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Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

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Zephyrhills is gearing up for big changes in 2020

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As a new decade approaches, the City of Zephyrhills plans to open a much-anticipated tennis facility, plans to extend its airport runway, will be engaged in infrastructure improvements and could possibly end a 60-year tradition of operating its own fire department.

Here’s a closer look for what’s on the horizon for 2020 and beyond:

Sarah Vande Berg Tennis & Wellness Center
The $4.9 million Sarah Vande Berg Tennis & Wellness Center is expected to be open in late summer, about a year after its July 2019 groundbreaking.

The much-ballyhooed facility, at 6585 Simons Road in Zephyrhills, will feature:

  • Eleven outdoor tennis courts (eight clay, two hard surface, one exhibition), eight pickleball courts and four padel courts
  • An adjoining 7,400-square-foot indoor wellness center, with a fitness and rehabilitation studio, salt/sauna room, cryotherapy, pro shop, café, kid’s area and more.

Zephyrhills City Manager Billy Poe recently told The Laker/Lutz News that the city also has requested an additional $1.5 million in state appropriations for a second phase of the project, which would encompass a 30,000-square-foot multipurpose indoor facility for tennis, soccer, athletic training, banquets, receptions and so on.

Zephyrhills Fire Department consolidation?
The Zephyrhills Fire Department could be absorbed by Pasco County Fire Rescue sometime in 2020, after nearly 60 years of operation and tradition.

The county is drafting up a tentative agreement that will be presented and reviewed by Zephyrhills officials sometime in early 2020, Poe said.

The move is due in part to funding and staffing issues that have plagued the city’s fire department, the city manager said.

Should the merger occur, Pasco County Fire Rescue would operate the city’s two fire stations and would absorb the city’s fire department personnel at their proper pay step.

The county also would ensure and maintain additional staffing needs at both stations and place an ambulance within the city limits.

Zephyrhills Municipal Airport’s runway 1-19 is getting a $5.9 million extension. (File)

Airport runway extension
Work is progressing to extend Zephyrhills Municipal Airport’s runway 1-19, a measure to accommodate larger passenger and corporate jets, and spur aviation and industrial development.

The city received $5.9 million in state appropriations to extend the runway by 1,200 linear feet — which will bring it to about 6,200 feet.

Engineers and officials are analyzing the design of the project, keeping in mind any potential  impacts it could have on Skydive City’s landing zone, Poe said.

The airport also is set to receive an upgraded fuel farm, as well as airfield beacons and lighting improvements, he said.

Relocation of U.S. 301/Pretty Pond Road traffic signal
Development plans at and near the corners of U.S. 301 and Pretty Pond Road have prompted the relocation of the traffic signal that currently is located at Merchants Square and Townview shopping centers, to a new location at Pretty Pond Road.

The city is working with the Florida Department of Transportation on the design, and has requested $2.3 million in state funds  for the project. If funding comes through, construction likely would begin in August or September. Completion is targeted for early 2021, the city manager said. Relocating the signal would improve traffic flow, he said.

Meanwhile, the city has budgeted $600,000 for road resurfacings in 2020, the most significant being 12th Street in front of Zephyrhills High School.

New developments on tap
Zephyrhills expects to see a surge in population growth over the new decade, as residents move in to make their homes in residential projects that are now at the permitting stage, are already coming out of the ground, or have received entitlements for future development.

Larger single-family developments include The District at Abbott’s Square, Zephyr Lakes, Hidden River, as well as expansions to the Silver Oaks and Silverado communities. Meanwhile, Wire Ranch Apartments and Pretty Pond/Wire Road Apartments are some of the larger multifamily units in the works.

Commercial development is expected to follow.

Chipotle and a Chick-Fil-A are expected to open in Zephyrhills, and there are rumors the city could become home to some other chain restaurants and businesses.

Published January 01, 2020

There are strategies to manage stuttering

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Stuttering isn’t a speech impediment that can be cured — but it is one that can be managed, according to Robin Fisher, a speech pathologist in Pasco County Schools.

The condition affects an estimated 70 million people, worldwide, according to the

Stuttering Foundation of America.

And, help is available in the public school system, for students who qualify.

Robin Fisher is a speech pathologist for the Pasco County School District. She helps students who have speech sound disorders, including stuttering. (Brian Fernandes)

Fisher works with students from prekindergarten to 12th grade.

“It doesn’t get corrected; we don’t fix it,” Fisher said, but speech pathologists focus on a student’s ability to articulate their speech in a way that is understandable.

In other words, they focus on a student’s fluency.

Fisher travels to various public schools and charter schools to assist students who stutter.

Those who are in private schools or are home-schooled must meet specific criteria to be put on a service plan.

In order to qualify for special services, the speech or language issue must affect a student’s performance and/or function within the classroom, Fisher explained.

Those students are referred to a speech pathologist for services.

A student may be stuttering if he or she:

  • Prolongs the duration of a word
  • Stops speaking in mid-sentence
  • Repeatedly says the same letter of a word
  • Consistently gives one-word answers
  • Exhibits a secondary characteristic, such as eye twitching

A student who stutters may become the target of bullying, or may avoid saying words they have trouble pronouncing, or may avoid public speaking, in general.

“That is what we’re looking for,” Fisher said. “That it impacts their performance, their grades or their function within the classroom.”

Not all children who stutter are eligible for speech therapy services, Fisher said.

For instance, there can be straight-A students who don’t mind public speaking, or working their way through sentences, or being socially active.

Some stutterers may be fluent speakers when around friends and family.

Some can experience setbacks when they are in highly stressful situations — that produce anxiety and stuttering.

Examples of potentially stressful situations include being around unfamiliar people or transitioning from one school to the next.

Root causes for stuttering can vary from genetics, child development or neurological components.

Fisher encourages students to embrace their impediment, do research on it and even educate their fellow classmates.

She holds group sessions where stuttering students get therapy. This enables students to know that there are other kids who empathize with them.

A technique that can be used involves having students make voice recordings and counting syllables, to evaluate where they need to progress.

Fisher also engages with the children’s parents one hour a week.

“I highly encourage parents to be involved, to know the strategies, to know what is working for their child, to research it on the Stuttering Foundation [website],” Fisher said.

Some kids may get nervous when on the phone, having to speak to an individual without seeing their face. Parents can ask their kids to do just that, to help them build their confidence.

Many prominent figures also have struggled with stuttering, even if it hasn’t been publicly noticeable.

According to the Stuttering Foundation of America, such people include England’s King George VI, actor James Earl Jones, actress Emily Blunt and singer Ed Sheeran.

When speaking in public, many pre-plan what they’re going to say — to enable them to manage their speech.

This technique can come in handy for stuttering students, too.

Fisher recommends that students who stutter do a class report with a video recording, to help them better enunciate their words.

While stuttering cannot be permanently stopped, therapy can be a helpful alternative, she said.

“Our main goal always is that you express your thoughts, wants and needs,” Fisher said, which results in communication.

For more information and helpful tips, visit the Stuttering Foundation of America at StutteringHelp.org.

Published January 01, 2020

Growth and change are hallmarks at area schools

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As 2019 becomes 2020, area schools continue to respond to growth, while also changing academic options available on some campuses.

Recently, Superintendent Kurt Browning announced an initiative that will create significant change in West Pasco-area schools to bolster academic performance, but he also outlined some coming projects within The Laker/Lutz News coverage area, as well.

This is what the new Instructional Performing Arts Center, to be built on the campus shared by Cypress Creek High School and the new Cypress Creek Middle School, will look like. The campus is at 8701 Old Pasco Road in Wesley Chapel. (Courtesy of Pasco-Hernando State College)

Specifically, Browning said the district plans to add a grade 6-12 STEM/STEAM magnet school in Land O’ Lakes that is proposed to open in August 2023 and a grade K-8 STEM/STEAM Magnet in Wesley Chapel, proposed to open in August 2024.

That’s on top of previously announced plans, which include an Eastside Technical High School, opening in August 2022.

District officials envision a magnet technical school that doesn’t fit the traditional educational mold.

They say it will combine a rigorous curriculum along with technical skills training — and will seek community partnerships to give students real-world experiences.

The idea is to prepare students to have many options when they leave high school — whether, say, they want to work as a welder for someone else; or, they want to have their own welding business.

While that school is still a couple of years off, the district plans to open Cypress Creek Middle School in August 2020.

It will be located on the same campus on Old Pasco Road in Wesley Chapel, where Cypress Creek Middle High has been serving grades six through 12.

Once the new middle school opens, it will serve grades six through eight, while the high school serves grades nine through 12.

The Pasco County School Board approved boundary changes — which primarily affected the Seven Oaks community in Wesley Chapel — to reassign students from that area to Cypress Creek Middle and Cypress Creek High. The boundary changes will relieve crowding at John Long Middle School and Wiregrass Ranch High School.

In the fall of 2020, Pasco County Schools is scheduled to open Cypress Creek Middle School. It is being designed for 1,600 students, making it the district’s largest middle school. The middle school will join Cypress Creek High and Pasco Hernando State College’s Instructional and Performing Arts Center. (Courtesy of Pasco County Schools)

On the same Cypress Creek campus, the school district donated land to Pasco-Hernando State College for the Instructional Performing Arts Center, now under construction, which will be known as IPAC.

The new performing arts center is expected to provide both educational opportunities and entertainment. It also is expected to benefit middle school through college students, through its programming.

Cypress Creek Middle School was designed to be compatible with the performing arts center, too. It will have a state-of-the-art black box theater, as well as facilities for dance, orchestra and chorus.

Meanwhile, the district also plans to open Starkey K-8 School in August 2021. It’s the first district school designed deliberately to serve kindergarten through eighth grade.

The school is the second phase of a partnership between Pasco County Schools, Pasco County government and Wheelock Communities, the private developers of Starkey Ranch, a community off State Road 54 in Trinity.

One part of the project is the Starkey District Park, which opened its first phase in November 2017. Two additional phases are planned for the park.

The school will be near the district park.

There’s also a third part of the project that involves construction of what’s been dubbed TLC, which stands for theater, library and cultural center.

In addition to new construction, the district also is working to improve existing facilities.

Most recently, it wrapped up a massive makeover of Land O’ Lakes High School — which involved five phases, and required considerable coordination to complete while students and staff remained on campus.

The work was done in stages to avoid sending students and staffs to another campus, or using split sessions.

The project involved reconfiguring spaces to improve campus flow, and modernizing facilities.

It involved tearing out walls, redoing plumbing, electrical and upgrades to technology. It also included a five-classroom addition to the science wing.

The school recently celebrated the project’s completion with a rededication ceremony, and on another night, it offered public tours.

Major Pasco County Schools projects, 2019-2020:

  • Zephyrhills High campus-wide renovation
  • Land O Lakes High campus-wide renovation, final phase
  • Cypress Creek Middle construction
  • Starkey K-8 construction
  • Starkey Library Theater construction
  • East Technical High construction
  • SunlakeHigh design and construction of classroom wing
  • Bexley Elementary design and construction of classroom wing

Source: Pasco County Schools

Published January 01, 2020

Options abound to make 2020 memorable

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It has become a tradition of The Laker/Lutz News to give our readers a preview of what’s in store for the year ahead in terms of fun family outings, affordable entertainment and opportunities to add more color to their lives.

Here’s our look ahead for 2020.

January 
Raising Cane, A Sweet & Spicy Event
When: Jan. 11 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Where: Pioneer Florida Museum & Village, 15602 Pioneer Museum Road, Dade City
Cost: $10 admission per person
Details: Competitors can share their custom-made sugar cane syrup for a cook off. A chili competition also will take place and pancakes will be provided. Patrons can also sample chili at $3.
Info: Call (352) 567-0262.

10th Annual Pigz In Z’Hills BBQ & Blues Festival
When: Jan. 18 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Where: Zephyrhills Community Venue, 5200 Airport Road, Zephyrhills
Cost: Free admission; $10 parking
Details: While live music is playing, a barbeque competition will take place as well as a cornhole tournament. In addition, there will be a business expo, car show and the Kidz Fun Zone. Patrons also can visit the Military History Museum.
Info: Call (813) 782-1913.

 

 

 

15th Annual Suncoast Arts Fest
When: Jan. 18 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Jan. 19 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Where: The Shops at Wiregrass, 28211 Paseo Drive, Wesley Chapel
Cost: Free
Details: On site will be 125 artists and crafters to display their work. Food, live music and street painting.
Info: Visit www.SuncoastArtsFest.com.

Annual Kumquat Festival
When: Jan. 25 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Where: Downtown Dade City
Cost: Free admission and parking
Details: Patrons can purchase all things kumquat including pies, ice cream and cookies, among other foods. There also will be live music as well as arts and crafts.
Info: Call (352) 567-3769 or visit www.DadeCityChamber.org.

 

 

February
Farm Fest & Quilt Show
When: Feb. 1 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Where: Pioneer Florida Museum & Village, 1502 Pioneer Museum Road, Dade City
Cost: $10 for admission
Details: The event will offer a quilt exhibition, a quilt appraiser, vendors and live entertainment.
Info: Call (352) 567-0262.

Pasco County Fair
When: Feb. 17 from 1 p.m. to 11 p.m.; Feb. 18, Feb. 19 and Feb. 20 from 3 p.m. to 11 p.m.; Feb. 21 from 3 p.m. to midnight; Feb. 22 from 10 a.m. to midnight; Feb. 23 from noon to 7 p.m.
Where: Pasco County Fairground, 36722 State Road 52, Dade City
Cost: $10 for adults; $6 for children ages 6 to 12; Free for those age 5 and under
Details: The event will hold a carnival, a rodeo, various foods, competitions and shows.
Info: www.PascoCountyFair.com

Living History, Civil War
When: Feb. 28 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.; Feb. 29 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Where: Pioneer Florida Museum & Village, 1502 Pioneer Museum Road, Dade City
Cost: Feb. 28 – $4 with pre-registration for chaperones and students; $5 at the gate; Feb. 29 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and March 1. from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. both at $10 admission.
Details: Patrons can purchase food and enjoy reenactments of the Civil War. Visitors are encouraged to bring their own lawn chairs.
Info: Call (352) 567-0262.

March
110th Founder’s Day Parade & Heritage Festival
When: March 6 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.; March 7 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Where: Historic Downtown Zephyrhills
Cost: Free
Details: The 1920s theme encourages patrons to come in vintage attire. There will be vendors, food, arts, crafts and games.
Info: Call (813) 780-1414 or visit www.MainStreetZephyrhills.com.

Flea Market at Old Lutz School
When: March 6 and March 7, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., both days
Where: Old Lutz School, 18819 U.S. 41, Lutz
Cost: Free admission.
Details: Come and find bargains galore. Items for sale typically include everything from fine china to crystal to collectibles, as well as art works, books and plants.
Info: Visit the woman’s club’s website, GFWCLutzLandOLakesWomansClub.org

Savage Race
When: March 14 at 9 a.m. and March 15 at 3 p.m.
Where: Little Everglades Ranch, 17951 Hamilton Road, Dade City
Details: Various obstacle courses will be offered to test competitors’ endurance.
Info: Visit www.SavageRace.com.

Dogs Day in Dade City
When: March 21 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Where: Agnes Lamb Park in downtown Dade City
Cost: Free
Details: Patrons and their furry friends can team up to compete in various activities.
Info: Call Lucy Avila at (352) 424-4972 or email .

Land O’ Lakes Music Festival
When: March 21 from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Where: Land O’ Lakes Heritage Park, 5401 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., Land O’ Lakes
Cost: Free
Details: Patrons are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or blankets as they listen to various bands perform.
Info: Call (727) 842-7651.

Gran Fondo Florida
When: March 24
Where: San Antonio
Details: Bicyclists can compete through San Antonio during either the 35-mile race, 55-mile race or 100-mile race.
Info: Visit www.GranFondoNationalSeries.com.

April
Jelly Bean Fling
When: April 4 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Where: Pioneer Florida Museum & Village, 15602 Pioneer Museum Road, Dade City
Details: Kids can have their picture taken with the Easter bunny, go on an egg hunt, go inside a bounce house and do face painting.
Info: (352) 567-0262.

June
Zephyrhills Summerfest
When: June 6
Where: Zephyr Park, 38116 Fifth Ave., Zephyrhills
Cost: Free
Details: This event will include fireworks, a watermelon eating competition, live music and kids’ games.
Info: Call (727) 674-1464.

July
Lutz Fourth of July Parade and Festivities
When: July 4
Where: Downtown Lutz, near the Train Depot
Cost: Free admission and parking
Details: The event includes a race, an old-fashioned parade, vendors, and the election of the honorary Lutz Guv’na.

October
Rattlesnake Festival
When: Oct. 17 and Oct 18
Where: Pasco County Fairgrounds, 36722 State Road 52, Dade City
Cost: Admission and parking are free
Details: Live entertainment, mechanical gopher tortoise races, vendors, food and children’s activities.
Info: Visit www.RattleSnakeFestival.com.

 

December
Tour de Clay
When: Dec. 12 and Dec. 13
Where: Various Tampa Bay pottery studios
Cost: Free
Details: Visitors stop at a number of pottery studios, to see demonstrations, to meet nationally recognized pottery artists and to purchase unique items.
Info: Visit www.TampaTourDeClay.com.

Christmas in the Park
When: Traditionally held on the first Sunday of December
Where: City Park, 12202 Main St. in downtown San Antonio
Cost: Free
Details: The annual lighting of giant Christmas cards and carol singing.

Festival of Lights on Main Street
When: Traditionally held the first Saturday of December
Where: Fifth Avenue from Seventh to 10th streets in downtown Zephyrhills
Cost: Free
Details: The event includes food, live entertainment, holiday activities and a Christmas parade.

GFWC Lutz Arts and Crafts Festival
When: Dec. 5, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Dec. 6, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Where: Keystone Prep, 18105 Gunn Highway, in Odessa
Cost: Free admission; parking fee (which has been $5 in the past) benefits the school
Details: Hundreds of vendors come from across the country to sell unique items at a juried arts and crafts show, which has a festive feel and a family friendly atmosphere.
Info: Visit GFWCLutzLandOLakesWomansClub.org

Old Lutz School Christmas House
When: Held on selective dates in December
Where: Old Lutz School, 18819 U.S. 41, Lutz
Cost: Free admission; donations of toys and nonperishable foods are encouraged.
Details: Patrons typically get to tour the school and, for a small charge, there is breakfast with Santa.
Info: Visit www.OldLutzSchool.com.

Published January 01, 2020

Christmas tree recycling in Pasco

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Pasco County is encouraging residents to recycle their live Christmas trees.

The trees can be chipped into mulch, chopped into firewood or relocated as wildlife habitats, according to a county news release.

Be sure to remove all decorations, tinsel and metal hooks before recycling the trees, the release advises.

Trees can be dropped off daily, until Jan. 12, during normal business hours at any of these locations:

  • John S. Burks Memorial Park, 13220 Gene Nelson Blvd., Dade City
  • Sam W. Pasco Recreational Complex, 39835 Chancey Road, Zephyrhills
  • Veterans Memorial Park, 14333 Hicks Road, Hudson
  • Jay B. Starkey Wilderness Park, 10500 Wilderness Park Road, New Port Richey
  • Anclote Gulf Park, 2305 Ballies Bluff Road, Holiday
  • West Pasco Class III Site, 14606 Hays Road, Spring Hill
  • Land O’ Lakes Heritage Park, 5401 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., Land O’ Lakes
  • Wesley Chapel District Park, 7727 Boyette Road, Wesley Chapel

For more information about recycling in Pasco County, visit bit.ly/2lWhIVh.

Published January 01, 2020

Pasco school district raises expected soon

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Union and school district negotiators reached a contract settlement as Pasco County School teachers headed to winter break.

The proposed contract calls for a 3.25% raise for teachers, as well as a number of contract language provisions.

Don Peace, president of United School Employees of Pasco (USEP), covered this year’s contract negotiations between the union the school district in a video, which is available on USEP’s website, USEPonline.org.

“We recently settled our SRP negotiations, with a salary increase of 3.25% to all SRPs with additional monies going to some of our lower paid groups to raise them one level on the salary schedule.

“We also got some very good language provisions in safety and wellness, union rights, leaves of absence and working conditions for our SRPs,” he said.

The school board voted to ratify the SRP contract, which was later ratified by the SRP membership.

Those salary increases should start showing up in late January, with retroactive pay being seen in mid to late February, Peace said in the video.

He went on to describe the negotiations between the union and the school district.

“This past Tuesday night, USEP and the district reached a settlement on the instructional side, which has been somewhat more contentious, since the beginning,” he said.

A major sticking point was a proposal by Superintendent Kurt Browning that called for secondary school teachers to “take on an additional period of work, give up their planning and reduce allocations to fund salary increases for all employees,” Peace said.

Peace rejected that proposal and said the union “would not consider giving up planning periods. Nor, would we negatively impugn any one sector of our population so that others may flourish.”

Peace added: “Being a teacher myself, I understand the importance of what goes during a teacher’s planning period and would never willingly relinquish that right.”

Ultimately, the district dropped that proposal.

The settlement that was reached provides a 3.25% increase for instructional staff, retroactive to July 1, 2019. Of that raise, 1.625% is a cost of living adjustment for all employees and the remaining 1.625% goes to the Pay for Performance pay plan.

Peace also noted: “In one of the biggest language pieces garnered over the last 15 years of this organization, the teacher evaluation process is now spelled out and placed in the contract language. This was a two-year collaborative effort with the district. That result should provide for continuity in the process and take away the threat of year-to-year change in how the evaluation takes place.”

The Pasco County School Board approved the 3.25% raise for non-instructional employees and non-bargaining employees at its Dec. 17 meeting.

The ratification vote on the teachers’ contract is expected in early 2020.

Published December 25, 2019

Dade City project put ‘on hold’ for Kumquat Festival

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Trying to ease concerns from downtown merchants, the City of Dade City’s massive downtown stormwater capital improvement project will be halted until after the Jan. 25 Kumquat Festival.

The work stoppage will come with a price tag not to exceed $65,000 — as contractor Kamminga & Roodvoets (K&R) will need to place temporary asphalt from Pasco Avenue to Sixth Street, and remove all construction staging equipment for the week leading up to and after the festival.

Heavy construction machinery is spread out all along Pasco Avenue, as work is underway on Dade City’s $2.3 million downtown stormwater improvement project. The area will be cleaned up and temporarily paved for the week of the Kumquat Festival. (Kevin Weiss)

Commissioners unanimously approved the construction change order “not to exceed $65,000” during a Dec. 17 special meeting.

Under the work order, the contractor will install the asphalt, then remove it after the Kumquat Festival, so crews can resume installing pipes, generally from Pasco Avenue to Seventh Street to the intersection of Pasco Avenue and Fifth Street.

Commissioners took the action after downtown business owners and merchants pleaded with city officials earlier this month to pause the project. They feared that construction work zones could negatively impact the safety and overall experience of festival vendors and attendees, and in turn, local businesses.

The annual festival, in its 23rd year, is expected to draw more than 400 vendors and 35,000 visitors, with an estimated economic impact of almost $900,000.

Dade City business leaders originally called for the stormwater project to be delayed until April altogether, so as to not disrupt the busy winter season where northern snowbird residents and other visitors flock to the city.

But, that suggestion was strongly discouraged by Doug Benjamin, K&R’s vice president of Florida field operations, at the Dec. 17 meeting.

He told commissioners delaying the project until April “is a very bad idea,” noting it would create scheduling conflicts with K&R crews scheduled to be on other jobs, and interfere with Florida’s wet season, which could yield further delays.

Benjamin put it like this: “We’re in the dry season — this is when we can work, without dewatering and without additional costs.”

Benjamin said he understands the inconvenience for local business owners, but it’s all a reality with any downtown stormwater project: “There’s always an economic impact when we work in cities and towns – that’s what we do. What you see out here is what we do day in and day out, all over the Tampa Bay area, and there’s always an impact, there just is.”

Local business owners also have taken issue with the amount of heavy machinery equipment and concrete piles blocking off parts of the downtown and access to parking around Pasco Avenue and near the Historic Courthouse. Some have called for staging areas to be placed somewhere west of Seventh Street once construction resumes.

Benjamin rebuffed those suggestions, too. He stressed that area really needs to be shut down when work crews proceed with the project’s water main portion, also noting there’s additional liability associated with the further away equipment is placed from a work zone. “You can do anything for a cost, but there’s a huge cost associated with that, and it’s going to slow the project way down,” he said.

“The more hurdles you put in our way, the longer it’s going to take,” he said

The $2.3 million stormwater project is funded by state appropriations, as well as the Florida Department of Transportation and Dade City. It seeks to address flooding problems that have plagued the area for years, where 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 rains.

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

Work began in August, but was delayed more than a month because TECO and Centurylink needed to clear their utility complex around construction zones. The project has a yearlong timeline for completion.

Mayor Camille Hernandez said the decision to temporarily pause construction to accommodate the Kumquat Festival “is not perfect by any stretch of the imagination, but we’re trying to do what’s in the best interest of the merchants in Dade City.”

Hernandez, like fellow commissioners, said she would have preferred to delay construction until the springtime so downtown business owners can capitalize during the busy winter months.  “We’re throwing money away, but I don’t think we have a lot of other options at this point. We’re trying to salvage what we can for the holiday season,” she said.

Commissioner Nicole Deese Newlon said the plan doesn’t go far enough to help merchants, but added, “I don’t know that there’s much alternative at this point.”

Meanwhile, Commissioner Jim Shive called the brief construction postponement “a workable solution.”

Published December 25, 2019

2045 roadway plan officially pushes forward

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The Pasco County Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) board has approved the 2045 Long Range Transportation Plan that includes numerous projects that are expected to be pursued within a 20-year time frame.

“The goal is to develop [a] cost-affordable plan that covers a minimum of 20 years through the planning process,” Wally Blain, of Tindale Oliver, told the MPO board during a Dec. 11 meeting at the Historic Pasco County Courthouse.

The evaluation of State Road 54 and U.S. 41 is underway and a part of the 2045 Long Range Transportation Plan. This agenda was passed by the Pasco County Metropolitan Planning Organization board on Dec. 11. (File)

The 2045 plan is a revision of the 2040 plan. It prioritizes road in greatest need.

The long-range plan is updated every five years and is subject to revision.

Its feasibility is determined by what funds are allocated on the federal, state and local levels.

The planning process also included a public comment period, from Nov. 6 to Dec.6.

“More than 2,500 residents of Pasco participated in those and provided input on the transportation planning process,” Blain noted.

One comment noted that trucks are traveling faster on Ehren Cutoff, since the road’s shoulders were expanded. Another cited a lack of north-south improvements in Wesley Chapel and Zephyrhills compared to east-west improvements. And, there was a suggestion for a train service to connect Pasco County with Orlando and Tallahassee.

While the feedback was noted, priority road improvements must be dealt with first, Blain said.

The 2045 plan includes changes in the way revenues are distributed for transportation-related improvements.

The 2045 plan contrasts to the 2040 plan as follows:

  • Funding for roadway capacity rose from 64% to 71%
  • Funding for transit decreased from 25% to 9%
  • Funding for sidewalks and bicycle facilities increased from 1% to 2%
  • Funding for technology/congestion management rose from 1% to 3%
  • Funding for roadway maintenance rose from 9% to 14%

Projects in the 2045 plan include:

  • Widening of State Road 52 to four lanes, from U.S. 41 to Old Pasco Road
  • A one-way pair conversion, along U.S. 301
  • Widening of U.S. 301 to six lanes, from Eiland Boulevard to Kossik Road
  • Widening of Old Pasco Road to four lanes, from Wesley Chapel Boulevard to State Road 52
  • Widening of Overpass Road to four lanes, from Interstate 75 to U.S. 301
  • Extending Tower Road to U.S. 41

The Vision 54/56 project has $600 million for improvements, but specific changes have yet to be determined.

“State Road 54 is a key corridor that the MPO has taken as a priority in this plan, as well as the 2040 plan,” Blain said.

The MPO has been working along with the Florida Department of Transportation to address the issue.

The state transportation department is conducting an evaluation to determine potential improvements at the intersection of U.S. 41 and State Road 54.

The approved long-range transportation plan will be submitted to the Federal Highway Administration, Federal Transit Administration and the Florida Department of Transportation. These agencies utilize the adopted plan to implement numerous federal and state-funded transportation projects in Pasco County.

In addition to long-range planning, Blain also covered a number of projects that are ongoing and committed in the five-year plan, which runs through 2024.

Those include:

  • Widening of State Road 52 to four lanes from the Suncoast Parkway to U.S. 41
  • Widening U.S. 41 to four lanes, south of State Road 52
  • Ridge Road extension from Moon Lake Road to the Suncoast Parkway (The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers issued a permit to begin work on the project on Dec. 20)
  • Construction of a new State Road 52 alignment, east of Interstate 75 to Clinton Avenue
  • Construction of an Interstate 75/Overpass Road interchange.
  • Widening of Collier Parkway to four lanes, from Bell Lake Road to Parkway Boulevard

Published December 25, 2019

Capturing community life, through authentic moments

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Dozens of children race to collect colorful eggs at the start of one of the egg hunts during the Out & About Summer Expo. There were egg hunts for both children and adults, and those finding eggs redeemed them for prizes. The Expo took place on April 20, at the Plantation Palms Golf Club, 23253 Plantation Palms Blvd., in Land O’ Lakes. (Christine Holtzman)

Whether it’s a community festival, a track meet, the first day of school or an Easter Egg hunt — The Laker/Lutz News presents our readers with a slice of life every week in a coverage area that includes Lutz, Odessa, Land O’ Lakes, Wesley Chapel, Zephyrhills, Dade City and San Antonio.

Our award-winning photographer Christine Holtzman has excellent instincts, top-notch photography skills and a knack for capturing authentic moments.

Here are some of our favorite images from her portfolio in 2019.

We enjoy sharing your stories through our photos and stories, so if you have ideas you’d like to share, or are planning upcoming events, please let us know so we can consider coverage. Our email is .

Fifteen-year-old Gabriel Bishop, left, and 17-year-old Cassie Farrar, both of Dade City, attempt to fly their drones through an obstacle course hoop. Bishop’s drone is shown. This event was part of the Teen STEAM program at the Hugh Embry Branch Library, 14215 Fourth St., in Dade City.
Holding several American flags, 3-year-old James McLeod, of Lutz, smiles at his mother, Jeanine, before the start of the Rotary Club of Wesley Chapel’s inaugural 9/11 Memorial Mile at the Tampa Premium Outlets. The McLeods were walking in the event to honor some of their first responder family members that survived the terror attacks.
Felecia Harvey, of Dade City, reacts, after a water balloon exploded above her head. Her 6-year-old daughter, Serenity, threw a ball that hit the target, which triggered the device to pop the balloon. This photo was taken during the Family Field Day on June 22, at the Pioneer Florida Museum & Village, 15602 Pioneer Museum Road in Dade City.
Show horse trainer Anne Judd is seen leading Kongo, an 11-year-old Morgan horse, through the center hall of the horse barn, on his way to be fitted with a jog cart before a morning training practice. The horse barn is located at West Coast Morgans in Odessa.
While his sisters participate in the yoga program, William Thompson, of Wesley Chapel, does a headstand against a shelf. The 3-year-old learned how to do headstands from his older sister, Aurora, who used to be in gymnastics. Thompson attended a child yoga event at the Land O’ Lakes Branch Library, 2818 Collier Parkway.
Anthony Sievert, of Land O’ Lakes, shares a strawberry Italian ice with his 4-year-old daughter, Alicia, on an afternoon in Land O’ Lakes. When asked what makes her dad special, Alicia said: ‘My dad tells me silly jokes, and he reads to me. I like when we play hide-and-seek. It’s my favorite game.’ This photo was part of the Father’s Day feature and was taken outside of the Land O’ Lakes Branch Library, 2818 Collier Parkway.
Thirteen-year-old Kate Frederick, of Wesley Chapel, left, and her 11-year-old sister, Ava, sit on the back of a golf cart decked out with streamers and a message of Lutz pride. The girls are members of the GFWC Little Women of Lutz. This photo was taken during the Lutz Fourth of July parade.
Eleven-year-old Jonah Uilk, of Minnesota, enjoys a cotton candy treat. He was vacationing in Bushnell with his family. He and his mother, Heidi, and grandmother, Diana, were browsing the vendor booths. Ulik, who said he loves cotton candy, thought it was funny that the treat turned his mouth blue. This photo opportunity took place at Raising Cane, a Sweet and Spicy Event, on Jan. 12, at the Pioneer Florida Museum & Village, 15602 Pioneer Museum Road in Dade City.
As the bell rings, signaling the start of first period, students rush to their destinations, as school counselor, Kristine Fewox, center, helps two students find their class schedule. This photo opportunity took place on the first day of the 2019-2020 school year at Cypress Creek Middle High School in Wesley Chapel.
Twelve-year-old Brandon Hwang, of Land O’ Lakes, gets some serious air off of the ramp during an evening of skating and hanging out with friends at the Land O’ Lakes Skate Park.

 

 

Pasco surpasses one million visitors in 2019

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Pasco County has hit the million-visitor mark, establishing a new record for tourism in a single fiscal year.

The county’s tourism department, which brands the county as Florida’s Sports Coast, reported that 1,038,700 million visitors generated 1,217,021 room nights in paid accommodations between October 2018 and September 2019.

Pasco County tourism director Adam Thomas, at Florida’s Sports Coast brand launch earlier this year, at Tampa International Airport. (Courtesy of Pasco County Office of Tourism)

By comparison, the number of visitors in fiscal year 2018 was roughly 965,000 visitors, generating about 1,132,000 room nights in paid accommodations.

Some other key tourism findings:

  • Visitor spending in fiscal year 2019 translated to more than $652 million in economic impact to the area, a 6% increase from 2018.
  • County bed tax collections surpassed $3 million — another first, and also a 15% increase from the previous year.
  • Tourism supported 7,870 jobs, a 5% percent increase from 2018, and equaled $168,157,000 in wages and salaries (up 7% from the previous year).

For every dollar spent in marketing, the return is $447 in visitor spending, according to Adam Thomas, the county’s tourism director.

The growth in tourism follows a shift in the county’s branding to emphasize sports and recreation.

Its current tourism pitches are based on the brand, “Florida’s Sports Coast,” with the tagline “Let’s Play.”

The shift to the new brand was made in March, replacing the previous slogan “Visit Pasco. Open Spaces. Vibrant Places.”

The new brand highlights the county’s growing list of recreational sports venues and outdoor activities.

In a recent interview with The Laker/Lutz News, Thomas said the new brand identity, along with enhanced strategized marketing efforts, has yielded a greater impression in tourism circles both statewide and nationally.

Increased participation in national-based tourism and consumer shows, as well as media missions, have helped spread awareness about Pasco County as a popular vacation spot, said Thomas, who took over the tourism department in fall 2017.

“We now are seeing our destination image change overnight,” he said, “and it’s really going to make an impact for further visitation because we’re only going to further tell our story.”

Crossing the 1 million visitor mark, he said, “is a milestone” for the county.

“We’re only going to see our visitation numbers increase,” Thomas added.

A larger staff is working to ensure all that.

When Thomas took over the office, he had one other staffer. Now, he has a team of seven, including the recent addition of a digital content producer and corporate tourism sales manager.

With a slew of new sports and recreation facilities coming online within the next year or so,

the county is poised for even more tourism growth.

New facilities coming online include the Wiregrass Sports Complex of Pasco County in Wesley Chapel, the Sarah Vande Berg Tennis & Wellness Center in Zephyrhills, and the state’s first and only alpine snow park being built Dade City.

Those facilities will add to Wesley Chapel’s AdventHealth Center Ice, Saddlebrook Golf & Tennis Resort, and outdoor adventure activities, including skydiving, saltwater fishing, parks and nature trails.

Several hotels also are coming to the county in 2020. Those include the renovation of New Port Richey’s historic Hacienda Hotel into a 40-room boutique hotel; a 124-room Residence Inn by Marriott next to the Wiregrass Ranch Sports Complex; and, two Woodspring Suites extended Suites extended stay-style hotels, in close proximity to AdventHealth Center Ice.

The county is banking on those sports and hospitality venues to thrive in any economic climate, Thomas said.

The tourism leader pointed out youth and amateur sports tourism is “a sustainable entity” even in economic downturns because parents are still apt to invest in their children’s athletic endeavors no matter what.

“You’re still going to get Johnny to his baseball game, you’re going to get Cindy to her cheerleading competition,” Thomas observed.

However, Pasco wants to be more than just a youth sports and recreation hotbed, Thomas said.

The tourism director said his staff is also putting greater focus on luring group business travelers (social, military, education, religious, fraternal groups) for conventions, retreats and so on.

The addition of more hotels and sports venues helps to “diversify not only our destination, but our portfolio as a sports, leisure and business destination,” Thomas said.

Tourism statistics reveal that Pasco’s visitors come from six states: Florida, New York, Georgia, Michigan, Ohio and Tennessee, Thomas said during a Pasco County Commission meeting last week.

Of those visiting the county, 42 percent are from Florida, he added.

Published December 18, 2019