

How to build a healthy money mindset for a stable financial future

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(Towfiqu barbhuiya/Unsplash)

Building and managing your wealth is a lifelong process that can have major implications for you, your children and other beneficiaries. While your path to building wealth should be tailored to your circumstances, this three-pronged approach from Freddie Mac can help you plan for a stable financial future.

  1. Understand your money mindset: Understanding your relationship with money can help you identify opportunities to create healthier spending and saving habits. A positive outlook toward money can provide you with a strong base on which to build wealth and achieve goals. Conversely, a negative outlook can make you reluctant to take the steps you need to establish a strong financial history. For example, being overly focused on displaying wealth can lead to overusing credit. Likewise, becoming preoccupied with financial success to the point of anxiety can prevent you from spending the wealth you do have on items you need and want to live comfortably. By recognizing the factors that influence how you spend and save, you can make new choices that better support your financial goals.
  2. Set and manage goals: Establishing and maintaining a set of defined financial goals is the next step when building wealth. Think about what you would like to accomplish over the short-, medium- and long-term, and make a savings plan to help you get there. It’s also important to take actions to safeguard your accumulated savings. This includes being mindful of inflation, guarding your information from scammers, and planning for unforeseen circumstances and emergencies.
  3. Be prepared: Building an emergency fund can help you maintain financial stability by putting you in a better position to weather unexpected financial circumstances, such as a loss of income, unplanned medical bills or property damage from a storm. Creating an emergency budget can help you gauge how much you need to save, but in general, you should save up enough money to cover three to six months of your typical monthly expenses. Keep this money separate from your other savings, and don’t touch it until it’s needed. Additionally, having adequate homeowners or renters insurance will help ensure that your wealth is protected in certain unexpected circumstances. Familiarize yourself with your coverage so you understand what is and isn’t covered by your policy.

Want to know more about managing money and establishing wealth? Whether you’re renting a home, are on the path to homeownership or saving for the future, Freddie Mac’s CreditSmart, which is available in English and Spanish, offers free personalized financial educational resources. Visit creditsmart.freddiemac.com to learn more.

By adopting a healthy money mindset and setting tangible financial goals, you’ll be well on your way to a stable financial future for you and your loved ones.

Published May 08, 2024

Why summer is the best time to take your child to an orthodontist

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Barbecues, beaches and braces? Summertime typically may not be associated with orthodontics, but according to experts, it’s a great time of year to start orthodontic treatment and help kids enter a new school year with a confident smile.

“Braces can be a very exciting step, but like with anything new, there will be a short adjustment period as a child adapts to changes to their routine, as well as to the feel of aligners or brackets and wires in their mouth,” says Dr. Vijay Bhagia of Space City Orthodontics, a board-certified orthodontist who has been practicing for over 20 years. “That’s why we recommend parents bring their kids into our offices in summer, when schedules are more relaxed and they have more time to adjust to the change of pace.”

(Enis Yavuz/Unsplash)

Whether you’re considering orthodontic treatment for your child, your teen or yourself, these insights from Smile Doctors, a national network of leading orthodontists, can help:

Is orthodontic treatment really necessary?
Straightening teeth through orthodontics is not just cosmetic. Poorly aligned teeth can affect the way one speaks, bites and chews, and even breathes. An important part of oral health, braces can correct bite issues, gaps and crooked, crowded or overlapping teeth.

When should my child see an orthodontist?
Orthodontics is for people of all ages, even adults. However, it might be surprising to learn that the American Association of Orthodontics recommends children see an orthodontist by age 7. This is because orthodontists are uniquely trained to evaluate children’s growth, as well as the exchange of baby teeth for permanent teeth, and can help you get ahead of potential issues as adult teeth continue to come in.

How do I get my teen on board with the plan?
Teens now have more braces options than ever. From traditional braces with fun colors, to clear aligners like Invisalign, braces can help them express their personality. Of course, it also helps to remind teenagers that when they’re done with treatment, they’ll have a healthy smile.

How do I know which braces are right for me or my child?
There are several types of orthodontic treatments. Metal braces use a combination of stainless-steel brackets, arch wires and elastic ties or bands to gently move teeth as prescribed. Ceramic braces are tooth-colored or clear brackets made of ceramic, porcelain or plastic. Clear aligners like Invisalign are a removable and discreet orthodontic treatment consisting of a series of aligners worn for one to two weeks at a time. Some orthodontists will provide a free consultation to discuss affordability and treatment options that best suit your needs.

What steps should we take between visits?
Have your child brush around each bracket and floss between each tooth right after eating to avoid permanent white marks, cavities or gum disease. Doing so prevents the acidity and sugars from settling into the crevices in between the brackets. Opt for mouthwash without blue or red dyes for further cavity protection.

Do braces hurt?
There is sometimes mild discomfort during treatment, but it’s manageable with over-the-counter pain relievers. To reduce swelling, try rinsing with warm salt water. For bracket pain, your orthodontist will usually give you dental wax and show you how to apply it. You can also avoid some discomfort by sticking with softer foods at first.

Use the downtime of summer wisely this year. Put your child on the path toward a healthy, confident smile that will last a lifetime.

Published May 08, 2024

Two former Land O’ Lakes High School coaches honored

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The District School Board of Pasco County recognized former coaches Allen “Al” Claggett and Rock Ridgeway on April 16 for their accomplishments while serving at Land O’ Lakes High School (LOLHS).

The field house at the school’s stadium was named in Claggett’s honor and the track at the high school was named in Ridgeway’s honor.

Principal Ric Mellin told school board members about both coaches’ accomplishments in letters read at a recent meeting. 

Two coaches at Land O’ Lakes High School were honored by the District School Board of Pasco County on April 16. From left: Superintendent Kurt Browning, Allen ‘Al’ Claggett, Rock Ridgeway and District 5 school board member Megan Harding. (Courtesy of Pasco County Schools)

Claggett was a 38-year employee of the Pasco County School District. His career began in 1971 at Sanders Elementary School where he served as a language arts teacher and coached football for grades five to eight. He transferred to LOLHS after it opened in 1975, which at that time, was the fifth high school in Pasco County. Claggett retired in 2009.

“During his tenure as the defensive coordinator for the Gators’ football program, Land O’ Lakes achieved remarkable success, winning 14 district titles, six conference titles and two county championships,” Mellin wrote, in asking that the stadium’s field house be named in Claggett’s honor.

“Not only did Mr. Claggett excel in the realm of athletics, but he also made significant contributions to academics. As a language arts teacher, he played a pivotal role in developing the school’s Writing Program and actively participated in local and state curriculum committees. His dedication was recognized when he was selected by his peers as Teacher of the Year.

“Given Allen Claggett’s enduring legacy and profound impact on Land O’ Lakes High School, I feel we should recognize his contributions by naming the stadium field house in his honor. I am confident that it is a fitting tribute to a truly exceptional individual whose legacy will continue to encourage students and athletes to reach their full potential,” Mellin wrote.

Ridgeway’s entire 26-year career was spent at LOLHS. He started there in 1992 and retired in 2018.

He was recognized for what he had achieved while coaching four different sports at the high school. 

“Coach Ridgeway’s years of service at LOLHS speaks volumes about his commitment to athletic excellence and the positive impact he had on countless students’ lives. Over the course of his coaching career, Rock has demonstrated unwavering dedication and leadership in various sports programs, including basketball, football, track and golf.

“As a dedicated coach and educator, Rock Ridgeway has left a lasting mark on the LOLHS community through his tireless dedication to the athletic department, being a great role model for students, and his significant contributions to team achievements,” Mellin wrote.

Ridgeway reportedly served as freshman junior varsity and varsity basketball coach from 1992 to 1996, and as varsity football coach from 1993 to 2013.

”His contributions to the football program, including coaching two undefeated teams and leading them to two regional playoff games, highlight his exceptional coaching skills and ability to inspire his players to strive for greatness.

“Furthermore, Coach Ridgeway’s impact extends beyond the football field, as evidenced by his remarkable achievements as the girls’ track coach for 23 years. “Under his guidance, the girls’ track team achieved remarkable success, winning District Championships in 2014, 2015 and 2016. Moreover, Rock’s dedication to excellence was recognized through his six Coach of the Year awards.

“In addition to his coaching accolades, Rock’s contributions to LOLHS extend to the classroom, where he was honored as Teacher of the Year for the 1996-97 academic year. His passion for education and his dedication to his students’ success exemplify the qualities of an outstanding educator and mentor,” Mellin wrote. 

The honors were bestowed on both coaches as part of the consent agenda of the school board’s April 16 meeting.

Published May 05, 2024

Strutting their stuff in celebration

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(Courtesy of John Oddo)

Tampa Bay Golf and Country Club in San Antonio hosted its sixth annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade that featured the Dunedin Bagpipe Band, IMPACT Drum and Bugle Corp, Pasco Middle School Band, members of the All That Dance Studio, and future leaders of Boy Scout and Girl Scout troops. The Color Guard from MacDill Air Force Base led veterans representing the Army, Air Force, Navy and Coast Guard. The event also included a decorated golf cart contest, lucky leprechauns, Choyce Ranch horses and a  Pasco Fire engine. Residents representing the Philadelphia Mummers (shown) strutted to string band music, too.