The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Local News

What’s Happening (09/04/24)

By

File photo

9/11 Memorial Mile & 5K

The Rotary Club of Wesley Chapel will pay tribute to the heroes that responded to the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks through the 9/11 Memorial Mile & 5K Run/Walk. The event will be held Sept. 7 at Tampa Premium Outlets, 2300 Grand Cypress Drive, Lutz. The club uses proceeds for projects, such as its scholarship fund.  Register at https://runsignup.com.

 

Community theater

Ampersand Theatre Troupe will present “You’re a Good Man, Charlies Brown” at 7 p.m. Sept. 7 and 3 p.m. Sept. 8 at the New Tampa Performing Arts Center, 8550 Hunters Village Road, Tampa. New Tampa Players hosts the troupe for adults with disabilities. Tickets cost $20. Buy them at https://newtampaplayers.thundertix.com.

 

Native Plant Society

The Nature Coast Chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society will meet at 7 p.m. Sept. 10 at the Land O’ Lakes Heritage Park community center, 5401 Land O’ Lakes Blvd. The topic will be “Common Bird Species of Pasco County.” Chapter meetings are free and open to the public. Email with questions. Visit PascoNativePlants.org or Facebook.com/groups/PascoNativePlants for details.

 

Give community feedback

The New Tampa Performing Arts Center is looking for feedback through a brief online survey. The survey aims to capture people’s experiences at the center or suggestions on the types of events and programs that should be offered. Visit PublicInput.com/NTPAC to view the survey.

 

Plant clearance

Kessler’s Cacti and Things at Bearss Groves, 14316 Lake Magdalene Blvd., in Tampa, is in its final weeks of a summer plant clearance. There are large overgrown plants, stock plants for propagation and scratch-and-dent collector plants. Costs range from $2 to $20. Visit Kessler’s on Facebook for details.

 

September Sing-Alongs

The Tampa Theatre will host its September Sing-Along Series with these shows, all at 3 p.m.:

  • Sept. 8: “The Greatest Showman”
  • Sept. 15: “Labyrinth” (quote-along)
  • Sept. 22: “Bohemian Rhapsody”
  • Sept. 29: “Encanto”

The theater is located at 711 N. Franklin St., Tampa.

Costumes are encouraged. Tickets cost $14.50 ($11.50 for theater members) and are available at the Franklin Street Box Office or online at TampaTheatre.org.

 

Intro to photography

The Starkey Ranch Theatre Library Cultural Center will present “Intro to Photography & Exposure” from 10 a.m. to noon Sept. 7 at 12118 Lake Blanche Drive, Odessa. The hands-on class is for ages 15 and older. Participants should bring a digital camera and lens 50mm focal length or similar. No wide angle or telephoto zoom. Those attending can learn how to use aperture, shutter speed and ISO. If you are not familiar with your camera, bring the manual to class, too. The guest speaker will be Noriko Buckles of the Chasco Camera Club. Registration is required. Call 727-815-7126 for details. 

 

Houseplants seminar

UF/IFAS Pasco Extension will offer a houseplants seminar at 2 p.m. Sept. 10 at the New River Library, 34043 State Road 54, Wesley Chapel. Register at www.eventbrite.com.

 

Grocery store tour

UF/IFAS Pasco Extension will offer a “Healthy Habits Grocery Store Tour” at 11:30 a.m. Sept. 10 at the Walmart Supercenter, 7631 Gall Blvd., Zephyrhills. Register at www.eventbrite.com.

 

Fall Festival

The New Tampa Performing Arts Center will host its annual Fall Festival from Sept. 12 to 15 at 8550 Hunters Village Road, Tampa. The festival will feature performances from Tampa Bay-area artists and interactive events for all ages. The performance lineup spans music, theater, dance and comedy. Family-friendly activities include a free screening of Disney’s live action “Aladdin,” arts and crafts, and the Florida Orchestra’s instrument petting zoo. Admission is free. Visit NewTampaArtsCenter.org/events/2024fallfestival to see a schedule of events.

 

Fall Flea Market

The GFWC Lutz-Land O’ Lakes Woman’s Club will host its annual Fall Flea Market from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sept. 14 at Land O’ Lakes Heritage Park, 5401 Land O’ Lakes Blvd. Drop off donations from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sept. 13 at the park. The club will accept antiques, art/décor, crystal, china, household items, small appliances, kitchenware, clothing, shoes, kids’ stuff, books, toys and tools. Larger appliances and furniture items cannot be accepted. All donations must be clean and in working order. Proceeds will benefit club projects and local nonprofits. Call 813-838-2974 or visit GFWCLutzLandOLakesWomansClub.org for details. 

 

Cooking with herbs

UF/IFAS Pasco Extension will offer a “Cooking with Herbs” seminar at 9:30 a.m. Sept. 14 at the New River Library, 34043 State Road 54, Wesley Chapel. Register at www.eventbrite.com.

 

Environmental Action weekend

The Jane Goodall Institute’s Roots & Shoots program will welcome its namesake for a live appearance amid a weekend of events.

Goodall will speak at 7 p.m. Sept. 14 at Tropicana Field  The event, “An Evening with Dr. Jane Goodall,” is open to the public.

Goodall, founder of the Jane Goodall Institute and UN Messenger of Peace, will share her message of hope in a talk tailored for the Youth Environment Summit.

Tickets range from $10 to $20 and can be purchased on EventBrite.com.

On Sept. 15, the “Day of Action around Tampa Bay,” will host environmental organizations that are part of the Roots & Shoots Alliance. Students, families and community members can sign up at https://rootsandshoots.org/take-action/events/yes-2024/ for a service project around the Bay area. 

 

Dance student discount

The Florida Museum of Photographic Arts’ exhibition “TutuTango: A Photographic Ballet in Four Acts” features the works of Dorothee Elfring of Barcelona, Spain, and Michael Sheehan of Tampa. See the exhibition through Sept. 15 in FMoPA’s Gallery 2, 1630 E. Seventh Ave., Tampa. Local dance students, with proof of enrollment, can receive a special discounted admission price of $6 throughout the showing. Visit FMoPA.org for details.

 

Beekeeping seminar

UF/IFAS Pasco Extension will offer a beekeeping seminar at 11 a.m. Sept. 18 at the Starkey Ranch Theatre Library Cultural Center, 12118 Lake Blanche Drive, Odessa. Register at www.eventbrite.com.

 

Parents’ Night Out

Better Together, a nonprofit for families and children, will host a Parents’ Night Out for families in the Tampa Bay area from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Sept. 20 at Faith Life Church, 2702 E. Bearss Ave., Tampa. The program offers parents, grandparents and caregivers access to a couple hours of no-cost care for children from infant to 17 years old. Better Together will provide background-checked volunteers in addition to dinner, games and fun for children while the parents are away. Check-in begins at 5:30 p.m. Visit BetterTogetherUS.org/PNO-Registration or call 239-470-2733 to register. Visit BetterTogetherUS.org/Better-Families/Volunteer/Learn-More for information about how to volunteer.

 

Fall Family Fest

The Tampa Bay Moms Group will host a Fall Family Fest from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sept. 22 at Water Works Park, Tampa. There will be interactive exhibits, vendors, family resources, games, food trucks, character visits, entertainment and giveaways. Admission is free. Visit TampaBayMomsGroup.com/fallfamilyfest for details. 

 

Compost Happens

UF/IFAS Pasco Extension will offer “Compost Happens” at 2 p.m. Sept. 26 at Land O’ Lakes Heritage Park, 5401 Land O’ Lakes Blvd. Register at www.eventbrite.com.

 

UNDead in the Water

“UNDead in the Water VII: At Close Quarters,” Tampa’s premier nautical haunted attraction, will be back aboard the American Victory Ship, docked at 705 Channelside Drive in Tampa, starting Sept. 27, for select 14 nights. First Fright discounts are available. Tickets start at $19. Visit www.eventbrite.com for details.

 

Cheval Cares 5K

The Cheval Cares 5K Family Fun Run will benefit the National Pediatric Foundation, which supports research and hope for children battling cancer. The community can enjoy music by DJ Tommy Who, inflatables, food, face painting, balloon animals and a silent auction. The 18th annual event will start at 8 a.m. Sept. 28 at the Cheval Athletic Club, 4142 Cheval Blvd., Lutz. Pick up packets at 7 a.m. Registration costs $45 for adults and $35 for youth 12 and younger at www.chevalcares5k.com. Awards go to the top 10 male and female adults finishers; top five youth boys and girls; and top individual and team fundraisers.

 

Stencil workshop

The West Pasco Art Guild will present a “Making Your Own Stencils” workshop with Nancy Janovsky from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Sept. 28  at 6206 Jefferson St., New Port Richey. The guild’s Summer Special Show and Sale of its artists’ original artwork runs through Sept. 28. Register by emailing .

 

All about pollinators

UF/IFAS Pasco Extension will offer a seminar on pollinators at 11 a.m. Sept. 28  at the Hugh Embry Library, 14215 Fourth St., Dade City. Register at www.eventbrite.com. 

 

East Pasco Republican Club

The East Pasco Republican Club will meet on Oct. 1 at the Academy of Spectrum Diversity, 5320 First St., Zephyrhills. Guest speakers will be John Legg, candidate for Pasco superintendent of schools; Peter Castellani, founder/director of Oasis Pregnancy Care Centers; and Amy Yarborough, director of Pregnancy Care Center. A social begins at 6 p.m., followed by the meeting at 6:30 p.m.

 

Orchid Club Expo

The Tampa Orchid Club will host an Orchid Expo from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 5 and from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 6 at Northdale Park, 15510 Hooting Owls Place, Tampa. American Orchid Society judged winners will be on display, too. Potting supplies will be available. Admission costs $5. Visit TampaOrchidClub.com for details. 

 

Italian American Festival

The Italian American Club of Tampa Bay Golf and Country Club will host its annual Italian American Fall Festival from 3 to 7 p.m. Oct. 6 at the club’s community center, 11245 Old Tampa Bay Drive. The event will feature vendors with crafts, stained glass, handmade greeting cards and food specialties. Club members will sell their favorite Italian foods. The event is cash only and proceeds will benefit local charities. Call 267-261-1809 for details. 

 

The Moth comes to Tampa

“The Moth,” a show that features a diverse lineup of guests telling their personal stories of adventure, struggle, redemption and creativity, will return Oct. 10 to Tampa Theatre at 711 N. Franklin St., on Oct. 10. Guest storytellers will deliver their stories on stage, without notes, in the long tradition of community gathering around the fire to share their experiences and their culture. Tickets are sold on a first-come, first-served basis. Call 800-741-9090 or visit WUSF.org/TheMoth for details. 

 

Haunted History of Pasco

The West Pasco Historical Society will present “A Haunted History of Pasco County” at 6 p.m. Oct. 11 at the Seven Springs School House (Peace Hall), 6431 Circle Blvd., New Port Richey. Pasco historian, genealogist and author Madonna Wise will talk about the folklore of haunted places. Admission costs $5 at the door. Historical Society members get in free.

 

Boo Barn Bash

Old McMicky’s Farm will host a “Boo Barn Bash” from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 19 at 9612 Crescent Drive, Odessa. There will be a petting zoo, pumpkin patch, bounce house, face painting, food, games and music. The cost is $15 per person; ages 2 and younger get in free. Free and annual passes cannot be used for this event. Visit TicketTailor.com/events/oldmcmickysfarm/1364892 for details. 

 

Forest Hills bazaar

Forest Hills Presbyterian Church will host its 25th Holiday Bazaar from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 19 at 709 W. Lambright Ave., Tampa. The bazaar features items donated or created by volunteers. Church crafters make holiday wreaths, Christmas tree ornaments, Halloween and Thanksgiving centerpieces, lawn ornaments and other home décor. A variety of planters and yard art also will be available. Volunteers vote on organizations to receive grants from the total raised at the sale. 

 

Candy Crawl

The Tampa Bay Moms Group will host a Candy Crawl from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 20 at Water Works Park in Tampa. Dress up or come as you are to stroll through decorated vendor booths, play games, make crafts, and collect candy from local businesses and community sponsors. There also will be a costume contest, food trucks and entertainment. Kids will receive trick-or-treat bags, while supplies last. Visit TampaBayMomsGroup.com/candycrawl for details. 

 

Veterans Outreach Court

Veterans Outreach Court is scheduled from 9 a.m. to noon Nov. 8 at James A. Haley Veterans’ Hospital, Primary Care VA Annex, 13515 Lake Terrace Lane, Tampa, for Hillsborough County veterans. Legal issues may be addressed: active misdemeanor warrants, fines, legal fees, court costs and ordinance violations. Register at www.HillsClerk.com. Call the public defender’s office at 813-277-1364 for details. 

 

St. Timothy’s boutique

The St. Timothy’s Women’s Club Holiday Boutique will take place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 9 at 17512 Lakeshore Road, Lutz. The event will feature more than 100 vendors, a plant sale, food, music and raffles. Interested vendors only should email . Visit the women’s club on Facebook for details. 

 

East Pasco Republican Club

The East Pasco Republican Club will meet on Nov. 12 at the Academy of Spectrum Diversity, 5320 First St., Zephyrhills. The guest speakers will be Danny Burgess, state senator; and Mike Wells Jr., Pasco County property appraiser. A social begins at 6 p.m., followed by the meeting at 6:30 p.m.

 

Pasco Flea Fest

The Pasco Flea Fest: Fall Edition will take place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 16 at Land O’ Lakes Heritage Park, 5401 Land O’ Lakes Blvd. The event will include  vendors, a flea market, food vendors, a swap meet and live entertainment. Tents, tables, tarps and tailgates cost $30 for a 10-by-10-foot space. Call Community Market & Events at 727-365-6411 or email FleaFest@CommunityMarkets for vendor and swap information.

 

Indoor holiday fair

A Lutz Indoor Holiday Craft Fair is scheduled from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Nov. 30 at 2155 Northpointe Parkway, Lutz. The event will include unique handmade crafts made by local artisans. Visit the Facebook page for details. 

 

Holiday Arts & Crafts

Koren’s Quarters Arts & Crafts Show is scheduled from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dec.7 at 1120 Swilley Road, Plant City. The rain-or-shine event will include vendors, food trucks, holiday shops, Christmas music and pony rides. Admission and parking are free. Vendor spots cost $50. Visit Koren’s Quarters Show Facility on Facebook for details. 

 

Hillsborough County hosting 9/11 Remembrance event

By

File photo

Hillsborough County Fire Rescue, Consumer & Veteran Services, and the Veterans Council of Hillsborough County invite the community to Patriot Day: 9/11 Remembrance.

The annual event starts at 10:30 a.m. Sept. 11, at Veterans Memorial Park & Rear Admiral LeRoy Collins, Jr. Museum, 3602 U.S. Highway 301 N., Tampa.

In honor of Patriot Day, first responders, military veterans and civic leaders aim to inspire a generation too young to recall the historic events of 9/11 with the spirit of service and duty. 

The ceremony will include a giant American flag hoisted by ladder trucks, a traditional fire service ringing of the bell and a solemn escort of a solid 135-pound section of steel salvaged from New York’s Twin Towers that resides at Veterans Memorial Park.

In the spirit of the National Day of Service and Remembrance, students and attendees are encouraged to interact with various service professionals following the 9/11 ceremony. 

First responders, military members and veterans will be on hand to meet, greet, take photos and enjoy refreshments. 

The U.S. Coast Guard will display a 29-foot rescue response boat. The U.S. Marine Corps will exhibit a military vehicle, and Hillsborough County Fire Rescue and the U.S. Army Reserve will present department trailers.  

Visit HCFL.gov/Veterans for details.

 

School impact fees to increase in Pasco County

By

An increase in school impact fees charged on newly permitted single-family homes, multi-family homes and mobile homes will increase on Jan. 1, 2025.

The Pasco County Board of County Commissioners adopted the ordinance on new fees by a vote of 4-1 during its Aug. 21 meeting in New Port Richey.

Commissioner Seth Weightman voted against the increase. Commissioners Lisa Yeager and Jack Mariano joined Commission Chairman Ron Oakley and Commission Vice Chair Kathryn Starkey in voting in favor of the increase.

The impact fee for a single-family detached home, which is currently $8,328, will be $9,328 next year. The impact fee will then increase annually through 2028 when it will be $12,328.

The impact fee for multi-family homes, including apartments, is currently $4,884 and it will be $6,389 in 2028. Mobile home fees will go from $5,114 now to $6,477 in 2028.

School impact fees are used by the Pasco County School District to help pay for school construction, including additional classroom space, and the purchase of land and school buses. 

Commissioners were told the cost of all those things provided for by school impact fees have gone up significantly over the past few years. 

For example, the cost of building schools has nearly doubled since 2017, according to district records. It cost about $178 per square foot to construct Cypress Creek Middle School in 2017 while the cost for a new school building that was recently constructed was about $390 per square foot, district records said.

Weightman said he was opposed to the increase because total impact fees in Pasco County will be over $34,000 when fees for parks and other public services are also included. Increasing the fees could result in Pasco County being a less affordable place to live, according to Weightman.

“Our impact fee today is $30,440 in the highest zone. When we add this over the next four years, it’ll compound over $34,000 and the other impact fees that this board is looking at coming out of line so very quickly, we’re going to be approaching probably the $40,000 mark, which is more money than some folks make in a year. 

“I’m concerned with our fee structure that it’s going to erode away the opportunity of home ownership for folks. I just want to put it into perspective that our impact fees are starting to be very heavy and are going up and going up and going up.” Weightman said he thought a workshop should be held to consider ways to reduce impact fees.

Weightman also said he was concerned about the additional financial burden that would be placed on Pasco County property owners by the passage of a $3,500 fee that was approved for parks. He said that schools to him are a bit more important than parks. Weightman also added he hoped the new parks tax could be reduced before the budget for fiscal year 2024-25 is adopted.

Starkey countered by saying the cost of living in Pasco County is “still very affordable” when compared to some other counties in Florida.

Oakley said there’s a demand for schools in Pasco County to get bigger and better because of the number of people who are moving into Florida and into Pasco County. This also requires that the county’s parks be kept up so both current and new residents may enjoy them.

Yeager said she agreed with Weightman that schools should be a top priority. 

”We’ve got to make sure that we get our money to schools,” Yeager said. “I agree to maybe back off the parks a little bit because we just can’t be hammered by all these fees at once, and we also have the MSTU for paving and it’s all going to add up.”

She was referring to the ordinance establishing the Road Rehabilitation Services Municipal Service Taxing Unit that commissioners adopted June 18 as a new way to fund road paving, rehabilitation, sidewalks and drainage facilities. The new ordinance will assess all property owners in unincorporated areas of Pasco County a tax of $51.84 per each $100,000 of assessed value. It won’t become effective until September when final decisions are made on the county’s budget for fiscal year 2024-25.

The new rate will be on Truth in Milling notices that will be distributed to the affected property owners later this year.

This ordinance did away with the method previously used by the county in which funding for road improvements were based upon residents living on those roads being individually assessed for the cost of the work that had been done. It had taken up to 10 years in some cases for the affected property owners to pay off their assessments. 

Under an ordinance the board adopted at its July 9 meeting, property owners who still owed money on the old assessments were relieved of having to continue paying them. This amounts to the county not being repaid $13 million for principal and interest that hadn’t been collected on the old assessments. 

Yeager also added she thought that maybe commissioners could “back off the parks a little bit.”

Mariano said he favors the increase in the fees because new residents are paying for the cost of the growth that the county is experiencing. 

Tom Wilbirt, of the West Pasco Board of Realtors, told commissioners during a public comment portion of the meeting that his organization wasn’t in favor of the increase. The growth that Pasco County is currently experiencing “is one of the main drivers of the economy” but higher impact fees “does nothing but drive up the cost of housing in our community,” Wilbirt said.

 

Zephyrhills leaders offer ideas to enhance parks

By

Zephyr Park not only has five tennis courts but also a playground, walking trail, picnic shelters and fishing within the 34-care site of 5th Avenue. File photo

Members of the Zephyrhills City Council shared thoughts on how to enhance enjoyment of parks toward the end of their Aug. 26 meeting. 

Below are excerpts of remarks they made that have been edited for space or clarity. 

 

Jodi Wilkeson

Jodi Wilkeson: Connecting parks to people

I was fortunate enough to attend the Florida League of Cities conference recently and they talked a little bit about the creative class.

They made some analogies between what has happened – that 80% of the people in the U.S. were farmers just 100 years ago. Then there’s changes with the Industrial Age, where most people worked in factories for a period of time. Now, much of our community makeup is based on the creative class and those are people who work from home. 

Some of these people who work from home, they actually work in libraries, restaurants, etc. 

It’s a way to save our Main Street from the trend of dying retail centers. 

They talk about the development of parks. One idea I had was that as we get all these parks developed that we have free internet service at those locations, so that they become sharable, Instagrammable locations and we’re connecting with the next generation of young people in our community.

 

Lance Smith

Lance Smith: Making parks safer

My wife and I have been using the tennis courts at Zephyr Park for about two months now. We’ve been going down there in the evenings and it’s great. 

There’s a lot of people there; however, there are some people that come by there that are either homeless or have mental illness. 

I have asked staff to look at ways that we can help make the park a little bit safer. 

There’s a lot of things that we can do with lighting, possibly with some panic call stations that are on the college campuses, but we’ve got to get a handle on this and make it a safe environment for everybody. 

I know the staff’s working towards it. Matter of fact, [Chief Derek Brewer] said he’s going to have more patrols down there. 

It’s something that as our city grows, it’s part of the growing pains. So we’ve got to just combat it and try and make sure that the people feel safe in these parks.

Councilwoman Wilkeson said something about a coffee shop or something like that. We need to look at opportunities around our park to have these coffee shops, sandwich shops. The commercial element is really nice around these parks. We need to be open and

looking for those opportunities.

 

Zephyrhills Daybreak Rotary Club gives bikes to students

By

Zephyrhills Daybreak Rotarians show off a few of the 75 bikes they donated to three schools.  Photo courtesy of Manny Funes

Zephyrhills Daybreak Rotary Club donated 75 bikes with helmets and locks during the 2023-24 school year to ensure students would have a ride to school. 

The club donated the bikes to Centennial Middle, Stewart Middle and West Zephyrhills Elementary schools. 

Daybreak President Cory Sommers came up with the idea.

Sommers saw firsthand the need because of his role as assistant principal at Centennial Middle. He encouraged members to help raise the money to buy the bikes and make a difference in children’s lives. 

Sommers led the club in raising money through its golf and bowling fundraisers along with a matching grant from the district Rotary Club. 

Rotarian Manny Funes remembered Josh Borders, principal at Stewart Middle, telling him that students could not believe the school was giving them brand new bikes. 

Borders convinced them that the gift came from the Zephyrhills Daybreak Rotary Club because that’s what they do.

 

Governor announces expansion of Hope Florida program

By

(The Center Square) — Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis announced Aug. 21 that he will expand Hope Florida, an initiative spearheaded by first lady Casey DeSantis.

DeSantis said that in early August, Hurricane Debby hit the Big Bend region and caused flooding throughout the Gulf Coast and southwest Florida. He said Hope Florida was involved in helping people get back on their feet.

Hope Florida’s mission is to create pathways to prosperity for communities and individuals, to help them become more economically self-sufficient and to instill hope. 

Buildings impacted by rain and storm surge from Hurricane Debby on Aug. 5, in Cedar Key.
(Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

“Hope Florida was spearheaded by the first lady several years ago and the impetus for it is just the recognition that government cannot solve all these problems that we deal with as a people,” DeSantis said. “Particularly when you start talking about people that are less fortunate, they may need a hand-up.”

DeSantis added that making people dependent on the government does not lead to the realization of their dreams, which is why many government bureaucracies fail to solve social issues.

“What Hope Florida sought to do, is to recognize we have all these resources throughout our communities — our churches, our charities, individual volunteers, businesses that wanna help — that we can tap into,” DeSantis said. “So, rather than think government and be in that silo, let’s use government as a way to connect people in need to all these great resources.”

Since Hope Florida’s launch, DeSantis noted that 30,000 people have either completely or partially eliminated their need for government financial assistance and are moving on a path to self-sufficiency.

“It’s better for those folks and also better for the taxpayers, and so based on our efforts so far, Hope Florida-related initiatives are projected to save taxpayers almost a billion dollars over the next 10 years. Why? Because you have needs, those needs are being met by all these great resources we have,” DeSantis said.

The governor said Hope Florida helps people become self-sufficient enough to stay off public assistance for the long term and is within several Florida agencies, such as the Department of Children and Families and the Department of Elder Affairs.

Veterans are also linked to resources through Hope Florida, which includes mental health resources and job placements. DeSantis noted that other states follow Florida’s lead with initiatives like Hope Florida.

“We have other states that have come down here, studied what we’re doing with Hope Florida and then they’re implementing it in their states respectively,” DeSantis said.

 

Published August 28, 2024.

Moody: Florida will put transnational criminals in prison

By

(The Center Square) – From a Romanian theft ring to a notorious Big Boi drug trafficking ring, Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody’s Office of Statewide Prosecution is continuing to prosecute transnational criminal organizations.

She’s also issued a warning to criminals: “Florida law enforcement will track you down, and my statewide prosecutors will ensure you end up in prison.”

Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody (File)

In one case, Moody’s office secured 40-year prison sentences for three members of a Romanian crime ring that targeted and stole hundreds of thousands of dollars from schools and churches. A Fort Myers jury found Panait Dumitru, Catalin Trandafir and Simona Trandafir guilty of multiple felonies including racketeering, conspiracy to commit racketeering, grand theft, money laundering, aggravated white-collar crime, and unlawful possession of personal identification information.

The verdict was delivered after an extensive investigation conducted by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE). The Romanians operated out of Orlando from 2019 to 2021, targeted schools and churches in six states, and stole more than $800,000 from them combined, according to the investigation.

“Florida is a law-and-order state, and we work hard to hold criminals accountable,” Moody said. “This Romanian crime ring stole more than $800,000 by taking checks from the mailboxes of more than 250 churches and schools in six states. Many of the donor victims were seniors.”

FDLE Commissioner Mark Glass said the case exemplifies how law enforcement officers followed the evidence, were involved in detailed analysis, served search warrants and worked across multiple jurisdictions and regions. 

“It also demonstrates the importance we play in court, breaking down complex facts so juries can easily understand the case,” he said.

The crime ring stole checks from the mailboxes of more than 250 churches and schools in Florida, Illinois, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina and South Carolina. During a three-week trial, more than 60 pastors, reverends, ministers and priests testified about the thefts their congregations experienced. When some churches began noticing a pattern, they installed mailboxes with locks. The defendants then returned with crowbars to break into the mailboxes, they testified.

The defendants deposited the stolen checks using a network of 59 bank accounts that had been opened by various members of the crime ring using forged documents, investigators found. They then withdrew the cash from some accounts and redeposited it in others, moving more than $800,000 worth through 1,600 stolen checks.

Three Romanians were charged with multiple felonies and sentenced to 40 years in prison. Two others fled and are at large. Another previously “pled open to the court and was sentenced to 10 years in state prison,” Moody’s office said.

In another case, a supplier in a large drug trafficking ring operating out of the Boynton Beach area was arrested and charged with felony counts of trafficking cocaine and conspiracy to traffic cocaine. According to the investigation, William Moyo supplied cocaine and fentanyl for a notorious Big Boi drug trafficking ring. He is the latest arrest; authorities had already arrested 17 defendants.

“Law enforcement continues to take poison peddlers and their deadly products off our streets, and this latest arrest should serve as a warning to anyone looking to traffic drugs in our state,” Moody said. 

According to the investigation, Moyo supplied multiple kilograms of cocaine and fentanyl to a drug trafficking ring run by Johnson Joseph. After executing a search warrant, authorities found more than 20 kilograms of cocaine at Moyo’s residence.

The Big Boi drug trafficking ring is known among law enforcement for distributing fentanyl and cocaine throughout the Palm Beach County area. Throughout the investigation, authorities seized a combined 50 pounds of cocaine and other illicit substances.

The investigation is ongoing. It is funded through a Florida Department of Law Enforcement State Assistance Enforcement for Fentanyl Eradication grant.

 

Published August 28, 2024.

Report: Florida facing a serious teacher shortage

By

(The Center Square) – The Sunshine State may soon reach crisis levels as a teacher shortage looms.

Florida TaxWatch has released a new report showing that Florida’s teacher salaries rank 50th in the nation and school districts are struggling to fill vacancies.

(Kenny Eliason/Unsplash)

“The well-being of Florida’s K-12 education system should be a concern for all taxpayers. Comprising 43.9% of general revenue spending for Florida’s FY 2023-2024 state budget, education is one of the biggest consumers of taxpayer dollars,” the report says.

According to the report, teacher vacancies declined 13% in four years during the 2023-2024 school year. However, the available vacancies were still more than double those during the 2016-2017 school year.

The Florida Department of Education says in the report that many teachers needing to be certified in the appropriate fields are being hired to fill teaching positions. It also notes that postsecondary institutions need to produce more graduates to meet K-12 needs.

Around 15% of courses offered in F-ranked and D-ranked schools are taught by out-of-field teachers, compared to only 6.4% of courses in A-ranked schools.

The report notes the subject area with the most out-of-field teachers is English for speakers of other languages, often these teachers are instructing lessons in different subject areas. Science-Earth and Space and Science have the most significant demand, equating to two courses per certified teacher.

Florida TaxWatch notes several reasons for the growing shortage, the first being a decline in popularity with 270,000 teachers projected to leave the profession every year. Half of those go on to change careers altogether.

There are also fewer people entering the profession from college, as teacher salaries in Florida continue to lag around $53,000 per year.

Compared to other states, Florida’s cost of living adds further barriers to teacher recruitment despite having no state income tax. Teachers’ take-home pay in states like Pennsylvania, New York and Illinois averages between $500 and $1,000 more for every bi-monthly check after state and federal taxes than Florida’s.

The report notes that Florida lawmakers are trying to elevate these burdens and have launched various programs since 2020. These include the Florida Hometown Heroes Housing Program, which helps with a down payment and closing costs and increases to teacher salaries in the state budget.

 

Published August 28, 2024.

Garden club looking for youth to help promote monarchs

By

The Dade City Garden Club is looking to recruit enthusiastic, nature-loving youth to participate in the newly launched “Monarch Marvels” youth leadership program, to serve as Monarch Project ambassadors at the upcoming Monarch Butterfly Festival. Participants from grades four to eight can attend a three-part workshop to prepare to serve at the festival scheduled for Oct. 26 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at Touchton Park and the garden club, according to a news release.

Monarch butterflies are a welcome visitor to home gardens. Here, one emerges from its chrysalis (File)

The Dade City Monarch Project was created as a community effort to support the city’s designation as a Monarch City USA and is celebrated at the annual October festival to engage the public through environmental awareness and conservation efforts.

“It has always been our vision to include youth as a key component of our educational efforts,” said Joan Hepscher, chair of the 2024 festival, in the release. “Through a generous grant from the Community Foundation Tampa Bay to support the festival, we are able to offer Monarch Marvels as an opportunity for our youth to learn the plight of the monarch, recognize the importance of Dade City’s designation as a Monarch City USA, identify strategies to increase public awareness, and bring the message to the public at this year’s festival.”

A sign at Touchton Park, the site of the Monarch Butterfly Festival, shows Dade City’s designation as a Monarch City USA (File)

The workshops will take place Sept. 7 from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Sept. 21 from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., and Sept. 28 at 1 p.m., at the Hugh Embry Library in Dade City.

Space is limited and registration for all three workshops is required. At the final workshop, participants will be recognized and will receive a certificate.

For more information, call the library at 352-567-3576.

 

Published on August 28, 2024.

Newcomer defeats veteran Pasco school board member

By

Jessica Wright narrowly defeated longtime Pasco County School Board member Allison Crumbley in a race to represent District 4 during the Aug. 20 non-primary election.

(Element 5/Pexels)

School Board members don’t declare a political party affiliation when running for office. 

Wright received 29,184 votes, or 51%, while Crumbley garnered 28,110, or 49%. The term of Crumbley, who’s been a School Board member for 14 years, will end on Nov. 19. Wright will be sworn in on the same date and will begin her four-year term.

Here are the results of Pasco County’s Republican Primary election on Aug. 20:

Former state senator John Legg received 24,260 votes, or 76%, in his effort to become his party’s nominee for Pasco County superintendent of schools. His challenger, Michelle Mandarin, received 7,758 votes, or 24%. Legg will face off against Chris Dunning in the Nov. 5 general election. Dunning, who is running as a non-party candidate, currently is principal at Wendell Krinn Technical High School in New Port Richey. 

The winner of the general election will succeed Superintendent of Schools Kurt S. Browning, whose term will expire on Nov. 19. Browning, who has held the position for 12 years, decided to not seek reelection.

Lisa Yeager, who represents District 4 on the Pasco County Board of County Commissioners (BCC), received 20,478 votes, or 63%, while her two challengers, Gabriel Papadopoulos and Christina Fitzpatrick, received 6,311 votes, or 20%, and 5,512 votes, or 17%, respectively. Gov. Ron DeSantis appointed Yeager to the District 4 seat following the April 21 death of Gary Bradford, who passed away midway through his first term. Democrat Daniel Ackroyd-Isales will challenge Yeager in November. The winner of that election will serve the remaining two years of Bradford’s term.

Jack Mariano, who represents District 5 on the Pasco County BCC, received 23,486 votes, or 74%, while his challenger, Gina Finocchiaro, received 8,375 votes, or 26%. No-party candidate Thomas Celotto will challenge Mariano in the fall. Mariano is seeking his sixth, four-year term on the BCC.

U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis, R-FL-12, received 59,904 votes, or 84%, compared to his challenger, Hank Dunlap, who garnered 11,172 votes, or 16%. He will face Democrat Rock Aboujaoude Jr. in the November election.

State Sen. Ed Hooper, who represents District 21, received 34,377 votes, or 85%, compared to the 6,023 votes, or 15%, received by his challenger, John Siamas. Hooper will face Democrat Doris Carroll on Nov. 5.

State Rep. Brad Yeager, who lives in New Port Richey and represents District 56, got 6,882 votes, or 79%, compared to the 1,782 votes, or 21%, his challenger, Kirk Phillips, received. Democrat William Vernon Pura, who lives in Elfers, will run against Yeager in November.

 

Published August 28, 2024.