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A closer look at coronavirus statistics in Pasco County

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Pasco County’s percentage of positive coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) cases compares favorably to the state’s percentage of positive cases, according to Mike Napier, health officer for the Florida Department of Health in Pasco County.

Napier’s comments came on April 24, during a town hall virtual meeting hosted by Pasco County Commissioner Kathryn Starkey.

Napier said the health department’s epidemiologists work with hospitals, long-term health facilities, urgent care centers, and other medical and testing facilities to identify, monitor and track all positive COVID-19 cases.

Once a positive case is identified, the health department’s epidemiology team contacts the individual and asks about their activities and the people they’ve come in contact with.

“Based on that information, follow-up calls are made to those possible contacts. Information is gathered and recommendations are provided to those individuals, as well.

“A tracking system is used to compile this information and determine trends in our community.

“Normally, this is a 24/7 operation, manned by four staff in the health department.

“However, in the last few weeks, we’ve ramped up and have a total of 25 people working on contact tracing.

“As we know, contact tracing is a huge component in resolving our COVID-19 cases,” Napier said.

“Before we had the self-isolation, you  may have been to a neighborhood barbecue. You may have been to your children’s school event. I may have 40 to 50 people.

“Contact tracing is important.

“We contact our positives within the first 24 to 48 hours of the lab getting back to us. Many times, we’re contacting them before the doctors call them.”

“The amount of work is reduced because of the isolation, and the spread is reduced because of the isolation.”

Napier put Pasco County’s percentage of positive cases at 5% of those tested, compared to the state average of 10%.

“Today (April 24), we’ve had nine positive cases; in the past, we’ve been doing pretty well, with four or five cases,” he said.

Of 229 cases, 174 people have been removed from isolation, he said.

As of April 24, Pasco had its highest daily positive count on the first three days of April. The counts on those days were 15, 12 and 16, respectively.

“For this past week, we’ve averaged five cases, so we’re making progress,” he said.

Early on, most of the county’s cases were related to travel from known hot spots.

Then, the positive cases were from exposure to known cases, with a large percentage being from household contact, such as spouses, children and siblings, he said.

He said the health department provides priority testing, based on first responders and health care workers.

He said BayCare also has stepped up with drive-thru testing at its Gulf Harbor location and now at Gulf High School in New Port Richey.

“BayCare has tested more than 2,000 residents that met the screening criteria. I can’t emphasize the importance of the screening criteria — fever, cough, shortness of breath,” Napier said.

The focus has been on testing people who are symptomatic, he said.

The testing will be provided through the first week of May at Gulf High School, said Napier, who also gave a shout-out to the principal, for accommodating the testing.

“These efforts have allowed us to identify and slow the spread of COVID-19 in our community,” Napier said, adding that social distancing is working to reduce the spread of the potentially deadly virus.

When employers can find ways for employees to work at home, that helps to limit the spread, he said.

“Pasco County, in general terms, has done very well with the COVID response and has seen less cases and less deaths, compared to similar counties,” Napier said.

He attributes some of that to the health department’s efforts to fight back the Hepatitis A problem that has plagued the county for the past year.

He explained: “COVID-19 messaging is similar to Hep A, in that good hygiene is the No. 1 best way to avoid infection.

“Our hospitals, long-term care facilities, community partners and you, our residents of Pasco County, are making a difference and the data shows. Continue to follow CDC guidance, watch for updates for the governor and when Pasco County begins to get back to business, following their guidance,” he said.

“The Department of Health is working with Pasco County to provide data on case counts and other related information, so that they can make informed decisions on opening the county for business,” Napier added.

He also offered these simple reminders: “The basics of infection control continue to be good hand hygiene.

“Remember,” he added, “the best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to the virus.”

Published May 06, 2020

Officials express guarded optimism through COVID-19

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As Florida slowly lifts stay-at-home orders — caused by concerns about potential spread of  coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19)  —  local leaders and officials are taking a positive, yet guarded, outlook.

They are hopeful that the regional and state economy can rebound sooner than later.

Pasco County Commissioner Ron Oakley (File)

Many retailers and restaurants have announced plans to reopen to modified dine-in and foot traffic, while more parks and beaches are reopening with restrictions.

Signs of optimism are beginning to show, state Rep. Randy Maggard, R-Dade City said, during an April 28 virtual town hall meeting presented by The Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce.

“A lot of people feel we’ve crossed the high point of (COVID-19) and we’re on the downward slide. We hope so,” Maggard said.

In the same breath, he urged people to continue to take necessary safety precautions and “use common sense” in public gatherings.

“It will be good to get our economy going. It’s been tough for a lot of businesses here, it’s been tough for a lot of individuals,” he said.

Maggard also addressed “the 800-pound gorilla in the room” during the speaking engagement. And, that’s the fact that the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) is having trouble managing the massive volume of people filing for unemployment benefit claims.

The state representative pointed out roughly 40% of the 1.8 million claims filed have been either bogus or scams. That has led to further delays in legitimate applicants getting their unemployment benefits, he said.

“The process just takes long when you have to deal with things like that,” Maggard said, adding the DEO is expected to have those issues resolved soon.

Pasco County Commissioner Ron Oakley, like Maggard, has an optimistic view of the future of the local economy and markets, overall.

“Things will get better. There is a light at the end of that long tunnel we didn’t think we’d have,” Oakley said.”

He said Pasco government activities have not slowed, in the midst of COVID-19.

Oakley noted that neighboring counties haven’t been so lucky as to keep operations moving along when it comes to handling regular tasks, such as reviewing building permits.

“We’ve continued to work, as we do normally,” Oakley said, “except most of our people are working from home instead of our offices.”

Oakley, 74, is still taking the virus quite seriously, however.

He reported the county had 241 positive coronavirus cases and six deaths, as of April 28. One place particularly “hit hard” is the Royal Oak Nursing Center in Dade City, with 20 positive COVID-19 cases, he said.

The commissioner acknowledged most of the people who’ve died from the disease have had pre-existing conditions. But, he added: “This is not the flu. It’s a little more infectious than the flu is.”

So, while businesses start opening with some semblance of normalcy, Oakley said he’s not yet  comfortable to enter a restaurant or other public spaces.

“You probably won’t see me out in a restaurant, that’s just my feeling,” said Oakley. “Of course, I’m of the age that the virus will treat me a lot worse than it would for younger people, but I think there’s probably a pretty large percentage of young people, middle-aged people that will do that, they’ll go right back out, they’re not fearful of any of that, and hopefully they’re taking precautions.”

Like Oakley, Zephyrhills Police Chief Derek Brewer remains concerned about the serious nature of COVID-19 and feels it isn’t going away anytime soon — witnessing the virus’s impact on the frontlines.

Brewer said there’s an expectation the county’s coronavirus cases could peak sometime around mid-May, based on joint conversations with the Pasco Sheriff’s Office and Pasco County Emergency Management.

“We may be getting close to opening the state,” Brewer said, “but, I don’t think we’re going to be ready yet to open it up completely yet.”

The police chief reported Zephyrhills has 25 positive COVID-19 cases as of April 28, representing more than 10% of all cases in the county. Additionally, the department is tracking a total of 48 addresses under investigation as possible COVID-19 cases as of that date.

Meanwhile, Brewer said the local law enforcement agency has observed spikes in domestic violence and disturbance cases, as well as increased juvenile problems, during the course of the pandemic.

On the other hand, the department has seen fewer accidents and total calls for service overall.

With fewer service calls, Brewer said officers have placed more focus on performing spot checks on local businesses that may not be in compliance with state executive orders.

He also noted the department has enacted an “extensive screening process” to determine whether someone absolutely needs to be sent to jail after an arrest. That approach is being taken to try and limit the spread of COVID-19 within the local criminal justice system.

He said the pandemic “has been a been a unique challenge for law enforcement.”

City of Zephyrhills pushing through COVID-19
Zephyrhills City Manager Billy Poe also offered an update on some of happenings within the East Pasco municipality throughout the town hall discussion.

Despite the COVID-19 outbreak, Poe said the city is “open for business, so there are still a lot of projects that are going on.”

The Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce organized an April 28 virtual town hall meeting featuring a panel of area leaders and representatives, discussing the various impacts of the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. (Courtesy of The Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce)

For instance, work is progressing on multiple subdivisions and communities that will bring hundreds of new homes to the area. Those projects include the Oaks at Pasco and Links at Calusa Springs located on both sides of Simons Road; District at Abbott’s Square near the forthcoming Sarah Vande Berg Tennis & Wellbeing Center; and Abbott Park, situated on the former Gore’s Dairy property that wraps behind the Publix Super Market at Zephyr Commons on Gall Boulevard.

Several commercial developments are moving along, too.

A couple notable projects under final site plan review include a new Veterans Administration clinic along Eiland Boulevard, as well as the Crystal Bar rebuild on Gall Boulevard, a longtime community staple destroyed in a fire last May.

Poe said a Chipotle Mexican Grill franchise at Zephyr Commons “is projected to come here in the next few months.” Also, the Chancey Partners industrial park project continues its build out with “a lot of businesses going in at that location.”

Poe touched on various city-related projects, as well:

  • Relocation of the U.S. 301/Pretty Pond Road traffic signal should get underway in August, spurring development in that area, which he said will eventually include a Chick-fil-A franchise
  • Sarah Vande Berg Tennis & Wellbeing Center construction “continues to be strong” and should be complete around July or August
  • Road paving and resurfacing has been ongoing at various city streets the past several weeks

Elsewhere, the city manager encouraged residents to continue to support local businesses “either by takeout or gift cards or anything that you can do.”

He also noted he’s in conversation with Zephyrhills High School Principal Dr. Christina Stanley to “plan something special” for graduating seniors, such as a parade or other community-wide gathering at some point.

Other speakers during the town hall included Zephyrhills Mayor Gene Whitfield and Zephyrhills City Council president Ken Burgess.

Published May 06, 2020

Dade City taking recovery steps in the midst of pandemic

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As Florida begins to slowly reopen in the midst of coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19), the City of Dade City is likewise looking to bring City Hall operations up to full speed, in multiple stages.

City administration and department heads are in the process of developing an action plan “to recall the full complement of our field staff very soon,” Dade City Manager Leslie Porter said, at an April 28 virtual city commission meeting.

She added: “We know we need to be mindful for the need for sustainability and follow the guidelines from the president and our governor.”

The city has been utilizing split-shifts and having many staff work remotely the last several weeks, at both City Hall and in the maintenance field yard.

Porter also told commissioners the impact on the city’s budget from COVID-19 is unknown to this point, but anticipates there will be some hit from sales tax and Penny for Pasco monies.

“At this time, staff is looking to see if there’s any discretionary spending that can be put on hold. We’ll be entering our new budget cycle soon and also keeping an eye as to where we might be able to save money there,” Porter said.

Meanwhile,  Commissioner Jim Shive advised that the city’s public works department take additional measures to clean up the downtown, noting it’s an opportune time with less business and leisure activity in the area because of the coronavirus.

Shive suggested mulching parking lot landscapes and pressure washing sidewalks, among other measures “to get the downtown looking good.”

“As we’re phasing in the workforce, we need to look at getting some things done downtown while there’s very little traffic down there,” he said.

In other action, the commission:

  • Approved a zoning amendment ordinance recategorizing 64.18 acres of land at the Dade City Business Center on U.S. 301, from Pasco County IH (Industrial Heavy) to Dade City PD-EC (Planned Development-Employment Center). The new PD-EC zoning allows design flexibility and a mix of office, research, light industrial, limited commercial and residential uses.
  • Approved a change order to the Hardy Trail Extension construction project, calling for an additional 120.59 tons of asphalt in the amount of $21,103.25. Contractor Cone & Graham Inc. had to use more asphalt than designer CPH Engineers Inc. originally estimated for certain locations and settings, according to a city memo.

The next virtual commission meeting is set for May 12 at 5:30 p.m. Persons wishing to attend meetings may do so by calling (571) 317-3122 with Access Code 342-617-085.

For additional information, residents or interested parties may contact the City Clerk by email at , or call (352) 523-5052.

Published May 06, 2020

AdventHealth Center Ice is site for free COVID-19 testing

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UPDATE: AdventHealth has discontinued testing at this site.

AdventHealth is offering free coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) testing at AdventHealth Center Ice, 3173 Cypress Ridge Blvd., in Wesley Chapel.

It began on April 29, and will be offered each weekday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., for 30 days.

A doctor’s order is not required, but  AdventHealth is encouraging pre-registration at AdventHealthCoronavirusTesting.com or (866) 694-5503 prior to arrival, according to an AdventHealth news release.

There are no out-of-pocket costs for the test, regardless of insurance status. AdventHealth will cover the cost of those who are uninsured, the release says.

The test consists of coughing and spitting into a cup, the release adds.

“Expanding testing is an important and necessary step to help flatten the curve and keep our community safe,” Mike Schultz, president and CEO of AdventHealth West Florida Division, said in the release. “We are investing in these testing sites in strategic community locations to make it convenient and affordable for as many people as possible.”

“Additional testing for COVID-19 is an important part of the plan to reopen our community,”  Pasco County Commission Chairman Mike Moore, added in the news release. “AdventHealth has always been a good community partner, and I appreciate them working closely with Pasco County and the Florida Department of Health on this drive-through COVID-19 testing site for our citizens.”

Anyone who pre-registers will be assigned a designated appointment time. First responders and health care workers who show proper workplace identification will have a designated lane at the test site to shorten wait times for those groups. Test results are available in approximately two days to three days, and will be delivered through the AdventHealth app and the AdventHealth website.

Anyone who is tested will receive a call from an AdventHealth physician or nurse practitioner with their results and any next steps in care, if necessary.

Published May 06, 2020

Don’t forget to fill out your census form, officials urge

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While headlines about coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) dominate media coverage,  something else that’s very important — the U.S. Census — is barely getting a mention, Pasco officials say.

Maj. James Mallo, of the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office, spent a few minutes talking about the census during an April 24  virtual town hall meeting, hosted by Pasco County Commissioner Kathryn Starkey.

“The census has taken a backseat,” Mallo said, and added that it’s vital that Pasco County gets an accurate count to be sure that it gets its fair share of federal tax dollars.

“The last I looked at it, we were at about 53% (participation). We definitely want to see as close to 100(%) as possible.”

“We have to do a better job,” Mallo said.

“It’s never been quicker. It’s never been easier. You can do it by phone. You can do it by Internet. You can do it by paper,” he said.

“It took me about 3 minutes to complete mine,” he added, emphasizing the ease of the process.

He also assured those listening: “The U.S. Census keeps your information safe and confidential.”

Mallo said he can’t overstate the importance of everyone being counted.

“It controls $675 billion of federal funds,” he said.

Census data is used to divvy up federal money for health, education, housing and infrastructure, he explained.

The data helps assign funding for things such as school lunches, special education programs, Medicaid, and Head Start. It also helps determine the need for roads, hospitals, schools and other types of public infrastructure.

“It directly impacts the safety and security of our county,” added Mallo, noting that he’s keenly interested in ensuring that protection.

Besides providing useful information for government leaders, census data is important to private business owners because it can help to guide their decisions.

Census data also plays a role in government representation. It determines how many representatives a state has in the U.S. House of Representatives.

“The thing is, we only get one shot every 10 years, so I really, really want to stress the importance of everybody just doing one simple thing,” Mallo urged listeners.

“If people realized how many things it will affect for so long, people would run to fill out the census. It’s just that important,” he said. “We deserve our fair share of federal funding.”

Commissioner Starkey agreed: “We can’t stress that enough.”

If you have questions about the census, visit 2020Census.com, or call (844) 330-2020.

Published May 06, 2020

Election supervisors seek more flexibility

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The Florida Supervisors of Elections — an organization representing all 67 county election supervisors across the state — is seeking greater flexibility regarding how elections are conducted during the remainder of the 2020 election cycle.

The organization has asked that Gov. Ron DeSantis issue an executive order granting more flexibility, in light of the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

Brian Corley said county supervisor of elections across the state are asking Gov. Ron DeSantis to grant more flexibility in how elections are conducted during the remainder of the 2020 election cycle. (File)

The request asks that the executive order modify current Florida Elections Code to allow for more flexibility in meeting the challenges of staffing the polls, securing polling locations, and providing additional voting methods, according to Pasco County Supervisor of Elections Brian Corley.

The goal is to lessen the impact to in-person voting due to worker shortages and fewer polling locations, Corley said.

To that end, supervisors of elections across the state are asking that they be allowed to designate additional early voting sites, extend the early voting period to 22 days prior to and up until 7 p.m. on election day, and the flexibility of consolidating polling places and/or relocating them to early voting sites.

Now, early voting across the state ranges between eight and 14 days, Corley said.

The additional flexibility being requested is important, Corley said.

“Going into the Presidential Preference Primary, back on March 17, we had some immense challenges,” he said. “We had several hundred poll workers that respectfully bowed out, because of concerns about their health.”

“Our poll workers are generally senior citizens. They’re concerned for their health and their safety. Couldn’t blame them at all,” he said.

When that happened, Corley said he reached out to Pasco County Administrator Dan Biles, Pasco Schools Superintendent Kurt Browning and Pasco Sheriff Chris Nocco for help.

“Due to schools being closed, we got a tremendous response from teachers and school-related personnel, and others,” Corley said.

Additionally, at the last minute, he said, “we lost polling places.”

So, polling sites had to be consolidated.

“We limped through the PPP (Presidential Preference Primary).

“We’re looking ahead toward the fall, and if we have a similar situation, or fear of a similar situation, we’re going to have a serious issue with adequate poll workers,” Corley said.

“We’re being proactive as the state association of supervisors of elections, basically saying to the governor — ‘We need some flexibility.’”

“I’ve had people say, ‘Why don’t we just do all mail ballots?’

“I’m not opposed to that. I think that would be a great solution, however you can’t flip a switch and make that happen. It takes about a year,” Corley said.

Flexibility is needed because Florida is diverse.

“What Miami-Dade needs is not the same as what Pasco needs. What Pasco needs is not the same as what Clay County needs,” he said.

“Vote by mail right now is about a third of the vote,” he said, but predicts it will increase to about 60%.

“The reason we’re asking for Early Voting is because they are larger facilities. We can control some of the safety, as far as the protocols for social distancing.

“Having larger facilities would incorporate our model to get voters in and out, expeditiously and safely,” he said.

“You could see a model where you don’t have your traditional election day polling places,” he said.

Rather, there could be 15 to 20 early voting sites that are larger facilities that would take the place of election day, neighborhood polling places.

“The problem is, you can’t just decide mid-October to do X,Y and Z. You have to plan for it now,” Corley said.

“Quite frankly, all options are on the table.

“We know this, we have to have an election. It’s in the constitution. You can’t just defer the presidential election in November. It’s going to happen, and we’re going to make it work. We just have to be a little innovative on how we do it,” Corley said.

Vote-by-Mail ballots
If you would like to vote by mail, go online to PascoVotes.gov, call (800) 851-8754 or send a handwritten request to Brian E. Corley, P.O. Box 300, Dade City, Florida, 33526-0300. Handwritten requests must include your signature and date of birth.

Florida voters have had the option for no-excuse voting by mail and utilization has increased exponentially since its inception.

Requests for vote-by-mail are accepted daily and can be made for up to two election cycles. Ballots are mailed approximately 40 days prior to any election, and per Florida Law, are due back in the Supervisor of Elections’ Office by 7 p.m. Election Day.

Published April 29, 2020

Dade City projects progressing, others delayed

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As coronavirus disease-2019  (COVID-19) affects how municipalities and government entities operate, the City of Dade City is striving to keep day-to-day duties relatively intact, while following various safety procedures and precautions.

Not unlike its municipal neighbor Zephyrhills, which is 9 miles down the road, Dade City has gone about minimizing the number of personnel at City Hall or out in the field — incorporating rotating shift schedules and allowing others to work remotely. The city, for example, is limiting the number of staffers inside City Hall to no more than six to 10 at a particular time, Dade City Manager Leslie Porter told The Laker/Lutz News.

Dade City Manager Leslie Porter (File)

Porter acknowledged the pandemic has presented some logistical challenges, but added “the majority of us have been able to be fully functional, whether we’re remote or in the office.”

She continued: “We’ve been doing our best to keep business moving forward.”

So, while municipal offices on Meridian Avenue are emptier than usual, several projects and initiatives are progressing, albeit with slight delays, Porter said.

For instance, the city recently was able to put two construction projects out to bid:

  • A new concession stand and public restroom building at Moore-Mickens Field, 14318 Canal St. The city has budgeted $150,000 for the project.
  • A visitor’s information center building at the Hardy Trail trailhead, near property that later will be developed into a multi-use splash park/bike hub. The Pasco County Tourist Development Council allocated $250,000 for the information center.

Moreover, the $2.3 million downtown stormwater improvement project is nearly completed and is on track to meet its summer deadline, Porter said.

The scope of the project generally takes underground piping through multiple downtown streets into an existing conveyance system into a reconfigured Irwin Pond, just past U.S. 98 and the CSX railway.

All downtown roadway construction work is done, while “final pieces” of the pond component are underway, Porter said.

There were “a few delays” because of COVID-19, she said.

Other city plans are facing longer postponements, however.

The multimillion dollar Tank Hill wastewater facility improvement project has been put on hold, until on-site pre-bidding meetings can be scheduled, something necessary because it’s a larger-scale project, Porter said.

Also, the splash park/bike hub project is facing indefinite delays. A public draft conceptual presentation was originally scheduled in mid-March, but canceled due to concerns surrounding the coronavirus outbreak, and has not yet been rescheduled.

A visioning meeting would have allowed residents to provide input and ideas on wanted amenities for the new downtown park, located on a 2.23-acre parcel that borders the Hardy Trail on Church Avenue.

Other updates from the city manager:

  • City Hall remains closed to the public, so utility billing payments are being accepted online, over the phone, or through drop box. The city is absorbing the cost of credit card transaction fees for utility bills.
  • Playgrounds and public restrooms are closed, but city parks and trails remain open with the exception of Naomi Jones Park at 38122 Martin Luther King Blvd., due to challenges associated with users not obeying social distancing protocols.
  • Dade City Commissioners Eunice Penix and Nicole Deese Newlon, who are not seeking re-election, have agreed to remain in their legislative roles up until the rescheduling of the Pasco municipal elections. The elections have been delayed per an executive order from Gov. Ron DeSantis
  • The Dade City Police Department is temporarily pulling back on some of the in-person, community policing efforts, to minimize face-to-face contact in the wake of COVID-19.
  • The city is releasing a quarterly newsletter on its website and becoming more active on social media, to better engage citizens on various happenings and initiatives.

City to begin virtual meetings
Dade City will start holding virtual city commission meetings by teleconference, the first coming on April 28 at 5:30 p.m. The virtual format will continue “as long as necessary to keep business going and keep everybody safe,” Porter said.

Porter added the city also is prepared to hold other noteworthy meetings virtually — such as planning commission board — should stay-at-home orders extend indefinitely. “We don’t want to hold up progress,” she said.

The city had to cancel multiple in-person commission and planning board meetings in March and April due to COVID-19, and needed additional time to explore how to best go about a virtual meeting setup.

Persons wishing to participate in virtual meetings:

  • Call +1 (517) 317-3122
  • Enter access code 342-617-085(Mute your phone unless you wish to speak during public comments)

Comments about items on the agenda will be solicited and heard during the meeting by telephone or communications media technology.

General public comment (limited to 3 minutes) unrelated to an item on the agenda should be e-mailed no later than 60 minutes before the start of the meeting to . If received in a timely manner, the mayor or city staff will read the public comment at the meeting.

For more information on the setup, call (352) 523-5052, or visit DadeCityFl.com.

Published April 29, 2020

School remains in session, online

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Students aren’t returning to campus, but leaders in the Pasco County school district are encouraged by the progress students are making online.

The district went to online learning on March 31, after Gov. Ron DeSantis closed school campuses until at least April 15, due to concerns about the threat of the spread of coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19).

DeSantis has since announced that school campuses would remain closed for the remainder of the school year.

Pasco Schools Superintendent Kurt Browning said that he supports keeping the campuses closed because he could not “in good conscience” reopen the campuses.

Still, the district remains engaged in online instruction, the superintendent said during the board’s April 21 meeting.

Vanessa Hilton, chief academic officer for the district, shared some statistics from the district’s foray into distance learning.

“We definitely have some trends in the data,” she told school board members, and those listening in on the meeting.

“Monday engagement is always higher for each week so far,” Hilton said.

But, she also noted: “We do have students engaged throughout the week. Even on Saturday and Sunday, we average 20,000 to 36,000 participation, which are actions of engagement.

“Overall, in Week 3, we had about 98% engagement of students,” she said.

School board member Alison Crumbley responded: “Wow — to those numbers you shared. Ninety-eight percent engagement is unbelievable to me.”

The school board member said that Pasco County’s efforts are vastly different than what’s happening around the country.

She said she recently listened to a call-in show, which involved people from around the country.

“Many kids have no devices. Some districts aren’t even doing anything,” Crumbley said.

Hilton also told board members that the district is in the process of issuing hot spots to some families to enable Internet access.

“Those will be prioritized initially for some of our homeless families and families that really are away where there would be infrastructure for Internet,” she said.

“Since Day 1, I wanted to let you know that we have had over 43 million page views and access of files, and just under 15 million modules of units of study.

“We had 7,278,753 assignments submitted; 4,438,379 engagements in discussions; and, 1,214,552 announcements — which are direct communications between teachers and leaders to the students and families, that we miss so much.”

Kevin Shibley, assistant superintendent for administration, provided an update regarding device distribution to students.

“We are just shy of 18,000 computers that we have issued to students, to aid them in distance learning. We are continuing to have schools enter devices that they have distributed to students, so I expect that number to continue to creep up in coming weeks,” Shibley said.

Hilton also told board members that the district is issuing hot spots to some families to enable Internet access.

Hilton also noted that some changes have been made.

“Through feedback of families and students — students themselves, very resourceful students themselves, and staff — we have made adjustments, particularly to our elementary workload, to minimize stress and ensure that learning continues,” Hilton added.

The district also has been creating weekly parent newsletters, teacher newsletters and periodic secondary student newsletters, she said.

Plus, she noted, “our teachers also have their own collaborative space on Facebook. It’s incredibly impressive, impressive evidence of their sharing and learning together across the district.”

Finally, she reported that on April 20, students submitted 111,150 assignments.

“We had almost 66,000 users working across the day, and at the peak time — which is about midday for us — almost 21,000 students were learning at the same time together,” Hilton said.

School board members heaped praise on the efforts of district staff, teachers and parents, grandparents and guardians.

Board chairwoman Colleen Beaudoin said she’s seen the collaboration taking place among teachers, and she recognized that the volume of student assignments being completed also means that a significant amount of grading is being done by teachers.

She also added: “I have seen our school-based teachers and leaders, and they are extremely creative in the ways they are connecting with the students and each other.

“Our principals and our teachers are really going all out. Their posts have been entertaining, inspiring, innovative and heartwarming.”

Marcy Hetzler-Nettles, assistant superintendent for middle schools, gave a shout-out to Rushe Middle School students who had been planning to put on the play, “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown.”

When the show was cancelled because of COVID-19, a student put together a video of cast members singing the song, “Happiness,” which he sent to drama teacher Jeff Roush.

Also, Tom Schimmer, author of “Grading from the Inside Out,” made a surprise pop-in visit during a Zoom book study group meeting of teachers, Hetzler-Nettles added.

Monica Isle, assistant superintendent for high schools, told the board about an act of generosity made by seniors from Sunlake High School. They made a donation to Keystone Community Church’s Second Serving program, after their trip to Grad Bash was canceled. They had raised the money to pay for buses to Grad Bash.

Isle also mentioned the band from Mitchell High School will be doing a virtual concert series.

David Scanga, assistant superintendent for elementary schools, told the board that elementary school principal Todd Cluff has been doing nightly readings for students from “Little House on the Prairie.”

Scanga added: “I thought that was an excellent book to choose, in terms of a family that’s rather isolated and dependent on themselves to entertain and survive.”

Scanga also observed that “teachers and administrators are finding fun ways to engage,” which he thinks offers a good way to build connections with families.

Board member Megan Harding also expressed appreciation for the dedication of the district’s teachers and to the help provided by parents and guardians.

She said she’s attended some teacher Zoom meetings with their students.

“I’ve been blown away,” Harding said. “Those students are engaged. They are excited to be there.

“They miss their teachers, their teachers miss them.”

Harding also praised the parents and guardians.

“I know this isn’t something that they signed up for. They’re trying to work from home and to try to help their child be academically successful, and they’re also trying to keep their household afloat while ensuring their children are doing their schoolwork. I want to thank them for their partnership. I want to  thank them for doing their best to balance it all,” she said.

Published April 29, 2020

Land O’ Lakes jail construction remains on track

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The coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic may affect the progress of some Pasco County initiatives, but at least one is moving forward as scheduled — a $128 million expansion of the Land O’ Lakes Detention Center, off U.S. 41 at 20101 Central Blvd., in Land O’ Lakes.

Project design is slated to begin sometime in May, with construction slated to begin in December 2021 and continue through fiscal year 2023 — generally matching original timeline projections, county officials say.

A finalized agreement with design firm HOK and construction management firm Moss & Associates is being reviewed by the county attorney’s office, and should be complete by the end of April or early May.

The Land O’ Lakes Detention Center will undergo a $128 million expansion beginning in 2021. (Courtesy of Pasco County)

“We’re on track with where we hope to be,” Pasco County facilities management director Andrew Baxter said, in an interview with The Laker/Lutz News.

The expansion will add 1,000 new beds plus major upgrades to the jail’s central services, including medical, laundry, kitchen, intake and administrative facilities to meet a larger capacity. The project is funded through general obligation bonds that Pasco voters approved in November 2018.

When all is said and done, the expansion could total “somewhere in the neighborhood” of 200,000 square feet, Baxter said.

The jail facility presently measures 352,700 square feet and houses 1,432 beds. But, it’s been operating over capacity, as temporary housing brings the maximum population to about 1,900 inmates.

Baxter noted renovations to central services will be built to withstand an inmate population of well over 3,000 — which a facilities master plan indicated may happen by year 2034, and when another bed space addition likely will be needed.

In other words, once 2034 comes around, Baxter said the county won’t again need to expand the medical unit, kitchen and other essential services, just the housing space.

The facilities management director observed, “It’s just building housing at that point (in 2034), which is a little bit easier task to undertake than trying to operate a jail when you’re disturbing all the central service activities.”

The forthcoming upcoming expansion is expected to be a phased project, with new structures coming to the front and back of the jail, followed by interior renovations into the existing jail.

Ensuring the jail remains fully functional through build out is “one of the challenges, and quite honestly, one of the really fun attributes” of the multi-year project, Baxter said.

“The jail is a no-fail facility, and we must keep it running 100% all the entire time while we’re doing the construction activities,” Baxter said.

Repurposing some areas as construction goes along is a possibility. For instance, once a “correctly-sized” kitchen comes along, the old kitchen space may then be transformed into a medical facility, Baxter said. But, those are just some ideas at this point.

The detention center was built in 1991.

Since then, there have been multiple expansions — including a 6,700-square-foot minimum security annex in 1999, then a 96,000-square-foot addition in 2010.

Jail institutes COVID-19 precautions
Well before shovel hits dirt on new construction, the Pasco Sheriff’s Office has gone about implementing new practices to help prevent COVID-19 from entering the Land O’ Lakes Detention Center — both for the safety of jail staff and inmate population.

The sheriff’s office is following all recommendations from the National Institute of Corrections, as well as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Amanda Hunter, the agency’s lead public information officer, wrote in an email to The Laker/Lutz News.

Every new inmate is screened upon intake and, when needed, isolated and tested for COVID-19; inmates are selected for testing based on answers to CDC-distributed questionnaires.

When it’s determined an inmate will be tested, the inmate is placed in a negative pressure cell while awaiting test results.

Due to this protocol, jail staff has already tested several new inmates, but all tests have come back negative as of April 20, Hunter wrote.

Published April 29, 2020

Lifting spirits in all sorts of ways

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(Courtesy of Blaise Ryndes)

Spreading joy through bubbles
Blaise Ryndes, of Land O’ Lakes, attracted national attention when he took his bubble-making skills to America’s Got Talent.

Now, during a time of a global pandemic, the performer decided to take to his neighborhood streets, to help spread joy during a time of social isolation.

He recently put on a one-car bubble parade for his neighbors.

“To abide by social distancing, everyone stayed in their own yards and we went house to house spreading fun bubbles around, or as I like to call them, little orbs of happiness and cleanliness,” Ryndes reports, in an email to The Laker/Lutz News.

He described his act as “an effort to relieve the angst of quarantine.”

And, based on the photos, it looks like his mobile “Spheres Bubble Show,” was a hit.

AdventHealth staff is joined by volunteers, including Pasco County School Board member Allen Altman, after the meals are delivered to the Dade City hospital. (Courtesy of Pasco County Commissioner Kathryn Starkey)

Helping two groups, at the same time
When Pasco County Commissioner Kathryn Starkey heard about an effort to show appreciation to front-line workers during the global pandemic, she latched onto it — immediately.

The initiative — launched by Liz Bernich, of Chatham, New Jersey, and Gina McGuire, of Madison, New Jersey – is called the Frontline Appreciation Group (FLAG) 2020.

They wanted to show appreciation to front-line workers, and help restaurants at the same time.

So, they began raising money that they spent to help feed front-line workers.

When Starkey heard about the initiative she launched a Pasco chapter, which is known as FLAG2020Pasco.

As of last week, a total of 105 meals had been delivered, with 64 going to AdventHealth Dade City, and 41 to BayCare’s North Bay Hospital in New Port Richey. Another delivery was planned for the evening of April 24 at AdventHealth Zephyrhills.

So far, restaurants that have participated include Boulevard Beef & Ale and Rose’s Bistro Off Main, both in downtown New Port Richey, which provided meals for North Bay Hospital; and, Green Door on 8th, which provided meals for AdventHealth Dade City.

Donations supporting the efforts so far have come from citizens, as well as county officials including Pasco County Commissioner Ron Oakley, Pasco County School Board member Allen Altman, Pasco County Schools Superintendent Kurt Browning and former Pasco Clerk & Comptroller Paula O’Neil.

When she saw the initiative on the news, Starkey said she wanted to get involved because it is innovative and smart.

To help, send donations to:

Venmo: @FLAG2020Pasco

PayPal: PayPal.me/FLAG2020Pasco

Those donating $100 or more will get a sign to place in their yard, which Starkey has purchased as a show of appreciation to contributors.

Make a veteran’s day brighter!
As nursing homes remain off-limits to visitors, the Friends of the Baldomero Lopez State Veterans Nursing Home have launched a project aimed at brightening veterans’ days.

The project is called Operation FAV (For Any Veteran) and it seeks to enlist the help of anyone who wants to get involved to help overcome social distancing requirements by writing a note or sending a card to residents at the nursing home.

Organizers of the effort note, “this Land O’ Lakes nursing home has, like nursing homes throughout the world, been closed for visitors, leaving the residents there somewhat isolated.”

The great thing about this project is that anyone, of any age, can get involved.

All you have to do to is make up a card, note or letter, and address them:

For Any Veteran

Baldomero Lopez State Veterans’ Nursing Home

6919 Parkway Blvd.

Land O’ Lakes, FL 34639

The staff will make sure your cards and notes are distributed to the veterans there who haven’t had visitors in a while. Cards also can be sent in bulk to the same address.

A unique way of reaching out
While acknowledging that a swimming pool is not the most important necessity in life, Glenn Simpson, of GPS Pool, is offering a free chemical pool service to those age 60 and older. For many people, swimming in their pool is the only activity they have during this time of pandemic, Simpson says, in a blurb about his offer. Call (813) 948-9091 for details.

Gerry Ackley and Yvonne Wassman stand on one side of the truck loaded with food, while Steve Graves and Sandy Graves stand on the other. The food goes to help the hungry and is being supported through a donation by the seniors at Sunlake High School. (Courtesy of Lisa Kamps)

Sunlake High seniors step up
When Pasco 2020 Grad Bash was canceled this year because of the COVID-19 pandemic, seniors from Sunlake High School decided they wanted to do something worthwhile with the money they’d raised to pay for the event’s buses. They decided to make a big donation to Keystone Community Church’s Second Serving program. That program provides food for the homeless, operates a food pantry and helps people with other essentials, during their time of need.

The church is immensely grateful, said Lisa Kamps, of the Second Serving program.

“The most important thing, I think, for the senior class was to reach out in the Lutz, Land O’ Lakes area, because we don’t have as many opportunities here to assist families in need.

“They wanted to be sure that we were reaching people in this area,” Kamps said, noting that not all of the money will go for food. “We have to see what the need is, and meet it.”

Monica Isle, assistant superintendent of high schools for Pasco County Schools, gave kudos to the Sunlake seniors during the April 21 school board meeting.

“I think it just speaks to our graduating class that we have — of how much they’re thinking of how they can give back to the community,” Isle said.

Coty Darmoth is one of the chefs at Nabruzzi Trattoria. (Courtesy of Dana Nabruzzi)

Serving meals, in show of gratitude
It’s not uncommon for a restaurant to have a special, but Nabruzzi Trattoria has taken its Wednesday night specials to an entirely new level.

It is delivering free hot meals to people who serve the community.

“Every Wednesday we’re going to pick somebody in the area that has put themselves at risk, that are out there every day,” said Massimo Sabetti, the chef/owner of Nabruzzi Trattoria at 6062 Van Dyke Road in Lutz.

The restaurant was closed for about two weeks, before deciding to reopen for take-out and curbside, only.

When it reopened, Sabetti and his wife decided: “We have to do something for the community during this time,” he said.

After all, the community support is the reason the restaurant has done well.

So, on April 8, a meal was delivered to support the workers at Publix, and then another delivery was made that night to support the emergency room staff at St. Joseph’s Hospital-North.

On April 15, the restaurant delivered a meal to Hillsborough County Rescue Station 34, on Van Dyke Road, and then, on April 22, it delivered a meal for workers at Magnolia Manor Assisted Living Facility.

“We pick a place every week, I call, coordinate, what time is good for them? I get my chefs to make it and we bring it to them,” said Sabetti said.

He’s giving back to a community that has been very good to him, he said.

“The neighborhood has been very, very supportive. I’m very fortunate.”

Tell us about acts of kindness
If you know people who are going out of their way to make life easier for others during this time of the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, please let us know by emailing .

Published April 29, 2020