The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Local News

Is that road really pink?

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Some motorists could be doing a double-take over the next several months, as Pasco County treats some of its roads with a substance that makes them turn temporarily pink.

Pasco County Public Works crews will be applying Reclamite, an asphalt pavement penetrating rejuvenator intended to give the roads longer life by sealing them, preventing air and water intrusion and improving durability, according to a county news release.

The process can add up to five years of life to a road, the release said.

The project is beginning on the west side of the county, but will be done on other select arterial and collector roads in the future.

When initially applied to the road, the substance appears pink, but that disappears in about 30 minutes, the county reports.

The first stretch of road to be treated will be Aripeka Road from U.S. 18 to the Pasco County line.

Published August 10, 2022

Zephyrhills airport taking off with improvements

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Zephyrhills Municipal Airport just keeps clearing projects to land.

This is leading it to become larger and more improved with each completion.

In early July, the airport finished a $5.9-million, 1,200-foot runway expansion that will allow the city to welcome larger planes, including private jets. By bringing the length of the main runaway to 6,200 feet, City of Zephyrhills Airport Manager Nathan Coleman says this expansion could lead to an industrial corridor boom around the airport, likening it to the same thing that happened to Lakeland’s airport and industrial corridor.

The Zephyrhills Municipal Airport, which the city has run since 1947, has spent more than $32 million in capital improvement projects since 2011, including the most recent: a $5.9-million runway expansion that brought the current length to 6,200 feet and which now can accommodate larger planes. (Mike Camunas)

“The city and the planners really set their sights on trying to do something similar to what Lakeland did and, hopefully, that will bring in jobs, that that market can flourish here in Zephyrhills,” Coleman said. “If we can get in businesses of that type, then the hope is they can come here, thanks to the extension.”

The runway extension now allows for larger planes to take off and land, and this includes ones such as Gulfstreams, which are a very popular brand for corporate jets. Coleman says that is a clientele the airport hopes to gain, and it’s not just in the industrial corridor. The city is taking into account all attractions and destinations that would call for a longer runway, such as the Sarah Vande Berg Tennis and Wellness Center.

“We hope tennis attracts jets, maybe if it’s a tennis player who has a private jet,” Coleman said. “We hope those (tennis) facilities bring in a player, where they can fly right in and out. That’s another example.”

These examples are set to come, as the runaway expansion project was slightly different than how most airport improvements are planned. Generally, something of this magnitude and price arise because of a need or demand, however, in this case, it’s “a little of putting the cart before the horse,” according to Zephyrhills City Manager Billy Poe.

“In a perfect world, it probably would have been a little different,” Poe added. “We built (the expansion), so it’s something we’ll promote and also create the reason for the jets to come to Zephyrhills. What’s the reason? Let’s figure out how to attract those types of travelers because we’ve got things like tennis, Saddlebrook (Resort) nearby — we just have to give them a reason for corporate business to come to Zephyrhills and Dade City.”

The airport, which the city has run since 1947, is not done improving. Since 2011 and in the eight years Coleman has been manager, the airport has pumped in $32 million into projects, improvements and additions. He adds there are still five ongoing projects, as well.

In addition, the state just gave the city $12 million in allocations as part of the 2022-2023 Florida state budget, signed into law by Gov. Ron DeSantis on June 2. Of that, $6.6 million is going to more airport additions.

Those funds will be used to design and construct a new Fixed Based Operator (FBO) Terminal Building, Taxiway F and two new box hangars. Future development of the airport and the adjacent Industrial Park is expected to attract new corporate and recreational aircraft operations, including increased jet traffic. When this happens, new jobs are expected from the increased capacity for aviation businesses, including pilot lessons, new hangar construction, mechanical businesses and corporate relocations, and from maintenance, repair and overhaul businesses.

This project is slated to start within the next month or so, plus there will need to finish up the $3.6-million project that will create a parking area to accommodate the new runway extension.

“We’re positioned to be an airport ready to take on the next big wave of progressive air nautical users,” Coleman said.

As of now, the airport, which sees about 45,000 to 50,000 operations yearly, mostly is general aviation and flight training. Several of these operations are tallied by SkyDive City, when it takes up divers on a daily basis.

Now, as Zephyrhills looks to the future and how it plans to keep building the largest municipality in Pasco County, it will continue to take its airport, and potential arrivals and departures, seriously.

“The real question we have to ask,” Coleman said, “is ‘Why are planes coming to the airport?’ And, look, it’s not because of runways or parking or terminals or anything at the airport, really. It’s about the destination, and now we have to make Zephyrhills a destination that warrants an airport of our size.”

Published August 03, 2022

7-Eleven approved off U.S. 41 in Lutz

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The Hillsborough County Commission has approved a rezoning request to allow a 7-Eleven at 18601 N. U.S. 41, which is north of the intersection of U.S. 41 and Sunset Lane, in Lutz.

The request came despite opposition from a nearby resident, from representatives of the Lutz Civic Association, the Lutz Citizens Coalition and from a professional planner representing opponents.

The application found support, however, from planners with the county and with the Hillsborough County City-County Planning Commission, as well as a recommendation for approval from Land Use Hearing Officer Susan Finch.

The county board voted 7-0 to approve the request at its July 26 meeting.

Previously, the board had remanded the application for further review.

The request the board sent back included a proposed car wash as part of the application.

That caused some commissioners to question whether a septic system would be capable of handling the discharge from the car wash.

They said they were concerned because of the area’s lakes, private wells and wetlands.

They asked staff to have the county’s Department of Environmental Protection take a closer look at that issue.

In supporting the remand, Commissioner Mariella Smith said the hearing can explore other issues, too.

“I would not have it limited,” she said, noting that citizens are free to discuss other topics, such as light pollution and compatibility.

In response to concerns, the applicant, RKM, dropped the car wash request.

It also agreed to restrictions on exterior lighting that exceed the county’s code, Cami Corbett, attorney for RKM said.

During the county board’s July 26 hearing, opponents reiterated many of the concerns they raised during previous public hearings.

They challenged the project’s compatibility, cited potential for negative impacts on the areas wetlands and expressed concerns about the potential loss of habitat for wildlife.

Susan Guess raised concerns about a loss of refuge for the area’s animals and birds.

She also asked the board to consider the impact on an existing gas station in the area.

“Blessings (the gas station) has been in our neighborhood for almost 30 years,” Guess said. “They provide a good service to our community. They care about our community. This prospective 7-Eleven store will definitely put them out of business,” she said.

She asked the board to reject the rezoning request.

Daryl Max Forgey, a planning consultant representing the opponents, said the request is not consistent with the county’s comprehensive plan.

Sam Calco, of the Lutz Citizens Coalition, said the meeting should be continued because there was no signage on the property announcing the meeting. Signs had been posted for previous hearings, he said.

Jay Muffly, of the Lutz Civic Association, began to address his concerns about impacts from potential runoff from the new convenience store — but his remarks were cut short because the 10-minute for opposition testimony ran out.

Muffly asked why there was a 10-minute limit, instead of 15 minutes.

He was informed that’s the limit set by county code.

Corbett told county board members that the proposed gas station is a modern building, designed specifically to fit within the character of Lutz.

The request complies with both the Lutz Community Plan and the county’s comprehensive plan, she said.

She also noted it is within the node that’s specifically designated for neighborhood commercial development within the Lutz Community Plan.

The wetlands on the site turned out to be larger than initially believed, so her client purchased additional land to ensure there are no negative impacts, Corbett said.

She presented two experts to address issues raised regarding potential environmental impacts.

Corbett also disputed Calco’s claim regarding insufficient public notice and the opponents’ planning consultant’s contention that the request is contrary to the county’s comprehensive plan.

The county board approved the request without comment, except for some observations by Board Chairwoman Kim Overman.

Overman noted: “This is sort of in-between two urban areas,” with the city of Tampa to the south and more developed areas leading to Pasco County, to the north.

“This is U.S. 41. This is a U.S. highway that runs through the middle of this area where commercial development has been encouraged as part of the commercial plan,” she said.

Published August 03, 2022

Gearing up for the new school year

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As students in The Laker/Lutz News coverage area head off to school for the 2022-2023 academic year, those arriving at Kirkland Ranch Academy of Innovation will be helping to usher in the new school’s traditions.

Kirkland Ranch, at 32555 Innovation Drive in Wesley Chapel, is a magnet school that will specialize in preparing students in career fields and technical trades such as automotive maintenance and repair, including diesel; biomedical sciences; building trades and construction technology; cybersecurity; digital media and multimedia design; engineering and robotics; welding; electricity; and, patient care technology.

Students at Saint Leo University, 33701 State Road 52, in St. Leo, will have an opportunity to learn in the school’s new robotics and artificial intelligence lab, on the first floor of Kirk Hall.

Dr. Monika Kiss explains some of the features of Saint Leo University’s new Robotics and AI Lab. (Courtesy of Chad Gonzalez/University of Saint Leo)

The lab is part of the university’s new School of Computing, Artificial Intelligence, Robotics, and Data Science (CARDS), which brings together several popular areas of study and degree.

At Pinecrest Academy Wesley Chapel, 33347 State Road 54, a new middle school building will help to accommodate students at the growing charter school.

Those are just a few changes that await, as a new academic year gets into full swing soon.

The first day of school for students is Aug. 10 in Pasco and Hillsborough public schools.

The beginning of the school year varies for private schools, Pasco-Hernando State College, Saint Leo University and the University of South Florida, as well as for home-schooled and online students.

Typically, the beginning of the school year means that families are doing some shopping, or taking advantage of school supply giveaways.

For those still needing to shop, the Florida Back-to-School sales tax holiday remains in effect through Aug. 7. In general, the tax holiday means no taxes are due on the retail sale of:

  • Clothing, footwear and some accessories (selling for $100 or less per item)
  • Certain school supplies(selling for $50 or less per item)
  • Learning aids (selling for $30 or less per item)
  • Personal computers and certain computer-related accessories for personal use (selling for $1,500 or less)

Public school students in Lutz and Odessa attend schools in either Hillsborough or Pasco, depending whether they live north or south of the county line. Some Hillsborough students also attend Hillsborough schools in New Tampa.

Students in Central Pasco attend schools in Odessa, Lutz and Land O’ Lakes, while those in East Pasco attend schools in Wesley Chapel, Zephyrhills, Dade City, St. Leo and San Antonio.

There’s some overlap between communities, since the shapes of school zones vary and there are magnet schools that draw students from beyond traditional boundaries.

As the school year kicks in, the impact on area traffic will be noticeable, as students, teachers, cafeteria workers, assistant principals, principals and other staff members make their way to their respective campuses.

And before heading back, it’s a good idea for students and parents to do a little homework to find out more about what to expect in the coming school year.

School websites often offer a wealth of useful information about school rules and expectations, how to sign up for various activities, fees that are due, and so forth.

Be sure to check the Twitter and Facebook social media channels for individual schools and your school district, too, to see if there’s any current news that’s helpful to you.

For instance, those following the Pasco County Schools’ website would know that the federal government is ending free meals it had been providing for all because of COVID-19 relief funding.

Some students will qualify for free or reduced price meals. But here are this year’s charges for paid and reduced price meals.

Elementary: Breakfast: $1.60 paid, 0.30 reduced; lunch, $3 paid, 0.40 reduced

Middle: Breakfast: $1.75 paid, 0.30 reduced; lunch, $3 paid; 0.40 reduced

High: Breakfast: $1.75 paid,  0.30 reduced; lunch, $3.75 paid; 0.40 reduced.

As the new school year begins, both Pasco and Hillsborough public schools continue to work to fill staff vacancies.

The school boards in both districts also are urging voters to approve a tax increase that they say will help them to attract and retain quality staff.

In Pasco, the ballot question asks for a yes or no vote on whether to levy an additional tax, not to exceed 1 mil, beginning July 1, 2023 and ending no later than June 30, 2027.

The proceeds, according to the ballot question, will be used “for essential operating expenses to maintain salaries competitive with the market, attract and retain high-quality teachers, bus drivers and other non-administrative school support employees.”

In Hillsborough, the tax increase also would last four years, unless extended by voters, according to the district’s website.

At least 75% of the proceeds would go for increased compensation for teachers, counselors, media specialists , bus drivers and transportation assistants, classroom assistants, and other non-instructional support staff.

Hillsborough also would use proceeds to protect and expand art, music, physical education and workforce education.

Voters will decide the outcome of the ballot initiative, in their respective county, during the Aug. 23 Primary Election.

Published August 03, 2022

Pasco County Schools proposes $1.7 billion budget

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The Pasco County School Board has proposed a $1.7 billion budget for fiscal year 2022-2023.

The general operating budget increased from $734.5 million to $848.6 million. The capital budget of $455 million represents an increase of $116 million over the current fiscal year.

Superintendent Kurt Browning outlined some key expenses that are part of the proposed budget.

Browning said the district will receive additional state funding of $57.2 million, to accommodate projected growth of 3,588 students and also for recurring expenses.

Pasco Schools Superintendent Kurt Browning said there’s misinformation on social media chatter relating to how much money the school district has available to provide raises for district employees. (File)

That $57.2 million includes:

  • $4.9 million for retirement increases
  • $3 million for health insurance increases
  • $3.2 million for voluntary prekindergarten expansion, and increasing costs for utilities, fuel, materials and supplies, and an increase in its costs for School Resource Officer contracts
  • $7.7 million for an increase of 115 school staff positions
  • $1.4 million for allocations needed for the opening of Kirkland Ranch Academy of Innovation and for allocations associated with Angeline 6-12 Academy, now under construction
  • $6.8 million to continue to increase the minimum base salary for full-time classroom teachers • $9.8 million to raise minimum district salaries to $15 per hour
  • $2.3 million for guest teachers; and, other funds for employee salaries to be negotiated with the union

No new district-level staff allocations are included in the budget.

The capital budget includes:

  • The renovation of Hudson High
  • The construction of a new Gulf High School
  • The construction of Angeline 6-12 Academy
  • A new classroom wing at Starkey K-8
  • Cafeteria renovations, replacement of HVAC systems and infrastructure upgrades at various schools

Funding up, but required spending up, too
Before requesting the board to approve the tentative budget, Browning addressed what he described as “some recent social media chatter regarding excess funds, or funding the district has received over last year’s budget.”

The issue is important because the school board is asking voters for a yea or no vote on whether to levy an additional tax, not to exceed 1 mil, beginning July 1, 2023 and ending no later than June 30, 2027, to support increased salaries for teachers, bus drivers and other non-administrative district employees.

Voters will decide the issue during the Aug. 23 Primary Election.

Browning asked Kevin Shibley, assistant superintendent for administration, “to provide our board and the public with some additional, factual, information that will bring clarity into these recent, misleading, statements.”

Shibley responded: “We know that there has been some comments on social media about the district having plenty of excess, recurring funds, to provide salary increases — not needing a referendum for salaries.”

In essence, Shibley said, the claims are that the district has about $114 million in new money it could use for employee salary increases and would not need a referendum to increase pay.

“I wanted to take a minute to kind of walk the board through this, because I think it’s a perfect example of when $114 million is not $114 million,” Shibley said.

He then broke down the numbers, addressing the categories of expenditures the district must make based on state mandates; increasing costs the district must fund; and expenses the district will need to assume because federal funds provided for COVID-19 relief no longer will be available.

Whenever the district receives increased funding from the state, “a big chunk of that” must be spent for specific purposes, known as categorical spending, Shibley said.

Also, some money comes through the district, but immediately goes back out again, in the form of scholarship payments required by the state, he said.

He cited the example of Family Empowerment Scholarships.

“This is something that hit the district really hard. Last year, the state changed the way that they processed private and homeschool scholarships for students. Instead of paying those scholarships out of a separate bucket at the state level, they are funneling those scholarships through the district.

“So, you will see that we are paying out almost $34 million in scholarships. So, it’s basically the money is coming in on the right hand and immediately it’s going out the door with the left hand,” he said.

Also, while the district received funding increases in some categories, the increases fall far short of the district’s actual expenses, Shibley said.

For instance, there was a $2.9 million increase in transportation funding, he said.

But, according to Betsy Kuhn, the assistant superintendent for support services, state funding for transportation services is roughly half of what it costs to transport the district’s students.

Each 1% in employee raises costs $4.7 million
While the district received more money, most of it cannot be spent to increase employee salaries, Shibley said.

Specifically, the district is facing a state requirement for increased retirement contribution rates for all employees; it must pass along growth dollars to charter schools; and, it has to pay higher costs for software licenses, utility bills, fuel costs and so on, Shibley said.

Other costs include meeting the $15 minimum wage requirement and hiring additional teachers to abide by class size requirements.

Plus, the district will absorb about $10 million in costs that had been paid through the federal government’s COVID relief funds, he said.

In essence, the required spending and increasing costs add up to about $100 million, leaving the district with about $14 million for additional salary increases for employees, Shibley said.

“When you consider that it costs about $4.7 million to give a 1% salary increase to the district’s employees, that means after the teacher salary increase and the minimum wage, we do have enough for an additional 3% increase,” he said.

“I think you’re seeing that the board is budgeting and they’re planning for moderate salary increases for employees, but it is nowhere near the level that is going to catch us up with our surrounding districts,” Shibley said.

Browning told the board: “I thought it was important that we would share publicly, what the real numbers are. A huge portion of what’s on this list that he provided to you is what the state tells us we will and we shall spend, out of money they send to us.”

School board chairwoman Cynthia Armstrong thanked district staff for presenting the numbers, which she said offers transparency to the public.

The school board will have its final public hearing on the budget on Sept. 12 at 6 p.m., in the school board meeting room at the district’s administrative complex, 7227 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., in Land O’ Lakes.

Pasco County Schools budget
Total budget for 2022-2023: $1.7 billion; an increase of $251.8 million, or 17.1%
General fund operating budget: $848.6 million
Capital projects budget: $455 million.
Total tax millage for the 2022-2023 fiscal year: 5.516 mils, a decrease of .294 mils
Under the proposed rate, the homeowner of a $175,000 home, assuming a $25,000 property tax homestead exemption, would pay $44.10 less per year than last year.

Source: Pasco County Schools

Published August 03, 2022

Pasco Clerk’s office warns of fake checks

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Pasco County Clerk & Comptroller Nikki Alvarez-Sowles has issued a warning to the public to be on the lookout for fake checks that appear to be coming from Pasco County government.

Crooks are creating checks that look like they’ve been issued by the county, according to a posting on the clerk’s website.

If you think you’ve received a fake check from the county, the clerk’s office asks that you do not try to cash or deposit it. Instead, recipients of such checks should contact the clerk’s office at 352- 521-4566, Option 3, or 727-847-2411, ext. 4566.

Pasco’s Sheriff’s Office named state Agency of the Year

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The Pasco County Sheriff’s Office has been named the Agency of the Year by the Florida Association of School Resource Officers.

The Pasco County School Board took a few minutes at its July 26 meeting to celebrate the accomplishment.

Michael Baumaister, the school district’s chief of safety and emergency operations, said: “It’s no surprise to me that they were selected, due to the incredible partnership we have with our sheriff’s office and we have with our local police agencies.

“I know there are counties in the state of Florida that cannot say that. I know that for sure.

“What impressed me the most was when the Pasco Sheriff’s Office was going up to the podium to get their award and get their recognition, the Pasco (Sheriff’s) Command insisted that we, from the school board, walk up with them to bask in the honor.

“Col. (Jeff) Harrington gave an eloquent speech and pointed out that this honor was not only for them, but for all of us.

“We really appreciate that.

“This speaks volumes about why we have the best program in the state. It’s not about the egos. It’s really what’s best for our students, our staff. And, we can have honest conversations with each other, which leads to policy change and innovation — that creates a safer environment for our schools.

“We don’t wait for a law to change. We do what’s right, and we do it now,” Baumaister said.

Pasco County Sheriff Chris Nocco also praised the partnership that’s been developed.

“We hear across the state about the friction that can go on between the district and the sheriff’s office, and who’s going to be in charge of what. The good thing about all of us is that it’s about the kids, first. The kids are the priority. It doesn’t matter who gets credit because it’s about helping those kids,” he said.

The sheriff also noted that open lines of communication between the sheriff’s office and the school district can help the district respond when students are in need of mental health counseling or some other kind of support.

Lt. Troy Ferguson of the sheriff’s office also was singled out during the statewide awards celebration when he received a lifetime achievement award.

Assistant Superintendent Betsy Kuhn shared some of her prepared remarks for that celebration with the school board.

Kuhn said: “Lt. Ferguson has been a true partner to Pasco Schools since he became our School Safety Lieutenant in 2015. Lt. Ferguson recognized the need to enhance our school safety plans and took on the project of completely revamping them, at a time when school safety best practices that were needed, were controversial.

“He designed and wrote a comprehensive, safety-focused, yet age-appropriate and sensitive active threat safety plan and prepared it for implementation, well before it was legislatively required.

“Lt. Ferguson is sought out by law enforcement agencies across the country to share his expertise and experience around school safety best practices. He has been a leader in many large-scale changes in the district’s safety efforts,” she said, citing active threat plans and the  See Something, Say Something programs.

He’s involved in threat assessment and recognizes the role of a school resource officer (SRO) is so much more than a law enforcement officer, Kuhn added.

She continued: “He encourages his staff to be involved in their school communities and values mentoring and supporting our students.

“Lt. Ferguson understands and relates to our school culture and district culture so well that we often tease him about being a district employee, as well as a deputy, because he works so well with us.

“He’s hard-working, smart, resourceful and fun to work with, and our district is safer and better because of his vision and leadership,” Kuhn said.

Sheriff Nocco concurred with Kuhn’s remarks. “Troy does a phenomenal job,” he said.

He noted that the school district and sheriff’s office have a true partnership.

“When they started the guardian program, we were the first ones that got it kicked off. We got it running and going.

“People from across Tampa Bay and across the state said, ‘Can we have your training plans?’

“That’s because we were working together.

“There’s no two separate agencies. The guardians are on the same plan we are. We’re all in it together. We’re training together, we’re working together. That makes a huge difference,” Nocco said.

Superintendent Kurt Browning said he’d be remiss if he didn’t express his gratitude.

“When I attend superintendent’s meetings across the state, there are still districts — it’s like sandpaper with their law enforcement folks. I can tune them out because we don’t have that, never did, from Day One,” Browning said.

“Thank you. Thank you for what you do every day in our schools, to keep our students and staffs safe,” the superintendent said.

Don Peace, president of the United School Employees of Pasco (USEP), also offered words of appreciation.

“USEP would like to thank all of our SROs and SSOs (school security officers) for the job that they do each day in protecting and working with our students. They do an outstanding job and they deserve all of the credit that they get,” Peace said.

Published August 03, 2022

Camping for code

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You might call it coding chaos.

At least that’s how it felt at times, when 15 middle schoolers convened at Saint Leo University for a week of coding camp.

From left: Jackson Bryant, Liev Vapner, Gerardo Velez Ruiz and Eric Joseph race the Lego robots they built during Saint Leo University’s School of Computing, Artificial Intelligence, Robotics and Data Science (CARDS) coed robotics camp held on campus in July. (Mike Camunas)

Officially, they were attending the university’s School of Computing, Artificial Intelligence, Robotics, and Data Science (CARDS), a coed robotics camp.

The session, which ran July 18 through July 22, is geared toward youths who are interested in learning about robotics and programming.

Dr. Monika Kiss, interim chair of the Mathematics Department in CARDS, led the camp, which featured campers working in pairs and using Lego Education SPIKE Prime sets.

Campers built “robots” of varying size, shapes and colors and then, after learning the proper coding, programmed them to race, run mazes, and even do a little battle royale.

Dr. Monika Kiss, interim chair of the Mathematics Department in the School of CARD at Saint Leo University, works with Matthew Longshore to help him write code during the coed robotics camp held in July.

All in all, it was one crazy-fun camp.

“I love the craziness — I love the creativity (the kids) have with what they build and design,” Kiss said. “This is not an opportunity they usually have on their middle school campuses, so, hopefully, they get a taste of what they can do, whether with engineering science or coding math, or all of the above.

“They’re trying to come up with something new and innovative, and they’re trying to come up with something to impress their parents, especially after spending a whole week at camp on it. I love it!”

Kiss uses the camp to work with younger kids and to give back to the community. Once the camp starts, the kids learn the basics and use their critical thinking skills to “think outside the box,” and to focus on different types of problem-solving.

Austin Taylor handles his robot during Saint Leo University’s coed robotics camp.

It involves teamwork, as they and their partner determine what they want to make the robot do, then set out to make it happen.

Several campers said they were there to learn coding.

Dezirae Gardner, an 11-year-old Wesley Chapel resident heading into sixth grade at Weightman Middle, said she’s been interested in coding for a long time and jumped at the chance to attend the camp.

“Robotics has a lot to do with math, and I’m pretty good at math,” Gardner said.

“I wanted to learn coding so I could do the math to program robots. I plan to either go into aero (aeronautics) or astronautics once in college.”

Dezirae Gardner, of Wesley Chapel, directs her Lego robot she helped build with a teammate during a coed robotics camp offered by Saint Leo University in July.

Gardner and her partner, Rosalyn Fletcher, built a robot that could navigate a color-coded maze.

“We programmed it to turn whenever it saw the color blue and speed up whenever it sees the color red,” she said.

Twelve-year-old Gerardo Velez Ruiz, of Tampa, also was there to learn to code, but he enjoyed every aspect of the camp.

“I was able to make new friends, stepped up my coding, and the teachers are very nice and the food is awesome! The materials are extremely advanced and new, too, so it has been a great camp,” he said.

He also said he hoped the camp would help him learn the coding system, Python, which is a high-level, interpreted, general-purpose programming language — and easily one of the most popular.

“I like coding myself, but I’m no expert,” Velez Ruiz said. “This was a good place to start.”

Reanna Collins, a second-grade teacher at West Zephyrhills Elementary, assisted Kiss at the camp. Collin has been helping at the camp since 2018.

“I think it’s great for teaching critical thinking,” Collins said. “They learn how to work together and that it takes patience. It’s definitely a different type of camp than something outdoors or more traditional.”

The camp, held in a fourth-floor lab on the university’s campus, encourages campers to explore possibilities.

“They come in, excited and almost take over (the camp),” Kiss said. “They’ll ask, ‘Can I try this? Can I try that?’ Well, yes! That’s the whole point! Go! Try. Experiment. … There’s no instruction book that can teach them exactly what to do, and they learn through trial and error, which is just like any other robotics programming. It’s not a classroom where you’re graded, it’s much more hands-on and innovative and experimental, and it’s clear kids who attend a camp like this, that’s how they thrive and grow and learn.”

Published August 03, 2022

Local health departments monitoring monkeypox outbreak

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County health departments in West Central Florida are monitoring and responding to the nationwide outbreak of monkeypox, according to a news release from the Florida Department of Health-Pasco.

As of July 22, there were cases of monkeypox in at least 43 states and Washington D.C., and no deaths had been reported outside of the endemic countries.

If a case is discovered within the West Central Florida region, the health department will conduct epidemiological investigations to notify possible exposures and offer potential post-exposure prophylaxis.

Health departments in West Central Florida will offer the monkeypox vaccine to high-risk groups, as doses become available from the federal government, the release says.

Current information on monkeypox is available at FloridaHealth.gov.

Case data for monkeypox, as well as other reportable diseases, can be found on FLHealthCharts.gov.

Health care providers who suspect a possible case of monkeypox, should immediately contact their local health department or the 24/7 disease reporting hotline at 850-245-4401.

Local county health departments can help providers obtain monkeypox virus-specific real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing.

Human-to-human transmission generally requires prolonged, face-to-face contact, direct contact with lesion materials, or indirect contact with lesion materials through contaminated items, such as contaminated clothing.

Health care providers should remain vigilant of information related to monkeypox:

  • Monkeypox symptoms, especially among individuals with relevant travel history
  • Transmission and incubation periods
  • Specimen collection
  • Infection control procedures in the home and hospital settings
  • Clinical recognition, and the characteristic rash associated with monkeypox
  • Prophylaxis and possible treatments for monkeypox
  • Monitoring of those exposed to monkeypox

The public also should remain vigilant of the current meningococcal outbreak

Demographic impacts are similar among meningococcal and monkeypox cases. The release says.

The meningococcal vaccines are available for free to high-risk populations at every county health department.

For more information or questions, contact your county health department.

Published August 03, 2022

Metropolitan Ministries seeks help to stock its pantry

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Metropolitan Ministries is turning to the community to help address the critically low inventory at its food warehouse, according to a news release.

The organization is having trouble stocking the food markets in its family support centers, and providing nonperishable food boxes to families who are struggling and counting on the organization for hunger relief.

Metropolitan Ministries is asking the community to help replenish dwindling supplies. (File)

The Ministries has been attempting to purchase food in bulk, but all its traditional vendors and partners are equally strapped, and are delayed in fulfilling orders, or are unable to do so.

“We have faith that between community donations and food purchases, this setback will be resolved. Until then, we are preparing for the situation to get worse before it gets better,”  James Dunbar, associate vice president of outreach and prevention services, said in the release.

Since March 2020, the community has helped to provide 270,000 nonperishable food boxes, 10.9 million meals, and more than $5 million in rent assistance paid directly to landlords to prevent homelessness, the release said.

Metropolitan Ministries recognizes that these are tough times for everyone, but it is asking those who can help to get involved in a grassroots effort to provide nonperishable food donations.

The most needed items are canned meat, peanut butter, boxed cereal, canned vegetables, canned fruit, rice, beans, pasta/sauce, soup, and baby food and formula.

The donation drop-off in Pasco County is on weekdays from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., at 13703 17th St., in Dade City, or at 3214 U.S. 19 in Holiday.

In Hillsborough County, drop-offs are Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., at 2101 N. Florida Ave., in Tampa.

Donations also can be made online at MetroMin.org.

Published August 03, 2022