The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Local News

Pasco is testing a new recycling program

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Pasco County commissioners are eager to roll out a new countywide recycling program.

But, first they need to wait for the results of a seven-month pilot study to test the use of carts and pickup schedules.

“My vision is to expand this as quickly as possible to the rest of the county,” said Pasco County Commission Chairman Mike Wells Jr. “It’s exciting that we’re doing this.”

Two haulers — Waste-Aid Systems Inc., and Waste Connections (formerly Progressive Waste Solutions) — reached agreement with Pasco to target households in two areas of the county.

The haulers will provide containers, and schedule pickup days.

Pasco County commissioners approved the pilot study on March 14 at their meeting in Dade City. The county’s cost is about $118,000.

Participants will receive letters in April if they are in the pilot study. And, 1,500 carts will be delivered by May 1.

Residents currently provide their own containers for recycling, which are identified with stickers supplied by one of the haulers. (Mary Rathman)

Initially, the county will collect baseline data from the county’s current schedule of twice-a-month pickup for recyclables. Residents provide their own containers, which are identified with stickers supplied by one of six haulers operating in Pasco.

The study then would determine if recycling would increase if residents receive twice-a-week garbage and once-a-week recycling collection. The pilot program will end in October, and county commissioners will receive a report in November.

The study will collect data on the tonnage, and the rate of participation from residents.

Pilot study participants also will receive educational materials, and observations will be made by the haulers to see if contaminants, or non-recyclable materials, are placed in the carts.

Haulers also will handle repairs and replacement of carts.

“Haulers will find out what numbers they’ll be dealing with,” said Flip Mellinger, the county’s assistant county administrator for public infrastructure. “It’s a learning opportunity for us.”

County commissioners had discussions on increasing the frequency of recycling services at four workshops held between May 2015 and April 2017.

A citizen survey conducted in 2017 got 7,500 responses, with 84 percent in support of once-a-week recycling service. And, 58 percent said they would like a recycling cart to be provided.

County officials at the time said about 27 percent of residents recycled.

Pasco County Commissioner Kathryn Starkey said residents moving to Pasco County often come from cities and counties that already recycle.

“They are shocked when they see our lack of recycling here,” she said.

County officials anticipate presenting an update on the study after three months. County commissioners will be looking for opportunities to expand recycling quickly.

“There’s no doubt it’s going to be successful,” said Wells, “I’m not trying to be funny, but it can’t be any worse.”

Published March 21, 2018

Statewide trek aims to support child safety

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Lauren Book is on a journey to show children how to be safe and feel safe.

She is a survivor of child abuse by a live-in nanny. In 2001, at age 16, she made the decision to disclose what happened to her.

As a state senator, and founder of the nonprofit Lauren’s Kids, Book is an advocate for child safety and child abuse prevention.

State Sen. Lauren Book gave high-fives to students at San Antonio Elementary School when they joined her for the ‘Walk in My Shoes’ tour. (Courtesy of Lauren’s Kids)

Now in its eighth year, Book’s “Walk in My Shoes” tour takes her 1,500 miles from Key West to Tallahassee, with zigzags along the way to meet as many students as possible.

On March 13, she stopped at San Antonio Elementary School, outside Dade City, to teach a lesson about “Safer, Smarter Schools.”

Her traveling companion is a floppy-eared blue dog, named Buddy. He is a celebrity among kindergarteners and elementary school students who recognize him from a Safer, Smarter video.

Pasco County Schools adopted Book’s Safer, Smarter Schools’ curriculum several years ago. It is available free of charge to all Florida schools.

Buddy’s appearance – his first at San Antonio – got whoops, high-fives and hugs. He led the students on a walk around their campus as part of Book’s Florida trek in support of child safety.

Book greeted the students with the high energy of a kindergarten teacher, which is what she once was before founding her nonprofit in 2007.

She since has written a memoir, “It’s OK to Tell.” And, she recently published a children’s book, “Lauren’s Kingdom,” about a young girl who is abused by a babysitter, and turns to a friend for help.

Buddy, a floppy eared, blue dog, is a mascot for State Sen. Lauren Book’s campaign for child safety. Book also wrote a children’s book, Lauren’s Kingdom. (Kathy Steele)

“We’re so excited to be here,” said Book, who spent about 20 minutes each with three groups of kindergartners and first-graders.

She drew a stick figure of what they think a stranger looks like. Each time was the same.

He was a man with messy hair and clothes, and mean, angry eyes. He had a gun or knife, or even a crowbar.

But, when she asked them if she was a stranger, they told her no.

And, that was the first lesson on safety.

“Guess what? I’m a stranger,” Book said. “Strangers are just people we don’t know well.”

The rest of the lesson moved on to the “buddies” in a student’s safety triangle. They can be grownups at school or home, and they must be able to drive a car.

Safety was taught with broad strokes, covering a variety of issues.

There was never a mention of child abuse.

Instead, Book asked the children how they would feel if a friend knocked them down. The response would be to tell a buddy.

And, it was another lesson learned.

“If something makes you feel uncomfortable, you’re going to go to someone in your trusted circle,” Book tells them. “You get to decide if a touch is safe or unsafe.”

Lorynn Gutierrez, the school’s guidance counselor, said San Antonio adopted the program about four years ago.

“It’s a safety curriculum, but it also empowers kids to listen to their inner voice,” Gutierrez said.

On average, about four students a year at San Antonio discloses situations of child abuse, she said.

The curriculum is meant to establish a relationship with the children, school staff and parents, said Book. “It’s done in a fun and safe way,” she said.

And, she added, “It’s not a one-and-done road show. So, when they do feel unsafe, kids know who they’ll disclose to and can trust.”

At the end of each session, Book awarded each class with a small, plush toy Buddy. Each student will be able to take Buddy home, but they must write a safety story in a journal that they also take home.

“It’s very important that kids use their voices and advocate for themselves,” Book said.

For information, visit LaurensKids.org.

Town hall sheds light on opioid overdose prevention

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Cesar Rodriguez spent 17 years of his life as a heroin addict.

He overdosed on five separate occasions, only to be saved by first responders who administered him naloxone, or Narcan, an emergency treatment that counteracts the life-threatening effects of opioid overdose.

“If I didn’t have Narcan,” he said, “I wouldn’t be able to sit here and share my experience. I would’ve never had a shot to recover.”

Pasco County Sheriff’s Cpl. Sherry Johnson Tandy demonstrates how to use the Narcan nasal spray to counteract the life-threatening effects of opioid overdose. She said her agency has deployed the medication 60 times, each of which has been successful in preventing an overdose-related death. (Kevin Weiss)

Parent Lisa Conca also has observed the Narcan’s life-saving effects when her son overdosed on heroin.

“I had never even heard of Narcan until that day he overdosed and was taken to the hospital,” Conca said. “Narcan saves lives and gives our kids another chance to help them on the road to recovery.”

These comments came up during a community discussion on opioid overdose prevention on March 8 at North Tampa Behavioral Health, which is located in Wesley Chapel. The event was organized by the Alliance for Substance Abuse Prevention.

The panel discussion was part of a community-wide effort to provide education about opioid overdose and what individuals can do to save the lives of those suffering with the chronic illness of addiction.

Much of the panel addressed how to access and administer Narcan.

Narcan is the first and only FDA-approved nasal form of naloxone for the emergency treatment of a known or suspected opioid overdose. The medication helps blocks the effects of opioids on the brain and restores breathing.

Opioids include heroin and prescription pain pills like morphine, codeine, oxycodone, methadone and Vicodin.

“Often the reason (over-dosers) end up passing is because the brain does not have oxygen. This medication helps alleviate that,” said Szilvia Boos Salmon, a pharmacist with Tampa Poison Control.

Along with the nasal spray, naloxone is available in an injectable form.

The Pasco County Sheriff’s Office is one of a number of growing law enforcement agencies to carry naloxone for possible overdose calls.

Pasco Sheriff Cpl. Sherry Johnson-Tandy said the agency has had over 60 deployments of Narcan. Each deployment was successful in preventing an overdose-related death, she said.

In addition to reversing overdoses, the medication is also for deputies and first responders who may become exposed or have incidental contact to illicit fentanyl or heroin at a particular crime scene.

Johnson-Tandy demonstrated how to safely and effectively administer both the nasal spray and injectable forms of naloxone. Free samples of Narcan were later distributed to the audience.

Johnson-Tandy said it’s onset time is anywhere between 1 minute to 3 minutes.

“It works almost just like an EpiPen,” she said.

Narcan is the first and only FDA-approved nasal form of naloxone for the emergency treatment of a known or suspected opioid overdose. The medication helps blocks the effects of opioids on the brain and restores breathing. Opioids include heroin and prescription pain pills like morphine, codeine, oxycodone, methadone and Vicodin. (Courtesy of Amphastar Pharmaceuticals)

“The best thing about this is, if you give it to someone and they don’t need it, it can’t hurt them,” she said, adding if someone overdosed on cocaine or stopped breathing for another reason, it won’t have adverse effects.

The Narcan medication might be needed more than ever.

Opioid overdoses increased by roughly 30 percent across the U.S., in just 14 months between 2016 and 2017, according to a new report by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The CDC called the data a “wake up call to the fast-moving opioid overdose epidemic.” It recorded 142,000 overdoses in hospital emergency departments across the nation, between July 2016 and September 2017.

Although not all overdoses in the study were fatal, they are part of the unsettling toll of opioids. Nationwide in 2016, illicit and prescription drug overdoses killed 64,000 people.

The problem is growing locally, too, experts say.

Pasco County had the highest rate of hospitalization in the Suncoast Region for opioid overdoses, according to 2016 data from the Agency for Healthcare Administration.

Additionally, Pasco has tied for fifth highest out of the state’s 67 counties for drug overdose mortality rates over the last few years, according to county health rankings.

There were 165 overdoses in Pasco in 2017— matching numbers from the 2010 and 2011 prescription pill crisis, said Capt. Mike Jenkins, who oversees the narcotics unit for the special investigations division at the Pasco Sheriff’s Office.

There’s also been a gradual rise in fentanyl and heroin use in the county over the past year, he said.

Other topics covered during the session included how to prevent opioid addiction and avenues for long-term treatment of people who are dependent on opioids.

Speakers agreed it starts with education and advocacy.

“We can’t arrest our way out of this issue,” Jenkins said. “It takes comprehensive, strategic partnerships to really move forward.”

“Start in the schools early, and educate kids as to how dangerous mom and dad’s pill bottles are,” said New Port Richey-based attorney James Magazine.

Communities must find ways to effectively integrate recovering addicts back into society after they receive treatment, Magazine said.

Rochelle Zwicharowski, a support specialist with the St. Petersburg-based Recovery Epicenter Foundation, said those who have been rehabilitated need to share their experiences.

“There’s 23 million people in recovery, and how many people do you know? We’re too quiet about it. If you’re in recovery, don’t be afraid to speak out about it because we do have to smash that stigma,” she said.

Revised April 3, 2018

Sinkhole solution down to three options

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Pasco County is inching closer to resolving the massive sinkhole that swallowed two houses in Lake Padgett Estates more than eight months ago.

Public Safety officials and county engineers are down to three recommendations on the long-term recovery efforts at the sinkhole site on Ocean Pines Drive:

  • Option No. 1: Install a 6-foot tall “wrought-iron style” decorative fence and access gate around the sinkhole with dead-end signs, at an estimated cost of $65,000
  • Option No. 2: Build the same fence around the sinkhole, with two, 70-foot “hammerhead” turn-arounds, at an estimated cost of $242,000
  • Option No. 3: Build the same fence around the sinkhole with a cul-de-sac on each side, at an estimated cost ranging from $1.7 million to $2.2 million
The sinkhole opened on July 14, 2017, at 21825 Ocean Pines Drive. It eventually swallowed two houses, a motorcycle and a boat in the Lake Padgett Estates community in Land O’ Lakes. (File)

Kevin Guthrie, the county’s assistant administrator for public safety, outlined those possibilities with homeowners at a March 10 community meeting at Land O’ Lakes Heritage Park.

Based on conceptual designs, the county would need to purchase three houses to install a cul-de-sac. That option also would likely require renaming a portion of Ocean Pines Drive.

For a turn-around option, no additional homeowners would be displaced. The county would need to purchase only the area needed for the turn-arounds from homeowners, not their entire properties.

Officials said the main purpose for those two options is to ease access for garbage trucks and emergency vehicles, which presently are forced to drive backwards to exit Ocean Pines Drive.

If the county installs just fencing and landscaping — the cheapest option — Ocean Pines would remain closed off at the site of the sinkhole.

Previously discussed options — such as connecting the sinkhole to Lake Saxon or rebuilding the roadway with sheet piles driven underground — have since been deemed too risky by the county’s geotechnical consultant, Intertek-PSI.

At the meeting, residents were encouraged to provide feedback and jot down comments to be considered by the Pasco County Commission.

Residents take a look at conceptual designs of the Pasco County’s long-term recovery efforts at the sinkhole site. (Kevin Weiss)

Various concerns were raised, from the county’s mitigation costs to how it intends to fund whichever solution is chosen.

The county already has spent more than $1 million for initial cleanup and stabilization of the sinkhole site.

Guthrie said it hasn’t been determined how the county will pay for whichever option, though use of public funds may be a possibility.

Some residents questioned why a fence even needs to be installed at the sinkhole site.

Guthrie stressed that’s a matter of public safety as open waterways touched or owned by the county must be cordoned off.

He guaranteed permanent fencing, at the very least, will be installed due to potential liability issues for the county.

“You can take this to the bank: The county commission, 5-0, is going to put a fence around that,” he said.

Guthrie noted the county is currently in litigation with two homeowners and their insurance companies who haven’t taken responsibility for cleanup and securing the areas of private property affected by the sinkhole — an issue that may not be resolved for “probably decades.”

“If they’re not going to take responsibility, the county has to step in. And, we have to ensure the safety for the citizens,” Guthrie said.

The sinkhole opened on July 14, 2017, at 21825 Ocean Pines Drive. It eventually swallowed two houses, a motorcycle and a boat.

Seven additional homes nearby were also condemned as unsafe, based on subsurface conditions and other geologic anomalies.

Displaced homeowner Dottie Benschoter was among about 30 people attending one of the two community meetings.

The 78-year old and her husband had lived at their Ocean Pines Drive home for more than 40 years — before it was condemned in July.

The massive sinkhole was a shock for her family and fellow neighbors, forcing them to uproot their lives.

“Especially at our age, we never dreamed anything like this would happen,” she said.

“It’s affected my neighbors. We’re all affected mentally, because one day you’re living your life, and one day it changed completely. We had to move everything in one day,” Benschoter said.

She continued: “(The county’s) trying their best, but we still don’t have any answers. They still haven’t made their decision with what they’re doing. They said we have to demolish our homes and pay for it ourselves.”

Guthrie called the entire sinkhole situation “really upsetting and frustrating.”

He added: “I know the homeowners are frustrated but at the same time, we have remediated this hole to the point that we can.”

Guthrie and his staff will present their findings to commissioners at their March 27 or April 11 meeting, at which time a final decision is expected.

Published March 21, 2018

Developers get $6 million county loan to build offices

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A project to build two upscale, premier office buildings will get a $6 million loan from Pasco County.

The Pasco County Commission approved the loan agreement with Atlanta-based Land Investment Partners at its March 14 meeting in Dade City.

No tenants are pre-signed for the office space.

However, if certain performance goals in leasing the buildings are met, the entire loan could be forgiven. It is initially an interest-only loan, with a 10-year term.

Land Investment Partners plans to build two premier office buildings at Suncoast Parkway and State Road 54. Each of the three-story buildings will be 75,000 square feet. (Courtesy of Pasco County)

Each three-story building, described as Class A, will provide 75,000 square feet, for a total of 150,000 square feet of premium office space at the southeast corner of Suncoast Parkway and State Road 54.

The site is part of the Suncoast Crossings development property, and is north of Mettler Toledo.

The manufacturing company is building a 250,000-square-foot building in Northpointe Village.

Pasco County Commissioner Kathryn Starkey said she thinks that intersection offers an excellent example of development.

“I wish all the corners of all our interstates developed this way,” she said.

County officials estimate the project will produce 400 new jobs, and add about $43 million annually to the county’s gross product. Jobs from the project are expected to generate nearly $28 million in total salaries from direct and indirect employment.

“It’s nice and window-y and very pretty,” said Melanie Kendrick, the county’s program administrator for the Office of Economic Growth.

Under agreement terms, the county will wipe out $3 million of the loan if leases are obtained for 75 percent of the first building. The same terms, and elimination of the last $3 million, will apply to the second building.

Land Investment Partners will receive no reduction in principal if the goals aren’t met.

For the project to be profitable, developers estimated rents should be in the range of $32 a square foot to $33 a square foot. But, in the current market for that area, the rents realistically would only be $27 a square foot to $28 a square foot, according to attorney Clarke Hobby, who represents the investors.

“We’re bridging the gap to make it economically feasible,” Hobby said, of the loan.

Pasco’s Office of Economic Growth is pursuing a strategy of building a more diverse economic base that includes industrial and office projects that are more often seen in urbanized areas.

If this project is successful, Hobby said Pasco could “get more urbanized projects to come to Pasco.”

Published March 21, 2018

Pasco Sheriff’s Office unveils app to help stress

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Pasco Sgt. Matt Rosenbloom has handled countless distressing calls throughout his 12 years in law enforcement.

“I’ve seen things that people shouldn’t see out there,” he said.

Sometimes it takes several days for him to get past a particular incident. Witnessing the death of a child, for instance, takes a heavy toll.

Pasco County Sheriff Chris Nocco said post-traumatic stress is a ‘hidden secret’ in the law enforcement community. Along with the app, the Sheriff’s Office is working on several different projects to address the issue from both the member and the family side, which includes available training regarding emotional survival and coping techniques.
(Kevin Weiss)

It’s something many deputies aren’t mentally prepared for emotionally, the sergeant said.

“We’re trained to deal with the physical dangers and to anticipate knowing that there’s those physical dangers,” Rosenbloom said. “What we are not often aware of are the long-term emotional health dangers that come along with the job.”

To help its members cope with those psychological scars, the law enforcement agency has developed a new smartphone app called Pasco Sheriff’s Office PTS (Post-Traumatic Stress).

The app offers resources, including mental health tools and videos for those who may be suffering from post-traumatic stress.

The app features a stress assessment questionnaire and also provides contact information to those who can provide help, including community partners such as BayCare and the University of South Florida. Other crisis resources include the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline and the National Law Enforcement Officers Hotline.

The tool was developed in-house with help from some outside contractors, as part of a $150,000 pilot program related to post traumatic stress in law enforcement and ways to address the issue.

The funding was included in last year’s state budget that was signed into law by Gov. Rick Scott, after Rep. Danny Burgess and Sen. Wilton Simpson submitted a budget request on behalf of the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office.

Along with the app, funding has been spent on several different projects to address the issue from both the member and the family side, including offering training for its members and their families regarding emotional survival and coping techniques.

At a March 15 media conference, Pasco Sheriff Chris Nocco said post-traumatic stress is a “hidden secret” and “never really been spoken about” among law enforcement circles.

He said the disorder has led to broken families, alcoholism and other problems among deputies, because the issue wasn’t addressed head-on.

The current, sometimes volatile climate for law enforcement doesn’t help matters, Nocco said. This year, so far, more than 30 officers nationwide have been killed in the line of duty.

The sheriff elaborated: “For a law enforcement deputy…you’re going from one person’s worst moment of their life, continuous all day long and then you go home. “We’re called upon during people’s worst times, and then what’s going on more and more in society is — no matter what we do, it is never good enough.

“I can tell you that is overwhelmingly stressing our members now that they know no matter what decisions they make, it’s going to be second-guessed the following day,” he said.

Pasco Sheriff PTS is now available through the Google Play store and soon will be in the Apple store.

Rosenbloom said he has already utilized the tool on a few occasions and has found it helpful.

An app that’s easily accessible
“The quick access is great because I would say for some deputies that immediately after the incident that adrenaline dumps, and now all of a sudden they’re experiencing these feelings.

“They could go on the app right then and there, or it may come days later, where they may start reliving that experience and saying, ‘Is this normal?’ and go back on the app,” Rosenbloom said.

Meanwhile, it provides “a good foundation” for deputies unfamiliar with post-traumatic stress and its effects, Rosenbloom added.

“There may be newer officers…who are not sure whether they’re feeling the right thing or whether they should still be feeling what they’re feeling after a critical incident.

“This app breaks it down, asks questions and, in the end, it gives you an assessment of whether what you’re feeling is correct or not,” Rosenbloom explained.

The app is also meant for deputies’ families. Rosenbloom’s wife, Lena, has utilized the app to access support for herself and her children.

“You need just a couple of taps to get you help,” Lena said, noting its user-friendly capabilities.

“When you’re in a crisis, the last thing you want to do is try and find a phone number, pull out a card and (find) the EAP (Employee Assistance Program) number,” she said.

While mainly geared toward law enforcement and their families, the sheriff encourages anyone to use the tool, if he or she needs guidance or help.

The sheriff specifically mentioned the tool’s usefulness for other first responders, such as firefighters, as well as teenagers, parents and teachers.

“We want everybody to go on here and use this,” Nocco said. “We want to make sure they see it’s available, because the intent when we asked this of the Legislature was to say, ‘Look, we’re going to build it, we’ll develop it, but at the same time, it’s not solely for the Pasco Sheriff’s Office. It’s going to be used for everybody.’”

The Sheriff’s Office will not use the app to collect data or information on users, Nocco said.

The app also will be updated continuously as new strategies come along in dealing with post-traumatic stress.

The goal is to provide assistance in time of need, Nocco said.

“Everybody feels like they’re swimming out at sea, and there’s nobody to help them; here’s another life preserver that we’re throwing out there, to help them get help, to make them feel better and to realize that they’re not alone,” Nocco said.

What is Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder?
Post-traumatic stress disorder, also known as PTSD, is a mental health problem that some people develop after experiencing or witnessing a life-threatening event, like combat, a natural disaster, a car accident, or sexual assault.

Symptoms of PTSD:

  • Reliving the event, or having flashbacks in bad memories or nightmares
  • Avoiding situations that remind you of the traumatic event
  • Having contant negative beliefs and feelings, such as guilt and shame, or feeling the world is dangerous and can’t trust anyone
  • Feeling overly jittery and alert, and always on the lookout for danger

People with PTSD may also experience other problems. These include:

  • Feelings of hopelessness, shame, or despair
  • Depression or anxiety
  • Drinking or drug problems
  • Physical symptoms or chronic pain
  • Employment problems
  • Relationship problems, including divorce

–Information from the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs’ National Center for PTSD

Published March 21, 2018

Pasco commissioners approve business park

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The Pasco County Commission liked the business park, but couldn’t stand its proposed name.

“Vibrant Sun (Business Park) would sound like I’m going to a casino,” Pasco County Commissioner Mike Moore said.

Pasco County Commissioner Mike Moore

So, instead of being called the Vibrant Sun Business Park, the new development site will be known as Overpass Business Park.

The business park, which will be located on 91 acres at Overpass and Old Pasco roads, has been approved for 2.2 million square feet of office and industrial space.

The county’s Office of Economic Growth submitted the project as part of its efforts to provide “site-ready” parcels for industrial and business park developments. Such sites are offered on speculation.

By taking care of land use and zoning matters, county officials believe these types of parcels are developed sooner.

The site is in an area of northeastern Pasco that is quickly developing with new residential and commercial projects, including the Epperson and Mirada master-planned communities.

Advanced manufacturing or a research facility would be an asset to the area, Pasco County Commissioner Jack Mariano said.

“It puts us in a tremendous position to create jobs,” Mariano added.

Some area residents, however, are worried about growth, traffic, loss of property values, and encroachment of industrial into rural neighborhoods.

Pasco County Commissioner Jack Mariano

Jean Ann Jakes spoke against the project during the hearing before the Pasco County commissioners on March 14 in Dade City. She also objected to the project previously at the Development Review Committee meeting in January. A handful of other residents also raised concerns.

However, the review committee recommended approval of the project.

The business park won’t fit in be with the surrounding area, Jakes said.

“Everybody else is agricultural and residential,” she said. “It’s not compatible at all. It’s going to cause more traffic. There is nothing light industry around us.”

Traffic will only get worse, Jakes added, noting that school buses pick up and deliver students to area schools.

“I’m sure Old Pasco Road is going to be widened,” said Pasco County Commissioner Ron Oakley. “It should be widened. It needs to be four-laned already.”

The Florida Department of Transportation is widening State Road 52, east and west of Interstate 75. The state agency also plans to build a new interchange at Overpass Road and I-75.

Old Pasco Road intersects State Road 52, west of I-75. That stretch of state highway is being widened from two lanes to six lanes, from west of Old Pasco to east of Corporate Boulevard.

There are no immediate plans to widen Old Pasco Road, but county officials said right-of-way for the widening would come from the business park, not from area residents’ home sites.

Published March 21, 2018

Testing the weight-bearing load of bridges

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Have you ever wondered how many pounds of rocks a bridge made of 200 Popsicle sticks would support?

Saint Leo University student, Kenneth Wybicracki, a first-timer in the competition, places his bridge, ‘Dumpster Fire,’ on a scale to be weighed as part of the contest’s requirements. (Randy Underhill)

Students who wanted to find out took part in the Bridge-Breaking Competition held by Saint Leo University’s Department of Mathematics and Science on March 6.

The competition includes teams who constructed model bridges from lightweight wooden sticks and glue.

Each team relied on their own ideas, and their knowledge of physics and engineering to build the bridge.

The bridges had to be 47.2 inches in length and no more than 7.87 inches in height.

Each bridge also needed a name.

Dr. Howard Carey, professor of biology at Saint Leo University, strategically places a large bucket on one of the 16 bridges constructed of Popsicle sticks.

Most of the bridges were built in a truss style of construction, but a few were beam style.

Sixteen bridges entered the competition, which was conducted by Leo Ondrovic, professor of biology and physics; Thomas Ricard, professor of engineering and physical sciences, and Dr. Howard Carey, professor of biology.

The tone of the evening was lighthearted.

Teams watched as rocks were piled on — and ultimately destroyed — their bridges.

The strongest bridge supported 75 pounds of rocks.

By Randy Underhill

B.C. Manion contributed to this report.

Published March 21, 2018

Eighteen-year-old Katieri Smith, left, stands by as Thomas Ricard, professor of engineering and physical science, reads the weight of ‘Ann Marie,’ the bridge she constructed.
Saint Leo University student Christian Jones carefully places his team’s bridge — 4.7 — on the concrete blocks for the fifth annual bridge building contest at Saint Leo University.
Thirteen-year-old Alex McILroy, left, of Tampa, looks on as Dr. Howard Carey, professor of biology, pours 25 pounds of rock into the large blue bucket suspended from the bridge. McIlroy, who was competing for his third time, took five days to construct his bridge.

‘Spotlight on Talent’ announces winners

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“Spotlight on Talent,” a regional performing arts competition in its 35th year, has announced winners from its March 10 competition at the Center for the Arts in Wesley Chapel.

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

The competition, presented by the Heritage Arts Center Association, involved 140 finalists, competing for more than $5,000 in trophies, ribbons and cash prizes.

Victoria Neukom was the winner of the $1,000 Pasco Heritage Scholarship.

Winners in various categories are:

ACT I, the younger students:

Category 1

  • First: Vincent Pham, piano
  • Second, tie: Emory Rudolph, jazz dance

Keaton Ward, musical theater

  • Fourth: Samuel Wu, piano
  • Fifth: Alynza McBride, ballet dance

Category 2

  • First: Kasey Lang, piano
  • Second: Jasmine Crew, lyrical dance
  • Third: Brooklynn Ryan, vocal
  • Fourth: Madison Fouche, lyrical dance

Category 3

  • First: Lilyana Gargano, jazz dance
  • Second: Taylor Kriisa, tap dance
  • Third: Michaela Mezzei, contemporary dance
  • Fourth: Sailor Wade, lyrical dance
  • Fifth: Faith Phaller, ballet dance

Groups

  • First: Showbiz, musical theater
  • Second: Songbirds, musical theater, Bianca Horodecki and Gabrielle Smedley

ACT II, the older students:

Category 1

  • First: Flavio Eduardo Carreno-Olivo, piano
  • Second: Julianna Mazza, pointe dance
  • Third: Victoria Conn, jazz dance
  • Fourth: Gracie Scaglione, contemporary dance
  • Fifth: Agnes Hernandez, piano
  • Sixth: Andrew Eskut, piano

Category 2

  • First: Zachary D’Onofrio, jazz vocal
  • Second: Shelby Surratt, musical theater
  • Third: Maria Hernandez, piano
  • Fourth: Georgia Piersall, vocal
  • Fifth: Dorothy Ferguson, vocal and piano

Category 3

  • First: Victoria Neukom, contemporary dance
  • Second: Haley Sanders, musical theater
  • Third: Hannah Knight, original vocal and guitar
  • Fourth: Kamryn Belloise, musical theater
  • Fifth: Kiersten Herman, musical theater

Groups

  • First: Showstoppers, musical theater
  • Second: Star Company, lyrical dance

For more information, call (352) 567-1720, or visit www.HeritageArts.org.

Published March 21, 2018

Music to fill the air in Land O’ Lakes

By

The Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce is gearing up for its third Land O’ Lakes Music Festival.

(Courtesy of Terri Dusek)

The event will be held March 24 from noon to 8 p.m., at Land O’ Lakes Heritage Park, formerly known as the Land O’ Lakes Community Center, at 5401 Land O’ Lakes Blvd.

This year, musicians will be able to use Heritage Stage — a community stage that was completed last year, following years of advocacy, and as a result of a multitude of partnerships between governments, business partners and community volunteers.

Bands that are scheduled to perform during the festival are:

  • Solar Exposure with an eclectic mix of pop, rock and hint of country
  • Marlon Boone, Jazz/R&B saxophonist extraordinaire
  • Actual Bank Robbers’ unique indie pop rock
  • Trigger City Trio will entertain with rock & soul sprinkled with funk
  • Stonegrey jamming with arena/classic rock style
  • Sowflo, is coming from Naples, with a reggae vibe

Fred Chandler, a vocalist who also plays multiple instruments, will entertain between acts.

“It’s an entire day of music,” said Terri Dusek, event chairwoman.

She hopes that the music festival, now being held for the third time, will evolve into a major event in Central Pasco.

The idea is to provide a setting where music is the focal point, said Dusek, who has been involved with music her entire life.

“Music has been a huge part of my life,” Dusek said, noting that her sons are members of Stonegrey.

She also noted that Stonegrey, Solar Exposure and Fred Chandler are all Land O’ Lakes residents.

Dusek also noted that Ryan Walker, owner of Artist Direct, will be handling the sound for the festival.

While music takes center stage, there also will be arts and crafts vendors, a kids’ zone, and a business showcase featuring companies and organizations that want to spread the word about what they have to offer.

There will be food trucks, as well as beer and wine.

Admission is free, but parking is $10 per vehicle, which benefits local schools.

No coolers or pets are allowed.

For more information, call The Central Pasco Chamber at (813) 909-2722, or email .

Land O’ Lakes Music Festival
Where: Land O’ Lakes Heritage Park, 5401 Land O’ Lakes Blvd.
When: March 24, noon to 8 p.m.
Cost: Free admission; parking is $10
Details: Spectators can enjoy a full day of music. There also will be arts and crafts vendors, a kids’ zone, and food and drink available for purchase. Bring lawn chairs and blankets.
Info: Call The Central Pasco Chamber at (813) 909-2722, or email .

Published March 14, 2018