Local News

New $4 million pharmaceutical project in Pasco

September 4, 2019 By B.C. Manion

Fleda Pharmaceuticals has announced a two-phase $4 million project to build a manufacturing facility in Odessa, according to the Pasco Economic Development Council Inc.

The company expects to open its doors on Byrd Legg Drive this winter.

Fleda purchased an existing office building and a 9,600-square-foot warehouse to initiate the first phase of its plans, the Pasco EDC news release says.

It is expected to create 30 new jobs for the area.

It also plans to construct a 30,000-square-foot facility and a research lab for generic medicine, in phase two.

“Pasco EDC assisted our company with expedited permitting, site consultation, and workforce analysis,” John Wang, CEO of Fleda Pharmaceuticals, said in the release. “Gathering that information for us was a tremendous help. We have been so welcomed already by their team and Pasco County.”

The company is in the process of turning the vacant warehouse into a Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) dietary supplement manufacturing facility where it will produce gummy vitamins.

Bill Cronin, Pasco EDC president/CEO, said Fleda’s “investment in Pasco County will help diversify our economy with high paying jobs and increasing the industrial property tax base.”
For more information on Fleda Pharmaceuticals, visit FledaUSA.com.

Published September 04, 2019

Bible tracker helps reveal family stories

September 4, 2019 By B.C. Manion

Andy Smith has been quietly going about the work of helping to reconnect people with their old family Bibles, for more than a decade.

The Laker/Lutz News first profiled Smith and his unusual hobby three years ago, which led to feature stories about him broadcast on two local television stations.

The coverage resulted in people coming forward to ask the northern Hillsborough County man to help them reconnect Bibles — that had come into their possession — with descendants of the original owners.

Andy Smith spends a portion of his free time tracking down people who may be related to the original owners of old Bibles now being sold on eBay. He said the registry and matrimony pages of these Bibles can help tell a family’s story. (B.C. Manion)

Since The Laker/Lutz News story was published on July 27, 2016, Smith estimates he has helped reunite more than 100 old Bibles with family members.

The buyers of those Bibles lived in such places as Alabama, California, Florida, Colorado, Indiana, New York, Texas, North Carolina, Arkansas, Texas, Maryland, Illinois, Washington, Arizona, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania and Ohio, Smith said.

And, the family origins in the Bibles he has tracked down include places such as Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Ohio, Tennessee, New York, Indiana, Texas, Maryland, Iowa, Delaware, Ireland, England and Scotland.

“The greatest separation in generations was a man in Vero Beach who purchased a Bible that belonged to Daniel Layton and wife, Jane Vorhees – the man’s seventh great-grandparents,” Smith said. “Remarkably, he was able to purchase the Bible for just $15, which is far less than the selling price for most of these Bibles.”

Typically, the prices for family Bibles on eBay range from about $50 to $350, or more, Smith said.

Smith, who spent decades working as a newspaper professional, noted that his personal interest in old family Bibles stems in part from the Bible he inherited from his grandmother.

The sacred book originally had belonged to his great-great-grandparents, dating back to the 1870s, he said. Pages within the book help tell the story of his family.

After receiving the family heirloom, he decided to see what he could find out about his ancestors, and the more he delved into it, the more fascinated he became.

Pages such as these, in old Bibles, can yield interesting information about a family’s ancestors. (File)

Smith came to realize how much can be lost, when a Bible is separated from its family.

So, he decided to see what he could do to help reconnect families with Bibles that were somehow, over time, disconnected from them.

Smith devotes a portion of his spare time tracking down Bibles on eBay — with some dating back to the 1700s.

He records names and dates from the Bible’s registry pages and then searches for potential matches on family trees listed on Ancestry.com.

When he finds one, he reaches out — sending an email. It goes something like: “Greetings. No, we’re not related, but I’ve come across something that I think might be of interest to you.”

Then he shares the information that he copied from the registry pages.

He makes it clear that he doesn’t own the Bible and doesn’t know the person selling it. He merely acts as conduit, passing along information that may be useful to the recipient.

It’s entirely up to them, if they want to pursue the lead, he said.

His primary goal is to help families salvage information that, in some cases, may not be available anywhere else.

For instance, families typically were larger in previous generations, and there also were more childhood deaths from disease, he said. So, it’s possible that younger children whose names were recorded in the Bible, were never recorded in a census because they were born after one census was taken and died before the next one came along.

Smith said he doesn’t make a dime from his pastime, but enjoys the gratification that comes from helping make a connection.

“The responses that I get are so cool,” he said.

“It’s not how many people respond — it’s that one response that you get. You can just tell how much it means,” Smith said.

If you’d like to reach out to see if Smith can help you reconnect a family Bible, email him at .

Published September 04, 2019

Keeping food safe when the power goes out

September 4, 2019 By Special to The Laker/Lutz News

Even though hurricane season officially began on June 1, we’re approaching the season’s peak, which typically runs from now until late October.

The temperature control knob on the refrigerator or freezer won’t be helpful during a power outage. A separate appliance thermometer will let you know if the food was in the temperature danger zone. (Shari Bresin)

Statistics show that Sept. 10 is the most likely day to find something stirring in the Atlantic.

So if a storm came through and your power went out, would you know what to do with your food?

Also, what food would you eat to keep you and your family satisfied until the power comes back on?

Some ways to prepare before a storm hits:

Be sure to have appliance thermometers for both the refrigerator and freezer. The refrigerator should be kept at 40 degrees F or below, and the freezer should be Zero degrees F or lower.
Freeze containers of water: Those will function as extra ice packs to put in your cooler, refrigerator and freezer. Plus, when they melt, they’ll provide additional drinking water.
Freeze refrigerated items that you won’t need right away, such as meat or milk. That will preserve them, and a fuller freezer stays frozen longer.
Be sure to have coolers on hand.
Have a thermometer for the cooler, too. Make sure the food isn’t in the danger zone, which is between 40 degrees F and 140 degrees F.
Stock up on ice cubes, or buy extra ice and freeze gel packs. Dry or block ice is good, too, because it lasts longer. You can store these in the refrigerator and coolers after the storm.
Store nonperishable food and water bottles on a shelf — not the floor, to prevent contamination, in the event of a flood.

If the power goes out:

Keep the doors shut to the refrigerator and freezer as much as possible. If it is shut, the refrigerator will keep food cold for about 4 hours, and the freezer will keep food frozen for 48 hours if it’s fully stocked, or for 24 hours if it’s half-stocked.
Keep a list of items inside your refrigerator and freezer, to reduce the number of times you open and close them.
Start with eating perishable foods in the refrigerator, within four hours. Then eat the foods in the freezer, within 24 to 48 hours (depending how full your freezer was).

When the power returns:

Check the freezer thermometer. If it is under 40 degrees F, the food is safe and may be refrozen. (Don’t forget: If the power outage lasts longer than 48 hours, you are likely to see your freezer temperature in the temperature danger zone, which is above 40 degrees F).
Check the refrigerator thermometer. If it is over 40 degrees F, the perishable food should be discarded (meat, poultry, fish, dairy products and sliced produce, etc.)

There are some refrigerated foods that are generally safe above 40 degrees F. Those are: Peanut butter, jelly, ketchup, mustard, bread, rolls, muffins, tortillas, hard cheese, butter/margarine, barbecue sauce, opened vinegar-based dressings, uncut produce, waffles and bagels.

Perhaps the most important thing to remember is this: When in doubt, throw it out. It’s not worth getting sick.

Also, keep in mind that your homeowner’s or renter’s insurance may cover the loss of your refrigerated foods and frozen groceries.

Also, be sure to stock up on foods to help you get through until the power is restored.

Try to stay away from highly processed foods and keep nutrition in mind.

Here are some possible options: Whole and dried fruits, whole grain products (whole grain bread, crackers, tortilla shells, dry cereal low in sugar), trail mix, peanut butter, unsalted nuts, canned goods such as low-sodium beans, lentils, soups, vegetables and tuna, and canned fruit (look for canned in juice, not syrup).

While protein bars and granola bars are filling, remember, they may be high in sugar.

Be sure to plan enough food for at least three days for each person.

Drinking water should be stocked up, too, so each individual in your home has one gallon of water per day for at least three days (though up to two weeks’ worth is ideal).

You’ll also want one gallon per day for each person for hygienic purposes, including handwashing, brushing teeth and other uses.

Plus, be sure you have a manual can opener, napkins, and plastic/paper plates, cups, utensils and bowls.

Oh, and don’t forget your furry family members.

Make sure they have food and water, too.

Plan to have three days’ worth of food for your pet and one-half gallon to one gallon of water per pet, per day.

By Shari Bresin

Shari Bresin is the Family & Consumer Science Agent for the University of Florida/Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Cooperative Extension Pasco County.

Published September 04, 2019

Area prepares for flooding, wind

August 30, 2019 By B.C. Manion

With Hurricane Dorian bearing down on Florida, the state is bracing itself for impact.

Gov. Ron DeSantis also declared a State of Emergency in the state’s 67 counties, and Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody activated the state’s Price Gouging Hotline.

Both Hillsborough and Pasco counties have declared a state of emergency.

In an advisory issued at 11 a.m., Aug. 30 from the National Hurricane Center, “life-threatening storm surge and devastating hurricane-force winds are likely along portions of the Florida east coast by early next week, but it is too soon to determine where the highest storm surge and winds will occur. Residents should have their hurricane plan in place, know if they are in a hurricane evacuation zone, and listen to advice given by local emergency officials.”

Pasco County didn’t feel the full fury of Hurricane Irma’s wrath, but some other communities were less fortunate. (Courtesy of Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council)

The advisory continues, “a prolonged period of storm surge, high winds and rainfall is

likely in portions of Florida into next week, including the possibility of hurricane-force winds over inland portions of the Florida peninsula.”

Dorian could strengthen to a Category 4 hurricane before making landfall on Florida.

The Pasco County Commission last week declared a local state of emergency, which allows County Administrator Dan Biles and Emergency Management Director Andy Fossa the ability to waive everyday procedures, and do whatever they feel is necessary to ensure public health and safety.

The declaration allows Biles and Fossa the freedom to order evacuations, perform public work, make emergency purchases, rent equipment, hire workers, use volunteers, and so on.

The Local State of Emergency remains in effect for seven days, or until Biles rescinds it, if it is no longer needed.

To help residents prepare for potential flooding, Pasco County opened several sandbag locations, which included Land O’ Lakes Recreational Complex, in Land O’ Lakes; Pasco County Public Works (C-Barn) in San Antonio; Wesley Chapel District Park in Wesley Chapel; and, Old Dade City Police Station, in Dade City.

The City of Zephyrhills also opened a sandbag location at Fire Station 2 in Zephyrhills.

In an abundance of caution, the North Tampa Bay Chamber of Commerce cancelled its monthly business breakfast scheduled for Sept. 3.

Hurricanes can easily topple and down trees, which can cause major damage. (File)

It also sent its members links to information that could help them prepare for Hurricane Dorian.

Saint Leo University planned to close on Sept. 1 and to remain closed through Sept. 3, at its main campus and several other locations. Students, faculty, and staff were advised to check the Saint Leo University website at SaintLeo.edu for updates, especially concerning classes on Wednesday.

All Rasmussen College campuses in Florida also were scheduled to close Sept. 1 and remain closed until at least Sept. 3, to give students, faculty and staff time to prepare for weather conditions, and to ensure they are safe.

Pasco County Schools’ Place child care and Beyond-the-Bell programs will be closed Sept. 3.

The Pasco County School Board meeting has been postponed from Sept. 3 until Sept. 10.

AdventHealth West Florida Division leaders also have activated emergency management teams to ensure the safety of patients and staff. Hurricane protocols include team staffing procedures, adequate water supply and backup generator power checks, according to a news release.

As always, emergency officials encouraged residents to take steps to prepare for potential impacts.

The Laker/Lutz News publishes information at the beginning of each hurricane season to help our readers prepare for a possible hurricane, and information intended to help deal with the aftermath of any damage.

Those tips, along with information gleaned from additional sources, is presented here.

Before a hurricane hits

Protect your property:

Trim trees and shrubs.
Clear out clogged rain gutters and downspouts.
Put away outdoor furniture, windchimes, garbage cans, decorations, potted plants and other items that could become projectiles in high winds.
If you have a boat, secure it.
Cover windows with hurricane shutters or pre-cut plywood.

Protect yourself

Assemble an emergency kit: Be sure it has enough food and water to last up to seven days, according to the latest advice from experts.
The foods should be nonperishables that are easy to store and prepare, including dried fruit, canned pastas, soups, canned tuna, peanut butter and jelly, crackers, raisins, beef jerky. Be sure to include a can opener in your kit. (See our What’s Cookin’ column on page 5A for food safety advice).
The rule of thumb is to have 1 gallon of water per day for each person, for drinking and sanitation
Don forget baby formula and baby food
Stock up on disposable cups, plates and utensils
Sanitation supplies
Medications
First aid kit
A whistle to signal for help
A hand-cranked radio, or battery-powered radio with extra batteries
Moist towelettes for sanitation
Garbage bags and plastic ties (for personal sanitation)
Be sure to have an emergency kit for your pets, too. It should include sturdy leashes, harnesses and/or a carrier; pet food, drinking water, bowls, cat litter, a litter pan; pet health records, current photos of your pets, in case they get lost; pet beds and toys.

Shelter

A sleeping back for each family member
Duct tape and heavyweight garbage bags or plastic sheeting (for shelter-in-place)
A wrench or pliers (to turn off utilities)
Flashlights
Generator: Be sure to follow directions. These can kill, if used improperly.

Protect important documents

Keep in waterproof container on a shelf. Carry with you, if you evacuate.
Documents should include bank account records, marriage certificates or divorce decrees, driver’s license, Social Security card, passport, titles, deeds, income tax information, trusts, wills and birth certificates.

Prepare to stay, or go

If you live in an evacuation area, be prepared to leave. In Pasco County, mobile home residents must evacuate, no matter where they live, if the county issues an evacuation order.
Those living in a mandatory evacuation zone should prepare an evacuation plan that includes transportation routes and destinations, and considers all family members and pets.
If you plan to shelter in place, notify out-of-area contacts of your decision to stay. Be sure you have assembled your emergency kit and have a safe place to stay in your home.
If staying at home, fill up bathtubs or buckets with water to use for cleaning and toilet flushing.
Keep your gas tank three-quarters full at all times.
Have cash on hand.
Stay informed. Listen to an NOAA weather radio, or regularly check local forecasts and news reports.
Close all interior doors. Secure and brace exterior doors. Take refuge in a small interior closet, or hallway on the lowest level. Lie on the floor under a table or another sturdy object.
Stay away from windows and glass doors.

After the hurricane passes

Stay aware of threats from flooding and tornadoes.
Do not drive into water when you can’t see the bottom of the road.
Do not walk in standing water; it may contain contaminants, it might be deeper than it looks; it may have a strong undercurrent; or, it may be electrically charged with a downed wire.
Be careful about the foods you eat. If the power is out, your food may be spoiled.
Avoid carbon monoxide poisoning: Do not burn charcoal or gas grills inside a house, tents, garage, vehicle or fireplace. Do not use gas-powered generators indoors or in a garage.

If you have damage

Call an agent.
Take photos of the damage.
Make emergency repairs to avoid more damage, and keep receipts for tarps, lumber, etc.
Keep alert to potential scams.
Special needs sheltersThe Florida Department of Health in Hillsborough, Pasco and other Tampa Bay area counties is reminding medically dependent people to be prepared for severe weather emergencies.Special Needs Shelters are available for residents who meet specific criteria and should be used as a place of last refuge, according to the health department.
Online registrations for the shelters stops about 48 hours before impact. Those who have not registered, but believe they should go, should monitor local media to find out which ones are open and are closest to them.

Registration is preferred, but not required in an emergency.

There has been some confusion about registration. Many people are under the impression that once they have registered, they are automatically reserved a bed when severe weather is coming. But, that is not correct, according to the health department.

Residents need to know:
- There is no guarantee of a reservation at a special needs shelter.
- If someone is in an evacuation area and has registered, they will be contacted to confirm they are reporting to the special needs shelter.
- If needed, upon request, Emergency Management will coordinate transportation to the shelter.
- If they have a caregiver, the caregiver must accompany them and remain with them at the shelter.
Who qualifies?

Generally, those who may qualify include those who are oxygen dependent; those who need electricity for the medical equipment; those who have conditions that do not qualify for admission to the hospital, but exceed the capability of a general population shelter.

To register online, go to:
- Hillsborough: HCFLGov.net/specialneedsshelter
- Pasco: bit.ly/RegisterPascoSpNS

Tips for businesses:

Before the storm

Be sure you have an evacuation plan, with escape routes.
Have an emergency communication plan, which includes: A staff text message/email; a method for reaching employees after hours; and, a single point of contact. Be sure to monitor the news, so you are up to date on the latest information.

After the storm:

Account for all employees.
Gather accurate information about damage. Conduct a full evaluation of infrastructure and coordinate next steps to get doors open.
Communicate with all parties involved.
Establish a safe place — which may be at your home or in another location — for you to resume your business as quickly as possible.
Use social media to keep customers aware of the status of your business. Have you reopened? Do you know when you will? Also, if possible, put a sign on the door of your business conveying the same type of information.
Contact your insurance company.
Take photographs of damaged assets.
Leave damaged property where it is, until the adjuster has made an official report.
Accompany the adjuster to point out damage during the inspection.
Make only repairs necessary to prevent further damage. Be aware that unauthorized repairs might not be covered.
Use care in selecting contractors. Hire only licensed contractors, who secure the appropriate building permits. (Watch for red flags, such as upfront cash only; contractors using leftover materials; incomplete contact information.)
If proposed insurance settlement seems unfair, contact the Florida Department of Insurance Regulation at FLOIR.com.

Source: Brian Ellis, Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council

Pasco Shelters, tiered activation
Tier 1: Fasano Regional, Wiregrass High, Wesley Chapel High, Centennial Middle, Fivay High

Tier 2: River Ridge Middle/High, Weightman Middle, Stewart Middle, Sunlake High, Cypress Creek Middle High

Tier 3: Mitchell High, Odessa Elementary, Veterans Elementary, Oakstead Elementary, Pasco Middle, New River Middle, Bexley Elementary

Tier 4: Double Branch Elementary, Seven Oaks Elementary, Sanders Memorial Elementary, Connerton Elementary, Trinity Oaks Elementary, Schrader Elementary, Longleaf Elementary

Tier 5: Trinity Elementary, Chasco Elementary, Lacoochee Elementary, Denham Oaks Elementary, Watergrass Elementary, Pine View Elementary

Published September 4, 2019

Blood donations needed

August 28, 2019 By Special to The Laker/Lutz News

As all eyes are on Tropical Storm Dorian, OneBlood, the local nonprofit blood center serving Florida and the majority of the Southeast, says it must begin storm preparations now and is urging all eligible blood donors to donate before Dorian potentially impacts parts of its service area, according to a news release.

Ensuring a ready blood supply before, during and after the storm is crucial. While all blood types are needed, there is an increased need for O Negative and O Positive blood, as well as platelet donations.

Tropical systems can disrupt the blood supply for several days. The most critical time for blood donations is prior to any storm in order to sustain the blood supply during and immediately after the event.

Generally healthy people age 16 or older who weigh at least 110 pounds can donate blood.

OneBlood encourages all eligible donors to make blood donation part of their storm preparations and visit a donor center or Big Red Bus as soon as possible.

For a list of OneBlood locations and to learn more about the importance of blood donations, visit OneBlood.org.

Veteran’s gratitude for new face, new friend

August 28, 2019 By Brian Fernandes

When Veteran Don Clough looks in the mirror, he says he’s now satisfied by what he sees.

That’s after undergoing multiple surgeries over the course of the last seven decades.

The surgeries were required after he suffered serious facial wounds while serving in the U.S. Marine Corps during the Korean War.

War Veteran Don Clough now resides in Wesley Chapel with his wife, Sandy. After being injured in the line of duty during the Korean War, Clough underwent numerous surgeries to reconstruct his face. He’s an active member of a local Marine Corps League. (Courtesy of Don Clough)

Born on the Fourth of July, the Missouri native felt an obligation to serve his country from a young age.

“When I was 10 years old, right after World War II, I saw a movie about the Marines,” Clough recalled. “I decided right then: I wanted to be a Marine.”

And so he did.

A call to duty
Before joining the U.S. Marine Corps at 17, he first got his training a year prior in the Reserve.

“I was very little to be a Marine,” Clough chuckled. “I only weighed 114 pounds.”

His eyes welled with tears as he reminisced the pride he felt while marching at his graduation ceremony, on a breezy day.

When the Korean War broke out in 1950, the young man had served for almost two years – landing aircrafts in the Fleet Marine Force.

At the start of the conflict, he was deployed to California, then Japan, and finally landed on the shores of South Korea.

Ten days after landing, Clough was on a mission when he got separated from his platoon and was met by enemy gunfire.

He found refuge in a foxhole, but the attack had taken out six of his teeth and tore away his upper gum, upper lip, his nose, and the left side of his face.

Only a dozen members of his platoon survived.

After he was rescued, he underwent treatment for months in Japan before being transferred to California.

After that, he had more than 40 surgeries.

He underwent operations at numerous U.S. Veteran Affairs hospitals — in Illinois, Missouri and Florida.

During plastic surgeries, physicians placed skin grafts on his face taken from his body.

Efforts were made to reconstruct his face, but he felt dismayed by his appearance.

“I looked terrible when I got out,” Clough said. “I had holes in my nose. I was ashamed to even go out to restaurants.”

However, he did not allow this to deter him from seeking higher education and a career for himself.

Returning to civilian life
Using help from the G.I. bill and disability benefits, the former Marine went on to major in accounting at Missouri State University, then received a law degree at University of Missouri.

Clough obtained his law degree in 1959 and began working for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, then as a contract negotiator at the U.S. Department of Defense.

A young Don Clough poses in his uniform, as a U.S. Marine. He would soon put his life on the line fighting in the Korean War.

After a decade in government, he transitioned into his own law practice — following his grandfather’s footsteps, who also had been a lawyer.

“I always figured I’d be a tax lawyer,” Clough said, “but I ended up being a criminal lawyer – which I enjoyed.”

Back in Missouri, he served not only as a prosecuting attorney, but as a judge as well.

In 1994, he retired to Florida, where he continued to undergo plastic surgery.

It wasn’t until 2018, though, that his spirits would be lifted by two procedures under the hand of Dr. William Carter.

A new face of gratitude
At the James A. Haley Veterans’ Hospital in Tampa, Dr. Carter performed what Clough said was exemplary work – even giving him a new chin.

The veteran even implored U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis of Florida to honor the doctor for his craft.

In a letter of gratitude to the Tampa VA hospital, Clough stated: “Dr. Carter is a modest man, and will tell you he is only doing the job he is paid to do. But, I tell you this, after undergoing 43 plastic surgery operations by different surgeons, in the last 66 years, Dr. Carter is one in a million. A man to be proud of. A man proud to serve those who served.”

The Wesley Chapel man, who spends time with Sandy, his wife of 47 years, said he often hears expressions of gratitude for his service to the country.

Clough has the same sense of appreciation for the doctor — who through the use of his surgical skills — gave him part of his life back.

Published August 28, 2019

County continues tackling traffic issues

August 28, 2019 By B.C. Manion

Pasco County Commissioner Mike Moore said there’s no specific solution in sight yet for congestion motorists face daily at U.S. 41 and State Road 54. But, the commissioner outlined a number of other projects underway that should improve mobility on the county’s roads.

Moore’s comments came during a sold-out luncheon meeting of The Greater Pasco Chamber of Commerce on Aug. 13, at the SpringHill Suites by Marriott Tampa North, in Land O’ Lakes.

There are plans for a temporary fix at U.S. 41 and State Road 54, Moore said, noting some turn lanes are being extended — which should improve traffic flow.

Pasco County Commissioner Mike Moore talked about the county’s efforts to address traffic congestion, during a luncheon meeting with The Greater Pasco Chamber of Commerce. (B.C. Manion)

But, the final plan to address that intersection is not yet known, Moore said.

“We know something needs to be done, but,” he added, “funding obviously always is an issue.”

Plus, there’s not a consensus on the best approach.

“Do you use eminent domain and take out businesses? Do you do a flyover? We have a community that is split,” Moore said. “Our county staff is going to continue to work very closely with FDOT (Florida Department of Transportation) to come up with a viable solution.”

Addressing the issue is important, he added, because the entire stretch of State Road 54 is going to get busier as the area continues to grow.

“Do you look at Bus Rapid Transit? I’m kind of a fan of Bus Rapid Transit,” he said, but added he would like to see how Bus Rapid Transit has worked elsewhere.

While there’s no definite solution for the U.S. 41 and State Road 54 intersection, the county is making progress in other areas, Moore told chamber members.

The county is awaiting a federal permit to proceed with a project to extend Ridge Road, and Moore said he thinks the county is closing in on securing that.

He also talked about other road projects that are underway or planned.

For instance, plans call for widening U.S. 41 from Connerton Boulevard, north to State Road 52. Improvements also continue to widen State Road 52.

Moore also noted that construction is underway on the Diverging Diamond, a project that is expected to ease congestion at the Interstate 75/State Road 56 interchange.

State lawmakers helped get that project built much faster than originally planned, Moore said.

The commissioner also talked about a planned interchange at Overpass Road and I-75.

“State legislators helped us get $15 million toward that. It’s about a $70 million project. We’re allowing FDOT to control that project because they’re the professionals, and they know what they’re doing when it comes to design-builds.

“That is moving forward now,” Moore said.

He also noted that State Road 56 has been extended from Meadow Pointe Boulevard in Wesley Chapel over to U.S. 301 in Zephyrhills.

“That is an amazing extension.

“Now, we’re even looking at punching it (State Road 56) through, so it goes to (U.S.) 98, too,” he said, but that plan remains under discussion.

Moore also touched on the positive impact that tourism has had in the county.

“Tourism is booming right now,” Moore said.

It generated an overall economic impact of $615 million in 2018, he said, noting the county had 965,000 visitors that year. There were 7,480 tourism-supported jobs, and tourism generated $156 million in wages.

Published August 28, 2019

Electronic Arts encourages girl coders to ‘Get in the Game’

August 28, 2019 By B.C. Manion

When Madeline Murch headed off for summer camp in late July, she had high expectations.

After all, the Sunlake High student was one of just 15 young women selected to take part in a summer program presented by Electronic Arts Inc., a global interactive entertainment company.

“Going into the experience, I had really high hopes for it,” said Murch, one of 57 applicants for the program. “It was just everything I hoped for, and more.”

Pasco eSchool’s Madeline Murch of shows off her MoCap avatar during ‘Get in the Game,’ a summer program for local high school girls that explored the applications of STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and math) in video game development. (Courtesy of Electronic Arts/ Carol Berru-Linsenmayer)

The young woman from Land O’ Lakes said she’s been interested in computers and gaming from a young age, and both her mom and her uncle know how to code.

She learned about EA’s “Get in the Game” summer camp from her computer science teacher, Lea Weber, who sent the link to her.

Madeline decided to apply for the week-long camp that took place at the EA Tiburon studio, in Maitland.

Since the campus doesn’t have housing, it wasn’t clear if Madeline would be able to go.

But, her mom, Renee, stepped up — taking her to the camp. They stayed in an area hotel.

“I just really thought it was a great opportunity that we couldn’t pass up,” Renee said. “It seemed like she’s always had an affinity for coding and gaming. I thought if she saw what went on at the studio, she might really like it and want to pursue that.”

Besides, Renee added, “they’re (EA) leaders in video game development. So, there’s no better place to start than there.”

EA, based in California, is a global leader in digital interactive entertainment. The company develops and delivers games, content and online services for Internet-connected consoles, mobile devices and personal computers. It has more 300 million registered players around the world.

Madeline said a typical day at “Get in the Game” camp would include presentations and hands-on work.

The presentations were interesting and informative, she said.

“They were all on totally different topics, which was cool. We got to see every single aspect of the video games,” the 16-year-old said.

“During the second half of the day, we actually were working on developing a game while we were there. So, we broke into small groups, and we had a couple of software engineers who would help us every day.

“Some days, we did more interactive things,” she said.

For example, Madeline said she saw technology used to make realistic 3D renderings of people’s faces.

“We got to play around with some of their motion capture technology,” she added.

And, one of the artists they met, who gave a presentation on story-telling, had actually worked at Pixar and Disney Animation, she said.

The week was enjoyable and inspiring, Madeline said. “I definitely think that I want to continue learning how to code, and I want to pick up another coding language.

“I think that after this week at EA, I’d like to maybe be a software engineer,” she added.

Reducing the gender gap
Encouraging more young women to consider careers in the technology sector is precisely the point of the week-long summer camp, according to Daryl Holt, vice president and group chief operating officer of EA SPORTS Worldwide Studios.

Holt came up with the idea for the camp, which began last year with 10 participants and expanded this year to 15 young women.

Fifteen female coders from local high schools showcase their ‘golden tickets’ guaranteeing them an internship interview with Electronic Arts (EA) while pursuing STEAM subjects in college. Also shown are Daryl Holt, vice president and group chief operating officer of EA SPORTS Worldwide Studios (far right), and Seth Reichelson, computer science teacher at Lake Brantley High School and ‘Get in the Game’ coding instructor (far left).

Madeline was the only participant from Pasco County.

Holt explained the motivation for creating the camp.

“We were seeing a lack of gender diversity in those fields. That’s no secret,” he said.

“We’ve got to solve the supply problem,” he said.

The tech sector can’t rely on going into elementary and middle schools and giving a talk that might light a flame — to inspire young girls to pursue careers in these fields, he said.

“We’re not trying to ignite a spark, we’re trying to fan a flame,” Holt said.

The program was designed for “young women who already had some exposure to coding,” he said.

Applicants had to submit a teacher recommendation and an essay, explaining why they were interested in the camp.

The essays played a big role in the selection process, he said.

For instance, an essay writer might say something like: “I’m truly interested in this, and one of the things holding me back is that I don’t have access to a computer. I have to go to the library to do it (coding),” he said.

Holt’s reaction? “Wow, here’s someone that is taking the extra step to do what they are passionate about and the way they’re having to do go about doing it, is certainly a demonstration of their dedication to it.

“Not only can we fan that flame, we might be able to make it easier for them.”

The camp aims to educate, entertain and energize the young women, Holt said.

“Whether it’s at EA, or some other technology-based company, we want them to go on and do great things,” he said. “We want them to plan and we want them to train, but we also want them to dream and believe — because that combination is what will truly take them to the next level,” Holt said.

While at the camp, the young women work with mentors and they’re invited to stay in touch with them after they leave.

They also can earn the right to interview for an internship, and they get to take the laptop they’ve been working on home with them, Holt said.

“Our expectation is that they have it in their power to do this, to follow their dreams in an educational pursuit. And then, we’ll be talking to them later about an internship that hopefully leads to a career,” Holt said.

Computer and video game industry facts

90% of parents pay attention to the game their child plays
75% of Americans have at least one gamer in their household
63% of gamers play with others
56% of gamers have a creative hobby (singing, writing, etc.)
32% of gamers play a musical instrument

Source: The Entertainment Software Association

Published August 28, 2019

Residents generally pleased with county services, surveys say

August 28, 2019 By B.C. Manion

Overall, Pasco County fared well in recent citizen surveys intended to help inform the county’s planning in its allocation of resources, and to improve its programs and policies.

“This is what we call our voice of the customer,” Marc Bellas, performance management director for Pasco County, told the Pasco County Commission during a recent meeting.

In terms of overall government services, the county scored above the national benchmark of 67%, Bellas said.

“This is the highest rating we’ve ever had, since we’ve been doing this here in Pasco County since 2009,” he said, noting the goal in the county’s strategic plan is to score 70 percent.

“We believe in the next year that we’re going to be able to do that,” he said.

According to the survey, 72% of Pasco residents rated the county as a good or excellent place to live. That’s up 5% over last year.

Two-thirds gave the county excellent or good ratings for its customer services.

In terms of the economy, Bellas said all of the dimensions are trending up.

“That’s very good news in Pasco County,” he said.

“Usually, employment opportunities and Pasco’s a good place to work have always been the very lowest, but you can see that we’re now trending upwards from 2014. That’s good news. That means that we’re moving in the right direction,” he said.

Those were just some of the findings from the National Community Survey, which was conducted through the National Research Center Inc., in collaboration with the International City/County Management Association.

The survey was developed to provide a statistically valid survey of resident opinions, regarding their community and services provided by local government. About 350 communities participate in the survey annually, according to Bellas’ presentation to commissioners.

This year’s survey was distributed to 1,600 selected addresses in Pasco County, with 263 surveys completed, representing an 18 percent return rate. The results have a plus or minus 6% margin of error.

In addition to the surveys that were distributed, the county conducted an online citizen survey, using the same questions.

The county does the online survey primarily for comparisons, Bellas said.

“It is not a statistically valid instrument, but we find the correlations between the two to be very, very close,” Bellas said. The online survey gives citizens who were not selected for the survey a chance to express their views. This year 1,748 citizens took part.

Bellas said the survey looks at eight facets of livable communities: safety, mobility, the natural environment, the built environment, the economy, recreation and wellness, education and enrichment, and community engagement.

“In our particular survey, for our folks, the three most important areas were safety, mobility and the economy,” Bellas said.

“When we look at the Impact on the overall quality of life, safety is always at the very top.

Safe neighborhoods, and safe and uncongested roadways — are No. 1 and No. 2.

“The folks who took the survey consider these to be essential, or at the very least, very important,” he said.

Most of this year’s ratings were similar to last year’s, Bellas said.

But, the county did see “some significant downward movement in the mobility piece,” he said.

Regarding mobility, the people using Pasco County’s bus system gave it favorable marks.

But, motorists were less complimentary.

“There are some downward trends here, ease of car travel, specifically, traffic flow, traffic enforcement — those are some concerns for us, because they are downward trends,” Bellas said.

There also are concerns about traffic congestion, light timing and speeding, Bellas noted.

Sgt. Steve Gaskins, of the Florida Highway Patrol, said there are 24 troopers assigned to Pasco County.

“We work everything in unincorporated areas of the county,” he said, noting “we had roughly 5,000 crashes so far (this year). We worked 85 percent of them with our 24 troopers.

“We’ve had 55 fatalities in the county, this year alone,” Gaskins added.

“One of our big issues is getting to people who need help, as quickly as possible,” he said.

He also acknowledged concerns about speeding.

“Speeding is one of the huge complaints that I get all of the time from residents across the county,” Gaskins said.

If there were more troopers, they could be more proactive, Gaskins said. “We could do more activity to stem the tide of those crashes,” he said.

Additional equipment also would help with speed control and enforcement, he said.

Pasco County Commissioner Mike Moore asked how many troopers Gaskins thought were needed.

“If I had a wish list, I would say 50,” Gaskins responded.

Chase Daniels, of the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office, said efforts are being made to identify problem areas for speeding, and in the development of enforcement action plans.

Daniels also noted: “We are increasing our radar-certified officers.”

In terms of mobility, both Moore and Commission Chairman Ron Oakley noted a number of recent improvements and projects that will be coming soon that they expect to create much better mobility across the county.

Specifically, they mentioned the Diverging Diamond being built to relieve congestion at State Road 56 and Interstate 75; the recent extension of State Road 56 to U.S. 301; and work underway to widen State Road 52 and State Road 54.

Other future projects that will be done in coming years include a new alignment for State Road 52 near Dade City and a new I-75 interchange at Overpass Road.

Published August 28, 2019

‘Clear the Shelters’ is a howling success

August 28, 2019 By Christine Holtzman

Hundreds attended the ‘Clear the Shelters’ event on Aug. 17 at the Pasco County Animal Services complex, 19640 Dogpatch Lane in Land O’ Lakes.

Josh Naaman, of Largo, left, and his wife, Hande, bond with Piper, their new dog. Once they laid eyes on the mixed-breed pup, the couple knew they need not look further. It was love at first sight. (Christine Holtzman)

The event, launched five years ago by the television media company NBC Universal, is a national pet adoption drive that aims to find forever homes for thousands of animals in need.

Participating shelters nationwide either reduced or waived pet adoption fees.

The Land O’ Lakes shelter, waived its fees for the third year in a row. The only requirement was the purchase of the appropriate licensing for the new adoption.

Normally, adoption fees run $70 to $85 for dogs and $40 to $50 for cats. The fees include spay/neutering, vaccinations, microchip, heartworm testing for dogs, FIV and feline leukemia for cats.

Dianna Strauss, of Land O’ Lakes, a volunteer with Pasco County Animal Services, gives Letty, a large, female mixed-breed dog, a treat. Strauss shares her feelings about the pooch, describing her as a very sweet, and gentle dog.

Spencer Conover, the assistant director for Pasco County Animal Services estimated that around 500 people would attend the event, looking for a new companion.

In just the first two hours of the event, 13 dogs and 7 cats were officially adopted.

By the time the event wrapped up, there were 41 adoptions and 37 pending adoptions, according to Animal Services’ Facebook page.

Leading up to the event, veterinarians, staff and volunteers worked diligently to make sure that many of the 254 available animals were ready to go to their new homes on the same day of their adoptions.

Thirteen-year-old Courtney Woods, of Hudson, cuddles a small black kitten that she will name Astro, once he is officially adopted. Along with her mother, Jody, Woods attended the event with her sister, Allie, and her friend, J.J. Algarin.

Those that had not underwent the necessary spay/neuter or microchip procedure, will be placed on a short adoption hold (typically less than a week), until the requirements are met.

Strays, whether they are runaways or abandoned, make up the largest population of animals in the shelter.

Conover said the biggest challenge lies in the lack of microchipping, which is crucial in helping lost pets find their way home.

A very low percentage of the pets they see have been microchipped, he said.

Animals they adopt out are microchipped.

For more about ‘Clear the Shelters,’ visit ClearTheShelters.com.

Published August 28, 2019