Celebrating excellence is a routine part of Pasco County School Board meetings. Outstanding teachers are singled out. Special achievements are acknowledged. “We hear of wonderful […]
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This Week
Bus driver shortages continue
Pasco County Schools changed its school starting and ending times at the beginning of the second semester because a bus driver shortage was causing many students to arrive to school late. Now, despite those shifts, the district is facing the same problem for a different reason — now the bus driver shortage is largely due […]
Economy expected to grow, about twice as fast as normal, expert says
What’s the economy likely to do this year? It’s likely to grow about 4% — about twice as fast as normal, according to Nicholas Lacy, the chief portfolio strategist for Raymond James Financial. On average, the economy has grown about 3% for the past 50 years, Lacy, the featured speaker, told the crowd during the […]
Work is moving ahead on area road projects
Construction has restarted on a widening project on State Road 54, from east of Curley Road to east of Morris Bridge Road. Cone & Graham has been awarded the contract to complete the project. It began work on Jan. 10. Activities in the first few weeks will involve cleanup, surveying, and other tasks needed to […]
Arts center deemed ‘jewel’ in community
It’s grand-opening celebration may have been delayed, but enthusiasm for Pasco-Hernando State College’s (PHSC) Instructional Performing Arts Center was riding high during a recent ribbon-cutting ceremony at the facility. The performing arts facility, at 8657 Old Pasco Road in Wesley Chapel, opened quietly in the summer of 2021. It provides opportunities for students to prepare […]
Federal government offers free COVID tests through the mail
As questions persist over whether the Omicron variant of COVID-19 is peaking, or already has, leading to a decline in infections — President Joe Biden has announced a new federal program that provides four free COVID-19 tests per household. Tests are available for every residential address in the United States, including U.S. Territories and overseas […]
Bed and Breakfast approved in northeast Pasco
The Pasco County Planning Commission has approved a bed and breakfast in Northeast Pasco, on the north side of River Road, about three-quarters of a mile west of Auton Road. The planning board unanimously approved the request as part of its consent agenda, meaning no one spoke for or against the request. The board’s action […]
UPS becomes final occupant in spec building project
The Asturia Corporate Center, a speculative building project supported by Penny for Pasco funding, has reached full occupancy, according to a Pasco Economic Development Council Inc., news release. UPS has become the final tenant in the 235,000-square-foot building that is now filled to capacity, with a mix of occupants, representing various target industry sectors. Building […]
Zephyrhills seeks input on resiliency, economics
The City of Zephyrhills is hosting a public workshop to gather community input and to discuss the creation of an Economic Development and Resiliency Plan, according to a city news release. The meeting is set for Jan. 27 from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., at the City Hall Council Chambers, 5335 Eighth St., in Zephyrhills. […]
It’s Kumquat Festival time again, in Dade City
Maybe you’ve never heard of a kumquat. Or, perhaps you have — but have never tasted one. It’s possible, too, that you’ve never visited Dade City — the county seat of Pasco County, with a stately historic courthouse in its town square and quaint shops lining its downtown streets. An event coming up on Jan. […]
Planning board recommends RV resort in rural area
Residents in rural northeast Pasco County rallied against the proposed North Pasco RV Resort , but were unable to persuade the county’s planning board to recommend denial. The Pasco County Commission recommended approval of a land use change and a rezoning, which would clear the way for the 550-space RV resort. The issue now goes […]
Photo of the Week
An unmistakable image
This great blue heron was sitting in the pond at Steve Vinik’s home in Lexington Oaks, in Wesley Chapel, squawking at something. After gazing fixedly for some minutes and then swiveling its head when Vinik tapped at the window, the heron suddenly lifted off across the pond.
This Week (cont)
Pasco county board disbands rural advisory committee
The Pasco County Commission has disbanded the Northeast Pasco Rural Advisory Committee. The committee was formed to develop recommendations and guidelines for commercial development within the Northeast Rural Overlay District. The advisory panel was approved by the Pasco County Commission and was empaneled by Commissioner Ron Oakley — whose district includes the area — and […]
Celebrating history, through art
Pasco-Hernando State College (PHSC) kicked off 2022 and the first celebration of PHSC’s 50th anniversary, with the unveiling of the college’s first commissioned artwork. A reception and ribbon-cutting were held to showcase “Double Branch,” a 4 foot by 16 foot work, by artist S. Blake Harrison. The program featured Dr. Timothy Beard, college president; Dr. […]
Pasco plans to take a look at its transit services
GoPasco — Pasco County’s public transit agency — is planning to take a look at the services it provides and whether it needs to change them. Kurt Scheible, the county’s director of public transportation, discussed the upcoming study with the board of the Pasco County Metropolitan Planning Organization. The Pasco MPO board — made up […]
Local Sports
Champions in cheerleading, and in life
When the South Pasco Predators Pee Wee cheer team competed at Nationals in Orlando in December, there was the usual excitement at the chance to bring back national honors. And the girls did it. They won the cheer squad’s first national championship in a good many years, and they had a big trophy to prove […]
All-Pasco County fall awards announced (Part Two)
High school coaches from Pasco County Schools recently announced Sunshine Athletic Conference (SAC) All-Conference Teams, Athletes of the Year and Coaches of the Year, for the 2021-2022 fall sports season. Selections were made for both the East and West divisions. The following high schools from The Laker/Lutz News coverage area were represented in the East: […]
Sports – Check This Out
Land O’ Lakes High product to begin pro soccer career
Land O’ Lakes High School/University of South Florida product Sydny Nasello will soon live out her dream of playing professional soccer. Nasello last month was selected 13th overall to the Portland Thorns in the 2022 National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) Draft. With South Florida, the junior forward was named American Athletic Conference (AAC) Player of […]
Lacrosse standout named preseason All-American
Saint Leo University women’s lacrosse standout Ashlee Wilsynski has been named a USA Lacrosse Magazine 2022 Division II Women’s Lacrosse Preseason All-American, as a third-team recipient. A native of Baltimore, Maryland, the junior attacker is one of 39 student-athletes awarded the distinction. She is joined by four Sunshine State Conference (SSC) members: Hailey Daleo (Florida […]
Reasons To Smile
A ‘sweet’ gesture for seniors
Members of the GFWC Lutz-Land O’ Lakes Woman’s Club assembled hundreds of Valentine’s Day cards and treats for homebound seniors, to be delivered by Meals on Wheels along with the client’s meals. Each packet contains a Valentine with a handwritten message and a chocolate heart confection, to help raise the seniors’ spirits and bring them […]
