News

The Pasco County Planning Commission has recommended approval of a change to the county’s comprehensive plan that would allow consideration for office use on a site with 9.1 developable acres, west of Wesley Chapel Boulevard and south of Hyde Park ...
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The Loomis Circus came to town, delighting hundreds of young and old spectators alike, under the big tent at the Grove at Wesley Chapel. After all, it’s not a common sight to see an aerialist performing stunts high up in ...
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Pastor Kevin Grills acknowledges that he’s been reluctant for years to offer “ashes to go” on Ash Wednesday. It had a bit too much of a “fast-food feel” for his liking, the spiritual leader said, via email. But in the ...
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U.S. Army veteran Shanique Wright and her family recently moved into their mortgage-free home in Dade City, thanks to Wells Fargo and Operation Homefront. Wright joined the Army National Guard in 2008, and was deployed to two different locations in ...
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Pasco County received higher marks this year than it did last year in numerous categories in the annual National Community Survey. Even so, substantial improvements are needed, if the county wants to achieve its stated goal of being a premier ...
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Pasco County is stepping forward to help businesses that are economically affected by COVID-19. The primary focus will be on COVID-19-required renovations in order to protect employees and customers, according to the Pasco County website. By creating a safer environment, ...
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Pasco County Tax Collector Mike Fasano’s five offices will be collecting donations in February for the YMCA of the Suncoast’s Swimming Lesson Program. Water safety is a high priority of the YMCA, and it is a mission that is shared ...
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Pasco County Government has earned a 2021 Top Workplaces USA award, according to a Pasco County news release. Energage announced the winning organizations during a virtual event on Jan. 27. “We are thrilled to be recognized as one of the ...
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Wiregrass Ranch High School Principal Robyn White was just 13 when she decided her path in life. “The only question I had, honestly, was whether I wanted to teach music or math,” said White, who went on to teach mathematics ...
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As Tampa gears up to be on the world stage during Super Bowl LV, Tampa Mayor Jane Castor has ordered the use of face coverings within specific outdoor locations to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. In a tweet, Castor said, ...
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During the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, there’s another alarming issue surging in Pasco County  — rising fatal and non-fatal drug overdoses. The Pasco Sheriff’s Office has reported 1,491 overdoses (and 268 deaths) from January 2020 to December 2020 — ...
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As worldwide attention shifts to Super Bowl LV, efforts are ramping up to prevent the human trafficking that is often associated with major sporting events. Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody is working with Uber to provide human trafficking prevention education ...
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A section of Overpass Road — between Old Pasco Road and Boyette Road — is scheduled to be closed to all traffic for approximately a year beginning on Feb. 8, according to the Florida Department of Transportation. The road closure ...
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When it comes to race relations in America, many meaningful advancements have been made over the last several decades — but there still is a long way to go in the name of equity. At least that was the message ...
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Libraries provide so much more than a place to borrow a book, music and movies — they also provide a place to do research, a quiet space to study, exhibit art displays for local artists, provide hands-on activities and offer ...
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A deal approved last week by the Pasco County Commission is expected to have consequences far beyond the county’s borders, government and economic development leaders said. County commissioners approved more than $25 million in incentives in an agreement with H ...
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Pasco County employees that went the extra, extra mile to help residents and county government adapt to the challenges posed by COVID-19 were honored in a resolution adopted by the Pasco County Commission last week. Commissioners approved the selection of ...
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Members of the Greater Tampa Bay Area Council of Boy Scouts of America are participating in a national Scouting for Food program to benefit local food banks, according to a news release. The drive began Jan. 23, when Scouts left ...
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The 74th annual Pasco County Fair is happening this year, with some modifications from previous years, due to the coronavirus pandemic. The fair’s theme is “The Adventure Continues,” and the show will run Feb. 15 through Feb. 21 at the ...
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When COVID-19 caused everything to shut down, Tish Dobson went to work to figure out how to safely reopen the amenities that she believes the people at The Preserve at Wilderness Lake have come to rely on — as a ...
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The City of Zephyrhills has decided to seek state funding for three improvement projects during the 2021 state legislative session. Those projects involve improving Seventh Street; expanding the Sarah Vande Berg Tennis & Wellness Center; and, improving a runway at ...
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Pasco County Schools is planning to extend its school day to provide extra help for students who are struggling. The Pasco County School Board on Jan. 19 approved a plan to invite elementary and secondary school students who are lagging ...
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The Human Trafficking Foundation raises awareness to educate communities about the perils of men, women and children enslaved through human trafficking. This form of modern-day slavery involves the exploitation of vulnerable persons through commercial sex, forced labor or involuntary servitude ...
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When Mike Kidd’s daughter was exposed to someone at Sunlake High who tested positive for COVID-19, the school called to inform the family that she would need to quarantine. Kidd took it in stride. After all, the district has been ...
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Saint Leo University students, faculty and staff took part in a variety of volunteer activities, both on campus and off, to honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., in the university’s annual MLK Day of Service, according to a university news ...
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Experts speaking during the 2021 Tampa Bay Builders Association virtual Economic Forecast predicted a bright picture of this year’s housing market — both locally and nationally. “We have a very bullish outlook for 2021,” said Lesley Deutch, managing principal at ...
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You may not know a lot about kumquats, but in these parts, the tiny citrus fruit is so popular, it even has an annual festival dedicated to it. This year, the festivities, which usually happen in downtown Dade City at ...
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A divided Pasco County Commission has continued a request for a conditional use that would allow a maximum of 248 apartments on the west side of Bruce B. Downs Boulevard, south of Eagleston Boulevard. Adventist Health Systems Sunbelt Healthcare Corporation ...
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Florida State Sen. Danny Burgess undoubtedly has a full plate of responsibilities as he settles into his new legislative role representing District 20, which spans parts of Hillsborough, Pasco and Polk counties. Most notable for the 34-year-old Republican from Zephyrhills ...
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Complaints about difficulties in registering for COVID-19 vaccine appointments in Pasco and Hillsborough counties have resulted in changes to those systems, but demand for vaccinations continues to outpace the supply of available vaccines. Both Pasco and Hillsborough now are using ...
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Pasco County Commissioner Mike Moore failed to find support from his colleagues when he suggested adding a seat on the county’s planning commission for a representative from the sheriff’s office. Moore recommended the expansion of the planning commission during the ...
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The Zephyrhills Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) is ushering in the new year with a slew of projects and initiatives in the historic downtown district. “There’s a lot going on that you’ll see in January that staff has been working on,” Zephyrhills ...
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The City of Zephyrhills recognized several employees with service awards at a regular city council meeting on Jan. 11. Seventeen employees were presented plaques for achieving benchmarks of five, 15, 20, 25 or 30 years of service, respectively. A service ...
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The Pasco County Commission has approved a task order with CPH Inc., for the design of a new central office and warehouse for its facilities management department. The agreement, which calls for an amount not to exceed $339,920, is being ...
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In the years before COVID-19, both locals and visitors alike could look forward to the end of January for a chance to enjoy the annual Kumquat Festival in downtown Dade City. But, concerns about keeping people safe have prompted organizers ...
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Hillsborough County’s Sunshine Line provides door-to-door transportation and bus passes for elderly, low-income, and people with disabilities who do not have or cannot afford their own transportation, according to the Hillsborough County website. Transportation is provided for medical and social ...
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If you have some sensitive or outdated documents you want to destroy, The Big Shred IV may be just the thing for you. Pasco County Clerk & Comptroller Nikki Alvarez-Sowles has set two dates to give area residents the opportunity ...
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On the up side, there’s a building boom going on in Pasco County. On the downside, there’s a logjam in processing building permits. County Administrator Dan Biles addressed the issue during the Pasco County Commission meeting on Jan. 12. During ...
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For some, the chance to sample syrup was the big attraction. Others wanted to watch a WW II reenactment. Still others wanted to check out the traditional craft demonstrations, enjoy some food, or take a look at the model trains ...
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The show must go on — but this year it’s a scaled back version. The 38th “Spotlight on Talent” competition will be held on March 6 — to give talented students a chance to show off their talents. But this ...
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The Pasco County Commission has approved reducing the speed limit on a stretch of South County Line Road, between Bruce B. Downs Boulevard and Mansfield Drive. Commissioners approved spending $1,000 for new speed limit signs for the road. Currently, the ...
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