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Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Local News

Grants support photography workshops for vets

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The Community Arts Impact Grant supports free photography workshops for veterans.

Breaking Barriers takes place July 8 through Aug. 12, 2022. It will have two formats: a course for beginners and one for advanced for photographers.

No experience is needed for beginners, but the advanced session requires previous photography experience or attendance at a prior Breaking Barriers workshop, according to a news release.

Both workshops are hosted online to increase accessibility.

The only camera that is required is a cellphone camera.

“So, the program was learning the techniques and approaches to taking photography into that same level of a professional photographer, with a cellphone,” Mikko Maki, a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps and past participants of Breaking Barriers, said in the release.

Registration is now open and will be available until July 1.

Veterans and their families are welcome to join in the workshops.

To register, or for questions or more information, email Amy Allison at amyallison@usf.edu.

Published May 04, 2022

Stay safe, in and around the water

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Summer is just around the corner, and the West Central Florida county health departments are encouraging communities to participate in water safety, and to take preventive measures to avert drownings.

Certified swim instructor Teddy Sandoval, left, and 6-year-old student Haya Autabachy, of New Tampa, warm up during a water safety class last year at the New Tampa Family YMCA. (File)

With myriad pools, lakes and other surrounding bodies of water in Florida, water safety is key to prevent drownings.

Children ages 1 to 4 are more likely to drown in a home swimming pool, compared to children ages 5 to 19, who are more likely to drown in natural bodies of water, according to a news release from the Florida Department of Health-Pasco County.

As a parent or a community group member, the goal is to keep water activities fun and safe as the summer months approach, the release said.

In recognition of National Water Safety Month, the following safety tips are provided by WaterSmartFL.com.

  • Supervision: Ensure that your family is knowledgeable around the water, and assign a “water watcher” by having an adult actively watch a child or adult that is in or around the water.
  • Barriers: A child should never enter a pool area unaccompanied. Barriers include gates, fences, walls, doors and windows, recommended to aid in the assistance and protection of those at risk.
  • Emergency Preparedness: Have a phone nearby to call 911, if needed. Know your location and the type of emergency the call is about. CPR and first aid also are important to know.

Beach and lake swimming

  • Swim It: Always swim with a buddy, and when safety flags and signs give the all-clear in open water (at the beach or a lake).
  • Shore It: Stay on dry land if you have a cut on your skin or if your immune system is weakened, or you don’t have a buddy to swim with.
  • Dodge It: If you encounter animals that live near or in the water, stay away. Also stay clear from red tides and algal blooms that can cause skin irritation, burning eyes, and throat and breathing irritations.

For information, visit NWSM.phta.org.

For questions, call your local county health department.

Published May 04, 2022

State Road 56 closure planned at I-75, weather permitting

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The closure of State Road 56 to all traffic, at Interstate 75, is planned to begin at 11 p.m., on April 30 and to end in the late afternoon of May 1 — weather permitting.

The closure is needed to accommodate reconfiguring the intersection to create the Diverging Diamond Interchange (DDI) traffic pattern, according to a news release from the Florida Department of Transportation’s (FDOT’s) District Seven office.

(Courtesy of the District Seven Office of the Florida Department of Transportation)

A closure of State Road 56 at this location had been planned before, but was forced to be delayed because of the weather.

When the closure is in effect, no traffic will be allowed to travel through the work zone across I-75.

When the traffic pattern switches to the DDI on May 1, it will not operate at full capacity until the project is closer to completion, expected in Summer 2022.

That’s because the contractor will need to complete more work to open an additional through-lane on both eastbound and westbound State Road 56, and an additional turn lane from the northbound exit ramp onto westbound State Road 56, according to FDOT.

Here are the details on the detours during the planned April 30 through May 1 closure:

Eastbound State Road 56: Eastbound State 56 traffic will be detoured to the northeast on Wesley Chapel Boulevard (County Road 54) to State Road 581 (Bruce B. Downs Boulevard), then south on State Road 581 (Bruce B. Downs Boulevard) back to State Road 56. Additionally, the right-turn lanes on the south side of State Road 56 at Grand Cypress Boulevard onto eastbound State Road 56 will be closed and the left-turn lanes at Grand Cypress Boulevard on the north side of State Road 56 will be closed to prevent travel onto eastbound State Road 56. The eastbound State Road 56 ramp onto southbound I-75 will be open; any traffic traveling on eastbound State Road 56 past Grand Cypress Boulevard will be forced to enter southbound I-75.

Westbound State Road 56: Westbound State Road 56 traffic wanting to cross I-75 will be directed north on State Road 581 (Bruce B. Downs Boulevard) to State Road 54, then southwest on County Road 54 (Wesley Chapel Boulevard) to State Road 56. Any westbound State Road 56 traffic between State Road 581 (Bruce B. Downs Boulevard) and Cypress Ridge Boulevard will be directed to U-turn at Cypress Ridge Boulevard to head back east on State Road 56 to State Road 581 (Bruce B. Downs Boulevard) and follow the remainder of the route outlined above.

Access to I-75: Available at the State Road 54/County Road 54/Wesley Chapel Boulevard interchange north of State Road 56 or Bruce B. Downs Boulevard interchange south of State Road 56. The only access to I-75 will be from eastbound State Road 56 onto southbound I-75.

Northbound I-275 and northbound I-75 to State Road 56: Access will only be open onto eastbound State Road 56. The northbound I-275 (Exit 59) and northbound I-75 (Exit 275) exit ramps to westbound State Road 56 will be closed. Drivers wanting to go west on State Road 56 will continue north past State Road 56 and use I-75 (Exit 279) to State Road 54/County Road 54. At the bottom of the ramp, turn left and go southwest on Wesley Chapel Boulevard/County Road  54 to State Road 56 and State Road 54, west of I-75.

Due to expected periodic backups on the Exit 279 ramp to westbound County Road 54/Wesley Chapel Boulevard, northbound I-75 drivers wanting to go west of I-75 on State Road 56 might consider using Exit 270 to State Road 581/Bruce B. Downs Boulevard and continue traveling north on Bruce B. Downs Boulevard to State Road 54/County Road 54/ Wesley Chapel Boulevard, or take alternate east to west routes.

Southbound I-75 to State Road 56: Use Exit 279 to State Road 54/County Road 54. At the bottom of the ramp, turn left and go east on State Road 54. Turn right onto State Road 581 (Bruce B. Downs Boulevard) and go south to State Road 56.

Detour Route to State Road 56, west of Interstate 75: Use Exit 279 to State Road 54/County Road 54. At the bottom of the ramp, turn right and go southwest on Wesley Chapel Boulevard/County Road 54 to State Road 56.

Visit FDOTTampaBay.com/project/262/430573-1-52-01, for the latest information about the planned detour.

Published April 27, 2022

In terms of awards, it’s ‘raining cats and dogs’ here

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And the award goes to …

That’s a phrase that’s become increasingly familiar to employees at Pasco County Animal Services (PCAS).

The recognitions keep rolling in.

Animal care technician Tony Vaitkevicius, of Spring Hill, makes his rounds, checking every occupied cage for anything that needs his assistance.

PCAS was named Outstanding Animal Care & Control Agency for 2021 by the National Animal Care & Control Association, and a couple of its top employees picked up awards, too.

Assistant Director Spencer Conover was named Florida’s Supervisor of the Year, while Dr. Christine Glenn was named Employee of the Year, for 2022.

“All of Pasco County, if you have any issue, dog or cat, it’s coming through our animal control,” Conover said.

The award-winning performance, he said, “has everything to do with our team. We’re not re-inventing the wheel here, we’re just doing the policies and procedures that we’ve collaborated on with a lot of other shelters.”

Yogi, a 9-year-old mixed-breed, may be suffering from kennel stress and wears a protective collar to prevent him from scratching his right ear. A national award received by the department reflects the quality of care received by animals from Pasco County Animal Services. (Fred Bellet)

One thing that sets the shelter apart, however, is the passion of its staff and its volunteers, Conover said, adding that’s not found everywhere.

In fact, the shelter has 400 volunteers, and has received a Service Enterprise Certification through Points of Light, the world’s largest organization dedicated to volunteer service.

The passion exhibited toward animals is not always acknowledged with awards, but does create a feeling of accomplishment, Conover said.

Animal care tech Amber Katona put it like this: “We always stay very busy, but seeing dogs and animals come through us, and seeing their attitude change and get adopted, that’s the biggest thing to see. We all work real hard to make sure they get new homes.

“We do a lot of great things that are super helpful to the community,” said Katona, who has worked at PCAS for four years.

The shelter sees more than 6,500 animals per year, and prides itself on keeping its modern facilities emptier than most.

“Empty kennels is always a good day for us,” Conover said with a smile. “We love empty kennels.”

To learn more about PCAS, its volunteer and adoption programs, and more, log onto PascoCountyFl.net/4510/Contact-PCAS.

Pasco Animal Services, by the numbers

  • 93% overall save rate
  • 90% save rate since 2019
  • 97% save rate for dogs, among highest in Florida
  • $100,000 in grant funding
  • Over 900 trap, neuter, vaccinate and return surgeries for feral and community cats in 2021
  • 400 volunteers
  • 6,500 animals sheltered or seen a year
  • 50 employees
  • Two full-time vets
Pasco County Animal Services Assistant Director Spencer Connor holds the national award. The animal shelter was named Outstanding Animal Care & Control Agency for 2021.

Delivering quality, consistently
Awards received by Pasco County Animals Services from the Florida Animal Control Association or the National Animal Care and Control Association, since 2014:

2014: Animal Control Officer of the Year: Martin O’Keeffe*
2017: Supervisor of the Year: Ron Altman*
2019: Animal Control Officer of the Year; John Douglass*
2019: Animal Control Officer of the Year: Michael Northrup**
2019: Employee of the Year: Gina Botticello*
2020: Supervisor of the Year: Gina Botticello**
2021: Animal Control Officer of the Year: Stella Ickes*
2021: Supervisor of the Year: Jessica Every*
2021: Outstanding Agency of the Year**
2022: Employee of the Year: Dr. Christine Glenn*
2022: Supervisor of the Year: Spencer Conover*
* Florida Animal Control Association
** National Animal Care and Control Association

Published April 27, 2022

 

Animal care technician Whitney Mercer makes her way down the line of occupied cages, where dogs are waiting for a frozen food treat smeared with a peanut butter topping, called a ‘Kong.’
Erica Albritton, an animal care technician, works with a boisterous mixed-breed dog in a double-fenced area on the grounds of Pasco County Animal Services. Albritton, who has worked there for three years, encourages calm behavior and will eventually train the dog not to be overly excited. At that point, the dog is ready for adoption.

Her behind-the-scenes work saved millions for Pasco Schools

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Observers of Pasco County School Board meetings know her as the woman who breaks down the complex language of school finance into easy-to-understand English.

Her budget updates explained how much money the school district had available to spend in various categories — because when it comes to spending state and federal funding, there are often strings attached.

She also kept the board informed on how the district’s investments were faring, and how much interest the school system would have to pay on financing school construction projects, or buses, or other big-ticket items.

When it came to finances in Pasco County Schools, Olga Swinson has been the voice of authority, as the district’s chief finance officer since 2006.

Olga Swinson is stepping away from a 32-year career in Pasco County Schools. The chief finance officer is credited with steering the district through some financially turbulent times and for helping to save millions, which could be used to directly benefit teachers and students. (Courtesy of Pasco County Schools)

Her work in the school finance arena dates back to 1990, when she joined the district as an internal auditor. Next, she worked as superintendent of finance, then as director of finance, before assuming the role she will retire from on April 29.

Swinson served under superintendents Thomas Weightman, John Long, Heather Fiorentino, and finally, Kurt Browning.

Browning joined the district’s leadership staff and Pasco County School Board members during the board’s April 19 meeting in honoring Swinson’s service, expressing their gratitude for her financial leadership and congratulating her on her retirement.

Browning kicked things off, with a good-natured tone, by sharing an encounter he’d had with Swinson earlier in the day.

“She sent the board and leadership an email that was thanking us for giving her the opportunity to serve as chief finance officer, among other positions,” Browning explained.

When he saw Swinson, he told her: “I was just a little surprised at the tone of that email because it certainly didn’t sound like Olga. It was tender. It was caring,” he said, eliciting laugher from the room. “It was empathetic, sincerely grateful, for the experience she’s had in the Pasco district.

“As she’s looking at me, she’s wagging a finger. She says: ‘Don’t say a word tonight.’

“I looked at her and said, ‘I won’t say a word tonight.’

“And, as she walked off, I said, ‘I will say multiple words tonight.’”

Then Browning began describing Swinson’s many attributes.

“I count Olga Swinson, as being, in large part, the glue (in the district),” Browning said, noting the district’s success depends largely on its financial integrity and stability.

“There has never been a moment, not a single moment, in the 10 years that I’ve been superintendent, that I have ever had any doubts, any concerns, any questions, about our financial standing in this district.

“I will tell you, that speaks volumes,” Browning said.

Over the years, because of her tough budgeting skills and her ability to say, ‘No,’ Swinson developed the nickname ‘Nolga,” Browning said.

Deputy Ray Gadd continued on that theme.

“We give her a lot of grief, calling her NOlga, for ‘No,’ all of the time,” Gadd said.

But the truth is that because of her financial management skills, the district has been able to do far more than it would have without her, he said.

“She doesn’t get a lot of credit for how it (her work) benefits children — but her managing of finances in this district has greatly benefited the lives of children.

“It’s made us effective at what we do. And, when you compare our financial statements to some surrounding counties and other places throughout the state, we’re hard to beat,” Gadd said.

Her acumen is known in school finance circles
School board member Allen Altman said Swinson is known for the accuracy of her numbers, and that she has helped steer the district through financially turbulent times.

“Olga and I, I feel like, have some of the same battle scars,” said Altman, who has served on the board for 15 ½ years.

“We went through the Recession and laid off several hundred employees. And, we’ve been through the battles with the State,” Altman said.

When board members have to make difficult decisions, it’s important to know there’s “integrity behind the numbers,” Altman said.

Swinson’s “financial stewardship has saved this district millions of dollars of money that has been spent on children and employees, that wouldn’t have been, otherwise,” Altman said.

“I give her credit for that and thank her, for that,” he said.

Board Chairwoman Cynthia Armstrong agreed with Altman regarding the importance of having numbers the board could rely on.

“Our job is so much easier because we could trust, exactly, the numbers that you gave us —  so we know we were making the best decisions possible,” Armstrong told Swinson.

Board member Alison Crumbley said Swinson’s financial leadership has been unwavering.

“Mrs. Armstrong and I started (on the board) during the Recession. The first task was to make $55 million of cuts. Olga led the way. It was excruciating.

“We got through it, and all of the while, maintained a AAA Moody Bond Rating, somehow, through all of this, which has saved our district millions of dollars,” Crumbley said.

She also pointed out that when she was attending state school board training sessions people have frequently told her: “Oh, you have Olga Swinson. We’ve heard about her. You’re so lucky.”

Betsy Kuhn, assistant superintendent for support services, agreed that Swinson’s reputation for excellence is known throughout the state.

Kuhn said she’s had the opportunity to be part of the Florida Institute of School Finance, where she’s seen Swinson in action.

“It confirmed to me what I already know — Olga is a rock star in the world of school finance,’” Kuhn said.

Besides hearing words of praise, Swinson received a huge bouquet of roses and a standing ovation.

Her response was simple.

“I will miss all of you, and it’s been a rewarding career,” Swinson said.

Olga Swinson
Olga Swinson ends her 32-year career with Pasco County Schools on April 29.

Here’s a snapshot of her roles in the district:

  • Chief Finance Officer, 2006 to 2022
  • Director of Finance: 1997 to 2006
  • Superintendent of Finance: 1993 to 1997
  • Internal Auditor: 1990 to 1993

Swinson served under superintendents Thomas Weightman, John Long, Heather Fiorentino and Kurt Browning.

Published April 27, 2022

Pasco firefighters keep pressing for more personnel, equipment

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Pasco County’s professional firefighters are continuing to call attention to the need for more personnel and equipment to keep the county safe, and to meet its burgeoning emergency needs.

Jesus J.J. Martinez, vice president of Local 4420, appeared before the Pasco County Commission on April 19, to continue the quest to secure more resources. His remarks followed the appearances of two others representing firefighters who spoke at the April 5 meeting.

Martinez began by thanking the county and county board for what has been done so far.

“Pasco County is growing at an alarming rate,” he said. “We are being told that Rescue 230 will be in service by the first week of May, and Station 9 by the end of the summer.”

But, Martinez added: “Rescue 230 and the four new stations on the G.O. (General Obligation) Bond that the citizens voted on, were needed four years ago, when they were voted on.

“With that said, I’m asking you for help,” he said.

Additional fire stations and rescue vehicles are needed, as well as more personnel, he said.

“Our 37 new hires is now down to 32, as many of them have left for other departments, with better pay and better benefits.

“We lost seven experienced firefighters because they are simply burned out from the large call volume, and relief is nowhere in sight.

“The county will continue to grow and the amount of emergency calls is increasing faster than we have all expected,” Martinez said.

“We worked with our administration to do what we can to help with these issues,” he said.

He continued: “Pasco firefighters are a proud breed.

“We love our job. We love this county and we love the citizens in it.

“But we are human.

“Humans break.

“I got a call from a friend of mine, in the Wesley Chapel area. He was responding to a call. “They’d just pulled in the station. They came from a call, rescue was transporting.

“They got another call. They were in and out of the station in 30 seconds.

“The GPS said they were 18 minutes away. Within 17 minutes, the patient stopped breathing. It took 18 minutes to get there. Their ambulance, took 23 (minutes), from their station.

“All this firefighter could think of: ‘What if I got there sooner? What if I could make a difference?

“We have the tools. We have the knowledge. We just need to get there sooner.

“This is just one example of what is going on in our county.

“We are here today because this story haunts us.

“It’s time to do better, and our residents deserve better.

“We’re willing to work with you for our citizens,” Martinez said.

Board approves Fire Rescue items
Later in the meeting, Commissioner Mike Moore pulled three items from the board’s consent agenda to call attention to them.

“I think I’ll probably pull every item relating to Fire Rescue going forward because we have lots of questions,” Moore said.

“There’s questions from the team members that are out there. J.J. spoke today. So, I think for the best interest for the people who work for Fire Rescue, as well as our citizens, it’s important to talk about these things that are on the agenda.

“Normally, these are on consent because they are items we feel are not going to be deliberated. They get through with no problem and they’re not controversial. They’re for the good of all,” Moore said.

Because of questions raised recently, though, Moore said: “I think we need to pull these, discuss them, and discuss how they are going to assist them with their jobs and better call times.”

Moore asked Jeremy Sidlauskas, deputy chief of administration for Pasco County Fire Rescue, to provide some details on the agenda items.

One item relates to adding eight fire inspectors, who will conduct inspections of existing commercial uses.

The county plans to hire 11, the deputy chief said. “Once that (the first eight) becomes cost neutral based on fees and other things, we’ll hire the remaining three.”

Another item calls for using Penny for Pasco funds for a decontamination unit, to provide a  “premiere state-of-the-art, on-scene decontamination program, unlike anything that happens in the whole world,” Sidlauskas said.

Currently, a lot of gear must be sent out for cleaning, he said.

The Decon unit provides Pasco County firefighters with clean gear after every fire, Hazardous Materials incident and significant EMS incident, before returning to the station.

Another item related to replacing three ambulances and adding one new one.

Some vehicles that normally would be considered surplus are being kept for parts because of supply chain issues.

Part of the delay in putting an additional rescue has been related to staffing.

“This class that is just finishing their orientation should be done right around the end of the month,” Sidlauskas said. That’s why Rescue 230 is expected to go into service on May 1, he added.

The board approved all three agenda items.

Moore also asked the deputy chief to verify some numbers: “From fiscal year 2017 to fiscal year  2022, there was a 31% increase in engine count; a 39% increase in rescue count. Is that correct?”

Sidlauskas responded: “Yes, sir, some of that includes spare vehicles that we have to keep for maintenance.”

After the deputy chief’s remarks, Commission Vice Chairman Jack Mariano addressed the county’s firefighters, paramedics and first responders.

“We greatly appreciate your service. We share the same passion you do, to serve the citizens out here, every step of the way.

“What you do in the field, with the resources you have, currently, is fantastic.

“We’re working to help you get it better, every step of the way, as fast as we can, we’re going to keep on working.”

“From all my years, the communication that we’ve had back and forth, has led to more and more improvement,” he said.

The county board wants to continue to work with the emergency responders.

“If that means we need to do a workshop, we want to do that as well,” Mariano said.

“But I encourage you, stay in communication with us. Let us work with you. Let us try to help you, so you can be in a situation where you’re proud of being where you’re at, and a sense of knowing all the resources that are going that way.

“We don’t want to see a situation where you show up a minute after, when needed,” he said.

“We want to make sure you have that job satisfaction. Keep working with us; we’ll keep working with you,” Mariano said.

Published April 27, 2022

Lutz filmmaker offers glimpse into nature’s secrets

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Alexis Yahre’s appreciation for nature began when she was young.

But she had no idea that her time in Future Farmers of America and at Nature’s Classroom would contribute to her becoming a talented documentary filmmaker.

Lutz native and local filmmaker Alexis Yahre has been hitting the festival scene hard. She premiered her documentary, ‘Nature’s Secrets: Florida State Parks,’ at the Gasparilla Film Festival at Tampa Theatre in March, and will be showing it at the Sunscreen Film Festival from April 28 through May 1 at the Sundial AMC 12 Theatres in St. Petersburg. (Mike Camunas)

The 21-year-old Lutz native has channeled her love for nature into a film project that is being screened at film festivals.

And that’s all before the mass communications and broadcast production student graduates from the University of South Florida (USF).

She wants her film to encourage people to take a closer look at nature’s beauty.

“It’s right in the tagline (of my film), ‘In our own backyards, there are hundreds of worlds to explore,’” Yahre said.

“My goal with this film is to share some of the beautiful parts of the community I grew up in, so that others can appreciate and help protect them, too,” she said.

Her film, “Nature’s Secrets: Florida State Parks,” focuses on the nature preserved in Florida’s state parks.

As a one-person film crew, she visited a dozen of the more than 100 parks in this state.

Then, she interviewed numerous people from the park system who devote themselves to conserving and protecting the parks, and helping others to develop an appreciation for Florida’s natural environments.

The film is already garnering attention on the festival circuit, including being nominated for “Best Student Film” at the Cannes World Film Festival. Additionally, Cannes awarded Yahre with “Best Young Director.”

The documentary had its first theatrical screening at the 2022 Gasparilla International Film Festival in March. That even came with a red carpet appearance for the young filmmaker, at Tampa Theatre in downtown Tampa.

Next, on April 28, her film will be shown at the Sunscreen Film Festival at the Sundial AMC 12 Theatres in St. Petersburg. There will be showings there through May 1.

The young woman’s foray into filmmaking surprised her mother, Nicole Yahre.

“Honestly, I thought she would be a farmer,” Nicole said.

But she quickly recognized her daughter’s talent because even when she was young, she was landing editing jobs.

Her father, Adam, had a hand in helping her develop those editing skills.

“My dad is a software guy, so he got a computer and just put every professional program available on there,” said Alexis, a graduate of Steinbrenner High. “It really started with Adobe Premiere when I was 10 or 11 and took off from there.”

Learning software at such a young age led to editing opportunities for Alexis.

One of her jobs was creating content for the meat processing equipment company, Tipper Tie.

The work included producing videos for the Fresh-N-Ready salad bowl, the Herb Shooter and other products.

The job also inspired the name for Pepperoni Studios, the production company she founded, which produces her freelance work and personal projects.

Her technical skills and her eye for nature have impressed her professors at USF.

In fact, Kristofer Atkinson already has agreed to produce her next film. It will focus on college students taking a “gap year.”

“Most of my students are prolific filmmakers,” said Atkinson, Alexis’ mentor, who helped her navigate producing the film and getting into festivals.

“I do everything in my power to help them,” Atkinson said. “Maybe 15 become filmmakers, but two or three of them are excellent filmmakers, and she will be one of those.

“She has real directorial prowess, a real eye behind the camera and does a great job interviewing. I was duly impressed just how laser-focused her vision was from beginning to end.

“So, I’m hoping one day she will be thanking me at the Oscars,” he said, with a laugh.

Alexis graduates from USF in May and already works as an educator in Hillsborough County.

She feels her true place, however, is behind a camera — and then in the editing room.

At the same time, she’s at one with nature and she hopes her film will inspire others to explore the great outdoors.

“I just want people to know they live super close to all these parks,” she said.

“I just think it’s a huge untapped resource,” she said, adding, many don’t realize the treasures that are right in their own backyard.

She also is thrilled with the favorable reception enjoyed by “Nature’s Secrets: Florida State Parks.”

“Considering that I made this (film) without a budget or experience, I didn’t expect to see this kind of success,” she said. “I’m overjoyed that I can be a part of the festival and share a topic that I’m passionate about with the world.”

Her parents are delighted by her success.

“(Her father and I) are so proud of her and love that she’s being able to do what she loves doing,” her mom said.

Nature’s Secrets: Florida State Parks
Director: Alexis Yahre
Runtime: 10 minutes 30 seconds
Synopsis: Alexis Yahre invites viewers on a journey through the Florida State Park system to capture the sights of whimsical animals, and hear the stories of some the unsung heroes who labor to conserve their habitats. Along the way, she uncovers secrets about the parks and highlights some of Florida’s best lesser-known places.
Film includes: Hillsborough River State Park, in Hillsborough County; Werner-Boyce Salt Springs State Park, in Port Richey; and, Honeymoon Island State Park, in Dunedin.
To view a trailer of the film, log onto YouTube.com/watch?v=WZTRdnxDHL0.

Published April 27, 2022

Audit approved, as Pasco prepares to shift jail operations

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The Pasco County Commission has approved spending $150,000 on a transition audit, as the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office prepares to shift operation of the county’s jail to the county’s administration.

The county will assume financial and administrative responsibility for operating the jail as of Oct. 1.

As it prepares for the conversion, a transition audit will be performed by an external auditor to review assets and liabilities.

The audit was recommended by Pasco County Clerk & Comptroller Nikki Alvarez-Sowles, during the board’s April 5 meeting.

The clerk’s office will negotiate contract terms and sign the contract once the terms are finalized and a vendor is selected, according to backup materials in the county board’s April 19 agenda packet.

When Alvarez-Sowles suggested the transition audit, she told the board: “You want to know, as a county board, what you’re getting with that transfer of a major function for the county.

“It’s important to know what we’re getting, as a county, from the sheriff, from Day One.”

County Administrator Dan Biles also touched on the topic of shifting jail operations to the county’s control.

Biles said there have been several meetings over the last few weeks between the county’s team and the sheriff’s team.

He said he wasn’t ready to provide an update yet, but expected to be able to provide some timelines soon.

Biles said the county attorney has provided a couple of attorneys to work on the issue and that the clerk has been involved in those meetings.

“There’s a lot that’s been happening behind the scenes. HR (Human Resources) has been in the jail several times to talk to all of the existing employees about working for the county and what that means to them.

“We’re working through it, we just don’t have a whole lot to report today,” Biles said.

The clerk thanked the county board for approving the budget amendment to pay for the audit.

“My inspector general is reaching out to various auditing firms to help us with the transition audit,” she said.

The clerk said the audit is intended to “look at what assets they have, to verify those assets and also to do a reconciliation of the assets, as well as any liabilities.”

She told the board she would let them know when a contract has been signed.

Published April 27, 2022

AdventHealth focuses on growth, expansion

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When looking at AdventHealth Dade City’s chart, there’s a vast improvement.

Formerly known as Florida Hospital Dade City, AdventHealth took over four years ago and has spent $22 million on a major makeover.

AdventHealth Dade City, at 13100 Fort King Road, was purchased by the national health care system four years ago. It has undergone $22 million in renovations. (Mike Camunas)

The upgrade includes a $2 million expansion now being done to double the capacity of the pre-op and post-op ward, bringing the total to eight bays. That work is expected to be done by the end of the year.

When AdventHealth took over, the former hospital was fading.

Now, the 100-plus bed hospital, at 13100 Fort King Road, has been reinvigorated.

“Over the last four years, what we’ve done at Dade City has been a remarkable accomplishment and certainly transformative,” COO Shade Bedward said.

“When AdventHealth took over four years ago, it certainly was not performing financially, and only had six patients.

“Now, we have over 100 (patients) in house and see over 100 patients a day. The confidence and trust that the community has in us now is a tremendous achievement,” the hospital executive said.

Bedward was promoted on Feb. 27 to chief operating officer of AdventHealth Dade City and AdventHealth Zephyrhills. The latter is now considered a synergized-system sister hospital, a mere 7 ½ miles away, at 7050 Gall Blvd.

Bedward will serve in leadership and director roles at Zephyrhills and will serve as hospital administrator at Dade City.

In Dade City, he will oversee the day-to-day and strategic operations, and report directly to Amanda Maggard, AdventHealth president and CEO.

“Of course there have been a lot of challenges in the past 3 ½ years I’ve been here, but it’s also been a lot of fun work that benefits the community,” Bedward said.

AdventHealth, a faith-based, nonprofit health care system headquartered in Altamonte Springs, operates facilities in nine states.

It hit the ground running once taking over the Dade City location, Bedward said. The hospital was considered as being on its last leg, receiving a C grade from Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade.

Leapfrog is an annual voluntary survey in which hospitals report quality and safety data. It uses 22 evidence-based measures of patient safety, including how well hospitals protect patients from preventable errors, injuries and infections. Leapfrog then calculates a numerical score for all eligible hospitals in the United States, whether or not the hospital reports its data.

Over time, Dade City improved nearly every aspect of its facility, including transition care, which is people staying in the hospital for seven days to 14 days. That is now a five-star ranked unit and the only one ranked that high in East Pasco, Bedward said.

“We’re seeing top-notch quality. Across the board,” he said.

Moving forward, AdventHealth is working on recruiting an improved workforce and also on employee retention.

Those efforts include adequate market pay and benefits, student loans and tuition reimbursements, and company cultural celebrations to show appreciation.

Bedward hopes this inspires employees to stay in Dade City.

AdventHealth Dade City has evidence of its transformative rejuvenation.

It now has an A grade from LeapFrog.

“We focused on quality of care and culture company-wide,” Bedward said. “Guests walk in, and it feels warm and welcoming, and they get a very nice experience,” he said.

While gratified by the hospital’s accomplishments so far, efforts are ongoing, he said.

“There’s still a lot of work to be done. The growth is fast-paced and we plan to continue to keep growing,” Bedward said.

Published April 27, 2022

Plans moving forward in Angeline community

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Pasco County Schools has begun construction on a $52.7 million magnet school in the Angeline community, which is expected to offer an array of new opportunities for students in grades six through 12.

Ray Gadd, deputy superintendent of Pasco County Schools, offered a brief update on the project during the Pasco County School Board’s April 19 meeting.

Work has begun on putting up the stem walls on the project, Gadd said. “We’re on time, despite supply chain issues,” he said.

“It’s going to be another great facility in Pasco County,” the deputy superintendent added.

The school board approved a contract in November with Ajax Building Company, to construct the building on an 18.8-acre site in the new Land O’ Lakes development, which is being billed as a wellness community.

Angeline will emerge on thousands of acres of land, east of the Suncoast Parkway and south of State Road 52. The area includes Moffitt Cancer Center’s planned Pasco County campus.

County Administrator Dan Biles anticipates the cancer center’s presence in Pasco to spur what he has described as “generational change.”

The project is expected to include a massive research and corporate innovation district.

It has site entitlements that encompass 24 million square feet, and include plans for a hospital, research and development space, office, manufacturing, laboratories, pharmacies, educational facility/university, hotel, and commercial space. The multiyear, multiphase project is expected to create 14,500 jobs.

At previous school board meetings, Gadd has reported that the school district, Moffitt and Pasco-Hernando State College are collaborating to create a magnet school, featuring unique offerings and opportunities for students.

The school is designed for 1,700 students. Its plans call for a facility with 186,882 gross square feet.

The project is expected to be substantially completed in April 2023, with final completion in June 2023.

In an unrelated action, the Pasco County Commission has approved earmarking $50,000 for a park project in Angeline.

County board members approved the expenditure during their April 19 meeting, allocating the money to be used for a stormwater and flood plain engineering analysis related to a future park.

Published April 27, 2022