When Joel Jackson wants a little adventure, he just picks up his camera and goes for a field trip — without ever leaving his yard. […]
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This Week
Pasco is planning to update its mobility fees
The Pasco County Commission is expected to update the county’s mobility fee schedule — with proposed rates increasing, decreasing or staying the same in a number of categories. The proposed fee schedule calls for a sizable fee increase in the retail category. It also proposes the addition of two new categories — one that provides […]
Pasco County expanding its library options
The Hugh Embry Branch Library is closed for remodeling and the Land O’ Lakes Branch Library soon will close for a makeover, too. Meanwhile, in just a few weeks, the new Starkey Theatre, Library and Cultural Center will open in the Starkey Ranch development, off State Road 54, in Odessa. Hugh Embry has been cleared […]
COVID-19 cases on the uptick
COVID-19 cases are on the rise across the nation, with outbreaks occurring in parts of the country with low vaccination rates, according to officials from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). As of July 22, 35% of counties in the United States were experiencing high levels of community transmission, and COVID-19 cases were […]
Improvements keep coming to Zephyrhills redevelopment area
The concept design plan for Hercules Park renovations is being updated to include public requests for restrooms, artwork, educational signage, a retention pond, and Wi-Fi, among several other features such as playfields and pathways. Initial design plans for a BMX bike track were not well-received during a workshop, so that piece is being removed from […]
Rezoning would allow 400 apartments
The Pasco County Planning Commission and the county’s planners have recommended approval of a rezoning that would allow 400 apartments on approximately 43.42 acres at the southeast corner of Wesley Chapel Boulevard and Hay Road. Denise Hernandez, the county’s zoning administrator, detailed the request at the planning board’s July 22 meeting. The proposed multifamily project […]
Zephyrhills city manager earns solid performance marks
The verdict is in: Zephyrhills City Manager Billy Poe is doing a pretty bang-up job. That’s the general consensus of the Zephyrhills City Council in its performance review of Poe, shared during the council’s July 12 meeting. Poe earned a combined 4.21 on a rating scale of 1 to 5, with 1 meaning needs improvement […]
Zephyrhills tax rate to stay the same
Zephyrhills property owners won’t see an increase in their ad valorem tax rate for fiscal year 2021-2022. The city council on July 12 unanimously voted to set the tentative millage rate at 6.35 mills — a rate the municipality has maintained for several years. Public hearings on the proposed property tax rate have been scheduled […]
Office development zoning sought in Lutz, on State Road 54
The Pasco County Planning Commission is recommending approval of proposed office development on a 1.67-acre site at the southwest corner of State Road 54 and Meadowbrook Drive, in Lutz. The site is the same one where neighbors vigorously resisted a proposed gas station and convenience store. That pursuit was dropped after the Pasco County Commission […]
Help quench firefighters’ thirst; get a free sub
Firehouse Subs restaurants once again will host its bottled water collection drive through its ninth-annual H2O For Heroes campaign, on Aug. 7, nationwide, according to a news release. The drive aims to help to hydrate local first responders during the record-breaking summer heat. Guests are asked to bring in an unopened 24-pack of bottled water, […]
Photo of the Week
Beauty and diversity
When Joel Jackson sets out on his explorations, he never knows exactly what he’ll encounter. One day, as he was capturing an image of a swamp hibiscus, a butterfly flew in and landed on the bloom — right on cue. This Giant Swallow butterfly is perched on a Swamp Hibiscus. The Swamp Hibiscus grows 5 […]
This Week (cont)
Mixture of uses proposed at Roaches Run, U.S. 41
A 35-acre site at the southwest corner of Roaches Run and U.S. 41 could become home to a project with an array of commercial and residential uses. The Pasco County Planning Commission and the county’s planners have recommended approval of the request, which would allow the site to be used for retail, office/medical office; health […]
Healthy snacks to enjoy on the road
Taking a break from daily routines doesn’t mean you have to abandon your healthy eating habits. It just takes a bit more planning to pull it off. I recently went on an eight-day trip to New York, splitting the week between the city and upstate. During that time, my body could definitely tell that I […]
Protect yourself from red tide effects
As efforts continue to remove dead fish from regional waterways, officials from Hillsborough County have compiled some pointers from the Florida Department of Health, to help reduce the risks posed by red tide. Here are those pointers, shared in a news release from Hillsborough County: When possible, stay away from water bodies and beaches where […]
Input sought on Sunset/U.S. 41 improvements
Hillsborough County wants to hear the public’s thoughts on a proposed improvement at the intersection of U.S. 41 and Sunset Lane, in Lutz. The county is conducting a two-week public comment period, through a virtual engagement process, according to a county news release. The feedback runs until Aug. 2. The proposed improvements at U.S. 41 […]
Local Sports
Area softball players among best in state
The high school softball season has come and gone, but local athletes are still racking up accolades from their 2021 campaigns. The 2021 Miracle Sports all-state teams were released earlier this month honoring the top softball players in Florida — and area standouts were well-represented. Over 40 softball players across nine schools from The Laker/Lutz […]
Several local athletes taken in 2021 MLB Draft
Aspirations of playing professional baseball may soon become a reality for a handful of athletes from local high schools and colleges in The Laker/Lutz News coverage area. The Major League Baseball (MLB) 2021 first-year player draft spanned 20 rounds (and 612 picks) from July 11 through July 13. The draft is held every summer by […]
Sports – Check This Out
State baseball champs
The Lutz Baseball 18U All-Stars recently won the Florida Babe Ruth State Championship in Bunnell, defeating West Volusia Athletic Club-DeBary in a double elimination contest (10-0, 2-1). Lutz. The local all-star squad is coached by Tim Daley.
State softball champs!
The Land O’ Lakes Girls Softball Little League Majors All-Stars (ages 10-12) won the Florida Little League State Championship, in St. Cloud. The squad defeated Viera Suntree Little League (10-2) and Estates Little League (16-0) before downing Tampa Bay Little League (3-2) in the finals. Land O’ Lakes is next headed to the Little League […]
Reasons To Smile
‘Fore’ the veterans
Members of the GFWC Lutz-Land O’ Lakes Woman’s Club recently attended a golf tournament at Innnsbrook Golf Resort, a fundraiser for veterans. The women gave each veteran present a star (removed from retired American flags), along with a patriotic verse in a pocket sleeve, meant to be worn close to one’s heart. The recipients were […]
