The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Special to The Laker/Lutz News

What foot and ankle issues warrant a doctor’s visit?

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Most people have a foot or ankle problem at one time or another. So how do you know when to seek help?

Many symptoms — even those you can tolerate — require the professional attention of a foot and ankle surgeon to keep the underlying condition from worsening. According to Danielle Butto, DPM, FACFAS, a board-certified foot and ankle surgeon and a Fellow Member of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons (ACFAS), “It’s important to remember that foot health is an important part of your overall health. You need to take care of your feet, which includes going to the doctor when you have pain, sustain an injury or develop a condition needing professional evaluation and treatment.”

(c) natalie_board/iStock via Getty Images Plus

Here are five examples of when you should make an appointment with your foot and ankle surgeon:

  • When you have diabetes: Living with diabetes means being more prone to a variety of conditions that affect the feet, including foot sores and ulcers. At the same time, diabetic nerve damage makes it harder to detect when there’s a problem. Regular visits to a foot and ankle surgeon should be part of your holistic diabetes treatment plan. The doctor can screen for the loss of protective sensations in the feet, as well as diagnose and treat any structural issues leading to ulcers and wounds. Swelling, temperature and color changes in the feet, and calluses, are all telltale signs an ulcer may be around the corner and warrant a trip to a foot and ankle surgeon.
  • When children experience pain: When it comes to pediatric foot problems, early intervention is key to long-term successful treatment. As a parent, you may find distinguishing between growing pains and injuries or deformities difficult. But foot and ankle surgeons stress that pain isn’t normal, and if it lasts more than a few days or is severe enough to limit your child’s walking, it should be evaluated. Foot problems commonly experienced by children include flat feet, ingrown toenails, calcaneal apophysitis and plantar warts.
  • When you’re at risk for falling: Falls have become the leading cause of injury deaths among Americans 65 and older, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. While the reasons falls occur are numerous, painful foot conditions are a contributing factor, as they make it difficult to maintain balance and coordination. Fortunately, many such conditions are treatable. See a foot and ankle surgeon to alleviate pain and reduce your risk of a life-changing fall.
  • When you can benefit from medical advances: A loss of cartilage once meant a loss of functionality. Today, joint reconstruction surgery with cartilage regeneration offers real hope for long-term functionality, nurturing the body’s own ability to heal itself — with a little boost from technology and a knowledgeable surgeon. Likewise, new surgical techniques for ankle arthritis, including arthroscopic ankle surgery, total ankle joint replacements and bone or cartilage replacement, are helping people stay active. Finally, platelet-rich plasma therapy can promote the healing of bones, cartilage, blood vessels, tendons and tissue for many patients, and is associated with easier recovery than traditional treatments. If you suffer from a foot and ankle ailment, ask your health care provider about game-changing medical advances.
    • When pain is sidelining you: It’s important for athletes and fitness enthusiasts to rest and recover rather than push through foot and ankle pain caused by an overuse injury. If the pain doesn’t improve in three to seven days, however, it’s time to see a foot and ankle surgeon for evaluation and treatment.

With the highest level of education, training and board certification, foot and ankle surgeons are the leaders in surgical and nonsurgical foot and ankle care.

For more information, or to find a foot and ankle surgeon near you, visit FootHealthFacts.org, the patient education website of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons.

-StatePoint

Published March 06, 2024

School Board approves $1.2 million settlement for student injured in 2006 school bus accident 

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Marcus Button was 16 in September 2006 when he caught a ride to Wesley Chapel High School and forgot his wallet. The decision to go back for it would forever change his life, as the compact car he was riding in crashed into a school bus that pulled into its path at State Road 54 and Meadow Pointe Boulevard. 

Button received serious skull fractures and brain injuries that he has never fully recovered from. In 2009, a trial jury found the Pasco County School District bus driver mostly at fault. But more than 17 years after the accident, Button’s mother, Robin, is still trying to get the bulk of the $1.6 million jury award to help pay for her son’s care and secure his future.

Last week, she got a step closer when the Pasco County School Board, without discussion, unanimously approved a $1.2 million settlement in the case. The settlement must still be approved by the Florida Legislature, where bills seeking relief for Marcus Button are making their way through the House and Senate. The legislative session is scheduled to end March 8.

Austin Pacheco/Unsplash

Robin Button, who now lives with her son in Hillsborough County’s Carrollwood area, described the school board’s action as “surreal.”

“It’s hard to take in because we’ve been waiting so long,” she said. “It’s not going to be enough to help Marcus throughout his life. But, hopefully, it will get him to be more independent and help him learn some sort of job.”

At-fault party claims sovereign immunity
Why has the payout taken so long? Florida’s sovereign immunity law generally limits payouts from local government agencies to injured parties to $200,000 per person, with a maximum of $300,000 per incident.

Also, the Pasco County School District’s transportation services were self-insured in 2006 — there was no commercial vehicle liability insurance coverage, so there was no third party to accept the claim.

Lance Block, a Tallahassee attorney representing the Buttons, said Friday he’s optimistic that state legislators will waive sovereign immunity in the Button case and approve the settlement.

“This bill’s got wings,” Block said. “I think the bill’s going to pass.”

Block said the school board’s action, coupled with the sponsorship of state Rep. Alex Andrade, R-Pensacola, and state Sen. Corey Simon, R-Tallahassee, is giving the bills traction where several previous legislative efforts — dating to 2010 — have failed.

School district spokesperson Corey Dierdorff declined to discuss what prompted approval of the settlement, citing the school board’s policy of not commenting on pending legal matters.  

Marcus Button, center, poses with his Tampa attorney, J. Steele Olmstead, and his mother, Robin Button, during a recent visit to the Florida House of Representatives in Tallahassee. The Buttons are seeking to collect $1.2 million of a 2009 jury award stemming from a Pasco County school bus accident. (Courtesy of Robin Button)

The details of the 2006 wreck and the Button family’s ordeal are spelled out in legislative bills introduced in January.

If the bills are approved, the state would require the Pasco school district to pay $1 million to a trust fund set up for Marcus Button’s care and $200,000 to his mother as compensation for damages incurred by both his parents. However, Marcus Button’s father, Mark, died a few years ago.

The Buttons received $163,000 from the school district after the 2009 lawsuit, according to a state hearing master’s report filed last week.

The report noted that school district representatives previously said the accident didn’t cause Marcus Button’s physical, cognitive and behavioral issues. However, the hearing master found that the young man suffered life-altering injuries, including cognitive impairment and vision loss, resulting from the accident. 

The report also refers to estimates that Button’s ongoing care will cost $6 million to $11 million, and his lost wages were calculated at $365,000 to $570,000.

Robin Button said her son has come a long way through years of rehabilitation, and he no longer requires round-the-clock care. But he still takes a dozen different medications a day, can’t walk for long distances, is blind in one eye, has impulse control problems and requires ongoing supervision. She wants the settlement to pay for education that can help her son hold a job and function better in social situations.

“That’s all I want for my son — to have a fighting chance in life,” she said.

In the Button case, there were no students on the bus at the time of the accident, and the drivers involved received only minor injuries. However, the school district’s failure to have commercial vehicle liability insurance coverage could have had worse consequences if more students had been involved.

“You get a school bus full of kids who get hurt, and they have to split $300,000,” Block said, adding that the limit would also apply to other motorists who may sustain damages if they’re struck by a school bus and the district is held liable.

District spokesman Dierdorff couldn’t say Friday whether the district’s transportation services remain self-insured or if any changes in insurance coverage are planned.

The state hearing master report indicated the district has a deficit of over $300,000 in its general liability fund. Dierdorff didn’t know what fund would be tapped if the $1.2 million settlement is approved. Pasco Superintendent Kurt Browning couldn’t be reached for comment.

Published February 28, 2024

Park renamed for celebrated city employee

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In honor of the City of Zephyrhills’ first African American employee hired in 1962, the Lincoln Heights Neighborhood Park recently was renamed the Ellis Harrold Park during a dedication ceremony, at 39508 Lincoln Ave., in Zephyrhills.

Ellis Harrold worked as a driver for the City of Zephyrhills Public Works-Sanitation Division for 34 years, before retiring in 1996. His contributions paved the way for increased diversity within the municipal workforce.

Harrold was known to support the children residing in the Lincoln Heights area, offering guidance, love and support, as well as clothing and food to those in need.

He and his wife, Doris, raised seven children and one grandson, and have 25 grandchildren, 42 great-grandchildren and 14 great-great grandchildren. Harrold celebrated his 90th birthday on Feb. 25.

The park boasts amenities including a basketball court, picnic shelters and a swing set. The new sign installed will be donated to the Harrold family as a keepsake once the city updates all park signage as part of a community-wide rebranding.

Published February 27, 2024

Ellis Harrold, second from right, sits among family and friends during a dedication for the park renamed in his honor. (Courtesy of City of Zephyrhills)
This temporary Ellis Harrold park sign will be donated to the family once the City of Zephyrhills installs new signage as part of its rebranding.

New garden to help families heal

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Pasco Kids First joined members of the Greater Pasco Chamber of Commerce, local community leaders and members of the Professionals of Landscaping to commemorate the completion of a new Resiliency Garden with a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

Pasco Kids First is a 501(c) charity devoted to child advocacy and protection, to help keep kids safe, strengthen families through empowerment and enhance the community by preventing child abuse and healing children from trauma.

The garden, at 7344 Little Road in New Port Richey, was created and underwritten by 12 professional landscape companies that donated their time and resources to create the area, according to a news release.

Recognizing a need in the community, the group tapped into the talent of its members to transform an area of dirt and old palm trees into a garden outfitted with a rock path, bench seating and a water feature.

“A once vacant side lot of our office is now a beautiful and therapeutic setting for trauma survivors to begin or continue their healing journey. We cannot thank Professionals of Landscaping enough,” said Mike Trepper, president and CEO of Pasco Kids First, in the release.

To learn more about the charity, visit PascoKidsFirst.org, email , or call 727-845-8080.

Published February 28, 2024

Community leaders, members of Professionals of Landscaping and the Greater Pasco Chamber of Commerce, and Pasco Kids First commemorate the new Resiliency Garden with a ribbon-cutting. (Courtesy of Leslie Farrell/Farrell Communications)
The Resiliency Garden offers a therapeutic place to help trauma survivors through their healing journey.

Traffic detour in Dade City begins March 1

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The Florida Department of Transportation, District Seven has issued a notice to drivers in and around the Dade City area.

Beginning March 1, Southbound U.S. 98 Bypass/U.S. 301 will be closed from River Road to Meridian Avenue. The closure will continue for approximately 10 months. Northbound U.S. 98 Bypass/U.S. 301 will remain open to traffic.

Drivers will need to access properties in the closure area from northbound U.S. 98 Bypass/U.S. 301 or local streets.

The determined detour route is: Traffic traveling southbound on US 98/US 301 approaching the work zone will be detoured south on US 98/Seventh Street through downtown Dade City. Drivers who want to continue on southbound US 98/US 301 or access Old Lakeland Highway will turn left onto Meridian Avenue and go east, then turn right onto southbound US 98/US 301.

To help avoid delays and bypass downtown Dade City, trucks and other large vehicles that are using southbound US 98 to continue south beyond Dade City are encouraged to take SR 50 west to southbound Interstate 75 and return to US 98 on eastbound State Road 52.

For project information and to sign up to receive email alerts about closures and progress updates, visit FDOTTampaBay.com/project/939/256423-3-52-01.

Published February 28, 2024

Bill that would revise the state’s pre-kindergarten program advances

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(The Center Square) — Florida lawmakers have advanced a bill this week that would allow young students and those who teach them the tools to be successful.

State Rep. John Snyder, R-Palm City, sponsors House Bill 1353. It would revise Florida’s laws on the state’s pre-kindergarten programs known as early learning coalitions and other specified early learning programs.

CDC/Unsplash

While introducing his bill to the House PreK-12 Appropriations Subcommittee, bill sponsor Snyder said that the bill would better support children, providers and early learning coalitions.

Snyder stated that Voluntary Prekindergarten Education Program instructors — who have completed a 60-hour micro literacy credential or have scored a 3 or higher on the instructional support domain of the program assessment — would be allowed to teach the summer VPK program.

The bill also prohibits students from using electronic devices in these programs as instructional tools. At the same time, parents would be required to be notified if a student is falling behind in their learning.

“[The bill] prohibits the use of one child to one device for instruction in the VPK setting, and it also requires a VPK provider to notify each parent of a VPK student if they have not met the minimum performance metrics,” Snyder said.

When the bill was originally drafted, Snyder stated that the bill had made provisions to authorize early learning coalitions to increase the administrative percentage fee that they take from the providers, an increase from 4% to 5%. However, the fiscal impact was not able to be included in this year’s fiscal budget and was amended out of the bill.

A second amendment removed another program, the VPK summer-bridge program. Snyder stated that the program was removed because it is included in HB 5001, the state’s General Appropriations Act for fiscal year 2024-25.

Snyder added that the bill would add tools needed to capture those students who may struggle with their early learning and pointed out that one only has to look at literacy rates to know how important this is for young students.

“The data does show that the sooner we can get the students who are having those learning gain issues, the better it is,” Snyder said. “So there’s no greater tool in my opinion, than to make sure our earliest learners are set up for success as they enter kindergarten.”

Published February 28, 2024

UnBinged – Newer, Better, Faster, Stronger? Reviews of ‘Avatar: The Last Airbender,’ ‘Shogun,’ and ‘The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live’

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In this week’s UnBinged, we look at a few new series with a familiar face. These are reworked and reimagined time-tested tales with established fan bases made shiny and new for the next generation. From an adaptation of a miniseries that your mother loved to a live-action version of the cartoon you adored as a kid, here are a few shows that streaming networks tried to improve for your benefit. Did it work? 

Avatar: The Last Airbender (Netflix)
After nailing it with the adaptation of One Piece, Netflix appears to be their apology tour for Death Note and Cowboy Bebop with Avatar: The Last Airbender, the live-action version of the much-beloved Nickelodeon series. Given the fondness for the original series, the devotion of the fanbase, and the disaster that was the previous adaptation, updating Avatar was a bit of a gamble.

For the uninitiated, Avatar: The Last Airbender is set in the Earth Kingdom, where nations are defined by the elements of fire, water, earth, and air. There are telepaths who can manipulate the elements, but only one who can manipulate all four, known as an avatar. It has been many years since one has been born, and during that absence, the Fire Nation has seized power, unaware of the existence of young airbender and avatar Aang (Gordon Cormier). After a century trapped in ice, Aang along with waterbender Katara (Kiawentiio) and her brother Sokka (Ian Ousley), must finish his training and find a way to end the Hundred Years’ War so he can bring balance to the world. 

For purists looking for a straight adaptation, there are some changes to the original story as the live action version finds its way, but key moments are still intact enough to make the fandom happy.  And clearly, Netflix did not want to disappoint. The production is filled with lovely moments thanks to stellar casting, set design, and a lively script that caters to both long-time fans and newbies with no prior knowledge of the original show. And while there are several times when the CG doesn’t quite keep up with the demands of the script, the heart of the original series is still there, along with plenty of fan service.  

Both the young and adult cast competently capture their animated counterparts and the bit players who help make up this unique world. Like the animated series, the characters are given complexity one wouldn’t usually find in fantasy fiction or a 2D world. Cormier does an admirable job creating a flesh and blood Aang, but it is Paul Sun-Hyung Lee as Uncle Iroh who brings home the raw emotional moments. 

Avatar: The Last Airbender is pulling triple duty in not only providing fans with a fanciful live action version of their favorite series, but also erasing the shadow of a less than stellar film version while helping rebuild Netflix’s reputation for animation adaptations. The result is a charming version of the Nickelodeon series that should make fans smile from ear to ear.  

FX/Hulu.jpg

Shogun (FX/Hulu)
FX/Hulu’s contemporary adaptation of James Clavell’s Shogun takes a step in the right direction with its extraordinary reworking of the story “Anjin” John Blackthorne and his time in Feudal Japan. It is a big swing for the network, as the original miniseries has long been considered landmark television, but this reimagining is not only a revelation, but a much needed rectification for a flawed story.

A war between Japan’s Council of Regents has been brewing since the death of the Shogun. Four of the regents have set their sights on Lord Toranaga (Hiroyuki Sanada), intimidated by his growing influence. But just as the vultures circle, English pilot Blackthorne (Cosmo Jarvis) arrives with the goal of disrupting Portuguese-Catholic relations in Japan, only to become a pawn in the escalating conflict.

In this big, bold remake, Blackthorne is still key, but is not the central character. Instead, Toranaga, Lady Mariko  (Anna Sawai), the politicians that make up the Council of Regents and its court are very much the focus, as they should be. And while the romance between Blackthorne and Lady Mariko is still prominent, it isn’t fundamental to the narrative. Instead, Toranaga and those in his court take center stage. 

This Shogun is a rich and complex reworking of the original saga. Righting the wrongs of the original narrative by highlighting the strengths of the story and placing problematic tropes in the backseat, thus giving us an inspired remake for a new generation, and possibly the next. 

The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live (AMC/AMC+)
Remember when The Walking Dead audience got its first glimpse of Michonne (Danai Gurira)? She had with her two walkers as personal guard dogs to mask her scent – terrifying to behold, but missing their jaws and limbs so they were rendered pointless, with no real bite left in them. For most people, that is what has become of The Walking Dead franchise after almost 15 years. The zombie show seems horrific, but upon closer examination, the series lacks any bite. Oversaturation of the franchise has exhausted fans thanks to AMC’s nonstop rollout of zombie-related content to the point that the undead almost seems tedious.

Now they offer The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live. So, this begs the question: What sets this series apart from all the others? For super fans, the answer is Rick and Michonne.  

Led by season four showrunner Scott M. Gimple and actress/producer Gurira, The Ones Who Live takes a gander at one of the few love stories from TWD that didn’t end with one or both parties eaten, bitten, or killed by some jerk who turned evil by their own hubris. When we last saw Rick (Andrew Lincoln), he appeared to sacrifice himself to take out an entire herd of walkers, but was actually whisked away via helicopter by the Civic Republic Military. And when we last saw Michonne, she left her children to go look for him.

In the first two episodes, Rick and Michonne are on their own journeys, spending years attempting to find each other, only to lose hope and limbs along the way. When reunited, the duo fight obstacles in the form of the CRM and its minions, as well as a few familiar faces from the past. The duo must also reconcile with who they had to become to survive during their years apart and rekindle the flame that brought them together. 

Oh, and occasionally fight the undead. 

Watching Lincoln and Gurira slip back into their roles is certainly a treat for long-time fans who live for such moments. They alone are the reason to watch. But there isn’t much else here to draw in a crowd. The CRM as an antagonist injects the series with almost  immediate ennui, as there is nothing as droll as facing off against a faceless agency. But the real issue is that the world has grown “walker weary.” Only Rick, Michonne, and promises of upcoming reunions are the only enticement for The Ones Who Live. And while the acting and world building is still top notch, only the devoted will follow this latest chapter, which offers little to newbies.

Published February 28, 2024

Tips to Support Your Metabolic Health

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Good metabolic health is the backbone of great overall health. Unfortunately, many Americans misunderstand what metabolic health is and are not aware of its importance.

A recent poll from Metavo/Harris Poll Study reveals that nearly three in four North Americans have experienced at least one issue related to metabolic health in the past year, while only 52% have heard, read or seen information on metabolic health issues.

What’s more, only 30% of North Americans know that metabolic health is not the same as gut health, and many falsely believe that metabolic issues mostly occur in those who are overweight.

(c) Sanja Radin / iStock via Getty Images Plus

“This knowledge gap plays a factor in why many health issues related to metabolic health, such as brain fog, food cravings and energy slumps, often go unaddressed,” says Dr. Paul Spagnuolo, associate professor in the Department of Food Science at the University of Guelph, whose research includes finding new ways for people to proactively support their metabolic health.

Issues related to metabolic health can take a toll on your mental wellbeing, your ability to perform your job, and even your social life and personal relationships, making it critical to nip them in the bud. To improve your metabolic health and feel your best, consider these tips:

  • Get active. Whether you’re hitting up the gym for a weight training session or simply going for a longer walk during your day, daily physical activity is recommended to support your metabolic health. Find activities, daily movement and workouts you enjoy and stick with them.
  • Prioritize proper sleep. Maintaining proper sleeping habits can help to keep your insulin and hormone levels balanced.
  • Fuel often. Fueling more frequently can boost your metabolism. Being sure to eat smaller portions at regular, consistent times every day and drinking plenty of water can also help improve metabolic health. Set alerts on your phone, or even use a hydration app, to help you remember to drink up.
  • Explore supplements. Consider taking a daily supplement designed to support metabolic health and activate metabolism naturally, like Metavo. Featuring the proprietary avocado compound Avocatin B, also known as AvoB, Metavo Advanced Glucose Metabolism Support activates your metabolism naturally at the cellular level.

“Having a flexible metabolism at the cellular level enables the body to properly metabolize fats, proteins and carbs to help improve insulin sensitivity, glucose tolerance and energy,” says Dr. Spagnuolo, whose research led to the development of Metavo.

The brand also carries Metavo Advanced Weight Support, a supplement featuring clinically proven ingredients that help burn fat, support weight loss, and provide increased energy, as well as Metavo Advanced Weight Support Meal Replacement Powders, which are designed to be the perfect “metabolic” meal, with 20 grams of complete protein and whole food vitamins and minerals. These supplements can complement GLP-1, or other medications that treat obesity and diabetes. Plus, there is Metavo Glucose Metabolism Support with Berberine, which targets metabolic inflexibility to increase insulin sensitivity, support healthy glucose metabolism, cardiovascular support and more. To learn more, visit www.metavo.com.

When it comes to metabolic health, consistency is key. Make physical activity, healthy eating, proper sleep and the right supplements a regular part of your routine.

-StatePoint

Published February 28, 2024

New Everwell at Bexley offers new option in Land O’ Lakes

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The Spectrum Companies has begun pre-leasing its first multifamily development in Florida, with a 3,500-unit development known as Everwell at Bexley, according to a news release.

Everwell at Bexley is a new multifamily development that is part of the award-winning Bexley master-planned community off State Road 54, in Land O’ Lakes. It offers an array of amenities, a variety of floor plans, easy access to Tampa International Airport and is close to a significant amount of new development in Pasco County. (Courtesy of The Spectrum Companies)

Everwell at Bexley is close to State Road 54 and within easy access to Tampa International Airport. It is part of the award-winning Bexley master-planned community, the release notes.

“We are excited to introduce Everwell at Bexley, which represents a fusion of luxury, outdoor-focused lifestyle and community,” Craig Miller, senior managing director with The Spectrum Companies, said in the release.

Everwell at Bexley will offer floor plans ranging from one-bedroom apartments to townhomes with attached two-car garages.

Standard features include soft-close Shaker-style cabinets, expansive kitchen islands with quartz countertops, frameless glass walk-in showers, and screened patios or balconies. Design options include wraparound porches, built-in desks, unit entry drop zones, private garages and on-site storage options.

“Painstaking attention to detail and intentional sitewide community activation adds up to a remarkable living experience,” said Lane Stewart, director of development, who recently opened a Tampa office for Spectrum. 

To learn more about the development, visit EverwellBexley.com.

Published February 21, 2024

Pasco advances plan for land conservation

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The Pasco County Commission has approved transmitting a proposed land use change for state review to allow the designation of 318 acres in Central Pasco for conservation use.

The property is north of State Road 52, between the Suncoast Parkway and U.S. 41.

It previously was designated for residential and agricultural uses.

The county board approved the transmittal as part of its consent agenda, during the Feb. 6 meeting.

The consent agenda includes a batch of items that are approved in a single motion, unless a commissioner or member of the public requests the item be pulled for discussion.

This property was purchased by the Environmental Lands Acquisition and Management Program (ELAMP), according to background materials in the board’s agenda packet.

The intent of the land use amendment is to meet the terms of a Florida Communities Trust grant, which will help the county leverage its ELAMP funding.

The grant requires that the long-range plan and the zoning for the site be a category that is dedicated to open space, conservation, or outdoor recreation uses, as appropriate.

The subject property is partially within both the Anclote/Cotee watershed Ecological Planning Unit (EPU) and the Starkey to Crossbar ecological corridor. There are approximately 50 acres of wetlands on the subject property, with the majority being Category 1 wetlands. This property also is adjacent to other acquired ELAMP properties and will result in over 1,800 acres of contiguous conservation land, according to the agenda materials.

Published February 21, 2024