Local News

Avoid household dangers during the holidays

December 19, 2023 By Special to The Laker/Lutz News

The holidays can be a festive and jolly time, but they also can be a source of hazards around the home.

State Farm has compiled a list of tips, aimed at helping you to maintain happy holiday spirits by avoiding electrical fires that result in costly damages.

Here are some of State Farm’s tips:

Be sure to use the proper lights and extension cords when setting up your holiday display to prevent a potential house fire during the holidays. (Mike Camunas)

Lights
Use only lights that have been tested for safety by a nationally recognized testing laboratory, such as UL. Lights for both indoor and outdoor usage must meet strict requirements that testing laboratories are able to verify.

Check each set of lights, new or old, for broken or cracked sockets, frayed or bare wires, or loose connections.

Check outdoor lights for labels showing that the lights have been certified for outdoor use, and only plug them into a ground-fault circuit interrupter (GFCI)-protected receptacle or a portable GFCI.

Make sure to unplug or turn off any decorations when you leave the house or go to bed at night, to prevent harm and possible fire hazards.

Cords
Purchase only extension cords that have been approved by an independent testing laboratory.

When using outdoors, use only extension cords marked for outdoor use.

Avoid powering multiple appliances with one cord.

Never use indoor extension cords outdoors.

Don’t plug multiple cords together.

Don’t run extension cords under rugs or furniture and never staples or nails.

Stop using extension cords that feel hot to the touch.

Published December 20, 2023

A Sense of Place

December 19, 2023 By Mike Camunas

If you’d like an image to be considered for publication, please email it to . Please add a sentence or two, describing when and where you took the photo and what the image means to you. Be sure to include who took the photo, where he or she lives and contact information, in case we need to reach back.

**The Truth is Out There**
The Laker/Lutz News Staff Writer Mike Camunas was featured on an episode of The X-Files — er, snapped this photo of a ‘UFO’ that made its landing on a property off U.S. Highway 301 in Dade City on Nov. 18. (Mike Camunas)

**Proof in the Preserve**
Land O’ Lakes resident Charles McCarthy took this photo of the forest preserve in Concord Station behind his home in ‘Old’ Wellington in a subdivision in the Sunlake area. ‘(It) proves that Florida CAN have a colorful autumn!’ McCarthy said.

**Hay there, ya’ll**
The Laker/Lutz News Staff Writer Mike Camunas grabbed this photo of ‘unpainted’ hay bales in the field across the street from well-known local shops such as San Antonio Pottery and Al’s Pizza Shop off Curley Road on Nov. 18.

**Loopy on the Lake**
The Laker/Lutz News Staff Writer Mike Camunas took this photo of the glassy reflection on Lake Padgett from the dock area at In The Loop Brewery in Land O’ Lakes on Nov. 29.

Holiday lights aim to generate joy, generosity

December 12, 2023 By Mike Camunas

Putting up holiday decorations can be a chore.

But doing it with neighbors, with friends who live on your street — well, it can bring a small community together. That’s just what it’s done in the Wilderness Lake Preserve neighborhood.

Residents of Blue Spring Drive, a road in the Wilderness Lake Preserve community in Land O’ Lakes, had an idea: How about joining together to create a ‘Dazzling Light Display’ but at the same time, seek to give back to those who are really in need during this holiday season? (Mike Camunas)

Residents at about two dozen homes have combined their talents to create a Dazzling Light Display at Blue Spring Drive, a residential street in the Land O’ Lakes community. Their handiwork features lighted decor on most of the homes, as well as strung lights from tree to tree.

One organizer, Dominic Dominguez, said initially the intent was just to have a festive display, but they opted to do more. He and residents are inviting anyone to come see the lights and, on Thursdays through Saturdays from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., if they are willing, to bring some canned foods to donate.

No donations are required, but those opting to bring them can drop them off into a bin under a street light in the middle of the display. All donations will then be taken to Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Church’s food pantry in Land O’ Lakes.

“It all kind of came from an idea at the Halloween (street) party,” Dominguez said. “We just basically yelled to each other across the street and said what if we all did our decorations together. And then we decided to add the food drive because we know it’s been a rough year for a lot of families.

“If we can keep a couple of families from going hungry, it’ll be worth it, so that’s really the motivation behind it.”

Local neighbors and residents are welcomed, and encouraged, to come out and see the Dazzling Light Display on Blue Spring Drive. Homeowners on the residential street in the Wilderness Lake Preserve community in Land O’ Lakes collaborated to create a festive display, which they hope will attract visitors – and they hope the visitors are willing to donate canned goods for a nearby food pantry.

This is the first time the residents have combined for a street-long display, as well as working to get any kind of donations. Decorating has taken a couple of weeks, as residents worked on their homes and on stringing lights across the street by using ladders or climbing trees to hang the decorations.

“No one was using any lifts, so I think, from the climbing (up ladders and trees), we’re really feeling (sore) now,” Dominguez said, with a laugh.

Dominguez and the residents figured having a light display was a great way to bring the neighborhood and the nearby communities together for the holiday season. But they put the display together just to be festive and went in with zero expectations on the amount of cans they might collect.

Their hope is the display inspires visitors to give back.

“This ZIP code (here in Land O’ Lakes) has more than 10,000 people, so it’s always growing,” Dominguez said. “We just want anyone to enjoy the lights and, if you can bring food, please do — we would love it, but we have no expectations.

“And if we get no cans, well, at least we tried, and anyone or everyone can take some leisure time and enjoy the lights this season.”

Dazzling Light Display at Blue Spring Drive
Where: Blue Spring Drive, a residential road in the Wilderness Lake Preserve community in Land O’ Lakes
Details: A couple dozen houses and its residents worked together, on a lark, to create a festive light display on their short road. Most of the houses are decorated, plus there are lighted strings across the street. The Blue Spring Drive group hopes that locals will come to see the display and will donate canned goods, which will be collected and delivered to the food pantry at Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Church, 2348 Collier Parkway, Land O’ Lakes. While the light display can be seen any evening, a bin will be out in the middle of the display, underneath a street light, on Thursdays through Sundays from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., throughout the month of December.

Published December 13, 2023

Amy Drury is Pasco County’s Literacy Teacher of the Year

December 12, 2023 By B.C. Manion

Winning awards is not exactly new for Amy Drury.

Recently, however, she added a big one.

She has been named Pasco County’s Literacy Teacher of the Year.

Drury was honored during the Pasco County School Board meeting on Dec. 5.

Tressa Lima, from the Office of Leading and Learning, shared Drury’s history and accomplishments with board members.

Amy Drury, forefront, was honored as the Pasco County Literacy Teacher of the Year for the 2023-2024 academic year by the Pasco County School Board. (Courtesy of Pasco County Schools)

She told the board it was with great pride and honor that she stood before them “to recognize this amazing educator, Miss Amy Drury,” the county’s Literacy Teacher of the Year for the 2023-2024 school year.

“Amy started her career in Polk County in 2003 as a substitute teacher. She quickly learned that teaching was her calling, and moved to Pasco County Schools, teaching second grade at Woodland Elementary, in 2004,” Lima said.

“She spent 14 years at Woodland Elementary, moving from a second grade teacher to a PLC (Professional Learning Community) facilitator and then moving into the role of the instructional trainer/coach.

“She was recognized as the Teacher of the Year in 2007 for both of her school sites, as well as recognized as the Sam’s Club and Walmart Teacher of the Year winner, as well.

“Since 2018, she joined the ranks at Raymond B. Stewart Middle School as a sixth grade language arts teacher, and then quickly became their instructional trainer/coach for literacy, in the following year.”

Lima continued: “She knows that developing caring adults will develop caring students, and she carries that mantra forward in everything she does.

“Her passion for literacy led both to her taking formal and informal leadership roles within her school, as she serves the community as well.

“I had the pleasure of serving as Amy’s district coach in 2017 and it was awe-inspiring to me to see her deeply ingrain herself in work, while keeping students at the forefront. She’s truly one-of-a-kind.

“You couldn’t walk the hallways of Woodland Elementary without a student or staff member stopping her to say hello. It was like I was walking with a celebrity.

“She’s someone who anyone can, and does, go to for support because she assists in any way possible.

“She’s extremely knowledgeable and willing to help. She’s truly loved by students, teachers, staff, parents — all alike.

“Most importantly, she’s passionate about literacy for all, for all of her students.

“Prior to her moving to middle school, she told me she felt like she wanted to do more for her students and see them through the continuum of learning.

“She knew how they performed under her watch at Woodland, but wanted to impact them at that point after leaving her as well.

“She told me that she gained inspiration from watching Mrs. (Kimberly) Poe (former principal) hug her students on the graduation stage, as they beamed with pride and excitement, and she thought to herself: ‘This is what it’s all about — students, and joining in their success.

“Every professional development that Amy runs, she does it with her team — rooted in action, support for literacy across disciplines for each student.

“Amy is a true testament for passion and dedication. She’s never afraid to get her hands dirty with the right work. She would never ask anyone to do something that she hasn’t done herself, which makes her truly amazing among her peers and colleagues alike.

“Her forward-thinking and continuous desire to grow and learn makes her an asset to our system, in every aspect.

“She believes each student can be successful, if they have a champion in their corner — someone who is willing to fight for them and let them know that they are worth it and they can do it,” Lima said.

She told the school board that the district has submitted Drury’s name to represent Pasco at the state level.

Drury was asked if she would like to make some remarks.

She responded: “I’d just like to thank Tressa for her kind words. That was beautiful, and my team over here that continues to support me in everything that I do.”

Published December 13, 2023

Kirkland Ranch K-8 is ‘beehive’ of activity

December 12, 2023 By B.C. Manion

Crews are working hard, as Kirkland Ranch K-8 continues to make progress toward its August 2024 opening date.

Marcy Hetzler-Nettles, assistant superintendent of middle schools, told the Pasco School Board that she recently had a chance to tour the construction area, along with Betsy Kuhn, assistant superintendent for support services, and Julie Marks, the school’s first principal.

This rendering depicts what the new Kirkland Ranch K-8 is expected to look like, when construction is completed on the new school in Wesley Chapel. (Courtesy of Pasco County Schools/Hepner Architects)

Hetzler-Nettles told the school board that watching Principal Marks take in the sight was delightful.

“It was like Christmas morning, for a child unwrapping a gift, to see her eyes light up,” Hetzler-Nettles said.

Hetzler-Nettles also said crews at the work site are clearly focused on the tasks at hand.

“It is a serious beehive out there right now. It’s amazing the amount of crews that are all in – welding, electrical, they’re pulling cables. They’re putting up drywall, all over the place,” Hetzler-Nettles said.

“It looks fantastic and it’s coming together quite nicely. It’s going to be very exciting to see it, once it is done.”

The school, at 33137 Innovation Drive, in Wesley Chapel, will be on the east side of the campus of Kirkland Ranch Academy of Innovation.

During a previous presentation to the board, Peter Hepner, of Hepner Architects, offered details about the project. He said there will be play courts and a covered play area outdoors, as well as parking lots for staff and visitors, and a drop-off area for students.

The first floor will have spaces for administration, prekindergarten, primary classrooms, and elementary art, music and skills labs.

The student dining area includes a stage and there will be outdoor dining, too.

The second floor includes primary and intermediate classrooms, a media center and a teacher planning area.

On the third floor, there will be middle school classrooms, art and music areas, a STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) Center and science labs.

Creative Contractors is the construction manager for the Kirkland Ranch K-8 project.

The school has been described on the school district’s website as a “state-of-the-art dedicated magnet school experience for young creators, innovators and entrepreneurs located near the Epperson community.”

The website notes that the school will have the magnet themes of World Languages and Entrepreneurship woven throughout the student experience.

Students will begin with their language acquisition in kindergarten and will have the opportunity to earn high school World Language credits in their middle school years, the website says.

The website also notes that Kirkland Ranch K-8 is the only school in Pasco County that offers a magnet entrepreneurship program, from kindergarten through eighth grade. The course progression allows students to cultivate entrepreneurial mindsets and capabilities beginning in elementary school.

Those wishing to attend the school can apply during the Pasco Pathways Application Window, between Jan. 8 to Jan. 19.

Published December 13, 2023

Pasco County Schools seeks to reduce absenteeism through new approach

December 12, 2023 By B.C. Manion

Pasco County Schools will have three four-day weekends during its regular 2024-2025 school year in a bid it hopes will reduce student absenteeism.

The school board approved the proposed school calendar during its Dec. 5 meeting.

“We are hoping — and I think we are going to include this in our attendance campaign — that by placing those four-day weekends strategically, I think there’s one in October, one in February and one in April, that we can encourage our students and families to take their mini-trips or vacations on those long weekends, instead of taking off instructional days,” said Kevin Shibley, an assistant superintendent.

“So, we’re going to try to market that to our families,” he added.

Pasco County School is adopting a new calendar for the 2024-2025 school year. The new approach includes four-day weekends in October, February and April. District staff and board members hope that families will take advantage of those mini-breaks, rather than pulling kids from school on regular days. (Mike Camunas)

School board member Alison Crumbley told Shibley: “I’ll add to your encouragement on that.”

Her colleague, Cynthia Armstrong, agreed: “That’s an excellent message because it is very frustrating when I see parents randomly taking students out for vacations.”

The new calendar also includes one full professional development (PD) day in the fall, instead of four early release days (ERD).

“I think the idea is that we can get some quality time with our teachers early in the school year with that full day of PD and then use the ERD days in the second semester to do follow-up and extension of that learning, in small chunks, as the school year continues,” Shibley said.

Consolidating the four ERDs also yields more student instructional time, overall, Shibley noted.

Shibley also pointed out a similar strategy is already used by some high-performing Florida school districts.

Elected school district leaders said they did not receive a great deal of feedback on the issue.

School board member Colleen Beaudoin said one teacher asked if the district could start the school year later in August, but Beaudoin explained that the district starts earlier so it can deliver as much instruction as possible before testing begins.

“Also, it allows us to finish the first semester prior to Winter Break, which is really important, especially at the secondary level,” Beaudoin added.

Another teacher asked if the work day after Spring Break could be shifted to before Spring Break, but Beaudoin said that would create scheduling difficulties for teachers because it would result in a week with a work day and a half-day, making it difficult for teachers to plan.

Armstrong said she received mixed feedback regarding the four-day weeks.

“I had some for it; I had some who preferred getting out earlier in the school year. So, it went both ways on that one,” she said.

Don Peace, president of the United School Employees of Pasco, said the union is taking a neutral stance on the issue. He encouraged anyone who wanted to provide feedback to reach out to school board members.

“Some of these things may prove beneficial; others, maybe not so much. It’s hard to say right now.

“I’m not sure I know all of the particulars, but if proper planning and considerations are made, and I do want to note that I have had extended conversations with Mr. Shibley and I think that things are in order for planning, this might work well,” Peace said.

However, Peace added: “Respectfully, if we are going to make significant changes to the calendar, the opportunity to discuss this at an evening session prior to a vote would seem to be in order. This would allow those with concerns to express some to the board before a vote.”

Shibley said that, overall, comments received by the district were positive.

“Staff kind of liked the idea of the four-day weekends, in general,” Shibley said.

School board chairwoman Megan Harding welcomes the new approach.

“It’s different this time. We’re going to try something new,” she said.

Published December 13, 2023

New cell tower will be in Starkey District Park

December 12, 2023 By B.C. Manion

Pasco County approved a contract for a new cell tower lease at Starkey Ranch District Park with Wireless Edge, at a greater distance and a higher rent than was initially proposed near Starkey Ranch K-8 School.

The lease is in conjunction with a P4 agreement between Pasco County, Pasco County Schools, Pasco County Libraries and a private developer.

The county board’s approval for the lease came during its Dec. 5 meeting, without a peep of public complaint.

Parents and residents in Starkey Ranch raised their voices against the proposed location of a cell tower near Starkey Ranch K-8, and they won. (File)

That deal came after families battled with the Pasco County School Board over a proposed easement that would grant access to the proposed cell tower.

When families lost that battle, they set their sights on the Pasco County Commission, which was considering the actual lease for the tower, during the county board’s May 23 meeting.

Cell tower opponents turned out en masse.

They wore red, cited research and spoke passionately about their concerns of the potential negative health consequences that could result, if the cell tower was allowed so close to the school

During the board’s lunch break, Pasco County Commissioner Kathryn Starkey conferred with Keith Wiley, director of the county’s parks, recreation, and natural resources department.

After lunch, she reported that Wiley said an alternative location could be found at the park to accommodate the cell tower. The county also said it would share the proceeds from the leasing agreement with the school district, since that was part of the original plan.

The board then delayed the issue until it sought a new solicitation on the alternative location.

Andrew Baxter, director of facilities management, brought the staff’s recommendation to the board based on that new solicitation.

“The previous location would have allowed the siting to be at approximately 625 feet from the school. And the previous lease would have been with Vertex.

“The rent would have been $1,950 per month, with a 2% increase or $600 a month per sublease,” Baxter said.

“By going out and relocating this, we are now 2,348 feet from the nearest school building and 1,400 feet from the nearest housing location. So, we’re much further away from the school,” he said.

Under the new agreement, the tower will be located in the maintenance yard of Starkey District Park.

Wireless Edge, recommended by staff, offered better rates. Its lease will be for 27 years, with an option for four additional five-year terms, which is the same as Vertex had proposed.

The rent from Wireless Edge, however, is higher. It will be $2,251 per month, with a 2.5% annual increase, and $1,000 per month per sublease. Plus a bonus of $35,000 for each sublease after the first sublease,” Baxter said.

The cell tower will be a stealth pole, monopole, meaning that none of the antennas will be showing, Baxter said.

Starkey said she was happy to hear that.

She noted that companies have claimed that couldn’t be done because of the heat generated by the antennas.

But she said that she’s read research saying that stealth towers can be achieved because of new technology.

So, she told county staffers: “OK, staff, we’re not going to do those other ones anymore, where the arrays are on the outside.”

Commissioner Jack Mariano was pleased that a solution has been found.

“It’s great to see that no one’s here, compared to what we had before – 1,600 signatures,” Mariano said.

He credited county staff and the providers for working together.

But County Attorney Jeffrey Steinsnyder pointed out: “The provider lost the contract.”

Like Mariano, Starkey said she’s pleased by the outcome.

“I got not one email of complaint,” Starkey said.

Published December 13, 2023

FEMA encourages property owners to buy flood insurance

December 12, 2023 By Special to The Laker/Lutz News

Many Floridians choose not to purchase flood insurance because they don’t live in a high-risk flood area, but officials with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) want to encourage property owners to purchase the insurance to be on the safe side.

It’s important to remember that flooding can happen anywhere, FEMA officials remind property owners.

It’s important for property owners to understand their insurance coverage. Standard homeowner’s policies do not cover damage from floods. But flood insurance is available in most localities across Florida. (File)

When flooding occurs, standard homeowner insurance policies typically do not cover it, says a FEMA news release. Just 1 inch of floodwater can cause up to $25,000 of damage in a home.

Residential and business property owners as well as renters can protect themselves from financial losses by having a flood insurance policy through the National Flood Insurance Program to insure buildings and/or their contents. Flood insurance coverage is available regardless of federal disaster declarations, according to a FEMA news release.

There is a 30-day waiting period before new policies go into effect, so don’t wait to obtain a policy.

Flooding in Florida is common. After Hurricane Idalia, more than 5,000 flood claims were filed through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) with a total payout over $300 million to date, closing over 85% of the NFIP claims in the first 90 days after the event, the news release says.

In all, the Hazard Mitigation Community Education & Outreach has counseled more than 11,000 survivors on the NFIP and other mitigation measures. The flood insurance program has more than 1.7 million policyholders across the state with total coverage exceeding $448 billion.

In Florida, 468 communities participate in the NFIP; 10 communities do not. Residents can purchase a flood insurance policy if their community participates in the NFIP, no matter their flood risk.

Coverage is available for residential and commercial buildings and the contents therein:

Up to $250,000 in building coverage and up to $100,000 in contents coverage for single-to-four family residential structures
Up to $500,000 in building coverage and up to $500,000 in contents coverage for five-or-more family residential structures
Up to $500,000 in building coverage and up to $500,000 in contents coverage for businesses

As part of its disaster assistance, FEMA has provided Group Flood Insurance Policies (GFIP) to homeowners and renters after Hurricane Idalia. The group policies are 36-month NFIP insurance certificates for disaster survivors who live in a high-risk flood zone, sustain flood damage, do not have flood insurance, and receive FEMA disaster assistance. When a GFIP certificate expires, the survivor is responsible for obtaining and maintaining flood insurance. Failure to maintain flood insurance will affect their eligibility for future disaster assistance.

To purchase a policy, contact your insurance company or agent. In addition to the NFIP, flood insurance is also available from some private insurance providers. For an agent referral, call 800-427-4661, or visit FEMA.gov/flood-insurance.

Published December 13, 2023

Pasco plans to seek legal relief in ‘Live Local’ cases

December 12, 2023 By B.C. Manion

Anyone who wants to invoke the state’s “Live Local Act” in Pasco County will have to go through the court system to do it.

The Pasco County Commission has directed the county’s legal staff to seek a declaratory judgment against any applicant seeking to invoke “Live Local” in Pasco.

That state law allows an applicant to convert land zoned for commercial, industrial or mixed uses into multifamily developments, provided the project serves people who meet income criteria.

The law preempts local government from blocking the developments and it provides a property tax break to the developer.

Pasco County invested roughly $65 million to pay for an interchange at Overpass Road and Interstate 75. The project is intended to ease traffic and to stimulate economic development. The Pasco County Commission contends the state’s Live Local Act could undermine the county’s efforts to create more jobs. (File)

Pasco County Commissioner Seth Weightman has objected to the law since its inception — stating that it undermines Pasco’s attempts to create more local jobs.

The county and the Pasco Economic Development Council have been focusing considerable efforts in recent years to attract jobs to Pasco and to shed the county’s image as a “bedroom community” for other job-rich counties.

Weightman hit the roof recently when he learned that a developer wants to invoke “Live Local” on a site at the northwest corner of Overpass Road and Interstate 75.

Roy Mazur, Pasco’s assistant county administrator for development services, and David Goldstein, chief assistant county attorney, gave a presentation on the topic at the Pasco County Commission’s Dec. 5 meeting.

Tackling the issue is Pasco County’s top legislative priority, Mazur said.

Pasco County has sent a letter expressing their concerns to state lawmakers, he said. Pasco, Pinellas and Hillsborough counties also sent a joint letter on the topic to legislators.

So far, 12 people have expressed interest in invoking Live Local, representing a total of 10 projects, according to county figures. Four pre-applications have been filed and two applications have been filed. One of those applications was quickly withdrawn and the other one is pending.

Goldstein said Pasco is attracting more interest in Live Local projects than other counties.

“We’re sort of the epicenter of Live Local, in terms of the number of inquiries we have,” Goldstein said.

Weightman described applicants’ interest in converting the county’s commercially zoned lands as a “shotgun blast.”

Goldstein told the board that it essentially had four options.

One would be to invoke a moratorium, which Weightman has described as a “nuclear option” and Goldstein defines as a “blunt tool.”

The problem with a moratorium is that it’s not surgical, Goldstein said. There may be properties the county wouldn’t want to affect that could get caught up in a moratorium, while other properties the county wants to affect are missed.

A declaratory judgment, on the other hand, would be sought to address a specific application, he said.

Goldstein has a list identifying 22 legal issues with Live Local, including constitutional issues and ambiguities. He said the list is made up of information from various sources, including a committee of legal experts across the state.

If the county files for declaratory judgment, it will need to name the state attorney general in the lawsuit because it is challenging constitutional issues in the Live Local Act, Goldstein said.

Ron Oakley, selected as the board’s new chairman, said he favors using the declaratory judgment approach.

He said the county must protect the $65 million investment it has made to the Overpass Road/Interstate 75 interchange project.

Pasco County Commissioner Jack Mariano said allowing Live Local projects to be developed in the county would be devastating. He said once one is permitted, it would be difficult to stop others.

The county has been protecting its commercial and industrial lands with the goal of using those properties for job-generating uses and it must continue to do so, Mariano said.

He favors trying the declaratory judgment approach, but if that doesn’t work, he supports invoking a moratorium.

The county won’t file a request for declaratory judgment unless an applicant seeks to invoke the Live Local Act and refuses to withdraw his or her application, Goldstein said. But if the applicant refuses, the county will act.

Published December 13, 2023

Breakfast with the jolly man himself

December 12, 2023 By Mike Camunas

The GFWC Pasco Juniors Woman’s Club’s Breakfast with Santa charity event recently took place at the Lexington Oaks Community Center. The 501(c)(3) nonprofit annually hosts this fundraising event to purchase holiday presents for community youths, and to donate funds to the Sean Bartell Memorial Foundation. The foundation is named for a Wesley Chapel High student who passed away on Christmas Day 2014 from complications of Stevens Johnson Syndrome/Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis. GFWC Juniors vice president Suzette Torres said the event raised about $600, thanks to food and coffee donations from Waffle House, Burger King, Keke’s Breakfast Cafe, Starbucks and Wawa. For more information on either charity, visit their Facebook pages.