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Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Local News

New online program encourages creativity

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A new online program available through Pasco County libraries, offers tutorials to help people explore their creativity.

Creativebug, introduced in November, walks patrons through video tutorials on trying out such activities as crafts, sewing, quilting, knitting, home décor and jewelry.

“We love Creativebug, our newest database, on our website,” said Angelo Liranzo of Pasco County Libraries. “[It’s] very easy to use and our patrons are really taking to it.”

Angelo Liranzo, of Pasco County Libraries, gives a tutorial of a new online program called Creativebug that is now available to library patrons. The program gives users a chance to learn how to make their own creations. (Brian Fernandes)

So far, knitting and crocheting seem to be the most popular online courses, Liranzo said.

The Pasco library system’s newest online feature offers an online blog, giving users an opportunity to share their thoughts and ideas with one another.

The Creativebug home page offers various categories for patrons to choose from.

But, there also is a search engine that allows patrons to seek specific tutorials. The search engine also allows users to select the instructor they prefer.

The online program provides an alternative to in-person sessions that are scheduled at a specific time, Liranzo said.

Creativebug can be accessed 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

“It’s just one of the ways that we want to put information in peoples’ hands,” Liranzo said. “It’s very easy to use, self-explanatory. The video instruction is very clear.”

The site has courses for beginners, intermediates and experts on particular subjects. There are categories for all age groups, too.

For children, for example, there are tutorials to create holiday-oriented crafts, drawings, paintings and costumes.

Those unable to finish a course can download a transcript that provides step-by-step instructions and lists the materials that are needed.

The program can be used at the library, but also can be accessed at home, Liranzo said.

For patrons, their library card number can be used at the library or at home. There is also a subscription plan available for those who don’t have a library card.

To learn more about Creativebug and other library programs, visit PascoLibraries.org.

Published January 08, 2020

Dade City is adding population, new attractions

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As a new decade begins, the City of Dade City plans to resolve its longstanding stormwater issues, enliven its downtown with more shops and entertainment, add new attractions and to increase residential development.

The Dade City Commission also is expected to vote on the issue of allowing medical marijuana dispensaries within the city limits during the first quarter of 2020.

Here is a closer look for what’s in store for 2020, and beyond.

Resolving stormwater issues
Dade City’s downtown streets and sidewalks have been known to be swallowed in at least 6 inches to 7 inches of standing water for days at a time after heavy summer rains.

Much of that should be resolved soon.

Construction is in full swing to fix the downtown flooding and drainage issues — via a $2.3 million stormwater capital improvement project, paid for with a combination of state appropriations, and funding from the Florida Department of Transportation and Dade City.

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

Work has been paused to accommodate the Jan. 25 Kumquat Festival in downtown, but the project completion is expected around mid-year.

Meantime, the city is seeking state appropriations and disaster recovery funding for a another multimillion dollar stormwater project in the Dade Oaks community.

A bike hub/splash park is coming
City staffers recently closed on a $800,000 land purchase that will become the location of a splash park/bike hub to the city’s downtown area — on a 2.23-acre parcel on Church Street, which borders the Hardy Trail and is diagonal from The Greater Dade City Chamber of Commerce. (The contract sale price totals $1.3 million, as the property owners have agreed to donate the difference toward the park project.)

A preliminary concept plan for the project calls for a multi-use water splash pad, bike-share shelter, amphitheater, Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)-accessible playground, open space, a concession area and other amenities. The next step will be developing and finalizing a master plan for the project, with input from residents and city officials, then moving onto a final design and engineered site plan.

According to Dade City Manager Leslie Porter, the project will likely be completed in phases over the next several years, starting with the bike hub, which could break ground this year, in partnership with Pasco County’s tourism office.

Events venue and retail shops
What was once a vacant car dealership in downtown Dade City will soon be a hub for retail and social entertainment, called The Block.

The development, at 14313 Seventh St., involves converting two existing buildings, totaling 21,000 square feet.

The main plaza will have an area for retail spaces, along with a venue to accommodate events, such as weddings, parties and fundraisers. There also are potential plans for a bridal shop and a brewery there, too.

The second building is being turned into a CrossFit gym.

An outdoor patio and bar will run between the two complexes, complete with seats and tables,  and string lights hanging above.

While inclusive to all, it is geared toward the younger-adult demographic, somewhat inspired by the mixed-use Armature Works facility in Tampa Heights.

Expected to open in phases beginning this year, The Block is the brainchild of local realtor and investor Larry Guilford and Melanie Armstrong, owner of Savory Roots Catering and Events.

Dade City will be home to Florida’s first-ever snow park attraction, called Snowcat Ridge. (Courtesy of Point Summit Inc.)

A snow park in Dade City?
Come November, Dade City will be home to a very unique recreation attraction — the state’s first-ever snow park, called Snowcat Ridge.

The one-of-a-kind snow park will feature a 60-foot-tall and 400-foot-long snow tubing hill, where visitors will be able to ride in single, double, or six-person tubes down the hill; a 10,000-square-foot snow play dome to make snowmen and snow castles; and, an Alpine Village serving food and hot cocoa.

For those wondering, snow will be made with technology that can stay in place for an extended period of time, provided the temperature is under 80 degrees.

The project is being developed by Point Summit Inc., which also manages TreeHoppers Aerial Adventure Park and Scream-a-Geddon Horror Park. It will be located at 27839 Saint Joe Road.

Residential development on the rise
Like neighboring Zephyrhills, Dade City anticipates a surge of new rooftops in the coming decade, as the municipality has roughly 4,000 residential unit entitlements — which means they are actively under construction or review.

This year, the city will see 25 single-family homes come online at Countryside, a development situated behind McDonald’s that sits at U.S. 301, while affordable workforce/affordable housing communities Osprey Pointe (110 multi-family units) and Arbours at Hester Lake (80 multi-family units) are expected to begin leasing in the next few months.

Other residential developments on tap include the following:

  • Highland Trails: 1,110 single-family
  • Wickett: 892 single-family, multi-family, assisted living, townhomes
  • Summitview: 812 single-family, townhomes
  • Philmon: 510 single-family
  • Suwanee Lakeside: 302 single-family
  • Abbey Glenn II: 170 single-family

Vote expected on medical marijuana dispensaries
Dade City has had a series of concurrent moratoriums on medical marijuana treatment centers within its municipal limits dating back to 2016, but that could change in the new year.

City commissioners in September directed city staff to draft an amendment to the city’s land development regulations that would permit medical marijuana dispensaries in the general commercial zoning district. That district generally spans U.S. 301/U.S. 98 south and north of town, but avoids much of the city’s historic downtown main street and central business district.

A drafted ordinance is expected to come before the city’s planning board and the city commission sometime during the first quarter of 2020.

Published January 08, 2020

Pasco County is eyeing new rental registry

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The Pasco County Commission is considering a new regulation that would require a registry for all vacant and rental properties in unincorporated areas of the county.

The registry would be implemented and maintained by the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office, and would require owners to designate a property manager to be responsible for receiving legal warnings, notices and citations for vacant and rental properties, according to a county agenda memo.

Pasco County Commissioner Mike Wells wants Pasco County to adopt a new regulation that would require a registry for all vacant and rental properties in unincorporated areas of the county. Having the registry, he said, is a life-safety issue. (File)

The proposed ordinance requires annual renewal of registrations and updates, when information changes.

It also gives owners the ability to ask for notification when a tenant or occupant is warned or cited by the county or the Sheriff’s Office for violating county codes, and gives the owner the opportunity to partner with the Sheriff’s Office to trespass any persons found on the property.

The registry does not include an inspection component or require owners to provide services, such as garbage, electric or water, the agenda memo says.

Also, there will be no fee to register, update or change information in the registry.

There will be a fine, however, if after a warning the owner does not comply with the registration requirements.

The County Attorney’s Office has recommended a fine of $125 for the first offense, which would double for each violation thereafter, up to a maximum of $500 per day.

The fine amount will be set by resolution, at the time of the ordinance’s final adoption, the agenda memo says.

The idea for the rental registry came up in April, when Commissioner Mike Wells said the county needed to have a way to find property owners quickly, when the need arises.

He characterized it as a “life-safety” issue.

At the time, Commissioner Kathryn Starkey threw her support behind the idea, noting she thinks a tool is needed to be able identify who is accountable for code violations and other issues at properties.

The county now appears ready to move forward with the ordinance and is planning a public hearing in January.

Published January 08, 2020

Dipping into serenity, beauty and fun

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Science tells us if you want to live a longer, healthier life, get out into nature.

Take a walk, watch birds fly, reduce your stress by kayaking in tranquil waters – and leave your phone at home.

For a great escape, take off in one of many waterways in a kayak. (Karen Haymon Long)

Kayaking, even more so than walking, helps you escape, takes you into watery worlds – worlds far away from highways, noise and worries.

Take a kayak trip around here and you’ll likely see majestic great blue herons, bubblegum pink roseate spoonbills, cackling kingfishers, leaping dolphins and beauty beyond anything you normally see day to day.

We’re lucky, this part of Florida has it all – the salty Gulf of Mexico, mostly shallow and calm Tampa Bay, lakes galore, sounds, marshes and bayous.

If you don’t have your own kayak, you can rent one from local outfitters. And, you can choose from one-person or tandem varieties, use paddles or your feet on the increasing popular pedal kayaks.

You can fish, race or coast. You can explore canopied mangroves. Or, you can paddle along marked trails.

No matter which way you float, you’ll be exercising and mentally decompressing – far from phones, politics, crazy drivers and information overload.

Here is a look at five local places sure to be worth a kayak trip:

Werner-Boyce Salt Springs State Park, 8737 U.S. 19 N., Port Richey
This park offers 4 miles of Gulf coastline, inlets and bayous and many springs, including Salt Springs, where you can view dolphins, bald eagles, roseate spoonbills, red-tailed hawks, and all sorts of shorebirds and songbirds.

From the parking lot, a lengthy boardwalk leads to the kayak launch, so you must carry your own, which could be a hardship for some. The park does not rent kayaks.

Ranger-led tours are given the first Saturday of the month, starting at 10 a.m., at the kayak launch. You must have your own kayak and make reservations by calling (727) 816-1890.

This park also has picnic tables, restrooms, and nature trails through pine woods to springs. The trail to Salt Spring is a quarter of a mile long and is highlighted by a waterfall created by a spring that’s 351 feet deep.

Park hours are 8 a.m. to sunset daily; fee is $3 per car with up to eight people, and $2 for bikers and pedestrians.

For more information about the park, call (727) 816-1890, or email .

If you worked up an appetite kayaking or hiking and didn’t bring a picnic lunch, a variety of restaurants line U.S. 19. We like Whiskey Joe’s Bar & Grill, 7835 Bayview St., Port Richey, on the Pithlachascotee River, called “the Cotee” by locals. Call (727) 815-1178, or visit WhiskeyJoePortRichey.com, where you can make reservations.

Anclote Gulf Park, 2305 Baillies Bluff Road, Holiday
This 23-acre park straddles the Anclote River and the Gulf of Mexico, so it offers lots of watery beauty. You can launch a kayak from a sandy spot next to a fishing pier that’s open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and paddle the river and Gulf.

The park itself is open from dawn to dusk daily. On a recent visit, anglers caught mangrove snappers, a night heron stood guard next to the pier and chattering kingfishers dove into the Gulf. Two men said they had just spotted three dolphins in the Anclote.

For more information about this Pasco County Park, call (727) 942-4030, or visit PascoCountyFl.net.

Historic Tarpon Springs is close-by and offers many good places for lunch. Our favorites are Tarpon Tavern, at 21 N. Safford Ave., for pub food. Call (727) 945-1000, or visit TarponTavern.com; and Mykonos, at 628 Dodecanese Blvd., for Greek specialties. Call (727) 934-4306.

Dunedin Causeway, Pinellas County
Take Florida 586 (Curlew Road) west to Causeway Boulevard
You can drop a kayak just about anywhere into St. Joseph Sound from the causeway to see dolphins, shorebirds and manatees in the warmer months. People who fish from kayaks tend to stay on the more tranquil north side of the causeway, but others try their luck on the south side near a small bridge leading to Honeymoon Island State Park.

A woman kayaks back to shore after paddling in St. Joseph Sound.

Skilled kayakers can go farther afloat into the Gulf, or stay in the sound and paddle to Caladesi Island State Park, a barrier island in the Gulf that  has a marina and kayak trails. Kayak rentals are available for $25 for one hour to three hours, at the park’s cafe.

Sail Honeymoon on the south side of the causeway rents kayaks for $35 for two hours, $45 for four hours, or $60 all day. The outfitter also rents fishing kayaks and tandems. For details, visit SailHoneymoon.com/kayak-rentals, or call (727) 734-0392.

A word of caution: On weekends, the sound can be crowded with boats and big yachts, whose captains don’t always see kayaks, so wear bright colored lifejackets, carry a whistle, keep close watch and wave your paddle in the air if you face danger.

For good food and good vibes, eat lunch at Frenchy’s Outpost Bar & Grill, at 466 Causeway Blvd., Dunedin. Call (727) 286-6139, or visit FrenchysOnline.com.

Philippe Park, 2525 Philippe Parkway, Safety Harbor; and, Safety Harbor City Marina Area, 110 Veterans Memorial Lane, Safety Harbor
This Pinellas County park has a boat launch and lots of grassy, low-lying spots in picnic areas where it’s easy to slip a kayak into Old Tampa Bay.

A Roseate Spoonbill stands in the shallow waters off Old Tampa Bay, at the south end of Philippe Park in Safety Harbor. The Pinellas County park is a popular place to kayak.

You can tool around the bay as far as you’d like. Much of it is shallow and safe, and within sight of land. We’ve seen beautiful birds along the shore – spoonbills, herons, egrets, pelicans and even flamingos. Once, a huge manatee scared us by popping up for breath right next to our kayak.

Park hours are 7 a.m. to dusk; admission is free.

You can also launch kayaks into the bay at the city marina and, on weekends, you can rent them from Tocobaga Tours, across the parking lot from the marina. Ken Bambery, a teacher who owns the company, charges $20 per hour, $25 for two hours, or $45 for a full day. He’s not always there, so call (727) 389-8687 for reservations.

Just across the street from the marina, Barfly Saltwater Grill, at 100 Main St., has tasty Caribbean seafood and other fare. Call (727) 400-4790, or visit BarflySafetyHarbor.com.

Upper Tampa Bay Conservation Park, 8001 Double Branch Road, Tampa
This park has one of the best kayak launches in the bay area. It’s a floating dock with bars you can hold onto to glide yourself into waterways that lead to Tampa Bay. Along the way, you’ll pass dense mangroves, salt marshes, pinewoods and thick hammocks.

Marked kayak trails lead the way to all sorts of wondrous sights. We once saw a dozen dolphins frolicking in the waters between the kayak launch and bay. Another time, we counted 27 roseate spoonbills in mangroves off the bay. It’s a wonderful place to see butterflies, and mullet, snook and red drum. Best of all, the waters here aren’t usually very crowded with boats, since it’s so shallow in most places.

The park rents kayaks for $25 for up to four hours. Other amenities include picnic areas, nature trails, a fishing pier and a nature center, closed now for renovations. Park hours are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Fee is $2 a car.

For more information about this park, call (813) 855-1765, or visit HillsboroughCounty.org.

For a tasty lunch and good craft beer, head to nearby Tampa Bay Brewing Co., at 13937 Monroes Business Park, Tampa (off Race Track Road, south of Tampa Bay Downs). Call (813) 247-1422, or visit TBBC.beer.

These suggestions are just a small sampling of places for kayaking in the Tampa Bay area. So grab a paddle, launch away, and savor the silence.

By Karen Haymon Long

Published January 08, 2020

Dade City announces road closures for stormwater project

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The City of Dade City has announced updated road closures that will take effect after the Kumquat Festival, for when construction resumes on the city’s downtown stormwater capital improvement project.

Following the Jan. 25 festival, Seventh Street will be closed between Church Avenue and Pasco Avenue, for approximately one month to complete construction of the stormwater improvements, and provide a staging area for equipment and materials. Pasco Avenue will remain open to two-way traffic between Seventh Street and Fifth Street until the water main construction, anticipated in March.

While Seventh Street will be closed, the city has secured permission from several private property owners to be able to utilize their existing parking areas for public use.

Customers can utilize the city’s public parking areas on Eighth Street and Pasco Avenue, as well as Bank of America and the former site for San Antonio Credit Union on Church Avenue. Additionally, on-street parking will be available in surrounding blocks.

City officials are encouraging visitors traversing the downtown area to watch for construction crew members, and yield to all the construction signs and workers. Traffic patterns and detours will change in the upcoming weeks as construction continues, city officials say.

The city will be posting regular updates in the upcoming weeks on their website at DadeCityFl.com.

For more information, call (352) 523-5050.

Published January 08, 2020

Spotlight on Talent marks 37th year

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While television talent competition shows, such as “America’s Got Talent,” “American Idol” and “Dancing with the Stars” draw massive audiences — a local event has those national programs beat in terms of staying power.

This will be the 37th year that Spotlight on Talent has invited young people with assorted talents to show off their skills at a regional competition.

Showstoppers took first place among older competitors in the group competition with their musical theater number during a previous Spotlight on Talent. (Courtesy of Heritage Arts Center Association)

Besides communities in east and central Pasco County, competitors come from such places as Brooksville, St. Petersburg, Tampa and West Pasco, according to a news release from the Heritage Arts Center Association, which puts on the annual contest.

Typically, hundreds compete for a chance to perform in the showcase. A wide range of acts compete, including vocalists, dancers, musicians and various entertainers that can include baton twirlers, bands, gymnasts and others.

Students — up through 12th grade — may compete individually, as part of a group, or both.

There are two age divisions, with younger contestants competing during the matinee performance and older ones competing at night.

This year’s deadline for applications is Jan. 23 and tryouts will take place on Jan. 27.

The final competitions are set for March 7, at noon and at 7 p.m., at the Center for the Arts at Wesley Chapel, 30651 Wells Road in Wesley Chapel.

Winners vie for bragging rights, trophies and $4,000 in cash prizes.

Awards are presented in numerous categories, and the senior scoring the highest number of points receives a $1,000 scholarship.

The competition aims to encourage aspiring performers, according to the news release.

Many former competitors have gone on to receive college scholarships and be selected for positions with performance organizations.

Just a couple of years ago, Zach D’Onofrio, gained notoriety when he competed in 2018 on “American Idol.” Last year, he won the $1,000 Pasco Heritage Scholarship by receiving the highest score in the Spotlight competition.

Typically, hundreds of people attend each show, giving contestants a chance to experience what it feels like to deliver a live performance.

It’s a tough competition, too.

Participants are judged primarily on talent, with additional points for stage presence.

Judges for the competition are from Central Florida and are outstanding in their respective fields, the release says.

Information about the competition is available on the HeritageArts.org website, and also is distributed to each school music teacher in Central Pasco and East Pasco; many dance, vocal and instrumental studios; and, local chambers of commerce.

Each year, the Moonlight and Ivory Concerts raise money to help support scholarships in the visual and performing arts. This year, the matinee and evening Moonlight and Ivory Concerts are set for Feb. 1, at the Historic Dade City Woman’s Club.

37th annual Spotlight on Talent
This youth talent competition gives young performers a chance to show off their talents and possibly win a trophy or cash award.
Important dates:
Application deadline: Jan. 23
Tryouts: Feb. 8
Final competitions: March 7 (matinee at noon; evening show at 7 p.m.)
Applications and information are available at HeritageArts.org.
For more information, contact Barbara Friedman at (352) 567-1720 or .

“Moonlight and Ivory” Concerts
The 23rd  annual “Moonlight and Ivory” concerts sponsored by the Heritage Arts Center Association help to support the arts, including two annual $1,000 scholarships — one in the performing arts and the other in the visual arts.

Here is the information about this year’s concerts and art exhibitions:

What: Moonlight and Ivory Concerts: Event includes music, art and refreshments
When: Feb. 1 at 2 p.m., with art exhibition following the concert; and, 7 p.m. art exhibition, followed by a 7:30 p.m. concert.
Where: Historic Dade City Woman’s Club, 37922 Palm Ave., in Dade City
Details: Local musicians perform in a variety of styles – jazz, classical, folk, sacred and Broadway among them. Refreshments are served during intermission, and an art show is included in both concerts.
Cost: Tickets are $15 for the matinee and $25 for the evening show. They may be purchased at  The Greater Dade City Chamber of Commerce; American Eagle Antiques in Dade City; or online at HeritageArts.org.
Info: Contact Jessica Werckman at (561) 400-1404 or .

Published January 08, 2020

Pasco announces bus Route 41 service changes

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Pasco County Public Transportation has changed services on Route 41 in Land O’ Lakes.

The changes, which took effect on Jan. 6, are based on ridership, according to a news release.

Here are the changes, in a nutshell:

  • An hourly service is being added to the Central Boulevard/Pasco Utilities complex.
  • Service is ending along Collier Parkway and along the State Road 54 corridor to Collier Parkway.
  • Saturday service has been eliminated for this route.

The news release said the Route 41 changes are being implemented relating to Collier Parkway and State Road 54 because of a lack of ridership.

Those wishing to ride the bus to businesses on Collier Parkway can connect to the Route 54 bus.

Route 41 begins at the U.S. 41 intersection with Central Boulevard. It continues south to multiple stops, including where U.S. 41 meets Gator Lane, State Road 54 and the apex where U.S. 41 and North Dale Mabry Highway branch off.

Other stops are along U.S. 41, but the route previously included a jog onto State Road 54, over to Collier Parkway, where riders could pick up the bus near the Land O’ Lakes Recreation Complex.

The changes to Route 41 were approved by the Pasco County Metropolitan Planning Organization board on Sept. 12. The recommendation to drop the portion of the route including State 54 and Collier Parkway was based on research by public transportation staff and public feedback.

For more information about Route 41, visit bit.ly/Route41.

For more information about PCPT services, visit RidePCPT.com.

Published January 08, 2020

Two Hillsborough women to be honored

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A Valentine’s Day ceremony and luncheon is being organized by the League of Women Voters of Hillsborough County to celebrate two women of distinction.

The 15th annual Lifetime Achievement Award Luncheon will honor Liana Fernandez Fox, Ph.D., and the late Dena Gross Leavengood, according to a posting on the Hillsborough County website.

The event will take place on the day that coincides with the 100th anniversary of the founding of the League of Women Voters.

Fox and Leavengood are being honored for their contributions to the local community, and to the state of Florida.

The Feb. 14 event is set for 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the Bryan Glazer Family JCC, 522 N. Howard Avenue, in Tampa. Lorna Taylor, president & CEO of Premier Eye Care, will serve as emcee.

Fox represents the fourth generation of her Cuban and Sicilian ancestors in Tampa.

She began her career as a statistician for Florida’s State Road Department in 1969.

She retired as full professor of mathematics, after teaching for five years at Tampa Catholic High School and 33 years for Hillsborough Community College in Ybor City, and at the University of South Florida.

She pioneered the offering of online mathematics courses for HCC.

She currently is a trustee for the Tampa Bay History Center and president of the board of directors at Champions for Children.

Fox remains active at USF, serving on the Dean’s Advisory Council of Arts & Sciences, USF’s Women in Leadership and Philanthropy (WLP) and the USF Latin Community Advisory

Committee.

And, those are just a few of Fox’s accomplishments.

Leavengood, who passed away last year, was a Florida native and a marine biologist who was known for her community activism.

She graduated with a zoology degree from the University of Florida and received her Masters from USF. Her education and training launched a career that would span decades of activism and professional accomplishments. Dena was a tireless civic volunteer and was affiliated with countless organizations, including past president and board member of the League of Women Voters of Hillsborough County, the Athena Society, Planned Parenthood of Southwest and Central Florida and the Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce to name but a few.

Registration for the event is available at HCLWV.org/laa.

Published January 08, 2020

Ridge Road extension gets green light

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The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has granted Pasco County’s permit request to allow the extension of Ridge Road.

The approval marked a major milestone in a process that’s been two decades in the making.

As it stands now, motorists use State Road 52 or State Road 54, if they want to head east or west in Pasco County. The extension of Ridge Road will give them a third option.

“It’s a really, really substantial capacity benefit to the area,” said Sam Beneck, the extension’s project manager.

This rendering gives an idea of what the newly built trail along the Ridge Road Extension will look like. (Courtesy of Pasco County)

The county also sees this corridor as a another pathway for people to travel in the event of an emergency.

Pasco County Commission Chairman Mike Moore estimates that the extended Ridge Road will carry as much as 25% of hurricane evacuation traffic, if a disaster threatens the area.

The Ridge Road Extension project is broken into two phases.

The first phase will build a new stretch of Ridge Road, which will extend from Moon Lake Road east to the Suncoast Parkway.

The second phase will continue the extension eastward, linking the Suncoast Parkway to U.S. 41.

Funding has been set in place for phase one, which is slightly over 4 miles long. That phase carries an estimated $90 million price tag.

Initially, the segment from Moon Lake Road to the Suncoast Parkway, will be built as a two-lane road. Plans call for widening it to four lanes by 2022.

The second phase, which spans over 3 miles, is not yet funded. But officials expect to begin building that phase in late 2022.

Ridge Road will be extending beyond its intersection with Moon Lake Road heading east to the Suncoast Parkway, then further to U.S. 41. The extension will be an alternative to reduce congestion on State Road 52 and State Road 54, which also offer east-west access. (File)

While the county pursues its long-awaited east-west corridor, opponents remain committed in their quest to save the Serenova Tract of the Starkey Wilderness Preserve.

Tim Martin, Sierra Club Florida Conservation Chair, said “The Serenova Starkey Preserve is one of the best remaining natural areas that we have left in rapidly, developing central Pasco (County) and it doesn’t have to be destroyed.”

Environmentalists are concerned not only about potential harm to wetlands, but also to the habitat of animals, Martin said.

Project manager Beneck noted that the Pasco County Commission approved a change order on Aug. 6 to provide additional services to the project, including the analysis of gopher tortoises in the construction.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission sets guidelines for an approved relocation site for the tortoises, Beneck added.

But Martin said that step doesn’t go far enough because there also are other animals living within the tract.

Beneck said the design of the project calls for a partial elevation of Ridge Road — with the addition of 16 bridges, curbs, guardrails and fencing.

These additions aim to diminish harm to wildlife, Beneck noted.

The measures will reduce impacts to the wetlands by nearly 83% in the Serenova Tract of Starkey Wilderness Preserve, Beneck estimated.

But Martin countered: “When you build all that fencing and guardrails and such, it now adds to the cumulative impacts.”

The Sierra Club Florida Conservation has not yet announced what its response will be now that the permit is in place.

Construction for phase one is scheduled to begin in early January, said Beneck, adding that overall construction may be completed in the 2025 – 2026 timeframe.

Commission Chairman Moore said he believes a “very large majority of the (Pasco County) citizenry” wants and needs the road.

Published January 01, 2020

He helped catch criminals, solve crimes for 50 years

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Det. Roger Cockerill — who was instrumental in some of the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office’s  largest investigations — has retired from a law enforcement career that spanned a half-century.

In Pasco, his work included investigations involving illegal drug trafficking, casino style gambling, prostitution and human trafficking.

But his career in law enforcement began in February 1967 at the Suffolk County Police Department, in Long Island, New York.

Pasco Sheriff’s Office Det. Roger Cockerill’s lengthy law enforcement career was celebrated at a special retirement ceremony at Grace Family Church’s Land O’ Lakes campus. Cockerill spent a combined 50 years in law enforcement between the Suffolk County Police Dept. in New York and the Pasco Sheriff’s Office. (Courtesy of Pasco Sheriff’s Office)

He officially called it quits last month, and was honored during a special retirement ceremony at the law enforcement agency’s quarterly swearing-in ceremony in December at Grace Family Church’s Land O’ Lakes campus.

More than 40 friends and family members gathered, along with dozens of other law enforcement officials — representing his native New York, the Pasco Sheriff’s Office and other Tampa Bay agencies.

Now 75, Cockerill spent the first 20 years of his policing career in Suffolk County.

After graduating from the police academy, he started as a patrolman and worked his way up to the rank of detective in the Third Precinct in Bayshore, Long Island. He retired from that role in 1987.

Shortly after, Cockerill moved his family to Pasco County, where he joined the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office and continued his calling in law enforcement — for another 30-plus years.

He began working for the local agency on April 24, 1989, as a patrol deputy. Most recently, he worked as a detective in vice and narcotics.

He was involved in undercover operations, and served as the subject matter expert in cases involving surreptitious video and audio recordings for evidentiary and undercover officer safety.

He was involved in digital surveillance techniques to assist the agency’s Major Crimes Unit with solicitation to commit homicide investigations, as well as threats to public officials.

He also worked extensively with the agency’s federal partners by assisting task forces with undercover and digital investigations.

Pasco Sheriff Chris Nocco characterized Cockerill as a good detective and an overall great person, during the special ceremony.

“Roger’s definitely one of our gems,” Nocco said, describing the longtime detective as “a man amongst men.”

The sheriff said whenever he saw Cockerill at a crime scene, he made it a point to walk up and talk to him.

“You just want to be around him,” Nocco said.

Cockerill remained calm in high-stress situations, Nocco said, explaining, “he’s seen it, been there, and done that.”

Nocco also praised Cockerill’s fitness.

The 6-foot-6 detective frequently passed the agency’s physical assessment test (PAT), with 3 minutes or 3 minutes or more to spare, Nocco said.

“When somebody would say, ‘I can’t believe we’ve got to do that PAT test,’ I’m like, ‘Look at Roger, he’s out there kicking all your butts.’,” the sheriff said.

Nocco said Cockerill’s achievement is unique.

“I don’t think in any of our lives again, we’re going to meet or see another individual that met this accomplishment — 50 years in law enforcement. There are many things in life that repeat itself, I don’t think this will ever.”

Besides honoring the law enforcement officer for his service, speakers also poked some fun at the detective.

Known for his love of animals — even squirrels and raccoons — Nocco teasingly referred to Cockerill as “Noah.”

But that wasn’t his only nickname.

He was also known as “Big Bird,” which stuck from his days in Suffolk County.

Retired Suffolk County Police Department officer Al DeMeo explained how that came to be.

It was sometime after Easter in the early 1970s, and DeMeo and Cockerill were both working in the warrant unit, in the basement of the Third Precinct, DeMeo recalled.

Notified that a fresh warrant had come in, Cockerill arrived at the the office somewhat disheveled, hair still wet from a shower and comb in his teeth, DeMeo said.

What caught everyone’s attention though, was the way that Cockerill was dressed, DeMeo said.

He was wearing all yellow — from his pants and sport jacket, to his dress shirt and tie.

“I said, ‘You look just like Big Bird,’” DeMeo said, referring to the famed Sesame Street character.

“Well, it’s 50 years later, and Roger’s still affectionately known as Big Bird — and always will be.”

Pasco Sheriff Cpt. Bill Davis also shared fond memories of working 12 years alongside Cockerill in the agency’s Narcotics Unit.

Both being from the same area of southeast New York, they clicked right away, Davis said.

“I never had so much fun going to the job (with Cockerill). I looked forward going to the job,” Davis said. He also noted that Cockerill kept a Sesame Street Big Bird toy figure in his patrol car.

He also said Cockerill was particular about his coffee — it had to be “light and sweet” — and that with the detective, “nothing started until we had coffee.”

When Cockerill was summoned to speak at the ceremony, he received a standing ovation and was serenaded with bagpipes.

In true “old school” fashion, Cockerill kept his comments brief, mainly showing his appreciation to his bosses and co-workers.

“I love the job. I love everybody,” Cockerill said.

He did shed some light, though, on what it takes to maintain a lengthy career in law enforcement.

“You’ve just got to keep going, work hard, be honest, treat everybody equally,” he said.

He also added: “If someone gets up in your face and is nasty, best thing to do is to turn around and walk away. That’ll annoy ‘em more than fighting with ‘em.”

He also offered some advice to the group of freshly sworn-in Pasco Sheriff’s deputies:

“When you snap that pistola on, you’re not going to work — you’re going to the job. Remember that. And, stick together. Always stick together.”

Cockerill may be retired now, but he won’t be venturing too far from the sheriff’s office.

He plans to join the agency as a volunteer.

Pasco Sheriff’s Office Det. Roger Cockerill’s 50 years in law enforcement:

  • Began service with Suffolk County Police Dept. (NY): Feb. 6, 1967; Patrolman
  • Retired from Suffolk County Police Dept. (NY): Feb. 23, 1987; Detective
  • Began Service with Pasco Sheriff’s Office: April 24, 1989; Patrol Deputy
  • Retired from Pasco Sheriff’s Office: December, 2019; Detective

Published January 01, 2020