The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

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Congregation breaks ground on temple

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Elder Neil L. Andersen, of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, and his wife, Kathy Andersen, greet  the Rev. Glenn Dames, senior pastor at Allen Temple AME Church. Photo courtesy of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

 

Kathy Andersen, wife of Neil L. Andersen of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, shares her personal message of Jesus Christ and her ties to the local community. Photo courtesy of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

TAMPA – Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, along with government, interfaith and community leaders, gathered Aug. 23 for the groundbreaking ceremony of the Tampa Florida Temple. Elder Neil L. Andersen of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, presided at the event and Elder Brook P. Hales, General Authority Seventy, conducted. The Apostle and longtime Tampa resident offered a dedicatory prayer over the land and all who will be influenced by it.

“We ask that Thou might bless this land and this sacred house once constructed, that it might be a light and strength to the Latter-day Saints and to all the community,” Elder Andersen prayed. “Let our friends and neighbors feel Thy Spirit and increase their faith in Thy Son as they sense what has come to this place.”

The Andersens have deep roots in the Tampa area. Elder Andersen’s wife, Kathy, was born and raised in Florida, much of it in Hillsborough County. They lived in the Tampa area from 1977 to 1993 raising their family, until church service moved them elsewhere.

Sister Andersen reflected on the growth of the church in the Tampa area since she was a young girl where she was taught about Jesus Christ. “I love my Savior, Jesus Christ. I love to listen to His words. ‘Come follow me,’ he said.”

Five hundred members and friends gathered at the 12-acre site at 9445 Camden Field Parkway in Riverview. Among the honored guests were Florida State Representative Michele Rayner, the Rev. Glenn Dames of AME Church and leaders from Metropolitan Ministries.

Major Colleen Handrick, Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office; Florida State Representative Michele Rayner; Kathy Andersen; Elder Neil L. Andersen, Quorum of the Twelve Apostles; Elder Brook P. Hales, General Authority Seventy; and Denise Hales break ground on the site. Photo courtesy of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

“The temple is going to touch the lives of tens of thousands of people,” said Patrick Davis, Associate Director of Development at Metropolitan Ministries. “I understand the importance of the temple in the community. I do feel very blessed, because we all bring our blessings to this temple.”

Florida is currently home to more than 176,000 Latter-day Saints in nearly 280 congregations. The first congregation of the Church of Jesus Christ was created in 1897. The Tampa Florida Temple will serve more than 27,000 members in and around the Southwest Florida Gulf Coast.

Local members Ikwo and Dinah Ibiam explained that having a temple in the area sends a message that this is a place where people strive to be good.

Latter-day Saints consider each temple a house of the Lord and the most sacred place of worship on earth. Temples differ from the Church’s meetinghouses (chapels). All are welcome to attend Sunday worship services and other weekday activities at local meetinghouses. The primary purpose of temples is for faithful members of the Church of Jesus Christ to participate in sacred ceremonies, such as marriages, which unite families forever, and proxy baptisms on behalf of deceased ancestors who did not have the opportunity to be baptized while living.

Mom of three obtains more stable housing

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Lashundranette Sanders (left) is grateful for the community support in helping build her new home. Photo courtesy of Habitat for Humanity of Tampa Bay Hillsborough

TAMPA – Lashundranette Sanders spent years raising her three children in a crowded, termite-ridden house, where temperatures inside often rivaled the Florida heat outside. 

To make matters worse, police were at times called to respond to gunfire in the neighborhood. 

Despite working as a billing specialist at an insurance company, finding safe, affordable housing remained out of reach. All that changed when Lashundranette and her family received the keys to their newly built Habitat for Humanity of Tampa Bay Hillsborough home in East Tampa. Volunteers, community supporters and Habitat leaders celebrated the home’s dedication.

“I have wanted a home of our own for as long as I can remember. Home means mine, ours, us,” Lashundranette said. “I knew that with hard work and determination, I could apply and get a home and still be able to support my kids. I have been telling them: ‘Give momma some time, and we will have a home to call our own.’”

Habitat homeowners and their families invest hundreds of “sweat equity” hours helping build homes, volunteering at events, and working at Habitat’s ReStore home improvement store. Mortgage payments fit the family’s budget and never exceed 30% of the homeowner’s income.

“In Tampa Bay, the shortage of affordable housing is real,” said Tina Forcier, CEO of Habitat for Humanity of Tampa Bay Hillsborough. “But when families secure a safe, stable home they can afford, it transforms everything: their sense of security, their ability to thrive and their hope for the future.”

Lashundranette had a message for the volunteers who helped build her new home.

“I cannot thank you enough,” she said. “This home is a dream come true and will always be what I have wanted for life.”

 

Tampa Theatre’s Halloween series turns lucky 13

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Tampa Theatre offers way more than a few screenings of scary movies during the Halloween season. Photo courtesy of Tampa Theatre

TAMPA – Not to sound superstitious, but it doesn’t get much luckier than bringing back Tampa Theatre’s signature Halloween series, A Nightmare on Franklin Street, for its 13th year.

To celebrate, the theater will host an all-new lineup of classic horror films, creepy cult favorites, “Mummy & Me” family-friendly films, live shows and ghost tours on select dates all month long.

 

Ghosts of Tampa Theatre Tours

Who was the man in seat 308? Where did Robert Lanier tear his final ticket? And what has led to Tampa Theatre being known as one of the most haunted buildings in town? 

Hear stories of Tampa Theatre’s ghostly guests, preternatural patrons and eternal employees in a two-hour tour. Tickets cost $15 for general admission (free for theater members) at these times: 

  • 10 a.m. Oct. 2, 16 and 30.
  • 10 a.m. Oct. 3, 24 and 31.
  • 2 p.m. Oct. 6, 13, 20 and 27.
  • 10 a.m. Oct. 7.
  • 2 p.m. Oct. 8, 22 and 29.
  • 10 a.m. Oct. 25.

Guests who want to go beyond the stories and explore Tampa Theatre’s supernatural claims for themselves will have the opportunity to review previously collected video, photo and audio evidence, experiment with professional-grade equipment and investigate alongside the experienced researchers from Genesis Paranormal Services during the Late Night, Lights Off Paranormal Investigation at 10 p.m. Oct. 17. Tickets cost $50 ($40 for theater members).

 

Stage & scream … er screen

This year’s Nightmare series schedule offers three opportunities to witness spooky stories told live on Tampa Theatre’s historic stage:

  • On Oct. 18, Hokus Pokus Live! conjures up a wickedly spoopy, fully scripted theatrical experience at 8 p.m. starring Ginger Minj (global drag superstar, actress, comedian, singer and “RuPaul’s Drag Race” icon), Jujubee (“RuPaul’s Drag Race” and “DRAG: The Musical”), and Sapphira Cristál (“RuPaul’s Drag Race”) as the legendary Sanderson Sisters and featuring Landon Cider (“Dragula”) as Billy. With hauntingly hilarious comedy, powerhouse vocals and a dash of magic, this live spectacle brings the cult classic to the stage like never before. Tickets start at $59.50 plus applicable taxes and fees. This show is limited to adults.
  • Victorian Horror Troupe Phantasmagoria returns to Tampa Theatre at 2 p.m. Oct. 26 with a very special journey through the tales of iconic artist and author Edward Gorey in celebration of his 100th birthday year! Hauntingly whimsical tales like “The Gilded Bat” and “The Gashlycrumb Tinies” come to life through Phantasmagoria’s signature blend of storytelling, dance, puppetry, projections and original music. The show is recommended for ages 8 and older. Tickets cost $30 ($20 for theater members).
  • Cozy up under the movie palace’s iconic star-lit sky for an evening of Campfire Stories at 7 p.m. Oct. 28. The Suncoast Storytellers are back with a family-friendly program of PG tales appropriate for all ages (who don’t mind having a chill sent down their spine). Tickets cost $10 for general admission and free for theater members.

 

Mummy & Me

Up on the silver screen, “Mummy & Me” screenings, sponsored by Tampa Electric, give grown-ups the perfect opportunity to bring their young ghouls and goblins to an age-appropriate screening for free. 

Kids 12 and younger get in free. Everybody else pays $10 ($7 for theater members):

  • ”Kiki’s Delivery Service” (1989, Rated G) at 1:45 p.m. Oct. 4.
  • ”Haunted Mansion” (2023, Rated PG-13) at 1:30 p.m. Oct. 5
  • “Scooby-Doo” (2002, Rated PG) at 1:30 p.m. Oct. 19
  • “Hocus Pocus” (1993, Rated PG) at 3 p.m. Oct. 25

 

Specialty Screenings

The series is splattered with plenty of specialty screenings for adults, too, including:

  • A century ago, Lon Chaney made audiences scream out loud with his ghastly visage as the “Phantom of the Opera” (1925). At 7 p.m. Oct. 24, world-renowned soprano Juliet Petrus and Tampa Theatre’s own artist-in-residence, Steven Ball will accompany the silent suspense film with an original score on the Mighty Wurlitzer Theatre Organ. Tickets cost $14.50 ($11.50 for theater members).
  • The theater welcomes back the Beyond Any Measure shadow cast for two screenings of “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” (1975) at 7 and 11 p.m. Oct. 25. Audience participation is encouraged, but leave the sticky/drippy props at home. Tickets cost $15 ($12 for theater members).
  • Once you’ve experienced “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” – be it for the first or 1,001st time – on Saturday night, come back Oct. 26 at 6 p.m. to learn where it all began. “Strange Journey: The Story of Rocky Horror” (2025) is a joyful and wild ride through the tale of the cultural juggernaut. From its humble origins as a London fringe theater play, the new documentary tracks its meteoric rise, fall and resurrection to become the biggest cult film of all time, with intimate access to its creator Richard O’Brien and other major players such as Tim Curry, Susan Sarandon and Lou Adler. Tickets cost $12 ($9 for theater members).
  • October’s Big Picture series puts on its Halloween costume with Science Fiction Creature Feature films like “The Invisible Man,” “The Day the Earth Stood Still,” “Frankenstein,” “Doctor X” and “Forbidden Planet” every Wednesday evening. There are also anniversary screenings of “Prom Night” and “Scary Movie,” classic titles like “The Birds,” “Clue” and “An American Werewolf in London,” modern favorites like “Teen Witch,” “Tales from the Hood” and “The Conjuring,” and more – a total of 62 soul-shattering show times over the month-long series.

Times, titles and tickets are available now at the historic Franklin Street Box Office and online

at TampaTheatre.org/nightmare.

 

Woman’s club shows sweet gesture during 9/11

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Lutz-Land O’ Lakes Woman’s Club members gather outside Old Lutz School. Photo courtesy of Pennee Bowen
  • 003: Firefighters from Land O’ Lakes Fire Rescue Station 23 join Nancy Taylor in showing off their snack baskets. Photo courtesy of Pennee Bowen

 

 

Michelle Haskins, Nancy Taylor, Dee Knerr, Jean Olsen, Madeline McCulloh, Darlene Choe, Edna Gordon and Beth Nevel-Rader show off the snack baskets. Photo courtesy of Pennee Bowen

LUTZ – The Lutz-Land O’Lakes Woman’s Club honored first responders on Sept. 11 and remembered those lost Sept. 11, 2001 by waving flags in front of the Old Lutz School.

As part of a Civic Engagement Community Service Project, the club assembled eight snack baskets from member donations. These baskets were delivered to local fire stations in Lutz and Land O’ Lakes in appreciation of their dedicated service to the community.  

 

Liquor Depot supports Mike Alstott Family Foundation  

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Tampa Bay Bucs legend Mike Alstott gets a whiff of a Liquor Depot selection. Alstott has partnered with Liquor Depot to raise money for his foundation. Photo courtesy of Liquor Depot

 

Mike Alstott (left) earned six Pro Bowl and three All-Pro selections during his 11 years playing for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Alstott will sign bottles at Liquor Depot, owned by Trey Lawson (right). Photo courtesy of Liquor Depot

TAMPA – Liquor Depot owner Trey Lawson is once again teaming up with former Tampa Bay Buccaneers player Mike Alstott and the Mike Alstott Family Foundation for the store’s charity barrel fundraiser program.  

On Oct. 11, there will be 125 bottles available exclusively for purchase at the Liquor Depot Waters location (7304 W Waters Avenue). Alstott will be there for photo opportunities and signing bottles. Doors open at 9 a.m. The bottles are available first come, first serve with one bottle per person.

The barrel that Lawson and Alstot selected this year is a 12-year Penelope Estate Collection Rye. It will be available on Oct. 11 for $169.50 per bottle. (The number 50 to celebrate the Buccaneers 50th season). All of the proceeds from the sale of the bottles will support the Mike Alstott Family Foundation.  

Lawson, a lifelong Buccaneers fan, launched this charity barrel fundraiser back in 2021 because he is passionate about giving back and making a difference in the community.  

Since the start of this initiative, Liquor Depot has donated almost $40,000 to the Mike Alstott Family Foundation from 100% of the proceeds of three barrels they have selected together.  

Liquor Depot has six locations in Tampa. Photo courtesy of Liquor Depot

The goal of the fourth barrel is to raise over $10,000 from the community’s support.   

The Mike Alstott Family Foundation’s mission is to uplift the minds, hearts and spirits of families and children on their way to realizing their full potential through various events, assistance programs and celebrations.

“Single barrels are incredibly unique and once they are sold, they are gone forever, never to be replicated,” Lawson said. “We are excited to once again offer this exclusive barrel opportunity to help raise funds for the Mike Alstott Family Foundation and make a difference in our community.”

On the web: LiquorDepotTampa.com

 

Business Digest (9/17/25): Credit union supports hospital foundation  

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Credit union supports hospital foundation  

TAMPA – GTE Financial is supporting the Tampa General Hospital Foundation in September through its Charity of the Month program. 

GTE Financial will promote member donations and host a Tailgate Touchdown Chili & Cornbread Cook-Off with employees. The organization will also offer month-long raffles.

“We are thrilled to support the foundation’s mission, focused on healing, teaching, innovating and caring for everyone, every day,” said Ashley Watson, chief of staff at GTE Financial. “This partnership gives us the opportunity to not only raise vital funds, but also to come together in celebration of one of the safest and most groundbreaking academic health systems in the United States.”

Each month, the not-for-profit credit union highlights a different employee-selected nonprofit, rallying members and the community to raise money and awareness. 

2025 beneficiaries include the Hispanic Professional Women’s Association, Rescue Pets of Florida, Tighten the Drag Foundation, YMCA, Junior Achievement, LifeLink, Boys & Girls Club, Best Buddies, Tampa General Hospital Foundation, American Heart Association, Crisis Center and Feeding Tampa Bay.

The program has donated more than $2.5 million to organizations since 2019. 

On the web: gtefinancial.org/about/charities

 

Libraries offer free job search services

PASCO COUNTY – Finding the right job can open doors to exciting opportunities, but navigating the interview process can be overwhelming.  Pasco County Libraries can help.

The library system is teaming up with CareerSource Pasco Hernando to provide free services, like interview preparation, to residents.

CareerSource Re-Employment Assistance is available from 10  a.m. to noon on the following days and venues: 

  • Centennial Park Library (every first Tuesday), 5740 Moog Road, Holiday.
  • Regency Park Library (every second Tuesday), 9701 Little Road, New Port Richey.
  • South Holiday Library (every third Tuesday), 4649 Mile Stretch Drive, Holiday.
  • Hugh Embry Library (\every fourth Tuesday), 14215 Fourth Street, Dade City. 

Bring a copy of your most recent resume, if you have one.

Employment experts can help visitors with employment searches, applications, resume writing and interview preparation. 

On the web: PascoLibraries.org.

 

Cafe at 1920 focus on coffee, grab-and-go breakfast

TAMPA – 1920, Ybor City’s premier destination for live music, art, and unforgettable events, has opened a new daytime concept, Cafe at 1920.

Previously home to a tenant-run Attic Cafe that closed on Aug. 17, the space has been transformed and is now operated by 1920 itself. Cafe at 1920 offers a thoughtfully crafted coffee and breakfast experience featuring Wuz Here Coffee, roasted locally, along with a focus on high-quality drinks and grab-and-go breakfast.

“1920 has always been about creating memorable experiences through art, music and community,” said Rachel Miele, general manager of 1920. “Now we’re bringing that same energy into the mornings with a coffee program and menu that reflect who we are.”

 

SBA launches loans for small manufacturers

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Small Business Administration launched its first loan program dedicated to America’s small manufacturers, which make up 98% of all U.S. manufacturers. 

The 7(a) Manufacturer’s Access to Revolving Credit Loan Program offers flexible working capital with minimal red tape.

“With 98% of American manufacturers classified as small businesses, the new MARC Loans represent a powerful source of targeted capital for those who are growing our nation’s production,” SBA Administrator Kelly Loeffler said. 

Details are at www.sba.gov, with lender training available on SBA’s Training on Demand page.

 

Landscape Creations becomes U-Haul dealer

NEW PORT RICHEY – U-Haul Co. of Florida announced that Landscape Creations, 8030 Plathe Road, has signed on as a U-Haul neighborhood dealer. 

Owner Alyssa Burks said partnering with U-Haul will help meet mobility needs in Pasco County while supporting a locally owned business.

The business will offer U-Haul trucks, trailers, towing equipment and moving supplies.

Normal hours are 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. daily. 

Call 727-848-6829 or visit uhaul.com to make a reservation. 

 

North Tampa Bay events

LAND O’ LAKES – North Tampa Bay Chamber will host a coffee social, Lunch N Learn and membership orientation.

  • Members engage in networking during a coffee social from 9 to 10:30 a.m. Sept. 17 at Spinner Law Firm, 2418 Cypress Glen Drive, Wesley Chapel. 
  • The chamber hosts a Lunch N Learn session on the topic of “Home Plus Presentation” from noon to 1:30 p.m. Sept. 18 at North Tampa Bay Chamber, Suncoast Office 4 & Co., 16703 Early Riser Ave., Land O’ Lakes. Registration costs $15. Register in advance. 
  • New members go through an orientation session to learn about membership benefits from 9 to 10 a.m. Sept. 24 at North Tampa Bay Chamber, Wiregrass Mall, 28329 Paseo Drive, Suite #195, Wesley Chapel. Register in advance. 

Visit northtampabaychamber.com for details about the chamber and events.

 

Greater Pasco events

NEW PORT RICHEY – Greater Pasco Chamber members will host a brochure exchange, women’s programming and grand openings. 

  • The Professional Women in Business group meets for their monthly networking lunch from 11:15 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sept. 17 at HCA Florida Hospital Trinity, 9330 State Road 54, Trinity. Members pay $12. Others pay $15. Register in advance. 
  • Members exchange company literature during Trinity Brochure Exchange from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sept. 18 at Seven Springs Golf and Country Club, 3535 Trophy Blvd., Trinity. Members get in free. Others pay $10. Food costs $13. Register in advance. 
  • Members celebrate the grand opening of Hands On Healthcare and Chiropractic with a ribbon cutting from 1 to 3 p.m. Sept. 19 at 9782 Little Road, New Port Richey. The ribbon will be cut at 1:30 p.m. Register in advance. 
  • Members celebrate the grand opening of Pure Barre with a ribbon cutting at 9:30 a.m. Sept. 22 at 3130 Little Road, Trinity. Register in advance. 

Visit greaterpasco.com for details about the chamber and events. 

 

East Pasco events

DADE CITY – East Pasco Chamber members will host Core Connections and Coffee & Networking events. 

  • New members learn the perks of membership during Core Connections from 8 to 9 a.m. Sept. 18 at East Pasco Chamber of Commerce Dade City Office, 14112 8th St., Dade City. Register in advance. 
  • Members meet up for Coffee & Networking from 8 to 9 a.m. Sept. 19 at the chamber’s Zephyrhills location, 38550 5th Ave. Register in advance. 

Visit eastpascochamber.org for details about the chamber and events. 

Health & Wellness (9/17/25): BayCare keeps burnout at bay

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BayCare recognized for keeping burnout at bay

CLEARWATER – BayCare has earned the bronze-level recognition in 2025 from the American Medical Association as a Joy in Medicine organization. 

The recognition honors health systems, hospitals and medical groups that prioritize proven methods to reduce burnout and enhance the professional fulfillment of doctors that comes from patient care. 

“We take tremendous pride in prioritizing the well-being of our physicians,” said Dr. Sowmya Viswanathan, chief physician executive at BayCare. “This milestone is a clear reminder that wellness-focused leadership is critical. When we focus on the well-being of our physicians, they can focus on the joy of providing compassionate care that is aligned with their talents and our mission, vision and values.”

Burnout among U.S. physicians peaked at 62.8% in 2021 during the COVID pandemic, according to a recent study. But with system-level efforts to address burnout, the national physician burnout rate declined to 45.2% in 2023. 

“Joy in Medicine-recognized organizations are leading the gains made against the physician burnout crisis and help clinicians rediscover the deep rewards and joy that comes from helping patients,” AMA President Bobby Mukkamala said. 

 

Hospital to hosti Women’s Health Expo

LUTZ – St. Joseph’s Hospital-North is hosting a free Women’s Health Expo on Oct. 6 from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. 

Discover the wide range of services available at St. Joseph’s Hospital-North, with a special highlight on women’s health including mental health, breast health, pelvic floor care, skin care and fitness. 

Learn about the Hinks and Elaine Shimberg Breast Center and take advantage of free health screenings including glucose, blood pressure and BMI. Shop for unique items at curated pop-up shops, enjoy light refreshments and have fun at a festive photo booth.

Walk-ins are welcome but registration is encouraged at this free event. Register by visiting BayCareEvents.org and choosing  “St. Joseph’s Hospital-North” in the “Facility/Location” filter and scrolling to the Oct. 6 class listing. Register by phone by calling 855-314-8352 and pressing the number “2” at the prompt.

Call -855-269-4777 for details about the event.

 

BayCare releases reports on physicians

CLEARWATER – BayCare Health System released Vital Impact, its 2024 Physician and Provider Annual Report. 

The report highlights the work of BayCare’s physicians and clinical teams serving West Central Florida.    

Among the notable milestones in 2024:

  • For the Provider as Customer Survey, a 4.35 engagement score places BayCare at the 79th percentile nationally, reflecting a highly committed workforce.  
  • Year-over-year growth in engagement signals improvement and a commitment to provider satisfaction.  
  • Collaboration with its physicians helped 10 of BayCare’s eligible acute-care hospitals receive an “A” grade from Leapfrog, the patient safety group’s highest rating.  
  • The launch of our BayCare Clinical Institutes.  

BayCare is continuing to expand its academic medicine and research programs. BayCare is also on track to expand its graduate medical education residency positions to more than 650 by 2029, to continue bringing top-notch physicians to the region.  

 

AdventHealth to expand emergency care access in Punta Gorda 

PUNTA GORDA – AdventHealth is bringing a state-of-the-art emergency department to Punta Gorda.

Located at the southeast corner of Jones Loop Road and Mac Ever Street, the new facility will provide 24/7 emergency care, advanced technology and whole-person care minutes away for families across Charlotte County.

This project comes at a critical time for the community. After recent hurricanes damaged and closed a local hospital, many residents have faced longer travel times to receive emergency treatment. 

“We want families in Punta Gorda and surrounding areas to feel confident that help is close by in an emergency,” said Adam Johnson, president/CEO of AdventHealth Port Charlotte. “This new emergency department is the first step in a long-term commitment to bringing more health care services back home to this community.”

 

Florida marks fifth straight year of clean air

TALLAHASSEE – The Florida Department of Environmental Protection announced that Florida has met all federal air quality standards for the fifth consecutive year. 

Florida is the most populous state in the nation to achieve this distinction.

The Clean Air Act requires the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to set National Ambient Air Quality Standards for six criteria air pollutants that can harm human health and the environment: carbon monoxide, lead, nitrogen dioxide, ozone, particle pollution and sulfur dioxide. Florida’s industrial emissions have declined 78% since 2000, and ozone levels – the most widespread air pollutant – have fallen by nearly half over the past 20 years.

Florida maintains one of the nation’s most comprehensive air quality monitoring networks, with 180 monitors at 90 sites across the state. The network meets or exceeds federal requirements and ensures accurate, real-time data for residents and communities.  

Floridians can track daily Air Quality Index conditions in their area through floridadep.gov or AirNow.gov.

 

A space for budding doctors to grow 

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AdventHealth Wesley Chapel CEO Ryan Quattlebaum cuts the ribbon on the new space for the graduate medical education program. Photo courtesy of AdventHealth

 

A new space for the AdventHealth Wesley Chapel graduate medical education program. Photo courtesy of AdventHealth

WESLEY CHAPEL – AdventHealth Wesley Chapel has opened a new expanded space for its graduate medical education program. The new space will be used to train the next generation of physicians. 

It is part of a larger, ongoing expansion at AdventHealth Wesley Chapel.

The newly expanded Family Medicine Residency program space includes eight new exam rooms, a procedure room, workstation and office space for faculty and staff. These new facilities were designed to provide medical residents with an optimal environment for hands-on learning, collaboration and high-quality patient care.

“With the opening of our expanded GME program space, AdventHealth Wesley Chapel solidifies its role as a destination for top-tier patient care as well as a center for academic medicine,” said Dr. Omari Hodge, founding graduate medical education program director. “We’re excited to have our second year of Wesley Chapel resident physicians use this new space to learn and grow alongside our experienced clinical teams.”

Construction of the full AdventHealth Wesley Chapel hospital expansion will be completed in December and will add more than 80,000 square feet of new hospital space and increase the licensed bed count from 169 to 193. This includes new inpatient units, surgical suites, advanced imaging services and patient recovery areas.

 

Construction starts on medical office building 

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This rendering shows a new medical office building at AdventHealth Zephyrhills. Rendering courtesy of AdventHealth

ZEPHYRHILLS – Construction has started on a new medical office building on the AdventHealth Zephyrhills campus. 

The office building will provide nearly 35,000 square feet of additional space for new and employed physicians, while offering patients more high-quality health care options close to home. It will house primary care and multiple specialty physician offices, including cardiology, gastroenterology, general surgery and urology.

This comes as Pasco County projects a 40% increase in population by 2045, with most of the employment and population growth expected to happen within the center of the county.

“AdventHealth Zephyrhills has been part of this community for 40 years, and we’re intentionally planning and building for the future,” said Mike Murrill, president and CEO of AdventHealth Zephyrhills. “This new space will allow us to recruit additional top physicians and provide them with the resources they need to deliver the highest quality of care. As our community grows, we remain committed to helping our neighbors heal and feel whole, close to where we live, work and play.”

The new medical office building will be just the latest in a series of recent investments AdventHealth has made across Pasco County.

Later this year, AdventHealth Wesley Chapel will open its expanded three-story North Wing and two-story South Courtyard Infill. The expansion will increase the hospital’s licensed beds from 169 to 193, with room for two more 24-bed units in the future.

AdventHealth also recently opened the AdventHealth Meadow Pointe ER with 12 patient beds, two triage rooms and imaging and lab services, as well as a pediatric-friendly room. The new ER brought more than two dozen jobs to the area.

AdventHealth Sports Med and Rehab Zephyrhills also opened its doors in May. The clinic is equipped to handle the growing rehabilitation needs of the East Pasco community, from injury recovery to post-surgical therapy and beyond.  

AdventHealth Zephyrhills also recently unveiled a newly renovated Electrophysiology Lab, delivering leading-edge cardiovascular care.

AdventHealth is partnering with HuntonBrady Architects, an architecture and interior design firm, on the new medical office building project as well as builder, Robins & Morton.

“The groundbreaking of the AdventHealth Zephyrhills Medical Office Building marks an exciting milestone in our long-term partnership with AdventHealth,” Robins & Morton Division Manager Todd Watson said. “We are honored to help bring this new facility to life as it expands access to high-quality health care for our community. We look forward to seeing the lasting, positive impact it will have for years to come.”

Construction is expected to be completed in fall 2026.

 

//PULL QUOTE//

 “What I’m so excited about is the opportunity we have to bring the best of technology, the best of our providers all here to serve our community better each and every day. Patients, when they walk through these doors, are able to have all of that care right there in one building. Today, that’s fragmented around our community. This is an opportunity to bring that together to serve our patients and our community even better.”  – Mike Murrill, president/CEO of AdventHealth Zephyrhills 

First responders recall 9/11 experiences

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Stephen Spelman, a retired New York Fire Department emergency medical technician, talks about responding to the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001. Marie Thornsberry/Saint Leo University

 

Saint Leo University President Jim Burkee receives challenge coins from 9/11 survivors Stephen Spelman (left) and Perry Blackburn (right). Marie Thornsberry/Saint Leo University

ST. LEO – Stephen Spelman remembers grabbing what gear he could find, heading to his duty station and then toward the World Trade Center towers on Sept. 11, 2001. 

“We could see people jumping from the building, and we weren’t even close [yet],” said Spelman, a retired New York Fire Department emergency medical technician. “We could see the towers engulfed in flames about midway up.”

Spelman was teaching at the fire academy when the first terrorist struck. A FDNY lieutenant sent him and his team to look inside police and other vehicles parked nearby to see if anyone was alive. The lieutenant ran the opposite direction toward the towers. Spelman credits the lieutenant for saving his life. 

“I wasn’t prepared for what I saw,” Spelman said of that day. “It was the horror of war. I’m not military, but it seemed like a battlefield.”

Now living in Wesley Chapel, Spelman has made it his mission to remember, taking a rung from Ladder 18

and speaking to groups so the history and sacrifices are not forgotten. The memorial now is on loan and can be viewed at the Zephyrhills Museum of Military History. 

Spelman joined others in sharing their Sept. 11 experiences during “In their Honor: September 11, 2001 & Operation Enduring Freedom – Never Forget” on Sept. 8 at Saint Leo University. 

The university hosted the event to remember the courage and sacrifices of those who were lost, survived and rescued as well as those who searched for victims and fought for their nation.  

Dominick Maggiori, a retired New York Fire Department/EMS lieutenant, recalled working “on the pile” – the rubble of the World Trade Center towers. 

“We heard a jet, and the work stopped,” he said. “Then we saw it was a [U.S.] fighter jet and there was a sigh of relief. Somebody has got our back.”

And it was more than just the U.S. military. 

“People came from all over,” Maggiori said, bringing water, food and volunteering in any way they could to assist those involved in rescue and recovery. “Everyone pulled together.”

As a Green Beret, Perry Blackburn was one of the first Americans on the ground in Afghanistan after 9/11. 

“I was the leader of the greatest fighting force on the ground,” said Blackburn, now a retired lieutenant colonel with the U.S. Army Special Forces. 

They rode on horseback with Afghans, “hunting those responsible, and I was proud be help to defeat the Taliban and Al-Qaida,” he said. “The American soldier is not an individual. 9/11 brought out the best in all Americans. We stood together. We prayed together. That’s the part I carry with me every day. Show up for one another.”

Craig Gross, Gold Star father, tells the story of his son, Army Corporal Frank Robert Gross, who was killed in Afghanistan in July 2011. Marie Thornsberry/Saint Leo University

Craig Gross, an Air Force veteran, shared the story of his Army corporal son, Frank “Frankie” Robert Gross, who was killed on July 16, 2011, in Afghanistan when the Humvee he was in struck an improvised explosive device.

The late Gross joined the Army after earning a master’s degree, but rather than going in as a second lieutenant, he signed up as a noncommissioned officer.

“He was cut from a different cloth,” his dad said. “He didn’t take the easy way.”

Just 21 days after telling his father he was being deployed to Afghanistan, Cpl. Gross was killed. 

“He is buried at Arlington National Cemetery with many, many other great heroes,” Gross said of his son. “You’re looking at one of the proudest dads in America. My son continues to give. My son represents something that only Americans possess, and that is true freedom.”

It was fitting that Saint Leo University hosted the event, noted President Jim Burkee as Saint Leo provides a space for reflection and promotes dialogue, mutual respect and understanding so that all may remember and learn from the history of Sept. 11, 2001.

“Memory fades if it is not told,” said Wilton Simpson, Florida commissioner of agriculture and consumer services. 

Saint Leo’s event included a fundraising breakfast, a flyover with parachutists, guest speakers at a special memorial event and a 5K. 

The In Their Honor 5K kicked off the events at 7:30 a.m. Sept. 8 and the route through Saint Leo’s campus featured more than 300 photos of firefighters who lost their lives on Sept. 11, 2001. 

Funds raised through the event will support the sponsoring organizations and charities, including the creation of the Children of Heroes Scholarship at Saint Leo University. Representing the shared mission between the Pasco Patriots Association and Saint Leo University, this fund will provide tuition assistance for first responders and the children of fallen and catastrophically injured first responders. 

Funds raised support the following nonprofits: Saint Leo University – Scholarship, Pasco Patriots Association, 18 Series Coffee Co., AFG Free, Cryoeeze22, Krewe De Forti, PCRetiredK-9 (Pasco County Retired K9), Tunnel to Towers Foundation and Warrior Wellness.

Sponsors for the event were the Town of St. Leo, Chick-fil-A Zephyrhills, Totally Blu Pools, and Campus Gear and Trade Mark Sales.