The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Local News

Fires planned to reduce wildlife risk

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The Southwest Florida Water Management District conducts planned fires on about 30,000 acres each year to reduce overgrown plans and decrease the risk of wildfires. Other benefits include promoting the growth of new, diverse plans and maintaining the character and condition of wildlife habitat. It is planning to conduct fires in the Green Swamp from January through March. (Courtesy of Southwest Florida Water Management District)

The Southwest Florida Water Management District is planning to conduct prescribed fires from January through March at the Green Swamp Wilderness Preserve.

The preserve includes the Green Swamp East Tract in Polk, Sumter and Lake counties; the Hampton Tract in Polk County; and the Green District aims to reduce risk of wildlifes by scheduling prescribed fires in the Green Swamp Tract in Pasco County.

The Green Swamp Wilderness Preserve is located north of U.S. Highway 98 along Highway 471 and Rockridge Road, between Lakeland and Dade City. Approximately 15,000 acres will be burned in small, manageable units.

Major benefits of prescribed fire include:

  1. Reducing overgrown plants, which decreases the risk of catastrophic wildfires
  2. Promoting the growth of new, diverse plants
  3. Maintaining the character and condition of wildlife habitat
  4. Maintaining access for public recreation

The Water Management District conducts prescribed fires on approximately 30,000 acres each year.

Published January 17, 2024

Duke Energy Foundation offers helping hand

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Duke Energy awarded monetary donations to food banks and organizations, to help keep families fed and healthy, especially during the holiday season.

Duke Energy has awarded $425,000 to more than a dozen Florida organizations that provide food assistance and other community resources to help seniors and families throughout the state. The funding, provided by the Duke Energy Foundation and Duke Energy Florida, helped wrap up the holiday giving campaigns of numerous organizations, with many including matching donations by private donors, according to a news release.

“Every bit of support to local and statewide food banks and community resources is helpful any time of year but particularly during the holiday season,” said Melissa Seixas, Duke Energy Florida state president, in the release.

“We are proud to support these incredible organizations and the great work they do throughout the year to keep Floridians and their families fed, healthy and secure,” said Seixas.

This year’s holiday donations are in addition to $100,000 donated previously to Feeding Florida, a statewide organization dedicated to providing healthy, nutritious meals through its network of food banks.

The funding also allowed the Florida Council on Aging (FCOA) to distribute free holiday gift cards for seniors.

Some of the organizations that received funding include:

  • Feeding Florida
  • Florida Council on Aging, to be distributed through Seniors First, Orange County; Neighborly Care Network, Pinellas County; Council on Aging of Volusia County; NU-HOPE Elder Care Services; CARES, Pasco County; Citrus County Support Services; and Marion Senior Services.
  • 211 Tampa Bay Cares
  • St. Pete Free Clinic
  • Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida
  • Hope Partnership in Central Florida
  • Community Food Bank in Citrus, Hernando and Sumter counties
  • Heartland Food Bank, Highlands County
  • Boys & Girls Club of Central Florida

To learn more about assistance programs, visit Duke-Energy.com/HereToHelp.

Published January 17, 2024

Help keep beads out of the bay, and protect the ecosystem

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The Florida Aquarium is encouraging the community to join its crew in helping to keep beads out of the bay during Gasparilla festivities.

(Courtesy of The Florida Aquarium)

Revelers are asked to drop off beads collected during the celebrations at the aquarium for recycling. Supporters of this Bead-Free Bay initiative will receive 50% off one adult general admission ticket for every 5-gallon bucket of recycled beads delivered to the aquarium, according to a news release.

The promotion is available Jan. 20 through Feb. 11.

As part of The City of Tampa’s Bead-Free Bay initiative, the effort aims to help protect the  marine ecosystem. Gasparilla beads are not only harmful to wildlife, throwing beads into the Bay also is illegal according to Florida Statute 403.413, the release says.

All beads collected will be donated to the MacDonald Training Center, a nonprofit organization that helps adults with disabilities prepare for the workforce through vocational training, employment pathways, residential supports and life-enrichment opportunities. Workers will sanitize and repackage the beads for reuse at future events.

Following this year’s Gasparilla activities, divers from The Florida Aquarium and other organizations will participate in a bead cleanup. Hundreds of pounds of beads and debris are removed from local waters each year, the release says.

To learn more about Bead-Free Bay, visit FlAquarium.org/upcoming-events/gasparilla-bead-recycling/.

Published January 17, 2024

Samaritan Corporation seeks to enrich youths’ lives

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Samaritan Corporation of Pasco County Inc., (501c3), seeks “to foster social service initiatives that connect with the community, celebrate its cultural diversity, promote education, uphold spiritual values, and cultivate an authentic and enriching quality of life for all residents,” according to the Rev. Clyde E. Carter, who is the CEO of the program.

Carter recently reached out via email to The Laker/Lutz News to share information about opportunities offered through the organization’s three programs.

It has a “Blue Diamond Drumline,” which focuses on percussion, the rhythmic pulse of any band. It provides comprehensive training in the 26 rudiments of percussion and the art of reading music. The Drumline has begun instructional classes at Wesley Chapel District Park, 7727 Boyette Road, Wesley Chapel, with musicians ages 7 to 12.

The corporation also operates the Samaritan Corporation Learning Center, which offers after-school tutoring for elementary, middle and high school students. 

The center uses a combination of traditional teaching methods and computer-based learning labs to pursue effective learning for all. It offers one-on-one tutoring tailored to address specific needs.

It measures success by the students’ ability to complete classroom assignments and homework with 80% scoring accuracy. Our goal is to help each student achieve academic proficiency and build confidence in their abilities.

The Samaritan Golf Academy was designed to give young golfers a different outlook on sports. The program will open in March. Its mission is to “foster hidden talents, embrace social and cultural diversity, and instill spiritual values in every aspiring golfer.”

Samaritan will be hosting a registration for drumline, for kids ages 6 to 17, on Jan. 16, Jan. 17, Jan. 18, Jan. 23, Jan. 24 and Jan. 25 at Wesley Chapel District Park, 7727 Boyette Road, in Wesley Chapel. The program is year-round.

For more information about the Dade City-based organization, visit SamaritanCorp.org.

Published January 17, 2024

Pasco EDC announces promotions of key executives

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The Pasco Economic Development Council (Pasco EDC) has announced internal promotions to fill two key positions, according to a Pasco EDC news release.

Mike Bishop, previously director of stakeholder engagement, is now the economic development organization’s senior vice president.

Mike Bishop has been promoted to senior vice president of the Pasco Economic Development Council. Previously, he was director of stakeholder engagement. He also founded Big Storm Brewing, a company that expanded to 50 employees and won accolades for its quality. He joined Pasco EDC after selling the brewery. (Courtesy of Pasco Economic Development Council)

Tom Ryan, previously director of business development, is now the vice president of business.

Bishop graduated from the University of South Florida with a Bachelor of Science degree in finance, in 2006. He began his career as a financial advisor and then made a career shift, founding Big Storm Brewing in 2012, which was the first craft brewery in Pasco County.

Big Storm expanded its operations and garnered accolades, including being named the Best Beer in Florida in 2016, according to Pasco EDC news release, announcing his promotion. It also grew to 50 employees.

After selling his business, Bishop joined the Pasco EDC’s staff as director of stakeholder engagement.

In his new role, he will cultivate an internal culture of innovation, ensuring each team member is aligned, equipped, and continuously developed in keeping with the organization’s vision and objectives.

Bishop is highly engaged in the community, serving on the boards of the Pasco County Tourism Development Council, the Pasco Education Foundation and the United Way of Pasco. He also is a graduate of the Leadership Pasco Class of 2017 and the Pasco County Citizens Academy, and is a member of the Rotary Club of New Port Richey.

Tom Ryan has been elevated by the Pasco Economic Development Council to the position of senior vice president. He has had a hand in helping the economic development organization land a number of large businesses for Pasco County.

He lives in Land O’ Lakes with his wife, Erin, and three children — Angelo, Eric and Alessandra.
Ryan has had a hand in many of the big deals that have come Pasco County’s way.

He has more than 12 years of experience in economic development. His background in commercial real estate for 16 years provides him with invaluable tools to offer company executives, site consultants, real estate developers, and brokers when evaluating site specific needs of major companies considering upgrading and expanding their facilities.

His primary responsibilities include coordinating and implementing economic development strategies, confidential site analysis, regulatory assistance, compiling location data and qualifying projects for incentive programs designed to recruit new and expanding companies.

In 2021, Ryan achieved his goal of becoming a Certified Economic Developer (CEcD) from the International Economic Development Council and was honored to be named one of ConsultantConnect’s North America’s Top 50 Economic Developers.

He has been involved in helping the county attract major projects, including: 

Bauducco: This 403,000-square-foot bakery and distribution facility will create 600 new full-time jobs. It also represents $233 million in capital investment in building and machinery.

Gary Plastic Packaging Corp.: This 260,000-square-foot manufacturing facility is creating 555 new, full-time jobs resulting. It represents $66 million in capital investment in new building and machinery.

Santander Consumer, USA: This project will generate 875 new, full-time jobs and represents $22 million in capital investment. The project converted an 115,425-square-foot Target store into a professional office facility.

TouchPoint Medical, Inc.: This company located its 125,000-square-foot global headquarters and manufacturing facility in Pasco. The project resulted in the creation of 228 new executive, management, engineering and production jobs, and $23 million in capital investment for the building and machinery.

Mettler Toledo: This 250,000-square-foot office and manufacturing facility is producing 493 new, high-wage manufacturing and office support jobs, and generating $35 million in capital investment for the building and machinery.

TRU Simulation+Training: This 29,000-square-foot facility and simulator expansion is resulting in 212 new high-wage jobs and a capital investment of $40.8 million.

Ryan achieved his goal in 2021 of becoming a Certified Economic Developer (CEcD) by the International Economic Development Council and was honored to be named one of ConsultantConnect’s North America’s Top 50 Economic Developers.

Ryan lives in Wesley Chapel with his wife of 27 years, Caitlin, and has two adult sons. He is a graduate of The University of Dayton.

Published January 17, 2024

Pasco opioid task force members named

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The Pasco County Commission has appointed some new members and reappointed some former members to the Pasco County Opioid Task Force.

The committee advises the county board on expenditure of any regional funding the county receives in its role as a qualified county from the national prescription litigation.

The 12 members who will each serve a two-year term are:

  1. Glenn Traiger, community paramedic, Mobile Integrated Health Program, will serve as the Pasco County Fire Rescue fire chief’s representative/designee;
    2. Michelle Hudson, MSW, supervisor of social work, will serve as the Pasco County superintendent of schools representative/designee;
    3. Capt. Toni Roach will serve as the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office representative/designee;
    4. Paula Baracaldo, support services director, will serve as the assistant county administrator for the Public Services Branch’s representative/designee;
    5. Derek Brewer, Zephyrhills police chief, will serve as the City of Zephyrhills representative/designee;
    6. Trang Chitakone, administrator of the Pasco County Health Department, will serve as the Pasco County Florida Department of Health representative/designee;
    7. Joseph Resnick, CEO of Premier Community HealthCare, will serve as the subject-matter expert in public health or addiction who is employed by a provider of opioid-
    related services in Pasco County;
    8. Tracey Kaly, director of clinical operations at BayCare Behavioral Health, will serve as the subject-matter expert in public health or addiction who is employed by a hospital
    system operating in Pasco County;
    9. The Hon. Judge Shawn Crane, chief judge of the Sixth Judicial Circuit Court, will serve as the chief judge of the Sixth Judicial Circuit’s designee/representative;
    10. Parnia Roghani Shareef, co-chair of the Pasco County Alliance for Substance Addiction Prevention (ASAP) Opioid Committee, will serve as the Pasco Alliance for
    Substance Addiction Prevention (Pasco ASAP) representative/designee;
    11. Art Rowand, retired Pasco County Sheriff’s Office sergeant, will serve as the subject-matter expert in public health or addiction, who is retired.
    12. Lauren Letona, deputy chief of the City of New Port Richey, will serve as the City of New Port Richey representative/designee

Published January 17, 2024

Spotlight on Talent seeks competitors for 41st annual performance contest

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Young performers who want a chance to show off their musical, singing or other entertainment skills can take to the stage at the 41st annual “Spotlight on Talent.”

Showstoppers took first place among older competitors in the group competition with its musical theater number during a previous Spotlight on Talent. (File)

Winners of this talent show don’t walk away with giant cash prizes, but the regional competition does award $4,000 in cash prizes and trophies in several age categories, according to a news release from the Heritage Arts Center Association, which puts on the competition.

Those wishing to compete in this year’s event have until Jan. 25 to apply.

Auditions for the acts will be on Feb. 10 at the Center for the Arts at Wesley Chapel High School.

Hundreds of area students are involved each year, in the competition open to young people through high school seniors. The talent show gives young people a chance to show off their abilities, while also providing entertaining shows for the audience.

Contestants come from nearby Pasco communities and from as far away as Tampa, Brooksville and St. Petersburg. The contest attracts vocalists, dancers, instrumental musicians, piano players, baton twirlers, bands, gymnasts and all sorts of other entertainers.

Applications are available online at HeritageArts.org.

The two final shows will be on March 16, one beginning at noon and the other at 7 p.m..

The grand prize is a $1,000 scholarship, which will be awarded to a graduating senior who lives in Pasco and attains the highest score from the judges.

All styles of performing talents are accepted, both as solo acts and in groups. Paid professional judges select the finalists and winners.

If you would like to be a community sponsor, or if you have questions, contact Barbara Friedman, at 352-424-0135 or

Published January 17, 2024

Native plant group names president

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The Nature Coast Chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society has named Laurie Campbell as its new president for 2024, according to information provided by Molly Hays.

Campbell has lived in Florida since graduating from college, spending most of her time in Miami, where she taught high school art classes.

As a teacher, she also sponsored her school’s environmental club and also was the lead teacher in the Fairchild Challenge, a program orchestrated by Fairchild Gardens.

She became involved in the local Native Plant Chapter after moving to Lutz.

In the release, Campbell said: “I am continually impressed by the active group we have with so many dedicated members. I am truly honored to be president.”

Hays, the club’s outgoing president, added: “It has been a privilege to serve as your president for the past three years. My sincere thanks to the Nature Coast Chapter membership for your support.”

Published January 17, 2024

Pasco Schools adding capacity to address increasing enrollment

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As Pasco County continues to grow, questions are popping up regarding the school district’s ability to handle increased enrollment spurred by new development.

Jon Moody, who sits on the Pasco County Planning Commission, raised the issue during the planning board’s Dec. 7 discussion of a proposed change to the county’s comprehensive plan.

The request is being made to set the stage for a 200-unit townhome development and commercial uses, at U.S. 301 and Roanoke River Way, in Zephyrhills.

Moody asked Chris Williams, who sits on the planning board as the school district’s representative, about the planning report accompanying the request.

“It says right now that Chester Taylor is operating at 133%, it will be 136% with the next K through 8 opening in 2029, so is there anything on the horizon quicker to give relief to the elementary school?” Moody asked Williams.

Williams, who is the school district’s director of planning, told Moody that the district currently is in negotiations with the developer of Two Rivers, a massive project between Morris Bridge Road and U.S. 301, off State Road 56, in Wesley Chapel.

“I’m not sure how that is going to wind up,” Williams said. The district would like to build an entire campus on the Two Rivers’ property, but is aiming for at least a K-8 school there.

“We’re also getting ready to rebuild West Zephyrhills Elementary and completely build a brand-new school behind the current school, and add capacity to that. And that is projected to be done, probably 2025 or 2026,” Williams said.

“And potentially, when that reopens, my intention might be to rezone those schools: Woodland (Elementary), West Zephyrhills Elementary, Chester Taylor (Elementary) — and try to redistribute some of those populations,” Williams added.

The district also plans to add a wing to Chester Taylor Elementary to increase its capacity.

“Adding a wing (at Chester Taylor) won’t solve the problem in and of itself, but adding a wing and doing some rezoning will help us,” Williams said.

The school district planning director also noted that in the coming school year the district will open the new Kirkland Ranch K-8 magnet school on the campus of Kirkland Ranch Academy of Innovation, off Curley Road in the north part of Wesley Chapel, across from Epperson Ranch.

“That could have a little bit of impact on the Zephyrhills area,” Williams said. However, he added, it likely will have a far greater impact on the Wesley Chapel and San Antonio areas.

Two Rivers is already under development and those students will begin coming to Chester Taylor immediately, the school district planning director said.

Moody noted that given the current situation, the proposed land use change would exacerbate an existing problem.

Williams agreed, but said the district is working on solutions.

“Long term, I’m fine with this (proposed land use change), but, in the short term, we’re working on those plans (to increase capacity),” Williams said.

Published January 10, 2024

Florida activates new ‘Move Over for Me’ law

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With the start of the new year, new laws go into effect, including Florida’s enhanced Move Over law. Floridians have long been required to move over for first responders, tow trucks and municipal vehicles. Now, drivers are required to move over for a disabled vehicle displaying either its hazard lights, emergency flares or emergency signage, according to an AAA news release.

(Courtesy of AAA-The Auto Club Group)

Violators could be cited with a noncriminal moving violation and a fine of up to $158.

“AAA has advocated for a stronger move over law through our ‘Move Over for Me’ campaign, and are glad to see it come to fruition,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA – The Auto Club Group, in the release.

“The roadside is a dangerous place for anyone, whether it’s a first responder or a daily commuter. We hope this enhancement to the current law will save lives by reminding drivers to give extra space when passing anyone on the roadside,” said Jenkins.

AAA shares these safety tips for drivers and stranded motorists:

Drivers:

  • Remain alert, avoid distractions and focus on driving.
  • Keep an eye out for emergency vehicles, including tow trucks, that have their lights on as well as cars that have their flashers on. Move over one lane, and if you can’t move over, slow down to safely pass them.
  • Be a good passenger by helping to identify roadway issues.
  • Watch for people on the roadside that may be bent down by their vehicle, in front of the vehicle, or about to get in or out of the vehicle.

Stranded motorists:

  • Pull over as far on the shoulder as possible.
  • Turn hazard lights on.
  • If possible, safely make it to the next exit or stopping point.
  • Call for assistance by phone, website or AAA app.
  • Remain with your vehicle as long as it’s safe to do so.
  • If getting out of your vehicle, watch the oncoming traffic for a good time to exit and remain close to your vehicle. Avoid turning your back to traffic whenever possible.

For more information, visit AAA.com, or get the AAA mobile app.

Published January 10, 2024