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Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Land O' Lakes News

New agreement aims to give EMS students practical experience

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The Pasco County Commission has approved a request for the Pasco County Fire Rescue Department and the School of EMS to pursue a contract to allow students to participate in patient care activities.

The agreement, approved last month, calls for students to gain experience in a prehospital setting through an established clinical program, when the students are enrolled in the paramedic program at the School of EMS.

Currently, students that are employed by Pasco County Fire Rescue and enrolled in the School of EMS program to obtain paramedic credentials are not able to practice and apply paramedic exercises toward their certification hour allotment requirement.

Firefighters hired by Pasco County Fire Rescue agree to a “Condition of Employment” to elevate their Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) status to Paramedic (a medically advanced treatment designation in the emergency services field more appropriate for service delivery through a premier organization within three years of employment with Pasco County Fire Rescue).

Establishing this agreement is expected to provide students with the opportunity to apply skills mastered in the classroom within a “real-world” setting while under close supervision and mentorship from their colleagues, and substantially increase efficiency in the educational advancement path of the county’s firefighters, according to the Oct. 26 agenda materials.

Published Nov. 24, 2021

MPO advisory committee adds two members

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The board of the Pasco County Metropolitan Planning Organization has appointed Christie Zimmer and Jim Engelmann to serve on the organization’s Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC).

The Pasco MPO is the lead transportation planning agency in Pasco County that serves unincorporated Pasco and the municipalities of Zephyrhills, San Antonio, St. Leo, New Port Richey, Port Richey and Dade City.

The board took the action at its October meeting.

The CAC advises the Pasco MPO board on various issues coming before the board.

Under state and federal laws, the Pasco County MPO is responsible for establishing a continuing, cooperative and comprehensive transportation planning process for Pasco County. Key responsibilities are the creation of the 20-year Long Range Transportation Plan (LRTP), the five-year Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP), and the five-year Transportation Improvement program.

Published Nov. 24, 2021

Thousands of new socks and shoes collected for Pasco kids

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Here’s a look at the scores of shoes collected in the sixth annual Two Good Soles Shoes & Socks Drive, a partnership between Pasco County. Pasco Constitutional Offices and Pasco County Schools. The annual drive provides footwear for Pasco students in need. (Courtesy of Pasco County)

The sixth annual Two Good Soles Shoes & Socks Drive yielded nearly 3,000 pairs of shoes and nearly 4,000 pairs of socks that will be given to kids in Pasco County Schools, according to a county news release.

The annual effort, which involves Pasco County government and the county’s Constitutional Offices, resulted in a bounty of new footwear that was delivered to Wendell Krinn Technical School in New Port Richey on Oct. 27.

Since 2016, the Two Good Soles Drive has collected 12,310 pairs of shoes and 34,457 pairs of socks. Social workers give the items to Pasco students, according to the release.

“This donation drive makes a huge difference for our students in Pasco,” Assistant County Administrator Cathy Pearson, said in the release.

Published Nov. 24, 2021

County allocates $100,000 for tourism website

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The Pasco County Commission has approved a $100,000 agreement with Madden Preprint Media LLC for a website redesign and redevelopment for the county’s destination management organization (DMO), known as Florida’s Sports Coast.

The bid was awarded as part of the board’s consent agenda, meaning it was part of a vote including several items, without board discussion or public comment.

The contract is for an amount not-to-exceed $100,000 in fiscal year 2022.

It is a one-year deal, but includes three one-year options to renew, upon mutual agreement, or unless it is canceled, according to the materials in the board’s Oct. 26 agenda.

During the bid process, 266 vendors received automatic email notices, including eight from Pasco County. Eighty-five manually searched for and downloaded the solicitation, three of which were from Pasco County. Four responses were received, none of which were from Pasco County.

The bids were evaluated by a committee made up of assistant county administrators Cathy Pearson and Erik Breitenbach; Adam Thomas, director of the county’s DMO; Louise Morgan, IT product manager, information technology; and Kolby Kucyk-Gayson, communications manager for the DMO.

Madden Preprint Media ranked the highest in the evaluation.

Published Nov. 24, 2021

Skateboarders show off skills at Land O’ Lakes competition

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Seven-year-old Jalen Diaz, of Tampa, watches skaters as they demonstrate their skills during the Skate Jam at the Land O’ Lakes Recreation Complex. The young competitor said he’s been skateboarding for two years. His father, disc jockey Dondy Telesford, of Tampa, provided music for the event. (Fred Bellet)

Skaters took to their boards at a course at the Land O’ Lakes Recreation Complex recently to test their skills against other enthusiasts.

They had three minutes to demonstrate what they could do and they were judged on the difficulty of their run, as well as variety, style and execution.

Fifteen skaters competed in four divisions, split up by ages 6 to 8; 9 to 12; 13 to 17; and 18 and older.

The Trick or Treat Skate Jam was presented by LANDO Skateboard and the Land O’ Lakes Recreation Complex, at 3032 Collier Parkway, in Land O’ Lakes.

Skaters paid $25 to participate, which included a free T-shirt.

Entertainment was provided by DJ Dondy!

Skaters came from Tampa, New Port Richey, Land O’ Lakes and Dade City. There was even one skater there from Wildwood, New Jersey, He was visiting a friend who lives in the region.

Published November 10, 2021

Gage Warner, of New Port Richey, positions his skateboard at the top of the starting ramp, as he prepares to start his three-minute run on the skateboard course.
Organizer and judge Greg Mark, of Land O’ Lakes, and fellow judge Tony Grzanowski, of Tampa, work on the judging cards.
In the older division, Skate Jam winner Tyler Radford, center, is flanked by second-place winner Gage Warner, left, and Erik Thielbar, third place. Besides certificates, the winners received prizes from Dairy Queen and other local businesses.
Organizer Greg Mark, top/center, stands with the winners in the youth division, 7-year-old Jalen Diaz, of Tampa, bottom/left, who won second place and 8-year-old Jude Crerand, of Dade City, who won first place.

On his way to a winning position in the age 18 and older division, Gage Warner speeds down the starting ramp, as he races against the clock during his three minutes on the skateboard course.

Erik Thiebar, of Land O’ Lakes, finds himself shadow-dancing, as he makes is way to the top of the ramp.
Competitors watch as eventual winner 32-year-old Tyler Radford, of Tampa, prepares to finish the course. Erik Thiebar, center, of Land O’ Lakes, records Radford’s skateboarding excellence from the top of the ramp.
Mitch Chaput prepares to start his three-minute run on the skateboard ramps and rails during the Land O’ Lakes Recreation Complex’s first Trick or Treat Skate Jam. The event, which is planned to be held annually, featured 15 contestants, ranging from 6 to over 18, competing for prizes. Chaput, who lives in Wildwood, New Jersey, was visiting friend and fellow skateboarder Gage Warner, of New Port Richey, who also took part.
Competing in the age 6 through 8 division, 8-year-old Jude Crerand, of Dade City, gets set to take on the skateboard course.
Tyler Radford, 32, of Tampa, is on his way to winning the first-place award, as he glides across a tabletop and drops down on his skateboard to complete the run.

 

Planning board delays rezoning request in Land O’ Lakes

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A request to rezone 50.15 acres for a 108 single-family homes in Land O’ Lakes has been delayed until Nov. 18, to continue to explore a way to prevent cut-through traffic from future area development.

The request, by Darrell A. and Karen J. Renner, calls for rezoning agricultural land into a master-planned unit development (MPUD) on the south side of Bexley Road, about a mile west of the intersection of U.S. 41 and Wisteria Loop.

The Pasco County Planning Commission first heard the request on Sept. 30, but delayed it until Nov. 4 to give the applicant time to pursue the possibility of building a county “vision road,” which, in effect, would keep future area traffic from spilling into the existing community along Wisteria Loop.

County planners initially had recommended approval of the application, if the developer brought Wisteria Loop up to county standards.

During the Nov. 4 meeting, however, area resident Ray Gadd called for approval of the application to be contingent on the construction of the vision road. Another area resident, Chris Nocco, urged the planning board to take a long-term look and act now to protect existing communities. Gadd is deputy superintendent of Pasco County Schools and Nocco is the county’s sheriff. Both made a point to say they were acting as private citizens, not in their official capacity.

Shelly Johnson, an attorney representing the applicants, told the planning board at the Nov. 4 meeting that her client would be willing to construct the vision road or improve the existing road, but not both.

However, her client subsequently found out that building the vision road would cost approximately $2.7 million and improving the existing road would cost $914,000. They also learned there’s wetlands involved, so it could take up two years to obtain the necessary permits to build the road.

Planning Commission Chairman Charles Grey said it’s not the planning board’s job to ensure that a project is financially feasible, but board colleagues Jaime Girardi and Don Anderson said they weren’t comfortable forcing the applicant to shoulder the additional costs.

One possibility would be to reconfigure three existing skewed intersections into a traditional T-intersection, a representative for the applicant said.

The planning board continued the request until Nov. 18 at 1:30 p.m., in New Port Richey, at the Pasco County government center. The delay is meant to allow the applicants to bring back a potential solution and to give area residents another opportunity to weigh in at a public hearing.

Published November 10, 2021

Warning to motorists: Watch out for loose cows

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Dr. Octavio Blanco has what may seem to sound like an unusual request.

He’s urging motorists who are traveling on State Road 54 — in the Lutz/Land O’ Lakes area — and along the Suncoast Parkway in that general area, to keep an eye out for loose cows.

Blanco is concerned that criminal activities on his property, 16543 State Road 54, in Lutz, could put drivers at risk.

His 100-acre property has been the target of thieves.

Stealing his things is one thing, Blanco said, but the criminals also are making it possible for his cows to get out — which could pose a hazard to unsuspecting passing motorists.

He’s got a herd of about 40 beef cows.

Blanco thinks it’s highly likely that if these crimes continue to happen, his cows will get loose and wander onto State Road 54 or the Suncoast Parkway.

And, if that occurs at night, it could prove deadly, Blanco said.

It’s not an imaginary fear, said Blanco, who recalls when he was a child he saw the aftermath of an accident when a Volkswagen ran into a cow and the people inside of the car were killed.

Blanco has alerted the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office about his concerns.

Amanda Hunter, public information manager for the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office, said, via email, that the law enforcement agency is continuing to investigate these cases.

It posted this information on the agency’s Facebook page on Sept. 21:

“Help Us Solve a Crime: On two separate days within the past two months, a suspect forced their way into a home and barn in the Land O’ Lakes area off SR 54 and stole the victim’s property.

“The pictured white male was seen leaving the victim’s property the day of first burglary and may have left with the dark colored minivan. The second burglary involved the black Ford truck with attached trailer. The male has a mullet hairstyle and a tattoo on left side of his chest.

“If you have any information on this case, or know the identity of the suspect, submit a tip to the Pasco Sheriff’s Crime Tips Line at 1-800-706-2488 and refer to case number 21027615 or 21033171. Please do not submit tips on social media.

On Oct. 13, it re-posted the original post, along with this additional information:

“PSO (Pasco Sheriff’s Office) detectives continue to investigate these incidents in the SR 54 area of Land O’ Lakes. This suspect also cut the victim’s fence which was holding in cattle. This crime is a felony under Florida statute. Livestock that escape can wander onto roadways and potentially cause crashes and endanger citizens.”

In her email to The Laker/Lutz News, Hunter also noted that the sheriff’s office has “spoken with the victim for these cases at length numerous times to address his concerns.

“The agency’s agricultural unit and its property crimes unit also has been in touch with him,” she said. They are working with him to install cameras to help solve the crimes, Hunter added.

While he would like to put an end to the burglaries, Blanco said his primary concern is to alert the public, to help avert a potential tragedy.

Published November 03, 2021

Land O’ Lakes teen shines light on mental health needs

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Eliza Smith knows what it’s like to struggle with depression.

The Land O’ Lakes 15-year-old, however, has learned some ways to help conquer her challenges.

She writes in a journal.

She adds up the positive things in her life, daily.

And, she does have successes: She has a 4.6 GPA.

She’s a former Miss Land O’ Lakes Teen USA, and is the current Teen Miss Earth Florida USA.

She will compete for the national Teen Miss Earth USA in January.

Land O’ Lakes High School student Eliza Smith is involved in volunteer efforts to help spread the word about mental health programs, such as those offered by NAMI Pasco. She’s also involved in pageants, which she says provide a platform to help raise awareness. (Courtesy of Eliza Smith)

Now, she’s seeking to help others by sharing her story and advocating for mental health programs such as those offered by NAMI Pasco, a local nonprofit chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness.

In a new normal, where COVID-19 is upending daily lives and increasing everyone’s stress levels, Smith sees mental health education as a calling.

“I think that this is what I was meant to do,” Smith said — about her goal of making a difference for others.

She said others in her family, including her mother, also have dealt with mental health issues in the past.

“It’s something I struggle with personally, so that’s why I care about mental health for others,” Smith said. “I do know what it’s like, and I know friends who struggle with depression and anxiety.”

In recent months, she has posted weekly video chats and podcasts on Instagram and other media platforms, specializing in one-on-one interviews with family and friends.

She also has completed volunteer service hours, along with other teens, in support of NAMI.

“She is passionate,” said Debbie Proulx, NAMI Pasco’s executive director. “She is willing to just put herself out there.”

NAMI is a national nonprofit with chapters nationwide.

Services include family based support groups, advocacy, one-on-one counseling, school partnerships, education, outreach and referrals.

NAMI Pasco has seen an astounding 1,456% increase in new calls from people needing services in the past year, largely due to the pandemic, said Proulx.

“There is a lot of anxiety and depression,” she said. “Last year it was bad, but not as bad as now.”

Proulx worries about the hostility arising from divisions over masks and vaccines.

“This is affecting everyone,” she said.

In-person support groups aren’t possible for now.

So, NAMI Pasco is relying on virtual support groups to discuss whatever issues people are facing, Proulx said.

“They are really supporting one another,” she said. “You will see disagreements, but at the end of the day, they are really supporting each other.”

The Land O’ Lakes teen said she has seen the impact of COVID-19 at school, as well, particularly while taking classes virtually.

“Everyone kind of stopped doing what they were doing,” Smith said. “I know kids who loved going to school who kind of slumped.”

She said she hopes her podcasts help educate people about mental health but also send the  message that no one is alone.

Help is close by, she said, through organizations such as NAMI Pasco.

Smith said she prefers doing one-on-one interviews because that allows each guest to shine a light on his or her personal journeys.

She enjoys talking with people of all ages and backgrounds.

Her conversations are free-wheeling, funny and open to any topic though, sooner or later, they always get around to mental health education.

Being able to listen to the unique stories of everyone is what makes for a great society, Smith said.

“Your problems matter. You matter,” she said. “And always remember that.”

Smith grew up in Queens and Brooklyn, New York, but her family moved to Tampa about two years ago.

She attended Alonso High School before moving to Pasco County and enrolling at Land O’ Lakes High School.

She aspires to graduate a year early and to enroll at Duke University.

She plans to pursue a nursing degree, and is aiming to attain a master’s degree in nursing by age 25.

She has four completed podcasts, with more to come.

She is taking a brief break from her hosting duties to focus on SAT exams in October, when she also celebrates turning 16.

After the break, she intends to return to a routine of posting podcasts or video chats weekly or monthly.

One especially memorable podcast featured a frank discussion with her mother and her aunt.

“We had a really deep conversation and tears flowed,” Smith said.

The podcast “shows how to be vulnerable in a good way. Even if I have crazy dreams, my family supports me to have a better life than they had growing up in Queens.”

One of her passions is being involved in pageants, which she said encourages her growth and confidence, and has opened doors to her.

“I didn’t hesitate to take the opportunity and try it out,” she said. “I got to volunteer and to promote my platform, and to inspire others to seek help.”

One door that opened was to NAMI Pasco and volunteer service.

“I truly love their organization and what they do,” she said.

For more information, visit NAMI.pasco.org, or call 727-992-9653.

By Kathy Steele

Published October 20, 2021

Resurfacing work proposed for Suncoast Parkway

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Florida’s Turnpike Enterprise has included a resurfacing project on the Suncoast Parkway, as part of its tentative work program for fiscal years 2023 through 2027.

Siaosi Fine, of the Turnpike Enterprise, briefed the Pasco Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) board about the sole Pasco County project included in that proposed plan, at the board’s Oct. 14 meeting.

The resurfacing work would be done on the Suncoast Parkway, from just south of the Hillsborough County and Pasco County line to a little bit north of State Road 52, Fine said.

The design funds are included in the tentative five-year work plan in fiscal year 2024 and the construction funds are included in the fiscal year 2025 plan. The total cost would be $23.1 million for work that includes milling and resurfacing, guard rail installation, and signing and pavement marking improvements, he said

Pasco County Commissioner Kathryn Starkey, who sits on the Pasco MPO board, inquired about funding for the two pedestrian/bicycle overpasses that are planned at State Road 54 and State Road 52, respectively, to connect to the Suncoast Trail.

Those projects are being funded by Pasco County, while overpasses in Hernando and Citrus counties are being paid for by the Turnpike, the commissioner said.

“It’s not fair,” Starkey said.

“Board members, citizens of Pasco County are paying for the bike/ped overpasses on (State Roads) 54 and 52, and the Turnpike is paying for the overpasses in Hernando County and Citrus County) who have a lot less traffic than us. I don’t understand how that happened,” she said. She added that she’d like to talk to someone at the Turnpike Enterprise about the possibility of it sharing those costs.

Starkey addressed her MPO board colleagues: “Guys, I really think we should elevate our voices on that,” adding that perhaps that can be done when they go to Tallahassee to address concerns.

“Why are other counties getting it paid for, and we have to pay for our own?” she said. “It bothers me.”

In another part of the meeting, Starkey reiterated her concerns about trail design, urging those who are planning trails to use an approach that allows trails to meander away from roads and to place them behind ponds or landscaping, to improve the experience for users and to make it safer.

In some cases, that might increase costs, she said. But it might not.

“There are ways to make the user experience better. You don’t have to buy more right of way, you just have to plan it as a user would like to use it,” Starkey said.

Pasco County Commissioner Christina Fitzpatrick agreed. She said trails should be farther back from roads, not butted up right next to them, to help keep users safe.

MPO Board Chairman Lance Smith, who serves on the Zephyrhills City Council, agreed that more thought needs to be given to trail design.

“I do want to say that I appreciate the commissioners’ input on the trails because I think this trail idea has evolved over the years,” Smith said.

“It used to be —  well — no trails. Then, over the years, as an afterthought, let’s put in a trail. “Now, we’re thinking more on integrating it as part of the actual construction. I think it’s great to have a landscape architect in there and fight as hard as they can to create these nice spaces on the trail.

“It’s great to have a trail, but if there’s not a piece of shade on it, in August, I don’t know how many people will use it,” Smith said.

“And,” Starkey added, “an occasional bench?”

Published October 20, 2021

Land O’ Lakes neighbors turn GIFs into games

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Many people enjoy card games.

Using animated images, called GIFs, on smartphones are a popular way to communicate, too.

So, Land O’ Lakes Connerton neighborhood residents Michael Cornuta and Ramon Jimenez put their heads together and thought — Why not mold the two into a fun, interactive activity?

From left: Michael Cornuta, Ashley Jimenez and Ramon Jimenez, all of Connerton, have made ‘That GIF Game’ a reality. Gamers are taking to the new game, as the trio is coming up with new versions that will appeal to everyone. (Fred Bellet)

They did just that, with “That GIF Game.”

The game is described as a hybrid party group game that combines a physical custom deck of cards with a free smartphone app interface.

Each player anonymously submits responses through the app, and points are awarded to the most fitting, funny, quirky or creative GIF.

The deck of cards includes a total of 265 GIFtions — or situational expressions — which assist in facilitating the game.

The app is available in the Apple App Store and Android Play Store.

The corresponding deck of cards can be purchased on Amazon.com.

Here’s how it works:

Each player must first download the app, then sign up and enter their phone number associated for the game.

A game organizer will select a new game and add all players, of up to 50 people. Players are added through phone contacts or manual entry.

Ashley Jimenez demonstrates how her phone and a stack of ‘That GIF Game’ cards make up the new game.

Once phones are added by the game organizer, each player will select “Join Game” for the fun to begin.

Each individual card in the deck has a list of five GIFtions, or expressions, for a round.

One particular card, for instance, reads the following five scenarios with which a GIF is needed to best match:

  • You look ridiculous right now.
  • Eurotrip!
  • My Valentine’s Day plans:
  • Do you believe in magic?
  • Eww, it’s all sticky!

From there, players have two minutes to select a GIF from within the app, which sources GIPHY, one of the largest public online GIF databases with over a billion selections.

There’s strategy involved in searching for and choosing a GIF —  taking into account the personality and humor of the card reader during each turn, so users can earn points. The first player to score five points wins the game.

“Sometimes you’ve got to know their sense of humor,” said Cornuta, a health care professional.

The game usually works best with a group of five to six people.

Whether you’re sitting across the table or across the world, ‘That GIF Game’ can be played anywhere. Ashley Jimenez demonstrates the game with her husband, Ramon Jimenez.

A typical session — the first to five points — runs about an hour.

“You just laugh and have a good time playing it,” Cornuta said. “It’s really just a fun, easy, quick game. Everybody’s got a phone on them all the time, so all you need is the deck of cards, and you could be anywhere – the beach, a campfire…”

He added, “The best part is when people start laughing at their own GIF that they think is going to be funny.”

The original idea for “That GIF Game” came from Cornuta.

Since Cornuta and friends often use GIFs to express their thoughts in group text messages, he wondered about using them to create some kind of game.

Said Cornuta, “We were like, ‘Everybody’s always got their phone in hand, so what if we come up with an idea, or you have an app with cards and questions? Can we create it? Is it possible? Can we do the app?’”

Jimenez, an Air Force veteran, was the first to jump aboard to assist in the effort.

“I threw it out to a bunch of buddies, and Ramon stepped up and was like, ‘That sounds like a great idea, and was like, ‘Let’s do it,’” Cornuta recalled.

It took about a year to develop the game before its official launch over the summer.

The first edition of ‘That GIF Game’ already is a hit with newcomers. The best part about it is that a free interactive app is included with the game.

The process involved finalizing a business model, then producing the cards and smartphone app with the help of printing and technology companies in Orlando and Miami, respectively.

The cards and app take on a 70s theme with a red-and-yellow color scheme and groovy font.

“I mean, everything we did was right from scratch,” said Cornuta. “The name, the design of the package, the cards, the app. I mean everything was literally from ground zero.”

The duo also enlisted help from over a dozen Connerton neighbors and friends to brainstorm and finalize and narrow the GIFtion sayings to put on each card.

“It was a big, massive collaboration process, getting involved with the neighbors and personal friends,” Jimenez said.

Going forward, Cornuta and Jimenez plan to launch specialty GIFtion card decks, such as sports-themed and celebrity-themed versions.

They also have aspirations of getting the hybrid card game into name-brand retail and convenience stores, as well as gas stations.

“You name it, it could go there; it doesn’t take up much space,” Cornuta said. “It’s a great stocking stuffer.”

The game entrepreneurs received solid reviews when they unveiled the game in Tampa Toy Con at the Florida State Fairgrounds in July. They’ve also seen steady downloads of the app since.

“Anyone who’s played the game has been nothing but positive feedback, and we confirmed it at the convention,” Jimenez said. “So, our sales pitch (at the convention) was, as people walked by, we said, ‘Here, take my phone, we’re about to read you a GIFtion.’ It was very positive.”

Published October 20, 2021