The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

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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

Dade City considers new city manager to replace Leslie Porter

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Dade City is considering hiring a new city manager by Oct. 1 to replace Leslie Porter, who is currently in the process of negotiating a separation agreement with the city.

Porter became city manager on May 14, 2019 and was hired after serving as interim city manager for a few months following the departure of William “Billy” Poe. Porter has worked for Dade City for more than 10 years. She was the city’s finance director from 2014-2019 prior to assuming her administrative position.

Leslie Porter has been the city manager for Dade City since May of 2019 (Courtesy of Dade City)

City Attorney Patrick Brackins is negotiating a mutual, amicable separation agreement with Porter and her attorney. The city commission won’t make a decision on that agreement until it has been finalized and presented to them for their consideration. It’s not immediately known how much time it will take for the agreement to be prepared.

Porter’s proposed separation is due to a consensus reached by city commissioners to take the city in a different direction, according to a commissioner who spoke confidentially given the separation agreement hasn’t been finalized yet.

Porter has faced public criticism, which has led to controversy surrounding her tenure.

Remarks made during the public comment portions of some city commission meetings allege that Porter had not handled personnel matters in a proper manner. Some former city employees claimed they had been let go because of a disagreement they had with Porter, while others claimed to not even know why they had been terminated. Also, some former employees said they were unable to either gain back their former jobs, or be hired for new ones, because they were ignored when applying for reemployment.

Porter has previously said personnel records are public records that may be viewed under most circumstances. She added that those records show why decisions were made to terminate former city employees.

When the separation agreement has been prepared and agreed to by the city and Porter, her departure will not be the result of a “termination for cause or for misconduct,” Brackins told city commissioners during their July 23 meeting. One part of the agreement could be that Porter would be eligible to be reemployed in the future if she applied for a position for which she was qualified for, given her education or experience, Brackins said.

Both Mayor Scott Black and Commissioner Ann Cosentino said they thought Oct. 1, the start of its new fiscal year 2024–2025, would be a good date for Porter to step aside as city manager if a replacement had been hired at that time. 

But a majority of city commissioners also are in favor of Porter continuing to serve as city manager for 30 days after a new one has been hired. This is to ensure there is a smooth transition between the two administrators because of the amount of responsibilities involved. That time can be extended if a replacement isn’t hired by Oct. 1.

Commissioner Kristin Church emphasized the importance of having the opening for the position widely advertised so quality applicants could be found to choose from when the search does begin.

Mayor Pro Tem Normita “Angel” Woodard said she would like it to be required that the new city manager who is selected live in Dade City, as this would give him or her an opportunity to get to know the community better.

Porter has lived in Tampa during her tenure as city manager.

“God has a purpose and a plan for me,” Porter said in an emailed statement on July 30.

“Life is a journey, and I am excited to see where my next path will lead. Seasons change, and the commission is looking to move in a new direction. I can respect that choice.  

“I am proud of what we have accomplished in the city during my tenure both in finance and city administration. Throughout my career, my actions and decisions have been driven by what I believe is best for the city. I will miss the city, community members and staff. The staff is an amazing group of dedicated public servants, and I wish them all the best,” Porter said.

Published August 7, 2024.

Overpass at U.S. 41 and S.R. 54 anticipated to help resolve traffic situation

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Planners with the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) announced earlier this year an overpass is likely to be the best way to help resolve the traffic situation at the intersection of U.S. 41 and S.R. 54 in Land O’ Lakes.

The anticipated cost of the overpass was approximately $222 million when FDOT officials discussed plans for it in February. However, the cost has reportedly since increased to approximately $260 million. 

An overpass at the I-4 and S.R. 46 intersection in Sanford (Jeffrey Greenberg/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)

The Pasco County Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) agrees with FDOT that the intersection of U.S. 41 and S.R. 54 is one of the busiest in Pasco County. The MPO is the lead transportation-planning agency in Pasco County, serving the municipalities of Zephyrhills, San Antonio, St. Leo, New Port Richey, Port Richey and Dade City.

Approximately 124,000 vehicles travel through the intersection daily and that number is anticipated to increase to 176,000 by 2045, FDOT said.

The intersection also has been identified by FDOT as one that has a crash average higher than the state average. A total of 442 crashes were reported there from 2012 to 2016, in which 90% of the crashes involved property damage, while the remaining 10% involved injuries. A single fatal crash was reported during the five-year analysis period, according to FDOT. 

The intersection reconstruction is among the biggest projects on the work plan for Pasco County, according to Tania Gorman, MPO’s executive director.

FDOT is reportedly in the process of conducting a Project Development & Environment Study for the construction of the proposed overpass. Its current schedule calls for property to begin to be acquired in 2028 for the improvements to the intersection, according to Gorman.

The design of the proposed overpass is still being reviewed by FDOT but it could reportedly be similar to overpasses that have been constructed in other locations, such as the one at Roosevelt Boulevard and U.S. 19 in Pinellas County. That type of overpass would be for through-traffic with turns made at the ground level.

It’s anticipated FDOT will hold a public hearing regarding this proposed intersection improvement project during the fourth quarter of 2024. The design phase will be conducted between 2025-2027 and right of way acquisition will likely occur between 2028-2030.

Funding has not yet been obtained for the proposed intersection improvement project, according to FDOT. 

Published July 31, 2024

Funding road projects will take a new approach in Pasco

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It’s going to be out with the old and in with the new when it comes to how funds will be raised to maintain roads in Pasco County.

The new method the Board of County Commissioners (BCC) recently agreed to calls for all property owners in the county’s unincorporated areas to be billed for the costs of road maintenance.

(Life Of Pix/Pexels)

The tax rate, which will be $51.84 per each $100,000 of assessed value, won’t become effective until September when final decisions are made on the county’s budget for fiscal year 2024-2025.

The new rate will be on Truth in Milling (TRIM) notices that will be distributed to the affected property owners later this year. TRIM notices, which are distributed by the Pasco County Property Appraiser’s Office, show the market value of a person’s property and the proposed tax bill.

Raising money this way will help to spread the cost out further, according to county officials, and it will help identify more roads that need maintenance and allow that work to be done more efficiently.

This is a different approach than what the county has taken over the past few decades — the old way to fund road improvements was based upon residents living on those roads being individually assessed for the cost of the work that had been done. In some cases, it has taken up to 10 years for the affected property owners to pay off their assessments.

Under an ordinance the BCC adopted at its July 9 meeting, property owners who still owe money on the old assessments will be relieved of having to continue paying them. This will amount to $13 million that the county will not be repaid for the principal and interest not yet collected on the old assessments. 

Published July 24, 2024

Lutz Guv’na race raises record-setting funds for community

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Three candidates vying for the coveted title of Lutz Guv’na raised more than $36,000 for their community through fundraising efforts.

This is the most ever in the friendly but competitive contest that has been held since the mid-1950s, according to Linda Mitchell, chairwoman of the annual July 4th parade.

Rob Brooklyn succeeded in raising more money than the other two candidates and was named the 2024 Lutz Guv’na. He was presented a colorful sash and a “key to the town” during an inauguration ceremony at the Old Train Depot on Lutz Lake Fern Road following the parade.

Members of the North Tampa-Lutz Cadet Squadron of the Florida Wing of the Civil Air Patrol march down the parade route on July 4. (Courtesy of Deborah Erdahl)

Brooklyn has owned and operated Hardrock Landscape Services in Lutz since 1998.

The winner of the race is able to designate a specific charity in the community to receive 10% of the money they raised. Brooklyn designated the Learning Gate Community School in Lutz as the recipient of those funds.

The other two candidates for Lutz Guv’na were Joanna LaChance and Linda Mitchell — both retired educators.

LaChance is a former Exceptional Student Education (ESE) coordinator who worked for a combined 16 years in Palm Beach and Polk counties, before retiring. She and her husband own and operate the Lutz Pinch A Penny pool store at the intersection of Sunset Lane and U.S. 41. 

Mitchell was an eighth grade language arts teacher at Adams Middle School in Tampa for 25 years before retiring. She is currently the first vice president of the GFWC Lutz-Land O’ Lakes Woman’s Club.

Paul Vahue, associate pastor for administration at First Baptist Church of Lutz, said the opening prayer at the patriotic event.

Members of Boy Scout Troop 12 and the North Tampa-Lutz Cadet Squadron of the Florida Wing of the Civil Air Patrol conducted a flag ceremony, and Annabelle Depolis sang the National Anthem. Depolis finished in fifth place in the vocal category during the 41st annual Spotlight on Talent held earlier this year at the Wesley Chapel Center for the Arts.

Members of the GFWC Lutz-Land O’ Lakes Woman’s Club proudly display signs on their float indicating their service involvement.

Individuals marched in the parade, along with numerous floats. An estimated few hundred people looked on while enduring the sweltering hot weather. 

Several prizes were awarded at the conclusion of the parade. The category winners were:

  • Best Vehicle – Guv’na candidate Rob Brooklyn
  • Bicycle – West Coast BMX
  • Classic Car – Peyton Rose
  • Commercial Entry – Mission BBQ
  • Golf Cart Entry – The Citizens of the Old Lutz School House
  • Most Patriotic – The Miss Susie Fire Truck
  • Most Spirited – The Lutz Chiefs
  • Themed Entry – Stark Farms
  • Walking Unit – Lutz Family Church
  • Youth Entry – Learning Gate Community School
  • Judge’s Favorite – Elite Ink
  • Grand Marshal’s Choice – First Baptist Church of Lutz

Prizes also were handed out to bakers who showed off their skills in a cake and pie contest. There were 43 entries in the contest, according to Barbara Booth, treasurer of the GFWC Lutz-Land O’ Lakes Woman’s Club.

Heather Garry’s cake took first place in the category of Adult Best Decorated.

Categories winners in the contest were:

  • Guv’na’s Choice –  Melba Pineiro
  • Adult Best Decorated – Heather Garry, first place; Sarah Robison, second place; and Laura Konga, third place.
  • Adult Best Tasting – Kay Taylor, first; Jeannie Mills, second; and Jan King, third.
  • Youth Best Decorated (11-18) – Jennings May
  • Youth Best Decorated (10 and under) – Nicholas May, first; and Rylee and Dixon Kleme, second.
  • Youth Best Tasting (11-18) – William Leahy
  • Youth Best Tasting (10 and under) – Jake Kosior, first; Juniper Parker, second; and Colette Henderson, third.
  • Most Patriotic (all ages) – Dee-dee Hancock, first; Gloria Russell, second; and Jennifer Rankin, third.
  • Cupcakes Best Decorated (all ages) – Deborah Robison, first; Aribella Grande, second; and Abigail Rankin, third.
  • Best Pie (All ages) – Katelyn Payne, first; Karin D’Amico, second; and Erin Kuma, third.

Activities preceding the parade included an early morning warmup with Jazzercise and a 1-mile fun run and 5K race with awards presented at the Old Train Depot.

Guests could also bid on baked treats at an auction in the air-conditioned comfort of the Lutz Community Center.

Published July 17, 2024

Cuban church gets water access thanks to efforts from local organizations

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Members of Palmas Altas United Methodist Church (UMC) — a small church in an impoverished rural community in the Granma Province of Cuba — have access to a daily supply of sanitary drinking water through the combined efforts of two local Pasco County organizations: Land O’ Lakes UMC and One Ball One Village (OBOV), a 501(c)(3) organization based in Odessa.

Land O’ Lakes UMC helped develop a cistern at the Palmas Altas church so water could be stored there, and OBOV provided a purification/filtration system to the church in Cuba so sanitary drinking water would be available to its members and the community, said Jody Johnston of OBOV. 

Palmas Altas United Methodist Church’s pastor Rev. Ataliosky Romero, right, and One Ball One Village volunteer Mayito Montoya stand beside a sink where clean water now flows. (Courtesy of Candace Darden)

Palmas Altas translates to “high palm” in English, according to Candace Darden, a member of the Land O’ Lakes UMC’s Missions Team. The Cuban church is difficult to reach because it’s located in the Sierra Maestra mountain range near Manzanillo.

The Land O’ Lakes and Palmas Altas UMCs are “sister churches,” meaning members pray for one another.

Land O’ Lakes UMC has been helping to pay the salary of Palmas Altas’ pastor Rev. Ataliosky Romero for several years. The Florida church’s Missions Team also occasionally provided Palmas Altas with food and over-the-counter medications, Darden said.

Rev. Romero recently told Land O’ Lakes UMC that his church was in serious need of a reliable supply of sanitary drinking water, Darden said. The municipal pump for the water system from Manzanillo broke down and no parts were available to repair it. This caused water to have to be trucked in for months and those deliveries were unpredictable because of the vast shortage of gasoline in Cuba, Darden said.

Members of the Cuban church also lacked the funds to purchase the materials to build the cistern, so Land O’ Lakes UMC spent three months trying to find the materials, according to Darden.

It only took two weeks for the people of Palmas Altas to dig the cistern once the supplies had been provided, but another need arose — the water in the cistern had to be purified before it was safe to drink. The estimated cost of a purification/filtration system ranged from $1,700 to $5,000, far more than what Land O’ Lakes UMC had available.

The Land O’ Lakes church was referred to OBOV by a member of another local church. OBOV, founded in 2012, has been taking purification/filtration water systems to Cuba, along with many other supplies, for several years, Johnston said.

Mario Montoya, an OBOV volunteer in Cuba, delivered the system for Palmas Altas, according to Johnston. The delivery took Montoya about four hours after the system arrived at an airport more than 200 miles away from the church.

“The system was installed on June 26 and the congregation of the church and surrounding community are finally able to have clean, clear, good water whenever they want. The municipal system will keep the cistern full and with rainwater being a backup water source,” Darden said. “Thanks to OBOV our ‘sister church’ has good water to drink.” 

Published July 10, 2024

Local residents dig the cistern.
The finished cistern before it was covered.

Team effort transforms exhibit at Florida Aquarium

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(Courtesy of The Florida Aquarium)

The Florida Aquarium has unveiled the transformation of its second-largest habitat into an Indo-Pacific wonderland and said “g’day” to thousands of new fish, introducing them into the Heart of the Sea, creating a new exhibit that showcases the diversity of marine life from Australia.

“These are some of the most amazing fish our guests may ever see in their lifetimes,” said Cristy Barrett, associate curator at the aquarium, in a news release.

“They’re from Australia and their colors are so vibrant. Some of them actually help clean the other fish — including inside their mouths! We’re delighted with how well they are adjusting. It’s incredibly rewarding to see them thriving and interacting in their new environment,” said Barrett.

Among the new inhabitants are 26 different species, including: Maori wrasse, gold goatfish, spotted unicornfish, blue speckled group, emperor angelfish, giant squirrelfish, various species of butterfly fish, and a large school of fusiliers. Many of these fish are rarely seen in this part of the world.

The transformation process also involved relocating many of the native fish previously housed in the Heart of the Sea habitat. Species such as tarpon, yellowtail snapper and rooster hogfish have been moved to the aquarium’s largest habitat, the Coral Reef.

Some original residents, including bonnethead sharks, honeycomb stingrays, a southern stingray and a loggerhead sea turtle, remain in the exhibit cohabiting with their new Indo-Pacific neighbors.

The Florida Aquarium is at 701 Channelside Drive in Tampa. Visit Flaquarium.org for more.

Published July 03, 2024

New Florida Human Trafficking Strike Team cracking down on border-related crime

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(The Center Square) – A new multi-agency human trafficking strike team has been created in Florida to target border-related crime. As the result of a recent months-long operation, 10 victims were rescued, and several alleged perpetrators were arrested.

Attorney General Ashley Moody announced the creation of the new strike team with law enforcement leaders on June 13. 

“Human trafficking is a challenge for every state,” Moody said.

(Florida Attorney General’s Office/YouTube)

The investigation began in October 2023 in Manatee County after the sheriff’s office acted on a search warrant and turned over information to Homeland Security Investigations and the strike team, FDLE (Florida Department of Law Enforcement) Special Agent in Charge Mark Brutnell said. 

Investigators identified businesses that were commercial fronts for sex trafficking operations in Manatee and Hillsborough counties, where alleged ringleader Lina Payne recruited women from Columbia and allegedly held them hostage in Florida. She then allegedly forced them to have sex to pay off their debt to bring them into the country under threat of violence. 

“What we found was a fully functional, highly organized international human trafficking operation” based in Hillsborough and Manatee counties, Brutnell said. Payne was allegedly making frequent international trips to Latin American countries where the victims were living and were later trafficked through the border into Florida, he said. 

The victims had no accessible modes of transportation, their identification documents were taken from them, their food was delivered to them, they were forced to live inside massage parlors, barber shops and other businesses, where they could not leave, he said.  

Payne’s alleged accomplices — her boyfriend, Sebastian Jurado, and her son, Andres Payne — were involved in recruiting women from Venezuela and Colombia who agreed to pay between $40,000 and $50,000 to be smuggled across the southwest border into the U.S., according to the investigation. Payne allegedly promised them legitimate work, but once they arrived, they were held hostage. 

At one point during the investigation, it appeared Payne was attempting to flee the country and was arrested at the Fort Lauderdale International Airport. Not soon after, her boyfriend and son were arrested in Tampa. Another alleged trafficker remains at large. Each defendant faces multiple felony charges and is being prosecuted by Moody’s Office of Statewide Prosecution.

Through the course of the investigation, the strike team rescued 10 victims. They also believe they identified more than 117 victims of Payne’s trafficking operation over years. 

Pasco County Sheriff Chris Nocco said the victims “were brought here to Florida and had no idea what hell they were being brought into. We’re talking about human lives. If someone was drowning, we’d go out and save them. These are people who are lost out at sea, in hell, living in captivity. We are going to rescue them.”

While he said he was glad they caught the traffickers, he said, “there are a lot of evil people who pay to have forced sex, rape, with these women.” 

One way to break the cycle of sex trafficking was to enhance criminal penalties “against people who are buying and forcing sex on and raping women.” Another is to create a civil penalty to enable victims “to easily sue” their abusers, he said. “If we take away the livelihoods of the people buying and forcing sex on victims, take their houses, cars, … it will set a tone. Just like everything else we do in Florida, we will protect people.”

Moody said, “The disturbing facts of this case highlight the need for our new statewide Strike Team, and demonstrate how this expert team of investigators, prosecutors, analysts, and victims’ advocates can help coordinate efforts to take down trafficking operations and rescue victims.”

The new strike team is providing intelligence, guidance and support to law enforcement agencies statewide and is also coordinating emergency victim support services. The team works directly with Florida’s new statewide human trafficking tip line, 855-FLA-SAFE. 

It’s currently assisting local law enforcement efforts with more than 20 human trafficking cases and making contact with nearly 40 victims—including the 10 victims from this investigation, Moody said. 

Also joining Moody in making the announcement were FDLE Commissioner Mark Glass, Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office Colonel Chris Rule, Manatee County Sheriff’s Office Major Todd Shears and Homeland Security Investigations Tampa Special Agent in Charge John Condon.

Published June 26, 2024