The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Local News

New sheriff’s substation at the Grove

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The Pasco County Sheriff’s Office has set up a new substation at the Grove in Wesley Chapel.

Patrol deputies now will work out of this substation and desk officers will join them once lobbies reopen, according to a sheriff’s office newsletter.

The sheriff’s office lobbies remain closed amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Previously, patrol and desk officers worked out of a substation at The Shops at Wiregrass. That location now will be used as an office for the sheriff’s community relations deputies, the newsletter says.

Anyone needing assistance from the sheriff’s office can call 727-847-8102, option 7, to report a crime or speak with a desk officer.

Published April 07, 2021

Dade City boosts IT security system, in response to breach

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The City of Dade City is taking actionable steps to strengthen IT security protocols to prevent future data breaches and hacks.

Dade City Commissioners on March 9 voted unanimously to purchase cybersecurity services from Arctic Wolf Networks Inc., to provide managed risk and managed detection and response solutions, in an amount up to $41,901.88.

The action follows a ransomware data security breach that occurred in November, which compromised the city’s website, email systems and online payment systems — which continues to prevent residents from paying utility bills online.

In a February proposal and presentation overview from Arctic Wolf, it was revealed the city’s core systems were down for weeks and other components of the network were affected months after the breach; the attacker had access since April 2020; and, there was a $25,000 deductible for cyber insurance.

The City of Dade City is boosting its IT cybersecurity system in response to a data breach last year. (Courtesy of City of Dade City)

The agreement with the Minnesota-based firm will provide log retention for one year, as well as 24/7 monitoring of those logs.

The service also includes monthly vulnerability scanning with recommendations on remediation of detected threats, as well as the ability to allow the firm’s security team to immediately quarantine threats and suspected compromised systems.

The company is described as “the market leader in security operations,” utilizing a “cloud-native security operations platform to deliver security as a concierge service.”

The cybersecurity service was not budgeted in the current fiscal year, however officials felt it vital to now provide additional protection for the IT and security system. A portion of the unanticipated costs can be funded through the city’s GIS analyst vacancy and changes to some existing IT programs. Also, up to $20,000 will be funded from the city’s General Fund contingency.

The decision to ultimately proceed with the purchase came after a recent IT risk assessment by Mandiant, a Virginia-based IT security firm. The firm recommended the city improve its system logging and monitoring, as well as hardening defenses on all systems.

Dade City Manager Leslie Porter underscored the need for the enhanced IT security measures: “Unfortunately, we know the threats will continue coming. We just have to position ourselves in the best way possible,” she said. The city manager also noted additional cybersecurity measures will need to be considered in forthcoming budget years, as well.

Aside from meeting general risk assessment recommendations, the Arctic Wolf package needs to be in place before reestablishing online utility billing payment options for local customers, said Kevin Towne, the city’s IT director. He observed, “When you bring (utility billing) online you’re allowing people to come into your network to see that stuff. I can’t watch it 24/7, that’s what this company will do. It’s 24/7 protection. It doesn’t matter if its midnight on Christmas.”

Towne said the price for the service is reasonable because a comparative package from other cybersecurity companies could have cost upwards of $94,000.

“I don’t think anybody offers a package like them,” Towne said of Arctic Wolf. “They’re providing above and beyond.”

Commissioners recognized the need for enhanced cybersecurity.

“We realized we’ve got to do something,” Commissioner Scott Black said. “We can’t afford to let things like that continue to happen to us.”

Mayor Camille Hernandez agreed that the additional security is the way to go. She also noted: “The price tag, even though it looks high, is a great deal.

“If this is going to get us on the path the progress that we need to see and the utility bill pay and other things, it certainly seems like the right thing to do,” she said.

Published March 31, 2021

Detective, investigator complete specialized firearms training

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A pair of Dade City Police Department employees have achieved the distinction of earning an advanced firearms certification.

Dade City Police Detective Amanda Chambers and Investigator Diana Surratt completed a local three-day certified firearms specialty class, organized by the International Firearm Specialist Academy.

Front row, from left: Dade City Police Detective Amanda Chambers, Dade City Police Investigator Diana Surratt, retired Tampa Police captain Bret Bartlett, Dade City Mayor Camille Hernandez and Dade City Police Chief James Walters. Back row, from left: Dade City Commissioners Scott Black, Knute Nathe, Jim Shive and Normita Woodard. (Courtesy of Dade City Police Department)

Chambers and Surratt were among 22 class members from various law enforcement agencies from across the Tampa Bay area. The in-classroom firearms specialist academy took place at the DCPD Training Center in November 2019. The two became the first to successfully complete the course’s 13 learning modules and tests, according to Dade City Police Chief James Walters.

Areas of focus for certification include safe handling practices; accurate identification of firearms and ammunition; competency to explain firearms rules and classifications, and nomenclature; and mechanical operation.

The two members’ certifications became official March 4.

The firearms academy originally was developed by Daniel O’ Kelly, a retired special agent from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. O’ Kelly recognized there was a learning gap in firearms training and specialty after he served as lead instructor of firearm technology at the ATF National Academy in Glynco, Georgia.

One of the lead instructors for the local firearms class was retired Tampa Police captain Bret Bartlett, who made a presentation during a March 9 Dade City Commission meeting to recognize the Dade City Police employees’ achievement.

The certification, Bartlett said, “is designed to let investigators and officers make better firearms cases so we put more bad guys away in jail, more efficiently.”

“It’s a difficult class,” Bartlett said. “When I took it the first time, I realized there’s a lot more that I needed to learn, a lot more than I knew, so they worked very hard, they were very diligent. There are very few in this whole country, very few certified firearms specialists.”

Chambers was hired by the local police department in December 2016. Surratt was bought on as a part-time employee in January 2017 and became full-time in October last year.

Published March 31, 2021

Connerton ‘downtown’ moving closer to reality

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A plan for a downtown in Connerton — that’s been decades in the making — is moving closer to coming to fruition.

The Pasco County Planning Commission, and the county’s planners, are recommending approval of a change that would set the stage to convert land currently zoned for agricultural into a master-planned development.

The proposal, by applicant Lennar Homes LLC, calls for Connerton Villages III and IV, which would be a master-planned development that would allow a maximum of 2,160 dwelling units, 150,000 square feet of retail, 150,000 square feet of office, a charter school with up to 765 students, an 80-acre district park and the allocation of 7 acres for a library/fire/emergency medical services facility within the villages.

Clarke Hobby, an attorney representing Lennar, said “when Connerton was approved originally over 20 years ago, it included a 300-acre downtown area — in this area — that included a very large community college and over 1 million square feet of regional commercial. So, basically it was going to have a mall.”

The new vision is substantially different.

It has a connectivity plan — including trail systems — that will greatly reduce the dependence on vehicles to get around the community, according to background materials in the agenda packet.

The commercial plan is different, too.

“It’s going to be a bunch of local-serving retail that will benefit the Connerton community, but will not be of regional nature,” Hobby said.

“We’re really excited. We’ve worked with staff for 2½ years to get to this point — and the community plan, and connectivity plan that we’ve created — I believe is going to be one that we’ll all be proud of for generations,” he said.

The only public comment came from Rob Park, who lives in Bahia Acres, which is on the other side of Ehren Cutoff from the proposed development area. Park sent an email to be read into the record.

“Over the years, there has been one variance after another and none of the proposed downtown areas were built,” Park wrote.

“The variation requests address that and reads like a fairytale, and sounds like a dreamland,” he added.

“Issues of congestion, light and noise are not mentioned,” Park continued.

“The proposal does not say one thing about blending in with Bahia Acres across the street, which has generations of residents. I have been there 40 years, and I am the relatively new guy on the block,” Park’s email says.

Hobby responded to Park’s email by noting: “For the planning commission’s benefit, Mr. Park has objected at several hearings about his concerns about Ehren Cutoff, which is a county collector and it is morphing into a larger-scale road.”

Hobby also noted that: “Most of the uses that Mr. Park is concerned about are about a half-mile from Ehren Cutoff and really won’t have an effect on those people on the east side of Ehren Cutoff, and moreover, the uses are really only community-serving retail-sized.”

Planning commissioners voted unanimously to recommend approval of the request, to the Pasco County Commission, which has final jurisdiction on land use and zoning issues.

Published March 31, 2021

Passover continues through April 4

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The Jewish holiday of Pesach, or Passover, is an eight-day festival celebrated in the early spring, from the 15th through the 22nd of the Hebrew month of Nissan.

This year, it runs from March 27 through April 4.

Passover celebrates the emancipation of the Israelites from slavery in ancient Egypt. Following its various rituals and traditions allows the Jewish community to relive and experience the freedom of their ancestors.

This includes substituting matzah for leavened grains, from midday of the day before Passover until the conclusion of the holiday.

Passover is divided into two parts.

The first two days (March 27 and March 28) and the last two days (April 3 and April 4) are full-fledged holidays.

Holiday candles are lit at night, and festive meals (Seders) are usually enjoyed for one or two days. The middle four days are referred to as Chol Hamoed, or semi-festive “intermediate days.”

The seventh and eighth days of Passover, meanwhile, are celebrated as Yom Tov, holidays, capping the weeklong celebration that begins with the first Seder.

These final days of Passover begin before sunset on April 2 and end after nightfall on April 4.

It’s customary for Jews to not work during this time, aside from food preparation, reciting holiday prayers, lighting candles and some other special practices.

During morning services on the seventh day, Torah reading includes the biblical reading of the parting of the Red Sea and the exodus from Egypt.

During morning services on the eighth day, memorial prayers are recited for dead relatives.

Source: Chabad.org

Local synagogue information
Various in-person and virtual Passover services are being offered throughout The Laker/Lutz News coverage area. Here is a listing of local synagogues and Jewish houses of worship:

Published March 31, 2021

Easter services are evolving, amidst pandemic

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There was so much uncertainty last year about COVID-19 that many churches changed up their Easter celebrations, to reduce potential spread of the disease.

A year later, many churches across the region continue to use a variety of approaches in celebrating Christianity’s most significant holy day.

Last year, for instance, Idlewild Baptist Church, at 18333 Exciting Idlewild Blvd., in Lutz, relied on online services to celebrate Easter. This year, it will be holding a number of in-person services.

The First United Methodist Church of Land O’ Lakes, at 6209 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., livestreamed its Easter service last year. This year, it will have an in-person service.

Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Church, at 2348 Collier Parkway, in Land O’ Lakes, created a more personal touch for its online services last year, by attaching photographs of parishioners on chairs — so officiants could look at them, while saying Mass.

This year, the church will have in-person services — while limiting the size of the crowds.

Last year, Myrtle Lake Baptist Church, 2018 Riegler Road, in Land O’ Lakes had a drive-in Easter service and it will do that again this year, on April 4 at 10:30 a.m.

Meanwhile, Grace Community Church, at 7107 Boyette Road in Wesley Chapel, will switch from the drive-in service it had last year to an in-person worship service on April 4 at 10:30 a.m. After the service, families will be able to take advantage of a photo booth, to pose for their Easter pictures. Last year, families shot selfies in their cars.

AdventHealth Zephyrhills will have its 36th annual Easter Sunrise Service at 7 a.m., on April 4, virtually, via Facebook.com/adventhealthzephyrhills. The event was held virtually last year, too, after decades of conducting the service on the hospital’s lawn.

Meanwhile, across the Catholic Diocese of St. Petersburg, Bishop Gregory Parkes has kept protocols in place for the nearly 500,000 Catholics in Tampa Bay Area, according to a Diocesan news release.

Those protective measures include social distancing, sanitizing and the use of face coverings.

Church holy water fonts remain empty and collection baskets are not circulated, the news release says.

Bishop Parkes also has kept in place the general dispensation from Sunday Mass at this time.

If you’re interested in attending an Easter service, be sure to check your local church to get the latest details on services. Many places of worship require reservations, so be sure to check soon to reserve your spot.

Published March 31, 2021

Pasco County Good Friday closings

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Pasco County’s offices will be closed on April 2, in observance of Good Friday, and government offices will reopen on April 5.

The county’s parks, recreation and natural resources’ offices, recreation complexes and community centers will be closed on Friday, April 2, but the parks and beaches will stay open to the public from dawn to dusk, according to a Pasco County news release.

Pasco County Public Transportation will operate all fixed routes and paratransit on April 2, but the administrative offices will be closed to walk-in customers. However, the phone lines will be open.

All Pasco County Libraries will be closed on April 2 and will resume regular business hours on  April 3.

The Pasco County Animal Services Administration Office, Adoption Center, Intake/Reclaim Shelter and Field Services will be closed on April 2.  An animal control officer will be available for emergencies only. The Adoption Center & Intake/Reclaim Shelter will resume regular business hours on April 3.

The Pasco County Resource Recovery Facility, West Pasco Class III, and the East Pasco Transfer Station will be closed to the public on April 2, but will be open to Pasco County licensed commercial haulers.

Published March 31, 2021

Pasco board delays decision on land use change

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The Pasco County Commission has delayed a decision regarding a controversial request that would clear the way to consider commercial uses at the southwest corner of State Road 54 and Meadowbrook Estates.

The request is being vigorously contested by residents in Meadowbrook Estates and Sierra Pines subdivision, in Lutz.

Opponents object to allowing a change in the land use designation that would open the door to a rezoning request that would allow a litany of commercial uses.

Kiddie Campus University Inc., the land owner and applicant, is represented by attorney Barbara Wilhite.

Two previous efforts to gain approvals for a day care at the site were denied.

The current effort is to first obtain a land use change to allow commercial uses, and then to get a zoning change for the 1.67-acre site.

It is not unusual for the sale of property to be contingent on the successful acquisition of land use or zoning change.

Sharon Hunnewell-Johnson, of 17300 Riverstone Drive, told commissioners she’s lived in the neighborhood for 30 years.

“I do know firsthand, I was called by the person that I believe Barbara (Wilhite) represents, and I was told this was going to be a gas station/car wash. We cannot have a gas station/car wash within our neighborhood,” Hunnewell-Johnson said.

Speakers told commissioners that they worry that contaminants from a gas station could seep into their groundwater supply. They said the neighborhoods rely on well water for drinking water, as well as watering their fruit trees.

The neighborhoods were represented by Todd Pressman, a private consultant, Patricia Ortiz, a private planning consultant and attorney Luke Lirot, in opposing the request.

Numerous neighbors — sporting red T-shirts in a sign of solidarity — appeared via a remote feed at the March 23 public hearing to voice their objections. A number of letters of opposition also were read into the record.

Ortiz said the request represents a commercial intrusion into an established residential neighborhood.

Neighbors told commissioners that they don’t oppose use of the site, but want the use to be less intense.

Pressman also presented petitions signed by more than 140 people opposed to the request.

Lirot said that neighbors oppose potential uses that could affect their property values and their quality of life.

“If it’s a doctor’s office, or something else that wouldn’t be open deep into the evening, with noise and smoke and fumes, and things of that nature — if it’s a professional type of development — there’s no problem whatsoever.

“Nobody wants to deny the property owner of the use and benefit of that particular property,” Lirot said.

He asked the county board to consider a restriction that will limit the options available only to uses that would not have an adverse effect on the neighborhood.

Wilhite told commissioners that the proposed use is in keeping with the county’s long-range land plan.

The location fronts on State Road 54, which is a six-lane arterial highway. The site also is at a signalized intersection, which is ¾-miles east of the Suncoast Parkway.

She cited a policy in the county’s land use plan that specifically directs where the board wants commercial land uses to occur, and this location meets that criteria.

Commissioners said they want to ensure that buffering is adequate to protect the neighboring properties.

Commissioner Mike Moore asked: “Any chance counsel on both sides could maybe get together, put their heads together a little bit, and come up with a compromise between the two and bring this back?

“Just a thought, a suggestion. I don’t know if both sides are willing to have those discussions,” Moore said.

Moore said he has concerns for the house that’s across the street and for the house that abuts the property. He also questioned if there is sufficient room to meet buffering requirements.

Commission Chairman Ron Oakley and Commissioner Kathryn Starkey also raised concerns about protecting nearby properties.

Starkey said “the devil is in the details” and noted there are plenty of examples of commercial uses adjacent to residential neighborhoods around the county.

Moore asked Wilhite if she was willing to meet with the other side.

She responded: “Commissioner Moore, you know I will always have conversations. I’m happy to have conversations.”

Commissioner Jack Mariano agreed with Moore’s suggestion to ask the two sides to meet, to see if they can work something out.

Mariano told Pressman: “Mr. Pressman, I strongly recommend, take the opportunity to meet with them, otherwise, we vote on it now. We don’t know where it’s going to go yet.”

Pressman replied: “I hear you commissioner, and with that, I don’t think we have a choice but to meet and talk. But I’m going to say again, you’re putting the onus on the applicant for site plan and buffering. You need to put the onus on use.”

Starkey told Pressman: “I disagree.”

After both sides agreed to meet, the board voted to continue the land use request until April 20. The companion rezoning request also has been delayed. It is now set for May 18.

Published March 31, 2021

Jelly Bean Fling offers festivities, photos and fun

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Noah Yates, 3, is sitting high on his grandfather Todd Clow’s shoulders, as Clow is submerged under a cluster of suds released by Blaise Ryndes, the bubble magician. (Fred Bellet)

Hundreds turned out to the Jelly Bean Fling at the Pioneer Florida Museum and Village to take advantage of festivities that included free family photos, an Easter egg hunt, a petting zoo, live entertainment, games and crafts.

Event-goers could make Easter bonnets, too, enjoy a bite to eat, purchase items from vendors and check out the model train room.

And, there were bubbles — showers and showers of bubbles —during the Sphere’s Bubble Magic Show.

Four-month-old Gabriel Martinez isn’t quite sure about sitting on the Easter Bunny’s lap while his mom, Amanda Bower, of New Port Richey, waits her turn for the baby to be photographed by museum photographer, Laura Barthle.
From left: Damien Stippich, Morgan Stippich, Daniel Stippich, mom Heather Stippich, and Malayna Stippich, all of Spring Hill, check out the food and other items available during the Jelly Bean Fling.
Blaise Ryndes, of Land O’ Lakes, right, waves a huge bubble net over the crowd of children and adults waiting for the bubbles to pour over them during the Sphere’s Bubble Magic Show during the Jelly Bean Fling.
As museum photographer, Laura Barthle tries to get a picture, Caydence Leasure, 2, gets a little uneasy in the arms of the Easter Bunny at the Jelly Bean Fling at the Pioneer Florida Museum. His mom, Tisha Leasure, of Hudson, said: ‘He was better with Santa.’ Caydence was there with his sister Makenna Leasure, 7.
Nine-year-old Jawaun Washington, of Dade City, lowered his mask to munch on a hot dog at the Jelly Bean Fling.
Children and adults were showered with bubbles, at the Jelly Bean Fling.
Ty Seifert, of St. Petersburg, seems to be having as much fun as family friend 4-year old, Cami Brown, of St. Petersburg. They were enjoying the Sphere’s Bubble Magic Show during the Jelly Bean Fling.

 

 

Northeast Pasco Advisory Committee established

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The Pasco County Commission has approved the establishment of the Northeast Pasco Rural Advisory Committee.

The advisory committee’s role will be to recommend nonresidential design standards to the county board for commercial development located within the boundaries of the Northeast Pasco Rural Overlay District.

The northeast rural area is bordered by Bellamy Brothers Boulevard, the Green Swamp, State Road 52 and the Hernando County line.

The committee will be composed of 13 voting members, representing a diverse group of stakeholders — similar to the makeup of the group that was involved in the design of the development of the Northeast Pasco County Special Area Plan.

The county also has consulting firm Florida Design Consultants (FDC), to assist the county in creating the commercial design standards.

The county’s planning and development department has reached out to potential

candidates to apply to serve on the advisory committee.

Primary duties of the Northeast Pasco Rural Advisory Committee will include:

  • Evaluating and assessing all current policies and regulations related to the Northeast Pasco Rural Protection Overlay District
  • Creating the vision and intent of commercial enclave development, identifying appropriate locations for commercial enclave development, and recommending commercial design standards and guidelines to the board

The planning and development department and Florida Design Consultants (FDC) will facilitate the virtual/hybrid workshops with the Northeast Pasco Rural Advisory Committee and interested parties.

The planning and development department will be in charge of notifying the appropriate team members to update the Citizens Advisory Boards & Committees webpage and county calendar.

The planning and development department will update the Northeast Pasco Rural Area webpage at each step of the process, so that the webpage will include all workshop materials, summaries of all workshops, and all drafts/approved documents.

The board approved a resolution, which became effective immediately, relating to the creation of the advisory committee that says the committee will help in the development of commercial regulations in the rural overlay district.

The committee will have a limited purpose and duration, and will automatically be disbanded, once its recommendation is made to the county board.

The advisory committee will be made up of five property owners who are residents of the Northeast Pasco County Rural Area; five business owners in the Northeast Pasco County Rural Area; one land use; and, two at-large members.

Advisory committee members will not be compensated, and can be removed by a majority of the county board, with or without cause.

The advisory committee will elect a chairperson to preside at all meetings and/or workshops, and a vice chairman can be elected to preside and act on behalf of the chairperson.

A majority of advisory committee members must be present to constitute a quorum.

Notice of regular or special meetings/workshops of the NERAC and the time and location of each meeting shall be published to the public on the main Pasco County website, and the meetings will be subject to provisions of Florida’ open meeting laws.

Published March 31, 2021