The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Local News

Motorists soon to have smoother ride on Willow Bend Parkway

By

Willow Bend Parkway in Lutz is set to undergo repaving starting the week of Sept. 9.

Willow Bend Parkway will undergo road modifications through the month of September. The work will be done during the evening to minimize disruptions. (Brian Fernandes)

Pasco County chose the modification as its program maintenance project, which will stretch from the road’s intersections with U.S. 41, also known as Land O’ Lakes Boulevard, to Collier Parkway.

Willow Bend Parkway’s eastbound and westbound lanes will be milled and resurfaced. The road also will be restriped, and new pavement markings will be added.

The work will be done between the hours of 7 p.m. to 7 a.m., on Sundays through Thursdays, during which time there will be single-lane closures.

Message boards will be posted during work hours to guide traffic.

The project is estimated at $966,000, and is being paid for as part of the county’s budget.

The goal is to complete the work by Sept. 30, barring any weather disruptions.

The road is popular with motorists because it links to County Line Road, which connects to North Dale Mabry Highway, where there are a number of service providers and commercial businesses.

Published September 04, 2019

Sticky fun is popping up everywhere

By

While some may see bubbles as just soapy pockets of air, Blaise Ryndes uses them to bring smiles to faces nationwide.

With his Spheres Bubble Show, the Land O’ Lakes resident creates unique bubble performances.

Bubble performer Blaise Ryndes, of Land O’ Lakes, opens his recent ‘Spheres’ show at the Land O’ Lakes Branch Library, with a massive amount of bubbles. (Christine Holtzman)

He is a solo entertainer, but his parents, Dave and Nadine, accompany him at each show.

“I like to consider my act to be a fusion of art, science and magic,” the 18-year-old said.

Just like many kids, he had an affinity for magic and balloon animals growing up.

But, at age 9, he decided he wanted to become a performer — not just a spectator.

His dad bought him his first magic kit, and he began learning how to master tricks. He also found creative ways to contort balloons into various shapes.

As he recalled: “I was always really shy as a child. I noticed when I got into magic, that when I would start to perform for other people, I came out of my shell a little bit. It gave me confidence.”

He drew inspiration from the Cirque du Soleil entertainers and the Blue Man Group.

One day, his dad showed him a YouTube video of the bubble performer, Tom Noddy.

Bubble performer and Land O’ Lakes native Blaise Ryndes releases a bubble infused with helium and the smoke from a mini fogger.

After watching Noddy’s act, Blaise was inspired to learn about bubbles himself.

Acquiring skills took much trial and error, but he said his persistence allowed him to create his own bubble techniques.

Blaise was attending Countryside Montessori Charter School, while performing shows.

As he gained notoriety, he took Pasco eSchool online courses during high school.

Over the years, he has performed at birthday parties and sports arenas, while being invited to venues in Massachusetts and Texas.

Locally, he has done shows at the Lutz Preparatory School, Glazer Children’s Museum and Great Explorations Children’s Museum, to name a few.

At 16, he was selected to perform his bubble act on the television series, America’s Got Talent, which exposed him to the nation.

Chosen as volunteers from the audience, identical 5-year-old twins Annika Johnson, of Odessa, left, and her sister, Kaitlyn, stand still, as Blaise Ryndes covers them inside a giant bubble.

“They flew me out to Los Angeles, California,” Blaise recounted. “I did my show, the judges loved it. It was really a great experience.”

“Blaise is a rock star in the bubble world,” his dad said. “He’ll probably do close to 200 shows this year.”

One of those events was at the Land O’ Lakes Branch Library on Aug. 10. There, the Children’s Room was packed with parents and kids alike.

The crowd watched in awe as Blaise inflated a large bubble illuminated by an LED-lit platform, then used a straw to blow wind ripples inside the bubble.

During the “UFO,” he used a special device to blow smoke into the bottom of a bubble, forcing it to move upward into a saucer shape.

The audience continued to erupt in cheers as he performed the “Galaxy” — using a straw to create a big bubble, which he filled with smaller bubbles inside, spinning like planets.

One part of his act had the crowd counting down before he gently released a vertical chain of bubbles into the air, like a rocket.

After doing a trick, performer Blaise Ryndes catches a giant bubble on his face, before popping it.

In another, a rectangular frame held a film of glossy bubble liquid. Blaise poked an opening in the film using a thin, knotted string and formed a bubble on the audience’s side. He then slowly pulled back the string with the bubble fully intact on his end.

Some kids had the chance to become a part of the show. One by one, each became immersed in a bubble wall, as Blaise lifted a hoop, surrounding them.

The library function was the first time Blaise incorporated new props to a show, such as fire and laser beams.

He enjoys entertaining at these venues, but also performs in places where sad children need a smile.

During the finale of his recent show at the Land O’ Lakes Branch Library, bubble performer Blaise Ryndes cuts a perfect circle through his ‘wall of bubbles,’ and then stretches his arm through it.

“Out of all the shows I do, by far, the shows that are the most rewarding are charitable performances,” Blaise said.

He has put on shows for the National Pediatric Cancer Foundation, Children’s Cancer Center and Best Buddies International.

His dad couldn’t hold back tears as he recalled the joy Blaise brought to the kids at Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital in Saint Petersburg.

“It feels so good to help make their lives a little better,” Blaise said. “Even if it’s just one second that you can take their mind away from all the negative things that they’re having to deal with, and just have a cool experience. That’s the reason I do this.”

He also noted that while he’s a star, Spheres Bubble Show really is a family business, and he’s happy to have his parents supporting him every step of the way.

For more information, or inquiries for the Spheres Bubble Show, visit SpheresBubbleAndMagicShow.com.

Published September 04, 2019

Under Construction 09/04/2019

By

A new Hampton Inn & Suites will soon be open to guests visiting Pasco County. (Brian Fernandes)

Hampton Inn & Suites
Hampton Inn & Suites currently is constructing a new hotel in Odessa. Located at 11780 State Road 54, the resort will hold 99 rooms on four floors. Amenities include an outdoor pool and a breakfast bar. Construction for the 59,352-square-foot structure began November of last year. It is expected to open in October.

 

 

 

Wesley Chapel will have a new senior care home with the Blue Heron Health & Rehabilitation Community. This four-story facility will offer skilled nursing, assisted living and memory care services.

Blue Heron Health & Rehabilitation Community
The opening of a new senior care home is approaching in the Wesley Chapel region. The Blue Heron Health & Rehabilitation Community will be located at 5885 Eagleston Blvd., off of Bruce B. Downs Boulevard. The four-story building will accommodate residents with skilled nursing, assisted living and memory care. It will also have a downstairs dining room, therapy and game rooms, as well as a salon. Construction for the project began in June and is expected to be completed by late 2020.

 

 

 

Construction is underway for the Kiddie Academy at Wiregrass Ranch. The Wesley Chapel school will accommodate infants to children 12 years of age.

Kiddie Academy at Wiregrass Ranch
Kiddie Academy Educational Child Care will be opening a new branch in Wesley Chapel. Kiddie Academy at Wiregrass Ranch will be located at 2900 Hueland Pond Blvd., and will serve infants up to children age 12. At approximately 10,000 square feet, the school will have a kitchen, teacher’s lounge and offices, in addition to multiple classrooms. It also will have a playground. The facility is scheduled to open for the 2020-2021 school year.

 

 

 

Moffitt outpatient center at AdventHealth Wesley Chapel
Construction has begun on a new outpatient clinic by Moffitt Cancer Center in partnership with AdventHealth. The 98,000-square-foot medical office will be on the campus of AdventHealth Wesley Chapel hospital. The three-story building will include 20 exam rooms, and will provide medical and radiation oncology services. The facility also will accommodate patients who are in post-treatment for cancer and in remission. The outpatient center is expected to open the fall of 2020.

Curious about something new that’s popping up in your community? Please send us the location — along with the address, if possible — and we’ll see what we can find out. Send your email to .

Published September 04, 2019

New Pasco clerk seeks technology upgrades, more

By

New Pasco County Clerk & Comptroller Nikki Alvarez-Sowles isn’t wasting much time in trying to implement some new initiatives within the clerk’s office.

She was formally appointed by Gov. Ron DeSantis last month, following the retirement of her predecessor, Paula O’ Neil.

The new clerk outlined a number of her ideas during an Aug. 27 East Pasco Networking Group breakfast meeting in Dade City.

Newly appointed Pasco County Clerk & Comptroller Nikki Alvarez-Sowles was the featured guest speaker at a recent East Pasco Networking Group Meeting in Dade City. (Kevin Weiss)

One of her primary aims, she said, is to boost the office’s technology capabilities, which will improve efficiency and cut costs in an agency that staffs over 300.

The technology improvements include the development of a case management system, which would provide electronic court files to the county’s Sixth Judicial Circuit, she said.

Alvarez-Sowles pointed out that Pasco County is the only one out of 67 counties in the state that still requires paper files.

That system costs her office time and money, she said.

“We have this huge, expensive budget related to paper…so what we’re trying to do is leverage our technologies,” she said.

Related to that, Alvarez-Sowles said her office is developing an automated docket program to streamline simple actions, such as indexing case numbers “to take the workload off of the team, so they can focus on the more complex and complicated functions.”

Alvarez-Sowles said she’s also looking into the feasibility of organizing attorney consultations within the clerk’s legal resource center at both county courthouses in Dade City and New Port Richey — to help unrepresented individuals or those unable to afford an attorney in civil matters related to divorce, residential landlord/tenant, small claims and so on.

The program would model larger counties, such as Orange, Palm Beach and Pinellas, Alvarez-Sowles said, whereas the clerk’s office partners with local general practice attorneys to offer 15 minutes or so of legal guidance, at a rate of about a $1 per minute. The program could take at least a year to implement, she said.

Alvarez-Sowles said the affordable consultations “wouldn’t create an attorney-client relationship, but it just gives (unrepresented individuals) the ability to maneuver through and know that they can do it on their own.”

She underscored the need for such a service in the county: “So many times, people come to our front counter and we cannot give them legal advice. We know that they need to file a motion, but we can’t say, ‘You need to file a motion,’ because we’ll get in trouble for the unauthorized practice of law…”.

More generally, Alvarez-Sowles in her new role said she wants to build upon the office’s values of compassion and helpfulness toward others.

“When someone comes to our office, we don’t judge them,” the clerk said.

“People coming into our world in the clerk’s office, for the majority, they’re on like the worst time of their life. They’re coming in, they’re scared, they’re stressed out, they’re hurt, they’re angry, they’re not in a good place.

“We can pull up their case information and see what’s going on in their life very quickly  and easily, but at any time, any one of us could be on the other side of that counter… so whatever it is, we’re here to help them find a better day, we’re there to help them get to that better day.”

Alvarez-Sowles is the county’s eighth clerk and comptroller.

She was named an interim successor by Sixth Judicial Circuit Chief Judge Anthony Rondolino, upon O’ Neil’s retirement on July 1. She received DeSantis’ appointment on Aug. 9.

Alvarez-Sowles is filling out the balance of term for the post vacated by O’ Neil.

The new clerk said at the breakfast meeting she plans to run for election in 2020. “I will be putting my name in. I do intend to run,” she said.

Prior to her appointment, Alvarez-Sowles was serving as the clerk’s office chief operations officer (COO) under O’ Neil since 2010, a position she said is still unfilled.

The transition to the more senior role has been seamless for her, she said, however, it comes with added responsibility.

“There has been no hiccups, nothing that has tripped me up,” Alvarez-Sowles said. “The difference is before, I would do the research and make a recommendation. And now, I make the decision, so the pressure is a little more weight on the shoulders.”

The new clerk also gave kudos to her predecessor.

She said of O’ Neil: “I had one of the best mentors anyone could ever have asked for, her community outreach and her caring for our Pasco County.”

Born in Tampa, Alvarez-Sowles played soccer at the University of South Florida then earned her law degree at Thomas M. Cooley Law School in Lansing, Michigan.

From 2000 to 2005, she practiced real estate law with the Tampa firm of Echevarria, Codilis & Stawiarski P.I., and spent a year as real estate development manager for the nonprofit Housing & Education Alliance Inc., before joining the Palm Beach Clerk & Comptroller’s Office as director of branch court services.

Alvarez-Sowles said she stopped practicing law because “it didn’t fill my cup up of what was my purpose.”

Her purpose instead, she said, lies in the public service arena because “that’s how I feel I can give back to our community.”

Published September 04, 2019

Zephyrhills to remember fallen of 9/11

By

As commemoration ceremonies take place across America to honor the victims of Sept. 11, Zephyrhills, too, will host its annual 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony.

The public event will begin at 11 a.m., and is expected to last an hour.

Zephyr Park will host this year’s 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony to honor the victims of Sept. 11, 2001. (File)

Marine Corps League Sgt. Maj. Michael S. Curtin Detachment 1124 will host the event.

The league is named after a fallen first responder at the World Trade Center on Sept. 11, 2001.

Rodney Rehrig, of the club, will be the master of ceremonies – conducting the memorial service.

The Zephyrhills High School Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC) will display flags as they post the colors.

And, the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Honor Guard will perform the ceremony’s rifle salute.

Zephyrhills Mayor Gene Whitfield and Danny Burgess, executive director of the Florida Department of Veteran’s Affairs will offer remarks during the commemoration.

Spectators will be able to play a role by saluting the flags, singing the American national anthem, and mingling with those who have served the nation.

The event will be at Zephyr Park at 38116 Fifth Ave., in Zephyrhills.

For additional information, call Rodney Rehrig at (813) 481-0718, or email him at .

9/11 Remembrance Ceremony
Where: Zephyr Park, 38116 Fifth Ave., in Zephyrhills
When: Sept. 11, from 11 a.m. to noon
Cost: Free
Details: The Star Spangled Banner will be sung and various organizations will perform ceremonial salutes to the victims of Sept. 11, 2001. Zephyrhills Mayor Gene Whitfield and Danny Burgess, executive director of the Florida Department of Veteran’s Affairs, will be the day’s guest speakers.
Info: Contact Rodney Rehrig at (813) 481-0718 or .

Published September 04, 2019

New fire station opens in Wesley Chapel

By

Pasco County has opened Fire Rescue Station 38, a new station built to serve Wesley Chapel.

A ribbon cutting took place on Aug. 27 to celebrate the new station, which began operation several weeks ago.

This is the first station added to a fire coverage area in the county since 2009, and is intended to reduce emergency wait times.

Pasco County Fire Rescue Station 38 had its grand opening ceremony on Aug. 27. The Wesley Chapel facility is located in the Watergrass community and will help cut down on response times during emergencies. (Brian Fernandes)

A big crowd gathered to celebrate the moment, including Pasco County officials and firefighters, as well as Fire Chief Scott Cassin.

“This is yet another great day for Pasco County Fire Rescue, and [an] absolutely awesome day for citizens of Pasco County,” the fire chief said.

The estimated $3.5 million project broke ground last September and has been a decade in the making. This was funded primarily by the county’s fire impact fees.

The fire station is situated in the Watergrass community, off of Overpass Road.

“This station, itself, will help the response time to get better safety, emergency help, and fire help [to the] community, and strengthen the fire services for the entire county. That’s so important to our residents,” Pasco County Commission Chairman Ron Oakley said, during the ceremony’s opening remarks.

“With the ever-growing emergency call volume here in the Wesley Chapel area, and the other surrounding portions of Pasco County, this additional capacity stands to do just that,” Cassin added.

The 10,850-square-foot facility is the county’s second largest fire station. It can accommodate up to 13 firefighters.

The station is equipped with four bi-fold, bay doors that slide open at a quicker rate than the traditional overhead doors that roll up.

Pasco County Administrator Dan Biles, left, Pasco County Attorney Jeff Steinsnyder, Chief Scott Cassin, Pasco County Commissioners Ron Oakley and Jack Mariano, Kathy Creighton and Andy Taylor take part in the ribbon cutting for Fire Rescue Station 38. Pasco residents were welcomed to celebrate the Wesley Chapel facility’s opening on Aug. 27.

It now has a paramedic engine and an EMS supervisor SUV, but it can house up to eight vehicles at once.

“The station is also environmentally friendly, highly energy-efficient and storm-hardened, which are all critical elements of today’s infrastructure,” Cassin said.

Features include a vehicle exhaust extraction system – the first to be installed in a Pasco County fire station. This helps to deter the spread of diesel fumes, which have been identified as creating an increased risk of lung cancer.

The station’s call alert system is designed to handle a high demand of inquiries, with six to eight crew members working on any given shift.

Amenities at the station include a kitchen, a gym, multiple bunk rooms and climate-controlled storage rooms.

Several housewarming gifts were presented to add to the station’s interior. Those included a signed promotional poster for actor John Cena’s upcoming film. The Pasco County resident was not present at the event.

County officials joined the fire chief in a ribbon cutting, which was followed by a tour of the station and refreshments.

Published September 04, 2019

New $4 million pharmaceutical project in Pasco

By

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

By

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

By

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

By

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:

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