Local News

NEW PORT RICHEY – Pasco County earned a 2025 Innovation Award for opioid response from the Florida Association of County Health Services Administrators.

Pasco County Government, in partnership with BayCare Behavioral Health Institute, received honors for its strategic use of opioid settlement funds to launch the Behavioral Health Urgent Care Center.  

This new service line within Pasco County’s crisis continuum of care is the first behavioral health urgent care center in Florida, providing immediate support for those in need of mental health and addiction care that may not require intensive intervention.

“This award reflects what’s possible when local government, health care leaders and community partners come together with a shared vision,” said Kathryn Starkey, chair of the Pasco Board of County Commissioners.  “Pasco is proud to lead the way in transforming how we respond to substance use and mental health challenges.”

The Innovation Award recognizes counties that take forward-thinking approaches to public health delivery.  Pasco’s model was selected for its impact, replicability and alignment with long-term solutions to urgent behavioral health needs.

“This new (urgent care center) in Pasco County is an example of what can be achieved when community partners work together toward a common goal,” said Tracey Kaly, clinical operations director for BayCare. “This much-needed resource for the people of Pasco would not have been possible without the county’s proactive leadership and responsible stewardship of opioid settlement funds.”

Since February, Pasco’s urgent care center has served over 600 people. Vulnerable people and families have received critical support regardless of their ability to pay.  

Support for this service comes from the Opioid Fund, Community Development Block Grant and other federal and private funding sources.

ODESSA – An equestrian estate at 19144 Huckavalle Road has sold for $3,650,000, achieving the highest-priced residential transaction in the 33556 zip code so far this year. 

The sale was represented by Karen Hegemeier and Alee Douglass of Premier Sotheby’s International Realty’s South Tampa office.

“This extraordinary property offered a rare blend of refined living, equestrian excellence and unparalleled natural beauty,” Hegemeier and Douglass said in a statement. “A sale of this caliber reflects the growing demand for private estates that provide both luxury and a meaningful connection to the land.”

The estate is tucked between the Lake Frances and Lake Dan Nature Preserves and bordered by 1,000 acres of Environmental Lands Acquisition and Protection Program land. It spans more than 10 acres and features a custom-built main residence, a separate guest house and two expansive barns.

The main residence is situated on just over five acres. Its open floor plan leads to walls of hurricane-rated glass doors framing uninterrupted views of the pool and protected land. The chef’s kitchen is the heart of the home. There’s also a  primary suite and four guest bedrooms.

The lanai allows for alfresco entertaining with an outdoor fireplace and summer kitchen. The resort-style pool and spa feature a mineral filtration system, sunning deck and customizable lighting. 

The 20-stall barn offers functionality with baths, storage rooms and a configuration tailored for equestrian use.

Adjacent to the main home, the guest house rests on its own 5.49-acre parcel and encompasses 1,555 square feet with three bedrooms, two bathrooms, a deck and a two-car garage. 

A second barn, complete with electrical, plumbing and a large concrete pad for equipment, is also located on this parcel. 

Editor’s Note: Francesca Stubbs, senior pastor at Oasis Church, gave these remarks during the June 9 Zephyrhills City Council meeting. 

I stand before you as the founder and chief operating officer of Oasis Community Outreach and Cafe to share the critical needs of our community and to seek your invaluable support.

Oasis Community Outreach and Cafe has taken on the humbling task of being a beacon of hope for many in our city since the unfortunate closing of Healing Hearts Cafe in December 2024, providing essential support to those facing hardship. 

Recently, we have witnessed a dramatic rise in families with young children seeking our services, driven by economic challenges and job losses. 

Our mission has expanded from feeding the homeless to supporting entire families who find themselves in desperate need.

While we are deeply grateful for the generous contributions of food and supplies from our donors, some financial seeds from our friends and our community, and the huge support shown from our church, Oasis Church, and its members, these donations do not always cover all of the growing financial overhead necessary to maintain and carry out our operations.

Despite our best efforts, including a commendable grant application applied for through Pasco County for community development funds, we were not selected due to a limited amount of funding available and the number of organizations with similar applications here in the East Pasco region.

As we face the summer months and an increasing number of children out of school, the need for our services grows ever more urgent. I come before you with a heartfelt appeal for financial assistance as our city council and community leaders.

Your support would enable us to continue our outreach, expand our programs, and ensure that every individual and family, especially those with children in our community, has access to basic necessities that they deserve.

I’m asking the city to look into their budget and to assist with funding our community endeavor. 

We are a 501c3 organization operating under the auspices of Niecy’s Hope for Kings and Queens, who seeks to be able to continue our assistance for the residents of our beloved neighborhood. 

But we know collaboration and help from our partners will provide a significant boost. 

Together, we can build a stronger, more resilient community where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.

Thank you for your time, your compassion and your commitment to our community. 

I look forward to the possibility of partnering with you to make a lasting difference in the lives of those we serve here in our beautiful city of Zephyrhills.

 

INFOBOX: Council member responds

Zephyrhills City Council Member Steve Spina said the city provides funding to CHIPZ (Community Hope & Intervention Project of Zephyrhills). He also mentioned homeless outreach by the Zephyrhills Police Department.

Spina asked Stubs if her organization worked with these groups. 

“The idea of CHIPZ was to bring different groups together so everything’s under kind of one umbrella,” Spina said. “I think before we were to pledge more money to another organization, I’d like to see what you can do with CHIPZ and work with the police department and see if we can’t resolve these issues. Because CHIPS does all those things as well – working with providing utility reimbursements, trying to keep families in their houses, and then finding emergency care.”

Stubs said her organization collaborates with CHIPZ regularly but she said there’s a gap in service when it comes to helping children of struggling families. 

NEW PORT RICHEY – Pasco County commissioners approved a proclamation June 17 encouraging the community to support and celebrate people recovering from addiction. 

The proclamation not only recognizes Pasco as an Inclusive Recovery County but also mentions the collaboration of groups like the Alliance for Healthy Communities, The Hope Shot and Drug-Free America Foundation.

“We hope that this proclamation and this movement continues to grow so we can become more diverse and show that recovery is possible for anybody from any walk of life in any side of Pasco County, all over,” said Nathan Cantie, peer support director for The Hope Shot. 

Cantie said collaboration among community organizations helps create opportunities for those battling addiction and empowers them to walk on their own through those doors. 

“Inclusive recovery means breaking down stigma,” Cantie told commissioners. “It means building systems that embrace diversity and offer real opportunities for healing. This proclamation is a statement that Pasco County is committed to that vision, and we are so grateful for your leadership in helping make it a reality.”

Commissioners expressed appreciation for the work that The Hope Shot does in the community. Based in New Port Richey, it has three primary programs: 

• All Ways Center – A recovery center, based at 6020 U.S. 19, that offers resources and support. 
• Bridge to Recovery – Peer-led coaching to help people live healthy lifestyles.
• Community Connection – A program that connects people to employment and housing opportunities. 

Commissioner Lisa Yeager said that The Hope Shot meets people where they are. She’s seen them help people not only overcome  alcohol and substance abuse but also receive help during storm recovery. 

Commissioner Seth Weightman described The Hope Shot’s work as mission-driven and oftentimes thankless. He thanked them for their passion, love, tenderness and care.

 

Upcoming event

The Hope Shot is planning a Stronger Together Recovery Walk from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sept. 20 at Sims Park in New Port Richey. Visit thehopeshot.org or facebook.com/thehopeshot for details about the nonprofit.

WESLEY CHAPEL – Kenneth Sawyer has lived for 100 years, with much of that time in service to his country and his community. 

Sawyer served 35 years in the Army, earning the rank of lieutenant colonel before retiring in 1979. 

He also taught calculus for four years at the Florida Institute of Technology, volunteered at a local fire department and a charity thrift shop, served as commander of a VFW Post for more than 10 years and raised a family.

“He continues to always work his mind and his body and stay away from mindless tasks,” granddaughter Holly Mace said. “That was something he taught me as a kid. You can watch TV and enjoy a movie, but avoid those boredoms and those traps. Keep your mind as your strongest muscle and keep exercising it, learning and giving back.”

Mace said her grandfather rode a bicycle until he was 88 years old. After breaking his leg within two weeks of moving to Pasco County, the family gave him an adult tricycle, which he rode until about a year ago. 

Sawyer continues to live an active lifestyle. He visits the Dade City Senior Center twice a week and enjoys playing bridge. He also keeps his mind sharp by playing Sudoku. 

The Pasco Board of County Commissioners recognized Sawyer on June 17 with a resolution in honor of his 100th birthday, which he celebrated on June 6. Everyone at the meeting, including familiar faces from the Dade City Senior Center, sang “Happy Birthday” to him.

Commissioners took turns thanking Sawyer for his military service and congratulating him for making it to 100. 

Commissioner Ron Oakley, who turns 80 years old this month, said he was glad Sawyer was there because he wasn’t the oldest person in the room. Commissioner Jack Mariano encouraged Sawyer to shoot for 105. 

“Just amazing the things that you’ve seen and experienced in your life and watching this country evolve to where we are today,” Commissioner Seth Weightman told him. “I just can only imagine the stories and the memories that you have. So we’re very glad that you’re here with us in the board meeting today.”

ZEPHYRHILLS – The Zephyrhills City Council voted June 9 to purchase two lots at the corner of Fourth Street and Fifth Avenue next to Zephyr Park.

Mayor Melonie Bahr Monson brought the proposal before the council as an emergency item. Because the property was less than $80,000 ($79,999.99 to be exact), the council could move forward with the purchase without an appraisal. 

“As soon as we own the property, I will send it to our designer for the park, our consultant that’s working on the CRA plan,” Monson told colleagues. “The idea is to have control over it, because it is such an important corner, that we can come up with a great idea for it.”

Monson and Council Member Steve Spina didn’t like the idea of using the site just for parking. 

“I don’t think we’d want to just build a parking lot on a corner on Fifth Avenue when we’re trying to develop it,” Spina said. “But I do believe it’s important to be figured into what we’re doing at Zephyr Park. It could be an important asset the way it’s linked to the other vacant property along Fifth Avenue.”

Monson assured colleagues the Community Redevelopment Agency already had $300,000 available to purchase land so there would be no additional funding needed. 

Councilman Lance Smith, whose background is in real estate development, didn’t have any objections with the purchase. He felt the price was fine. 

“I think the value lies in it being adjacent to property that we’re going to do something with,” Smith said.  “I agree with Councilman Spina that the use would certainly be some type of retail use that would be complementary to what we’re doing in the park area.”

Theater highlights Hitchcock

TAMPA – Tampa Theatre will highlight popular films of director Alfred Hitchcock during its “Big Picture” movie series in July.

July’s Big Picture lineup includes:

• “Vertigo” (1958) / PG – 7:30 p.m. July 2           
• “Strangers on a Train” (1951) / PG – 7:30 p.m. July 9                 
• “The Man Who Knew Too Much” (1956) / PG – 7:30 p.m. July 16 
• “North By Northwest” (1959) / PG – 7:30 p.m. July 23         
• “Rear Window” (1954) / PG – 7:30 p.m. July 30               

Big Picture tickets cost $7 for Tampa Theatre members and $10 for others. Get them at the Franklin Street Box Office and at tampatheatre.org.

 

Operation Dry Water kicks off July 4

CLEARWATER – Local, state and federal law enforcement agencies will join forces July 4 to 6 for Operation Dry Water, a campaign to combat boating under the influence. Now in its 17th year, this effort focuses on enforcement and education to prevent alcohol- and drug-related boating incidents.

Operation Dry Water was launched in 2009 by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators in partnership with the U.S. Coast Guard. Each year, officers nationwide conduct saturation patrols, sobriety checkpoints, breathalyzer tests and outreach efforts to remind boaters of the risks and consequences of impaired operation.

On the web: uscgauxclearwater.com

 

Craft festival set for Sponge Docks

TARPON SPRINGS – The Tarpon Springs Sponge Docks Craft Festival features a curated showcase of handmade arts and crafts, gifts and artisan goods from regional and national makers.

The festival returns July 12 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.  and July 13 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Sponge Docks of Tarpon Springs, 735 Dodecanese Blvd., Tarpon Springs. Admission is free. The event is family- and pet-friendly.

The event is presented by The Tarpon Springs Merchant’s Association and produced by SIK Promotions Inc.  

“Events like this not only give artists a chance to connect directly with shoppers but also support the cultural and economic vitality of Tarpon Springs Sponge Docks,” said Suzanne King, owner of SIK Promotions. 

Vendor opportunities are also available. Artists and crafters interested in exhibiting must apply through the official SIK Promotions website at www.sikpromotions.com.

 

Hillsborough seeks applications for DOGE committee

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY – Hillsborough County Commissioners are seeking residents to serve on the newly created Hillsborough DOGE Liaison Committee.

Residents interested in seeking appointment must reside in and be registered voters in Hillsborough County. These are voluntary positions and members serve without compensation. 

Each prospective member shall possess at least one of the following educational credentials: accountant, economist, finance professional, certified auditor, IT professional and human resources professional.  

Citizens must submit an application/questionnaire, standards of conduct form and resume. Applications are due by close of business July 9. 

 

HART updates routes

TAMPA – The Hillsborough Transit Authority implemented service changes to several HART routes on June 22, to improve operational efficiency and the customer experience.

Affected routes are 1, 14, 16, 36 and 39. 

The TECO Line Streetcar will operate every 15 minutes, 7 days a week.

On the web: goHART.org