The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Local News

COVID-19 cases on the uptick

By

COVID-19 cases are on the rise across the nation, with outbreaks occurring in parts of the country with low vaccination rates, according to officials from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

As of July 22, 35% of counties in the United States were experiencing high levels of community transmission, and COVID-19 cases were on the rise in 90% of the nation’s jurisdictions, according to a CDC interpretative summary of the week’s data.

That July 23 briefing, posted on the CDC’s website, notes that “the worrisome trends are due, in part,” to the rapid spread of the highly transmissible Delta variant.

The increase in COVID-19 infections is being observed locally, too.

Officials with AdventHealth’s West Florida region are noticing “a significant uptick in COVID-19 cases” and “an increase in COVID hospitalizations at its hospitals in Hillsborough, Pasco, Hardee, Highlands, Pinellas and Marion counties, according to a media briefing from the health care chain.

“The Delta variant is the most prominent strain we are seeing in our system,” AdventHealth reports.

It also notes that “some 94% of patients hospitalized with COVID-19” across its nationwide system have not been vaccinated.

“We continue to urge everyone who is eligible to get vaccinated, which is the most effective way to prevent hospitalization and death from COVID-19, as well as prevent new variants of the virus from spreading,” AdventHealth’s briefing adds.

The increase in cases is coming as schools gear up for the 2021-2022 school year.

Experts at the CDC have issued guidance for COVID-19 prevention in kindergarten through 12th grade schools.

That guidance says, in part, that “masks should be worn indoors by all individuals (age 2 and older) who are not fully vaccinated.”

The CDC also “recommends schools maintain at least 3 feet of physical distance between students within classrooms, combined with indoor mask-wearing by people who are not fully vaccinated, to reduce transmission risk.”

The American Academy of Pediatrics also advocates “keeping masks on in school and urging everyone who is eligible to get vaccinated against COVID-19” among its recommended interventions to prevent spreading the virus.

The Pasco and Hillsborough public school districts already have announced that masks would be optional in their schools during the upcoming school year.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis also has made it abundantly clear that he won’t support — and will actively battle — any attempts to make masks mandatory in the coming school year.

He addressed the issue during a news conference on July 22 at Indian River State College.

“We look forward to this upcoming year, to be a normal school year,” the governor said, during the conference, streamed by a television station covering the event.

“There’s been talk about people potentially advocating at the federal level imposing compulsory masks on kids. We’re not doing that in Florida, OK?

“We need our kids to be able to be kids. We need them to be able to breathe,” DeSantis said.

Parents can send their children to school with masks if they choose to do so, the governor said. He added, “But there shouldn’t be any coercive mandates on our schools.”

He elaborated on his opposition to requiring masks: “Is it really comfortable? Is it really healthy for them to be muzzled and have their breathing obstructed all day long in school? I don’t think it is,” DeSantis said.

If an attempt at a federal mandate is made, DeSantis pledged to fight it.

DeSantis went on to say: “If anybody is calling for lockdowns, you’re not getting that done in Florida. I’m going to protect people’s livelihoods. I’m going to protect kids’ rights to go to school. I’m going to protect people’s rights to run their small businesses.”

The governor also noted: “We have a situation where we have three vaccines that have been widely available for months and months, now.”

Contrary to what President Joe Biden said, DeSantis added, people who have been vaccinated have tested positive for COVID-19.

“But I think what it does do, is that it really prevents against severe outcomes, particularly death or a serious hospitalization,” the governor said.

For instance, “the nursing home fatalities are down 95% since the vaccines rolled out,” DeSantis said.

Health officials continue to urge vaccinations.

“The best way to slow the emergence of new variants is to reduce the spread of infection by taking measures to protect yourself, including getting a vaccine when it’s available to you,” the CDC’s summary says.

The Delta variant now makes up an estimated 83.2% of the recent U.S. cases, according to the July 23 CDC report.

Published July 28, 2021

Improvements keep coming to Zephyrhills redevelopment area

By

The concept design plan for Hercules Park renovations is being updated to include public requests for restrooms, artwork, educational signage, a retention pond, and Wi-Fi, among several other features such as playfields and pathways.

Initial design plans for a BMX bike track were not well-received during a workshop, so that piece is being removed from the scope, according to Gail Hamilton, director of the Zephyrhills Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA).

The 12-acre park property is at the corner of County Road 54 and Gall Boulevard, next to Zephyrhills High and Woodland Elementary schools.

Upgrades continue to occur in the redevelopment district that is under the jurisdiction of the Zephyrhills Redevelopment Agency. (File)

Hamilton provided an update on the CRA’s activities in a number of areas during the agency’s last meeting. The Zephyrhills City Council serves as the board of the CRA.

The CRA is a dependent special district in which any future increases in property values are set aside in a Trust Fund to support economic development and redevelopment projects within the designated district.

The Zephyrhills CRA redevelopment district is approximately 501 acres. It encompasses the center spine of the city, generally between Hercules Park to C Avenue, and from Zephyr Park to 17th Street. Within those boundaries are the following historic neighborhood districts: Hercules, Historic Jeffries, Historic Abbott, Moore’s Estate, Zephyr Lake, Oakside, and Plaza.

Other notable updates on activities within the district were shared during last month’s meeting. They include:

  • A CRA commercial matching façade and signage grant totaling up to $6,000 has been approved for Tara Hornbeck, doing business as Mulligan’s Tavern, at 5420 Gall Blvd.

Upgrades for the new Irish pub are slated to feature an aluminum frame cloth awning by the front door entrance, as well as replacement of rotted windows and doorframe.

The building was formerly the home of Salsa’s Mexican Grill, which has been closed for more than a year, Hamilton said.

Several other improvements outside the grant’s scope also will be completed — including parking lot repaving and landscaping — at the restaurateur’s expense. “We will have a nice looking building when it’s all said and done,” Hamilton told CRA Commissioners.

  • A $5,000 CRA residential ownership incentive grant has been approved for Elis Jose Burgos-Berrios, at 4929 16th St.

The grant’s purpose is to encourage home purchases within distressed neighborhoods as a catalyst to improve the owner-occupancy rate and neighborhood, one street at a time.

The grant requires Burgos-Berrios to file a homestead exemption on the property for five years.

Burgos-Berrios is a city employee, tasked with maintaining the city’s Oakside Cemetery, at 5301 First St.

  • Public Wi-Fi now is installed for Fifth Avenue, but the CRA is working with a consultant and the city’s IT department on developing a website landing page that Main Street will eventually oversee.
  • Zephyrhills Public Works has installed a slew of black benches throughout downtown, matching the color scheme of trash cans, signs and poles.

• The CRA has partnered with Main Street and public works to install blue Adirondack chairs (made of recycled plastic water bottles) attached with concrete slabs at Transplant Park, a pie-shaped area at 12th Street and Fifth Street. A neighborhood happenings sign promoting downtown parades and events also will be installed at the pocket park.

Published July 28, 2021

Rezoning would allow 400 apartments

By

The Pasco County Planning Commission and the county’s planners have recommended approval of a rezoning that would allow 400 apartments on approximately 43.42 acres at the southeast corner of Wesley Chapel Boulevard and Hay Road.

Denise Hernandez, the county’s zoning administrator, detailed the request at the planning board’s July 22 meeting.

The proposed multifamily project would be located between the recently approved Hay Road Townhomes project to the west and Compark 75, to the east.

“Multifamily apartment uses create a transition from the industrial uses to the townhomes,” Hernandez said.

The request is consistent with the county’s land development code and its comprehensive plan, Hernandez added.

The site is currently zoned for agricultural and light industrial uses.

In addition to the rezoning, the applicants also are requesting a variance from the county land development code requirements relating to parking and park space, Hernandez said.

The planning board and county staff recommend approval of those variance requests.

The planning board voted unanimously to recommend approval of the rezoning, with the exception of Planning Commission Roberto Saez, who was absent.

No one raised objections about the request during the public hearing.

The Pasco County Commission is expected to take final action on the land use plan amendment, which is required for the rezoning, and on the rezoning itself, during its Aug. 24 meeting, according to Joel Tew, the attorney representing the applicants.

Although the request has the support of the planning board and county staff, it has faced opposition in the past.

Commissioners were divided on the land use plan amendment, voting 3-2 to transmit the request to state officials for review.

Commission Chairman Ron Oakley, and Commissioners Kathryn Starkey and Christina Fitzpatrick voted in favor of the transmittal, while Commissioners Mike Moore and Jack Mariano were opposed.

Moore who ultimately persuaded his colleagues to allow a six-month moratorium, which affects only his district, has urged commissioners to ease up on rezonings for multifamily developments.

If it doesn’t, Moore predicts there will be a heavy price to pay in the future, when a glut of apartment buildings leads to high vacancy rates and buildings that fall into disrepair.

Published July 28, 2021

Zephyrhills city manager earns solid performance marks

By

The verdict is in: Zephyrhills City Manager Billy Poe is doing a pretty bang-up job.

That’s the general consensus of the Zephyrhills City Council in its performance review of Poe, shared during the council’s July 12 meeting.

Poe earned a combined 4.21 on a rating scale of 1 to 5, with 1 meaning needs improvement and 5 meaning exceeds expectations.

Zephyrhills City Manager Billy Poe (File)

Here’s how the scores for Poe broke down:

Council President Alan Knight: 4.84
Councilman Ken Burgess: 4.68
Councilman Charlie Proctor: 4.27
Councilman Lance Smith: 3.82
Council Vice President Jodi Wilkeson: 3.43

The 12-page evaluation covered a period from June 2020 to June 2021.

The review consisted of 10 key performance measures — personal, professional skills and status, relations with elected members, policy execution, reporting, citizen relations, staffing, supervision, community, and fiscal management.

The evaluation also gave council members an opportunity to respond to specific questions and include comments pertinent to the rating period. Those specifics could include the city manager’s strengths, performance areas needing improvement and constructive suggestions.

The results were submitted to Lori Hillman, the city clerk; Sandra Amerson, human resources director; and, Pasco County.

After the results were shared, several council members offered remarks about the city’s operations under Poe’s management.

Smith and Burgess each simply stated the city manager is “doing a good job.”

Burgess added: “I think everything is running along pretty good right now.”

Knight was more effusive in his praise. He said Poe is “doing a great job.”

Knight elaborated: “Things that are being done for this city and the growth and all, I’m just real proud of everything. Once again, Mr. Poe, we’re very proud. I know I’m very proud of the job you do.”

Poe’s evaluation period coincides with several noteworthy changes for the municipality. Those include consolidation of the city’s longstanding fire department into Pasco County; the opening of the multimillion-dollar Sarah Vande Berg Tennis & Wellness Center; progress on the U.S. 301/Pretty Pond Road signalized intersection project; the launch of the city’s first social media accounts; and, the hiring of its first public information officer.

Poe became Zephyrhills’ city manager during a period of massive residential growth in the city — with over 2,400 homes under construction, not including the numerous developments currently in the negotiation stage. As a result of the growth, an estimated 6,000 people could move into the city within the next two years to five years.

He previously served as city manager in Dade City in 2008, a position he held for over a decade.

He left Dade City to become the assistant city manager in Zephyrhills, in November 2018, then stepped up to replace retiring city manager Steve Spina in July 2019.

Published July 28, 2021

Zephyrhills tax rate to stay the same

By

Zephyrhills property owners won’t see an increase in their ad valorem tax rate for fiscal year 2021-2022.

The city council on July 12 unanimously voted to set the tentative millage rate at 6.35 mills — a rate the municipality has maintained for several years.

Public hearings on the proposed property tax rate have been scheduled for Sept. 13 and Sept. 27, both at 6 p.m.

The City of Zephyrhills set its tentative property tax rate at 6.35 mills for fiscal year 2020-2021; it is the same rate as it has been for the past several years. (File)

Under state law, once a tentative millage rate has been set, the city cannot raise it before the start of the fiscal year, which begins Oct. 1. The council does, however, have the option to reduce the rate before then.

A mill represents $1 in tax for every $1,000 worth of a property’s taxable assessed value.

In Zephyrhills, maintaining a rate of 6.35 mills would levy about $6,011,395 in property taxes — a revenue increase of $690,420 compared with last year, according to city records. (Aiming for a 95% collection rate, that’d be $5,710,925 compared to last year’s $5,054,922.)

The figures are based on the total city’s property value of $946,676,382, an increase of $103,363,254 over last year, according to the Pasco County Property Appraiser’s Office. Of that increase, $50,282,764 is attributable to new construction.

Zephyrhills Finance Director Ted Beason summarized the details during the meeting.

In other news, City Manager Billy Poe reported there was “very little impact” to the municipality when Hurricane Elsa touched down, aside from a lone city police vehicle that suffered flooding damage.

“We had one police vehicle that got flooded, unfortunately, but that was the only damage that was incurred. No trees were down, which was shocking,” Poe said.

Meanwhile, councilman Smith credited Zephyrhills Police Chief Derek Brewer and Zephyrhills Public Works Director Shane LeBlanc for being well-organized and prepared for the impending tropical storm.

Smith said of the two city department heads: “You already have your plans in place, you already know what you’re going to do, that’s why nobody was panicking. I knew you had already done this many, many times before, so thank you for your planning on it.”

Published July 28, 2021

Office development zoning sought in Lutz, on State Road 54

By

The Pasco County Planning Commission is recommending approval of proposed office development on a 1.67-acre site at the southwest corner of State Road 54 and Meadowbrook Drive, in Lutz.

The site is the same one where neighbors vigorously resisted a proposed gas station and convenience store.

That pursuit was dropped after the Pasco County Commission denied a request to amend the county’s comprehensive plan to allow general commercial uses to be considered at that location.

The county board’s action then prompted the applicant, Kiddie Campus University Inc., to change its previously filed companion rezoning request from one seeking commercial uses to one that allows a professional office use.

A land use amendment is not needed to accommodate the office request.

Attorney Barbara Wilhite, representing the applicant, told the planning board that her client has amended the rezoning request to office, in reaction to the county board “not wanting to see commercial uses at that location.”

She continued: “We heard over and over and over at both (previous) public hearings that office would be compatible, commercial would not.

“I think there was a recognition that this property is on State Road 54, at a signalized intersection, and it’s not appropriate for residential use,” she said.

Her client is seeking the least intense office use, Wilhite said, adding that in previous public hearings involving the site, the neighbors remarked that “what’s nice about office is, it’s occupied during the day, it’s not occupied at night, generally speaking, or on weekends.”

While previous hearings on the proposed gas station attracted a sizable number of opponents, only two people spoke at the planning commission’s July 22 hearing.

Jennifer Robertson, who lives on Riverstone Drive, told the planning board: “I don’t object to it, only because I know something will go there.”

However, she voiced concerns about flooding and also asked that the neighbors be able to weigh in on what the development looks like.

“We do want something that looks nice for our neighborhood, since it’s within our neighborhood,” she said.

Douglas Grant, who also lives in the area, said he doesn’t object to the portion of the rezoning that abuts State Road 54.

However, the southern lot, which is also part of the rezoning, represents a commercial intrusion into a residential neighborhood, he said.

He said he would drop his objection if the southern property was used as an area for a retention pond, or if the development met a number of other conditions.

Attorney Wilhite said her client is seeking a “low-intensity office” use.

She added: “We will be a good neighbor. We have worked with the neighbors before.”

The planning board voted unanimously, with Planning Commissioner Roberto Saez absent, to recommend approval of the rezoning.

Published July 28, 2021

Help quench firefighters’ thirst; get a free sub

By

Firehouse Subs restaurants once again will host its bottled water collection drive through its ninth-annual H2O For Heroes campaign, on Aug. 7, nationwide, according to a news release.

Firehouse Subs has donated more than 4.1 million water bottles since the inception of its H2O For Heroes campaign. (Courtesy of Firehouse Subs)

The drive aims to help to hydrate local first responders during the record-breaking summer heat.

Guests are asked to bring in an unopened 24-pack of bottled water, any brand, to any of the Firehouse Subs franchises. In return for the donation, patrons will receive a free medium sub of their choice.

The collected water will benefit local fire and police departments, emergency victims, senior and community centers, and more, to aid those in need of water when hydration and other heat-related illnesses are most threatening.

The event returns after being canceled in 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Since the campaign’s inception, H2O For Heroes has provided more than 4.1 million water bottles across the country.

For information and restaurant locations, visit FirehouseSubs.com.

Published July 28, 2021

Mixture of uses proposed at Roaches Run, U.S. 41

By

A 35-acre site at the southwest corner of Roaches Run and U.S. 41 could become home to a project with an array of commercial and residential uses.

The Pasco County Planning Commission and the county’s planners have recommended approval of the request, which would allow the site to be used for retail, office/medical office; health care-related uses; light industrial; distribution; multifamily; single-family attached residential; senior retirement/assisted living; and public/institutional uses.

Denise Hernandez, the county’s zoning administrator, said the request allows a maximum of 275,000 commercial square feet.

The zoning also includes a land use equivalency matrix, meaning an assortment of uses can be allowed within the project, with the matrix determining the maximum allowable density within the project.

Conditions of approval also spell out that the minimum square footage for commercial retail is 100,000 square feet, Hernandez said.

Plus, “residential will only be allowed on the parcels abutting (U.S.) 41, if they are part of a vertically integrated mixed-use building,” she said.

In addition to the zoning change, the request includes a variance from the land development code’s parking requirements — based on the ability of different uses within the project to share parking.

The planning board recommended approval of the request, with Planning Commissioner Roberto Saez absent.

The request next goes to the Pasco County Commission, which has final jurisdiction over land use and zoning decisions.

Published July 28, 2021

Healthy snacks to enjoy on the road

By

Taking a break from daily routines doesn’t mean you have to abandon your healthy eating habits.

It just takes a bit more planning to pull it off.

I recently went on an eight-day trip to New York, splitting the week between the city and upstate.

During that time, my body could definitely tell that I was eating foods outside of my routine.

Chickpeas have protein and fiber, along with mostly healthy fat from canola oil, making hummus a filling snack that’s easy to eat on the go. (Courtesy of Pixabay.com)

As someone who is accustomed to cooking at home most days each month — and who hasn’t gone on an extended vacation in almost two years — it was hard initially to become accustomed to all the restaurant food (though I admit, I did enjoy it).

I indulged at an Italian bakery while in Manhattan — it was part of the New York experience, right? But then I remembered to choose some healthier options later.

It’s all part of keeping a good balance.

In New York City, it’s easy to get anything at any time, so a fresh banana or orange was practically available at every intersection.

My stay in upstate was with family who had a fridge full of healthy options.

But not all vacation destinations are as “healthy-friendly,” and extra planning may be required.

For example, when traveling on a road trip in the car or an RV, you can avoid taking snack breaks at a gas station or rest stop’s vending machine by having healthy snacks that are prepared and packed in the vehicle.

Besides avoiding weight gains, healthy snacks are easier on your vacation budget, too.

So, what can we pack for our travels that will be healthy and convenient?

To stave off hunger in between long bouts of driving, focus on foods with protein.

Protein takes longer to move through the stomach, so you feel fuller for longer.

Fat provides 9 calories per gram of food, while protein and carbohydrates provide 4.

Adding a healthy fat will make the snack more filling because of the extra calories.

But, be mindful if you’ve been snacking on other high-calorie foods. If you have,  go easy on the fat to avoid excessive calories.

Here are some ideas to try.

Some require some meal prep in advance, others you simply throw in the bag.

Also, remember the cooler and ice — and be sure to bring a thermometer, too, so you can check that the cooler has stayed below 40 degrees.

Here are some healthy snack options:

  • Popcorn trail mix: mix in popcorn with pretzels, peanuts, cereal, raisins and so on
  • Hummus to serve with celery sticks, carrots, bell peppers and other vegetables
  • Dried fruits
  • Mixed nuts
  • Peanut butter or other nut butter, to enjoy with whole-wheat crackers or vegetables. (Many peanut butter brands come in easy to-go snack-sized packaging.)
  • Jerky (beef, turkey or salmon with seasoning). There’s also plant-based jerky, such as mushroom jerky.
  • Hard-boiled eggs
  • Yogurt, mixed with fresh fruit
  • Granola bars (Be sure to choose one with the least amount of sugar)
  • Canned tuna on whole-wheat crackers (Get the pull-tab cans so you don’t need a can opener).

Grapes, which can be pre-washed and placed in a container, make a good snack to take along while traveling.

But avoid fruits that can easily bruise, and use care when eating fruit or drinking juice because the fruit can become a sticky mess, and juice can leave stains on your car.

Also, be sure to bring along hand sanitizer, wet wipes, napkins, utensils, cups (if needed) and a bag for trash.

Enjoy your vacation — and yes, enjoy the special and unusual foods you’ll encounter.

But remember, just because you’re away from your kitchen, doesn’t mean all healthy eating has to go out the window.

You put the right type of fuel in your car so it drives well, so use that same mindfulness when fueling your body.

After all, that will help keep you in tip-top shape, for many road trips to come.

By Shari Bresin

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

Recipe
Hummus
(Hummus offers a healthy choice for on-the-road snacking. Remember: Keep it in a cooler until you’re ready to eat it.)

Ingredients
1 clove garlic
1 large lemon
1 (15½-ounce) can garbanzo beans
½ cup warm water
2 Tablespoons low-fat plain yogurt
2 Tablespoons canola oil
1 teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon ground black pepper

Optional ingredients:
1 fresh red pepper, or 3 roasted red peppers from a jar
Pinch of ground cumin, ground cayenne pepper, or red pepper flakes

Instructions:

  1. Peel and chop garlic. If using fresh red pepper, rinse, remove core and seeds, and mince now. Or, mince jarred roasted peppers.
  2. Rinse lemon and cut in half. In a small bowl, squeeze juice. Discard seeds.
  3. In a colander, drain and rinse beans.
  4. Add garlic, lemon juice, beans and remaining ingredients to blender. If using optional spices, add now. Blend until creamy and well-mixed.
  5. If using, top hummus with minced red pepper.

Published July 28, 2021

Protect yourself from red tide effects

By

As efforts continue to remove dead fish from regional waterways, officials from Hillsborough County have compiled some pointers from the Florida Department of Health, to help reduce the risks posed by red tide.

(www.freepik.com)

Here are those pointers, shared in a news release from Hillsborough County:

  • When possible, stay away from water bodies and beaches where red tide or fish killed by the toxic algae is present.
  • Don’t touch or swim near dead fish.
  • Wear shoes to prevent injuries from stepping on fish carcasses.
  • Keep pets away from water, sea spray, and dead fish affected by red tide.
  • Don’t harvest or eat shellfish from an affected area.
  • People with chronic respiratory problems should avoid a red tide area.
  • If breathing difficulties do not subside after leaving a red tide area or going indoors, contact your health care provider.

For more information on the status of red tide in Hillsborough County and how to report fish kills, visit HCFLGov.net/RedTide.

Published July 28, 2021