The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Local News

These free fish can help fight mosquitoes

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Mosquito season has officially begun and Hillsborough County residents will have various opportunities to pick up free mosquito fish this summer, at events across the county, according to a news release.

Hillsborough County is giving away fish to help people reduce mosquito populations near standing water, such as koi ponds or other water bodies. (File)

Homeowners can use the fish to help fight the insects on their property.

The free giveaways are only for Hillsborough residents who have intentional standing water, such as koi ponds or other bodies of water that are filled 12 months a year.

Mosquito fish fight mosquitoes before the insects can bite, by eating mosquito larvae. They are small enough to hide from predators, and their favorite food is mosquito larvae, according to the release.

Hillsborough operates its own mosquito fish hatchery to breed healthy fish for the giveaways.

The Mosquito Management Services educational trailer also will be on site at each event to help residents learn about eliminating the pests and to illustrate the work the county does to keep residents healthy and safe.

To receive fish, a resident must show photo ID proof of living in Hillsborough County so county staff can scan or enter the ID information into the county’s mosquito database.

Quantities of the fish are limited and will be available only while supplies last.

For a complete list of dates and locations for upcoming giveaways, visit HillsboroughCounty.org/en/newsroom/2023/04/28/fight-mosquitoes-with-free-fish.

Published May 24, 2023

Donations needed for Duffels of Dignity

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It’s called Duffels of Dignity, but the program accepts suitcases and backpacks, too. Donations are needed to provide a way for children, who are in foster care or difficult situations, to have a way to pack their belongings when they move from one place to the next. (B.C. Manion)

Hillsborough County continues to need donations for its Duffels of Dignity program, which helps children who are in foster care or in  difficult situations who often must leave where they are — without a bag to carry their belongings.

The county’s program launched in October 2022 and since then, nearly 700 duffels, backpacks and suitcases have been donated. Residents also have contributed thousands of personal care items to help Hillsborough County youth who are in need, according to a Hillsborough County news release.

Residents are asked to donate any of these items:

  • New or gently used duffel bags, 24 inches to 28 inches, or a suitcase (wheelie bags, suitcases with handles and backpacks all are accepted)
  • New personal care items (in original packaging): Toothbrush and toothpaste; comb and brush; shampoo and conditioner; and, deodorant 

Donations can be dropped off Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., at the Hillsborough County Children’s Services Administrative Office, 3191 Clay Mangum Lane in Tampa.

The Duffels of Dignity program partners with nonprofits throughout Hillsborough County to donate items to their clients.

The Children’s Network of Hillsborough County has been a partner since the program started, and most of the items collected through the Duffels of Dignity program are given to the youth in foster care or temporarily housed at the Children’s Services campus.

Other recipients include Metropolitan Ministries, Emergency Care Help Organization (ECHO) of Brandon, Mary & Martha House, and The Spring of Tampa Bay, which help women and their children escape domestic violence.

Published May 24, 2023

Retiring chamber executive is honored in St. Leo

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(Courtesy of Andrea Calvert)

The Town of St. Leo bestowed a proclamation of appreciation upon John Moors, executive director of the Greater Dade City Chamber of Commerce, who is retiring on June 7. The proclamation was bestowed during the Town Commission meeting on May 8.

Town commissioners honored Moores for his longtime service to the East Pasco area, including St. Leo, San Antonio, Zephyrhills and Dade City.

Moors has spent nearly 13 years promoting economic growth and quality of life in the greater Dade City area. He represented area businesses on the Saint Leo University Hospitality program industry liaison council and, at one point, was an adjunct professor at Saint Leo University.

Moors also initiated the “Access” series of events, which provides an opportunity to showcase the East Pasco area for elected officials and business leaders, and Moors nurtured the growth of the Annual Kumquat Festival, which is now an event with regional economic impact.

Published May 24, 2023

In a ‘league’ of their own

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(Courtesy of Carrollwood Service League)

The Carrollwood Service League, a nonprofit, serves the Tampa Bay community through various service projects.

This year, Liberty Manor for Veterans was chosen as the league’s Charity of the Year.

The charitable group raised a  total of $17,000 through a fashion show and luncheon and a check was presented to the veterans organization.

Liberty Manor’s mission is to promote the developmental and social needs of disabled and honorably discharged veterans who have fallen victim to homelessness. The group provides transitional supported housing and establishing objectives to contribute to self-sufficiency. 

For details regarding a Service League membership, email . For more information on Liberty Manor, call Connie Lindsay at 813-900-9422, or visit LibertyManor.org.

Published May 24, 2023

Community input sought on Zephyr Park update

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Zephyrhills’ largest, and most beloved, park is moving toward an upgrade.

But first, the city needed to reassure the public that plans had not yet been decided. City officials had to set the record straight because rumors were flying after an old rendering of renovations to Zephyr Park was shared on social media — sending the town into a tizzy.

Zephyr Park is a 34-acre park that features the Alice Hall Community Center, five lighted tennis courts, handball, fishing, picnic pavilions with picnic tables, barbecue grills, horseshoe pits, playground equipment and a 5/8-mile fitness path. Zephyr Park includes many Civil War Era large oak trees that provide plenty of shade and a peaceful setting for recreation and relaxation. A $5 million renovation is tentatively planned by the city of Zephyrhills. (Mike Camunas)

Residents packed the City Council Room at Town Hall on April 27 to share their concerns and their desires for the park — with worries expressed about the potential for diminishing and dismissing the history associated with the 34-acre park on Fifth Avenue.

Zephyr Park is a popular gathering place for locals, featuring the Alice Hall Community Center, five lighted tennis courts, handball, fishing, picnic pavilions with picnic tables, barbecue grills, horseshoe pits, playground equipment, and a 5/8-mile lakeside fitness path. Some of its trees date back to the Civil War era.

And here is a community consensus improvements are needed at the park. But speakers raised concerns about the possibility of the Veterans Memorial being removed from the park.

Gail Hamilton, director of Community Redevelopment Agency, and other city officials, including City Manager Billy Poe, squashed that and other rumors circulating because of the social media post.

Residents turned out in force to an April 27 meeting at Zephyrhills City Hall to share their thoughts on a planned renovation of Zephyr Park, the city’s largest public park. (Mike Camunas)

Hamilton and Poe assured the crowd the Veterans Memorial will not be removed, but said it likely will be upgraded when the park renovations occur.

Poe said there had been some talk about moving the memorial to nearby Veterans Memorial Park, but he added that was only talk — no plan had been made to move it.

Another rumor involved the potential loss of the park’s five tennis courts at Zephyr Park. Poe refuted that, too.

“I’m just going to say it right out, nothing is happening to the memorial or the tennis courts,” Poe said. “They’re not going anywhere.”

Speakers also expressed their desires for the park’s upgrade. They’d like to see updates to Alice Hall, the restrooms and the splash pad.

Other suggestions include new amenities such as an adaptive playground, a disc golf course and a snack bar or recreational club room at Alice Hall.

They’d also like to see more amenities geared for older youth and teens, better park maintenance and an increased police presence at the park.

This 2016 rendering represents one vision of a Zephyr Park renovation, but the City of Zephyrhills is seeking public input to update the master plan to better reflect current desires, keeping in mind today’s economy. (Courtesy of City of Zephyrhills)

Hamilton said planning for the park’s upgrade is at the beginning stage — starting with finding out the community’s current desires.

“We hear you,” she assured the crowd. “We also see you with this turnout today at this input meeting, and we appreciate the passion of this community for this park.”

The artist rendering shared on social media was done several years and never reached fruition because of higher priorities, economic conditions and COVID-related issues.

City officials do have a budget in mind — as they requested $5 million in grants from the state — but were mainly focused on their new park project: Hercules Park, the other nearly $5 million project that will be adjacent to Woodland Elementary and behind the WaWa gas station on Gall Boulevard.

City and park planning officials want to be on the same page as to what should be done at Zephyr Park, as well as making sure none of it overlaps at Hercules Park.

Officials want to make sure having the same or similar amenities at both or either parks makes sense. However, they say further study and public input is needed, all of which will come over time and “several, several more meetings,” Hamilton added.

“This is not a shovel-ready project,” Hamilton said. “It’s not even really a ‘ready’ project because we are looking for more input. That’s where we are right now — looking for input from you (the residents).”

Published May 17, 2023

Hugh Embry Library to reopen May 30

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With construction and renovation nearly complete, Pasco County Libraries officials told The Laker/Lutz News the Hugh Embry Library in Dade City will reopen May 30.

Hugh Embry Branch Library, at 14215 Fourth St. in Dade City, is nearly complete with its $2 million renovation, and is set to reopen to patrons May 30. While some items are still on backorder, technology installation has begun and Pasco County Libraries officials say, ‘We are excited to show off the new look of the library!’ (Mike Camuans)

Officials also said “there are some final touches,” including partial furniture installation, which is scheduled with some items on backorder, while the next steps include installation and testing of public computers and technology.

The final steps involve the team members and librarians moving into the branch and planning service offerings, but officials added, “We are excited to show off the new look of the library!”

In early to mid-2021, Hugh Embry was cleared of its contents for the $2 million renovation to begin.

The Hugh Embry Library’s makeover will be a floor-to-ceiling remodel, and will include new furnishings, updated technology, faster broadband and other improvements.
(Courtesy of Pasco County Library Cooperative)

The renovation includes a complete overhaul and remodel of the branch, including new furnishings, lighting, computer, printers and even faster broadband.

It was the first time the branch received renovation work since 1991, when the library was expanded through a $10 million bond referendum passed by Pasco County voters in 1986 to improve public library services and build new parks countywide.

Founded in 1904, the Hugh Embry Library is the oldest in Pasco County. Its namesake, the then 25-year-old Embry, had exhausted books he could borrow from friends. He raised $50 to start a library and called it the Shakespeare Club. He chose books and ran the library out of his family home until his death from tuberculosis in 1907.

The Pasco Library Association was established to manage the library, and aided by The Dade City Woman’s Club. In 1927, the woman’s club began loaning books to the general population for free, out of a room in the Herbert Massey Building. Within a month of its opening, the library had attracted 440 registered borrowers.

For years, the library was unincorporated, though it continued to grow. It wasn’t until 1952 that Dade City gave property across the street from City Hall for a library building, and in 1953, the City took over responsibility for the library.

It would take another 10 years before the library finally moved to its current location.

After the Pasco County Library Cooperative was founded in 1980, it began operating and maintaining the Hugh Embry Branch under a no-cost lease. In 1988, the Dade City Commission sold the library to Pasco County for $150,000.

Published May 17, 2023

Pasco County bans thru trucks on portion of Overpass Road

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Complaints about increased truck traffic and damage being caused by the heavy vehicles have resulted in a ban on thru truck traffic on a segment of Overpass Road, from Curley Road to Old Bridge Road.

The ban also applies to Old Bridge Road, from Overpass Road to Handcart Road.

The Pasco County Commission adopted an ordinance instituting the ban during its May 9 meeting.

The action arose after residents from the Watergrass area appeared before the county board complaining about problems being caused by increased truck traffic, which resulted from the opening of the new Interstate 75-Overpass Road interchange.

The reasons for the ban, as outlined in the May 9 agenda packet, are:

  • Old Bridge Road from Overpass Road to Handcart Road runs through a dense residential neighborhood, even though it provides a connection to Handcart Road from Overpass Road.
  • There is a significant amount of non-motorized activity along this roadway, along with the presence of some neighborhood parks along the road and a significant number of pedestrians crossing along Old Bridge Road.

The county board has the authority to restrict truck traffic, based on Pasco County Ordinance Chapter 106, Article II, Section 106-3, according to information in the agenda packet.

The opening of a new interchange at Interstate 75 and Overpass Road has resulted in increased truck traffic in residential areas, prompting calls for a No Thru Truck ban on the affected roads. The Pasco County Commission listened and adopted an ordinance to make that happen, until the extension of Overpass Road from Old Bridge Road to U.S. 301 is completed. (Courtesy of the Florida Department of Transportation)

That ordinance says, the county board, “by the adoption of a resolution, may restrict the use of roads, highways, and streets under its regulatory jurisdiction by placing reasonable restrictions on the operation of commercial vehicles in residential neighborhoods.”

Once the board establishes the restrictions and the sign is installed, “it shall be unlawful for the operator of any commercial vehicle to operate the vehicle in violation of the restrictions.”

The board’s new restrictions will be effective upon the posting of signs, as required for enforcement.

The cost to install new signs is estimated at $400.

When the extension of Overpass Road from Old Bridge Road to U.S. 301 is completed, the No Thru Traffic ordinance on the section of Overpass Road from Curley Road to Old Bridge Road will be repealed, according to the agenda materials.

Tami Cook, who lives on Bluestem Court in Watergrass, appeared during the public comment section of the board’s meeting.

She thanked the board for taking up the truck traffic issue.

She asked: “Will there be a flashing sign trailer put up until permanent signage (of the No Thru Trucks) is in place?”

She also told the board that residents of Watergrass and the CDD board have paid $7,000 in repairs on the manhole cover on the corner of Overpass and Old Bridge Road because the road is too narrow for big trucks to make the turn.

Cook also asked about the status of an interim plan to route the I-75 traffic from the Overpass Road interchange.

She noted that the plan was to route the traffic to U.S. 301, via the Overpass Road extension.

But that project isn’t done and might not even be started for five years, Cook said.

“Wesley Chapel is now one of the fastest-growing communities in the region, with projections estimating a population of 93,700 people by 2024.

“May I propose that this project be moved to the earliest possible start date? The population density growth has already warranted that,” Cook said.

The area resident also noted the noise problems being caused by traffic.

“Does Pasco County have a noise ordinance for decibel limits allowed for roadway noise caused by traffic in residential zones?” Cook asked. “If so, can we request a noise pollution study in the affected areas of Watergrass and Epperson?

“As concerned citizens, in this area, the additional thousands of homes will produce thousands of cars on the road, within these two communities.

“It’s our understanding that New Port Richey has strengthened their noise ordinance. In residential areas, the ordinance sets the limit for 55 decibels from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. It drops to 50 decibels from 10:01 p.m. to 6:59 a.m.

“Does this ordinance also apply to Wesley Chapel?

“The traffic noise in Watergrass and Epperson currently far exceeds these limits,” she said.

She also asked: “Are their noise ordinances for mufflers, the use of Jake-Brakes in residential areas?

“Who enforces them, if there’s a violation, if so,” Cook said.

The county board typically does not respond directly to questions raised during the public comment portion of its meetings, but rather refers speakers to staff members who can assist or their office staff, who can take their contact information.

In this case, Pasco County Commission Chairman Jack Mariano referred Cook to a county staff member regarding the concerns over the manhole damage.

Published May 17, 2023

A step up to giddy up

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There was no neigh about it.

Not from the horses, or from the kiddos, either.

Ten-year-old Kam Venkat, of Wesley Chapel, straps on a helmet and gets ready to ride a friendly stallion with the help of Tammy Sliger during Saddle Up for Autism on April 29, at Kiddy Up Ranch in Hudson. Venkat, and a handful of other kiddos with special needs, had a fun afternoon that included feeding farm animals, riding and grooming horses, and playing on the ranch compound. (Mike Camunas)

The youngsters, who have special needs, spent the afternoon on April 29 taking part in SaddleUp for Autism at Kiddy Up Ranch, in Hudson.

The event was one of various inclusive activities offered by the Pasco County Parks, Recreation, & Natural Resources Department during April, which is Autism Awareness Month.

Children and their parents were able to spend time on the small farm, interacting with and feeding farm animals, riding and grooming horses, including friendly painting them and just playing on the grounds on an overcast afternoon.

“I really liked riding the horse,” said 16-year-old Oliver Rice, from Oldsmar.

He recalled that he had rode on a horse when he was 3 and was scared at that time, but said he enjoyed the experience this time.

Kiddy Up Ranch staff, led by founder and owner Tammy Sliger, guided helmet-clad kiddos around on horses. In addition to helping them with the horses, Sliger also helped the children interact with bunnies, hogs, goats and other animals on the compound.

Sliger started Kiddy Up Ranch more than 12 years ago as a way to provide horse therapy to kiddos with special needs, as well as those suffering traumas, such as PTSD in veterans and those who have survived human trafficking.

“The number of people suffering human trafficking in this county keeps growing,” Sliger said. “Horse therapy really helps them and these kids with special needs.”

Saddle Up For Autism was the final inclusive activity the parks department put on in April, following the Adaptive Sports Day at Wesley Chapel District Park and the “At Bat 4 Autism” Home Run Derby at Land O’ Lakes Recreation Complex.

Senior Recreation Coordinator Kimberly Miller runs these inclusive activities through the department’s Pasco Adaptive & Inclusive Recreation (P.A.I.R) program, which provides active events and activities for those with disabilities. 

For more information on Kiddy Up Ranch, call 727-868-5433. For more information on P.A.I.R, visit PascoCountyFl.net.

Published May 17, 2023

Nine-year-old Daniel Sosa, of Riverview, straps on a helmet and gets ready to ride a friendly stallion with the help of staff at Kiddy Up Ranch in Hudson on April 29 during Saddle Up For Autism.
Chas Sahadi, a 3-year-old from Wesley Chapel, initially was wary about taking a horseback ride at Kiddy Up Ranch in Hudson. But he gradually warmed up to the adventure during Saddle Up For Autism, an event put on by the Pasco County Parks, Recreation, & Natural Resources Department on April 29.
Tampa resident Elisa Sisk, left, laughs with her 6-year-old son, Oliver, as he feeds a goat at Kiddy Up Ranch in Hudson on April 29.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Five-year-old Lucas Aguiar, of Wesley Chapel, takes his time and paints the side of a very patient horse at the Saddle Up For Autism, on April 29.
Pasco County Parks, Recreation, & Natural Resources Senior Recreation Coordinator Kimberly Miller snaps a pic of Oliver Sisk as he eagerly is ready for a guided horseback ride at Kiddy Up Ranch in Hudson.
A horse named Sugar tries to grab a peak over her stall at Kiddy Up Ranch in Hudson.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wesley Chapel youngster Kason Devries flashes a smile during Kiddy Up Ranch in Hudson.
Oliver Rice, 16, of Oldsmar, wasn’t so sure he wanted to go for a ride during Saddle Up For Autism, but ultimately, he enjoyed the experience and other activities at Kiddy Up Ranch in Hudson.
Local youngsters with special needs had a fun afternoon riding horses at Kiddy Up Ranch in Hudson, which has provided horse therapy for those with special needs and also for suffering traumas, such as PTSD in veterans and survivors of human trafficking.
Land O’ Lakes resident Andrew Perry holds onto his son, Jaxton, 8, during the Saddle Up For Autism.

The Let Us Do Good Village in Land O’ Lakes growing

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U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Sualauvi Tuimaleali’ifano and his family received a new mortgage-free smart home in the Let Us Do Good Village, on April 29, from the Tunnel to Towers Foundation.

U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Sualauvi Tuimaleali’ifano and his family received a new mortgage-free smart home at the Tunnel to Towers Let Us Do Good Village in Land O’Lakes on April 29. Tuimaleali’ifano is the recipient of the second house to be given away in the budding community off Parkway Boulevard.
(Courtesy of Tunnel to Towers Foundation)

This is the first smart home the nonprofit has given away and the second home it has given away in the new Land O’ Lakes community, off Parkway Boulevard.

Retired Army Staff Sgt. Danielle Thornton and her two kids received the first mortgage-free home in the community in late December 2022.

Tuimaleali’ifano, who lives life from a wheelchair, received a home outfitted with automatic doors, and wider hallways, allowing him to move more freely. The kitchen features lower counter space, pull-down cabinet shelves and a stove that raises and lowers to wheelchair height. The home’s lights, thermostat and security system can be controlled via an app — enabling him to control many aspects of his daily life independently.

Born in American Samoa, Tuimaleali’ifano moved to Hawaii when he was a child. He enlisted in the U.S. Army after graduating from high school. He served in three combat tours, first to Iraq in 2003 and then to Afghanistan in 2006 and 2007.

In July 2007, just a month before the end of his third deployment, Tuimaleali’ifano was wounded and due to undiagnosed previous combat injuries, he was left paralyzed with no sensation or function from his chest down.

After many difficult years of surgery and rehab, Tuimaleali’ifano found a new passion as an adaptive athlete, participating in the Warrior Games as a player, coach and ambassador from 2014 to 2020. He competed with Team USA in the 2016 and 2018 Invictus, bringing home the gold medal for Wheelchair Rugby.

The Tunnel to Towers Foundation Let Us Do Good Village will be a community of nearly 100 homes provided mortgage-free to catastrophically injured veterans and first responders, as well as America’s Gold Star and Fallen First Responder families.

Published May 17, 2023

Pasco wants to revisit mobility fee credits for hotels

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The Pasco County Commission wants to take another look at whether the county should grant mobility fee credits for hotel rooms.

The issue came up during the county board’s May 9 meeting, during a more general discussion of the county’s transportation needs.

Commissioner Kathryn Starkey reminded her colleagues: “When we give mobility fee credits, we take away from our ability to build some of our road network.”

She said she questioned the need for the mobility fee credits for hotels when the county was considering its mobility fee schedule in the past and she thinks it’s time for the board to take another look at the issue.

Should hotels have to pay mobility fees? Pasco County has waived those fees in the past to encourage hotel development, but the county board now appears willing to take another look at the issue. Shown is Hyatt Place Hotel at the Cypress Creek Town Center. (File)

“We’re giving away, was it  $4- or $5,000 per hotel room, on mobility fee credits.

“I think that’s a lot,” Starkey said.

“I think we may need to revisit these credits we’re handing out because I think that the economy is here and people are building here, and I don’t think we need to be giving away the store,” she said.

The money the county is using to offer incentives could be used to pay for local transportation projects, the commissioner continued.

Commissioner Ron Oakley agrees that it is a good time to take another look at the issue.

Commissioner Seth Weightman agreed.

“Pasco is on the map. People are coming  here,” Weightman said. “I think it’s time that we tightened up a bit and really understand these incentive packages we’ve been giving.

“We’re competitive now.”

Commission Chairman Jack Mariano was less enthusiastic.

He’s concerned about losing the economic impact created by the visitors that stay in the area’s hotels.

Hotel guests spend money in the community, while creating no impact on schools and little impact on other services, Mariano said.

“They bring money to the area,” the board chairman said.

Starkey suggested: Let’s have a workshop on this.”

There wasn’t a vote to schedule a workshop, but it appears there’s enough interest on the board’s part to make it happen.

In other action, the board:

  • Approved 2,300 dwelling units and 20,000 square feet of commercial on 931 acres in the Depue East Master-Planned Unit Development (MPUD). The project is within Village L and M, in the Villages of Pasadena Hills, a special planning area in the eastern part of the county. The site abuts the Watergrass MPUD, Oak Creek MPUD and Avalon Park MPUD.
  • Approved interlocal agreements for Animal Control Services for each of the six municipalities in Pasco County to provide various services. These agreements had existed in the past but required updating.
  • Approved a task order in the amount of $152,119.81 for fiscal year 2023 with Ayres Associates Inc., to provide design and post design services for intersection improvements at Collier Parkway and Livingston Avenue. The design services are to be completed within 360 calendar days. The project is expected to be completed in 2026, at an estimated budget of more than $3.4 million.
  • Confirmed the appointment of Jason M. Mickel, who was promoted to become the county’s new public works director, at an annual salary of $150,000.

Published May 17, 2023