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Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

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Florida leads the nation with further expansions to its workforce

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(The Center Square) — Gov. Ron DeSantis announced Monday that the job growth in Florida continues to outpace the nation in 2024, particularly in the private sector, with more than 37,900 jobs added in January of this year, a 0.4% increase.

According to a news release from DeSantis’ office and data from the Florida Department of Commerce, currently this increase is double the national rate of 0.2%, while Florida’s economic data indicates confidence among the Sunshine State’s workforce, which also grew by 243,000 or 2.2% since January 2023. Nationally, the workforce only grew at a rate of 0.8% during the same time period.

“Florida has started off the year strong by growing jobs at twice the national average. Florida continuously outperforms the national economy with fiscal stewardship, growth-friendly policies, limited government spending, and one of the lowest tax burdens per capita in the nation.” DeSantis said in a news release.

A whopping 9,700 jobs were added in January in education and health services, taking the top spot among all major industries. Tourism added 9,400 jobs, while business and professional services added 7,500 jobs, and according to DeSantis, revised economic data from 2023 showed that the economy has passed original estimates.

DeSantis thanked the implementation of Florida’s E-Verify law for the growth within the tourism industry, which ensures that companies employ legal citizens.

Statewide unemployment remains lower than the national rate for 39 consecutive months, according to DeSantis, who pointed out that the national unemployment rate was 3.7% for January 2024, 0.6 percentage points higher than Florida.

According to the news release, data indicates that there are more than enough jobs for Floridians seeking work, with more than 405,000 jobs posted online in January.

DeSantis also added job reports by region, with Fort Lauderdale’s labor force increasing by 30,606, a growth of 2.9%. Approximately 16,500 jobs were added to the private sector, an increase of 2.2% over the year.

Jacksonville’s private sector employment increased by 1.6% or 11,400, while the city’s unemployment rate was 3.3% in January 2024, an increase of 0.4 percentage points over January 2023’s rate of 2.9%.

The Miami metro area gained the highest number of private sector jobs among all metro areas. Private sector jobs increased by 3.8% or 43,900, while the unemployment rate dropped by 0.5 percentage points to a rate of 1.4%.

Published March 20, 2024

Community celebrates Benedictine Sisters

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The Saint Leo University community celebrated the 135th anniversary of the founding of the Benedictine Sisters of Florida on Feb. 28, the date in 1889 when five nuns arrived in rural East Pasco County from Pennsylvania to staff schools. 

Sister Roberta Bailey, prioress, discusses the history of the Benedictine Sisters of Florida. (Courtesy of Caroline Jorgensen/Saint Leo University)

At the request of Father Gerald Pilz, the nuns began teaching in San Antonio and St. Joseph, helping to create the school that would become Saint Leo University and to found the Benedictine Sisters of Florida.

During Saint Leo’s lunch and program, Father John McEvoy gave the opening prayer and Town of St. Leo Mayor Mike D’Ambrosio read a proclamation, recognizing the 135th anniversary and in honor of the sisters’ service to the community.

Sister Roberta Bailey, OSB, prioress of the Benedictine Sisters of Florida, acknowledged the significance of the occasion: “We are grateful for all that God has done for us throughout these 135 years since our founding sisters ventured forth from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to Pasco County, Florida. We’ve opened and withdrawn from schools — all still a credit to our transitional skills as they continue in some form to serve the founding purpose. Some changes were welcome and settled in easily; some sat uneasy on the sisters’ shoulders as they responded to ‘the call of our times,’” said Bailey in a news release.

Saint Leo student Lili Kozlowski greets the Benedictine Sisters of Florida.

From 1929 to 1959, the sisters operated St. Benedict’s Prep school for boys. Holy Name Academy provided day and boarding programs for girls until 1964, according to the release.

“Shifting gears, we built new dormitories and a cafeteria to provide services to Saint Leo College students,” Bailey said. “In 2014, we made the courageous decision to ‘begin again’ the great adventure of the Benedictine Sisters of Florida. We sold our property north of Highway (County Road) 52 to Saint Leo University and built a one-level house on a former citrus grove across the highway.”

The prioress also noted the many careers the sisters have had: classroom teachers, principal, mission superior, CCD teachers and coordinators, and “mom” at Good Counsel Camp. The Benedictine Sisters of Florida have served as archivists, hospice volunteers, health care providers, laundry and kitchen staff, seamstresses, artists and more.

“The Benedictine Sisters, and the monks, offer an example of flexibility, perseverance and stability. Their many friends within and outside our community clearly pay tribute to our sense of radical Benedictine hospitality. In conclusion, the Benedictine Sisters of Florida continue to ‘do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, thanking God through him,” said Bailey.

Published March 13, 2024

Planning commission approves zoning amendments

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The Pasco County Planning Commission approved two zoning amendments and two comprehensive plan amendments during its March 7 meeting.

The Pasco County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) will need to finalize these decisions at future meetings. This is because the Planning Commission acts in an advisory capacity to the BOCC.

(Maxmillian Conacher/Unsplash)

Discussed at length was the approval of the transmittal of a comprehensive plan amendment affecting a 92.6-acre parcel on Bellamy Brothers Boulevard to the BOCC for its adoption. The request had originally been listed on the meeting’s agenda as a consent item and such items are typically adopted with little or no discussion.

This request, submitted by Sandarben LLC of Odessa, proposed that the zoning of the property, which is currently AG (Agriculture), be changed to AG/R (Agriculture/Residential). This would enable 18 homes to be built on the property where only nine currently are allowed.

The proposal was approved by a 4-2 vote, with Planning Commission members Chris Williams and Jon Moody voting against it.

The Florida Department of Commerce (DOC) and other agencies had reviewed the request because of the size of the property in question. The BOCC received a letter of no comment from the Florida DOC.

An area resident, Ralph Barthle, asked for the request to be denied. Barthle said he is concerned about 10 traffic fatalities that had occurred on Bellamy Brothers Boulevard between 2017 and 2023. This was on the stretch of the road from the Hernando County line to State Road 52 in Pasco County. 

He told Planning Commission members five of the fatalities had been from 2017-2022 while five more had occurred in 2023 alone. People don’t drive on Bellamy Brothers Boulevard as they should and also speed around curves, according to Barthle.

The property owner’s representative defended the request. She told Planning Commission members a curve on Bellamy Brothers Boulevard near the affected site was not one that was conducive to causing a traffic accident because of its elevation or other factors.

In other matters last Thursday, the Planning Commission:

  • Approved a zoning amendment for Serene Preserve Master Planned Unit Development (MPUD) that was requested by EC-Willow Bend LLC of St. Petersburg. The property is currently zoned E-R (Estate Residential). The requested change referred to by the BOCC would permit the development of 37 single-family detached units near Willow Bend Parkway in Land O’ Lakes. 
  • Approved a zoning amendment for 1.95 acres of property located on the northeast of Tupper Road and State Road 54. The property is currently zoned R-2 (Low Density Residential District) and C-2 (General Commercial District). The requested change that was referred to the BOCC is for the entire property to be zoned C-2. 
  • Recommended approval of a comprehensive plan amendment requested by Finlay Commercial Center to permit 3.49 acres of property north of Dade City to be changed from RES-6 (Residential-6 DU/GA) to COM (Commercial). If approved by the BOCC, this would allow the property located on the east side of U.S. 301 and approximately 750 feet south of U.S. 98 to be used for commercial purposes.
  • Timber Ridge LLC of Dade City requested a continuance to the April 4 Planning Commission in Dade City of a zoning amendment it is seeking. The applicant would like to have the zoning of the approximately 48.42-acre parcel located at 15845 14th St., to be changed from R-3 (Medium Density Residential District) to an MPUD (Master Planned Unit Development. The item was originally on the consent agenda but the applicant requested the continuance. If adopted by the BOCC, the applicant could be allowed to develop a maximum of 190 single-family detached units.

Published March 13, 2024

Proposed ordinance could help spark employment growth

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The Pasco County Planning Commission agreed to refer a proposed ordinance to the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) that, if adopted, is likely to help promote increased employment growth in the county.

Several amendments to Pasco County’s Comprehensive Plan are being proposed.

One of the purposes of the proposed ordinance is to streamline policy implementation and to upgrade policy approaches in response to market demands.

(Benjamin Lehman/Unsplash)

Also being considered is an amendment that would provide for better flexibility in implementing employment-generating land use classifications.

If the ordinances are adopted, authorized commercial uses and the general range of potential uses to further the intent of employment generation would be amended.

Industrial compatibility adjacent to wetlands, commercial development in general, and land uses and floor area ratios (FAR) within Future Land Use (FLU) categories are being considered.

Making changes in commercial infill development, commercial location limitations and amending calculations of residential densities would occur if the ordinance was adopted.

The county’s intent of restricting Industrial Heavy (IH) uses adjacent to wetlands would also be clarified along with clarity on where commercial development could occur. Meanwhile, provisions allowing for greater flexibility for where neighborhood commercial development could occur also would be included.

In addition, the location of commercial development being able to occur at collector and arterial intersections including collector/collector, arterial/arterial and collector/arterial intersections would be clarified.

Size limitations would be increased from 4 acres to 5 acres, to align with how commercial infill is treated.

Texts would be amended to remove prohibition of light industrial land use classifications and uses adjacent to Category 1 wetlands.

And finally, there would be provisions for amendments that would be necessary for consistency if the ordinance was adopted. 

The BOCC is scheduled to consider the ordinance for adoption at its June 4 meeting in Dade City.

Published March 13, 2024

Pasco Extension opens food pantry in Dade City

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(Suzy Hazelwood/Pexels)

UF/IFAS Cooperative Extension Pasco County has announced a new food bank providing essential food items for community members at the One Stop Shop, 15029 14th St., in Dade City.

The food pantry will be open on Tuesdays and Fridays from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. It will be stocked by The Volunteer Way and will provide these types of food: protein, beans, frozen vegetables, and fruit, according to a news release.

Families can receive one box per week, with amounts of food based on family size. Food items will vary, as will amounts. 

For additional information, call 352-521-1254.

For more about the Extension Service, including volunteer opportunities, visit MyPas.co/UFIFASPascoExt.

Published March 13, 2024

Be on the lookout for SAT prep scams

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The Better Business Bureau (BBB) issued a scam alert in which scammers are tricking parents into paying for bogus SAT and ACT prep materials, according to a BBB news release.

The scammers make unsolicited calls and claim to be from the College Board, the company responsible for the PSAT, SAT and AP tests, or another educational organization. The caller claims to be confirming your address so they can send test prep materials, such as books, CDs or videos that a child requested.

The catch is: The caller needs you to pay a deposit, sometimes several hundred dollars, for the materials, and claims it will be refunded when the materials are returned after a set number of days.

If you provide your address and credit card details, the materials never arrive and the deposit will never be refunded. Scammers now have your credit card number and other personal information.

(Getty Image)

Several people have reported to the BBB Scam Tracker that the caller even had their child’s name, phone number, address, school information and/or the date and location of their child’s scheduled test, the release says.

The BBB offers these tips on how to avoid test prep scams:

  • Always be wary of unsolicited callers. If someone asks for payment, research their organization before sharing personal information or agreeing to receive services or products. Look up the business they claim to represent at BBB.org. Search the name, along with the words “scam” or “complaint.” Check BBB Scam Tracker to see if anyone else has filed a report about the company.
  • Double-check with your child. If scammers say they are calling because of a service a child requested, tell them you need to check with the child first and hang up. Do not send any money or make a payment if there is any doubt about the call.
  • Understand the College Board’s practices. The College Board will never ask you for bank or credit card information over the phone or via email. If a caller suggests otherwise, hang up. Visit CollegeBoard.org.
  • Use your credit card when possible. Credit card companies may refund your money if they spot a fraudulent charge or if you report one in a timely manner. The same protection may not be offered with a debit card or other payment options. Never agree to pay a stranger with a money wire, prepaid cards, or digital wallet such as Cash App or Venmo.

Whether or not you’ve lost money, if you have spotted a scam, report it to BBB.org/ScamTracker.

To find out more about scams and how to avoid them, visit BBB.org/AvoidScams.

Published March 13, 2024

State lawmakers wrap up session by passing school choice revision bill

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(The Center Square) — Florida wrapped up its legislative session on Friday, March 8, and, before leaving Tallahassee, lawmakers passed a revision of the state’s school choice programs.

The bill passed the House by a vote of 89-18 on Thursday, and if signed into law by Gov. Ron DeSantis, the legislation would go into effect on July 1.

House Bill 1403 is sponsored by state Rep. Josie Tomkow, R-Polk City. It would revise both contributions and provisions for the Florida Tax Credit Scholarship Program, the Family Empowerment Scholarship Program, the Hope Scholarship Program, virtual instruction program providers, private school requirements and students in personalized learning programs.

(CDC/Unsplash)

Last year, Florida lawmakers passed one of the largest expansions of school choice in the nation, HB 1, which enables more parents to choose the education that meets the needs of their children. However, feedback from constituents has revealed that there have been issues with providing funds within an expected timeframe.

Scholarship program funds are able to be used by parents on a range of educational tools, including private schools, tutors and educational materials for homeschooled students. Students were also able to enroll in a school outside of their district.

During the bill’s passage through committee, Tomkow said that this bill would remedy some of the funding issues by establishing separate application and renewal deadlines for the various programs so that renewals can be funded earlier.

Applications received after the deadline would be considered for the next school year. Payment for full-time tuition and fees must be made by the scholarship funding organization within seven business days of approval.

To address concerns about educational options available to students, Tomkow said that the bill would allow personalized education program students to use their funds for when instruction is provided away from the school under a student learning plan.

Tomkow added that because of the popularity of the Family Scholarship Program for students with unique abilities, overall funding would increase the annual growth of new FES-UA scholarships from 3% to 5%. If demand ever exceeds 95% of capacity again, the bill allows for an additional 1% increase the following year.

The bill would also remove an age limitation, allowing three and four-year-old students with disabilities to access scholarships and further increase transparency by requiring scholarship funding organizations to report on performance metrics related to applications and reimbursements.

Published March 13, 2024

New initiative helps make swim safety a priority

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Drowning is a leading cause of death for children, especially for young children between the ages of 1 and 4, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

In response to the statistics, AdventHealth Tampa has launched a new swim safety initiative, giving out neon-colored swim safety lanyards and whistles in the pediatric unit and pediatric emergency room, just ahead of Spring Break for most Tampa Bay area kids, according to a news release.

AdventHealth Tampa has begun distributing brightly colored lanyards as part of a new swim safety initiative. (Courtesy of AdventHealth)

Dr. Sara Kirby, medical director of the AdventHealth Tampa Pediatric Emergency Department, has led the initiative with the goal to increase swim safety awareness and designate a responsible adult during pool activities.

“Most of the drowning and near-drowning incidents we see in the emergency room are from pools,” said Dr. Kirby in the release. “We often hear a lot of, ‘I thought he was watching’ or ‘I thought she was watching.’ But it’s important to remember that if it’s everyone’s job, it’s no one’s job.”

The neon-colored safety lanyards serve as a physical, visible reminder of who is in charge at the pool, beach or any body of water.

“They will help you know who’s watching the children at any given moment,” the medical director said. “Then, if that person needs a break, they can hand the lanyard off to another adult.”

Dr. Kirby shares these additional tips for swim safety:

Take swimming lessons. From an early age, kids need to understand how to be safe around water. Pools can pose a powerful temptation for young children and it’s crucial they know what to do. Swim lessons can help. Check with the Red Cross, YMCA and other local organizations that may offer swim lessons for all ages.

Never rely on flotation devices (or even life jackets) to save a child. These aids should be viewed as just that — aids. These tools cannot be relied on to save a child from drowning.

Don’t leave children unattended in a body of water. It doesn’t matter if it’s a bathtub or a pool, never walk away while your little one is playing in the water, even for a few moments.

Know what to do in an emergency. If a child slips underwater and stays there for a while, or another water-related emergency occurs, you should know what to do: Call 911 and perform CPR if needed. Even if the child is awake and appears fine, call 911 so a medical provider can make sure they are OK.

These tips can easily apply to not only pools, but oceans, lakes or ponds.

“There’s water just about everywhere in Florida, so anything we can do to raise awareness and education around swim safety, especially heading into the spring and summer seasons, is the goal,” said Kirby.

Published March 13, 2024

Fantasy sports bill awaits floor vote in state Senate

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(The Center Square) — Daily fantasy sports operators are awaiting the passage of a new bill if they want to keep hopes alive of providing their services in the Sunshine State.

Senate Bill 1568 is sponsored by state Sen. Travis Hutson, R-Palm Coast, and would create the Fantasy Sports Contest Amusement Act, which authorizes the offering of fantasy sports contests.

The bill would require the Florida Gaming Control Commission to enforce and administer the act and it would also be authorized to take certain actions against an operator.

(Annie Spratt/Unsplash)

The bill is on the Senate’s special order calendar awaiting a floor vote. Time was not on the side of bill supporters with the session scheduled to end on Friday, March 8.

(Note: No action had been taken as of The Laker/Lutz News press deadline.)

Daily fantasy sports apps Betr, Underdog Fantasy and PrizePicks, were forced to cease operations on March 1 after the commission sent all three cease-and-desist letters in February to stop offering or accepting bets or wagers from Florida residents. Operators were previously sent cease-and-desist letters last year in September to end “pick’em” games in Florida.

According to the bill, only peer-to-peer games and traditional draft competitions will be allowed. At the same time, contest operators would be prohibited from participating in a fantasy sports contest that the operator offers.

Furthermore, any employees or agents of a contest operator would be prevented from sharing confidential information with a third party that could affect the outcome of fantasy sports play.

The bill states that the intent of the legislation is to ensure public confidence in the integrity of fantasy sports contests and their operators and to regulate participants and contest operators while enacting consumer protections related to fantasy sports contests.

The commission would be required to enforce and administer the act. It would be authorized to take certain actions, including revoking an operator’s license, conducting investigations and monitoring the operation and play of fantasy sports contests.

Winning outcomes cannot be based on the score, point spread, or any performance or performances of any single actual team or combination of teams or any single performance of an individual athlete or player in an actual sports event.

Fantasy sports operators would be required to apply with the commission for a license that would be effective for one year and would have to be renewed annually. The cost of the initial license would be $500,000, with a renewal cost of $250,000.

Published March 13, 2024

Florida bill would make it easier for dentists to be certified

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(The Center Square) — Florida’s dental students could soon have help gaining their qualifications a little easier after a bill was passed by the Legislature and is headed to Gov. Ron DeSantis’ desk.

Senate Bill 938 is sponsored by state Sen. Clay Yarborough, R-Jacksonville, and would make changes to the dental industry in the Sunshine State. The bill passed unanimously in both chambers, most recently in the House on March 5.

(Quang Tri Nguyen/Unsplash)

Yarborough said during the bill’s passage through committee that the bill is agreed-upon language between the Florida Dental Association and the Florida Board of Dentistry to clean up the Dental Practice Act after various changes over recent years related to the dental license exam and the dental licensure process.

The bill updates the Dental Practice Act to reflect that Florida accepts the American Board of Dental Examiners exam, which is offered and accepted in 48 states. The bill creates uniformity and the dental exam process, regardless of whether the dental student takes their licensure exam in-state or out-of-state.

Dental students going through the curriculum in a graded format of the exam would be allowed to take different sections of the exam throughout their years at dental school, not just in their final year.

Furthermore, the bill adds language to take into consideration personal emergencies or special hardships when out-of-state applicants apply for dental licensure, which is currently not an option for the Board of Dentistry to consider. The bill would also delete outdated language throughout Florida laws.

The bill would require anyone who is applying for a dental license to meet certain criteria, including being older than age 18, a graduate of a dental school accredited by the American Dental Association Commission on Dental Accreditation or another entity recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and successfully passed the dental exam.

Other requirements to get a dental license in Florida include applicants providing sufficient evidence that they have never been convicted of or pled “nolo contendere” to a felony or misdemeanor related to the practice of a health care profession in any jurisdiction.

The board also would be able to excuse the mandatory 1,200-hour requirement in the event of a hardship. If the bill receives DeSantis’ signature, it will come into effect on July 1.

Published March 13, 2024