Mark Hannah is a busy guy. So busy, in fact, that he hasn’t used a business card in about 10 years. “I really should have […]
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This Week
Former Dade City commissioner honored
The City of Dade City recently paused to pay honor to Eunice Penix, one of its longest-tenured public servants, educators and community activists in the East Pasco town’s history. Family, friends and community leaders gathered outside the City Hall building on Nov. 6 to recognize the many accomplishments of Penix, a longtime city commissioner. The […]
Veterinarian honors his father, by donating a barn
Dade City’s Centennial Elementary School has a brand-new barn for its 4-H Club. But, this structure is much more than a sturdy protective home to hogs and sheep, with goats on the way. It’s a son’s tribute to his late father, a pioneering marine biologist and beloved resident of Dade City. The “Blake Barn’’ was […]
Mask mandate continues in Pasco schools
The Pasco County School Board has extended the district’s mask policy through the end of the school year. The action came during the board’s Nov. 17 meeting, at the recommendation of Superintendent Kurt Browning. It also followed an afternoon workshop involving Pasco County Schools staff and the Florida Department of Health-Pasco County, covering the district’s […]
Pasco County Thanksgiving closings
Pasco County government offices, including the constitutional offices and the courts, will be closed on Nov. 26 and Nov. 27, in observance of the Thanksgiving holiday. All government offices and the courts will reopen on Nov. 30, according to a county news release. The Pasco County Parks, Recreation, and Natural Resources’ offices, recreation complexes and […]
Pasco commissioners delay hiring decision
The Pasco County Commission wants the county to advertise a top administrative position before deciding who should get the job. Commissioners made that decision during their Nov. 17 meeting, when they were asked to confirm the selection of Gary Joiner to be the director of administration in the county’s building and construction services department. The […]
Holiday gatherings should include a heaping helping of COVID precaution
It’s Thanksgiving. Tradition says it’s best spent in a full house of family and friends, carving the turkey, sharing a table, then strategizing the busy weekend shopping plans. Medical experts have this advice: Maybe next year. With COVID-19 again on the rise, holiday traditions probably need to be temporarily halted — or at least revised. […]
Pasco commissioners reject process used to select lobbyist
The Pasco County Commission has rejected the process used by county staff to recommend an outside lobbyist. Instead, commissioners want to hear a 10-minute presentation from each of the three firms vying for the work, before making their selection. The proposed contract calls for a maximum of $60,000 a year for the services, with the […]
Boundaries to be set soon for Starkey Ranch K-8
The Pasco County School Board is scheduled to set boundaries for the new Starkey Ranch K-8 school at the board’s Dec. 1 meeting. The school — part of a complex that includes a theater, library and cultural center — is scheduled to open in the 2021-2022 school year. The board held a public hearing on […]
No Festival of Lights this year, in Zephyrhills
One of the most popular holiday events in Zephyrhills won’t be happening this year after all — because of the ongoing concern about the coronavirus pandemic. City leaders pulled the plug on the Festival of Lights Christmas Parade, typically held each year and hosted in partnership with Main Street Zephyrhills Inc., and the Zephyrhills Community […]
Meals On Wheels for Kids expands
The Tampa Bay Network to End Hunger (TBNEH), a tri-county leader in hunger relief, research and program development, will expand Meals On Wheels for Kids (MOW4Kids) into Lutz (zip codes 33548, 33549) and Safety Harbor (zip codes 33759, 34695, 33761), in Hillsborough and Pinellas Counties, respectively. The program will begin delivering food to children attending […]
Photo of the Week
Happy Thanksgiving from The Laker/Lutz News staff
We will be closed Thursday and Friday this week in order to spend time with friends and family. Our office will return to normal business hours on Monday, November 30. We are so thankful for our wonderful community, clients, and readers!
This Week (cont)
Gulfside Hospice Helps Over 1,000 Pasco Families Every Year
November is National Hospice Month, and hospice is the bridge that helps terminally ill patients and their families navigate the health care system in the final stages of life, while also providing emotional and social services support for the entire family. In Pasco County, Gulfside Healthcare Services has been providing hospice services for more than […]
Their stories — and foods — are varied
A small group of entrepreneurs gathered recently to sell their goods at a drive-thru vendor fair at the University of Florida/Pasco County Extension’s One Stop Shop, at 15029 14th St., in Dade City. Those wishing to make a purchase could swing by on Oct. 29 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., to order items and […]
Input sought on 301/98/Clinton Avenue realignment
Efforts are underway to enhance a busy and sometimes dangerous roadway intersection that passes through Dade City and unincorporated Pasco County. The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) District 7 office has developed and unveiled recommended corridor realignment improvements for the U.S. 301/U.S. 98/Clinton Avenue intersection — via the agency’s Alternative Corridor Evaluation (ACE) process. A […]
Local Sports
Locals stand out at state golf championships
If one thing has been learned over time — simply qualifying for Florida’s high school state golf championship tournament is an accomplishment in itself. It’s an opportunity this year reserved for a combined 45 boys teams and 45 girls teams across three classifications. Including individual qualifiers, fewer than 300 boys and golfers apiece — among […]
Lutz native Kevin Cash named AL Manager of the Year
Tampa Bay Rays manager and Lutz native/Gaither High School alum Kevin Cash notched yet another feather in his proverbial ball cap. Weeks after guiding the Rays to the American League’s best regular season record (40-20) and the franchise’s second World Series berth in history, Cash was crowned 2020 AL Manager of the Year by the […]
Sports – Check This Out
Up close with the cup
Local chiropractor Dr. Timothy Bain was able to spend the day with the NHL’s Stanley Cup at his Wesley Chapel-based practice, B3 Medical, at 2818 Cypress Ridge Blvd., Suite 100. Bain has been the Tampa Bay Lightning’s team chiropractor since 2011, assisting players on injury prevention and body maintenance. He was part of the team’s […]
Land O’ Lakes junior golf event
The Ancient Order of Hibernians Division 2 Pasco County will host a junior golf skills challenge on Dec. 5, at Plantation Palms Golf Club, 23253 Plantations Palms Blvd., in Land O’ Lakes. The event is open to boys and girls, ages 7 through 15. Participants will hit drives, chips and putts in competition with others […]
School spirit competition
Time to again show off your school spirit. The Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) welcomes all member schools to participate in the 2020-2021 Sunshine State Spirit Showdown — a schoolwide competition designed to promote good sportsmanship and school spirit. It was created in 2013, with the idea of the school community to come as one […]
Reasons To Smile
Elfers Cafe reopens, with a gift
Community Aging and Retirement Services Inc. (CARES) reached out to the public requesting an in-kind donation for the CARES Elfers Center. The organization was looking for an electric stove for the reopening of the Elfers Cafe. Victor Attard, of Finishing Touches Collision, Auto Body Repair & Painting stepped up to the plate. With the delivery assistance […]
