The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Local News

Blessings and forever homes

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From its tranquil, wooded location — and before the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, one Lutz church hosted an event that was for the dogs — and, the cats.

The Unity North Tampa church, 19520 Holly Lane, had its first annual Pet Adoption Fair.

The Rev. Virginia Walsh, of Unity North Tampa, blesses Scrappy, a partially blind Corgi and French bulldog that was rescued 17-months ago by Ann Ottaviano, of Carrollwood. Ottaviano, who attended the fair with her adult daughter, Laura, said that the dog was recovering from severe burns to his back when she adopted him. At the pet fair, she adopted a black mouth cur named Maggie May, to be a companion for the dog. (Christine Holtzman)

The Rev. Virginia Walsh scampered around the church hall, as the event began, talking about why the church wanted to host an adoption fair dedicated to the animals.

The church moved to its current location, from Tampa, in June 2018.

Despite being set back slightly from the hustle and bustle of North Dale Mabry Highway, the property is quiet, and serene — featuring tall pines and grand oaks.

In the past, the church’s pet blessings have tended to be popular because people love their pets like family members, the church leader said.

This year, her congregation thought that it would be a wonderful idea to host an event on the church’s spacious property, and to invite the community to attend.

And, the idea for the Pet Adoption Fair was born.

Sitting at their vendor table, Janalea Hoffman, owner/founder of Rhythmic Medicine, left, plays a native flute, as her business partner, Marilyn Miller looks on. The women are snowbirds from Kansas, who live part-time in Sun City Center. They were at the Pet Adoption Fair selling native flutes and colorful pet T-shirts.

Before the reverend rushed outdoors to bless a pooch, she declared passionately: “We are excited to support finding good homes for these animals.”

Seven adoption agencies took part in the inaugural event. They were Pasco County Animal Services, SPCA Suncoast, Dachshunds Seeking Forever Home Rescue, Tampa Bay Cat Alliance, Tampa Bay Humane Society, Barking Out Loud Rescue, and A Promised Land Animal Rescue.

Many brought animals that were ready to be adopted that day.

A half-dozen vendors set up shop around the property, offering various food items, crafts, and pet gear and supplies.

Ann Ottaviano, of Carrollwood, and her adult daughter, Laura, came to the Pet Adoption Fair to find a companion for Ann’s 8-year-old partially blind Corgi and French bulldog mix, Scrappy.

Maggie May, a 3-year-old black mouth cur, hangs out of the Barking Out Loud Rescue van window, while she waits for the organization’s founder, Claudia Beaver, to set up the kennels. Maggie May, along with nine other dogs, traveled with the group from Highlands County, to be part of the Unity North Tampa’s Pet Adoption Fair. Maggie May found her forever home when Ann Ottaviano, of Carrollwood, adopted her during the event.

She adopted Scrappy 17 months ago from a shelter. He was severely abused, and had a bad case of heartworm. He was found in a cage; his front teeth are missing from trying to bite his way out.

Scrappy also endured the unthinkable.

Someone poured scalding hot water over his back, resulting in severe, visible burns.

When Ann saw him for the first time, in this poor condition, she really didn’t think of his issues. “I was sitting next to him at the kennel, and he looked up to me, and that was it. It was my intuition that I needed this dog.” She also said, “Dogs don’t need to be perfect.”

Her vet suggested that she get Scrappy a companion dog now, before he was completely without sight, to help him and comfort him in blindness.

She ended up adopting Maggie May, a 3-year-old black mouth cur, that was one of the 10 dogs arriving to the event with Claudia Beaver, the founder/director of the Barking Out Loud Rescue. Beaver’s agency is located in Lorida, in Highlands County.

As they work the bake sale during the pet adoption fair, Bobbie LeRoy, of San Antonio, left, converses with Donna Stevens, of Land O’ Lakes, inside the Unity North Tampa church. Several items were available for purchase, including brownies, red velvet cupcakes, snickerdoodle cookies, muffins, and bottled water. Proceeds from the sale benefited the church.

Maggie May was rescued from a Lake Placid ranch. Black mouth curs are dogs specifically bred for hunting and herding cattle. So, when she proved not to be a good farmworker, she was placed in a kennel, where she lived her whole life, before being rescued.

Before their blessing, Scrappy and Maggie May got acquainted with each other for the first time. As she watched them sniff each other’s face, Ann was confident that this pup will make a wonderful addition to her family.

Besides adoptions and blessings, the fair featured a bake sale and vendors.

The bake sale, held inside the church, offered patrons a selection of goodies, including  brownies, red velvet cupcakes, snickerdoodle cookies, muffins, and bottled water.

There was a free chance drawing, too, for a gift certificate from Pet Supermarket.

Proceeds from the pet blessing donations and from the bake sale will support the church’s ministry.

Published April 1, 2020

SPCA Suncoast board member Bessie Tomlin gives a hug to ‘Wafer,’ the chow mix that she brought to the Unity North Tampa’s Pet Adoption Fair last month. Wafer was one of the animals available for adoption at the event.

Residents urged to be counted in 2020 Census

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Residents of Hillsborough and Pasco counties are being urged by government officials to respond to the 2020 Census.

Pasco County Commission Chairman Mike Moore is urging citizens to take part in the nation’s official count.

April 1 is officially Census Day, meaning the number of people staying in your household must be counted to assure that communities receive their fair share of federal funding, and that congressional representation is properly apportioned.

“This is the first time the Census has had an online option for self-response. If you prefer, you can still submit your census by mail, telephone or in person to a Census Bureau representative,” Moore said, in a letter sent to news media outlets.

“Beginning in May, Census Bureau representatives will be following up to addresses that did not respond.

“It is important to know you will never be asked for sensitive personal information, such as Social Security or bank account numbers, by a Census Bureau employee. Your responses are secure, confidential and protected by federal law,” he added.

Moore also noted that Pasco County is one of the fastest-growing counties in Florida, and participation in the Census helps provide federal funding for roads, schools, public programs and reapportionment for the U.S. House of Representatives.

Pasco County Commissioner Kathryn Starkey also is encouraging participation in the 2020 Census, in a newsletter sent out by her office.

She notes that responding takes about 10 minutes.

“It is your civic duty to respond, but it is also a way to make for a better future for your community,” the newsletter says.

Hillsborough County officials also are urging participation.

On its website, Hillsborough notes that it’s Florida’s fourth-largest county, and is already bigger than 10 U.S. states.

During the 2020 Census, the county notes that it “is poised to potentially be counted as home to 1.5 million.”

It also explains why the count matters.

Besides affecting congressional representation, “It also helps with distribution of federal and state funding.

“Education, health care, law enforcement and highways are just some of the things that receive funding based on population,” the website says.

Published April 1, 2020

Slices of life, in the shadow of COVID-19

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Impacts from the threat of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) is touching life on virtually every level. The closing of school campuses disrupted family schedules and student learning.

The shuttering of businesses has left people out of work.

The number of people testing positive for COVID-19 and people dying from the virus continues to rise.

Nobody knows yet, when we will emerge to the other side, and when we do, what the lasting impacts will be.

For now, here’s a small sampling of how people are coping with the impacts of COVID-19.

Holding on, in a tough time
Normally, TJ’s Deli & Ice Cream does steady lunch business between 11:30 a.m. and 2 p.m.

(B.C. Manion)

“Now, we’ll be happy if we get a customer every two hours,” said Rosa Benitez, who owns the restaurant, along with her husband.

“We have lost a lot of business,” Benitez said. “It’s definitely overwhelming. It’s something you didn’t expect,” said the woman, who also works two part-time jobs.

“It’s been really life-changing. If you don’t have a second job or a second income, this could definitely put you out of business. It’s very sad,” she said.

Normally, the restaurant has four employees. Now, it’s just Benitez and her husband, Michael Holman.

They’re worried about how long the pandemic will last and wonder when business will return.

Meanwhile, Holman asks: “When are the (government stimulus) checks going to be handed out? When is the relief coming?”

Despite uncertainties, she trusts the universe
Sixty-nine-year-old Sheila Prater, of Land O’ Lakes, is dealing with uncertainties on all sides.

(Christine Holtzman)

She’s a caregiver for an 88-year-old woman who has Alzheimer’s disease.

She said the COVID-19 pandemic is adding to stress she’s already been feeling.

The house she’s been renting for years is up for sale and, when it sells, she’ll have to move.

Her daughter just lost her job as a server because of the impacts of COVID-19, and Prater isn’t sure where they’re going to live because it’s hard to find a place that will allow her three cats and one dog.

Prater also is unsure if she’ll be able to buy a house, given her daughter’s unemployment and today’s trying times.

Still, she is doing her best to remain positive.

“There are no accidents. Everything happens for a reason and everything happens on time. Not always our time, but the right time. Whatever the universe’s will, if it’s meant to be, it will be,” Prater said.

Being careful — and enjoying ice cream
Ken Graham and Kathy Patrick recently dropped by TJ’s Deli & Ice Cream, at 37752 Meridian Ave., in Dade City to get themselves a treat.

Patrick said she’s glad some businesses are closing.

(B.C. Manion)

But, she added: “A part of me also thinks it’s too hyped up. People are too afraid to go out. You can’t stop living your life. You can’t just let it defeat you.

“There’s some people that are just scared to death to go anywhere.”

Graham said concerns about COVID-19 have created a “very weird feeling — unexpected.”

The couple is still going out, but is being careful.

“We’re staying away from people,” Graham said. “We just had to have a meeting with a lawyer friend. We did it outside, in a patio setting, with distance between us,” he said.

“I think our medical community is doing a fantastic job. I think people, in general, are accepting their part. Everywhere we go, we see everyone practicing measures of safety,” Graham added.

So, when the couple had a chance to get some ice cream, they went for it.

They got their ice cream in waffle cones.

“Always, a waffle cone,” said Graham, who’s been going to TJ’s for years.

Patrick got a Happy Tracks cone.

Graham got a Black Cherry. That’s his new favorite.

Compiled by B.C. Manion and Christine Holtzman

Published April 1, 2020

Numbers of confirmed COVID-19 cases, deaths climb

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The numbers keep climbing.

There were a total of 140,904 cases and a total of 2,405 deaths as of the evening of March 30, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. All 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Northern Marianas and the U.S. Virgin Islands have reported cases.

“The United States nationally is in the acceleration phase of the pandemic,” the CDC reports.

The CDC said the cases include imported cases in travelers, cases among close contacts of a known cases and community-acquired cases where the source of the infection is unknown.

Most U.S. states are reporting some community spread of COVID-19, the CDC adds.

Florida had a total of 5,704 cases, including 215 non-Florida residents, as of the most recent data available on the morning of March 31 from the Florida Department of Health, the lead agency addressing the health crisis.

The department also reported that 715 had been hospitalized, and 71 had died.

Locally there were 272 cases, including 265 residents and seven non-residents in Hillsborough County. Forty-five have been hospitalized and two have died.

In Pasco County, there were 38 cases, including one non-resident. Seven have been hospitalized and two have died.

Published April 1, 2020

Pasco Sheriff’s Office warns of coronavirus scams

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As coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) dominates attention globally, the Pasco Sheriff’s Office warns that cybercriminals are seeking to capitalize on the public’s desire to know more about the outbreak.

The Pasco Sheriff’s Office is warning of potential coronavirus-related cybercrimes. (Courtesy of Pasco County Sheriff’s Office)

There are nationwide reports of phishing scams that attempt to steal personal information or to infect devices with malware, and ads that peddle false information or scam products, the sheriff’s office says.

In one example, a phishing email used the logo of the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) Health Alert Network and claimed to provide a list of local active infections. Recipients were instructed to click on a link in the email to access the list. Then, recipients were asked to enter their email login credentials, which then were stolen.

The sheriff’s office says it isn’t aware of any cases in its jurisdiction, but is encouraging people to report phishing and other cybercrime.

The law enforcement agency also is advising the following:

  • When seeking information on COVID-19, visit known reputable websites like the (CDC) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, World Health Organization (WHO) or the Florida Department of Health.
  • Be on the lookout for phishing emails, which may appear to come from a trusted source. Remember, you can look at the sender’s details — specifically the part of the email address after the “@” symbol — in the “From” line to see if it looks legitimate.
  • Be wary of emails or phone calls offering unexpected or unprompted information. Also, do not click on links in emails from unfamiliar sources: they could be embedded with malware.
  • Although social media companies, such as Facebook, are cracking down on ads spreading coronavirus conspiracies and fake cures, some ads may make it past their review process.

Published April 1, 2020

Tax collector suspends lobby service

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As of March 24, lobby service at all five locations of the Pasco County Tax Collector’s Office has been suspended, temporarily, according to a news release.

Due to the severity and uncertainty of the coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) outbreak, no in-person transactions will be conducted.

In lieu of lobby service, the five offices has begin to provide certain transactions through drive-thru services. These transactions are limited to automobile, boat and mobile home registration renewals, property tax payments and disabled parking permit applications.

Dealers may drop off work and expect it to be ready within 48 hours.

Customers should look for signs indicating the drive-thru area at each office.

Drive-thru services will be available Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to noon.

The countywide tax collector’s call center will continue to operate during the time of the lobby closures, with the same hours as the drive-thru services.

For call center assistance, dial (727) 847-8032, (813) 235-6076 or (352) 521-4338.

Since most driver’s licenses and state-issued identification cards require an in-person transaction, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has issued an executive order that grants a 30-day extension of the due date for renewing those documents, which may currently be set to expire on or before April 15.

Any stops or holds that are currently on a driver’s license will not be removed by this executive order.

Customers are encouraged to utilize mail and online services, whenever possible.

To renew automobile registrations, visit PascoTaxes.com or GoRenew.com.

Published April 1, 2020

Charities hit hard

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It was a gorgeous day on March 7, as patrons streamed into the annual Fabulous Flea Market  hosted by the GFWC Lutz Land O’ Lakes Woman’s Club, at the Old Lutz School.

Crowds were lined up on both sides of the school, on U.S. 41, waiting for the sale to start.

Elaine Pittman, affectionately known as “The Plant Lady,” said she sold more plants in a single day than on all but one other day during numerous years she’s sold plants at the market.

Woman’s Club member Elaine Pittman, also known as The Plant Lady, sells plants that she’s nurtured, to raise money to support Christian Social Services, which has a thrift store and food pantry. (B.C. Manion)

But, her plans to sell additional plants at the Spring Market, hosted by Citizens for the Old Lutz School, were dashed when the event was canceled because of concerns about the potential spread of coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19).

Like a switch had been flipped, cancellations started happening all over.

The Taste of North Tampa Bay, The Land O’ Lakes Music Festival, The Jelly Bean Fling and numerous other events have been called off.

In the words of Pat Serio, who sits on the board of directors for the GFWC Lutz Land O’ Lakes Woman’s Club: “Everything has completely shut down.

“I’m co-editor of the newsletter, and we cancelled our newsletter because frankly we had nothing to report because all of our calendar events for the next month would have to be listed as TBD (to be determined).”

Besides erasing opportunities for family fun and giving vendors a chance to make money — the cancellations have ripple effects.

Proceeds from Pittman’s plant sales, for instance, help to support Christian Social Services. That organization operates a food pantry within its thrift store, at 5514 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., in Land O’ Lakes.

The GFWC Lutz Land O’ Lakes Woman’s Club and scores of other civic groups rely on fundraising efforts to help others. The woman’s club supports roughly 100 local organizations and charitable causes, Serio said.

The Spring Market and Fall Market are the fundraisers held each year to support upkeep of the Old Lutz School, said Stephanie Ensor, a member of Citizens for the Old Lutz School Building.

Besides raising money, the events help acquaint the community with the local historic landmark where generations of Lutz residents went to school.

Thirty-eight vendors had signed for the market. Proceeds from the event were intended to help pay for needed repairs because of termite damage.

Doors need to be replaced, Ensor said.

“The windows are rotting,” she added. “They are so expensive, we can only replace a couple at a time.”

Food pantries are feeling the pinch, too.

Robin Granger, of Life Church in Wesley Chapel, operates a food pantry and a weekly community lunch.

“The problem is, the stores that we get donations from, they don’t have very much,” Granger said.

“Typically, we pick up food from Costco three days a week and we have not gotten hardly anything at all,” she said.

Meanwhile, she said, “I know that folks that are under-resourced are really struggling.

“We did an emergency box for a single mom a couple of days ago. She worked at one of the local restaurants as a server, but they cut her hours. When they cut her hours, she was trying to get back on food stamps, but that’s a process. Meantime, she doesn’t have enough food for her kids,” Granger said.

“We’re a little concerned about having enough food for all of the folks that we serve.

“During this whole week, we’ve had emergency boxes of food going out.”

Concerns about the economic and health crisis prompted by COVID-19 are stressing people out, Granger said.

“There tends to be a lot of folks who are a little bit scared.

“I lead the single moms group at the church. Being a single mom and not having income is really, really frightening,” Granger said.

Published April 1, 2020

Pasco schools add feeding sites for students

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Pasco County Schools planned to expand its number of student feeding sites from its initial seven locations up to 25 school sites, effective March 31, according to a school district news release.

While wearing an N95 mask for her safety during the COVID-19 pandemic, Linda McCabe, of Dade City, confirms the amount of food bags needed for one of the cars that showed up for the Pasco County school district’s free lunch program, at the Pasco High School site on March 26. McCabe is the school’s registrar and volunteered for this program that is handing out hundreds of free food bags daily. The school district since has expanded the number of food distribution sites and changed its delivery strategy. (Christine Holtzman)

Pasco also will add feeding sites at 16 bus stops throughout the county.

There are other significant changes in the way Pasco County Schools is getting food to students. The drive-thru sites and the bus deliveries will take place on Tuesday only, and the food provided will include food for five days for each student, the release adds.

A family with two children would receive 10 lunches and 10 breakfasts on Tuesday.

The student, or students, must be present to receive food.

Here is the list of Pasco sites, in and near The Laker/Lutz News coverage area, where meals will be delivered:

School bus deliveries, on Tuesdays only:

  • 11 a.m.: Wilson Street grass lot, 13800 Wilson St., Dade City
  • 11 a.m.: Zephyrhills YMCA, 37301 Chapel Hill Loop, Zephyrhills
  • 11:20 a.m.: Hilltop Landings 37611 Colina Drive, Dade City
  • 11:25 a.m.: Crystal Springs Community Center, 1655 Partridge Blvd., Zephyrhills
  • 11:45 a.m.: Trilby United Methodist Church, 37504 Trilby Road, Dade City

Drive-thru student food distribution sites

Tuesdays, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

  • Centennial Middle School, 38505 Centennial Road, Dade City
  • Chester W. Taylor Elementary School, 3618 Morris Bridge Road, Zephyrhills
  • Rodney B. Cox Elementary School, 37615 Martin Luther King Blvd., Dade City
  • New River Elementary School, 4710 River Glen Blvd., Wesley Chapel
  • Pasco High School, 36850 State Road 52, Dade City
  • Pasco Middle School, 13925 14th St., Dade City
  • Quail Hollow Elementary School, 7050 Quail Hollow Blvd., Wesley Chapel
  • San Antonio Elementary School, 32416 Darby Road, Dade City
  • West Zephyrhills Elementary, 37900 14th Ave., Zephyrhills
  • Zephyrhills High School, 6335 12th St., Zephyrhills

Published April 1, 2020

There are resources available, in the wake of the pandemic

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As businesses and individuals cope with sudden losses causes by impacts of coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19), various agencies and organizations are stepping up to provide information about resources that can help.

The Pasco Economic Development Council Inc., has compiled a list of useful resources for the business community.

There also is useful information on websites maintained by Pasco and Hillsborough counties, and the Pasco and Hillsborough public school systems.

The local chambers of commerce also are offering information that may prove useful.

Here is a look at some of the resources available, as reported by the Pasco EDC:

  • The Business Damage Assessment survey assesses the impact of COVID-19 on Florida’s local businesses, including those in Pasco County. The survey, managed by the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO), will evaluate businesses affected by COVID-19 and the impacts the virus has had on the local economy, so actions to implement economic relief programs for businesses can begin.
  • The Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program is available to small business owners in all Florida counties statewide that experienced economic damage from COVID-19. These short-term, interest-free working capital loans are intended to “bridge the gap” between the time a major catastrophe hits and when a business has secured longer-term recovery resources, such as sufficient profits from a revived business, receipt of payments on insurance claims or federal disaster assistance. The SBDC Tampa Bay can assist companies through the process.
  • The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) provides low-interest, long-term disaster loans to businesses of all sizes, private nonprofit organizations, homeowners and renters, to repair or replace uninsured/underinsured disaster damaged property. SBA disaster loans offer an affordable way for individuals and businesses to recover from declared disasters.

Helpful websites:
Chamber websites
PascoEDC.com
NorthTampaBayChamber.com
HillsboroughCounty.org
PascoCountyFL.net
CDC.gov
FloridaHealthCovid19.gov
FloridaJobs.org
SBA.gov
Pasco.k12.fl.us
SDHC.K12.fl.us

Published April 1, 2020

East Pasco municipalities declare local states of emergency

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Responding to concerns about coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) , the City of Zephyrhills passed a resolution declaring a local state of emergency — taking steps to implement protocols suggested by state and federal agencies.

The City of Zephyrhills declared a local state of emergency on March 17, in response to coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19). It must be renewed every seven days, or it expires. (File)

The measure allows Zephyrhills flexibility to act quickly, if needed. However, its primary purpose is to allow the city to seek future reimbursement for costs incurred as it deals with the coronavirus outbreak.

It also results in several temporary changes in city services, including some cancellations and postponements, among other measures.

The motion passed unanimously be Zephyrhills City Council on March 17. It must be renewed or updated every seven days, or it expires.

Per the plan:

  • Any city employee traveling on a cruise or traveling out of the country must self-isolate for 14 days before returning to work; sick time will be charged.
  • Council chambers will be utilized only for essential meetings, such as city council meetings.
  • City staff is sending emails and messages to utility customers, encouraging them to pay their bills online.
  • Zephyrhills Fire Rescue has purchased gloves for all departments, and gloves and mask for the city’s fire and police departments.
  • City staff will begin to utilize FEMA 214 forms to track time, purchases, use of equipment, and use of vehicles as it relates to the city’s COVID-19 preparation and response.

Additionally, the Zephyrhills Public Library is closed to the public and has suspended all other programs until further notice. However, library staff have developed a drive-thru service for citizens to place a hold on a book and book checkout.

All rentals for the Alice Hall Community Center, Wickstrom Stage and Zephyrhills Train Depot Museum have been canceled at least through March, and likely April.

Events such as the March 28 Snowbird Palooza and April 25 Touch-A-Truck also have been canceled.

Zephyrhills City Manager Billy Poe underscored the need for such measures: “It’s a very real possibility that it could get so bad that there is a mandatory shutdown of the state or the nation, but we’re not to that point, yet. Can it happen? Yeah, I think it could. I hope it doesn’t, but we’re preparing, trying to think of those things now, so that if it does happen, we have an action plan that we can activate.”

The Zephyrhills Police Department has been actively visiting bars, restaurants and other establishments, making sure their they’re aware and compliant with tighter state-issued regulations guidelines, due to the coronavirus outbreak. (Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on March 17 ordered all bars and nightclubs to shut down for 30 days). He also ordered restaurants to close down dining rooms.

“It seems like a lot of them are emptying out on their own, but we’re going to continue to still make sure they’re following those orders,” Police Chief Derek Brewer said.

Establishments that do not comply will be referred to the “appropriate state agency” for review and possible action, such as license suspensions, Brewer said.

The Zephyrhills Municipal Airport will continue to operate as usual, still providing fixed-base operator services. But, the airport may at some point switch to a “self-service” model, where planes would be able to take off and land, but all fueling would be done by the pilot and not airport staff; the airport’s fuel pump has a credit card swipe for purchases.

The City of Dade City declared a local state of emergency March 16.

The airport would close if the FAA enacts a no-fly policy.

City staff is “continuing to monitor the airport and surrounding (general aviation airports) in the area,” Poe said.

Meantime, city leaders are actively discussing the possibility of having non-essential staff telecommute, or work from home — something the city has the technological capability to do.

Dade City declares local state of emergency
Similar to Zephyrhills, the City of Dade City also declared a local state of emergency after a motion passed by the Dade City Commission on March 16.

As part of the measure:

  • Non-essential meetings are postponed.
  • City commission agendas will be limited to essential items.
  • City parks remain open to the public, but facility rentals and special events are canceled, including the City Market Place scheduled for April 4. Staff will not process special events permits or park reservations through April.
  • Residents are encourages to mail or pay their water bill online. Non-payment turn-offs are temporarily suspended.
  • For building permit and inspection services, the city is encouraging online permitting and either calling or emailing staff members with questions. All notary services are suspended until further notice, except for city-issued permits.

• The Dade City Police Department has suspended all fingerprinting services and canceled on-site meetings and tours.

Published March 25, 2020