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Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Local News

Plenty of ways to get a kumquat fix at this festival

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If you love kumquats, the 24th annual Kumquat Festival in downtown Dade City, was like a little slice of heaven.

Various types of honey are reflected in Matt Smith’s sunglasses, at a booth operated by Brocks Bees, at the kumquat festival. Brocks Bees is based in Brooksville. (Fred Bellet)

Festival-goers could taste kumquat ice cream or kumquat pie.

They could pick up bags of the tiny, orange citrus fruit, sometimes called the “little gold gem of the citrus family.”

Festival-goers could stock up on kumquat marmalade, kumquat jelly, kumquat chutney, kumquat pepper jelly, kumquat marinade or kumquat vinaigrette.

They could get kumquat preserves.

They could buy kumquat barbecue sauce — sweet or spicy, or kumquat salsa, regular or hot.

And, who can forget the kumquat wine?

But, even those who aren’t particularly enamored with kumquats — there were plenty of other ways to enjoy the festival.

There was a quilt show, a car show, lots of vendor booths and a chance to be out and about — during an event that was delayed and scaled-back this year, to reduce potential risks from the  COVID-19 pandemic.

Published April 07, 2021

Barbara Mallory arranges bottles of Kumquat wine available under the tent from Sunrise Rotary Club of Dade City. Mallory, the club’s past president, was among eight club members selling the 750-milliliter bottles. The wine is 20% kumquat and 80% white grape, according to Mallory, selling for $15 per bottle.
Four-year-old Chloe Barner looks approvingly at the handiwork of Melissa Perez, an artist from Spring Hill. The little girl was at the Kumquat Festival with her 8-year-old sister, Khalani Colbert-Belle, and with her grandmother, Andrea Colbert. They live in Dade City.
Eighty-six-year-old Frank Gude is Mr. Kumquat. The St. Joe man has been around kumquat trees since he was a kid and can tell you anything you want to know about the tiny citrus fruit. Citrus greening had an impact on the crop this year, he said. ‘Only 60 bushels made it to the Kumquat Festival this year. That’s roughly 3,000 pounds.’
Brock Smith was 7 years old when he began developing an interest in bees, hives and honey. Now, he sells orange, kumquat and wildflower honey.
Plastic safety sheathing separates the public from the Kumquat Growers’ workers. Joe Gude, left, and Mike Liptak, right, both of Dade City, fill bags of Nagami-type kumquats for festival-goers who want to take some home.

Raising money for the Special Olympics of Pasco County

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Pasco County Tax Collector Mike Fasano’s five offices will be collecting donations in April for the Special Olympics of Pasco County, according to a news release from the tax collector’s office.

Special Olympics is a sports and training program for people with intellectual disabilities. Year-round training and competition are provided in 17 different sports. Athletes participate at no cost.

“We are very excited to be selected as the charity of the month for the month of April,” Joeyn Dearsman, of Special Olympics, said in the release. “Mike Fasano and his team have been big supporters of Special Olympics for many years and we are grateful for everything they do for our athletes. With the help from our community during this campaign, we will be able to ensure our athletes have everything they need to continue to be successful on and off the field. Proceeds will also help cover the cost of sending qualifying athletes to the 2022 USA games in Orlando.”

In the release, Fasano added: “Special Olympics of Pasco County provides wonderful opportunities for individuals with a wide range of disabilities to be a part of athletics that may not otherwise be available to them.

“The Pasco County branch of this excellent program has a long history of success in not only the state of Florida but at the national level as well.  The opportunities provided to people with intellectual challenges have proven to help enrich the lives of athletes in a great way.”

Cash donations can be made at any of the five tax collector locations in Pasco County.

For more information about the charitable giving program at the Pasco Tax Collector’s office contact Assistant Tax Collector Greg Giordano at 727-847-8179 or visit PascoTaxes.com.

For more information about services provided by the Special Olympics of Pasco, call Joeyn Dearsman, senior manager/Pasco, at 727-992-8850 or visit SpecialOlympicsFlorida.org/.

Donations also may be mailed to Tax Collector Mike Fasano, P.O. Box 276, Dade City, FL  33526.  Please note on your check’s memo line “Special Olympics.”

Published April 07, 2021

Pasco Parks plans modified 2021 summer camp program

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Pasco County Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources (PRNR) is planning to host a modified 2021 Summer Day Camp program due to the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a news release.

Registration is online only and Pasco County residents can register for the full seven-week program on April 10 at 10 a.m., and for the full and partial programs on April 12 at 10 a.m.

Non-Pasco County residents and county residents can register for any remaining Summer Day Camp spaces beginning April 17 at 10 a.m.

The county’s 2021 summer day camp will be held Monday through Friday, June 14 to July 30, from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

The program is for children ages 5 to 13, generally, and for children ages 7 to 13 at the Jay B. Starkey Nature Center.

Space is limited. Register online at bit.ly/PascoCreateAccount.

The county will be using best practices to protect campers and team members.

  • Children’s temperatures taken daily before being accepted into camp
  • Sign in/check-out at your vehicle
  • Reduced camper-to-staff ratios/group intermingling to promote social distancing
  • Increased sanitizing of facilities and equipment
  • Face coverings required for staff and campers

For seamless enrollment, be sure to create or update your online account ahead of registration by visiting bit.ly/PascoCreateAccount.

For more information, including a list of locations, camp capacities, costs and financial assistance, visit bit.ly/PascoSummerCamp or call 813-929-1229.

Published April 07, 2021

Art contest invites kids to think about ‘home’

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The Florida Housing Finance Corporation (Florida Housing) has launched a statewide art contest, inviting kids and teens to submit their visions on the theme, “What does home mean to you?”

The contest aims to increase awareness of the importance of having a home, by encouraging kids across the state to use their imaginations to illustrate the meaning of what their home truly means, according to a news release.

Kids and teens ages 5 to 18 can visit Florida Housing’s website and upload an image of their artwork, or print out the online form and mail it directly to Florida Housing Finance Corporation, Attention: External Affairs Department, 227 N. Bronough St., No. 5000, Tallahassee, FL  32301.

A Florida Housing committee will review all designs and select the top 40 submissions to be displayed in the Florida Housing building throughout the month of June, in honor of National Homeownership Month.

The winning artworks will be announced on Florida Housing’s webpage and social media.

The deadline for submission is May 3.

For information, visit FloridaHousing.org/artcontest.

Published April 07, 2021

Pasco health department seeks community help

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The Florida Department of Health in Pasco County is reaching out to physicians and pharmacists to help provide COVID-19 vaccine to eligible Florida residents.

“As more COVID-19 vaccine becomes available and more people become eligible to receive it, more people will want to book appointments as quickly as possible,” Mike Napier, the county’s health officer, said in a news release.

“It’s just a matter of time before everyone who wants a shot can get one, and we need to work with our community doctors and pharmacists to make that happen,” Napier said.

To become a Vaccine for Adult (VFA) provider, physicians and pharmacists need to sign up for the Florida SHOTS program at FLShotsUsers.com. Those that are already a Florida SHOTS provider can log into their account and visit the COVID-19 enrollment page.

Pasco County continues to make progress in its efforts.

The county also is asking pediatricians to plan ahead for the time when vaccinations will be available to children.

For additional information, call the COVID-19 Vaccine Enrollment Desk at (833) 701-1397, or email .

For information about vaccine storage, handling and administration, visit CDC.gov/vaccines/covid-19/hcp/faq.html.

Published April 7, 2021

The show went on, despite pandemic challenges

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There were times when it wasn’t certain if the 38th annual Spotlight on Talent would take place at all, but the producers of the annual showcase pushed ahead, to make it happen — despite the COVID-19 pandemic.

Indeed, as a news release puts it: “Expecting maybe half of the usual number of applicants, Heritage Arts Center Association was astounded to find that 150 talented young people weren’t going to let a virus stop them from polishing and sharing their impressive talents with professional judges.”

The performers did that, “even though their parents had to watch via a zoom setup, and the usual audiences of hundreds of community friends were not allowed this year,” the release adds.

Agnes Hernandez was the Pasco Heritage Scholarship Winner, at the 38th annual Spotlight on Talent competition. (Courtesy of Heritage Center for the Arts)

As a result, the arts organization gave the performers a way to show off their talents, and awarded nearly $6,000 in cash prizes, trophies and ribbons.

This all happened after the Pasco County School Board canceled all performances in its facilities, including the 900-seat Center for the Arts at Wesley Chapel High, where the event is normally held. The center has all of the  top-of-the-line technology necessary for this scale of production, according to the news release.

Instead, performers showed off their talents at the fellowship hall of Dade City’s Methodist Church.

The organization followed the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention protocols, to keep everyone safe, the release says.

“That meant: No audience; no personal microphones; taking hundreds of temperatures; the necessity of 150 waivers signed,” the release notes. It also required moving in a grand piano; wiping down chairs between contestant categories; registering and lining up 150 contestants outside; trying to find covered outdoor space because of the rain, and so on, the release adds.

All of the hurdles were cleared, the release continues: “Nothing could stop the Spotlight team.”

“This team of superheroes were all volunteers – the 15-member board of directors and five producers,” the release says.

Some of those going the extra mile included Barbara Friedman, Laurel Weightman, Michelle Twitmyer, Michael Roberts, Ava Larkin and Lauretta Brown.

Additional support came from about 40 corporate and community sponsors, who donated toward the awards and production costs.

For more information about the annual talent showcase, visit HeritageArts.org.

Spotlight on Talent 2021 winners

Solo Category 1
First place: Amber Luu, Piano
Second place: Annabelle DePolis, musical theater
Third place: Chloe Adams, acrobatic dance
Fourth place: Kennedy Kring, acrobatic dance

Solo Category 2
First place: Linley Bishop, lyrical dance
Second place: Tavin Groomes, dramatic monologue
Third place: Kendall Hill, musical theater
Fourth place: Nikki Lang, piano

Solo Category 3
First place: Abigail Wallace, contemporary dance
Second place: Sofia Acosta, musical theater
Third place: Maelee Scaglione, contemporary dance
Fourth place: Salvador Hernandez, classical guitar

Solo Category 4
First place: Kasey Lang, piano
Second place: Samuel Wu, piano
Third place: Larkin Mainwaring, musical theater
Fourth place: Dylan Pham, piano

Solo Category 5
First place: Katherine Hines, pop vocal
Second place: Ezekiel Richards, jazz dance
Third place: Harley White, musical theater
Fourth place: Kennedy Engasser, spoken word

Solo Category 6
First place: Agnes Hernandez, piano
Second place: Faith Phaller, ballet dance
Third place: Julianna Cova, pop vocal
Fourth place: Rhett Ricardo, musical theater

Group Category 1
First place: Showstoppers, musical theater
Second place: Star Company Apprentices, jazz dance
Third place: Little Stars, Broadway dance

Group Category 2
First place: Star Company, ballet dance
Second place: Showbros and Showstoppers, musical theater
Third place: Broadway Players

Pasco Heritage Scholarship Winner
Agnes Hernandez, piano

Published April 7, 2021

NAMI chapters get a boost from grant

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In its continued efforts to improve access to mental health services, the BayCare Health System recently awarded a $100,000 grant to the four National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) affiliates in the Tampa Bay area.

The grant allows the chapters to collaborate on an awareness campaign to reach across the Tampa Bay area, as well as to meet the unique needs of the Hillsborough, Pasco, Pinellas and Polk county NAMI organizations, according to a news release.

The mission of NAMI is advocacy, education, support and public awareness, so that all individuals and families affected by mental illness can build better lives.

The mental health service organization provides free support groups and education courses to individuals and their families by supplying resources to local behavioral health agencies, and by sharing experiences during presentations to corporations, faith organizations, community groups and others, the release says.

The affiliates in Hillsborough, Pinellas and Polk counties each will receive $25,000, while Pasco County requested and received $21,928. Each chapter requested money to meet needs specific to that area, and each also contributed more than $7,700 of its grant money for the awareness campaign, “You Are Not Alone.”

The campaign will consist of direct mail and social media, with the goal of reaching those who feel alone during this time of social isolation and physical distancing, to spread the word that help is available.

Published April 07, 2021

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