Local News

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. House of Representatives unanimously passed H.R. 6719, the Combating Online Predators Act, legislation introduced by Congresswoman Laurel Lee to strengthen protections for children targeted by online sextortion.

The bill explicitly criminalizes intentional threats to distribute child sexual abuse material, a coercive tactic increasingly used by online predators to exploit and silence children. 

Under current law, sextortion has fallen outside existing child sexual abuse material statutes, forcing prosecutors to rely on patchwork charging theories that fail to reflect the gravity of these crimes.

Lee delivered her floor speech in support of the legislation on Jan. 12 during National Human Trafficking Prevention Month.

“Predators are exploiting gaps in our laws to terrorize children online,” Lee said. “By passing the Combating Online Predators Act, Congress is making clear that these threats will be prosecuted with the seriousness they deserve.”

Reported sextortion cases in the United States rose from 13,842 in the first half of 2024 to 23,593 in the first half of 2025. Children are particularly vulnerable, with boys ages 14 to 17 most often targeted. In tragic cases, sextortion has led young victims to take their own lives.

During her remarks, Lee honored the lives of children lost to sextortion. She shared the story of a Florida mother whose son committed suicide after being targeted online.

The Combating Online Predators Act builds on Lee’s prior work to combat online exploitation, including the REPORT Act, which strengthened reporting requirements for online service providers and was signed into law in the previous Congress.

With House passage secured, Lee emphasized that protecting children from online exploitation must remain a bipartisan priority and that predators must be held fully accountable under federal law.

The bill now awaits consideration in the Senate.

 

LAND O’LAKES – EggBred will celebrate the grand opening of its newest location in the Hub at Bexley. The weekend-long celebration on Jan. 24 and 25 will feature free food, free coffee and giveaways. 

Located at 16916 Focus Loop in Land O’Lakes, the new EggBred location will deliver a fresh breakfast experience centered around high-quality ingredients and bold flavors. Every dish is made from scratch and cooked to order using locally sourced ingredients whenever possible. 

Doors open at 7 a.m. Jan. 24. Guests can take advantage of several grand opening specials. The first 100 customers will receive a free breakfast sandwich, with their choice of the Scramble Me Softly or Bacon, Egg & Cheese. The next 100 guests will receive a free sandwich on their next visit. 

Free coffee will be served all day Saturday and Sunday to celebrate the opening weekend.

Guests can expect EggBred’s signature menu offerings, including breakfast sandwiches, burritos and fresh coffee.

“We’re thrilled to open our doors in Land O’Lakes and introduce the community to the EggBred experience,” said Albert Shim, CEO of EggBred. “From the food to the atmosphere, everything we do is centered around quality, creativity and connection. We’re excited to become part of the neighborhood and serve breakfast worth waking up for.” 

On the web: eggbred.com/landolakes  

 

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (FL-14) voted “yes” on a bipartisan discharge petition that would extend the enhanced Affordable Care Act Tax Credits for the next three years. She released the following statement: 

Neighbors across the Tampa Bay area who are grappling with huge health cost increases in the new year have hope for their pocketbooks and affordable care. 

House Democrats successfully forced a vote and were joined by 17 Republicans to pass a three-year extension of enhanced tax credits. 

I appreciate the many Tampa Bay neighbors who shared their stories about the economic stability that affordable health coverage provides. 

Our health care system needs reform, but we cannot allow Republicans to sabotage health care for 22 million Americans in order to fund massive tax cuts for billionaires. 

People deserve affordable, consistent access to the care they need.

The ACA has been a godsend for hardworking Americans since it was signed into law 15 years ago in ending discrimination for preexisting conditions, allowing young people to stay on parents insurance until age 26, and providing true options for the self-employed. 

Our country and economy are stronger when Americans are healthy and can thrive.

I am thankful to the handful of Republicans who worked in a bipartisan manner with Democrats to get this bill across the finish line.

The Senate should immediately pass the three-year so our neighbors have greater access to more affordable health care coverage.

The Office of Congresswoman Kathy Castor is collecting stories about how the Affordable Care Act Tax Credits help her neighbors. 

Pasco County offices to close for MLK Day

NEW PORT RICHEY – Pasco Board of County Commissioners offices will be closed Monday, Jan. 19, in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

Pasco County Parks, Recreation, and Natural Resources’ Offices, Recreation Complex buildings and Community Centers will be closed; however, parks and beaches will remain open to the public from dawn to dusk.

Pasco County Public Transportation (GoPasco) will provide regular transportation services (fixed-route and demand response); however, GoPasco administrative offices will be closed.

All Pasco County Libraries will be closed.

Pasco County Animal Services Administration Office, Adoption Center, Intake/Reclaim Shelter and Field Services will be closed. An Animal Control Officer will be available for emergencies only.

The Pasco County Resource Recovery Facility, West Pasco Class III and the East Pasco Transfer Station will be closed to the public; however, they will be open to Pasco County licensed commercial haulers.

BCC government offices will reopen Tuesday, Jan. 20.

 

Church hosts Tampa March for Life

TAMPA – The Catholic Diocese of Saint Petersburg will host its second annual Tampa March for Life on Jan. 17 to advocate for the protection of life and an end to abortion.

Event highlights include:

• 9 a.m. – Mass celebrated by Bishop Gregory Parkes and local priests. The Mass is the central worship service of the Catholic faith and its highest form of prayer.
• 10:10 a.m. – The half-mile march begins, escorted by the Tampa Police Department. Participants will follow a diocesan banner and a special float adorned with bright flowers and an image of Mary.
• 11 a.m. – Rally at Perry Harvey Sr. Park featuring music, speakers, games, food trucks and family-friendly activities, along with information about life-affirming resources offered through Catholic Charities, including pregnancy centers and support services for women, children and families.

The event begins at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 509 N. Florida Ave., Tampa, and concludes at Perry Harvey Sr. Park, 1000 E. Harrison St., Tampa.

 

District aims to reduce risk of wildfires  

BROOKSVILLE – Setting prescribed fires in controlled settings can reduce the risk of wildfires burning out of control. That’s why the Southwest Florida Water Management District will conduct prescribed burns now through March on Starkey Wilderness Preserve and Conner Preserve.

Starkey Wilderness Preserve is located east of New Port Richey, west of the Suncoast Parkway, north of State Road 54 and south of State Road 52. Approximately 500 acres will be burned in small, manageable units.

Conner Preserve is located south of State Road 52 and west of Ehren Cutoff. Approximately 300 acres will be burned in small, manageable units.

Some major benefits of prescribed fire include:

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

The district conducts prescribed fires on approximately 30,000 acres each year.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Laurel Lee praised the passage of multiple appropriations bills through the House on Jan. 8 that address needs in Florida’s 15th Congressional District.

These bills include priorities to strengthen public safety, protect access to clean drinking water and advance medical research and workforce development.

“These bills move Washington toward accountable budgeting by reducing overall federal spending while prioritizing essential investments that protect public safety, clean drinking water and economic opportunity,” Lee said. “As one of the fastest-growing regions in the country, Florida’s 15th District must ensure our infrastructure, public safety systems and research institutions can keep pace with that growth.”

The fiscal year 2026 appropriations package includes the following projects, each selected for its broad public benefit and long-term value to the community:

• Pasco County Crystal Springs Chlorine Booster Station Project: Improving drinking water safety and efficiency through federal investment in a chlorine booster station at Pasco County’s Crystal Springs facility, reducing unnecessary water loss while ensuring compliance with standards.
• Moffitt Cancer Center CryoCure: Illuminating Cancer’s Hidden Structures: Accelerating lifesaving cancer research with federal funding for advanced imaging technology that enables researchers to better understand how cancer drugs interact at the molecular level and speeds the development of more precise, targeted therapies.
• Hillsborough County Drinking Water Infrastructure Inspection and Analysis Program: Preventing disruptive water main breaks by supporting a comprehensive inspection and analysis of aging underground water infrastructure, allowing the county to identify vulnerabilities early and prioritize critical repairs before failures occur.
• USF Artificial Intelligence and Cybersecurity Makerspace Equipment Acquisition and Installation: Preparing students for high-demand technology careers through investment in hands-on artificial intelligence and cybersecurity equipment at the University of South Florida, strengthening workforce readiness and supporting Tampa Bay’s growing innovation economy.
• Plant City Vehicle Incident Prevention and Mitigation Program: Protecting pedestrians at public events by providing federal funding for specialized safety barriers used by local law enforcement during parades, festivals and other large gatherings, helping prevent unauthorized vehicle access and reducing the risk of vehicle-based attacks.

“These projects address real needs by keeping families safe, ensuring access to clean and reliable drinking water and positioning our district as a leader in medical research and innovation,” Lee said. 

 

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY – The 2025-26 season at the New Tampa Performing Arts Center continues in January with a variety of high-quality entertainment across music, dance and film.

• The Tampa Qipao Team presents a dazzling evening celebrating its 10th anniversary alongside the 2026 Chinese New Year at 7 p.m. Jan. 16. Hosted by the Florida Hubei Chinese Association, this festive showcase will feature vibrant performances by singers, dance troupes and cultural ensembles, including Anna Dance Academy and Tampa Sunshine Choir. General admission tickets cost $8. Email the Florida Hubei Chinese Association at for tickets. 
• New Tampa Jazz Nights, presented by the New Tampa Performing Arts Center and Tampa Jazz Club, returns at 8 p.m. Jan. 17 with another intimate concert from renowned jazz musicians. The concert features world-renowned vibraphonist and drummer Chuck Redd with the Best of the Bay jazz trio La Lucha. Tickets range from $10 to $35 and can be purchased through Tampa Jazz Club. 
• Inspired by the popular show “MTV Unplugged,” the New Tampa Unplugged concert series showcases acoustic performances by prominent musicians from Tampa Bay. Alexis Carra, a Tampa native and musical theater maven, returns to the New Tampa Unplugged stage at 3 p.m. Jan. 18 after receiving high praise for her heartfelt performance last season. Carra’s career has spanned from the Broadway stage (“Wicked” and “Sweet Charity”) to Hollywood (“Mixology” and “Two and a Half Men”). Tickets range from $10 to $25 based on seat selection and can be purchased at NewTampaArtsCenter.org/tickets.
• REVolutions Dance will perform twice at the center in January. REVolutionary Moves (Jan. 22 at 10:30 a.m.) is presented as part of New Tampa Performing Arts Center’s Theatre for Young Audiences program. This interactive and educational performance teaches audiences about the value of diversity and inclusion through a unique blend of storytelling and professionally choreographed dances. REV20 (Jan. 23 at 8 p.m.) celebrates 20 years of inclusive dance performances. The company will present its favorite dance pieces spanning the past two decades, along with new works. 
• New Tampa Players presents “The SpongeBob Musical” from Jan. 30 to Feb. 1. This unique full-length production experience is a joint production between New Tampa Players’ Mainstage and Ampersand groups. Buy tickets through New Tampa Players. 

The New Tampa Performing Arts Center is located at 8550 Hunters Village Road.

On the web: NewTampaArtsCenter.org 

NEW PORT RICHEY – Pasco County no longer allows parking of recreational or commercial vehicles on streets in master planned unit developments.  

The change expands on-street parking restrictions from residential neighborhoods to include larger, mixed-use communities.

“These changes to our Land Development Code address concerns about long-term parking and storage of these types of vehicles,” said Jack Mariano, chairman of the board of county commissioners. “The goal is to improve safety and visibility on neighborhood streets and make our communities more visually appealing.”

Under the new rules:

• You can’t park RVs, including boats, trailers, campers or jet skis, in any county right-of-way, including on-street parking spaces.
• You can’t park commercial vehicles in master planned unit developments, unless your company is legally doing business within the development or you park your commercial vehicle in an enclosed structure such as a garage. 

Pasco County will share educational information on pascocountyfl.gov and social media platforms to help people understand the new rules. Information cards will also be placed on vehicles that are in violation of the new laws.

Warning notices and tickets with fines up to $500 per day will be issued after this educational period, which ends Feb. 27.

These updates apply only to street parking. All existing rules for RV and boat parking on private property, including temporary allowances during disaster recovery, remain unchanged. 

On the web: mypas.co/Parking-Rules 

 

Collards Festival supports local agriculture

NEW PORT RICHEY – The 11th annual New Port Richey Collards Festival & Winter Garden Expo brings together growers, gardeners and community partners to celebrate sustainable food and local agriculture.

The free event is presented  by the Rotary Club of New Port Richey and New Port Richey FarmNet from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Jan. 17 at Grand Gardens, 5721 Grand Blvd. 

The festival will feature locally grown vegetable seedlings, cool-weather produce, bedding  plants, organic and heirloom seeds, gardening materials, loquat fruit trees and sign-ups for garden plots at Grand Gardens. 

Attendees can also enjoy tastings from restaurants and artisan-prepared collard dishes, plus festival shirts and collard greens cookbooks supporting local agriculture projects.

 

New Port Richey celebrates Arbor Day 

NEW PORT RICHEY – The City of New Port Richey honors the role trees play in our community and our planet during the 37th annual Arbor Day Celebration. 

The celebration starts at 10 a.m. Jan. 16 at Frances Avenue Park, 5580 Frances Ave.  

Event highlights will include an Arbor Day Proclamation, “Trees of the Future” Arbor Day Address by Dell deChant of the Environmental Committee; a presentation by fourth-grade students from Genesis School and their teacher, Louisa Jaenichen; students helping plant new trees; and a ceremonial drumming honoring all trees.

New Port Richey is a National Arbor Day Foundation “Tree City USA” and a recognized leader in urban ecological regeneration. Since 1989, the city has planted and protected trees that enhance quality of life and strengthen the ecosystem.

 

St. Petersburg hosts MLK Parade

ST. PETERSBURG –  The City of St. Petersburg and Tampa Bay Collard Green Festival are celebrating the life and legacy of civil rights activist Martin Luther King Jr. with a parade.

The 39th annual St. Pete MLK Parade: “The Power of a Dream” will feature floats, marching bands and cultural performances from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Jan. 19. 

The parade travels through downtown St. Petersburg on a route that will culminate at Tropicana Field. The route goes west on 1st Avenue South from 3rd Street South to 16th Street South, then south on 16th Street to 3rd Avenue South.

Pinellas County Commissioner Rene Flowers has been named the grand marshal, honoring her leadership and longstanding commitment to service.

This year’s parade will feature two distinguished HBCU marching bands, Tuskegee University and Alabama A&M University. It will also include a special appearance by the Wendell Scott Foundation, showcasing a historic Wendell Scott race car honoring the legacy of the first African American NASCAR driver and team owner to win at the sport’s highest level.

On the web: stpetemlkparade.com 

 

Regal Railways presents Model Train Show 

BROOKSVILLE – Regal Railways will present a Model Train Show and Sale with more than 70 vendor tables offering model trains, toys and related items for sale. 

The sale takes place from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Jan. 17 at the Hernando Fairgrounds, 6436 Broad St.

Attendees can enjoy a running train layout, a test track experience and an interactive activity for children. A food vendor will be on site throughout the event.

Admission costs $6 for adults. Children 12 and under are admitted free. Credit cards are accepted. Prepaid admission is available at regalrailways.com.

 

Political groups to meet

WESLEY CHAPEL – Two area Democratic clubs will convene to discuss winning back the U.S. House.

The Central Pasco Democratic Club meets at 6 p.m. Jan. 21 at Meadow Pointe I Clubhouse, 28245 County Line Road, Wesley Chapel and on Zoom. Visit centralpascodems.com or call 813-453-1663 for details. 

The East Pasco Democratic Club meets at 6:30 p.m. Jan. 19 at the Genesis Center, 38112 15th Ave., Zephyrhills and on Zoom. Visit eastpascodems.com or call 813-383-8315 for details. 

All friends of the Democratic Party are welcome.