The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Local News

Recycling can benefit the environment

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Reduce. Reuse. Recycle.

That is the mission of the Pasco County Recycling and Education Department, as it is “committed to reducing the waste stream through recycling, encouraging environmental stewardship, and providing educational resources for residents about the benefits of recycling and waste reduction,” according to its website.

Recycling can reduce the amount of waste sent to landfills and incinerators. It can conserve natural resources such as timber, water and minerals, and can prevent pollution and reduce greenhouse gasses.

In Pasco County, these items can be recycled: aluminum cans, cardboard, metal food cans, paper, plastic bottles and containers.

Items that cannot be recycled include: glass, juice and milk cartons, plastic bags, Styrofoam, tanglers, and anything wet or dirty.

There are size restrictions as well — Pasco County does not recycle items that are larger than a cat litter container or smaller than your fist.

Pasco County Solid Waste and Recycling offers these drop-off locations:

  • East Pasco Recycling Center, 9626 Handcart Road in Dade City. Open Monday through Saturday, 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Additional materials accepted. Call 352-521-0500.
  • Holiday Area Recycling, Anclote Gulf Park, 2305 Baillies Bluff Road, Holiday. Open Wednesday through Saturday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • Land O’ Lakes Area Recycling, Senior Services Center, 6801 Wisteria Loop, Land O’ Lakes. Open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
  • West Pasco Recycling Center, 14606 Hays Road in Spring Hill. Open Monday through Saturday, 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Additional materials accepted. Call 727-857-2780.

The county’s Recycling and Education Department also provides free educational presentations for groups and communities.

For more details on acceptable items and to learn more about program presentations, visit Pascocountyfl.net/546/Recycling.

Published June 14, 2023

Local partnership yields regional award

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A collaboration between the Pasco County Cooperative Extension Service and Pasco Economic Development Council’s SMARTstart Entrepreneurship Program has received an award in the 29th annual Future of the Region Awards.

Here’s a look at some of the commercial equipment used at the incubator kitchen, which operates at the Stallings Building, also known as The One Stop Shop, in Dade City. The kitchen resulted from a partnership between The University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences-Pasco County Extension, Pasco Economic Development Council’s SMARTstart Entrepreneur Program and Pasco County. (File)

The honor recognizes the partnership for creating an incubator kitchen at the One Stop Shop in Dade City, according to a Pasco County news release.

“It’s an absolute honor to receive this award,” Dr. Whitney Elmore, director of Pasco Extension, said in the release. “Our goal for the kitchen is to help local businesses launch, grow and contribute to our economy.”

The incubator kitchen uses commercial kitchen equipment donated by Welbilt Inc.

Since the kitchen began operation in 2019, it has attracted 17 incubator members, who are now operating successful locations or catering businesses throughout the area, according to the release.

“It has been extremely fulfilling to provide guidance and support to the incubator members and watch as this partnership helped launch 45 new, food-related businesses right here in Pasco County,” Dan Mitchell, SMARTstart program director, said in the release.

To learn more about the Incubator Kitchen, visit MyPas.co/IncubatorKitchen.

The Future of the Region Awards recognize programs and projects that exemplify regionalism and also recognize outstanding achievements and contributions benefiting the Tampa Bay community.

To learn more about the regional awards, visit TBRPC.org/for/.

Published June 14, 2023

Tampa temporarily changes water disinfection process

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The Tampa Water Department is temporarily using a different water disinfection process, which will continue until July 3.

The switch began on June 12 and is part of the city’s routine maintenance to preserve drinking water quality, according to a city news release.

Customers may experience a change in their drinking water’s smell, color, and taste during this time, the release says.

The department is temporarily using chlorine instead of chloramine — which is a mix of ammonia and chlorine—  to disinfect its drinking water.

This is a routine and temporary adjustment to help prevent bacteria from developing in water mains and service lines, according to the city.

Customers who are sensitive to chlorine can take several steps to minimize the effects of the change, the release says.

Those options include:

  • Running the tap for a few minutes before using the water
  • Filling a pitcher of water and letting it sit for several hours to allow any residual chlorine to evaporate
  • Considering the installation of a carbon filter on kitchen/bathroom faucets or shower heads or replacing existing filters with new ones

This routine change was delayed due to seasonal drought conditions. The Hillsborough River Reservoir is now back to normal levels thanks to recent rains.

For more information, contact the City of Tampa Utilities Department at 813-274-8811, or visit Tampa.gov/ChlorineDisinfection.

Published June 14, 2023

Hugh Embry finishes $2-million renovation, reopens to public

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Hugh Embry Branch Library, 14215 Fourth St., in Dade City, reopened to the public on May 30, after a two-year hiatus, for renovations.

Patrons were eager to begin using the updated library, which encountered some delays during its upgrade due to COVID and supply issues.

Hugh Embry Library in Dade City reopened its doors on May 30, following a $2-million renovation that included a complete overhaul and remodel of the branch. (Courtesy of Pasco County Libraries)

The library now features new furnishings, lighting, computer, printers and even faster broadband.

It was cleared of its contents in early to mid-2021, to set the stage for the $2 million renovation.

It was the first time the branch had been renovated since 1991, when it was expanded under a $10 million bond referendum that Pasco County voters passed 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.

Additionally, Pasco County Libraries is reaching out to the public to complete its 2023 Customer Satisfaction Survey. The survey can be taken at any Pasco County branch or online at bit.ly/423cTMH until July 22.

Published June 07, 2022

Construction to reroute U.S. 41 in Land O’ Lakes

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(Mike Camunas)

The northbound U.S. 41 left turn lane to Sunterra Drive, in Land O’ Lakes, will close for reconstruction work beginning around 7 a.m. on June 5. Northbound U.S. 41 access to Sunterra Drive is expected to be closed approximately into the last week of June.

Access to Sunterra Drive will continue to be available from southbound U.S. 41, while northbound drivers can access Sunterra Drive by taking a U-turn onto southbound U.S. 41 at the Ensemble Boulevard intersection or by continuing north and turning left onto Asbel Drive to access the Tierra Del Sol and Asbel communities.

For information on this construction, visit https://www.fdottampabay.com/project/257/256324-2-52-01.

Published June 07, 2023

Cyber breach of Hillsborough Elections Office affects 58,000

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The Hillsborough County Supervisor of Elections Office has sent out notices to 58,000 people whose personal data appears to have been breached through criminal cyber activity.

The elections office initially reported on May 3 that it was working with federal, state and local law enforcement officials to investigate an illegal data breach.

The office released an update on that investigation last week.

“The investigation has determined that an unauthorized user appears to have illegally accessed and copied files containing personal identification information, such as social security or driver license numbers, primarily from files used to conduct voter registration list maintenance,” according to a news release from Supervisor of Elections Craig Latimer’s office.

“Voter registration list maintenance is the state-mandated process by which the office continually reviews its voter roll to identify necessary updates,” the release adds.

“It’s important to note that the voter registration system and the ballot tabulation system, which have additional layers of security, were not accessed,” the release continues.

Notification letters went out last week to alert those affected.

Since this is an ongoing criminal investigation, no additional information can be shared at this time, the release added.

When the office initially reported the criminal cyber activity, Latimer informed the public, by saying: “We learned that an unauthorized user illegally accessed files on a shared drive on our network and we immediately notified federal, state and local law enforcement partners, including the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, the FBI, MS-ISAC, the Florida Department of State, and the cybersecurity division of Hillsborough County’s Information and Innovation Office.”

At that time, Latimer also said: “It’s very important to note that the unauthorized user did not have access to our voter registration system or our ballot tabulation system. Our voter registration system has multiple layers of protection, monitoring and redundancy. Our tabulation system does too, and uses a stand-alone, air-gapped server that is not connected to anything else. That server has not been compromised in any way.”

Published June 07, 2023

Rejuvenation planned for Polly Touchton Park

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Polly Touchton would be proud.

Ruth Embry “Miss Polly” Touchton is the namesake of the small, but beloved park in Dade City. She’s also the grandmother of Tom Touchton, a native of Dade City and the person spearheading a much-anticipated initiative for the park situated between Fifth and Seventh streets, and Bougainvillea and Southview avenues.

Polly Touchton Park, located between Fifth and Seventh streets, and Bougainvillea and Southview avenues, in Dade City, is set to have a full renovation and redesign. Besides sprucing up the park, the improvements include adding sidewalks, a small separation wall, swing benches, new benches and tables for picnics, and parking. (Courtesy of City of Dade City)

Touchton unveiled impressive renovation plans for the park during the May 23 Dade City Commission meeting. The project will completely redesign the park that hugs the Dade City Garden Club and greets drivers at the apex of U.S. 98 and Seventh Street.

“This could really become the jewel of the city,” Touchton said to the commissioners and a packed room of supporters, including many garden club members. “This park already welcomes you into the city and honors my family, which came to Dade City 125 years ago.”

The all-encompassing design for the improvements include rebuilding the iconic sign seen on Seventh Street. The biggest change, however, involves the installation of a small separation wall that essentially will split the park in half. 

The wall is climbable for children and includes two sets of stairs that lead down to serpentine sidewalks. The park also will have swing benches and new picnic areas.

Tom Touchton, who is Polly’s grandson, spearheaded the effort for the renovation of the small park in Dade City. (Mike Camunas)

City commissioners voted 5-0 to approve the renovation plan.

It joins eight other projects, totaling about $30 million in city funds, that are currently in the works in Dade City.

The Touchton Renovation Project has a “budget (that) is an ongoing moving target with the addition of stormwater improvements,” according to Jason Warrenfeltz, the city’s public works director.

“We really wanted to keep the beauty and the trees of the park, which provide a nice canopy, and also some memorial trees and some of the oldest in the city,” Tom Touchton said. “For four generations now, my family has been involved in parks and projects in Dade City. It was important to me, with the park’s renovation, to recognize the positive influences and values of my family throughout my life here, as well as the examples they set through their civic and business contributions to Dade City over many decades.”

Ruth Embry ‘Miss Polly’ Touchton is the namesake of the small, but beloved park in Dade City. (Courtesy of Tom Touchton)

The park is named after “Miss Polly” Touchton, when the city named it in 1986. With the renovation, plaques will be installed giving the history of the Touchtons in Dade City, as well as honoring Tom’s grandparents — Polly and Charles Floyd Touchton Sr. — and his parents — Charles Jr. and Thelma Touchton.

More than 125 years ago, Tom Touchton’s great-grandparents arrived by train in Dade City, with eight kids in tow — seven boys and one girl, Polly.

Polly was a charter member of the Dade City’s Woman’s Club in 1909, a Red Cross volunteer in World War I, the longest surviving member (77 years) of the First Presbyterian Church of Dade City where she was a Sunday School teacher and, of course, also a charter member of the Dade City Garden Club.

The city commissioners were blown away by the redesign plans.

“I think this will beautify the gateway to the city,” Mayor Jim Shive said. “It’s already seen when you enter the city from U.S. 301 and now it will be an incredibly beautiful park to welcome people to Dade City.”

Fellow commissioner Ann Cosentino agreed.

“Seeing these plans and this presentation, it’s like Christmas morning all over again,” she said. “It’s just beautiful to see (the plans) laid out for us, and I think every Dade City resident is going to love it.”

Published June 07, 2023

Pasco keeps the focus on creating nicer-looking neighborhoods

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The Pasco County Commission is continuing its discussions regarding new rules for residential development of small lots and for townhomes.

The issues were thoroughly discussed at the county board’s May 23 meeting and the board expects to take up the issues again at its first meeting in July.

In the interim, county staff and stakeholders will continue to refine proposed rules, and individual board members are expected to go on tours with representatives from the Tampa Bay Builders Association (TBBA) to see what can be achieved with design and landscaping.

County board members have been pushing hard for developments with less concrete, and more green space and trees. They don’t want rows of houses or townhomes that all look the same.

Standards are being drafted in Pasco County, in an effort to create better-looking neighborhoods. The Pasco County Commission is calling for residential developments to have more green space, trees and parking, plus variety in architectural features. (File)

Instead, they want the use of architectural details, landscaping and improved parking to create more aesthetically pleasing neighborhoods.

A new law passed by the Florida Legislature has preempted local control over architectural features.

The county board can’t dictate them, but developers can voluntarily include them. They don’t have to, but the board doesn’t have to approve 40- and 50-foot lots, said David Goldstein, Pasco’s chief assistant county attorney.

County board members have made it clear that they want developers to build a better-looking product, if they want permission to build on smaller lots.

Nectarios Pittos, director of the county’s planning and development department, said county staff has been meeting with stakeholders and have discussed issues involving lot standards, enhanced landscaping requirements, rights of way, driveways and parking.

At the same time, the development community has been busy coming up with standards they believe will address the county board’s concerns.

County board members have expressed displeasure with the appearance of communities where houses are on 40-foot lots.

“Why don’t you just do away with the 40-foot lots and make it 50s?” Commissioner Ron Oakley asked. But the county board member acknowledged that he’s aware that lots that are 40-feet wide can work in some communities.

Commissioner Kathryn Starkey said she won’t approve 40-foot lots for houses with the garage out front, but would approve them when the garage is out back.

Rear-loaded homes are more expensive to build.

“I am on record. I cannot support a 40-foot front-load,” Starkey said.

But she added, efforts continue to address the additional cost of that type of development. For instance, talks continue on the required width of alleys to accommodate fire trucks.

Commission Chairman Jack Mariano told the stakeholders if they are building in other jurisdictions that have different rules, the county would appreciate that information.

In general, county staff has been looking at the possibility of minimum lot widths of 45 feet, or 42 feet with enhanced landscaping requirements.

Martin Frame, incoming president of the TBBA, told the board that the hope is to have a minimum lot width of 42, with enhanced landscaping requirements.

“I’d love to be able to tour each one of you through some of these projects, so I can show you real-life examples,” he told board members.

Increasing the minimum lot width size to 45 feet, from 40, would result in a reduction of about 10% to 15% of the lots in a community, depending on the configuration, Frame said.

“You’re probably talking about $15,000 of costs that would be added for each additional lot by expanding this out to a 45-foot lot, versus the current 40-foot lots today.

“That cost goes directly to the consumer, so there’s an affordability aspect to this,” he said.

“With the 42-foot lot, what we’re trying to do with the enhanced landscaping package, we’re trying to give a very attractive street appearance and create a nice streetscape, which I think is a lot of the issues that the board has had over the past couple of years when a lot of these communities have been built.

“A lot of the examples that I’ve seen have got sparse trees, sparse landscaping, a lot of parking – the townhomes, where all you see is concrete and cars.

“What we did here was create some standards, over and above where we are today,” Frame said.

Requiring shade trees — not ornamentals — will have a greater visual impact, he said.

Frame told the board that many stakeholders have been involved in drafting proposed standards and they spent about 200 hours in the effort.

Commissioner Seth Weightman told his colleagues he’d like the board to decide what the side yard setbacks should be, rather than leaving that open to negotiation, project by project.

Doing that would eliminate a lot of the back-and-forth, Weightman said.

The board also discussed a need to change townhome standards.

Many of the steps recommended for improving the appearance of townhomes are the same steps as those suggested for single-family developments.

Attorney Clarke Hobby, who specializes in land use and zoning issues, said “we’re hoping that some of this greenspace and landscaping stuff will find its way into the code very quickly.”

Hobby also thanked the stakeholders who spent many hours trying to come up with standards that address the board’s concerns.

Chairman Mariano also expressed appreciation for the stakeholders’ efforts.

“I think we’re all trying to build a great county here, with the best products we can,” Mariano said.

Published June 07, 2023

Take a turn at Durney Key

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Pasco County has its very own Beer Can Island.

It just has a different name.

In Pasco, it’s called Durney Key — a small island off the coast of Port Richey — just a mile west of the Pithlachascotee (Cotee) River.

Durney Key, off the coast of Port Richey in the Gulf of Mexico, is a small island a mile west of the Pithlachascotee (Cotee) River and a popular hangout for boaters, kayakers and water adventurers. Durney Key is not a designated park or preserve, but is a popular spot for visitors, especially on the weekends. They drop anchors and spend the day on the beach with families, pets, water crafts, activities and cooking out. (Mike Camunas)

It is not a designated park or preserve.

In fact, one could call it ‘No Man’s Land,’ however, that would be misleading because it is quite popular and generally has someone hanging around it, be it men, women, kids, even pets.

It’s a modest spoil island that is lush with trees and vegetation. Its shallow water is perfect for swimming, snorkeling or just doing what Floridians do best: hanging around in the water.

It’s an easy boat or watercraft ride out to Durney Key and it even includes a little bit of state history.

Visiting this small island is definitely worth the trip.  

A key from the mayor
Durney Key is named after John Durney, who was mayor of Port Richey from 1967 to 1975 and also mayor of New Port Richey from 1978 to 1980.

During his tenures, Durney was a strong advocate for dredging the boat channel from the Pithlachascotee River into the Gulf of Mexico. When it was finally done, Durney Key was created as a spoil area.

Oddly enough, Pasco County does not claim ownership of Durney Key, however, according to a sign on the small island, it is owned by Florida.

It did not gain official status until 2007 when the U.S. Board of Geographic Names voted to accept the name locals have always used.

Durney Key is a small island, but has a couple of short trails, plenty of tree coverage and large enough trees to hang hammocks and seating apparatuses. It even has a couple of fire pits.

That being said, no one regulates the spot, which may explain its popularity.

No permits are required to anchor, hang out, even camp on the small island. There is nothing to prohibit temporary shelters, cooking, bringing alcoholic beverages or pets.

It’s good fishing, too.

Surrounding grass flats harbor lots of trout, while snook use the clean western beach for summer spawning. Mackerel and sharks patrol the perimeter during spring and summer, while schools of big redfish often gather nearby.

Reaching Durney Key requires a watercraft, and most are outboard motor boats or pontoon boats. But there are plenty of kayakers and paddle boarders who make the trek, including yours truly.

The most convenient launch point is nearby Brasher Park, at the west end of Koons Road or at Werner-Boyce Salt Springs State Park, located off U.S. 19.

It should be noted, however, that this paddling trip, which can take anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour, is for more experienced paddlers.

Stilt houses, built in the early 1900s, sporadically dot around Durney Key off the coast of Port Richey. Working fishermen built these camps above the water, both as a place to store the mullet they caught and to seek shelter during storms. At one point, there were 24 stilt homes. Now, just eight remain.

Stilted history
While there is plenty of sun and fun at Durney Key, there’s also a bit of history.

Dotted around the small island are historic stilt houses that are a reminder of the working Florida fishermen, who built camps above the water, both as a place to store the mullet they caught and to seek shelter during storms. 

Originally built in the early 1900s, there were about 24 on the water, but Hurricane Gladys destroyed many of them in 1968. Just eight remain now.

All are privately owned and have been grandfathered in by the state Legislature, which holds the leases to the land. No new houses can be built, though damaged ones can be repaired. Sadly there are none available for rent and climbing onto the houses is not allowed.

Paddling and snorkeling around the houses, however, is allowed.

Seclusion by popularity
Durney Key is basically an island paradise that can be enjoyed by all, especially those that come out and claim it for the afternoon or sunny day. 

It can get a little crowded, maybe even a little rowdy, but boaters and visitors are remarkably diligent in keeping this slice of watery exploration and paradise pristine. 

While it’s still not a real park, with say trash cans, there is no trash, as everyone is very good about taking out what they bring in. Visitors are also very respectable by working to make sure the island doesn’t erode over time, or with use, either.

Though no one or agency might own Durney Key, it does belong to everyone.

It is, as a paradise should be, available to everyone.

Durney Key
Details: A small island off the coast of New Port Richey that has become a popular docking spot for boaters, as well as kayakers and paddleboarders. Salty Dog Kayak Rentals, which operates out of Werner-Boyce Salt Springs State Park, occasionally will take a paddling tour out there. Making the trek is recommended only for experienced kayakers and paddlers. For more information on kayak tours, visit SaltyDogKayakRentals.com.

Published June 07, 2023

A large piece of driftwood makes for a picturesque, and unofficial marker, of Durney Key off the coast of Port Richey.
Durney Key can be reached by kayak or paddleboard, with docking spots at nearby Brasher Park and Werner-Boyce Salt Springs State Park. It can take anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour or more to paddle out to the small island.

Pasco’s library system is honored as Florida’s ‘Library of the Year’

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There was a time when the Pasco County Commission — facing tough financial times — made deep spending cuts to the county’s library system.

But the economy has improved, allowing increased funding for libraries.

Plus, taxpayers chose to invest in Pasco’s libraries by overwhelmingly supporting the passage of a general obligation bond issue to pay for major upgrades.

Readers attending a ‘Novels on Tap’ session enjoy discussing the reading selection at Wicked Pour in Odessa during the monthly meetup. The book club, held at a local brewery and organized by the Starkey Ranch Theatre Library Cultural Center, gives readers age 21 and over a chance to get together and share their thoughts on the book, over a few adult beverages. (Mike Camunas)

Beyond new furniture, redesigned spaces and improved technology, the system also has continued to hone its programming to offer a vast array of activities, space for community meetings and other offerings that go far beyond the old-fashioned notion that a library is just a place to go to check out books.

Of course, patrons continue to check out books, but they also take advantage of wide-ranging opportunities to learn and have fun.

Patrons aren’t the only ones who recognize what the system has to offer.

The Florida Libraries Association (FLA) recently named the Pasco County Libraries system as the state’s Library of the Year, during the 2023 FLA awards ceremony.

On its website, the FLA reported that: “The Pasco County Library System provides innovative services, materials, programs, instructional classes, and informational events relevant to their populations.

“Most notably, the creative development of their library spaces has earned them the Library of the Year award. 

“An ambitious makerspace initiative with heavy citizen input has added a custom makerspace to almost every library branch in the system. From ‘The Foundry’ woodshop at the Land O’ Lakes Library to the ‘Regency Fresh Test Kitchen’ in New Port Richey, citizens now have open access spaces to gather, learn new skills, and share ideas. 

“The system’s newest branch, the Starkey Ranch Theatre Library Cultural Center (in Odessa) has multiple makerspaces and a 250-seat theater shared with the K-8 school next door.

“These unique spaces and their top-quality staff promote access to information, community, education, and culture throughout Pasco County and provide a blueprint of the 21st century Florida library.”

The popularity of Pasco’s libraries is evident.

Patrons couldn’t wait for the completion of renovations at the New River Branch Library, in Wesley Chapel; the Land O’ Lakes Branch Library, in Land O’ Lakes; and, most recently the Hugh Embry Branch Library, in Dade City.

The Starkey Ranch Theatre Library Cultural Center, referenced in the state award, is a very busy place — offering a steady stream of activities and learning opportunities for people of all ages.

Pasco County Administrator Mike Carballa shared the news of the library system’s award during the Pasco County Commission’s May 23 meeting.

Carballa was clearly delighted by the recognition that his staff and the county’s system received.

“We’re very, very proud of the work that our library team does.

“We’re really happy and proud for those folks to win this great honor. Hats off to the team, there,” the county administrator said.

Published June 07, 2023