The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Local News

Purple Heart veteran receives new home for the holidays

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Army Master Sgt. George Vera and his family have a new home in Land O’ Lakes — which they moved into in plenty of time for the holidays.

The home, at 4858 Lago Vista Circle, was given mortgage-free to Vera by Building Homes for Heroes, a nonprofit organization that builds and modifies homes to give to wounded veterans and their families.

Army Master Sgt. George Vera and his daughter and father look at the pool at the veteran’s new home in Land O’ Lakes. Vera, a Purple Heart recipient, received a mortgage-free home during a Dec. 1 celebration in Land O’ Lakes. (Courtesy of AT&T)

Vera, his wife, Angela, and their 11-year-old daughter toured the home for the first time on Dec. 1, during a ceremony to welcome the family into the Land O’ Lakes community, according to a news release from AT&T. AT&T Veterans, a group affiliated with AT&T, helped organize the welcoming celebration for Vera and his family.

Vera joined the military in 1995, and during his 20th year of service, his base came under attack from an improvised explosive device hidden in a vehicle driven by suicide bombers, the release said.

During his efforts to pull fellow wounded soldiers away from the enemy fire and secure their surroundings, Vera was shot. He suffered a spinal cord injury, partial loss of his vital organs and a traumatic brain injury. Because of his numerous injuries, Vera now is confined to a wheelchair. His home has been modified to fit his needs.

More than 15 AT&T employees — from Tampa, West Palm Beach, Orlando, Melbourne and Stuart — were at the welcoming celebration for Vera and his family, the news release said. Dozens of community members were there, too.

The AT&T volunteers set up nearly 200 American flags along the Vera family’s new street, decorated for the holidays inside the home and hosted a barbecue after the ceremony for everyone who attended, the release said.

The AT&T employees are members of AT&T Veterans, an employee group that supports AT&T’s veteran employees as well as other veterans.

In the news release, Sherry Simon, president of AT&T Veterans Florida/PR/VI, said members are proud to help with the homecoming ceremony for Vera and his family.

“We are grateful to have this opportunity to honor Army Master Sgt. Vera for his service and sacrifice, present him and his beautiful family with a housewarming gift, and offer them a warm welcome to the Land O’Lakes community,” Simon said.

Building Homes for Heroes has given homes and new opportunities to more than 100 families across the nation.

Published December 13, 2017

Shoppers had choices galore at Lutz Arts & Crafts Show

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First-year vendor Ray Williams, of Ocklawaha, takes a moment to straighten up a display of her hair pieces, called halos. Her motto is ‘since we weren’t born with halos, we have to make them.’ (Christine Holtzman)

The 38th annual Lutz Arts & Crafts Show attracted large crowds, during its two-day run Dec. 2 and Dec. 3 at Keystone Prep High School in Odessa.

The event featured more than 300 vendors, selling items ranging from photographs to shawls, metal and glass sculptures to gourmet sauces, local honey to kettle corn.

There were plenty of home décor items for sale, as well as holiday decorations and unique gift items.

The event is the largest annual fundraiser for the GFWC Lutz-Land O’ Lakes Woman’s Club, which uses the proceeds to support scholarships and myriad local community causes.

By Christine Holtzman

Published December 13, 2017

In his 19th year of participating in this show, Jim Murray, of Geneva, stirs this giant kettle as the intense heat rapidly pops kernels into kettle corn. He needs the protective gear to avoid injury from hot oil and sugar, if it splashes out.
Lonnie Smith, of Lady Lake, relaxes under the shade of his umbrella while showing off his yo-yo ballooning skills. Lonnie and his wife, Joan, have had a booth at the Lutz Arts & Crafts show for 10 years.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Debbie Wolfe, of Palm Harbor, tidies up her display of hand-crocheted washcloths. She was just a little girl when her aunt taught her to crochet, and she has been crocheting ever since.
Robin Ring, left, owner of Robyn’s Garden, answers questions from Dena Alessi-Bowden of Carrollwood, right, about her lawn art piece ‘Three Old Crows,’ as another customer Sandi Kaiser, of Holiday, listens.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Susan Scaglione, left, is all smiles as she sees the reflection of herself in the mirror, wearing a delicate blue shawl. The piece was created by Cecilia Lutke, right, who uses top quality Italian nylon and yarn to create her shawls. It takes between six hours and seven hours to make a shawl.
Emily Behnke, of Tampa, checks out a jewelry display while her 2 ½-month-old niece, Madelyn Fannin, chooses to snooze.

San Antonio celebrates an old-fashioned Christmas

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The Huron Family of twelve children and two parents perform spiritual Christmas Carols for the Sunday evening concert in the San Antonio park.   (Richard K. Riley)

About 100 people turned out to “Christmas in the Park,” a holiday celebration hosted by the Founders Garden Club of San Antonio.

The event, held Dec. 3 at San Antonio City Park, included the lighting of the Christmas cards and entertainment featuring the Huron Family. The family performed old hymns — harmonizing their voices and playing instruments.

Group members are Santiago Huron, the children’s father, and Ana, their mother, and children, Anita, Luke, Cilicia, Alexis, Olivia, Treasure, Paul, Santi, Jon-Michael, Peter, Samuel and Titus.

The event also featured free refreshments and a drawing for gift baskets.

Published December 13, 2017

Before the musical performance, 3-year-old Grace Couture and 4-year-old Lily Young, try to make ‘snow angels’ in the playground wood chip base and then pose for a photo.
Donna Clark and Blanton and Beth Tillack work the table, where free homemade cookies and hot cider were given to those attending Christmas in the Park. The event aims to offer families an old-fashioned Christmas gathering.

Have a very, merry — safe — holiday season

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It’s that time of the year that people enjoy purchasing presents for loved ones, and gathering with family and friends — but, it’s also a time when crime and accidents can ruin happy holiday plans.

So, here are some suggestions from Shawn Whited, division chief for Pasco Fire Rescue and Deputy Ron Buzzetto, of Pasco County Sheriff’s Office crime prevention division, which seek to help you have a safe and merry season.

Staying safe at home
Division Chief Whited offers these pointers for staying safe at home:

  • Inspect your electrical cords. Make sure they’re not frayed.
  • Do not overload outlets with too many electrical cords.
  • If using a living tree, be sure to keep it watered to prevent it from becoming a fire hazard.
  • When baking, be sure to pay attention, and don’t lose track of time. “You’d be surprised at how many house fires we go to that started with something in the oven that somebody forgot,” Whited said.
  • If using a turkey fryer, be sure to measure the oil correctly and use the proper temperature. Also, be sure the turkey has been thawed before cooking.
  • When using the fireplace, do not over pack it with materials, and make sure those materials fit in the fireplace. Do not burn wrapping papers, the embers can fly and can cause a fire. Also, the intensity of the heat from the wrapping paper could cause a chimney fire.
  • Be sure to extinguish candles, to avoid a potential fire.
  • If you like to place wrapped presents under the tree, be sure not to wrap any items that are harmful to your pets. For instance, chocolate is bad for dogs, but chances are your dog will sniff it out and get into it, if you wrap some and leave it under the tree.

Deputy Buzzetto adds these tips for staying safe on the home front:

  • Protect package deliveries. “This is a prime time of year for porch piracy,” Buzzetto said. Protect yourself by having those packages rerouted to your office, your neighbor or a family member if you won’t be at home to receive it. Otherwise, get a post office box.
  • Reduce home burglaries. “Most break-ins typically happen during the day, when folks are at work,” Buzzetto said. Some ways to reduce risks include using a home alarm system; keeping curtains and blinds drawn, to prevent would-be burglars from seeing your valuables; being sure your windows and doors are locked; making sure your vehicle’s doors are locked; joining a Neighborhood Watch, to help each other keep an eye out for suspicious characters.
  • Don’t open the door to strangers. Ask who it is through the door before deciding whether you want to answer it, Buzzetto said.

Staying safe while shopping
Deputy Buzzetto offers these reminders:

  • Be mindful of your surroundings, day or night.
  • Park in well-lit areas. Do not get out of your car if you feel unsafe.
  • Be sure your car is locked.
  • Carry only what you need. If you’re carrying a purse, you run the risk of having your purse snatched.
  • Do not place your purse in the trunk, while you are in plain view of others.
  • Do not carry a multitude of credit cards. If one credit card is enough, just take that.
  • Keep valuables in your car out of plain sight of potential criminals.
  • If you feel uncomfortable walking back to your car, go back to the store and ask for an escort.
  • Shop in pairs, if possible. You are less vulnerable to becoming a victim of crime.
  • When returning to your car, have your key fob ready. It can activate your car horn, which can deter criminals. Also, a small horn or whistle are other ways to make noise and deter criminals.

Avoid skimmers
Gas stations are a prominent place for card skimmers, so the best approach is to pay by credit inside the gas station, Buzzetto said.

Staying safe on the road
Both Whited and Buzzetto remind motorists to play it safe through defensive driving.

  • If someone starts following, Buzzetto said, call 9-1-1 and drive to an area where there are lots of people. Criminals are less likely to engage when there are witnesses.
  • If you have car trouble, try to get to a safe place off the road, Whited said. If it’s not possible to move your car to a safer location, get out of the car and move yourself to a safer location, Whited said.
  • Do not text or use your phone while driving, Buzzetto said. “Find a safe place. Pull over,” he said.
  • Be extra cautious on the road because there are more people out during the holidays, and this is the time of year when there are visitors in the area that are unfamiliar with area roads, Whited said. There are also returning snowbirds, and because of new construction, things don’t look the same as they did when they left, Whited said.

The bottom line, Buzzetto said, is to be sure to pay attention.

“This is ‘crime of opportunity’ season here, with the holidays,” he said.

“People are so consumed with their phone that they miss looking up, and looking around,” Buzzetto said. “Your personal safety is first and foremost. Property can be replaced. Purses can be replaced. Your personal safety has to be the priority.”

These are 10 tips to avoid fire dangers during the holidays
Hillsborough County Fire Rescue and the National Fire Protection Association offers these tips to help ensure your holiday plans don’t go up in smoke:

  • Have a fireplace chimney cleaned and inspected every year by a qualified professional.
  • Make sure a fireplace flue or damper is open before starting a fire. The opening draws smoke up the chimney and out of a building.
  • A fireplace must have a sturdy screen to stop sparks from flying into the room. Ashes should be cool before putting them in a metal container, which then is placed a safe distance from any residence.
  • Inside the home, install smoke and carbon monoxide detectors in every bedroom, and in hallways leading to bedrooms.
  • Keep anything that can burn at least 3 feet away from a fireplace or other indoor heating equipment such as a furnace, wood stove or portable space heater.
  • Have a 3-foot “kid-free zone” around fireplaces and fire pits.
  • Position a fire pit at least 10 feet away from any structure, combustible material, or neighboring yard.
  • Do not put a fire pit directly on a wooden deck or grass, or beneath eaves or low-hanging tree branches. Place the fire pit on a nonflammable surface, such as concrete or patio blocks.
  • Burn only dry and aged wood. Generally, hardwoods such as oak and maple are preferred. Properly cured, they release more heat and burn cleanly.
  • Never leave an active fireplace or fire pit unattended.

Published December 13, 2017

Young women get hands-on science experience

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The Perry Initiative held a one-day program at Medical Center of Trinity to give young women a hands-on experience in science, and to broaden their exposure to opportunities in the fields of orthopedic surgery and engineering.

Erin Sinnott said participating in The Perry Initiative at Medical Center of Trinity was ‘an amazing experience,’ far exceeding her expectations. (Courtesy of Medical Center of Trinity)

The event, which was last month and was co-sponsored by the Medical Center of Trinity, involved 40 young women selected to attend from 16 local high schools.

The students had a chance to learn from prominent women surgeons, engineers and business women in the field of orthopedics.

Women currently make up 7 percent of the surgeon and engineer workforce in the field of orthopedics, according to a news release from The Perry Initiative. The event was intended to help give participants exposure to potential careers options.

The students had the chance to perform surgical simulations to correct scoliosis deformity, to fix a broken leg and to repair a rotator cuff, according to the news release.

The day included lectures on engineering and orthopedics, the simulations and a question-and-answer session.

Land O’ Lakes, Sunlake and Steinbrenner were among the participating high schools.

Dr. Jennifer Cook, orthopedic surgery, was instrumental in bringing the program to the medical center.

Kylie Siminiski, a student at Steinbrenner High School, works with Dr. Jennifer Cook during a one-day program at Medical Center of Trinity aimed at giving young women exposure to the fields of engineering and orthopedic surgery.

Alyssa Kovacs, a junior at Land O’ Lakes High School, was impressed by the one-day program.

“I thought the experience was great. It definitely changed my mind about what I want to do.

“I knew I wanted to be a doctor working in a hospital … but, I didn’t think I wanted to go into ortho surgery. I never really thought about ortho surgery until The Perry Initiative.

“I really don’t know to explain it: It clicked something inside,” the high school junior said, in an interview after completing the program.

“It was a great experience, and it definitely changes how you see things,” Kovacs added.

Erin Sinnott, a senior at Sunlake High School, also gave high marks to the program.

“It was amazing. I wasn’t really expecting so much when I walked in,” Sinnott said.

“At first they showed us what we were doing, then we broke off into small groups, and we got to do it all by ourselves,” she said.

The experience has inspired her to consider the possibility of becoming an orthopedics surgeon, she said.

Published December 13, 2017

Legislative forum covers wide spectrum of issues

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Dozens of speakers signed up to draw attention to topics they think are important at Pasco County’s annual legislative delegation meeting.

The topics ranged from fracking to Medicaid; the opioid epidemic to immigration; medical marijuana to homelessness; and, scores of budget requests.

Some requests were for items vetoed by Gov. Rick Scott last year.

Pasco County Sheriff Chris Nocco, for instance, asked legislators to renew his request for $4.3 million for the Thomas Varnadoe Forensic Center for Education and Research.

From left: State Sen. Tom Lee, Rep. Richard Corcoran, Rep. Danny Burgess, Sen. Wilton Simpson and Rep. Amber Mariano
attend the Pasco County legislative delegation’s annual meeting to hear from local constituents about issues they’d like lawmakers to address during the 2018 legislative session. (Kathy Steele)

The Adam Kennedy Forensics Field, also known as a “body farm,” opened in May on land next to the Land O’ Lakes Detention Center, off U.S. 41. The facility is the seventh of its type in the nation.

Construction money is needed for the indoor forensic center. The complex is planned jointly with the sheriff’s office, Pasco County, Pasco-Hernando State College, and the University of South Florida’s Institute for Forensics and Applied Science.

“It is a critical piece for us,” Nocco said.

The sheriff also noted that there already are international inquiries regarding training opportunities.

The city of Zephyrhills also had a big-ticket request. It’s asking for $3.25 million to help build the Sarah Vande Berg Memorial Tennis Center.

The planned tennis center includes eight soft courts, two hard courts and nine pickle ball courts.

The city of Zephyrhills already has hired Pennsylvania-based Tennis P.R.O. LLC to operate and manage the complex.

A pro shop, a multipurpose community room and two offices also are planned.

“It’s gaining a lot of momentum,” said Todd Vande Berg, the city’s planning director. “It will bring in players from around the world, and Zephyrhills really will be a destination in the sports arena.”

The complex is named for Vande Berg’s daughter, a tennis scholarship student at University of South Carolina, who died in a car accident.

The annual legislative delegation meeting is a ritual that gives lawmakers a chance to find out what is on the minds of their constituents for the coming legislative year.

This year’s session was on Nov. 27 at the Wesley Chapel Center for the Arts, at Wesley Chapel High School.

More than 60 people signed up, with each allotted three minutes to address the legislators, who were seated at a table on the arts center’s stage.

Rep. Danny Burgess, the delegation’s chairman; Rep. Amber Mariano; and Sen. Wilton Simpson attended the entire meeting. Sen. Tom Lee and Rep. Richard Corcoran attended portions of the meeting. Sen. Jack Latvala was absent.

Afterward Burgess described the meeting as a fact-gathering session to help legislators deliberate on issues during the 2018 legislative session in Tallahassee.

“It’s important — with a state this big and statute books so voluminous —it’s impossible to know every issue,” Burgess said.

He also said people’s presence and participation are important.

“It’s a truly collaborative thing,” he said, noting, lawmakers will have more information “because people from our areas decided to take the time to come here.”

Along those lines, Debra Golinski asked lawmakers to provide funding for screening programs at Sertoma Speech & Hearing Foundation Inc.

She said about $750,000 is needed for a program to help hearing-impaired children, ages 3 to 6 years, “begin to listen and talk.”

Golinksi also asked legislators to support a bill to provide hearing aids for children.

Timothy Beard, president of Pasco-Hernando State College, said the college is expanding rapidly and needs about $3.7 million in additional funding for operations.

He said school enrollment has increased from about 1,800 three years ago to about 4,000 students now.

“The growth there has really been phenomenal. We really, really need the dollars,” Beard said.

Other agencies and nonprofits seeking state funds included the Gulf Coast Jewish Family & Community Services, the Area Agency on Aging of Pasco-Pinellas Inc., the Reach program with Pasco’s PACE Center for Girls, and the Pasco County Alliance for Substance Abuse Prevention, or ASAP.

Hot button political issues also came up.

James Brown, of the nonprofit Farmworkers Self Help, sought support for “DACA kids”, the children who are part of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program.

The federal program could be ended soon, leaving these children subject to deportation. They and their families harvested crops for years, Brown said.

“They did nothing more than work hard. We need to give these longtime families a place in the county. We’re not asking for budgetary concerns. We’re just asking for your compassion,” Brown said.

Several people also spoke on fracking, asking legislators to ban the practice in Florida.

Fracking is a process for pumping chemically treated high pressure water into a drilled pipeline to break through rock formations to tap into oil or natural gas reserves.

“Our message is simple,” said Brooke Errett, of Food & Water Watch. “Fracking doesn’t make sense.”

Legislators also got updates on initiatives under review at the federal level by U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis.

His aide, Summer Robertson, told them that Bilirakis is seeking

a balanced approach toward addressing the opioid crisis.

He wants an approach that helps people with opioid addiction but still gives people “with legitimate pain” access to medications, Robertson said.

Published December 6, 2017

Park and Bark is for those who love shopping, and dogs

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Tampa Premium Outlets has an extra attraction for shoppers who hate to leave their four-legged companions at home.

A new business, Park and Bark, gives shoppers a chance to leave their dogs with a pet sitter at the mall.

Owner Laura Vinogradov plans to open several Park and Bark services in Florida. For an hourly fee, shoppers at Tampa Premium Outlets can get short-term dog sitting at the mall. (Kathy Steele)

Park and Bark, which opened in mid-November, operates in a climate-controlled trailer in a parking area across from the McDonald’s restaurant.

Owner Laura Vinogradov is an animal lover providing what she believes is the first, and only, pet-sitting service of its kind in Florida.

“It’s an idea I’ve had for many years,” Vinogradov said. “So many services are coming to where people are. Why not dog sitting?”

Park and Bark is a very specific service.

“It’s not boarding. It’s not overnight. It’s not doggy day care,” Vinogradov said.

The service charges an hourly rate. Customers can drop off their dogs for up to two hours at a time.

If more shopping time is needed, owners must return to walk their dogs before heading off again to the mall.

One recent morning, Remy and Percy settled into their enclosed pods while their owner was shopping.

Remy, a 6-month-old Doberman Pinscher, waits in his pod at Park and Bark until his owner returns from shopping. The short-term dog sitting service is available at Tampa Premium Outlets.

Remy, a Doberman Pinscher puppy, playfully batted around a square container with hidden doggy treats. His Dachshund sibling, Percy, rested on a soft mat in his own pod.

Vinogradov has two large pods and four smaller ones, but there is room for expansion.

While this is the owner’s first Park and Bark, she anticipates taking her concept statewide.

Negotiations are ongoing for two additional locations at undisclosed sites. They could open in 2018.

“We all know the retail market is changing,” Vinogradov said. “Malls are looking for the next draw to set themselves apart for the next shopping experience. We see Park and Bark as added value for them,” she said.

Vinogradov is a world traveler with a background in journalism and nonprofits.

She also has years of experience in the pet care industry.

She previously operated The Barking Lot boarding kennel in Lutz for about six years.

She has bred and trained show dogs. And, she also worked with the Israeli Schutzhund Club, training dogs for search and rescue work.

She spent about 18 months researching and checking locations for Park and Bark, including Orlando.

“I really wanted to come back to Lutz,” Vinogradov said.

Percy the Dachshund waits patiently in his pod at Park and Bark while his owner shops at Tampa Premium Outlets.

The outlet mall, and her former neighborhood, fell into place as the best location.

The mall sits at the crossroads of State Road 56 and Interstate 75, where residential and commercial growth are spreading.

Vinogradov figures local residents can take advantage of the dog-sitting service, but she thinks vacationers will, as well.

Travelers with their dogs on board, can hop off I-75 for a breather, or to indulge in a shopping spree or have a meal in a sit-down restaurant.

Most of the time, families would have to take turns caring for their dogs while others shopped or dined. Or, families would have to go to the drive-through window for fast food.

With Park and Bark, people and pets can enjoy their visit, Vinogradov said.

“Pets become like children,” she said. “They (pet owners) want to travel with their dogs and keep them close.”

For information, call Vinogradov at (813) 600-7985, or email .

Published December 6, 2017

New connection being eyed between Mansfield and Kinnan

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Pasco County officials aren’t taking a position as yet on tearing away barricades, and connecting Kinnan Street and Mansfield Boulevard.

Hillsborough County officials, however, are budgeting $250,000 to get the job done.

Some residents worry about safety issues for schools if Kinnan Street, in Hillsborough County, and Mansfield Boulevard, in Pasco County, are linked. (File)

Hillsborough’s budget decision won’t influence Pasco’s decision, according to Pasco County Commissioner Mike Moore.

Pasco wants to know the results of a study that it funded to evaluate the pros and cons of three road projects to extend or open roadways that dead-end at the border between the two counties.

The results of that study, known as the Wesley Chapel Roadway Connection Study, are expected in January.

“We’re evaluating to make sure we look at these very, very carefully,” Moore said. “What are the benefits for Pasco County residents?”

Hillsborough County Commissioner Ken Hagan, who asked for the funds to be included in Hillsborough’s budget, couldn’t be reached for comment.

One project under review would link Kinnan Street, in Hillsborough County, with Mansfield Boulevard, in Pasco County.

Other choices would be extensions to Wyndfields and Meadow Pointe boulevards that would link with existing and future roads in the K-Bar ranch development in Hillsborough County.

Barricades are placed at the dead-end where Kinnan Street and Mansfield Boulevard meet. A study could determine whether the roads are removed and the roads linked.

The matter of Kinnan and Mansfield has long divided the two counties, and the city of Tampa. The roads are divided by about 60 feet of vacant land, that frequently attract illegal dumping.

A forum in April drew about 100 people to discuss ways to improve traffic flow north and south across the borders.

There appears to be a general consensus that more connections are needed. But, there are differing views over where to build those connections. The potential Kinnan-Mansfield connection is especially contentious.

Mansfield is located off State Road 56 in Wesley Chapel, just beyond The Shops at Wiregrass.

Many residents in the Meadow Pointe community object to the extension, contending that Kinnan’s two-lane design isn’t compatible with Mansfield’s four lanes.

Widening Kinnan also is problematic because there in no available land, they say.

Residents also cite safety concerns due to the location of three public schools, and Pasco-Hernando State College, along the route.

Moore said the safety issue is being examined.

The road connection study, which had been due in November, was pushed to January to include traffic data from a full school semester.

Hillsborough residents, primarily New Tampa, are pushing for more north-south connections.

Driving in the area now can mean navigating a circuitous route along County Line Road, Bruce B. Downs Boulevard, Cross Creek Boulevard and Morris Bridge Road.

The lack of connections means it can take twice as long to make trips to shopping centers, restaurants and other Wesley Chapel destinations, those favoring more connections say.

The lack of connections also has negative impacts on Hillsborough businesses, they add.

Published December 6, 2017

Traditions on the Green attracts hundreds

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A crowd estimated at about 400 enjoyed pleasant weather for Traditions on the Green, a concert featuring local music and dance groups.

The sun sets behind Heritage Stage just as the Lake Myrtle Elementary School’s Terrapin Sound Machine took the stage. (Christine Holtzman)

The free family event was presented by the Heritage Park Foundation and the Wesley Chapel Noon Rotary Club Land O’ Lakes Satellite.

It was the first time the annual Traditions on the Green was held on the newly built Heritage Stage, a project that was years in the making.

The Lake Myrtle chorus, the Land O’ Lakes High School and the Pine View Middle School bands performed, and Pine View Middle’s dance team entertained the crowd, too.

Before the concert began, those attending could play games, kids could jump in a bouncy house and tickets were sold for a raffle.

By Christine Holtzman

Published December 6, 2017

Ephram Howell, 4 ½ months old, gets a hug from Santa, being played by Les Saland. Les Saland said that Santa’s hugs are the best hugs in the whole world.
Ashley Jimenez and Ramon Jimenez pose for a fun snowman picture.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Brielle Wilkinson, age 8, shares with excitement what her wishes are for Christmas with Sister Knudsen of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Jared Morrison of Spring Hill competes in a game of cornhole.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Camryn Zipperer, age 10, left; and her friends Loren Ratchford, 8, middle; and Hannah Small, age 10; relax on their blanket while enjoying their shaved ice treat.
Casey Armstrong and daughter Chloe, age 7, share a tender moment during the last performance of the evening.

Pasco County Commission selects new chairman

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Mike Wells Jr., took the helm as chairman of the Pasco County Commission in a vote taken Nov. 28 in New Port Richey.

The District 4 county commissioner replaces Pasco County Commissioner Mike Moore who served as chairman during the past year.

Pasco County Commission Chairman Mike Wells Jr.

The position typically rotates year-to-year among the commissioners.

Duties include leading county commission meetings and being the public face of the board as a whole.

Pasco County Commissioner Ron Oakley, who is in his first term on the board, got the nod from fellow commissioners to be vice chairman.

Wells was elected to the board in 2014 after defeating incumbent Pasco County Commissioner Henry Wilson.

Wells, who is Republican, has filed for re-election in November 2018.

Democrat Brandi Geoit also has filed to run in that race.

Wells’ father is Mike Wells Sr., who served on the county board in the 1980s and later as the county’s property appraiser.

Wells worked for Enterprise Rent-A-Car for many years before becoming a Realtor.

Oakley won the District 1 election in 2016 and replaced former Commissioner Ted Schrader who decided not to seek re-election and, instead, made an unsuccessful run for county property appraiser.

Previously, Oakley served on the Southwest Florida Water Management District’s board as treasurer, vice chairman and chairman.

Published December 6, 2017