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Pasco County issues state of emergency for Hurricane Milton

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NEW PORT RICHEY – The Pasco Board of County Commissioners convened an emergency meeting Oct. 6 to declare a State of Emergency ahead of Hurricane Milton. 

The board convened about five minutes after the tropical storm was upgraded to a Category 1 hurricane, according to Andrew Fossa, director of emergency management for Pasco County.

“Currently, its projected path is going to put us in harm’s way,” Fossa told commissioners. “By the time it makes landfall, it’s projected to be a very strong Category 3 hurricane.”

He said the area should get tropical storm force winds from Tuesday evening to late Wednesday afternoon. The coast is also expected to sustain a six-foot storm surge. 

“We are going to have issues,” Fossa said. “We are going to have debris floating. We’re going to have missiles flying everywhere with the debris. So we’re asking for this local state of emergency and then we’re going to follow up also with a request for an evacuation order.”

The county has issued mandatory evacuations, which go into effect at 10 a.m. Oct. 7 for the following:

  • Evacuation Zones A and B.
  • Everyone living in a manufactured home, mobile home or RV anywhere in Pasco.
  • Everyone in low-lying areas or areas prone to flooding.
  • Everyone in an area ordered evacuated by local authorities due to life-safety hazards.

Voluntary evacuations will go into effect at 10 a.m. Oct. 7 for the following:

  • Evacuation Zone C.
  • Everyone registered with Pasco as a special needs resident.
  • Everyone who would be vulnerable in the event of a power loss.

Visit https://pascogis.pascocountyfl.net/evaczone/finder.html to enter your street address and determine your zone. 

District 5 Commissioner Jack Mariano asked Fossa to compare the storm surges of recent hurricanes Helene and Idalia to give people perspective about how important it is to evacuate. 

Pasco County saw storm surges of seven feet during Idalia and 12 to 15 feet during Helene. 

“It’s extremely important to evacuate,” Fossa replied. “We’ve preached that through Helene. We preached that through Idalia. When we issue an evacuation order for surge – we’re doing it to save people’s lives. Fortunately, Pasco County was one of the few counties that had zero fatalities.”

Pasco County tallied over 200 rescues in the aftermath of Helene. Fossa said citizens don’t have to evacuate hundreds of miles but tens of miles. He encouraged people to go to a hotel or stay at a shelter.

Pasco County is also opening shelters Oct. 7 for anyone who needs to leave their home ahead of the storm and has nowhere else to stay.

The following shelters open Oct. 7 at noon (and accept family pets): 

• Centennial Middle School, 38505 Centennial Road, Dade City.
• Fivay High School, 12115 Chicago Ave., Hudson.
• River Ridge Middle and High Schools, 11646 Town Center Road, New Port Richey.
• Wesley Chapel High School, 30651 Wells Road, Wesley Chapel.
• Fasano Regional Hurricane Center, 11611 Denton Ave., Hudson (Special Needs Only).

GoPasco bus services will operate regular routes Oct. 7 and offer free rides to shelters. Visit mypas.co/PetHurricanePrep for details about what to bring.

Mariano was encouraged by the work of the county. He mentioned how the county was helping evacuate residents of four trailer parks. 

Mariano also expressed concern about debris left over from Hurricane Helene flying around during high winds from Hurricane Milton.
“Citizens also need to remember with all this debris on the ground right now, first responders are not going to be able to navigate those roads,” Fossa said. “It’s going to damage their vehicles and put them in harm’s way also.” 

District 3 Commissioner Kathryn Starkey said the Gulf Harbors community was going to get attention as it has one way in and one way out. 

“We are working very hard today to clear that road to be sure that people can evacuate,” Starkey said. “You’re going to inconvenienced maybe by one way traffic or stop-and-go traffic but it is just paramount that we keep at least that road clear so people can get out.”

Commercial haulers will be coming in Oct. 7 to remove as much debris as possible, according to John Battista, operations director for the solid waste department. 

“We want to get the storm debris off the roads,” Battista said. 

Commissioners were pleased with county staff’s work post-Helene and pre-Milton. District 4 Commissioner Lisa Yeager gave a shoutout not just to county staff but also the community. 

“It’s just really awesome to see our community come together and everybody helping everybody,” Yeager said. “It’s just been a huge movement. I’m just really proud to be living in Pasco County.”

 

Have questions?

Pasco County Customer Service is open until 7 p.m. Oct. 6 and will be open 24 hours beginning Oct. 7 at 7 a.m.  Call 727.847.2411 or chat with the county online at MyPasco.net.

Pasco County Schools to close Oct. 7-9 due to Tropical Storm Milton

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PASCO COUNTY – Pasco County Schools announced all schools and district offices will be closed Oct. 7 to 9 as a precaution due to Tropical Storm Milton. 

All extracurricular activities, athletic events and after-school programs are also canceled for these days as forecasts indicate Milton may strengthen into a hurricane and make landfall in the region.

The district will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as needed.

Families and staff are encouraged to follow the district’s website and social media channels for the latest information.

 

Hillsborough County’s Community Investment Tax is on the ballot

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This map, which is available at https://hcfl.gov/CIT, shows projects supported by the Community Investment Tax since 1996.

CIT funds roads, fire stations, stormwater enhancements, and other capital improvement projects throughout Hillsborough County.

The Community Investment Tax, a half-percent sales surtax that funds major infrastructure projects in Hillsborough County and the cities of Plant City, Tampa, and Temple Terrace, as well as Hillsborough County Public Schools, is on the ballot this November. 

Initially approved by Hillsborough County voters in September 1996 for a period of 30 years, the tax expires Nov. 30, 2026. Since gaining voter approval, the revenue generated by the tax has funded or partially funded more than 780 projects throughout the community.

 

CIT projects from 1996 to present

Over the past 28 years, CIT has provided about $2.77 billion to fund or partially fund 784 capital improvement projects. 

Many of the CIT-funded projects residents pass by or visit regularly – checking out a book at the local library, visiting a park, attending a local public school or driving down a county-owned road. 

Other projects funded by the CIT surtax are not as visible and include projects such as culvert replacement throughout the county to improve water drainage, replacement of the bridges along Florida State Road 39 at the Alafia and Little Manatee Rivers, and the installation of pipes to transport drinking water in Wimauma. 

Some CIT funding also goes to projects at major community facilities, such as the Museum of Science and Industry, Raymond James Stadium and the Tampa Bay History Museum.

For a full list of projects funded by the CIT from 1996 to present, view this map.

 

Proposed CIT projects for 2026-2041

If approved by voters in November, the CIT will continue to fund much-needed capital improvement projects and capital equipment across the community. Among these projects are the building of nine new fire stations, road repaving, sidewalk repairs, enhancing additional transportation and stormwater infrastructure, new schools and general public safety investments.

 

Hillsborough County Project Lists  

Transportation & Public Works – $1.34 billion

  • 16% – Intersection safety and mobility.
  • 16% – Lithia Pinecrest Road congestion relief.
  • 15% – Bridge repairs and replacements.
  • 13% – Repaving and pavement preservation.
  • 11% – Sidewalk repairs.
  • 9% – Traffic signals replacements and upgrades.
  • 8% – Pedestrian safety and mobility.
  • 7% – Van Dyke Road congestion relief.
  • 5% – Multi-use trails and boardwalks.
  • Trails: (Balm-Boyette Scrub Preserve, Sydney-Dover Trails, Flatwoods Park, Fishhawk Preserve, Northwest Equestrian Park, Tampa Bypass Canal, South Coast Greenway Trail, Kirby Canal Trail, Memorial Bikeway and Wimauma Connector Trail.
  • Boardwalks: – Brooker Creek Headwaters Preserve, Alderman’s Ford Park, Cypress Creek Preserve, Rhodine Scrub Preserve, Stephen J. Wortham Park Connection, Little Manatee River Preserve and Alafia Scrub Preserve.

 

Public Facilities – $597 million

  • 91% – Community facilities (pet resources shelter, community facilities, Sulphur Springs grocer infrastructure, tournament sports facilities, Steinbrenner Field capital maintenance/repair, Amalie Arena capital maintenance/repair and Raymond James Stadium capital maintenance/repair).
  • 9% – Parks and conservation (synthetic turf field projects, shade sails over playgrounds: covered basketball courts and Collins/Panther Trace Park improvements).

 

Public Safety – $487 million

  • 35% – Fire rescue (nine new fire stations, vehicles and equipment).
  • 34% – Sheriff’s office (jail expansion and improvements, vehicles and equipment, training center improvements, and equipment and facility improvements).
  • 31% – Courts (land acquisition for future expansion, courtroom expansions, downtown chiller expansion, Twiggs Parking Garage and new downtown courthouse).

 

Public Utilities – $180 million

  • 56% – Stormwater infrastructure (Town and Country regional improvements. stormwater culvert renewal and replacement, stormwater pump station renewal and replacement, drainage improvements and stormwater quality improvements).
  • 44% – Septic-to-sewer conversions (Gibsonton phases 3 and 4, Ruskin/Wimauma area and Palm River phases 1 and 2).

 

Hillsborough County Public Schools – $188 million

  • New elementary school and middle school in Wimauma, elementary school near Apollo Beach and future school builds. 

 

City of Plant City – Not specified

  • Community center, Fire Station No. 4, Fire Station No. 5, law enforcement equipment & facilities, transportation infrastructure (intersection safety, multi-use trails and corridor congestion relief), parks and recreation improvements.

 

City of Tampa – $783 million

  • $191 million – Sidewalk repairs, repaving and pavement preservation, bridge repairs and replacement, traffic signals replacements and upgrades, intersection safety and mobility, pedestrian safety and mobility, corridor congestion relief and multi-use trails.
  • $339 million – Vehicles/equipment and facilities.
  • $253 million – Public facilities (capital maintenance/repair of Raymond James Stadium and Amalie Arena) and parks and conservation. 

 

City of Temple Terrace – $54 million

  • Public safety building, Fire Station No. 3 training tower building, police vehicles and equipment, fire apparatus/vehicles and equipment, new park construction and improvements to general government facilities, library, parks and recreation facilities.

 

Want to learn more?

Visit HCFL.gov/CIT for more information about CIT, including the history of the tax, surtax performance audit, Nov. 5 ballot language and funds distribution details.

 

This article was provided by Hillsborough County.

PCS closing three schools to create Chasco K-8 

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This slide from a Sept. 10 school board presentation shows enrollment over time at three schools that Pasco County Schools is closing.

Plans are in the works to open Chasco K-8 School in New Port Richey next fall following a Sept. 10 vote by the District School Board of Pasco County.

The board unanimously approved closing Calusa Elementary, Chasco Elementary and Chasco Middle schools at the end of the current school year. This will enable the new K-8 school to open on the existing campus of Chasco elementary and middle schools in September 2025.

School district staff requested the closure of these three schools because of steadily decreasing enrollments at Calusa Elementary and Chasco Middle. 

Calusa is operating at 65% capacity with 429 students. Chasco Middle is operating at 73% capacity with 614 students. 

Wyatt Grinage, whose daughter attends Calusa, expressed concerns over whether the proposed K-8 school will have enough space to accommodate all the students who will be coming from Calusa.

The combined square footage of Chasco Elementary and Chasco Middle is 238,612 while Calusa Elementary has 75,000 square feet, Assistant Superintendent Betsy Kuhn said. There already is enough space at the Chasco campus to accommodate 254 more students than are currently attending there, Kuhn said. 

Minimal modifications and reconfigurations that can be made to the two buildings on the Chasco campus will provide more than enough space to accommodate the 1,600 students currently attending all three of the schools, Kuhn said.

That necessary work will include, among other things, converting a media center in one of the buildings on the Chasco campus into four classrooms, Kuhn said.

This work will occur during the summer of 2025 so it won’t have an impact with students’ learning, according to Corey Dierdorff, the district’s public information officer.

One of the advantages of the consolidation expressed by Kuhn included a minimal transportation impact because Calusa Elementary, which will be permanently closed, is only 1.4 miles from the campus where Chasco K-8 is going to be located. The schools are all in the same community according to Kuhn.

Other advantages include the stability of students being in the same school for nine years and the minimization of a negative impact with the transition to middle school, according to a presentation made by Kuhn.

Board member Al Hernandez agreed with Kuhn that consolidating the three schools would use the district’s financial resources more efficiently. 

“Closing a school is never fun,” Hernandez said. “This is not a take-away. It is enhancing the community.”

Kuhn also tried to alleviate concerns that had been expressed about children being able to walk safely to Chasco K-8 after it opens next year. There are currently five crossing guards assigned to Chasco Elementary, and a traffic control officer and two crossing guards are assigned to Calusa Elementary. Discussions will be held with the Pasco Sheriff’s Office next year to have the crossing guards currently at Calusa to be reassigned to Chasco K-8, Kuhn said.

Superintendent Kurt Browning said during the Sept. 10 meeting that parents who would be affected by the closure of the three schools would be notified the next day.

A public workshop focused on the closure of Calusa Elementary, Chasco Elementary and Chasco Middle and the reopening of those three schools as Chasco K-8 is scheduled for 5 p.m. Oct. 1 in the gymnasium at Chasco Middle School, according to the district’s website. A proposed boundary map for the K-8 School will be displayed and staff will be available to answer questions. 

Also, a public hearing on the boundary proposal will be held during the Oct. 15 school board meeting at 6 p.m. at the district office complex in Land O’ Lakes. 

The final vote on the boundary proposal will be held during the board’s Nov. 5 meeting at 9:30 a.m. at the district’s office complex, according to the district’s website.

Plans are also in the works for teachers currently assigned to Calusa Elementary to follow their students when they go to Chasco K-8, Kuhn said.

Acting on this so early in the current school year will give parents opportunities to explore other options regarding where their children could attend school within the district if they didn’t want them to go to Chasco K-8 next year, Kuhn said.

 

Memorial in Pasco County honors fallen law enforcement officers 

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DADE CITY – More than 100 people turned out Sept. 11 in downtown Dade City to witness the unveiling of a memorial honoring law enforcement officers who had lost their lives in the line of duty.

The ceremony on the grounds of the Historic Pasco County Courthouse was the result of nine years of fundraising efforts, according to attorney Craig Laporte, who was one of the speakers at the event.

Attorney Craig Laporte, District 1 County Commissioner Ron Oakley, Dade City Police Chief James Walters and Pasco Sheriff Chris Nocco unveiled the Fallen Law Enforcement Memorial during a ceremony Sept. 11 on the grounds of the Historic Pasco County Courthouse in downtown Dade City. Photo courtesy of Joe Potter

Laporte, who had been a Pasco Sheriff’s Office deputy in the 1970s and 1980s, said he understood the stress that families of law enforcement officers experienced when their loved ones were working. He added that the memorial is a good thing for families to relate to.

“Everybody chipped in to help to make this possible,” Ronald E. “Ron” Oakley said, adding that the memorial “was very much worth the wait.”

Oakley, who is chairman of the Pasco County Board of County Commissioners, was another one of the speakers at the event. He represents District 1, which is located in eastern Pasco County.

“We’re not only honoring those who gave their lives . . . we’re honoring their families as well,” Sheriff Chris Nocco said. 

He added the memorial would be a place families of fallen officers could find solitude and receive God’s comfort.

Nocco noted he was at The Pentagon in Washington, D.C., on the night of Sept. 11, 2001, when terrorists had attacked it along with both towers of the World Trade Center in New York. 

The demand for the memorial had been so great that it was actually ordered six years before the Pasco County Fallen Law Enforcement Memorial and Benefit Foundation Inc. had enough money to pay for it, according to Laporte.

Several donors combined their efforts to contribute $100,000 in a week and a half, Oakley said. 

The final cost of the memorial hasn’t been disclosed but it was completely funded through charitable contributions to Pasco County Fallen Law Enforcement Memorial and Benefit Foundation Inc., which is a 501c3 nonprofit.

Members of the foundation and its supporters were reportedly inspired to create the memorial after having seen one in Polk County honoring law enforcement officers who had died there in the line of duty.

Brian Brown, the sheriff’s office’s chaplain, said a prayer at the beginning of the ceremony. Part of what he said was that fallen law enforcement officers had put their lives on the line so that others might live.

Several people who assisted in raising funds for the Fallen Law Enforcement Memorial are shown in front of it after it was unveiled on Sept. 11. Photo courtesy of Richard K. Riley

Other things that occurred before the unveiling of the memorial included Jennifer Ferguson singing the National Anthem and Dade City Police Chief James Walters leading attendees in saying the Pledge of Allegiance to the American Flag.

District 4 County Commissioner Lisa Yeager read a list of donors who had contributed toward the cost of the memorial.  

Donors recognized for their contributions were Adam Smith Enterprises, Barbara L. Wilhite P.A., BRW Contracting, Deeb Construction & Development, Deeb Family Homes, Heidt Design, JDR Properties of Pasco, members of the Maggard Family, Make A Difference (a 501c3 nonprofit), Pasco County Property Appraiser Mike Wells, Pasco Office Park, PCS Civil, Randy & Shannon Blankenship, Ronald E. Oakley, Santo Carollo, Floria Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson, Sunrise Consulting Group, Tew & Associates, Thomas B. Dobies Funeral Home, Waist-Aid Systems and Wiregrass Ranch Foundation.

Cancer battle inspires a new path for Jolie Dopa

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olie Dopa shifted from music to fashion as she battled Stage 4 breast cancer. Photo courtesy of Jolie Dopa

Jolie Dopa has been working in the fashion industry for the past couple of years. This is a new interest of hers that was inspired, in part, by surviving breast cancer.

Dopa, who lives in Land O’ Lakes, was originally diagnosed with the disease in November 2017. It was at stage 4 at that time.

Dopa said she has survived since then due to having had 78 rounds of chemotherapy treatments and through God’s help.

Dopa has accomplished two significant dreams during her lifetime.

Her most recent accomplishment was being able to work in the fashion industry.

Prior to that, the other dream she had shortly after graduating from Land O’ Lakes High School was to become a musician. She began accomplishing that dream in Atlanta, Ga., when she was 19 years old.

She’s now well known for her album, “Struggling 4 Thee Diamond Life,” which was released in December 2020. She traveled far and wide as a singer and songwriter. 

Having cancer resulted in her mind being “totally reprogrammed” to do things that would bring her happiness and help her to heal, Dopa said. 

Healing, for her, is an ongoing process because Dopa said she will have to receive cancer treatments for the rest of her life.

She started to focus on things that didn’t require her to be in the public eye after taking a break from the entertainment industry. It was during that time that she felt led to choose to create unique clothing. 

“I believe God gives us the vision and then we must act on that vision. So I did and do,” she told Bold Journey magazine in a Sept. 29, 2023, interview.

Her career in fashion designing originated as a jacket line but has since grown into mostly wire bras, bikini bras and vest/jackets, she previously told Bold Journey. 

She began to make money off of her clothing by offering them for sale on Instagram after her mother had suggested that she do that, Dopa previously told Bold Journey. This led to her being invited to do her first fashion show as a vendor, Dopa also previously told Bold Journey.

The first show she was talking about was during the annual 2023 SKIN! Art Show, which was held at the Art Institute of Tampa on July 14 and 15, 2023.

Some of her other displays have also been featured at The Armature Works and Hotel Haya, both of which are in Tampa; and at Coastal Creative – The Factory, which is in St. Petersburg.

The past two years working in the fashion industry have been wonderful, Dopa said. She does about two to three events a month as a vendor. 

And she has also been posting her unique clothing on various other social media platforms since 2021.

But her life isn’t just about being involved in the fashion industry, Dopa said. 

She’s a single parent who’s actively involved in the life of her son, Josiah, who’s 10 years old. 

 

Want to reach out?

Learn more about Dopa by visiting her Instagram @d0paminedreamz or by emailing her at .

 

School impact fees to increase in Pasco County

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

Combat-wounded vet gets new home

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One of the worst days in the life of U.S. Army Master Sgt. Christopher “Chris” Blauvelt (Ret.) was April 4, 2010, when he was severely injured by an improvised explosive device detonated underneath a vehicle he was in while serving in Afghanistan.

However, Aug. 17, 2024, was one of the happiest days of his life. That’s when he and his family were welcomed to a new, mortgage-free home on Nine Iron Court in Wesley Chapel.

Bernadette Blauvelt looks on as her husband, U.S. Army Master Sgt. Christopher “Chris” Blauvelt, cuts the ribbon Aug. 17 in front of their new home on Nine Mile Court in Wesley Chapel (Courtesy of Joe Potter)

The national nonprofit organization Homes for Our Troops (HFOT) presented the custom-built home to the family because of the severe combat-related injuries Blauvelt had sustained. In addition to his right leg having to be amputated, he also had a traumatic brain injury and suffered spinal fractures and a fractured pelvis.

Blauvelt told the approximately 100 people attending the ceremony at his new home that he doesn’t remember anything that happened to him on that day. But he assured them he would never forget the day he was presented the custom-built home that is specially adapted to provide him with a safe living environment. 

Blauvelt and his family previously resided in a two-story home in Tampa where he faced serious daily challenges. 

His new 2,800-square-foot home has four bedrooms and two bathrooms. One of those bathrooms is oversized and designed so he can safely roll into it to take a shower. 

Blauvelt, his wife Bernadette, and the couple’s five children – Coulter, Penny, Zoe, Mia and Zachery – are happily calling the new residence their home.

HFOT has provided mortgage-free homes to hundreds of combat-wounded veterans across the nation since its founding in 2004, according to Jocelyn Phipps, the organization’s community engagement coordinator. HFOT has lived up to its motto of “Building Homes, Rebuilding Lives!” Phipps said.

The nonprofit’s mission is to build and donate specially adapted custom homes for severely injured post 9/11 veterans to enable them to rebuild their lives, Phipps said. It doesn’t receive any federal or state funding.

Attendees saw Blauvelt receive the keys to his new home and triumphantly hoist a U.S. flag on a flagpole in front of it, as part of the ceremony. 

“Y’all don’t know how much this means to me,” he said. “I’ve never had a flagpole before.”

Blauvelt has a lengthy service history prior to being medically discharged in 2012. 

He enlisted in the U.S. Coast Guard immediately after graduating from high school because he wanted to serve in a law enforcement-type capacity. He was a helicopter rescue swimmer for four of the eight years he was in the Coast Guard.

After working for the U.S. Postal Service for a couple of years, he joined the U.S. Marine Corps and served there for about five years, during which time he worked in Force Recon. 

The 9/11 terrorist attacks occurred about six months after he was discharged from the Marine Corps, which prompted him to join the U.S. Army National Guard based in Connecticut where he and his family lived at that time.

It was during his first deployment to Afghanistan as a National Guardsman that he  was severely injured. 

People were invited to tour the house after a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

Some of the activities preceding the tour were the presentation of the colors by members of the Wesley Chapel Cadet Squadron of the Florida Wing of the Civil Air Patrol and Autumn Rae singing the National Anthem.

Also, Elizabeth Evans Weiss was recognized as the general contractor for the construction of Blauvelt’s home, along with Jim Peley, project manager, and the staff and subcontractors at Elizabeth Evans Custom Homes.

Bonnie Purcell with Quilts of Valor wrapped one of their quilts around Blauvelt.

U.S. Air Force Col. Ret. Jerry Custin made some remarks on behalf of U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis, R-FL’s 12th District. 

Deb Kehoe, a volunteer with the Rosedale Fundraiser, talked about how the donations of HOFT had steadily increased over the years, including more than $400,000 raised in 2023. 

“Quite frankly, it’s not about the money,” Kehoe said. “It’s about what the money does for the veterans.”.

HFOT Executive Director Bill Ivey also made some remarks.

When it was his turn to speak, Blauvelt thanked family members, including his wife, children, mother and mother-in-law, for their support. Blauvelt said he hadn’t been able to sleep for two days before the ceremony and that he felt guilty about the mortgage-free house being built for him and his family. 

“I’m supposed to feel like this is amazing,” Blauvelt said.

He then announced he planned to begin going to college sometime next year, which resulted in a loud round of applause from the attendees.

 

Published August 28, 2024.

‘Killer Grannies’ takes on Tampa Bay

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Nearly three dozen people from all across the United States converged on the Tampa Bay area last week to let the world know about two evil grandmothers who used diabolical and deadly schemes to profit financially.

But the “threat” wasn’t real. Rather, it was the story of “Killer Grannies,” a film based on real life events.

In this scene, Killer Granny Kate Roberts (Jann VanDyke) looks on as a homeless man, Tom Watson (Chase DeMoss), enjoys a meal Roberts bought for him at The Golden Egg Café. Assisting are cinematographer Adam Boster and soundman Chris Tobin. (Courtesy of Lisa Manale)

The husband and wife team of Chuck and Karolina Morrongiello are directing and producing the thriller. The key filming locations throughout Pasco and Hernando counties were chosen because the couple lives in Land O’ Lakes. 

Some of those locations included The Golden Egg Café in Carrollwood, the Edgecomb Courthouse in downtown Tampa, Caliente Resort & Spa in Land O’ Lakes, Perry Harvey Sr. Park in Tampa, Perich Eye Center in Trinity and Big League Haircuts in Land O’ Lakes.

Chuck Morrongiello, who has previously worked in the insurance industry, wrote the screenplay for “Killer Grannies.” It’s based on a common scheme in the insurance industry — when people take insurance policies out on others for their own financial gain.

The main characters in the motion picture are Kate Roberts played by Jann VanDyke, and Rosa Peters played by Rena Romano. Peters is reportedly the crazier of the two grandmothers.

Several other professional actors and actresses from across the U.S. are in the motion picture, including Chase DeMoss, who plays the role of Tom Watson, a down-on-his-luck homeless man. A professional makeup artist spared no effort in making DeMoss look homeless and bedraggled for the role.

The husband and wife team of Karolina and Chuck Morrongiello prepare for the filming of a scene inside the Edgecomb Courthouse in downtown Tampa where a felony trial was being held for the two “Killer Grannies.”

Granny Roberts makes the acquaintance of Watson, who has been feeding himself by rummaging through other people’s garbage, and she treats him to an all-expenses-paid meal at The Golden Egg Café. During that meal, Roberts pretends to care for Watson and comforts him as he tells her a story about his sad past life, including unfortunate things that happened in his family.

Later on in the film, the two grandmothers offered to help Watson get cleaned up so he can reenter society, and provide him a job at the Ostara Floral Shop that both the women own and operate.

And that’s where the nefarious insurance scheme begins. No spoilers here!

Matt Sabel, a student at the Winter Park campus of Full Sail University, a learning institution specializing in entertainment media and emerging technologies, served as a grip production assistant. He’s now able to add the film to his resume as he pursues his degree in digital cinematography. 

Veteran cinematographer Adam Boster did the majority of the filming, a trade he’s worked in nearly 40 years.

In addition to serving as a producer, Karolina Morrongiello acts in the film as well. She’s also involved in editing the film and guiding it through the post-production process, which will take between 12 months and 18 months.

Once finished, “Killer Grannies” will be eligible to be distributed throughout the world. A couple of the films the Morrongiellos have previously produced and directed, through their production company 3 Rats Entertainment LLC, have been seen in as many as 80 different countries, Chuck Morrongiello said.

For additional information about 3 Rats Entertainment LLC, call 813-417-4131, or email .

Published August 21, 2024

MiTek to open new manufacturing plant in Zephyrhills in 2026

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Construction technology company MiTek recently purchased 111 acres in the North Tampa Bay Industrial Park in Zephyrhills and plans to construct a 480,000-square-foot manufacturing plant and warehouse there according to the Pasco Economic Development Council (PEDC).

MiTek is expecting to invest nearly $80 million in the facility where steel connector plates and builder products will be manufactured for the construction industry, according to a statement by the company. 

The new location will allow the company to retain 125 jobs and create an additional 25 jobs.

Representatives of Zephyrhills city government along with Pasco County commissioners and members of the Pasco Economic Development Council are shown at the Aug. 6 BCC meeting following finalization of economic incentives for MiTek. The company plans to build a large manufacturing facility and warehouse in Zephyrhills. (Ryan Hughes/Pasco County.)

PEDC and the City of Zephyrhills announced the plan during the Aug. 6 meeting of the Pasco County Board of County Commissioners that was held in Dade City.

“We are excited to put down roots in Pasco County and to be part of the ongoing economic development in this area,” said Douglas Krauss, Senior Vice President, Global Supply Chain and Manufacturing at MiTek.

“This new location is close to our present-day facilities, which will help us retain our talented team members, while also giving us space to increase capacity for raw materials and finished goods. We have a high concentration of customers in Florida, so this is really a long-term investment in MiTek’s future, our customers, and the Pasco County community,” said Krauss.

MiTek serves residential and commercial customers, delivering software, services, engineered systems, and automated solutions, according to a statement by the company. 

The Pasco County site will be developed in three phases. Phase one is currently underway and involves civil, geotechnical, environmental and architectural research to determine the best way to develop the site for MiTek’s specifications. 

Phase two will begin in the coming months as MiTek finalizes permits and contracts and begins site development and building construction, with the goal of breaking ground in the fourth quarter of 2024. 

Phase three includes purchasing equipment for the facility. MiTek is targeting to complete the building in the fourth quarter of 2025 and to begin operations in the first quarter of 2026.

MiTek has received economic incentives from both Pasco County and Zephyrhills for its new facility.

The Pasco County BCC approved a 10-year performance-based Economic Incentive Agreement for ad valorem tax reimbursement, job creation and a workforce training grant up to $3.15 million during their Aug. 6 meeting.

An artist’s rendering shows the front of MiTek’s new facility planned for Zephyrhills. (Courtesy of Pasco Economic Development Council)

On July 22, the City of Zephyrhills approved incentives totaling up to $2.9 million. Their incentive package includes waiving or reimbursing transportation impact fees up to $430,500 and permit fees up to $432,425. Additionally, a job creation incentive cash grant will be provided that will be equal to the amount of 50% of ad valorem city property taxes paid for the first 10-year period.

MiTek is the second major manufacturer to select Zephyrhills as a place to expand their business.

Bauducco Foods purchased 72 acres of the Zephyrhills Airport Industrial Park Ready Site in the third quarter of 2023, county records said. Bauducco, which is a Brazilian multinational company, expects to invest over $200 million in a new 400,000-square-foot light industrial facility that will employ about 600 people.

Bauducco is now one of the fastest growing cookie companies in the United States. Products that are produced at the facility in Zephyrhills will be distributed throughout the U.S., according to Stefano Mozzi, CEO of Bauducco USA. Zephyrhills was determined to be a great location for the location of Bauducco’s new and main production hub for the U.S.A. market, Mozzi added.

Bauducco’s new facility’s development will be completed in two phases and will utilize state-of-the-art production equipment and a sanitary design. The first phase will contain 96,494-square feet and is expected to be operational near the end of 2024 to early 2025, according to county records. The second phase will contain 306,506-square-feet and is anticipated to be fully operational by 2028.

Bauducco also received economic incentives from Pasco County and the City of Zephyrhills for their new facility. The Pasco County BCC agreed last year to provide a 25% ad valorem tax reimbursement not to exceed $4.43 million and a $100,000 workforce-training grant, and Zephyrhills granted Bauducco incentives totaling $8.27 million. 

The company must fill 120 full-time positions with an average annual salary of at least 80% of the median one-person income in the Tampa Bay metropolitan area to qualify for the incentives. The city also agreed to waive or reimburse transportation impact fees up to $331,000 and permit fees up to $606,750 along with providing a job creation grant equal to the amount of 50% of ad valorem city property taxes paid for the first 10-year period, according to city records.

Published August 14, 2024