The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Local News

Buckle up the right way for safety

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Whether taking a trip for the holidays, or just driving in the neighborhood, parents and caregivers are encouraged to help make sure children are buckled up in the right seat, for every ride, every time.

Motor vehicle crashes are a leading cause of death for children ages 1 to 12 in the United States. In fact, one in three kids under age 13 in 2021 who died in car crashes were unrestrained, according to a State Farm news release.

Studies examining misuse among users of child car seats estimate that more than half of car seats are not used or installed correctly. A properly used and installed child safety seat can reduce the risk of injury by as much as 71%, the release says.

State Farm has teamed with Safe Kids Worldwide to launch the Good Neighbor Car Seat Safety Program — a new national initiative to increase access to education and resources, help inspire behavior change, and create a culture of safety for children and families.

Safe Kids is a nonprofit organization working to reduce unintentional injuries to children ages 0 to 14, and to build equitable and sustained systems that support injury prevention. To learn more, visit SafeKids.org/car-seat.

“With over 3.6 million children born in the U.S. every year (CDC/Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), State Farm is committed to helping kids stay safe ‘From Car Seat to Driver’s Seat,’” said Jose Soto, State Farm corporate responsibility analyst, in the release.

Before the end of 2023, the Good Neighbor program will bring car seat checkup events to communities in 25 cities across the country.

For more information on State Farm’s mission, visit StateFarm.com.

Published December 20, 2023

As dry conditions persist, here are some tips to reduce outdoor water use

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Pasco, Hillsborough and Pinellas counties are operating under a Modified Phase 1 Water Shortage declared by the Southwest Florida Water Management District’s governing board.

Under that order, all three counties are limited to one day a week for outdoor irrigation.

Katherine Munson is the lead conservation education coordinator for the Southwest Florida Water Management District. (Courtesy of Southwest Florida Water Management District)

Katherine Munson, lead conservation education coordinator for the Water Management District, has compiled a list of questions and answers to help individuals reduce their water use by taking a few simple steps. A condensed version of that Q&A is presented here.

Q: Why is it important to conserve water outdoors?
A:  Outdoor water use accounts for about 50% of water consumed by households, so it’s important to pay attention to your outdoor water use. If using a permanent in-ground irrigation system, be sure to conduct regular maintenance to ensure it is working properly and make seasonal adjustments throughout the year. If using a non-permanent above-ground sprinkler, only run the sprinkler when you’re home, water slowly to reduce runoff and allow deep penetration, and be sure to use a kitchen timer to remind yourself to turn it off.

Q: What are signs to tell me my in-ground irrigation system is working properly?
A: Manually test run your system to visually check for broken or misdirected sprinkler heads, where water is shooting into the air or into the road or driveway. Also, look for areas where water may be spraying unevenly across your lawn.

Q: Does it matter when I water my lawn?
A: You should only water on your designated day and only if needed. You can learn more about local water restrictions at WaterMatters.org/Restrictions.

Q: What should I check on my irrigation controller to make sure it’s set to water more efficiently?
A: There are three main elements to check on your irrigation controller — the start time, run time and schedule. The start time refers to when your sprinkler system will turn on. Only one start time is needed to initiate watering all irrigation zones. The run time refers to how long each zone in your system will run. Check with your local UF/IFAS Extension office for run time recommendations. The schedule refers to the days of the week your system will turn on. Always check local water restrictions before setting your start time and schedule at WaterMatters.org/Restrictions.

Q: Can smart irrigation controllers help save water outdoors?
A: Yes, smart irrigation controllers help to reduce outdoor water use by automatically adjusting your irrigation run times and/or frequency depending on local weather and other site conditions. Smart controllers are an especially great option if you travel often or live in Florida only part of the year, and still want your irrigation system to adjust to seasonal changes. If properly installed and programmed, a smart irrigation controller can result in water savings of up to 30% to 40% during dry conditions and up to 70% to 90% during the rainy season.

To find more water conservation tips, visit the District’s website at WaterMatters.org/Water101.

Published December 20, 2023

Avoid these ’12 scams of Christmas’

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The Better Business Bureau (BBB) has compiled its ‘naughty list’ of the top 12 scams of Christmas, according to a news release from the organization.

You can avoid most of these scams, however, by exercising caution.

Be careful when shopping or donating during this holiday season and keep an eye out for schemes that are trying to swipe your cash or steal your personal information, the BBB advises. If you are asked to make a payment or donation by wire transfer, through a third party or by a prepaid debit or gift card, regard that as a red flag and refuse to do so.

Here’s the BBB’s 12 scams of Christmas, in condensed form:

Be wary of misleading social media ads. Online purchase scams are the most common cons reported to BBB’s Scam Tracker.

Avoid social media gift exchanges. This scam aims to collect your personal information. Stick to buying your friends gifts from trustworthy businesses.

Be careful with holiday apps: There are dozens of holiday-themed apps that allow children to video chat live with Santa, light the menorah, track Santa’s sleigh and so on. Be sure to review privacy policies to be aware of what information will be collected and also be aware that some of these apps may contain malware.

Watch out for fake texts that say you’ve been hacked. BBB receives tons of reports on Scam Tracker about fake texts and emails, many of them claiming your Amazon, Paypal, Netflix or bank account has been compromised. Be extra cautious about unsolicited calls, emails and texts; contact the business directly and don’t click on any links.

Be wary of free gift cards. Scammers have been known to take advantage of our weakness for ‘free things’  by sending bulk phishing emails requesting personal information to receive free gift cards. In some of these emails, scammers impersonate legitimate companies and promise gift cards to reward their loyal customers. They may also use pop-up ads or send text messages with links saying you were randomly selected as the winner of a prize. Mark these emails as spam or junk. If you did open the email, do not click on any links.

Temporary holiday jobs: Retailers typically hire seasonal workers to help meet the demands of holiday shoppers. Shippers and delivery services are top holiday employers this year because of the increase in online orders and the need to get most of these packages delivered before Christmas. Job seekers need to be wary of employment scams aimed at stealing money and personal information from job applicants. Watch out for opportunities that seem too good to be true.

Look-alike websites: Be wary of emails with links enclosed. Some may lead to look-alike websites created by scammers to trick people into downloading malware, making dead-end purchases, and sharing private information. If you are uncertain about the email, go directly to the official website.

Fake charities: Keep a look out for fraudulent charities and scammers pretending to be individuals in need. Avoid impromptu donation decisions to unfamiliar organizations. Where possible, donate to the charity through their website and use a credit card.

Fake shipping notifications: As more consumers make purchases online, there’s an increase in the number of notifications about shipping details from retailers and carriers. Scammers are using this new surge to send phishing emails with links enclosed that may allow unwanted access to your private information or download malware onto your device. They may also try to trick people into paying new shipping fees. 

Advent calendars: In the past, BBB has received reports to Scam Tracker about advent calendar ads on social media not delivering as promised. Some were not received, and others received inferior products or incomplete orders. Do your research before placing an order.

Top holiday wish list items: Low-priced luxury goods, jewelry, designer clothing, and electronics are almost always cheap counterfeits and knockoffs. The same applies to popular toys. This year, Barbie and Ken, Bitzee, and Paw Patrol headphones are some of the items in high demand. Be very cautious when considering purchasing popular toys from resellers or on social media platforms.

Puppy scams: Many families may be considering adding a furry friend to their household this year. However, be on the lookout for scams. Experts say as much as 80% of sponsored pet advertisements may be fake. Be sure to see the pet in person before making a purchase.

For general information on how to avoid scams, visit BBB.org/AvoidScams.

Published December 20, 2023

Avoid Gift Card Scams This Holiday Season

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The Pasco Sheriff’s Office offers these tips to help you avoid gift card scams this holiday season:

  • Inspect gift cards for signs of tampering, such as scratches or scuff marks around the bar code or additional adhesives on the exterior of the card.
  • If the PIN is exposed on a gift card, notify a store representative and choose an untampered card.
  • Never buy gift cards from an auction or community website; buy gift cards directly from the retailer.
  • Be sure to save receipts when purchasing a gift card.
  • Treat gift cards like a debit card; change the security code to something creative.

Also, remember that a digital gift card may be a safer option.

Published December 20, 2023

Avoid household dangers during the holidays

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The holidays can be a festive and jolly time, but they also can be a source of hazards around the home.

State Farm has compiled a list of tips, aimed at helping you to maintain happy holiday spirits by avoiding electrical fires that result in costly damages.

Here are some of State Farm’s tips:

Be sure to use the proper lights and extension cords when setting up your holiday display to prevent a potential house fire during the holidays. (Mike Camunas)

Lights
Use only lights that have been tested for safety by a nationally recognized testing laboratory, such as UL. Lights for both indoor and outdoor usage must meet strict requirements that testing laboratories are able to verify.

Check each set of lights, new or old, for broken or cracked sockets, frayed or bare wires, or loose connections.

Check outdoor lights for labels showing that the lights have been certified for outdoor use, and only plug them into a ground-fault circuit interrupter (GFCI)-protected receptacle or a portable GFCI.

Make sure to unplug or turn off any decorations when you leave the house or go to bed at night, to prevent harm and possible fire hazards.​ ​

Cords
Purchase only extension cords that have been approved by an independent testing laboratory.

When using outdoors, use only extension cords marked for outdoor use.

Avoid powering multiple appliances with one cord.

Never use indoor extension cords outdoors.

Don’t plug multiple cords together.

Don’t run extension cords under rugs or furniture and never staples or nails.

Stop using extension cords that feel hot to the touch.

Published December 20, 2023

A Sense of Place

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If you’d like an image to be considered for publication, please email it to . Please add a sentence or two, describing when and where you took the photo and what the image means to you. Be sure to include who took the photo, where he or she lives and contact information, in case we need to reach back.

The Truth is Out There
The Laker/Lutz News Staff Writer Mike Camunas was featured on an episode of The X-Files — er, snapped this photo of a ‘UFO’ that made its landing on a property off U.S. Highway 301 in Dade City on Nov. 18. (Mike Camunas)
Proof in the Preserve
Land O’ Lakes resident Charles McCarthy took this photo of the forest preserve in Concord Station behind his home in ‘Old’ Wellington in a subdivision in the Sunlake area. ‘(It) proves that Florida CAN have a colorful autumn!’ McCarthy said.
Hay there, ya’ll
The Laker/Lutz News Staff Writer Mike Camunas grabbed this photo of ‘unpainted’ hay bales in the field across the street from well-known local shops such as San Antonio Pottery and Al’s Pizza Shop off Curley Road on Nov. 18.
Loopy on the Lake
The Laker/Lutz News Staff Writer Mike Camunas took this photo of the glassy reflection on Lake Padgett from the dock area at In The Loop Brewery in Land O’ Lakes on Nov. 29.

Holiday lights aim to generate joy, generosity

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Putting up holiday decorations can be a chore.

But doing it with neighbors, with friends who live on your street — well, it can bring a small community together. That’s just what it’s done in the Wilderness Lake Preserve neighborhood.

Residents of Blue Spring Drive, a road in the Wilderness Lake Preserve community in Land O’ Lakes, had an idea: How about joining together to create a ‘Dazzling Light Display’ but at the same time, seek to give back to those who are really in need during this holiday season? (Mike Camunas)

Residents at about two dozen homes have combined their talents to create a Dazzling Light Display at Blue Spring Drive, a residential street in the Land O’ Lakes community. Their handiwork features lighted decor on most of the homes, as well as strung lights from tree to tree.

One organizer, Dominic Dominguez, said initially the intent was just to have a festive display, but they opted to do more. He and residents are inviting anyone to come see the lights and, on Thursdays through Saturdays from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., if they are willing, to bring some canned foods to donate.

No donations are required, but those opting to bring them can drop them off into a bin under a street light in the middle of the display. All donations will then be taken to Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Church’s food pantry in Land O’ Lakes.

“It all kind of came from an idea at the Halloween (street) party,” Dominguez said. “We just basically yelled to each other across the street and said what if we all did our decorations together. And then we decided to add the food drive because we know it’s been a rough year for a lot of families.

“If we can keep a couple of families from going hungry, it’ll be worth it, so that’s really the motivation behind it.”

Local neighbors and residents are welcomed, and encouraged, to come out and see the Dazzling Light Display on Blue Spring Drive. Homeowners on the residential street in the Wilderness Lake Preserve community in Land O’ Lakes collaborated to create a festive display, which they hope will attract visitors – and they hope the visitors are willing to donate canned goods for a nearby food pantry.

This is the first time the residents have combined for a street-long display, as well as working to get any kind of donations. Decorating has taken a couple of weeks, as residents worked on their homes and on stringing lights across the street by using ladders or climbing trees to hang the decorations.

“No one was using any lifts, so I think, from the climbing (up ladders and trees), we’re really feeling (sore) now,” Dominguez said, with a laugh.

Dominguez and the residents figured having a light display was a great way to bring the neighborhood and the nearby communities together for the holiday season. But they put the display together just to be festive and went in with zero expectations on the amount of cans they might collect.

Their hope is the display inspires visitors to give back.

“This ZIP code (here in Land O’ Lakes) has more than 10,000 people, so it’s always growing,” Dominguez said. “We just want anyone to enjoy the lights and, if you can bring food, please do — we would love it, but we have no expectations.

“And if we get no cans, well, at least we tried, and anyone or everyone can take some leisure time and enjoy the lights this season.”

Dazzling Light Display at Blue Spring Drive
Where: Blue Spring Drive, a residential road in the Wilderness Lake Preserve community in Land O’ Lakes
Details: A couple dozen houses and its residents worked together, on a lark, to create a festive light display on their short road. Most of the houses are decorated, plus there are lighted strings across the street. The Blue Spring Drive group hopes that locals will come to see the display and will donate canned goods, which will be collected and delivered to the food pantry at Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Church, 2348 Collier Parkway, Land O’ Lakes. While the light display can be seen any evening, a bin will be out in the middle of the display, underneath a street light, on Thursdays through Sundays from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., throughout the month of December.

Published December 13, 2023

Amy Drury is Pasco County’s Literacy Teacher of the Year

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Winning awards is not exactly new for Amy Drury.

Recently, however, she added a big one.

She has been named Pasco County’s Literacy Teacher of the Year.

Drury was honored during the Pasco County School Board meeting on Dec. 5.

Tressa Lima, from the Office of Leading and Learning, shared Drury’s history and accomplishments with board members.

Amy Drury, forefront, was honored as the Pasco County Literacy Teacher of the Year for the 2023-2024 academic year by the Pasco County School Board. (Courtesy of Pasco County Schools)

She told the board it was with great pride and honor that she stood before them “to recognize this amazing educator, Miss Amy Drury,” the county’s Literacy Teacher of the Year for the 2023-2024 school year.

“Amy started her career in Polk County in 2003 as a substitute teacher. She quickly learned that teaching was her calling, and moved to Pasco County Schools, teaching second grade at Woodland Elementary, in 2004,” Lima said.

“She spent 14 years at Woodland Elementary, moving from a second grade teacher to a PLC (Professional Learning Community) facilitator and then moving into the role of the instructional trainer/coach.

“She was recognized as the Teacher of the Year in 2007 for both of her school sites, as well as recognized as the Sam’s Club and Walmart Teacher of the Year winner, as well.

“Since 2018, she joined the ranks at Raymond B. Stewart Middle School as a sixth grade language arts teacher, and then quickly became their instructional trainer/coach for literacy, in the following year.”

Lima continued: “She knows that developing caring adults will develop caring students, and she carries that mantra forward in everything she does.

“Her passion for literacy led both to her taking formal and informal leadership roles within her school, as she serves the community as well.

“I had the pleasure of serving as Amy’s district coach in 2017 and it was awe-inspiring to me to see her deeply ingrain herself in work, while keeping students at the forefront.  She’s truly one-of-a-kind.

“You couldn’t walk the hallways of Woodland Elementary without a student or staff member stopping her to say hello. It was like I was walking with a celebrity.

“She’s someone who anyone can, and does, go to for support because she assists in any way possible.

“She’s extremely knowledgeable and willing to help. She’s truly loved by students, teachers, staff, parents — all alike.

“Most importantly, she’s passionate about literacy for all, for all of her students.

“Prior to her moving to middle school, she told me she felt like she wanted to do more for her students and see them through the continuum of learning.

“She knew how they performed under her watch at Woodland, but wanted to impact them at that point after leaving her as well.

“She told me that she gained inspiration from watching Mrs. (Kimberly) Poe (former principal) hug her students on the graduation stage, as they beamed with pride and excitement, and she thought to herself: ‘This is what it’s all about — students, and joining in their success.

“Every professional development that Amy runs, she does it with her team — rooted in action, support for literacy across disciplines for each student.

“Amy is a true testament for passion and dedication. She’s never afraid to get her hands dirty with the right work. She would never ask anyone to do something that she hasn’t done herself, which makes her truly amazing among her peers and colleagues alike.

“Her forward-thinking and continuous desire to grow and learn makes her an asset to our system, in every aspect.

“She believes each student can be successful, if they have a champion in their corner — someone who is willing to fight for them and let them know that they are worth it and they can do it,” Lima said.

She told the school board that the district has submitted Drury’s name to represent Pasco at the state level.

Drury was asked if she would like to make some remarks.

She responded: “I’d just like to thank Tressa for her kind words. That was beautiful, and my team over here that continues to support me in everything that I do.”

Published December 13, 2023

Kirkland Ranch K-8 is ‘beehive’ of activity

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Crews are working hard, as Kirkland Ranch K-8 continues to make progress toward its August 2024 opening date.

Marcy Hetzler-Nettles, assistant superintendent of middle schools, told the Pasco School Board that she recently had a chance to tour the construction area, along with Betsy Kuhn, assistant superintendent for support services, and Julie Marks, the school’s first principal.

This rendering depicts what the new Kirkland Ranch K-8 is expected to look like, when construction is completed on the new school in Wesley Chapel. (Courtesy of Pasco County Schools/Hepner Architects)

Hetzler-Nettles told the school board that watching Principal Marks take in the sight was delightful.

“It was like Christmas morning, for a child unwrapping a gift, to see her eyes light up,” Hetzler-Nettles said.

Hetzler-Nettles also said crews at the work site are clearly focused on the tasks at hand.

“It is a serious beehive out there right now. It’s amazing the amount of crews that are all in – welding, electrical, they’re pulling cables. They’re putting up drywall, all over the place,” Hetzler-Nettles said.

“It looks fantastic and it’s coming together quite nicely. It’s going to be very exciting to see it, once it is done.”

The school, at 33137 Innovation Drive, in Wesley Chapel, will be on the east side of the campus of Kirkland Ranch Academy of Innovation.

During a previous presentation to the board, Peter Hepner, of Hepner Architects, offered details about the project. He said there will be play courts and a covered play area outdoors, as well as parking lots for staff and visitors, and a drop-off area for students.

The first floor will have spaces for administration, prekindergarten, primary classrooms, and elementary art, music and skills labs.

The student dining area includes a stage and there will be outdoor dining, too.

The second floor includes primary and intermediate classrooms, a media center and a teacher planning area.

On the third floor, there will be middle school classrooms, art and music areas, a STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) Center and science labs.

Creative Contractors is the construction manager for the Kirkland Ranch K-8 project.

The school has been described on the school district’s website as a “state-of-the-art dedicated magnet school experience for young creators, innovators and entrepreneurs located near the Epperson community.”

The website notes that the school will have the magnet themes of World Languages and Entrepreneurship woven throughout the student experience. 

Students will begin with their language acquisition in kindergarten and will have the opportunity to earn high school World Language credits in their middle school years, the website says.  

The website also notes that Kirkland Ranch K-8 is the only school in Pasco County that offers a magnet entrepreneurship program, from kindergarten through eighth grade. The course progression allows students to cultivate entrepreneurial mindsets and capabilities beginning in elementary school.

Those wishing to attend the school can apply during the Pasco Pathways Application Window, between Jan. 8 to Jan. 19.

Published December 13, 2023

Pasco County Schools seeks to reduce absenteeism through new approach

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Pasco County Schools will have three four-day weekends during its regular 2024-2025 school year in a bid it hopes will reduce student absenteeism.

The school board approved the proposed school calendar during its Dec. 5 meeting.

“We are hoping — and I think we are going to include this in our attendance campaign — that by placing those four-day weekends strategically, I think there’s one in October, one in February and one in April, that we can encourage our students and families to take their mini-trips or vacations on those long weekends, instead of taking off instructional days,” said Kevin Shibley, an assistant superintendent.

“So, we’re going to try to market that to our families,” he added.

Pasco County School is adopting a new calendar for the 2024-2025 school year. The new approach includes four-day weekends in October, February and April. District staff and board members hope that families will take advantage of those mini-breaks, rather than pulling kids from school on regular days. (Mike Camunas)

School board member Alison Crumbley told Shibley: “I’ll add to your encouragement on that.”

Her colleague, Cynthia Armstrong, agreed: “That’s an excellent message because it is very frustrating when I see parents randomly taking students out for vacations.”

The new calendar also includes one full professional development (PD) day in the fall, instead of four early release days (ERD).

“I think the idea is that we can get some quality time with our teachers early in the school year with that full day of PD and then use the ERD days in the second semester to do follow-up and extension of that learning, in small chunks, as the school year continues,” Shibley said.

Consolidating the four ERDs also yields more student instructional time, overall, Shibley noted.

Shibley also pointed out a similar strategy is already used by some high-performing Florida school districts.

Elected school district leaders said they did not receive a great deal of feedback on the issue.

School board member Colleen Beaudoin said one teacher asked if the district could start the school year later in August, but Beaudoin explained that the district starts earlier so it can deliver as much instruction as possible before testing begins.

“Also, it allows us to finish the first semester prior to Winter Break, which is really important, especially at the secondary level,” Beaudoin added.

Another teacher asked if the work day after Spring Break could be shifted to before Spring Break, but Beaudoin said that would create scheduling difficulties for teachers because it would result in a week with a work day and a half-day, making it difficult for teachers to plan.

Armstrong said she received mixed feedback regarding the four-day weeks.

“I had some for it; I had some who preferred getting out earlier in the school year. So, it went both ways on that one,” she said.

Don Peace, president of the United School Employees of Pasco, said the union is taking a neutral stance on the issue. He encouraged anyone who wanted to provide feedback to reach out to school board members.

“Some of these things may prove beneficial; others, maybe not so much. It’s hard to say right now.

“I’m not sure I know all of the particulars, but if proper planning and considerations are made, and I do want to note that I have had extended conversations with Mr. Shibley and I think that things are in order for planning, this might work well,” Peace said.

However, Peace added: “Respectfully, if we are going to make significant changes to the calendar, the opportunity to discuss this at an evening session prior to a vote would seem to be in order. This would allow those with concerns to express some to the board before a vote.”

Shibley said that, overall, comments received by the district were positive.

“Staff kind of liked the idea of the four-day weekends, in general,” Shibley said.

School board chairwoman Megan Harding  welcomes the new approach.

“It’s different this time. We’re going to try something new,” she said.

Published December 13, 2023