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Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Local News

CSX studying fix for malfunctioning crossing arms

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CSX Corporation is looking into how to repair the malfunctioning railroad crossing arms on State Road 54, at U.S. 41, said Kris Carson, spokeswoman for the Florida Department of Transportation’s District 7 office.

Once a repair plan is developed, “the state will participate in funding the repair,” Carson said.

It is not known yet what will be required to fix the problem, how much it will cost or when it will be completed — but there’s no doubt the issue has generated calls for action.

Malfunctioning railroad crossing arms on State Road 54, at the intersection of U.S. 41, pose a public safety hazard and an inconvenience, according to the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office and U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis. Efforts have begun to address the problem. (B.C. Manion)

Jeremiah Hawkes, of the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office, outlines the problem in a June 5 letter to Ellen M. Fitzsimmons, a vice president with CSX Corporation.

“The crossing arm has become a major safety concern as there have been 16 malfunctions of the crossing signal in the previous year,” wrote Hawkes, bureau chief in the management services bureau for the sheriff’s office.

“During each malfunction, the crossing bar lowers when there is no approaching train. These events frequently occur after a rainstorm, which is a frequent occurrence in this area.”

Hawkes also noted the importance that State Road 54 plays in Pasco County’s transportation network.

“State Road 54 is one of the only two existing east-west arterials traversing Pasco County,” he wrote. “State Road 54 also provides connections to several major regional north-south routes, including U.S. Highway 19, the Suncoast Parkway, U.S. Highway 41, U.S. Highway 301 and U.S. Highway 98.”

U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis, who represents Florida’s 12th congressional district, weighed in on the issue in a July 19 letter to Cindy Sandborn, chief operating officer of CSX Corporation.

“These roads (State Road 54 and U.S. 41) serve as an important hub for commuters with approximately 100,000 vehicles traversing the intersection on a daily basis,” Bilirakis wrote.

He also noted that State Road 54 “serves as one of only two existing east-west evacuation routes that carry the county’s over 218,000 coastal evacuation area residents to I-75 in the event of an emergency.”

Bilirakis also noted, “if these crossing arms were to malfunction during a severe weather threat, tens-of-thousands of Pasco residents could be trapped on the roads during an emergency evacuation.”

When the malfunctions occur, the sheriff’s office must respond to manage traffic until a repair can be made, Hawkes noted.

“I am sure you agree this is a serious safety concern for citizens traveling through this intersection and the surrounding area,” Hawkes added.

Both letters urge a swift response to solve the problem.

“The safety of our residents is of the upmost concern,” Bilirakis states.

Capt. Eric Seltzer, District 2 field operations commander in the sheriff’s office, noted other problems posed by the malfunctioning crossing arms.

They prevent the sheriff’s office from being able to respond to calls.

“It could be a crime in progress. It could be a crisis,” he said.

The malfunctioning arms also block first responders from reaching fires, accident victims and other medical calls, he noted.

“Our No. 1 priority is the safety of our citizens,” Steltzer said.

Beyond potential public safety issues, the malfunctioning crossing arms also pose an inconvenience to thousands of motorists who are using the roads, Seltzer said.

Garrick Francis, who works in federal affairs for CSX, responded to Bilirakis’ letter.

An internal CSX team coordinated a diagnostic review at the crossing on July 11 to determine what steps could be taken to correct the issues brought to CSX’s attention by the Pasco Sheriff’s Office letter, Francis wrote.

Representatives at that review included representatives from CSX, the Florida Department of Transportation, the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office, Pasco County’s Traffic Control, and RW Summers Inc. Railroad Construction.

Francis explained that a state project was done in July 2016 to install a new road surface using the TUB system, which is essentially 10-foot-long or 20-foot-long concrete panels that are installed to provide a suitable highway surface.

Prior to the installation of the TUBs, there were not false or partial activations of the crossing gates, Francis wrote.

The focus of the review “was to determine how to correct this crossing as quickly and reliably as possible, but also what could be done to mitigate the occurrences such as these at other locations on future installations,” Francis explained.

A team is working to find a solution, he wrote.

“We recognize the inconvenience that this problem has caused and are working collaboratively with the state and other key stakeholders to develop a permanent solution,” Francis wrote.

Published August 16, 2017 

Singing hopefuls flock to Tampa Bay Idol

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When 15-year-old Julia Toussaint learned American Idol auditions were coming to Wesley Chapel, she couldn’t pass up the chance at stardom.

“I told my voice teacher, ‘We have to do it,’” said Toussaint, a sophomore at Tarpon Springs High School.

Christine LaButay (bottom, left), of Wesley Chapel, waits for her daughter, (second from left) Joelle LaButay,17, to finalize registration for a chance to let the judges hear her sing acapella during the 45-second audition for Tampa Bay Idol, a semifinal for the show, American Idol. Christine selected a jazz piece by Amanda Seyfried, called ‘Mean Ol’ Man.’ (Fred Bellet)

Toussaint, who began singing as a 5-year-old, was one of 400 preregistered contestants selected for “Tampa Bay Idol” auditions, held Aug.12 at Florida Hospital Center Ice.

Like others, Toussaint was looking to strike fame via the hit television show that has launched the singing careers of Carrie Underwood, Kelly Clarkson and countless others.

“I’m hoping to pursue (singing),” Toussaint said. “I mean, I’ve been doing it my whole life — a lot of community theater, choir.”

The daylong event was hosted by ABC Action News and Tampa Bay’s Morning Blend.

Auditions began at 7:45 a.m., and continued late into the afternoon.

Ages and backgrounds of contestants varied. Singing styles did, too, ranging from pop and country, to soul and R&B.

While tryouts were closed to the general public and the media, ABC Action News and Tampa Bay’s Morning Blend were on hand for constant event updates.

Contestants each had 45 seconds to belt out an acapella tune, in front of a panel of celebrity judges — a mix of television and radio personalities, and former Idol contestants.

Following each performance, hopefuls were critiqued on voice quality, stage presence, star power and so on.

Signage brightens the Aug. 12 Tampa Bay Idol auditions held at Florida Hospital Center Ice, in Wesley Chapel. Some 400 hopefuls tried to capture the judges’ attention during a 45-second audition.

The fortunate ones received a pass to go to the head of the line at the upcoming regional American Idols auditions in Orlando on Aug. 17. The “Front of the Line” ticket guarantees a chance to be seen by show producers without waiting in the long lines; no word has yet been given on how many contestants received passes.

“The requirements are pretty high and pretty stiff to get through,” said Dennis Elsbury, director of multimedia marketing for ABC Action News.

Throughout the day, Idol hopefuls expressed feelings of excitement, anxiousness and nervousness, as they patiently waited for their shot, alongside the accompaniment of family and friends.

A few spent downtime rehearsing vocals and reviewing lyrics.

Others, like Zephyrhills resident Heather Bergthold, remained discreet, trying to manage tensions.

“I’m more excited than anything; I’m trying to cover up the nervousness,” said Bergthold, as she waited in line.

With auditions in nearby Wesley Chapel, Bergthold couldn’t resist the chance to show off her singing talents, especially with the support from her friends.

Gabriel ‘Mac’ Artis, 18, of Tampa, accompanied his friend, Trinity Lasing, 17, also of Tampa. Artis dressed warm because he expected it to be cold at the Florida Hospital Center Ice venue and he wanted to be prepared. Lasing sang, ‘Almost is Never Enough,’ by Ariana Grande.

“It’s a good thing they came back with it,” she said, “because I promised a ton of people I’d do it.”

She added: “Everybody kept telling me all these different seasons, ‘You need to try out,’ and I was like, ‘Oh, no.’ But, then I was like, ‘If they come back, then I’ll try out.’”

The Idol audition wasn’t a first for St. Petersburg’s Sierra Davis, however.

The 18-year-old tried out in past seasons, including the Tampa Convention Center in 2015. She also performed at an open Idol audition in Gainesville.

“I feel like I’ve been waiting for this (opportunity) for so long, so I’m hoping this will be my shot,” Davis said prior to her tryout.

Despite missing the cut twice before, Davis remained upbeat, and confident in her abilities.

“I have plenty of (singing) experience,” she said, assuredly. “I graduated (high school) musical theater. I was a dancer in middle school, and a singer all my life; I’ve been in a couple of productions.”

Elsewhere, Valrico’s Dennis Tomy was just happy to participate, realistic about the odds of winning.

Before his audition, the 17-year-old said he “felt blessed” to even be selected for the competition.

“I don’t think I’m the best singer,” he said, “but I’m going to try my best.”

After 15 years on the Fox network, and a one-year hiatus, American Idol is returning to television on ABC in Spring 2018.

Ryan Seacrest will return as host. Katy Perry is confirmed as one of the Idol judges. Others in the mix to join Perry include Lionel Richie, Luke Bryan and Charlie Puth.

Should a Tampa Bay area contestant reach the national stage, the network could air the audition footage from the Aug. 12 event.

“If somebody makes it far enough, they’ll reach back into our archives,” said Elsbury, who helped coordinate Tampa Bay Idol. “I don’t want to overplay it because they’re going through hundreds and hundreds of people, and they’re doing this across the country.”

Besides showcasing local talent, Tampa Bay Idol offered an opportunity to promote Wesley Chapel.

Pasco County Commission Chairman Mike Moore called the event “a great opportunity for the county.”

“For people outside of the area, we get to highlight our county, which is nice,” said Moore, who spent the morning greeting contestants and their families.

Meanwhile, Florida Hospital Center Ice, which opened its 150,500-square-foot ice rink and sports complex in January, proved to be a worthy host site.

“When we came and saw the layout of the building and how it works, it’s a really unique venue and really good for accommodating a lot of people,” Elsbury said. “A lot of events could be here.”

Published August 16, 2017

This kiosk offers a dough-licious new treat

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Trey Seaholm and Cary Sanchez weren’t looking for a life-changing leap into adventure.

He’s an electrician.

She’s a clinical technician.

And, they’re the new owners of The Happy Dough.

Lutz resident Trey Seaholm and Cary Sanchez are owners of The Happy Dough, a kiosk that sells edible cookie dough at Tampa Premium Outlets. (Kathy Steele)

The couple sells edible cookie dough by the ice cream scoop at a kiosk at Tampa Premium Outlets, off State Road 56.

Eat it raw. Take it home to bake. Or, mix it with other desserts.

Cookie dough, that forbidden fruit of childhood, is the newest trend in sweet treats.

Recipe changes – using pasteurized eggs/heat treated flour – make the difference.

There’s no more need to sneak sticky-finger globs from a mixing bowl.

“We thought it was a wonderful, unique idea,” Sanchez said.  “It’s now safe to lick the bowl.”

Do, a shop near Greenwich Village in New York City, gets credit for pioneering edible cookie dough. Its customers line up out the door. Its reputation is spurring others to catch cookie dough’s rising star.

Seaholm, Sanchez and Seaholm’s mother, Debra Fuxan, hopped a flight to the Big Apple for a visit to Do. They came away persuaded that Tampa Bay needed cookie dough.

“I have entrepreneurial spirit,” said Seaholm. “I see all kinds of ideas and think I can do it all.”

Seaholm began researching the idea.

“He was talking about it. He was so excited,” Sanchez said. “He was the engine.”

Everyone pitched in to try out recipes that met the taste test, including Fuxan, who is a Realtor in Lutz.

That took months.

On a whim, the couple visited the outlet mall and met with, by chance, Stacy Nance, the mall’s manager.

It was a Saturday, when Nance normally wouldn’t be on site.

“She loved the concept,” Sanchez said. “She wanted something here.”

A kiosk spot happened to be open across from Skechers and PacSun.

The couple felt something more than chance put them in the right place at the right time. Their Christian faith is a guide.

“This is from the Lord that this is happening,” Sanchez said.

She and Seaholm plan to marry and blend their families. She has 11-year-old twin daughters, and a four-year-old son. He has two daughters, ages 9 and 11.

From opening day on July 25 to the grand opening on Aug. 4, The Happy Dough has met the couple’s expectations, and more.

Still, there is a learning curve, but in a good way.

Seaholm bought nearly 5,000 cups to serve up the dough for the first month. Sales were brisk from Day 1.

On grand opening day, the cups ran out, forcing Seaholm to rush over to Costco Wholesale to restock.

Sanchez estimates that more than 800 people bought cookie dough that day. Sometimes the lines were 20 to 30 people deep, she said.

The dough is mixed at a local commercial kitchen.

About 10 flavors, and one gluten-free flavor are available. But, the couple welcomes flavor suggestions from customers. They also are beginning to try to perfect a vegan recipe.

It’s a family commitment with Fuxan, and even, Sanchez’ brother and sister-in-law doing their part.

Sanchez takes charge of social media including The Happy Dough’s Facebook and Instagram sites. Seaholm is full-time at the kiosk. Sanchez works at Moffitt Cancer Center, and helps out as her schedule permits.

This is only the beginning, family members said.

As time goes on, they would like to see their kiosk grow into a brick-and-mortar storefront at the mall.

Published August 16, 2017

Commission on the Status of Women sets up task forces

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The Commission on the Status of Women is ready to begin drilling down into issues that affect women and their families.

The task force met on Aug. 7 to finalize appointments to three task forces that will spend the next months on fact-finding and prioritizing issues.

The task forces will study health and safety; education; and, economic prosperity and its promotion.

Commission members will meet again in October to hear reports from the task forces and decide where to focus their efforts.

In its first year, the women’s commission likely will narrow issues to one or two that are manageable.

The goal is for the women’s commission to make recommendations to the Pasco County Commission on actions it can take to improve women’s lives.

“We have to be realistic about our focus,” said Amanda Colon, chairwoman of the group. “We won’t accomplish much if we spin off into 80 different directions.”

Pasco County commissioners created the 15-member Commission on the Status of Women in 2016 as an advisory board.

Some issues raised at prior meetings include domestic and sexual violence, mental health, financial literacy, grandparents as caregivers for grandchildren, homelessness, affordable housing, and the epidemic of drugs, pills and alcohol.

County commissioners appointed five of the women’s commission members, with 10 selected from area agencies, schools and nonprofits. They are African-American Club of Pasco County Inc., Hispanic Professional Women’s Association Inc., Metropolitan Ministries, Pasco Economic Development Council, Pasco-Hernando State College, Saint Leo University, Sunrise of Pasco County Inc., the United Way of Pasco County Inc., Pasco County Sheriff’s Office, and Women Lawyers of Pasco Inc.

Meetings are open to the public.

The next meeting is scheduled for Oct. 2 from 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m., at the county’s Utilities Administration Office, at 19420 Central Blvd., off U.S. 41, in Land O’ Lakes.

For information on the women’s commission, visit PascoCountyFl.net.

Published August 16, 2017

Ringing in a new school year in Pasco County Schools

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Parents and students stream toward Bexley Elementary School, a school that had its first ‘first day of school’ on Aug. 14. (B.C. Manion)

Pasco County public school students began a new school year on Aug. 14, and some of those students headed to schools that were opening for the first time.

At Bexley Elementary, in Land O’ Lakes, parents and children appeared eager to begin a new year, in a new school.

The message on the school’s marquee was summed up in three words: “Believe. Engage. Succeed.”

Cypress Creek Middle High School students make their way to their second class on the first day of school on the new campus in Wesley Chapel.

 

Things were running smoothly at Cypress Creek Middle High in Wesley Chapel.

Students streamed across campus for their second-period class. Most appeared to know where they were heading, but for those who were lost, there was plenty of help.

“I can help. If you need help, I can help,” Tico Hernandez, the school’s Graduation Enhancement teacher called out, as students changed classes.

Published August 16, 2017

 

First Day photos

Kate and Sean Cancelliere are in line with their son, Maxx, waiting for the first day of school at Bexley Elementary. Maxx was excited to be heading to kindergarten, in a class taught by Sarah Johansen.

We know that you took them, so why don’t you share them?

It’s an annual tradition for many families to take ‘First Day of School’ photos.

We’d love to share some of your photos with our readers.

The number of photos we will be able to publish depends how many we receive, the quality of the photo and whether we have sufficient information.

If you would like your photo to be considered, please email us a digital copy. Include the name or names of the student, the grade of the student or students, and what school they attend. Also include contact information, in case we need to get back to you.

Finally, feel free to send us your photos whether you took them at home before leaving for school, or whether you took them at the school itself.

Please submit the photos by Aug. 25 by emailing them to .

Get your ‘Greek’ on in Tarpon Springs

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If you’re looking for a quick getaway that offers a chance to experience Greek culture without leaving the Sunshine State, you may want to check out Tarpon Springs.

This statue of a sponge diver provides a sense of history at the marina. (B.C. Manion)

Besides having a chance to sample sweets from Greek bakeries, or dine on more substantial fare at Greek restaurants, you can learn about the sponge-harvesting industry that played a starring role in this community’s history.

The Sponge Docks, situated on Dodecanes Boulevard, is a great place to get a taste of what Tarpon Springs has to offer.

You can get a feel for the community’s history at the Spongeorama Sponge Factory, at 510 Dodecanese Blvd., which offers a free movie and museum about sponge diving.

Tarpon Springs offers plenty of opportunity for visitors to relax and chat with friends.

And, while the sponge industry isn’t what it once was, you can still see men tossing sponges on the docks, or take a boat ride to see a sponge diver in action.

For those with other interests, there are dolphin cruises available, and sport fishing, as well.

And, there are scores of specialty shops, too.

The Spiceman’s Kitchen, at 815 Dodecanese Blvd., for instance, offers more than 300 hot sauces, 50 barbecue sauces and marinades, and a variety of seasonings, rubs, pickled vegetable, jams, jellies and other items.

And, not far from there, you’ll find The Spice & Tea Exchange of Tarpon Springs, at 824 Dodecanes Blvd. It offers a selection of spices, custom blends, loose-leaf teas, sea and mineral salts, and other goods.

Sorting sponges at the Sponge Docks is a regular activity in Tarpon Springs.

There also are a number of shops selling soaps and skin care products, including Katherine’s Gifts Natural Skin Care, at 628 Athens St.

If you’re seeking spiritual refreshment, there’s St. Michael’s Shrine, at 113 Hope St., a small chapel built by a family in thanksgiving for the recovery of a young son who was near death.

Many linger in the serene setting, where they light candles for their intentions and gaze at the icons covering its walls.

St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Cathedral, at 36 N. Pinellas Ave., offers another sacred place in the city. It was designed as a replica of St. Sophia of Constantinople.

It’s easy to get around this Pinellas County community that’s situated off the Anclote River, and there are plenty of special events offered there throughout the year. For more information about upcoming events, visit SpongeDocks.net.

Shaping a vision for transportation in Pasco

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The next phase in a transportation vision for Tampa Bay took a local turn into Pasco County.

More than 30 residents from Pasco and Hernando counties met on Aug. 3 as a “working group” tasked with recommending future transportation decisions. The Florida Department of Transportation hosted the event at the Myrtle Lake Baptist Church in Land O’ Lakes.

Ed McKinney, planning and environmental administrator for the Florida Department of Transportation’s District 7 office, in Tampa, met with more than 30 residents from Pasco and Hernando counties to talk about Tampa Bay Next. The initiative seeks to develop a transportation plan for Interstate 275. (Richard Riley)

The Community Working Group session was open to the public. It is one in a series of meetings in the Tampa Bay region as part of the Tampa Bay Next initiative. A regional meeting in Tampa kicked off the new initiative in May.

There are six working groups in total, representing geographic areas of the region.

Tampa Bay Next replaces the controversial Tampa Bay Express project that would have built new toll and express lanes along about 90 miles of Interstate 275, from Manatee County to Pasco County.

One segment of the project remains.

The state transportation department plans to build a replacement bridge for the Howard Franklin bridge, which links Pinellas and Hillsborough counties.

That bridge replacement will include four multipurpose lanes and two express lanes.

But, the state roads department wants public input during the next two years for a new road project on I-275. The goal is to have plans ready by 2019.

Based on reactions to Tampa Bay Express, residents are tired of focusing only on car-driven road projects, said Ed McKinney, planning and environmental administrator for FDOT’s District 7 office, in Tampa.

New Port Richey resident Kelly Miller talks about priorities for Tampa Bay Next. Miller participated on one of five teams that held break-out sessions to come up with recommendations on transportation needs along Interstate 275, and in Pasco County.

Tampa Bay Next is meant to start conversations.

“We’re not going to show you any projects,” McKinney said. “We’re not going to show you any plans…We hear over and over we need to be thinking differently. People who say that are absolutely right,” he said.

Some of the trouble spots already identified in Pasco include the State Road 56 interchange on Interstate 75, the east/west corridor of State Road 54 and State Road 56, the intersection of State Road 54 and U.S. 41, and the lack of transit options.

At the working group sessions, people divided into five teams that prioritized transportation needs. They also made organizational decisions for future meetings.

As a group, they voted on priorities, based on a compiled list of recommendations from every team.

Top priorities included:

  • Adding light rail, possibly on U.S. 301 and the State Road 56 extension, and more bus service to destinations and high traffic areas
  • Converting CSX rail lines for passenger service
  • Providing Bus Rapid Transit, or BRT, to serve the area

The session also produced a longer list of traffic problems people want addressed.

Requests and complaints included:

  • I-75 and State Road 56 – fix it
  • I-75 and Overpass Road – do it
  • State Road 54 and U.S. 41 intersection – fix it
  • Put multi-use trail on one side of State Road 56 extension and let it meander
  • More park and ride facilities
  • Extend Tower Road to State Road 589 and widen U.S. 41 – Yay Bexley!
  • Most of east Pasco is shoved onto I-75
  • Too many (development) entitlements on State Road 54
  • Plan for more recreational and bicycle trails

Once priorities were decided, Land O’ Lakes resident Jack George posed a question during public comment.

“What is the end game here? What is the objective?” he said. “I haven’t heard that tonight and, without a goal, I don’t know how to get there.”

McKinney said the state department of transportation planned a series of video “primers” to provide information on a broad range of topics, including how projects get funded. The primers hopefully will educate people on issues such as how projects are developed and funded, and allow for “longer conversations.”

The videos will be posted online, McKinney said.

David West, left, and Judy Geiger discuss a transportation vision for Interstate 275, and Pasco County, at a public meeting hosted by the Florida Department of Transportation.

Tampa Bay Next isn’t the only transportation initiative in Pasco.

Kris Hughes, the county’s planning and development director, offered perspective on some ongoing efforts.

For example, vision planning for State Road 54 and State Road 56 is entering a second phase, with a public meeting on Aug. 24 at 5:30 p.m., at the Pasco Utilities Administration Building, off U.S. 41.

The county is partnering in that effort, while also completing a separate planning study in the area.

Hughes also noted that new technology, including driverless cars, will be part of new development in the Connected City corridor in northeast Pasco.

“This is a very complex, very intricate system of efforts,” Hughes said.

Published August 9, 2017

Unstable sinkhole claims seven homes

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Pasco County building inspectors have condemned five additional homes — because of recent destabilization of a sinkhole on Ocean Pines Drive in Land O’ Lakes.

Pasco County officials say the sinkhole grew another 30 feet, to a diameter of around 260 feet, after a bank on the western edge—closest to Lake Saxon — collapsed between the evening of Aug. 3 and the morning of Aug. 5.

Previously, the sinkhole measured between 225 feet wide to 235 feet wide and approximately 50 feet deep.

Ceres Environmental Services, the main debris removal contractor, worked throughout much of the weekend on cleanup and recovery efforts. Besides debris removal and disposal, Ceres will pump and remove contaminated water, and stabilize the sinkhole as needed with granular fill, over the next several weeks. (Courtesy of Pasco County)

The recent destabilization may have resulted from seismic vibrations caused by heavy construction equipment operating nearby the site, according to Kevin Guthrie, the assistant county administrator for public safety.

He reassured the sinkhole is not active, based on information he’s received from geo-engineers and other experts.

“We did anticipate that we were going to have potential problems (during cleanup),” Guthrie said.

The widening temporarily halted cleanup operations and forced building inspectors to condemn five more homes, which show signs of foundation shifts and compromised structural integrity.

The recent destabilization of the sinkhole was the first documented movement since July 19, when the perimeter widened by approximately 10 feet, after sand erosion just below the ground surface dried and collapsed into the hole.

The sinkhole originally opened July 14 in the Lake Padgett community.

Officials say that most of the sinkhole is about 180 feet wide. Its current depth has not been verified.

On the day that the sinkhole opened, it engulfed the properties at 21825 Ocean Pines Drive and 21835 Ocean Drive.

The five additional homes that have met the criteria for demolition are:

  • 21815 Ocean Pines Drive
  • 21814 Ocean Pines Drive
  • 3153 Canal Place
  • 21748 Ocean Pines Drive
  • 21845 Ocean Pines Drive

Meanwhile, cleanup efforts have resumed.

On July 31, the Pasco County Commission approved $1.3 million to remove the debris, eliminate the public health threat and secure the sinkhole site.

Ceres Environmental Services, the main debris removal contractor, worked throughout much of the weekend on cleanup and recovery efforts.

On the afternoon of Aug. 5, crews began dumping truckloads of lime rock to stabilize one side of the sinkhole and create a slope, to remove floating debris via a small platform barge equipped with an excavator. A total of 125 dump trucks of uncrushed lime rock were brought into the sinkhole area, and five semi-loads of debris were removed from the site.

Following debris removal and disposal by Ceres, EnviroWaste Services will begin removing contaminated water from the site, over the next several weeks.

The county also may opt to bring the roadway leading to the sinkhole up to grade, to later be asphalted in.

Guthrie said the “Phase 1” tasks will not be rushed, to prevent any injuries and further evacuations.

“During this recovery process, we are going to be slow, deliberate, methodical in our approach, as to not get anyone injured,” he said. “If we have to slow down, we slow down. Speed is not of the essence here.”

Following the cleanup phase, county administrators will “hit the pause button” to consult with the Pasco County Commission for the next phases.

Possible long-term options range from leaving the sinkhole alone, to filling and repairing the sinkhole, or connecting it to a nearby lake. Estimates on filling the entire sinkhole would require at least 135,000 cubic yards of dirt.

The entire mitigation of the sinkhole is expected to take several months.

During cleanup, the county is deploying four safety officers to monitor the sinkhole. They will alert neighbors door-to-door if additional evacuations are necessary.

Published August 9, 2017

Changes afoot, as school bells ring in a new year

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School bells are summoning students back to classes in Hillsborough and Pasco counties — and some students will be attending classes on entirely new campuses.

Sunlake Academy of Math and Science, a new public charter school in Hillsborough County, begins its inaugural school year on Aug. 10. It is located at 18681 N. Dale Mabry Highway in Lutz.

Sunlake Academy of Math and Science, at 18681 N. Dale Mabry Highway, is opening this year as a new public charter school in Hillsborough County. The school, located in Lutz, will serve elementary and middle school students. (B.C. Manion)

Meanwhile, Pasco County is opening Bexley Elementary, at 4380 Ballantrae Blvd., in Land O’ Lakes, and Cypress Creek Middle High School, in Wesley Chapel.

Students arriving at Land O’ Lakes High School will find reconfigured spaces, to accommodate a $29 million makeover.

At Sunlake High School and Rushe Middle School, there will be a new traffic pattern for student drop-off and pickups, and at Wiregrass Ranch High, the school will be back to operating on a seven-period day.

Those are just a few of the changes in store for the new school year, which begins in Hillsborough County on Aug. 10 and in Pasco County on Aug. 14.

Some changes, which are state mandates, affect public school students in both counties.

Other changes affect students at a particular school or within a specific county.

For instance, the Pasco school district is revising its crisis plans to give students and staff a better chance to survive an active threat on campus.

Meanwhile, Principal Vicki Wolin will lead the new Bexley Elementary School, in the Bexley subdivision off State Road 54, in Land O’ Lakes. That school was built to ease crowding at Oakstead and Odessa elementary schools.

Bexley is also part of the school district’s feeder pattern for the Aviation Academy at Sunlake High School.

As such, Bexley will have drones, flight simulators and robotics. Its STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) lab is situated in its media center, which it calls its REC Center, which stands for Research, Engage and Collaborate.

Cypress Creek Middle High School, at 8701 Old Pasco Road in Wesley Chapel, will serve students previously assigned to Wiregrass Ranch, Wesley Chapel and Sunlake high schools and John Long, Weightman and Rushe middle schools.

Principal Carin Hetzler-Nettles, previously principal at Wesley Chapel High, will recognize many of the students streaming onto the campus for their first day.

But, there will be many unfamiliar faces, too.

The school has been hosting events ahead of opening day to help students get acquainted with the school and to find out what it has to offer.

Cypress Creek Middle High will serve sixth- through 11th-graders its initial year and will add a senior class its second year.

The new high school’s curriculum runs the gamut from ballet to digital design to American Sign Language. It offers several certification programs, including Microsoft Office, QuickBooks and Autodesk Inventor.

Cypress Creek’s middle school curriculum includes Criminal Justice and Engineering academies, plus core classes.

The new schools aren’t the only places where Pasco County students will have a chance for new experiences.

The district also is expanding its Cambridge Programme to San Antonio Elementary School.

And, Zephyrhills High School is adding a new academy of Building Construction Technology and Public Safety Telecommunications 911 certification for the Academy of Criminal Justice.

A new public charter school also has opened in Pasco County, too, bringing the district’s total number of charter schools to 11. The new charter is called Pasco MYcroSchool and is located in New Port Richey.

Besides new schools and programs, Pasco County also has shifted some principals since last school year and promoted an assistant principal to the top post.

Those changes are:

  • Principal Scott Atkins has moved from Sand Pine Elementary School to West Zephyrhills Elementary School.
  • Christine Twardosz has transferred from Centennial Elementary School to Sand Pine.
  • Gretchen Rudolph Fladd has moved from Veterans to Centennial.
  • Melissa Bidgood, who was an assistant principal at Watergrass Elementary, has been promoted to the principal’s post at Veterans.

Parents wanting to know more about the upcoming school year should check out their school’s website.

School websites can provide a wealth of information. They generally list important upcoming dates for school activities, such as cheerleader tryouts, booster club meetings, school spirit nights and parent-teacher events.

The websites also often let parents know how they can get involved at school and how they can help their children at home.

Most schools also have Facebook pages and Twitter accounts, and some post videos to YouTube, too.

Websites maintained by the Hillsborough and Pasco school districts can also provide useful information, too.

Free breakfasts
Pasco County Schools will serve free breakfasts to all students at these sites in The Laker/Lutz News coverage area during the 2017-2018 school year:

Elementary schools

  • Centennial Elementary
  • Chester Taylor Elementary
  • Lacoochee Elementary
  • Pasco Elementary
  • Quail Hollow Elementary
  • Rodney B. Cox Elementary
  • West Zephyrhills Elementary
  • Woodland Elementary

Middle schools:

  • Centennial Middle
  • Pasco Middle
  • Stewart Middle

High schools:

  • Pasco High
  • Zephyrhills High

 

Meal prices for Pasco County Schools
Reduced-price meals

Reduced-price breakfast: .30
Reduced-price lunch: .40
Full-price meals
Full-price breakfast
Elementary: $1.35
Secondary: $1.50
Charter, K-8: $1.50
Charter, high school: $1.60
Full-price lunch
Elementary: $2.50
Middle: $3
High: $3.25

Published August 9, 2017

Commissioners make connections at White House

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Pasco County commissioners Kathryn Starkey and Jack Mariano attended a special White House conference to promote communications between the state’s county commissions and federal agencies.

The Florida County Commissioners’ White House Conference met on July 27, and included about 120 county commissioners and staff from all over the state. It was the second in what is planned as a series of conferences to strengthen relationships between the Trump administration, federal agencies and local elected officials.

The first conference was for Pennsylvania’s local governments.

Starkey described the Florida conference as similar in purpose to Pasco County’s Citizens Academy, but on a much shorter six-hour schedule. The Citizens Academy is nine sessions over several weeks.

“I think the visit was tremendous,” said Starkey. “It was a wonderful relationship-building day. It can only be the beginning of a good working relationship between local officials and the White House.”

The U.S. Secretaries of Labor and Commerce attended, as did representatives of other agencies, including the U.S. Department of Energy, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, U.S. Department of State, and senior White House staff members.

Those attending heard an overview of each department and agency, their functions and the issues for which they can provide assistance to local governments. Contact information was shared, too.

U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio was among the conference speakers.

And, there were visits with U.S. Reps. Gus Bilirakis, Kathy Castor and Charlie Crist.

Starkey and Mariano headed to the conference with a list of priority issues for Pasco. Those included road projects, such as the new interchange at Interstate 75 and Overpass Road, the Ridge Road extension, veterans’ issues, coastal dredging, flood insurance and work force training.

“We talked a lot about dredging and the need for flood maps,” said Starkey.

An unfinished, 70-year-old dredging project near Sun West Park was high on Mariano’s list, according to a statement included in a Pasco County news release.

Pasco began a new permitting process for the dredging in 2007.

“Pasco County has a project ready to go, but we need federal approval for the dredge, so we can build seven boat ramps,” Mariano stated. “I’m hoping the President can help speed this project along.”

Published August 9, 2017