Concerns about COVID-19 have caused many kids her own age to be glued to digital devices, or voice complaints about boredom, but 11-year-old Sophia Phillips […]
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This Week
Lutz teen gets heartwarming surprise
When Abbie Grace Flohr returned to her Lutz neighborhood after a life-saving surgery, she was greeted with a life-affirming welcome home celebration. The young woman, who will be a freshman at Steinbrenner High this fall, was coming home from the hospital, after a surgery to address a massive blood clot in a vein near her […]
Summer camp offers ‘real-world’ look at forensics
Some local high schoolers will get a chance to get an up-close look at the many components of forensic investigations — via a weeklong summer camp in Land O’ Lakes hosted by the Pasco Sheriff’s Office and FIRST (Florida’s Forensic Institute for Research, Security & Tactics). The FIRST Forensic Summer Camp is scheduled for July […]
Dade City teen is heading to West Point
It began as an errant wish, then slowly evolved into a burning desire. Now, it’s reality. Aiden Hopping, a 17-year-old home-schooled student from Dade City, has been accepted to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, New York, completing the rigorous entrance requirements and receiving an appointment nomination from U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis. “It will […]
Dade City reopens lobby for utility customers
The City of Dade City has announced the reopening of its City Hall municipal building for utility customers to make payments, with some added restrictions and limited capacity due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The city also has announced that anyone entering the City Hall lobby will be required to wear a face covering at all […]
Pasco County faces lean budget year
Pasco County’s revenues are falling short of projections — in the wake of a flattened economy due to the impacts of COVID-19. Robert Goehig, budget director for Pasco County, presented an overview of the preliminary budget at the Pasco County Commission’s June 30 meeting. In essence, the county can afford just 11 of 115 business […]
Officials urge caution, as COVID-19 cases ramp up
Florida COVID-19 cases continue to rise, with 9,478 cases recorded on July 2, according to Florida Department of Health figures. The day before, 9,529 positive cases were reported. The surge in new cases has prompted additional measures to try to limit the spread, and has prompted cancellations of more planned events. As the Fourth of […]
Development is ramping up in Zephyrhills
Except for some weeks throughout March and April, the COVID-19 hasn’t halted much new development within the City of Zephyrhills. That’s the word from Zephyrhills Planning Director Todd Vande Berg, who outlined a number of citywide projects during an East Pasco Networking Group virtual meeting on June 23. Perhaps the most notable setback, Vande Berg […]
Commissioners elected in Dade City, San Antonio
It came more than two months later than expected, but voters in Dade City and San Antonio finally had the chance to head to the polls to elect a new group of city leaders. The Pasco County municipal elections took place on June 30, rescheduled from the original April 14 date because of COVID-19. A […]
Pandemic cancels Rattlesnake Fest
Organizers of the 54th annual Rattlesnake Festival and the 42nd annual Rattlesnake Run have called the festivities off this year because of concerns about COVID-19. The Thomas Promise Foundation Board of Directors, which assumed ownership of the festival four years ago, recently announced its decision to cancel this year’s event. “We felt it was better […]
Planning for the vulnerable during crises
People with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia especially can be vulnerable during disasters, such as severe weather, fires, floods, hurricanes and other emergency situations. It is important for the caregivers of those afflicted to have a plan that includes the special needs of people with impairments in memory and reasoning that could severely limit their ability […]
Pasco commissioners receive honors
Pasco County Commissioners Kathryn Starkey and Jack Mariano each have a Presidential Advocate award from the Florida Association of Counties (FAC) for their work during the 2020 legislative session. The commissioners were recognized during the association of counties’ annual business meeting, which was conducted virtually, according to a news release. “As a local government official, […]
Front Page Photos
Getting a sneak preview of a coming attraction
Dozens of people had a chance to get an early look at The Sarah Vande Berg Tennis & Wellness Center, which is expected to open in August in Zephyrhills. The facility will offer much more than tennis. To find out more about it, read this week’s sport story!
This Lutz girl is wild about goats
Eleven-year-old Sophia Phillips first became acquainted with goats when she was just 2 years old, at the petting zoo at ZooTampa at Lowry Park. Now, she lives in Lutz and has three goats of her own and helps take care of 18 others. Find out more in our feature story of the week.
This Week (cont)
Busy hurricane season expected
As if COVID-19, an economic meltdown and soaring unemployment aren’t enough — Floridians need to brace for an above-normal hurricane season, according to forecasters with NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center. Just days into the season, which runs from June 1 through Nov. 30, Tropical Storm Cristobal swept into the Gulf Coast, triggering a storm surge of […]
Ridge Road construction moves forward
By summer, motorists could take their first spins along the initial segment of the Ridge Road extension from Moon Lake Road/DeCubellis Road to Town Center Boulevard. “We’re hoping we open that leg by the start of August, for the start of the school year,” said Sam Beneck, Pasco County’s property manager. “They are pulling out […]
Parents asked to help on school reopening plan
As Hillsborough County Schools gears up for a new school year, district officials need guidance from parents to help them plan. Hillsborough Schools Superintendent Addison Davis has laid out three potential models the school district could follow in the fall, depending on what’s happening with COVID-19. Here is a synopsis: Model A: Model A has […]
Local Sports
New complex offers much more than tennis
Dozens and dozens of mask-wearing visitors took a celebratory tour for a preview of the Sarah Vande Berg Tennis & Wellness Center, now under development in Zephyrhills. The center, at 6585 Simons Road, is expected to open in mid to late August. Numerous cosmetic touches remain on the $4.9 million state-of-the-art facility that’s expected to […]
Local javelin standout ready for bigger stage
New Tampa resident Zach Godbold was poised to conclude his high school athletic career on top of a winner’s podium. At Wharton High School, Godbold had wrapped up his final varsity football and soccer seasons in the fall and winter, respectively. His attention then turned to track and field. He envisioned hoisting up the Florida […]
Sports – Check This Out
Wesley Chapel hoops products sign with colleges
A pair of Wesley Chapel High School girls basketball standouts will continue their hoops careers at the collegiate level. Senior Kayla Grant, a 5-foot-10 guard, signed with Georgia Southwestern State University, an NCAA Division II program in Americus, Georgia. Senior Ariana Heppenstall, a 5-foot-6 guard, signed with Bryn Athyn College, an NCAA Division III program […]
Local baseball standouts ink pro contracts
Two athletes from The Laker/Lutz News coverage area will soon get to pursue their dreams of playing professional baseball, after agreeing to terms with their respective MLB organizations. Steinbrenner High School and Florida State University product CJ Van Eyk signed a professional contract with the Toronto Blue Jays for $1.8 million, according to multiple reports. […]
A solid haul
Roy Woodhouse, left, and Rick Schueller teamed up to win first place in the South Pasco Bassmasters (SPBM) June tournament on the Harris Chain of Lakes, hauling in five bass for a total weight of 17.72 pounds. The fishing duo caught their haul flipping shoreline grass using creature baits and stick worms. The next SPBM […]
Good Neighbors
Lutz teen gets heartwarming surprise
When Abbie Grace Flohr returned to her Lutz neighborhood after a life-saving surgery, she was greeted with a life-affirming welcome home celebration. The young woman, who will be a freshman at Steinbrenner High this fall, was coming home from the hospital, after a surgery to address a massive blood clot in a vein near her […]
