The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Local News

Girl Scouts celebrate 112th birthday

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Girl Scouts, alumni and members of the Zephyrhills community joined in the birthday celebration that included games and a market. (Courtesy of Michelle Lucas)

The Zephyrhills community helped to celebrate the Girl Scouts’ 112th birthday and West Wind’s Girl Scouts through the decades with an event at Zephyr Park’s Alice Hall.

Admission was free and the event featured a girl-preneur market, games and guest speakers. Girl Scouts alumni were invited to attend and asked to bring their uniforms.

“This was such a fun day and so fantastic to see so many generations and the community come together, remembering the troop that started in 1957. Girls got to complete a Journey in a Day, learn how to be safe from Zephyrhills local police officers, hear fun and interesting stories from ER nurse Natalie, hear from the YMCA and Code Ninja, as well as be empowered to use their voice by the mayor, and so much more. West Wind sure knew how to end Girl Scout Week with a real GREEN party!” said Courtney Neal, community manager, Girl Scouts of West Central Florida (GSWCF), in an email to The Laker/Lutz News.

Published May 08, 2024

From left, back: Courtney Neal, community manager, GSWCF; Hailey Burgos, membership and wellness director, YMCA; Hailey Davidson, aquatics director; and front, Tricia Smith, manager, West Wind Service Unit.

Audit gives Florida Department of Transportation good grades for efficiency

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(The Center Square) — The Florida Department of Transportation received high marks on its efficiency with taxpayer funds during fiscal 2022-2023, but auditors found some issues that needed correction.

According to the annual report by the Office of Inspector General (OIG), the audit portion was done to provide independent appraisals of the performance of department programs and processes. This included an assessment of management’s performance in meeting information needs within the department while maintaining its resources.

(Michael Rivera, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons)

The audit team also provided assurance and consulting services to promote the efficiency and effectiveness of department programs, producing audits, reviews of contracts, grants, operational processes and information technology,  particularly focused on cybersecurity.

While most programs that were audited were found to be compliant, several issues included duplicate payments to certain engineering firms, unreliable performance measures and internal controls to protect personal information.

However, other programs with findings or recommendations, like the Nuclear Density Gauge Storage, and the Identity & Access Management Enterprise Cybersecurity Audit, were protected from disclosure. The report states that all findings had been addressed and actions had been taken to prevent future deficiencies.

The OIG’s investigative team worked to detect and deter activities such as contract fraud and employee misconduct within the FDOT. The investigation team received 203 complaints during the year, in which 18 investigations were opened, 112 were referred to management and 73 complaints were forwarded to other agencies.

The report noted that the OIG conducted fraud awareness briefings throughout the state to department employees, supervisor and management academies, and professional engineer trainees. Fraud hotline employees also were trained to identify and report fraud, waste, abuse, misconduct or mismanagement.

Nine investigations were carried forward from fiscal 2021-2022, and three cases were worked jointly with law enforcement. These included allegations of fraud, theft, falsification, conflicts of interest, bid rigging, false certification, lack of quality control and recording without consent.

One former department employee was believed to have misused a debit card or cash withdrawals from an Employee Benefit Fund. Investigators found unreconciled ATM withdrawals and several charges on the EBF debit card for DoorDash purchases.

The OIG found conflicts of interest involving a department employee and a contractor doing business with the department. Based on interviews and records, it was “proved that the employee created the appearance of a conflict of interest by attempting to utilize a department contractor for a fellow employee’s potential benefit.”

Published May 08, 2024

Pasco Corrections Facility earns reaccreditation

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(File)

The Pasco County Corrections Facility in Land O’ Lakes has announced it has again earned accreditation from the National Commission on Correctional Health Care (NCCHC) by demonstrating outstanding compliance with NCCHC’s nationally recognized standards of care for correctional health services in jails around the country, according to a news release.

The Pasco facility first was accredited in 2019 and has maintained its commitment to meeting the requirements described in NCCHC standards. The reaccreditation recognizes Pasco County Corrections’ dedication to provide quality health services to its approximately 1,400 inmates.

To maintain the accreditation, the corrections facility underwent a rigorous professional assessment earlier this year, during which a team of experienced physicians and experts in correctional health care surveyed the jail for compliance in areas including:

  • Patient Care & Treatment
  • Health Promotion
  • Safety & Disease Prevention
  • Governance/Administration
  • Personnel/Training
  • Special Needs & Services
  • Medical Legal Issues

The Land O’ Lakes facility houses men and women charged or sentenced on misdemeanor and felony crimes, as well as juveniles who have been adjudicated for treatment as adults.

Published May 08, 2024

DeSantis touts more spending for the developmentally disabled in Florida

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(The Center Square) — Floridians with developmental disabilities will benefit from a record level of funding for direct services after Gov. Ron DeSantis announced a multibillion dollar investment from the state.

DeSantis spoke at the Els Center in Jupiter on Monday and announced that as part of the Live Healthy legislation spearheaded by Senate President Kathleen Passidomo, R-Naples, and his Focus on Florida’s Bright Future Budget that $2.2 billion will be going to the Agency for Persons with Disabilities for services through the iBudget waiver.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis stands with a $1 million check for the Els Center of Excellence.(Facebook/Governor Ron DeSantis)

This would allow those living with autism and other developmental disabilities to access social, behavioral, therapeutic and medical services.

“That is the highest amount ever appropriated in the history of Florida by a country mile, and the iBudget waiver offers an array of social, medical, behavioral, and therapeutic services to individuals who have developmental disabilities,” DeSantis said.

DeSantis stated that the record-high funding includes $200 million to support an across-the-board increase for iBudget waiver providers, $64.8 million to enroll additional individuals in crisis onto the iBudget waiver and $55.7 million to enroll individuals currently in a pre-enrollment category.

“So, this is a big deal, this is a big investment, it shows the state of Florida’s commitment,” DeSantis said, adding that he also has approved an additional $1 million for the Els Center of Excellence recreational complex.

DeSantis noted that the new facility will provide a specialized swim and water safety program, aqua therapy sessions, indoor sports and fitness, and a specialized autism-friendly hurricane shelter.

“The facility will also provide a specialized athletic curriculum that gives parents, teachers and coaches the best tools to assist children and students with unique abilities. We want them to get active, we want them to live healthier lives, and that’s exactly what they’re doing here at the Els Center.” DeSantis said.

Agency for Persons with Disabilities Director Taylor Hatch said that more individuals living with developmental disabilities will be empowered by the funding provided by DeSantis and the Legislature.

“This historic funding will provide services that empower a greater number of individuals and their families to thrive through the power of partnership, highlighting the importance of a strong provider workforce through first-ever, across-the-board pay increases, as well as focusing on the importance of community partners,” Hatch said.

Published May 08, 2024

How to build a healthy money mindset for a stable financial future

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(Towfiqu barbhuiya/Unsplash)

Building and managing your wealth is a lifelong process that can have major implications for you, your children and other beneficiaries. While your path to building wealth should be tailored to your circumstances, this three-pronged approach from Freddie Mac can help you plan for a stable financial future.

  1. Understand your money mindset: Understanding your relationship with money can help you identify opportunities to create healthier spending and saving habits. A positive outlook toward money can provide you with a strong base on which to build wealth and achieve goals. Conversely, a negative outlook can make you reluctant to take the steps you need to establish a strong financial history. For example, being overly focused on displaying wealth can lead to overusing credit. Likewise, becoming preoccupied with financial success to the point of anxiety can prevent you from spending the wealth you do have on items you need and want to live comfortably. By recognizing the factors that influence how you spend and save, you can make new choices that better support your financial goals.
  2. Set and manage goals: Establishing and maintaining a set of defined financial goals is the next step when building wealth. Think about what you would like to accomplish over the short-, medium- and long-term, and make a savings plan to help you get there. It’s also important to take actions to safeguard your accumulated savings. This includes being mindful of inflation, guarding your information from scammers, and planning for unforeseen circumstances and emergencies.
  3. Be prepared: Building an emergency fund can help you maintain financial stability by putting you in a better position to weather unexpected financial circumstances, such as a loss of income, unplanned medical bills or property damage from a storm. Creating an emergency budget can help you gauge how much you need to save, but in general, you should save up enough money to cover three to six months of your typical monthly expenses. Keep this money separate from your other savings, and don’t touch it until it’s needed. Additionally, having adequate homeowners or renters insurance will help ensure that your wealth is protected in certain unexpected circumstances. Familiarize yourself with your coverage so you understand what is and isn’t covered by your policy.

Want to know more about managing money and establishing wealth? Whether you’re renting a home, are on the path to homeownership or saving for the future, Freddie Mac’s CreditSmart, which is available in English and Spanish, offers free personalized financial educational resources. Visit creditsmart.freddiemac.com to learn more.

By adopting a healthy money mindset and setting tangible financial goals, you’ll be well on your way to a stable financial future for you and your loved ones.

Published May 08, 2024

Why summer is the best time to take your child to an orthodontist

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Barbecues, beaches and braces? Summertime typically may not be associated with orthodontics, but according to experts, it’s a great time of year to start orthodontic treatment and help kids enter a new school year with a confident smile.

“Braces can be a very exciting step, but like with anything new, there will be a short adjustment period as a child adapts to changes to their routine, as well as to the feel of aligners or brackets and wires in their mouth,” says Dr. Vijay Bhagia of Space City Orthodontics, a board-certified orthodontist who has been practicing for over 20 years. “That’s why we recommend parents bring their kids into our offices in summer, when schedules are more relaxed and they have more time to adjust to the change of pace.”

(Enis Yavuz/Unsplash)

Whether you’re considering orthodontic treatment for your child, your teen or yourself, these insights from Smile Doctors, a national network of leading orthodontists, can help:

Is orthodontic treatment really necessary?
Straightening teeth through orthodontics is not just cosmetic. Poorly aligned teeth can affect the way one speaks, bites and chews, and even breathes. An important part of oral health, braces can correct bite issues, gaps and crooked, crowded or overlapping teeth.

When should my child see an orthodontist?
Orthodontics is for people of all ages, even adults. However, it might be surprising to learn that the American Association of Orthodontics recommends children see an orthodontist by age 7. This is because orthodontists are uniquely trained to evaluate children’s growth, as well as the exchange of baby teeth for permanent teeth, and can help you get ahead of potential issues as adult teeth continue to come in.

How do I get my teen on board with the plan?
Teens now have more braces options than ever. From traditional braces with fun colors, to clear aligners like Invisalign, braces can help them express their personality. Of course, it also helps to remind teenagers that when they’re done with treatment, they’ll have a healthy smile.

How do I know which braces are right for me or my child?
There are several types of orthodontic treatments. Metal braces use a combination of stainless-steel brackets, arch wires and elastic ties or bands to gently move teeth as prescribed. Ceramic braces are tooth-colored or clear brackets made of ceramic, porcelain or plastic. Clear aligners like Invisalign are a removable and discreet orthodontic treatment consisting of a series of aligners worn for one to two weeks at a time. Some orthodontists will provide a free consultation to discuss affordability and treatment options that best suit your needs.

What steps should we take between visits?
Have your child brush around each bracket and floss between each tooth right after eating to avoid permanent white marks, cavities or gum disease. Doing so prevents the acidity and sugars from settling into the crevices in between the brackets. Opt for mouthwash without blue or red dyes for further cavity protection.

Do braces hurt?
There is sometimes mild discomfort during treatment, but it’s manageable with over-the-counter pain relievers. To reduce swelling, try rinsing with warm salt water. For bracket pain, your orthodontist will usually give you dental wax and show you how to apply it. You can also avoid some discomfort by sticking with softer foods at first.

Use the downtime of summer wisely this year. Put your child on the path toward a healthy, confident smile that will last a lifetime.

Published May 08, 2024

Emergency access is granted to Hazel Avenue

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The granting of emergency access to Hazel Avenue from a proposed 321-lot subdivision in Hudson was approved during the April 23 meeting of the Pasco County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) held in New Port Richey.

The emergency access was part of a request made by Gary L. Blackwell Investments Inc., for the zoning of approximately 107.24 acres in northwest Pasco to be changed from A-R Agricultural-Residential District and A-C Agricultural District to Master Planned Unit Development (MPUD).

(Timothy L Brock/Unsplash)

It was approved by a vote of 3-1. Commission Chairman Ronald Oakley of District 1, District 2 Commissioner Seth Weightman and District 5 Commissioner Jack Mariano voted in favor of the measure that was opposed by District 3 Commissioner Kathryn Starkey.

The Pasco County Planning Commission (PC) had voted against the proposed emergency access during its March 21 meeting.

The PC’s decision came after hearing testimony from several area residents who voiced their opposition to any vehicular access being granted to Hazel Avenue from the proposed subdivision.

Approving the emergency access was one of three options put before the BOCC on April 23. The other two options were to either grant no vehicular access at all to Hazel Avenue or to grant full access to Hazel Avenue.

Several of the same people who opposed the access on March 21 also spoke against it on April 23.

The subdivision’s developer, Meritage Homes, has agreed to contribute $250,000 toward the cost of improving sidewalks along Hudson Avenue that will be the main entrance to the subdivision, said Kamala E. “Kami” Corbett.

She is an attorney with the Clearwater office of the Law Firm of Hill Ward Henderson and was representing the applicant.

In addition, Corbett said, the developer will contribute $3,800,000 in mobility fees and would have no objection if that money was used to improve the intersection of Hudson Avenue and Cobra Way.

In other business on April 23, commissioners:

  • Approved a construction contract with David Nelson Construction Company for a project to widen Wesley Chapel Boulevard/County Road 54 to six lanes from north of State Road 54/SR 56 to Old Pasco Road. The project is expected to cost $69,440,908 and to be completed by May of 2027.
  • Adopted a resolution for the Pasco County Housing Finance Authority to issue bonds in an amount not to exceed $85 million for the proposed development of 388 affordable housing units for persons aged 62+ at the Anchors at Gulf Harbors. The units will be located in the City of New Port Richey northeast of the intersection of Marine Parkway and Sea Forest Drive. The entire development will be affordable for tenants earning 60% or less of the area median income.
  • Approved a Conditional Use Request, with conditions, made by Word of Life Fellowship/Word of Life GLA for a Group Living Arrangement in an A-C Agricultural District in northwest Pasco County containing approximately 471.40 acres. The applicant will now be allowed to have a total of 1,237 beds in 52 dormitory buildings for church-related activities on its property located on the south side of Hudson Avenue, approximately 1,500 feet west of Hays Road.
  • Received a presentation from Bill Cronin, director of Pasco County Economic Development Council, regarding accomplishments in the previous quarter of 2024. Pasco is leading in the area of high technology and there are good jobs for area residents, according to Cronin. He added that 765 jobs had been created in Pasco County in the past quarter.

“We are probably bringing in twice as many businesses as residential projects,” Chairman Oakley said following Cronin’s presentation.

“We are third in residential growth but first in commercial,” added Commissioner Mariano.

  • Approved having the skate park located at the Land O’ Lakes Recreation Complex to be expanded from 10,000 square feet to 25,000 square feet. Its anticipated construction will begin in the fall of 2025 and be completed in the winter of 2025.

Published May 01, 2024

Prescribed burns help reduce risk of wildfires

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The Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) will conduct prescribed burns, also known as prescribed fires, in controlled settings, now through the month of June on the Starkey Wilderness Preserve and the Cypress Creek Preserve. Setting fires in this manner can reduce the risk of wildfires burning out of control by mimicking “the natural process and benefits of fires in Florida’s ecosystems,” according to the District’s website.

(File)

The Starkey preserve is about 7 miles east of New Port Richey. The District will burn about 300 acres in small, manageable units.

Cypress Creek is east of Ehren Cutoff, 1 mile south of State Road 52. The District plans to burn about 100 acres in small, manageable units.

Prescribed fires include these benefits:

  • Protects and enhances water resources
  • Reduces overgrown plants, vegetative fuel buildup
  • Promotes the growth of new diverse plants
  • Maintains the character and condition of wildlife habitat
  • Maintains access for public recreation.

For more information, visit https://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/ and search “prescribed burns.”

Published May 01, 2024

Governor touts more spending for wildlife corridors, red tide research

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(The Center Square) — Gov. Ron DeSantis announced on Tuesday that the Florida Wildlife Corridor program and red tide research will receive a financial boost.

The corridor program will receive $100 million through Senate Bill 1638, while the red tide program that combines the efforts of the Department of Environmental Protection, the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and the Mote Marine Laboratory will continue after the signing of House Bill 1565.

Taxpayers have spent $125 million on the red tide mitigation program since 2019. 

(NPS, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons)

He said that being a good steward of Florida’s natural resources is important because it is the right thing to do and because it has a huge economic impact on the state.

“Outdoor recreation in the state of Florida generates over $52 billion in economic output, and our Florida state parks alone have an economic impact of $3.6 billion, and it supports 50,000 jobs total,” DeSantis said.

DeSantis added that the impact is significant and that he and lawmakers understand that this is part of the Sunshine State’s lifeblood and that he is proud that he and lawmakers have taken action to preserve and restore Florida’s natural assets.

Florida’s Wildlife Corridor funding began in 2021 to allow animals to move more freely, and lower the risk of them going onto interstates and highways. DeSantis added that to date, almost 18 million acres of land are dedicated to the corridor, including 10 million acres of protected conservation land.

“This includes state parks, includes our forests, includes privately managed conservation lands, family farms, and national parkland,” DeSantis said. “So, this corridor is specifically designed to connect the state land so wildlife can freely and safely move between them.”

DeSantis noted that since 2019, around 216,000 of conservation land, and more than 90% of that land was inside Florida’s wildlife corridor, representing a $1.4 billion investment. Six billion dollars have also been allocated to the Everglades Restoration Program and other water quality projects.

The Republican governor said that Senate President Kathleen Passidomo, R-Naples, spearheaded a new gaming compact with the Seminole Tribe of Florida, to allow a portion of gaming and casino profits to go towards conservation efforts.

The state also is working on research around the occurrence of red tides. HB 1565 will help to mitigate the impacts of red tide algal blooms.

“We think this is something that is a noble effort, and so HB 1565, this is gonna continue our red tide mitigation and technology development initiative,” DeSantis said.

Published May 01, 2024

Habitat for Humanity expands to Spring Hill, opens new office in New Port Richey

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Since 1985, Habitat for Humanity of Pinellas and West Pasco Counties has partnered with low- to moderate-income families to provide a hand up toward affordable homeownership. In the last decade, the organization has experienced record-breaking and sustainable growth, with 81 families served this year, according to a news release.

(Jens Behrmann/Unsplash)

This summer, Habitat will dedicate its 900th home build in the Pinellas and West Pasco region. More than 600 of those homes have been built in partnership with local deserving families and individuals in the last 10 years, the release says.

Habitat for Humanity builds and sells homes at 0% interest to households not qualifying for a traditional mortgage. The program prepares homeowner partners through an education curriculum of 36 classes, from budgeting to home maintenance. Homeowners purchase their home from Habitat and earn a 0% interest mortgage, never paying more than 30% of their household income for housing expenses. This helps to keep monthly payments affordable and homeowners can build equity in their home from their first payment.

Habitat currently is under contract for 5 acres, which will provide homeownership opportunities to 24 families in Spring Hill. Plans for the development will be released soon, the release states.

The home organization also will open a new office space at 7237 Little Road in New Port Richey and will celebrate with an open house and ribbon-cutting on May 3 at 10 a.m.

The new Habitat office is approximately 2,500 square feet and features staff workspaces and an education room for future Habitat homeowners.

Published May 01, 2024