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Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

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Teddy Bears for TPD aims to comfort children in crisis

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Members of the Tampa Police Department (TPD), including Interim Chief Lee Bercaw, Deputy Chief Calvin Johnson, and members of the Behavioral Health Unit, received donations of nearly 300 stuffed animals in the second Teddy Bears for TPD collection conducted by Saint Leo University, according to a university news release.

Interim Tampa Police Chief Lee Bercaw, Saint Leo University Tampa Education Center Director Rod Kirkwood, Saint Leo University staff and faculty, and Tampa Police Department (TPD) officers hold teddy bears donated to the university’s Teddy Bears for TPD drive. (Courtesy of Renee Gerstein/Saint Leo University)

The university’s Tampa Education Center spearheaded the effort, and the teddy bears and stuffed animals were loaded into TPD vehicles at the education center at 1403 N. Howard Ave., in West Tampa.

Students, faculty, staff and the public donated the items, bringing them to the education center and to Saint Leo’s main campus, in St. Leo.

The nearly 300 teddy bears and other stuffed animals will be used by the unit and TPD officers to help children in crisis situations and during scary times.

Officer Gig Brown has his arms full of donated teddy bears at Saint Leo University’s Tampa Education Center. The bears were donated by students, faculty, staff, and the public to create a ‘comfort squad.’

This is the second year for the project, which was led by the Tampa Education Center and supported by faculty, staff, students and the public. Saint Leo’s Student Government Union and student groups also collected animals at its residential campus in Pasco County and at the East Pasco Education Center locations. This year’s collection drive yielded 300 stuffed animals.

Bercaw said that the bears can help start a conversation in a difficult situation.

“They can get a child smiling,” Bercaw said, in the release.

The stuffed animals will be used primarily by TPD’s Behavioral Health Unit officers, but also will be available in TPD offices. The officers in the Behavioral Health Unit help those who are vulnerable and those in crisis, and help to keep situations from escalating, the release says.

Dr. Christine Picot, assistant professor of education, and Officer Lucas Lucchini of the Tampa Police Department’s Behavioral Health Unit, load donated teddy bears into a police vehicle.

“Community support — such as that provided by Saint Leo University — is what we really need,” Bercaw said. “Saint Leo is a great partner for us and we appreciate the support.”

The idea of donating teddy bears was sparked by one of the Tampa center’s social work instructors, who discussed how children experience traumatic events, according to the release.

In late 2020, Saint Leo moved its Tampa location to the historic former Berriman-Morgan Cigar Factory building, 1403 N. Howard Ave.

“We really wanted to support our local community and give back,” said Rod Kirkwood, area director of Saint Leo’s Tampa Education Center. “Being able to partner with and support the Tampa Police Department is important, and we want interactions with the police to be positive for children, even if it’s a scary situation.”

Many of the university’s degree programs align with this project, including criminal justice and social work.

Bercaw is one of Saint Leo’s most recent graduates. He earned his Doctor of Criminal Justice degree earlier this year.

Published December 21, 2022

Keeping in mind health-conscious guests at the holidays

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So, you’re hosting a holiday dinner — and some of your guests are on the health-conscious list.

How are you going to handle it?

Will you make them some special foods of their own?

Or, will you compromise and make foods that appeal to everyone so you don’t have to do as much cooking?

While traditional mashed potatoes with milk and butter can have up to 237 calories and 9 grams of fat in a single serving, mashed cauliflower has only 39 calories and less than 1 gram of fat in a serving (with a serving size equal to about one-fifth of the accompanying recipe). (Courtesy of Andrea Nikolai, University of Florida Extension)

Or maybe your health-conscious guests will bring a dish of their own to share.

Of course, not everyone has access to a kitchen, as holiday gatherings can require long-distance travel and stays at hotels.

And, sometimes a person’s diet isn’t just a matter of preference, but is based on medical issues, such as diabetes or hypertension.

So, what’s your game plan?

First, be sure to  communicate in advance with your guests so you don’t have to guess what they want.

The holidays are filled with traditional foods that are creamy this, or buttered that, and, of course, there’s the endless array of desserts, too.

It can be downright difficult to avoid surrounding people with calorie-heavy, high-fat, sodium-filled foods.

But there are ways to make the meal a little bit easier for your guests with special dietary requests.

First, remember that when you alter recipes, be sure to do a practice run. You want to be sure that the changes you make don’t drastically affect the flavor.

You also can make accommodations that reduce calories and fats, without substantially affecting the flavor.

For instance, with full-fat anything — milk, cheese, sour cream, cream cheese, mayo, dressing and so on — consider using a reduced-fat version.

There are 9 calories in a gram of fat, so if you cut back on fat, you instantly cut back on calories.

Instead of using salt to add flavor, consider using herbs and spices, lemon juice, or vinegar.

(This University of Florida publication provides pointers on which herbs and spices pair well with certain foods: https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/FS225.)

Also, if you cut back the salt by half, you likely won’t notice a difference in taste.

However, if yeast is in the recipe, don’t alter the amount of sodium you use.

It’s also safe to cut back on sugar by baking with cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla or almond extract instead. But, again, don’t remove all of the sugar in yeast breads.

You also can replace sugar with equal amounts of sucralose (Splenda) and add ½ teaspoon of baking soda for each cup of sucralose you use.

Keep in mind that baking time is usually shorter and the final product is smaller. Aspartame can be used for food that is not baked, according to Ohio State University Extension.

To increase fiber, use whole grains: whole wheat bread, brown rice, whole wheat flour, whole wheat pasta and so on.

Fiber helps to maintain blood sugar levels.

For a meatless option, use beans, peas, legumes or lentils instead.

Consider these meal swaps to go on the healthier side:

  • Instead of traditional mashed potatoes, make creamy mashed cauliflower.
  • Instead of green bean casserole, simply make sauteed green beans with toasted walnuts.
  • Add vegetables to the mac and cheese, such as pureed carrots, butternut squash and cauliflower.
  • Instead of creamy vegetable casserole, have roasted Brussel sprouts with balsamic vinegar.
  • Instead of apple pie, make baked apples stuffed with cranberries and nuts.
  • Swap the chocolate cake for a chocolate mousse made with Greek yogurt.

Also, be sure to have healthy snacks or appetizers available in case there is a delay in dinner.

For those with diabetes that need to manage their blood sugar levels, a delayed meal may cause a low blood sugar reaction. Almonds, cheeses, and a variety of fruits and vegetables can help bridge the gap before dinner.

Of course, we all know the other variable of the health equation: exercise.

Make it a tradition to take a family walk around the block to help burn off all those calories, while simultaneously enjoying the neighborhood lights and decorations.

To get more menu ideas, not only for the holidays but for healthier eating throughout the year, check out recipes on the American Heart Association’s website, or the American Diabetes Association site.

Extension Universities have information, too.

So, gather your family and friends to celebrate the holidays — and keep your guests in mind, when planning your menu.

Here’s to a happy and healthy 2023

Shari Bresin is the Family & Consumer Science Agent for the University of Florida/Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Cooperative Extension Pasco County.

Recipe
Here’s a recipe on Creamy Mashed Cauliflower from University of Florida Extension:

Servings: 4-6

Ingredients:
16 ounces frozen cauliflower (or 1 head fresh, chopped)
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 Tablespoons nonfat plain yogurt
1/4 cup low-sodium chicken broth or vegetable broth or milk
2 tablespoons parmesan cheese (optional)
Seasoning to taste: 1 teaspoon dried parsley, herb seasoning blend such as Mrs. Dash
Salt and pepper

Instructions:
Prepare and cook the cauliflower until tender (or a fork can be inserted), according to type of vegetable and cooking method:

For fresh cauliflower

  • Wash, trim and cut into florets. Place in a microwaveable bowl with 1 Tablespoon to 2 Tablespoons of water. Cover and cook on high for 7 minutes to 8 minutes.
  • For stovetop cooking, place florets in a saucepan and add enough water to cover. Boil for 6 minutes to 7 minutes or until fork is easily inserted. Drain.

For frozen cauliflower

  • Place in a microwaveable bowl with 1 Tablespoon to 2 Tablespoons of water and cook on high for 5 minutes to 6 minutes.
  • For stovetop cooking, combine frozen florets and one cup of water in a saucepan. Cover and cook on medium heat for 6 minutes to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally. Drain.

For steam-in-the-bag cauliflower

  • Follow the package instructions for cooking on the bag. Let cool slightly.

Once the cauliflower is cooked, add raw minced garlic and 1 Tablespoon to 2 Tablespoons of broth, or milk, to a food processor or a bowl.

Use a food processor, or hand mixer or potato masher, to blend ingredients until smooth. Add broth as necessary to make it creamy.

Stir in plain yogurt and seasoning to taste.

Turn into a medium serving bowl and serve hot.

Recipe serves four to six.

Published December 21, 2022

Utility bill assistance for low-income households in Pasco

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Pasco utilities customers may be eligible to receive up to $1,000 in payment assistance for water and wastewater payments through a new federal program operated by Pasco County Utilities, according to a county news release.

The Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program offers up to a $1,000 voucher to those who qualify.

Eligibility is income-based, and funding is administered by Mid Florida Community Services (MFCS). If a customer is approved, MFCS will provide the voucher and funding directly to Pasco County Utilities.

“Customers experiencing financial crises are encouraged to connect with MFCS and contact Pasco County Utilities to set up a payment plan,” Utilities Customer Information & Services Director Sandra Anderson said, in the release. “Discussing a payment plan before services are disconnected provides an opportunity to continue services while addressing each customer’s unique circumstance.”

Those interested in apply can:

The program assists with the restoration of household water services and reduces delinquent or late payments for low-income households. The payment assistance will be available until Sept. 30, 2023, or until funding runs out.

For more information, visit PascoCountyUtilities.com.

Saddlebrook request to get extra public hearing

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The Pasco County Commission wants the community to have another chance to hear about proposed changes at Saddlebrook Resort, in Wesley Chapel, and to have the opportunity to weigh in on them.

The county board voted to continue the request to the public hearings portion of its Feb. 7  meeting, in Dade City.

Saddlebrook Resort includes a hotel, spa, tennis and golf complex. It also is home to Saddlebrook Tennis Academy, Saddlebrook Golf Academy, Saddlebrook Preparatory School and two 18-hole, Arnold-Palmer designed golf courses. Some big changes are being proposed to the resort and the Pasco County Commission wants to be sure that residents understand those plans before the issue is brought to the county board for a vote. (File)

In the interim, though, it directed its staff to arrange for the issue to go before the Pasco County Planning Commission for another hearing on Jan. 5, before returning to the county board in February for a vote on the request.

Both meetings will begin at 1:30 p.m., and be held in the board chambers at the Historic Pasco County Courthouse, at 37918 Meridian Ave., in downtown Dade City.

Jack Mariano, the newly elected chairman of the Pasco County Commission, urged his colleagues to send the issue to the planning board for a hearing, to ensure that the community has an opportunity to hear the proposed plans and to voice any concerns.

The applicant did hold community meetings within Saddlebrook, but those were organized by individual homeowner associations, said Barbara Wilhite, the applicant’s attorney.

Mariano said he wants anyone who is interested to be able to hear the same presentation and he wants that to happen before it reaches the board for a decision.

Based on documents in the planning board’s Sept. 22 agenda packet, the request calls for amending the county’s future land use map on about 420.5 acres on a site that is south of State Road 54, east of Service Road.

Saddlebrook has an existing master-planned unit development (MPUD), which has existing entitlements, development and infrastructure.

But a substantial modification has been requested to add acreage to the existing MPUD and to convert one existing golf course and the driving range into commercial/retail, multifamily, single-family, dorm rooms, clubhouse and restaurant uses, according to documents in the planning board’s Sept. 22 agenda packet.

Saddlebrook Resort includes a hotel, spa, tennis and golf complex that opened in 1981 and is home to Saddlebrook Tennis Academy, Saddlebrook Golf Academy, Saddlebrook Preparatory School and two 18-hole, Arnold-Palmer designed golf courses.

Saddlebrook currently contains a number of different uses including commercial/office, multi-family, single-family, recreational and hotel/convention center uses.

The proposed use calls for converting the area that is the golf driving range into the town center for Saddlebrook, the background materials say.

The request must gain approvals from the county board, to clear the way for the proposed project.

At the initial planning board meeting, the request had been included on the consent agenda — meaning it could be approved without discussion, but planning board member Jon Moody pulled the item for discussion.

Moody doesn’t believe that large-scale projects should be included on the consent agenda.

He also expressed concerns about the county’s public notice requirements for such requests.

“My particular concern in Saddlebrook is that a great number of the property owners, adjacent to the golf course, to which this comp plan amendment applies, live out of state, many of them live out of country, so they didn’t see the sign posted,” Moody said during the planning board meeting.

Mariano said the planning board needs to take up the issue again because “I don’t feel that the planning commission got a good hearing,” he said.

Wilhite said her client had a series of public hearings and has been listening.

“We have been making changes,” she said.

But Mariano said: “The Planning Commission, I feel, needs to hear a complete presentation.”

“I think it should be all at once, everybody hearing the same thing,” he said.

Mariano said he knows that Saddlebrook residents want more communication.

“They feel that their voices weren’t heard from the get-go,” Mariano said.

Wilhite responded: “We have been making changes. We have been listening,” she said. “I’m very confident that the things that my client is doing, that we’ll have a lot of buy-in, actually, as we go forward.”

Published December 14, 2022

Trying to solve a mystery involving a Purple Heart

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Do you know James W. Varden of Zephyrhills?

Purple Heart, No. 9415, with the name of James W. Varden, has been found at the Pioneer Florida Museum & Village in Dade City. (Courtesy of Doug Sanders)

Purple Heart, No. 9415, with his name has been found at the History Center at the Pioneer Florida Museum & Village in Dade City.

The medal was donated to the center by M. R. Shaffer on Aug. 4, 1994, but no other information is known, including whether Varden was wounded or killed in battle.

Purple Hearts Reunited—a Vermont-based nonprofit organization—says the famous medals have been found in retirement homes, storage lockers, flea markets, abandoned houses, in old furniture and in vehicles.

As the nation’s oldest military medal, the Purple Heart was originally introduced as the Badge of Military Merit by George Washington.

With 2 million Purple Hearts bestowed to those wounded or killed in battle, “it’s easy to see how some of them are misplaced or lost over time,” according to a spokesman for Purple Hearts Reunited.

When a medal is found, this organization helps veterans to enroll in the National Purple Heart Hall of Honor.

When Purple Hearts Reunited finds a missing medal from its Lost Hearts Database, it conducts a return ceremony if possible.

The Purple Heart is awarded in the name of the President of the United States to any member of the Armed Forces of the United States, wounded or killed, while serving in any capacity with one of the U.S. Armed Services.

If you have any information about the Purple Heart awarded to James W. Varden, of Zephyrhills, please email Doug Sanders at or Purple Hearts Reunited at .

Estimated Number of Purple Hearts
World War I: 320,518
World War II: 1,076,245
Korean War: 118,650
Vietnam War: 351,794
Persian Gulf War: 607
Afghanistan War: 12,534
Iraq War: 35,411

Source: National Geographic, 2009

Published December 14, 2022

Unearthed drawings reveal life from a century ago

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Susan Maesen, a volunteer at the Pioneer Florida Museum & Village, was thrilled when she stumbled upon a gray box containing a collection of hand-drawings dating back to roughly a century ago.

“I could not believe my eyes when I found them!” Maesen said.

Winnie Bridge Latham’s depiction of a horse and buggy. (Courtesy of Florida Pioneer Museum & Village)

The drawings were found amidst boxes stacked with newspaper clippings, albums filled with black-and-white photographs and a purple heart belonging to James W. Varden, of Zephyrhills (see related story).

The drawings were created by Winifred “Winnie” Bridge Latham, a beloved local elementary school teacher and artist. She lived next door to Maesen’s grandparents on Church Avenue.

Latham, known locally as “Miss Winnie,”  died on April 14, 1963.

Maesen speculates the Miss Winnie’s drawings were donated to the museum by the Dayton family of Dade City.

One of the Daytons — George — was a former state senator. He served as a pallbearer at “Miss Winnie’s” funeral.

“Miss Winnie’s” artistic skills were widely known, in her community.

Winnie Bridge Latham drew this portrait of herself with her parents.

“Her favorite subjects were her parents, self-portraits and shots with animals,” Bill Dayton told The Tampa Tribune, in a story published in 1980.

When she died, at age 81, she was living alone in a frame house that was surrounded by an overgrown garden, directly across from the First Presbyterian Church.

Dewey Hudson, of Dade City, told The Tampa Tribune, that “Miss Winnie” was his second-grade teacher in 1906.

“She was an excellent teacher and an elegant lady,” Hudson recalled.

“Miss Winnie” received her teacher’s certificate in 1903 and taught elementary school for 20 years.

Winnie Bridge Latham drew this portrait of Virginia Sistrunk and Sistrunk’s son, Floyd. Sistrunk, the wife of Dr. R.D. Sistrunk, was Latham’s neighbor.

Her work in the classroom was “characterized by fidelity, patience, duty in every detail,” according to a local newspaper report.

Much of her influence stemmed from her father, Fred Bridge, who came to Pasco County after serving as a captain in the Union Army during the Civil War.

He was a well-read, educated man.

However, the Bridge family’s connection to the Union Army meant they weren’t always well received by their new neighbors in the former Confederate States of America.

Miss Winnie’s drawings and diary entries offer a glimpse of life in Dade City, during the days when a horseless carriage was first spotted on the city’s streets.

Winifred ‘Winnie’ Latham holding Dan Sistruck, who later served as a pallbearer at her funeral in 1963.

“Yes! There was an automobile in town today… Papa saw it. But I didn’t!” she wrote in her diary.

She memorialized her views on the adoption of the 19th amendment, giving women the right to vote: “The reason for the women’s movement, as for all great movements, is social advantage.”

Her father died in 1922 and her mother died a few years later.

“This is all very hard,” she wrote in her diary. “I’m afraid I’m losing control of my mind.”

In 1933, she married the Rev. C.W. Latham, a Presbyterian minister. She was 52.

He died in 1936, and after that, she mostly stayed inside her home.

The box of old drawings, though, offer a reminder of a woman who touched the lives of schoolchildren and used her artistic talents to help chronicle the life and times of Dade City, of nearly a century ago.

Doug Sanders has a penchant for unearthing interesting stories about local history. His sleuthing skills have been developed through his experiences in newspaper and government work. If you have an idea for a future history column, contact Doug at .

Published December 14, 2022

Union rep says Pasco needs to ask itself: Why are firefighters leaving?

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The two new members of the Pasco County Commission had barely warmed up their seats on the board before hearing about the increasing number of the county’s firefighters that are resigning.

“In the year 2022 alone, we’ve had 49 resignations, and that number will undoubtedly grow before the end of the year,” Dixon Phillips, the District 3 representative of IAFF (International Association of Fire Fighters) Local 4420, told the board during the public comment portion of the Dec. 6 meeting.

“You must ask yourselves: Why are firefighters leaving? The answer to that is simple. Quality of life.

“Pasco’s firefighters work 208 hours more per year than almost all of our neighboring fire departments.

“If you march that number out over a 30-year career, that means a firefighter that works in Hillsborough County will work on a truck 2.3 years less than a firefighter that works on a truck in Pasco,” Phillips added.

Pay is a concern, too, he said.

This badge represents Pasco/Fire Rescue. (File)

“Starting in April 2023, that same firefighter, on average, will be paid 20% more than firefighters in Pasco,” Phillips said.

He also listed a number of other issues.

“Pasco County firefighters have not had a health screening or physical since 2018, even though the bargaining agreement stated that physicals were to begin in 2021.

“Pasco County firefighters have not had a physical agility test since 2016.

“This county denies job-related cancer claims, but does nothing to ensure that our firefighters are healthy and in good physical condition.

“We scratch our head and wonder why we lose 20% of our new hire class before they even step in the door.

“How are we supposed to retain or recruit, when the No. 1 international publication in our field, Firehouse Magazine, writes a story about Pasco County commissioners approving up to $85,000 (in legal fees) to fight a state-mandated $25,000 firefighter-related cancer claim?

“Would you work for a business that did that to their employees?” he asked county board members.

The resignations of firefighters comes at a time when the county’s emergency response calls are on the rise, Phillips said.

“According to the state fire marshal’s office, in 2021, out of all the fire departments in the state of Florida, Pasco County Fire Rescue ran the third most EMS calls in the state.

“This is no surprise because Pasco County Fire Rescue saw a 16% increase in total call volume that year, and those numbers continue to rise in 2022.

“With that in mind, our local (Local 4420) anxiously awaits the opening of Fire Rescue Station 9, which is scheduled later this month.

“However, Station 17, which broke ground on June 10, 2021, is not projected to be completed, until the earliest, August 2023.

“We need stations to be built faster.

“Trucks like rescue 223 and 226, to be put on the road faster,” he said.

Phillips’ appearance before the board is just the latest in a series of such appearances by representatives for the county’s fire/rescue crews, who have experienced a sizable increase in emergency response calls, as a result of the county’s rapid growth.

Fire/Rescue personnel have urged the county board to increase resources to enable them to trim emergency response times.

The county’s voters have approved bonds to pay for new fire stations to be built, and the county board has approved budget increases for Fire/Rescue equipment and personnel. But there has been a lag time between those approvals and the availability of additional resources for emergency responders.

Published December 14, 2022

Pasco scores 555 manufacturing jobs

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The Pasco County Commission has approved an incentive agreement with Gary Plastic Packaging Corp., in a deal expected to result in 555 new manufacturing jobs.

The board unanimously approved a total of $983,000 in incentives during its Dec. 6 meeting.

The property is located in the Harrod Properties venture, at the North Pasco Corporate Center, according to David Engel, director of Pasco County’s Office of Economic Growth.

The Pasco County Commission, county staff, representatives of the Pasco Economic Development Council and from Gary Plastic Packaging Corp., celebrate an economic incentives deal expected to yield 555 new manufacturing jobs for Pasco County. At the center of the photo, Commission Chairman Jack Mariano holds a framed copy of the agreement, along with Richard Hellinger, president of Gary Plastic Packaging Corp. (Courtesy of Pasco Economic Development Council)

That project consists of two buildings, each being approximately 440,000 square feet, on 72 acres, off Softwind Lane, in Spring Hill.

One of the buildings, according to the developer’s website, has been completely leased, Engel said. Gary Plastics Packaging will occupy 279,000 square feet of industrial space in the other building.

“The property has been cleared and is under mass grading right now and construction is imminent,” Engel said.

He also noted that Gary Plastic is investing approximately $16 million in improvements such as manufacturing equipment, furniture, and other fixtures.

Harrod Properties is set to invest approximately $50 million in the building, land, and infrastructure, according to a Pasco Economic Development Council (Pasco EDC) news release.

Engel outlined the incentives package for Gary Plastic Packaging Corp., for the county board.

He said the economic deal essentially can be broken into three buckets. $552,000 for 184 new jobs; $306,206 for a high-impact bonus; and, $100,000 in training funds.

The agreement is a terrific investment for the county, Engel said.

“For every dollar the county provides, we’re getting back annually approximately $110. So, the rate of return is enormous to the community,” Engel said.

The deal came to the county through the Pasco EDC.

Tom Ryan, director of business development for the Pasco EDC, has been working for four years to secure it.

Ryan told the county board that he went to the Bronx to meet with Richard Hellinger, president of Gary Plastic.

“He was enamored with the idea of moving to Florida, he thought it was a great opportunity, but he was looking at two other states. So we had to make our case, and we made our case,” Ryan said.

The biggest issue was finding a suitable space, Ryan said.

Hellinger, the company president, told the county board that he’s “super excited about this opportunity to expand my operation into Pasco County, from New York.”

He expressed enthusiasm for the workforce training opportunities available in Pasco, through the county’s high schools, colleges and AmSkills.

Hellinger also provided some insights about his company, which was named for his father, Gary.

The company was founded in 1963, Hellinger said. It produces plastic packaging and plastic promotional items.

The plastic packaging is clear, hinged containers for the electronics industry and the medical industry, he said.

The vast majority of the company’s product now — 85% — is in the promotional space, he added.

The company’s customers include government, pharmaceutical, medical, gift, cosmetic, jewelry, hardware, automotive, food, drug, and discount chain accounts throughout the United States, according to its website.

Published December 14, 2022

Matter Brothers furniture store coming to Wesley Chapel area

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The Pasco County Commission has approved a rezoning that will clear the way for a Matter Brothers furniture store.

The project is slated to be located on the south side of State Road 54, about one-fourth mile west of Wesley Chapel Boulevard. It is between Cypress Creek Road and Wesley Chapel Boulevard.

The site is planned for development consisting of an 80,000-square-foot furniture store, 12,230-square-foot leather gallery store, and 23,800 square feet of retail/office land uses.

The project buildout is expected in 2025, according to materials in the county board’s agenda packet.

The rezoning was approved, without discussion, as part of the board’s consent agenda. That agenda allows a number of items to be approved in a single action, if no one has requested the item be pulled for discussion.

The furniture store is planned on a 9.4-acre site, which was previously zoned for agricultural and general commercial uses. The site is currently undeveloped.

The applicant has volunteered to record a deed restriction to the property, which addresses a number of issues such as environmental conservation and protection, flood damage prevention, site access, and others.

Published December 14, 2022

Postal Service shares plans for the holidays

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Since Christmas and New Year’s Day fall on a Sunday this year, the U.S. Postal Service will observe the holidays on the Mondays following those holidays.

That means post offices will be closed and there won’t be residential or business deliveries on Dec. 26 and Jan. 2, as those are the days the federal holidays will be observed, according to a news release.

Priority Mail Express will continue to operate, since it operates in select locations for an additional fee, 365 days a year.

Some Post Offices may have extended hours leading up to the holidays, while others may limit their hours on Dec. 24. Currently, there are no plans to limit hours on New Year’s Eve, Dec. 31.

Customers are advised to always check with their local Post Office for hours of operation.

Blue collection boxes with final collection times before noon will not be affected by an early closing on Dec. 24.

Customers who are unable to mail items before the scheduled collection box pickup times on Dec. 24 should visit the online Postal Locator, at tools.usps.com, to find a Post Office that may be open late.

Blue collection boxes are not serviced on Sundays or holidays.

For more information on ship-by dates and more, visit USPS.com.

Published December 14, 2022