The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Local News

Pasco officials clear the way for a regional children’s hospital

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The Pasco County Commission has approved a rezoning that will allow a mixed-use development including a regional children’s hospital, a hotel, residential, commercial and office development.

County board members approved a rezoning request on 176 acres at the northeast corner of McKendree and Overpass roads to make way for the proposed projects.

Specifically, the approval allows:
• 1,275 multi-family dwellings

  • 155,000 square feet of retail
  • 150,000 square feet of office
  • 250,000 square feet of medical office
  • 365,000 square feet of hospital
  • 250 hotel rooms

Clarke Hobby, an attorney representing All Children’s Hospital, said it should be a day of celebration for Pasco County because the hospital has selected to locate in Pasco.

But not everyone is overjoyed by that fact.

Tonya Riddlesworth, who lives next door to the planned development, spoke against elements of the mixed-use project during the county board’s Nov. 14 public hearing.

The Pasco County Commission has approved a rezoning that will allow a mixed-use development including a regional children’s hospital, a hotel, residential, commercial and office development at the corner of McKendree and Overpass roads in Wesley Chapel. The site is in an area that’s been designated as Connected City. (Mike Camunas)

She told county commissioners that she wasn’t seeking a reduction in density, but did want the development to be staggered back away from her property to diminish its impacts on her quality of life.

She detailed a number of objections in a letter of opposition she submitted to the board.

In her letter, she wrote: “I am deeply troubled by the proposed addition of 1,275 apartment homes and a helipad in our community.”

She cited concerns about overcrowding in area schools, increased traffic congestion making the roads even more dangerous, and an incompatibility between the proposed uses and those that are already there.

“Multi-family homes are inconsistent with this rural farm area on a dirt road with chickens, cows, horses, goats, etc.,” she wrote.

Riddlesworth’s husband, Patrick Gant, also spoke out against the rezoning.

Dissatisfied by the response to their concerns, the couple hired attorney Jane Graham to represent them.

During the public hearing, Graham presented a long list of legal arguments regarding why the request should be denied, or at the very least delayed.

She claimed there are significant flaws in the traffic study for the rezoning, and the request is inconsistent with multiple sections of the county’s comprehensive plan.

Graham also suggested conditions to help mitigate the impacts and improve compatibility.

Other area residents also raised concerns about increased traffic and traffic safety, and asked for limitations on the number of users on the site’s lake.

The project site is within the Connected City Corridor, a state-initiated pilot program adopted by the Florida Legislature in 2015, which spurred a special planning area in Pasco County — bounded by State Road 52, Overpass Road, Interstate 75 and Curley Road.

The county adopted the Connected City plan in 2017 — envisioning a place that would harness the power of high technology, generate jobs, offer myriad housing choices and create special gathering spaces.

Before the board considered the proposed rezoning, it voted on another item — called a development agreement — that spells out road improvements that will be constructed by the developers before the hospital and associated projects proceed.

Hobby pointed to that agreement, in response to concerns about a lack of infrastructure to serve the project.

“The neighbors are alleging that we’re not putting the infrastructure in place to serve development in Connected City, and that is just flat-out wrong.

“The purpose of this development agreement is for us to build what is likely to be a four-lane, and transitioning to a two-lane road, in advance of development. A very extensive and expensive roadway,” Hobby said.

He also disputed testimony regarding insufficient school capacity. He said the school board does a good job of planning to address the impacts of growth.

Hobby also said the proposed development will benefit the county.

“We all know that we need hospitals — we’ve got a major growth spurt that’s ongoing in the county, and there are general hospitals that serve the general population,” Hobby said.

“But this is a regional facility that we expect may draw people from as far as 100, 150 miles away. And we’re very, very lucky, not only having it wanting to come to Pasco County, but in the exact location that we need it.

“So, in my mind, this is a day to be celebrated and the issues we’re discussing today — we’ve already put a great foot forward with our neighbors, but we’ll look back years from now and the only thing we’re going to remember is that this board voted to approve this project, the hospital and other uses that go with it. 

“And, you’ll be proud of that for the rest of your life,” Hobby said.

Starkey said she believes that property values will greatly increase for the large-lot landowners in the area.

Hobby also noted that the hospital will be converting a great number of the multifamily units listed in its original application to other hospital uses.

Commissioner Ron Oakley, whose district includes the hospital site, welcomes the project to Pasco.

“The fact that the children’s hospital is coming there is great for Pasco County and the citizens of Pasco County.

“There’s a lot of hospitals coming to this area and the benefactor of all these hospitals coming here — they’re going to be competing against each other to give the best service to our citizens, and our citizens are the benefactors of all that service they’re going to get — and better health care for everybody,” the commissioner added.

“All Children’s Hospital is a great hospital,” Oakley said.

Published November 29, 2023

Local nonprofit gives — with grace and gratitude

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Michelle Bergeron has been down on her luck. 

She’s been stuck between a rock and a hard place, so she knows just what it’s like to need assistance — and to humbly ask for help.

That’s why the Land O’ Lakes resident wants to help, in any way she can.

Grace, Gratitude & Giving founder Michelle Bergeron, left, and Kelli Copeland, wife of fellow board member Jessie Copeland, work on building blessing bags, which includes essential items such as toothbrushes, soap and more as part of one of the nonprofit’s initiatives. Bergeron started the Land’ O Lakes-based nonprofit in January to create a community of giving help to those who are going through a hard time — such as an inability to pay for groceries — but who make “too much” to qualify for assistance. (Courtesy of Michelle Bergeron)

“I was going through struggles as a single parent, and working, with not a lot of benefits and just couldn’t get assistance (because I made too much money),” Bergeron said. “During that time, I had friends help, but not everyone has someone to turn to for help — or have a hard time even asking or getting past the humiliation of being in that situation.

“I had wanted to start a nonprofit for years because I really just wanted to help people in the community.”

In January, Bergeron founded Grace, Gratitude & Giving — a 501(c)(3) nonprofit creating a community of giving help to those going through a hard time, such as being unable to pay rent or buy groceries, but also making “too” much money to qualify for assistance. The charity helps people during hard times, in-between paydays or if emergencies arise. 

Bergeron — along with fellow board members, Lutz resident Jessie Copeland and the Jacksonville-based Michael Mundy — have collected small donations to help others. 

They’ve helped with medical bills for a family whose 12-year-old had cancer. Sadly, they also assisted with funeral expenses when the child passed away a few months later, raising $600 total. The small nonprofit also filled the gap for a single mother when she needed help to pay rent. They partnered with Metropolitan Ministries that gave her $1,000, in addition to the $250 she needed, which the charity provided.

“When there is an emergency, and they have to decide to pay a bill or buy food, we want to be there to assist,” Bergeron said. “They can apply for assistance, but when they say, ‘You make enough money, so we can’t help you,’ that’s where we come in.”

Bergeron says anyone can reach out to the nonprofit.

They won’t turn anyone away, but they will focus on helping those in Land O’ Lakes, Pasco County and Tampa Bay, primarily. They also have extended that reach to assist Feed My Sheep CFL in Lakeland with its homeless mission by providing blessing bags that include essential items. The group also did a shoe drive out of the UPS Store in The Shoppes of Sunlake Centre in Land O’ Lakes.

With Grace, Gratitude & Giving, when someone comes for assistance — whether it be a single parent, a married couple or anyone that just needs help getting through hard times — the group won’t make anyone jump through hoops for help. There’s no filling out endless forms, requiring a background check or having to conduct a home interview and the like.

“If we have the resources to help, we hope to always help them,” Bergeron said. “Maybe they are taking advantage of us, maybe they’re not, but we’re not not going to help them. We’re going to try no matter what.”

The charity relies on donations, as well as getting the word out.

Grace, Gratitude & Giving Jessie Copeland, right, and his wife, Kelli, work on assembling blessing bags, which contain essentials such as toothbrushes, soap and more.

Copeland, who runs a tech company out of Lutz, set up the charity’s online presence and social media channels, but said Bergeron put in the legwork networking and getting the word of mouth out in the community.

“I’m the nerd behind the nonprofit,” Copeland said, jokingly. “I help volunteering with hands-on help, too, but it’s really (Michelle) and she is well aware that it’s so much work to get our name out there. I just gave her a platform to do it online.

“We’ve known each other a long time,” he added, “and I wanted to be a part of it, too. I said, ‘Let me do the nerdy stuff,’ but it was an easy decision to also join up with her so we can help those who really need (help) and just can’t seem to get it.”

Bergeron, who is an Uber driver, says she passes out business cards to each of her passengers and has contacted every resource hub possible to get the word out.

She realizes people who need help may not know where to look or even who to ask.

That’s because Bergeron has been there.

“It is rewarding (helping people), but at the same time, I still get sad,” Bergeron said. “Why do we have so much of this in the world, which is a joy and a blessing, but sometimes not the ability to help someone now? It just can feel like it’s not enough.

“There are so many people that need that help — that’s why I started this nonprofit. Need is need, and we want to help that need.”

Grace, Gratitude & Giving
Details: A 501(c)(3) nonprofit creating a community of giving help to those going through a hard time, such as unable to pay rent or buy groceries, but also make “too” much money to qualify for assistance. It partners with several other charitable organizations, such as Metropolitan Ministries and Feed My Sheep CFL in Lakeland, in which they put together blessing bags that contain essential items.
Info: Visit WeareGraceAndGratitude.comWeareGraceAndGratitude.com. Parties interested in donation can also email or , or call 813-501-7651.

Published November 29, 2023

Nearly $50 million proposed for resurfacing portion of Suncoast Parkway

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Two resurfacing projects — proposed on the Suncoast Parkway — would make road conditions smoother for motorists using the toll road to drive through Pasco County.

The first project calls for resurfacing the Suncoast Parkway, from milepost 17.5 to milepost 28.5, in fiscal year 2025, at an estimated cost of $25.3 million.

The second project calls for resurfacing the Suncoast Parkway from milepost 28.5 to milepost 37.3, in fiscal years 2025 and 2026, at a cost of $24.1 million.

Resurfacing projects proposed in Florida’s Turnpike Enterprise’s five-year work would give motorists traveling on the Suncoast Parkway a smoother driving experience. (File)

The first project starts at the Hillsborough/Pasco county lines and the second one ends at the Pasco/Hernando county lines.

Siaosi Fine, with Florida’s Turnpike Enterprise, briefed the Pasco Metropolitan Planning Organization about the two projects when he presented the Turnpike’s five-year work plan, covering fiscal years 2025 through 2029.

Fine shared the highlights during the board’s Nov. 9 meeting.

The board is Pasco’s lead transportation planning agency and its board is made up of elected officials from Pasco County, Zephyrhills, Dade City, New Port Richey and Port Richey.

Fine also told the Pasco MPO board that the Turnpike Enterprise system has an active Project Design & Environment (PD&E) study going from Van Dyke Road in Hillsborough County to State Road 52 in Pasco County.

“The primary work base that we’re looking at is widening the Suncoast Parkway, but we’re also looking at other improvements to incorporate,” he said.

Pasco County Commission Chairman Jack Mariano asked the Turnpike’s representative if the off-ramp at State Road 54 can be reviewed because traffic coming from the north at State Road 54 has a tough time getting off, backing up traffic.

Fine told Mariano he would pass along that comment to a Turnpike Enterprise project manager.

Mariano also asked if it would be possible to look at doing an interchange at Crews Lake.

It was reviewed before, but new development is emerging in the area, Mariano said.

Fine told Mariano that applications are made to seek interchange studies.

“I can forward you that application,” he told Mariano.

Mariano responded: “You’ve studied it already. It was a few years ago. It’s now changing, what’s going on out there.

“That corridor is going to get busier. A lot of acreage has changed out there. A lot of development is coming in. So, the numbers you were using before won’t be the same.

“You’ve got a lot of data already. I want you to use the new data, to take another look at it.

“If you want to get us the application, that would be great. You could just add onto what you’ve done, kind of update it.”

“The application would probably be the best way to handle it,” Fine said.

“I think if Commissioner Kathryn Starkey was here, she’d say, let’s go look at the Tower Road, Rangeland. She’d say, let’s look at that one (interchange), too,” Mariano said.

Fine replied: “That will be part of the active PD&E study I brought up before.”

Published November 29, 2023

More spores springing up at Zephyrhills farm

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Eric Roman is a fun guy who likes fungi.

The Zephyrhills resident likes mushrooms so much, he started a farm, specifically just to grow them.

Zephyrgills Mushroom Farm has several rooms where owner Eric Roman grows a variety of fungi, shrooms at his property in Zephyrhills. Roman, is a one-man farming operation. He sells his mushrooms to local stores, restaurants and markets in the East Pasco area. (Mike Camunas)

“I enjoy growing things, lots of things,” Roman said. “I just want to grow things, for now it’s mushrooms. Eventually, I want to do more but I’m focusing on the mushrooms now.

“Mushrooms, when I say that to you, what do people think?” Roman continued. “Probably the ones that grow in their yard or flower beds — unwanted ones. There’s so much more to mushrooms though. There’s a whole industry to them, and even health benefits, and more and more different ways to cook them.

“Anyways, I think (growing mushrooms) is cool.”

That’s probably a good thing since Roman is the man behind Zephyrgills Mushroom Farm, which he has been operating, and growing, for more than four years now.

He’s doing well, producing at a great pace — about 800 blocks that grow mushrooms a month. He sells his crops to local markets and stores and also attends some out-of-town markets, including The Villages, where he sells mushrooms, too.

Roman said he learned how to start and grow mushrooms from attending lectures delivered by experts and by watching YouTube videos.

Zephyrgills Mushroom Farm cultivator and owner Eric Roman works on selling some of his home-grown mushrooms during a market at Agnes Lamb Park in Dade City on Nov. 4.

And he runs his farm all by himself.

“It’s all organic — I don’t use any chemicals (on the property),” Roman said. “I have a steady source (of materials to grow mushrooms), and the mushroom farm is key. It’s integral to getting the rest going because I want the farm, eventually, to do so much more.”

Growing mushrooms starts with mycelium, or a network of fungal threads, and it connects to everything. Roman creates organic blocks with mycelium, and then places them in one of his three grow houses, which are damp, dark and cool. 

Growth time varies, depending on the type of mushroom, such as shiitake or Lion’s mane. It could take days, or weeks, but Roman keeps a diligent eye on his fungi, knowing they are a valuable commodity.

Mushrooms are now being considered a superfood, thanks to its health benefits depending on which mushrooms are consumed. They need to be fully cooked, Roman said, as eating raw mushrooms is not recommended. 

Zephyrgills Mushroom Farm, located in Zephyrhills, uses cooled and dark grow rooms to get its shrooms to sprout.

Certain mushrooms are said to boost health properties such as being anti-inflammatory, helping with growing good gut bacteria and helping cognitive functions.

“Mushrooms are even being drunk now in tea and even coffee,” Roman added. “It’s just a massive industry, and I’m happy to be a part of it with my little farm here in Zephyrhills.

“With mycelium,” he added, “it was just learning about how it works and what it does. All the really cool stuff about mycelium got me intrigued into growing mushrooms and just learning more about it. It was all very fascinating.”

Roman also has learned many different ways mushrooms can be cooked, prepared and served. He also knows that mushrooms aren’t a universally desired food, with many flat out refusing to eat them.

But he also knows that he can change minds — because, after all, he’s a fungi guy.

“I feel challenged when people say they don’t like them, but I didn’t either,” Roman said. “I can find a way to cook them or prepare them that you’ll like them — I mean, just look at what everyone does with meat. They find a way people like that, so you can do it with mushrooms.

“People even make mushroom tacos now, so it’s like a super food. You don’t get addicted to it, but the effect it has on you — a great effect — is great for you, and it’s mushrooms, believe it or not.”

Zephyrgills Mushroom Farm
Details: A small, but thriving mushroom farm run by Eric Roman in Zephyrhills. All the mushrooms grown on Roman’s property are organic and locally sold at stores, restaurants and markets.
Info: Visit Zephyrgills.com.

Published November 29, 2023

Eric Roman, Zephyrgills Mushroom Farm owner, looks over some fungi and shrooms in a plant bed on his property.
Zephyrgills Mushroom Farm owner Eric Roman prepares another bag of mycelium, which eventually will produce sprout fungi and mushrooms.
Life finds a way, as a tiny shroom sprout breaks through in a grow room at Zephyrgills Mushroom Farm.

Annexations prompt changes to Pasco election precincts

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The Pasco County Commission approved numerous changes to election precinct lines, as submitted by Supervisor of Elections Brian Corley, during its Nov. 14 meeting.

Here are the changes, as explained by Corley, in a letter to the county board, contained in the board’s agenda packet:

The following precincts have modifications:

  • Precinct 6 and Precinct 115: Precinct 69 previously was split by an annexation to the City of Zephyrhills. The portion of Precinct 69 that was subject to the annexation was combined into Precinct 6. However, due to contiguity issues, it will be combined with Precinct 115.
  • Precinct 114 and Precinct 74: Precinct 114 was split by an annexation to the City of St. Leo. The portion of Precinct 114 that was subject to the annexation will be combined into Precinct 74.
  • Precinct 86 and Precinct 6: Precinct 86 was split by an annexation to the City of Zephyrhills. The portion of Precinct 86 that was subject to the annexation will be combined into Precinct 6.
  • Precinct 63 and Precinct 19: Precinct 63 was split by an annexation to the City of Dade City. The portion of Precinct 63 that was subject to the annexation will be combined into Precinct 19.
  • Precinct 54 and Precinct 23:  Precinct 54 was split by an annexation to the City of Port Richey. The portion of Precinct 54 that was subject to the annexation will be combined into Precinct 23.
  • Precinct 63 and Precinct 19: Precinct 63 was split by an annexation to the City of Dade City. The portion of Precinct 63 that was subject to the annexation will be combined into Precinct 19.
  • Precinct 69 and Precinct 6: Precinct 69 was split by annexations to the City of Zephyrhills. The portion of Precinct 69 that was subject to the annexations will be combined into Precinct 6. 
  • Precinct 6 and Precinct 64: Precinct 6 was split by a contraction from the City of Zephyrhills. The portion of Precinct 6 that was subject to the contraction will be combined into Precinct 64.
  • Precinct 113 and Precinct 36: Precinct 36 was modified to accommodate a portion of 113 that was not affiliated with its respective Community Development District.

On another item, the county board passed a resolution declaring November as National Hospice and Palliative Care Month and commended Gulfside Healthcare Services for its outstanding service to Pasco County and its residents.

In other action, the board approved:

  • Approved a rezoning to permit the Hamilton Oaks master-planned unit development, which calls for 240 detached single-family dwellings on 61.04 acres at Billmar Road, about 1,750 feet east of the terminus of Zephyrhills Bypass
  • A task order in the amount not to exceed $551,042 with CPH Consulting LLC, to perform architectural, engineering and related services for the design of the Utilities Environmental Lab, located at 19434 Central Blvd., in Land O’ Lakes, and for related construction administrative services following the design
  • An interlocal agreement to enable Pasco County Fire/Rescue and the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office for a SWAT Medic program dedicated to heightened safety measures during critical incidents where the safety of first responders may otherwise be in jeopardy
  • Approved a multi-year contract with Crosscreek Environmental Inc., in the amount not to exceed a total of $720,000 for as-needed aquatic weed control. The contract covers fiscal years 2024 through 2026, with optional one-year renewals at $240,000 a year for fiscal year 2027 and 2028. The approval is retroactive to Oct. 1, 2023.
  • Approved a task order with SiteOne Landscape Supply LLC for ongoing and as-needed topdressing sand for athletic fields. The contract is a not-to-exceed amount of $150,000, which covers $50,000 a year for fiscal years 2024 through 2026.
  • Approved a task order with Freese and Nichols Inc., for a potable water master plan update project in an amount not-to-exceed $498,700 for fiscal year 2024, which includes an allowance of $30,000, if needed. The update will provide a 20-year plan for the Pasco County Potable Water System, with planning periods of five years, 10 years and 20 years.
  • Authorized and instructed the retained legal counsel to not opt out of the settlement of litigation involving aqueous film forming products liability, and authorized the county attorney and county administrator to take all necessary steps for Pasco County to participate in the claims process associated with the settlements.

Published November 29, 2023

’Tis the season for sawing

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For 37 years, Tony and Debbie Harris have told people to ‘get real’ and come out to their property where, every year, they grow and sell live trees to locals and even those from nearby areas such as Polk and Hernando counties. The Harrises will sell Christmas trees that can be picked out and sawed down until Christmas Eve or when they run out, which is usually about a week before Dec. 25. For more information or updates, visit ErgleTrees.com the farm’s Facebook page.

Kimberly Kirsop, left, and Kat Ableman, both of Lakeland, put in the work to finish sawing off their Christmas tree at Ergle Christmas Tree Farm, 3331 Treiman Blvd., in Dade City. (Mike Camunas)
Janie Firzsell, back, and Isabella Aguilar, both of Auburndale, weave through rows of trees, trying to find the perfect one to take home from their outing to Ergle Christmas Tree Farm.
Debbie Harris, left, co-owner of Ergle Christmas Tree Farm, and employee Tracy Sanderson go over some of the holiday items available for purchase at the longstanding farm and market.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

From left: Aaron, Oaklee and Jessica Elliot, of Melbourne, seek to find the perfect tree to saw down and take home for the holidays.
Land O’ Lakes resident Mary Burke finds a perfect Christmas tree ornament in the shop at Ergle Christmas Tree Farm, in Dade City.
Lakeland resident Ron Myers has a good laugh as he and his family try to find the perfect tree to cut down and bring home from at Ergle Christmas Tree Farm, in Dade City.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ergle Christmas Tree Farm, in Dade City, attracts local residents and those from a distance to find the perfect tree to chop down and bring home for the holidays.
Ergle Christmas Tree Farm, in Dade City has been selling holiday trees for 37 years. Customers pick out the tree they desire, chop it down and take it home to decorate.
Tony Harris, co-owner of Ergle Christmas Tree Farm, drives a tractor on his property in Dade City. The farm has been selling holiday trees to those willing to chop them down themselves for almost four decades.

 

 

Conserving water through the holidays

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Katherine Munson, lead communications coordinator for the Southwest Florida Water Management District, compiled tips to help conserve water through the holidays. They are especially timely this year, as the region experienced its driest rainy season in 26 years. (Courtesy of Southwest Florida Water Management Disrtrict)

The Southwest Florida Water Management District recently declared a Modified Phase 1 Water Shortage for several local jurisdictions, including Pasco, Hernando and Hillsborough counties.

To reduce water use, the Water Management District has placed limitations on lawn watering.

Even before the water shortage was declared, the Water Management District had prepared a number of tips to help residents reduce water use during the holidays.

Here’s a condensed version of those pointers, prepared by Katherine Munson, lead communications coordinator for the Water Management District:

  • Defrosting frozen foods: Defrost frozen foods in the refrigerator or the microwave instead of running hot water over them. Rinse vegetables and fruits in a sink or pan filled with water instead of under running water. This water can then be reused to water houseplants. A running faucet can use approximately 2 gallons of water per minute.
  • Washing dishes by hand: When washing dishes by hand, fill one sink or basin with soapy water and fill the rinsing sink one-third to one-half full. Avoid letting the water run continuously in the rinsing sink.

Scrape food scraps into the garbage can or a composting bin, rather than rinsing them into the sink’s garbage disposal. A garbage disposal uses approximately 2 gallons of water per minute.

  • Using the dishwasher: Run your dishwasher only when you have a full load. Standard dishwashers can use 5 gallons of water or more per load.
  • When cooking: Select the proper size pans. Large pans require more cooking water than may be necessary.
  • Prepping your house to be away: Check for indoor and outdoor leaks before you head out. If you have a permanent in-ground irrigation system, make sure your controller is set to follow local water restrictions or turned to the “off” position if your lawn and landscape are not in need of additional water. Also, confirm that you have a functioning rain shut-off device for your irrigation system to account for natural rainfall that might occur while you’re away.
  • Shopping for water-saving gifts: Look for WaterSense or ENERGY STAR labeled products to help friends and family save water and money on utility bills long after the holidays are over. A WaterSense labeled smart irrigation controller can save an average home up to 15,000 gallons of water a year.
  • Find more water conservation tips? Visit the Water Management District’s website at WaterMatters.org/Water101.

Published November 29, 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.

Tree Studying
Tampa resident Leslie Farrell took some photos walking through University Area Community Park on 22nd Street near the University of South Florida. The park also includes the community center where the New Tampa Players meet and hold performances.
Sunset on the River
The Laker/Lutz News Editorial Assistant Mary Rathman captured this sunset one evening. ‘One of my favorite pastimes is dining near the water and the added benefit of watching the sunset on the Alafia River provides a complete sense of calm.’

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A Lowe’s Down Rainbow
Land O’ Lakes resident Mike Camunas Sr., was able to grab a shot of a full rainbow at the Lowe’s Home Improvement store in Lutz, near the corner of State Road 54 and U.S. 41, on Nov. 15.
Keep on truckin’
The Laker/Lutz News Staff Writer Mike Camunas snapped this photo of an aging truck in Lutz, parked in front of Steiger Site Preparation. The longtime local company occasionally decorates the truck for certain holidays, such as Christmas time with a tree made of lights.

Igniting a fire of learning in these students

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Don’t expect these students to burn out.

They’re high-schoolers enrolled at the Fire Science Academy — a direct career path to prepare them for a future in firefighting. During this three-year program at Fivay High in Hudson, they’ll live, eat and breathe like any recruit entering the traditional fire academy.

Senior Damen Bouchard, center, and junior Jacob Iovino listen to Fire Science Academy instructor Lou Staggs, left, during a practice drill on an apparatus that can simulate blocked doors firefighters might encounter on the scene of a blaze. Staggs, a former firefighter, leads the academy at Fivay High in Hudson, as the classes prepare students for a career pathway in firefighter and as emergency medical responders (EMRs). (Mike Camunas)

They’ll do it as teenagers, as part of elective courses in addition to their core high school classes. When they graduate, they’ll be several steps ahead of other fire academy recruits and even capable of becoming a firefighter before they turn 20.

And, that’s all because they chose to be part of this program — to be firefighters.

“I never thought I’d be in a firefighter program in high school,” said Isaiah Ferrell, a junior. “It’s amazing that it’s offered because I’ve wanted to be a firefighter my whole life. My mom would take me to the fire stations, look at the fire trucks and stuff, but when I saw this when getting ready for high school, I thought it was perfect and I just fell in love with it in the first year.

“It’s great they have a program like this.”

Students will learn through classroom and work-based learning experience about fire vehicles, equipment, fire behavior, fire streams, fundamentals of extinguishment, ventilation, rescue, water supplies, medical techniques and more.

Fire Science Academy instructor and former firefighter Lou Staggs speaks to his students as they work on a drill that demonstrates the proper technique to wedge in and bust open a stuck door that might be on site during an emergency call.

They get hands-on experience, in the school’s “firehouse,” with live hose work, ladder rescues and navigating a smoke-filled maze. The academy even can even have prop fires to practice extinguisher work. It also has a stuck-door apparatus that allows for different scenarios to give trainees the experience of using an ax or wedge tool to bust down the door.

The program is led by Lou Staggs, a 20-year, retired lieutenant with the Dunedin Fire Department. He’s been training new firefighter recruits for most of his career, but is now preparing both young men and women in a feeder system into the Pasco Fire Rescue Department.

“They’re not certified, though since (most are) under age of 18, and part of (certification training) is live firefighting in an environment that is hazardous to life and death, they miss out on that portion,” Staggs said. “But after three years in this program, they have about five steps up on any other recruit going to the fire academy because they’re learning all the materials with hands-on experience more than someone walking in brand new.

John Randazzo, left, and Ja’heim Ellenwood work on a drill to open a stuck-door apparatus at the Fire Science Academy’s ‘firehouse.’

“Pasco County Fire Rescue comes out once a month and does some hands-on training and drills with them,” he added. “That’s kind of the direction I try to steer them, so we are a feeder system for Pasco County. They’re expanding the department and getting ready to hire hundreds of people, but thanks to this program, they can be a firefighter by the time they are 19.”

The academy, however, isn’t just hand-on training while wearing firefighting gear donated by Pasco Fire Rescue. It’s classwork — it’s testing and studying, too.

The academy’s students do that in a nearby classroom that also features the back end of an ambulance designed to teach them basic first aid and even get Emergency Medical Responders (EMRs) certified.

Staggs, in his first year as academy instructor, loves this job. Academy students chose to be there, chose to set in motion a career toward firefighter or EMR.

When they show up to class or the “firehouse” or even need to do physical training, they’re ready and motivated.

“I personally feel that I’m blessed with the students I have because they chose this path and (were) not stuck with this class,” Stags said. “They still have their core classes, but this is an elective, like art or culinary, which we have and is fantastic. But these kids chose Fire Science Academy.

“Students absolutely love it, and they want to be here.”

Ferrell agrees.

While searching through some heavy, fabricated smoke, Fire Science Academy senior Damen Bouchard looks for a door apparatus during a drill in the academy’s ‘firehouse’ at Fivay High in Hudson.

“Everything you do in Firefighting I, you do here, stretched out over 2-3 years. You learn responsibility and stuff like that, too, because you have to be on the lookout for the other guys because you’re part of a team, you’re a family. You learn teamwork.

“All the knowledge I’m learning, it’ll make me a firefighter after I graduate.”

Fire Science Academy

Where: Fivay High, 12115 Chicago Ave., in Hudson

Details: Fire Science Academy is a career pathway to prepare students for a future in firefighting. Students in the academy learn what it takes for careers in firefighting and as emergency medical responders through classroom instruction and hands-on lessons. The experience includes learning about fire vehicles, apparatus and equipment; fire behavior; fire streams; fundamentals of extinguishment; ventilation; rescue; water supplies; medical techniques, and more. The program is open to students throughout Pasco County, but those interested  must apply to attend by utilizing the Pasco Pathways School Choice Application.

Info: Visit tinyurl.com/36m9usve.

Published November 22, 2023

Junior Isaiah Ferrell, left, goes over his helmet at the Fire Science Academy with fellow junior Jacob Iovino.
Junior Jacob Iovino, a student at the Fire Science Academy at Fivay High in Hudson, uses an ax to pound in a wedge tool during a drill in the academy’s ‘firehouse,’ wherestudents practice skills needed to become a firefighter.
Fire Science Academy junior Aaron Roxberry uses a wedge tool on an apparatus that simulates a blocked door during a fire. The instructor, Lou Staggs, has a smoke machine to make the environment more realistic.

Federal funds will help address sewage treatment upgrade in Dade City

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The city of Dade City has received $1.75 million in federal funds to help relocate and upgrade its current wastewater treatment plant.

The funds are coming through the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and were secured by U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis, as part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2022, according to a news release from Bilirakis’ office.

The city of Dade City has received $1.75 million in federal funds to help relocate and upgrade its current wastewater treatment plant. (Mike Camunas)

The project is one of 483 water infrastructure projects funded in communities across the country, according to the release.

Bilirakis favors reining in federal spending, but at the same time supports giving local communities their fair share, the release notes.

“I am proud to have secured this funding for a project Dade City and the residents of Mickens-Harper have hoped for since 2011, and I’ll keep working to address water quality issues throughout Florida’s 12th Congressional District,” Bilirakis said, in the release.

This relocation project will provide significant environmental benefits to the area, given that the current site is adjacent to the Green Swamp, where the Withlacoochee River meets the Hillsborough River watersheds, the release says.

The relocation will better protect adjacent waterways due to the use of a three-stage biological nutrient removal process, the release adds.

At the same time, it will improve conditions for the Mickens-Harper neighborhood, the release adds, noting such benefits as reduced noise, traffic and odors, while creating more open space and improving aesthetics, the release continues.

The city also has asserted the project will provide economic benefits and create 150 new jobs during the construction process.   

“The City of Dade City is grateful for our partnership with Congressman Bilirakis and his advocacy in securing funding to upgrade and relocate the City’s Wastewater Treatment Plant,”  City Manager Leslie Porter said, in the release.

“The funding makes it possible to fast-track this important project. The current plant, constructed in the 1950s, was built in the Historic Mickens-Harper neighborhood. As Dade City continues moving in a forward direction, relocating the plant will address that environmental injustice.

“The city is committed to providing our residents in this community a better quality of life.  As our existing plant nears capacity, the new facility will accommodate growth while protecting our watershed and water bodies.  This benefits us all,” Porter said.

Published November 22, 2023