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PGA TOUR players meet future Habitat homeowner

CLEARWATER –  PGA TOUR players Patrick Fishburn and Hank Lebioda joined Habitat for Humanity Tampa Bay Gulfside on March 18 in Holiday for a meet‑and‑greet with future homeowner Sherkela Hatcher and her son. 

Sherkela, a nursing assistant with Suncoast PACE, is building her future through Habitat’s affordable homeownership program while continuing to provide care to seniors in the community.

Both players are competing in this year’s Valspar Championship. After meeting the family and touring the home, the players had the opportunity to learn more about Habitat’s affordable homeownership program. 

Afterwards, the players and the family marked the completion of the construction process by installing the home’s new address numbers.

“Seeing the excitement of the little boy and his mom was really cool,” Fishburn said. “Great experience to actually see that and see the people that the tournament (Valspar Championship) and everyone involved are helping is really cool to see.”

 

Lee introduces Safe Cloud Storage Act 

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Laurel Lee (R–FL) and others introduced the Safe Cloud Storage Act to help law enforcement agencies modernize how they securely store and process digital evidence related to child sexual exploitation investigations.

Law enforcement agencies across the country are facing increasing challenges in storing, transferring and analyzing this highly sensitive evidence. Many investigators are still forced to rely on outdated physical storage tools, which are costly, limited in capacity and slow down investigations.

The Safe Cloud Storage Act builds on the framework established by the REPORT Act, which provided limited liability protections for vendors contracted by the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children to store and transfer evidence for investigative purposes. Lee’s legislation extends similar protections to other vetted, law enforcement–approved third-party vendors who assist investigators in securely handling digital evidence.

“Identifying victims and bringing predators to justice requires modern investigative tools,” Lee said. “The Safe Cloud Storage Act updates how law enforcement securely handles digital evidence, allowing investigators to partner with trusted technology providers while maintaining strong safeguards and accountability.”

 

Women’s club honors veterans

LAND O’ LAKES – The GFWC Lutz-Land O’ Lakes Woman’s Club celebrated two of its own members, Lois Cohen and Bernice Wilson, who were honored on the Women of Honor Flight to Washington, D.C. on March 11. 

Two additional club members, Karla WIlson and Shirley Willhite, served as guardians on this special all-women flight, supporting the veterans throughout this meaningful journey to visit the nation’s memorials. 

The club is proud to recognize and honor the courage and service of all female veterans. 

 

Tampa Museum of Art to use search firm

TAMPA – The Tampa Museum of Art will use Russell Reynolds Associates to lead the search for a new executive director.

The search comes as Michael Tomor prepares to retire at the end of March after over a decade in the role. 

“Our committee is conducting a thorough global search for a successor who can build on this strong foundation, inspire our community and continue elevating Tampa’s cultural landscape,” said Ron Christaldi, chair of the Tampa Museum of Art board of trustees and who is chairing the executive search committee. “This partnership with Russell Reynolds will aid us in identifying a dynamic leader who can guide the museum through its next century of growth and impact.”  

The search will be led by Russell Reynolds’ arts and culture practice leaders Katherine Armstrong and Olivia Stam. The museum welcomes applications from a wide array of candidates. Nominations, applications or any other inquiries should be emailed to .

 

Quick Hits

• Milahnie Perry, of Wesley Chapel, became the all-time leading scorer in Air Force women’s basketball history. Perry broke the 30-year career scoring record March 3.

 

WESLEY CHAPEL – AdventHealth Wesley Chapel recognized three Pasco County EMS team members March 19 for their quick action and teamwork that helped save a patient’s life during a cardiac emergency late last year.

Ashley Puller, Brittney Giordano and Juan Romero were honored during a special ceremony on campus for their role in responding to a cardiac arrest on Dec. 5, 2025.

The patient suddenly lost consciousness at a restaurant due to ventricular fibrillation, a life-threatening heart rhythm. Bystanders immediately began CPR before first responders arrived.

EMS quickly took over care, delivering a shock to restore the patient’s heart rhythm, providing breathing support and continuing high-quality CPR. 

Their coordinated efforts led to the patient regaining a pulse. The patient regained consciousness and was able to speak while being transported to the hospital. 

The patient left the hospital without neurological deficits, an outcome that is uncommon in cardiac arrest cases.

“This moment is an important reminder of how critical every second is during a cardiac emergency,” said Stormy Dulovich, chief nursing officer at AdventHealth Wesley Chapel. “Because of the actions of this EMS team, this patient has another chance at life.”

AdventHealth Wesley Chapel regularly partners with local first responders to recognize exceptional care and strengthen the connection between pre-hospital teams and hospital care.

PLANT CITY – Outside a local PetSmart store, an orange DoorDash bag was left next to the front door. Inside of this bag were 10 kittens, left alone and defenseless for an unknown amount of time. With temperatures in the 40s that night, this could have ended in tragedy.

“We are committed to providing the kittens with full veterinary care, including vaccinations and spay/neuter, and will ensure they are placed in safe, loving homes,” said Tara Pisano, one of the directors of Rescue Pets of Florida.

This isn’t the first time that Rescue Pets of Florida has taken in abandoned animals. 

A few weeks ago, a litter of puppies were abandoned and left in a storage tote, with no protection. The puppies were placed in loving foster homes and are all doing well. They’re expected to go up for adoption after they’re vaccinated and spayed/neutered.

With the warming temperatures, the community is entering into what rescuers call, “Kitten Season,” which is when many animals, including cats and dogs start to give birth. It can be an overwhelming time for shelters, rescues and even neighbors who may find kittens or puppies and feel a need to help get them to safety.

But abandoning them in totes or bags outside of shelters, stores or rescues can do more harm than good. Rescue Pets of Florida recommends reaching out to a humane society, shelter or rescue group. 

Many rescues, including Rescue Pets of Florida, work with county shelters and take in animals to help prevent overcrowding.

To prevent unwanted kittens, Rescue Pets of Florida spays/neuters 90 to 120 cats at each of their pop-ups, which occur on three Sundays every month. 

These pop-ups focus on spay/neuter of cats within the rescue as well as TVNR (trap, vaccinate, neuter, return) animals from the community. This is in addition to the low-cost spay/neuter clinics available throughout the area.

Rescue Pets of Florida has about 230 cats/kittens and 70 dogs/puppies in its care. Visit Rescuepetsofflorida.org/ to learn more about fostering animals, volunteering and donating.

ZEPHYRHILLS – Initial conceptual renderings for Zephyrhills Main Street’s Home Theatre Renewal were unveiled March 9 during a Zephyrhills Community Redevelopment Agency meeting.

Home Theatre, located at 38521 5th Ave., was built by lumber magnate and former mayor I.A. Krusen. It opened in 1948 and was billed as one of the most modern movie theaters in the South. The theater closed in 2007.

The presentation highlighted early architectural design concepts aimed at revitalizing the historic theater property in downtown Zephyrhills. Concepts include a renovated performance venue, modern gathering spaces and rooftop event areas designed to enhance downtown activity and support community events.

Main Street Zephyrhills presented the conceptual vision and discussed how this landmark project could help strengthen the downtown Zephyrhills historic district as a destination for arts, entertainment and community gatherings.

Once completed, the Home Theatre will serve as the East Pasco Cultural Arts Center, providing a dedicated space for performances, cultural programming and community events.

The renderings represent the early stages of the project’s planning and design. 

Main Street Zephyrhills will soon launch a fundraising campaign to support the project and engage community partners in bringing the vision to life.

 

 

WESLEY CHAPEL – Miriam Cook, founder of Family-Friendly Tampa Bay, is bringing camps from Tampa and Pasco County to one place at the 9th Annual Family Fun Fest & Summer Camp Expo.

The free community event helps parents discover summer camps, activities and family resources while enjoying a day of hands-on fun and entertainment from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. March 14 at The Shops at Wiregrass. 

Cook understands how challenging it can be for families to find the right summer opportunities for their children. The expo was created to simplify that process by bringing a variety of local camps and programs together in one place where parents and kids can meet program leaders face-to-face.

“As a teacher and a mom, I know parents want meaningful experiences for their kids, but finding the right summer camps can take hours of research,” Cook said. “This event makes it easier for families to explore options, ask questions, and discover opportunities that help kids learn, grow and have fun.”

The expo connects families with summer programs including STEM, sports, performing arts programs; specialty programs; day camps; and educational enrichment opportunities for children from preschool through the teen years. 

The expo transforms The Shops at Wiregrass into a community festival featuring interactive activity zones, live entertainment and hands-on experiences designed to keep kids engaged while parents explore summer camp options.

Event highlights include:

• Free mad science show (10:45 a.m. and 12:45 p.m.)
• Free foam bubble party (11:15 a.m. and 1:15 p.m.) featuring Blaise Ryndes’ Sphere’s Foam Bubble Show (as seen on “America’s Got Talent”)
• Kids karaoke stage
• Princess and character meet-and-greets
• Balloon artist and face painting
• Easter treat trail scavenger hunt at exhibitor booths
• Hands-on crafts and cookie-decorating
• Toddler play area and lawn games
• Kids sports fun zone
• Giveaways and special summer camp discounts

Families who register in advance will have the chance to win $250 toward a summer camp, and the first 300 registered families will receive a free Kids Expo Bag while supplies last.

BayCare Hospital Wesley Chapel is a presenting sponsor of the expo. Portions of event proceeds will support Uresteem, a nonprofit that empowers children through leadership and self-esteem programs.

 

LUTZ – Irine Edwards founded XMTX Collections after her battle with breast cancer with the intention to offer stylish, durable jewelry that women can confidently wear every day. 

With a strong local presence and a loyal customer following, XMTX Collections has become a trusted go-to for effortless, everyday luxury. XMTX Collections is located at 23110 State Road 54, #516, Lutz.

“Being a woman-owned business in my local community means everything to me because it’s rooted in connection and authenticity,” Edwards said. “I’ve had the privilege of meeting so many incredible women through this journey, and it’s deeply rewarding to build something that not only supports my family but also inspires others to go after their goals. To me, it’s about showing up, supporting fellow small businesses, and pouring back into the same community that continues to support XMTX Collections.”

Edwards is grateful for the support the community has shown XMTX Collections. The brand was built from the ground up through local markets, word of mouth and relationships. 

“Tampa Bay isn’t just where my business operates,” Edwards said. “It’s the community that helped bring my vision to life, and I’m proud to continue growing here for years to come.”

LocalShops1 is highlighting Edwards and her shop in honor of Women’s History Month. 

“We wanted to bring awareness to our members during Women’s History Month and recognize Irine and her commitment to providing jewelry and being a part of our thriving local business community,” LocalShops1 founder Ester Venouziou said. 

On the web: xmtxcollections.com or localshops1.com

 

ZEPHYRHILLS – Progress on the AdventHealth Zephyrhills campus is leading to expanded, high-quality health care closer to home for Zephyrhills residents.

AdventHealth and construction leaders signed the final beam during a topping out ceremony for a new medical office building. The milestone celebrates the placement of the building’s final structural beam and continued work on a facility designed to improve access to care.

The nearly 35,000-square-foot medical office building will provide additional space for new and employed physicians. Once completed, the facility will house primary care and multiple specialty physician offices, including cardiology, gastroenterology, general surgery and urology.

“We’re excited to see this project take shape here on our Zephyrhills hospital campus. It’s a reminder of our long-term commitment to the Zephyrhills community,” said Mike Murrill, president and CEO of AdventHealth Zephyrhills. “For 40 years, AdventHealth Zephyrhills has grown alongside this community, and a new medical office building ensures we’re prepared to meet the needs of our neighbors for decades to come.”

The project responds to the area’s rapid growth, with Pasco County projecting a 40% population increase by 2045. Much of that growth is expected to occur in the South and Central Market Areas, increasing demand for accessible, comprehensive health care services.

The new medical office building is part of a broader series of investments AdventHealth has made across Pasco County in recent years: 

• Late last year, AdventHealth Wesley Chapel opened one floor of its expanded three-story North Wing bringing the hospital’s licensed beds from 169 to 193 and two-story South Courtyard Infill. The new floors allow for future growth.
• AdventHealth Zephyrhills is also getting ready to celebrate the one-year anniversary of AdventHealth Meadow Pointe ER, which has 12 patient beds and brought in more than two dozen jobs to the area.
• AdventHealth Sports Med and Rehab Zephyrhills is also close to celebrating its first year serving the rehabilitation needs of the East Pasco community, from injury recovery to post-surgical therapy.

AdventHealth is partnering with HuntonBrady Architects on the design of the new medical office building, with Robins & Morton serving as the construction partner.

“We’re proud to celebrate this important milestone alongside our longtime partner AdventHealth,” said Todd Watson, Robins & Morton Florida division manager. “Topping out this new medical office building is a testament to the dedication and collaboration of everyone involved. We look forward to delivering a facility that will expand access to high-quality health care and serve the needs of our community for years to come.”

 

LUTZ – After 25 years of forging “Blackbelt Leaders” in the community, Krav Maga Martial Arts is moving just a few doors down but miles ahead in technology and design. 

Krav Maga Martial Arts announced the upcoming grand re-opening of its Lutz headquarters, located at 1900 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., in the former All About Kids children’s consignment shop storefront. 

The relocation marks a massive upgrade for the school, expanding into a 3,300-square-foot facility specifically engineered to house the next generation of martial arts excellence. 

“For over two decades, our mission at KMMA has been to develop confident, competent Blackbelt Leaders – students who are prepared to survive, thrive and lead in the real world,” said Grandmaster Stephen J. Del Castillo, founder and master instructor. “Now we are stepping into the next chapter. The next 25 years will be built in a new, state-of-the-art training facility – one that is designed to elevate the experience and inspire the next generation.”  

The new headquarters will feature: 

• Double Training Areas: Two distinct spaces to allow for more classes and specialized instruction. 
• Premium Swain/Zebra Flooring: Industry-leading mat systems for maximum safety and performance. 
• Full Professional Mirror Wall: To provide students with the visual feedback necessary for technical mastery. 
• State-of-the-Art Design: A sleek, modern aesthetic that reflects the school’s professional standards. 

The grand re-opening is scheduled for March 30. In celebration of the new facility, Krav Maga Martial Arts continues to offer its signature no-cost, no-obligation two-week trial at both the new Lutz headquarters and the Port Richey location. 

Since its inception, Krav Maga Martial Arts has focused on self-defense and on character development. The school builds confidence and competence in students.