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Serving Lutz since 1964 and Pasco since 1981.
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Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

B.C. Manion

Lutz woman celebrates her first 100 years

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Margaret “Peggy” Oakes is celebrating a big milestone this week — marking her 100th birthday.

Originally, the family planned to go on a cruise together, but those plans were quashed by COVID-19.

Peggy Oakes is 3 years old in this photo. One of her earliest memories in life is about pretending to drive the family’s big Ford. She was around this age, or a little older at the time. (Courtesy of Pam Oakes)

So, they went to Plan B.

Part of the plan involves a party for Peggy with some of her friends at Atria Lutz, where the centenarian now lives.

Other festivities, planned by her family, will continue through the week.

To say Peggy has had an interesting life, would be putting it mildly.

She was born on Sept. 17, 1920, in Rudyard, Michigan, about 20 miles from the Canadian border.

She was the only child of Emory and Ida Close.

Her mom was a country school teacher and her dad, a rural mail carrier.

When he started delivering the mail, he drove his route by horse and buggy, recalls Peggy, in a collection of memories called “Centenarian Experiences by Peggy Oakes.”

This photo of Peggy Oakes and her husband, Frank, was taken in the 1970s.

She also shared some details of her life during a Zoom interview recently, with a reporter from The Laker/Lutz News.

One of her earliest recollections involves her dad’s big Ford.

“I remember getting in and making believe that I could drive,” she said. “I think I was about 3.”

She writes about her early life: “My childhood was a carefree, happy one. Sunday was always church, and I was active in Sunday School, youth groups, Girl Scouts and Vacation Bible School.”

She got her first job when she was 16, working as a switchboard operator on weekend evenings.

“I made $9 a week,” she wrote, adding that “was very good money, at that time.”

She graduated from Rudyard High School, and attended college in Albion, Michigan, where she studied to become a teacher.

“I just knew I was going to be a teacher,” she told The Laker/Lutz News. “I always liked little kids and children.

She added: “My mother was a teacher. My aunt was a teacher. It was kind of in the family.”

She’s happy she chose that path. “I had some really sweet little children,” she recalled.

This photo was taken when Peggy Oakes was attending Albion College, in Albion, Michigan. She went there after graduating as valedictorian in her class at Rudyard High School.

She met her husband when she went with a group of friends to a dance in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Canada.

“It was love at first dance,” she wrote in her memoir.

“We just both knew,” she said during a recent interview. “He was ready and I was ready.”

So, she dropped her plans of moving to California to teach, and became engaged.

“We were married Oct. 1, 1945. My folks gave us a big church wedding. It was a candlelight service,” her memoir says.

She and her husband, Frank, had three children – Michael, Melinda (Linda) and Pamela (Pam). The family lived in Holt, Michigan, near Lansing.

“Our family was very active. We went to a Presbyterian Church. We were involved in Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, athletics, drama and choir,” she wrote.

“Those years passed very quickly.

“We had a big backyard and it had a tree house and a ball diamond, and later an above-ground pool. It was always full of kids,” she wrote.

She explained her motivation for creating that environment for her children: “I wanted to know where they were, and what they were doing and try to keep track of them,” she told The Laker/Lutz News.

Peggy Oakes and her daughter, Pam, hang out at a car show at Atria Lutz. Peggy says her life has spanned from the horse-and-buggy days to travel into outer space.

She still recalls how worried she was when her son crossed the street for the first time, on his own. She also remembers how thrilled he was when she let him drive the car home, after he passed his driver’s test.

“I let go and let him drive. That was big for him,” she said.

Over the years, the family expanded. Michael married Jeanne Sigsby, and Linda married Tom Hundt, and then later, after Tom passed away, Linda married Mark Trierweiler.

Pam did not marry. She became one of the first paramedics in Michigan, was the first female firefighter and first female fire captain for the Lansing Fire Department.

Peggy’s family also includes three grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

Over the years, she’s done a fair amount of traveling, including trips across the country to places such as Minnesota, South Dakota, Arizona, California, Massachusetts and New York.

She’s also traveled to Canada, Switzerland, Austria, Yugoslavia, Italy, Guatemala and Mexico, among other places.

She celebrated her 65th birthday at a castle in Ireland, and her 95th birthday in Havana, Cuba.

One of her favorite trips was to New York City, where she saw “The Lion King” on Broadway, and visited Central Park. She still marvels at the beauty of the costumes used in the play.

Peggy has endured many losses — including the deaths of her parents, the sudden death of her son when he was 66, and the deaths of many other relatives and friends.

She figures she’s outlived about four sets of friends.

She relies on her faith, to endure such losses.

“I have a pretty strong faith, and I depend on that for everything. I’m very close to God. I kind of turn it over, I guess. I’m able to turn most things over,” she said.

The COVID-19 pandemic has taken away Peggy’s ability to get around, or to welcome visitors, but she keeps an upbeat attitude.

She said she still enjoys working crossword puzzles, knitting, reading biographies and tuning in to her favorite television programs.

She also said she’s not accustomed to the notoriety that seems to accompany turning 100 years old.

“I’m not used to all of this attention,” she said. “But,” she added, with a laugh, “it’s not bad.”

Centenarian Peggy Oakes

Peggy Oakes’ advice for daily life

  1. Practice gratitude:When you don’t have gratitude for what you have, there is no foundation to build on. You will continuously be filling a hole that can never be filled. But, when you are thankful for what you have, as you accomplish and gain, it will overwhelm you with happiness.
  2. Be happy NOW:Dreaming of a beautiful future has its place, but it will forever be a dream unless we learn how to be happy in our present.
  3. Be rich in self-worth:We are all worthy of a good sense of self-esteem. Learn to know that you are more than a moment in your life. Learn that you have skills that others do not. Learn that you hold power in your life. Learn that others depend on you. Learn that you are loved. Learn that you deserve to love yourself, and then love yourself. Then you will be well on your way to true wealth.
  4. Build your awareness of wants vs. needs:We’ve all done it — bought something expensive, and then ended up with buyer’s regret. Understanding what actually fits into your life and knowing that purchase is going to return its value to you is an important skill to develop.
  5. Don’t cling to money worries:Worrying about money is an addiction that keeps you from focusing on what else is going on in your life.When you are truly struggling with money, it is understandable that it would cause worry. But, what so many of us do is we go through a period in our life where money is scarce, then we hold onto the fear of that moment long after it has passed. Even those who accumulate financial wealth often continue to worry about making sure their money is enough — and they end up missing out on the joy in their life! Learn to allow fear into your life when it is helpful, then recognize when it is no longer serving you and let it go.

— Author Peggy Oakes turns 100 on Sept. 17, 2020

Celebrating centenarians
Are you, or a loved one, turning 100?
The Laker/Lutz News would love to help you, or your loved one, mark this special milestone.
Simply email us a photograph of the birthday guy or gal, who is hitting the big 100 mark, and include a couple of paragraphs about the birthday king or queen. Please include your contact information, in case we have questions.

Published September 16, 2020

Pasco County budget expected to surpass $1.5 billion

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The Pasco County Commission gave first-round approval of a budget exceeding $1.5 billion for the 2020-2021 fiscal year.

The action came during the first public hearing on the budget, held at 5:15 p.m. on Sept. 8. The final public hearing on the budget will be on Sept. 21. The new budget takes effect Oct. 1.

No one spoke during the public comment portion of the public hearing, and the board passed the budget unanimously without comment — following a presentation by County Budget Director Robert Goehig.

Board members and county officials had discussed budget issues at length during previous budget workshops.

This year’s revenues were less than previously expected because of negative economic impacts due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

As a result, the county was unable to pursue most of its proposed business initiatives for the coming year.

The budget includes a 3% raise for county employees.

It also allocates increased spending for the county’s library system — including costs associated with opening a new library at Starkey Ranch.

There’s also more spending in the parks and recreation budget — related to the county gradually assuming management of the Starkey Ranch District Park.

Earlier in the meeting, board members authorized the issuance of $44 million in the second allocation for the general obligation bonds for fire/rescue projects.

Goehig told board members the funds will be used to build three new fire stations, to knock down and renovate three existing fire stations, and to design a centralized fire training center.

On another issue, Commissioner Kathryn Starkey asked county staff to take a closer look at the proposed placement of a community garden planned for the area where a school, library and theater are being built through a collaborative partnership in Starkey Ranch.

“I’m a little concerned that where that community garden is going now, it’s not going to be accessible by anyone who wants to go and participate in a community garden,” Starkey said.

“To me, that is a long way to go with all of your tools and equipment, to garden. I think it will end up just being the school garden and will not be a community garden. I personally, am not so happy with that location,” she said.

Starkey: “I would like to talk to them (project partners) about having it closer to the library, facilities, restrooms.

“I want to be a good partner (with the school district). I think they want to be a good partner. I actually don’t think that’s a good site at all,” Starkey said.

She would like to see what can be done about finding an area that’s more accessible.

“There’s going to be a lot of seniors that would like to be in the garden. Where are the restrooms?” Starkey asked.

Commissioner Mike Wells also briefed commissioners on progress that has been made through a partnership between the county and CareerSource on a Workforce Redevelopment Program.

The goal was about 150 jobs, for $1.5 million, Wells said. CareerSource exceeded that goal, with 163 jobs. The partnership also led to 56 part-time jobs, the commissioner noted.

“What I thought was really exciting, out of those 163 — 87 were homeless in Pasco,” Wells said.

“That gives us a return-on-investment of more than $6.5 million,” he added.

The county is going to contract with CareerSource for the next four years, Wells said. “They have done an unbelievable job with our team, to put people back to work.”

Commission Chairman Mike Moore also updated the board about activities at Wiregrass Ranch Sports Campus, which recently opened.

He reported that “43 out of 52 weekends are already booked with sports at that facility.”

Local programming has begun, too, Moore said.

“They have basketball leagues, they have indoor soccer leagues, they have cheerleading going on, volleyball going on. All of that is already going on, for our local residents. It’s already a huge success — obviously a huge asset for the county,” Moore said.

County Administrator Dan Biles also informed the board that there will be an item on the Sept. 21 agenda to discuss Pasco County’s COVID-19 response and where it needs to go from here.

Published September 16, 2020

Political Agenda 09/16/2020

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Attempting to vote twice is illegal, Corley says
Pasco County Supervisor of Elections Brian Corley is alerting voters that it is illegal to try to vote twice.

Corley issued a news release on the topic after recent media coverage of President Donald Trump suggesting that voters could test the integrity of the system by sending in a vote-by-mail ballot and then going to vote in person.

“While we all want to ensure the integrity of any election, voters need to be aware that per Florida law, any voter who willfully votes or attempts to vote both in person and by mail is committing a felony, and will be referred to the State Attorney’s Office for prosecution,” Corley said, in the news release.

He also said that going to an early voting site or Election Day polling place to “verify” your vote-by-mail ballot was received is neither appropriate nor necessary and will cause unnecessary delays for those who are in line to vote.

Instead, Corley says, to ensure your ballot has been received, use the ballot tracking system at PascoVotes.gov/TrackYourBallot.

Pasco voters can opt to receive email and/or text alerts when their ballot is received in his office. Voters also can check the status of their ballot at PascoVotes.gov, in person at one of the Supervisor of Elections’ offices, or by calling (800) 851-8754.

Hillsborough County adds two more early voting sites
Hillsborough County has added early voting sites at Raymond James Stadium and Amalie Arena, bringing its total number of early voting sites to 26, according to Supervisor of Elections Craig Latimer’s office.

All early voting locations will be open Oct. 19 through Nov. 1, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., and will have vote-by-mail drop-off tents outside.

For a list of specific locations and other voting information, visit VoteHillsborough.org.

Kathryn Starkey named ‘commissioner of the year’
The Florida Federation of Republican Women named Kathryn Starkey as the statewide “County Commissioner of the Year,” during its conference held in Tampa during the weekend of Sept. 12 and Sept. 13.

She was singled out for her success in working with state and federal entities, as well as the private sector, to bring jobs and skills training to Florida.

Published September 16, 2020

Pasco eyeing Sunday morning alcohol sales

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Pasco County is looking at lifting its ban on the Sunday morning sales of alcoholic beverages.

Currently, packaged alcoholic beverages cannot be sold before 11 a.m., on Sundays in unincorporated areas of the county.

But, Pasco County Commissioner Kathryn Starkey thinks the time has arrived for the county to change that.

Pasco County Commissioner Kathryn Starkey thinks the time has come to allow alcohol sales in unincorporated parts of the county on Sunday mornings. (File)

“A lot of counties in the state and around the country have kind of moved away from this old-fashioned law,” Starkey said.

Starkey said constituents have told her they’d like to get rid of the restriction.

She said she herself has witnessed people milling around in the grocery store, waiting to purchase the alcohol they want to take with them — when they’re heading out to go boating, or scalloping or to another activity.

She also thinks the rule should change, so that people who are doing their grocery shopping on Sunday mornings can pick up the alcohol they wish to purchase.

“In Pasco County, you cannot buy any kind of alcohol on Sunday before 11 (a.m.),” Starkey said.

She raised the issued at the Pasco County Commission’s Sept. 8 meeting, suggesting the board request a change to the county’s ordinance.

No one objected, so Starkey suggested County Attorney Jeffrey Steinsnyder come back to the board, to allow earlier alcohol sales on Sundays.

Steinsnyder responded: “If the idea is that you want to treat Sunday the same way you are treating the rest of the week days, that’s what I would do. So, your alcohol sales for every day of the week, would also apply to Sunday. Sunday wouldn’t have special hours.”

Starkey said: “That would be my recommendation.”

The county attorney said the request would be put on the list of board requests, and the proposed change will come back as an introduction to the ordinance, to be sure the board is happy with it, before a public hearing is advertised.

Currently, packaged alcohol beverages may be sold between 11 a.m. and 2 a.m., on Sunday and from 7 a.m. to 2 a.m., on the other days of the week.

Published September 16, 2020

Discussion continues on Pasco BMX park

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A BMX and bicycle park may not happen anytime soon in Pasco County, but officials appear to be interested in seeing what can be done to bring the idea to life.

The Pasco County Commission heard a briefing on the concept at its Sept. 8 meeting.

Delaney Morrison, president of the nonprofit Ride Local Inc., outlined the vision for a new large-scale BMX (bicycle motocross) park, that she said would complement existing BMX parks in the region, would expand the area’s recreational offerings and would help to attract more tourists to Pasco County.

Shown here are riders at Tampa BMX in Lutz. A nonprofit organization called Ride Local Inc., is trying to bring a covered BMX track and other amenities to Pasco County. (File)

The idea is to partner with the county to construct a BMX track and bike park on a 23-acre tract situated of the intersection of State Road 54 and Gunn Highway in the Odessa/Trinity area. The land is presently owned by Pasco County Utilities.

Under the proposal, about 3 acres would be used for a BMX dirt race course made of various jumps and rollers.

That would mark the first stage of a larger, surrounding bike park that would include a pump track, skate park, mountain bike obstacle course, casual bike path and other features.

The proposal calls for having an open air, covered track.

“We think that this is super important here in Florida, given the heat and the rain that we have,” Delaney said.  “We really think that that roof will set us apart from just having another BMX track.”

She also noted there would be opportunities for recreational leagues and a beginner’s program for newcomers to the off-road racing sport. And, the facility would host large-scale competitive events sanctioned by USA BMX.

The open space also could be used for drone races, truck rallies, and Boy Scouts of America and All-Pro Dad meet-ups, among other activities, Morrison said.

Over the past year or so, Morrison and her team have had ongoing discussions with Pasco County Commissioner Kathryn Starkey and Keith Wiley, the county’s director of parks, recreation and natural resources.

“They came to me because of my background with cycling and biking,” said Starkey, who helped to Delaney’s group find the proposed site.

It’s an excellent location, Delaney noted, because it’s along the booming State Road 54 corridor, sits along the Tower Road extension and near a future high school, whose adjacent lot could be used for overflow parking for large events.

She also noted that it’s in the middle of some huge community developments, such as Asturia and Starkey Ranch, and others being built in the area.

Plus, she said, the location also pairs well with Tampa BMX and Oldsmar BMX, which is under construction — to attract regional and national tournaments.

Commissioners appear open to the idea, but money is the biggest hurdle.

Pasco County Commission Chairman Mike Moore, who also chairs the Tourist Development Council, said during a recent TDC meeting that the county might be able to support some type of land use or lease deal, but is not in the position to fund additional capital projects.

Moore reiterated the funding issue during the board’s Sept. 8 meeting. He said doesn’t want to give the group false hope.

But, Starkey said Delaney’s briefing was for information only, at this point.

She plans to work with Delaney’s group to explore various funding sources, including possible funding from the legislature and support from private sponsors.

Delaney said the Ride Local Inc., is looking into creative ideas, such as leveraging a corporate naming sponsorship or partnering with an electric company to install solar panels on the proposed covered roof to help offset costs.

Keith Wiley, the county’s director of parks, recreation and natural resources, said a bike park/BMX was listed as one of the highest unmet needs during workshops held to develop the county’s most recent master parks plan.

However, Wiley noted, that type of amenity was not included in the master plan and, thus, no money has been planned for that type of project.

Wiley said he likes the concept of a bike park, with a BMX track, a playground and open spaces because that would address diverse user groups.

Delaney noted BMX’s broad appeal.

“The biggest thing about BMX is that this is a family sport,” Delaney added.

“This is one of the few sports that you can do alongside your children, not just sitting on the sidelines watching them, or waiting for practice to be over.”

Adam Thomas, the county’s tourism director, said the proposed facility could help round out the county’s sports offerings.

“The TDC (Tourism Development Council) board is in full support of this. I am in full support of this,” Thomas told county commissioners.

“This is a great opportunity, for not only our citizens, but to really diversify our product as a Sports Coast, and as our destination of sports events. The economic impact is strong. The visitation is strong. You have a great partner here with Delaney. I think this is a great opportunity for us to move forward, but funding — obviously, everything comes down to funding.”

Published September 16, 2020

Pasco outlaws sale of dogs and cats at pet stores

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Pasco County has amended a county ordinance to halt the sale of dogs, cats, kittens and puppies from retail pet stores.

Commissioners adopted the change unanimously — after a public hearing on Sept. 8, which included opposition to the ban; opposition that the language in the ordinance didn’t go far enough; and, support for the change.

Pasco County Commission Chairman Mike Moore brought his dog, JoJo, to the commission’s Sept. 8 meeting. His family adopted the dog from a rescue organization, and Moore said that despite JoJo’s disabilities, the pet has become a cherished member of the Moore household. (Courtesy of Andrew Taylor/Pasco County)

When Mike Shumate, the county’s director of animal services brought the proposal to the board in August, he urged commissioners to amend the county’s ordinance — to restrict the sale of kittens, puppies, dogs and cats from pet stores — “especially those intentionally selling from large, commercial breeders, out-of-state breeders, puppy mills, primarily.”

During that meeting, Shumate told commissioners that a significant number of puppies and kittens sold at retail pet stores come from out-of-state large-scale breeding facilities.

Shumate said: “There’s documented abuses — endemic of the puppy and kitten mills — including overbreeding, inbreeding, minimal to nonexistent veterinary care, lack of nutritious food, water and shelter, lack of socialization, adequate space and exercise.

“The inhuman conditions of puppy mills and kitten mills often lead to health and behavioral issues,” he added.

This can become a problem for pet owners, who unwittingly purchase an animal that later exhibits health or behavior problems, the animal services director said.

At the Sept. 8 hearing on the amendment, Shumate told commissioners he was aware objections had been made that the proposed amendment had “loopholes.”

But, Shumate said: “Given the definitions that we have for animal rescue operations, we think that will sufficiently to prevent the loopholes.”

When introducing the need for the amendment, in August, Shumate said that the change will result in decreased demand for pets bred in puppy and kitten mills.

It also will result in increased demand for pets from animal shelters and rescue operations, he said.

Shumate also said the new regulation will not prevent consumers from being able to find pets because there are plenty of animals available, both locally and throughout the state.

There is one existing pet store in the county, and it will be grandfathered in because the county is not concerned about being able to respond to any issues, should they arise, Shumate said.

Published September 16, 2020

Eagle Scout project yields outdoor classroom

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Ashton Offutt was just in fourth grade when he came up with the idea of creating an outdoor classroom — but it wasn’t until he was a high school junior that the idea became reality.

When he was in fourth grade, Ashton Offutt came up with the idea of creating an outdoor classroom. The Gaither High student recently led the effort to build one, as his Eagle Scout project. (Courtesy of Lynnette Offutt)

Ashton, who is seeking the rank of Eagle Scout, enlisted the help of volunteers and raised money to create an outdoor learning space, with a sunshield, at Claywell Elementary.

Ashton said part of the motivation for creating the classroom outdoors is because he knows having that would have benefited him, personally, during his early school years.

The Gaither High student estimates it took about 40 hours to plan the project and about 30 to complete the work.

Tampa Electric Co. stepped up to help — donating poles and providing some physical labor.

He had lots of helpers.

Tampa Electric Co. stepped up, donating six 15-foot poles and a crew to help install them.

They had planned to use a crane, but that had to be scrapped because the concrete was too thin and the weight of the crane could have cracked it, Ashton explained.

So, five grown men worked together to lift and guide the poles, which had to be buried 5 feet into the ground to support the sunshade, Ashton said.

The weather-resistant fabric stretches above 12 classroom benches, a dry erase board and a communication board.

The communication board is a tool to enable students who can’t speak to convey what they want to say, Ashton said.

In addition to the TECO crew, folks from the BPOE Elks Tampa 708 and others pitched in — for a total of 57 volunteers. Ashton also raised $3,845 to pay for the project.

Scouting has been a way of life for Ashton who became a Tiger Scout shortly after finishing kindergarten. He’s now a member of Boy Scout Troop 339, in Lutz.

Second-grade teacher Dawn Phillips takes advantage of the new classroom, to move learning outside for her students.

Ashton has a connection to Claywell because he went to school there. To this day, he appreciates the help he received from his tutor, Jenny Paloumpis, who is still a teacher at the Northdale school.

Permission for the project at the school came from Claywell Elementary Principal Rob Jones and from the Greater Tampa Bay Area Council, Boy Scouts of America, said Lynnette Offutt, Ashton’s mom.

Besides scouting, Ashton enjoys orienteering with the Gaither High School ROTC program, and operating remote-control cars.

He plans to attend college, but isn’t sure which one yet — and he aspires to join the U.S. Army, where he hopes to be part of a bomb squad, working with canines to sniff out explosives.

Published September 09, 2020

New recycling facility proposed for State Road 52

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The Pasco County Planning Commission has recommended approval of a rezoning to allow the construction of an industrial material sorting facility and commercial uses on a 65.71-acre site, in Central Pasco County.

Specifically, the rezoning would allow recycling operations in a 500,000-square-foot industrial sorting facility and 150,000 square feet of commercial uses on the site.

The new facility would be located on the north side of State Road 52, about 2,400 feet west of U.S. 41, according to Pasco County documents.

The current zoning on the land is agriculture, general commercial and light industrial. The new zoning would be for a master-planned unit development.

The request received a recommendation for approval by county planners and was on the Planning Commission’s consent agenda.

No one spoke against the request during the Aug. 27 public hearing, and planning commissioners unanimously recommended approval of the request to the Pasco County Commission.

RBR Properties West Florida LLC is the applicant for the rezoning to allow the project known as Paw Materials, according to county documents.

Most of the property is currently unimproved, with the exception of some existing structures and a pole barns, from a closed saw mill, abutting State Road 52.

The Planning Commission’s recommendation for approval is contingent upon 53 conditions, which include specific hours of operation; regulate noise, spell out types of recycling activities and other uses that are allowed; and specify buffering, fencing and other requirements.

The applicant also must meet requirements of environmental agencies, and must abide by conditions related to traffic circulation, turn-lanes and other improvements.

In the office development portion of the rezoning, the maximum building height shall be 75 feet, and the maximum lot coverage will be 75%, according to the conditions.

The request next will be considered by the Pasco County Commission, which makes final zoning and land use decisions.

Published September 09, 2020

Injured veteran gets a new home

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Cpl. Tim Read was given a hero’s welcome, when he and his wife, Anh, arrived at their new home in Wesley Chapel.

The crowd stands at attention, after the flag is raised in front of Tim and Anh Read’s new home in Wesley Chapel. (Courtesy of Teresa Verity/Homes For Our Troops)

They were there to receive the keys to their new residence from the nonprofit organization Homes for our Troops.

A special ceremony was held on Aug. 29 to celebrate the couple’s new home, with a key presentation, a flag raising, The Pledge of Allegiance and a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

The presentation also honored Read, who was injured while deployed to Afghanistan, according to a news release from Home for our Troops.

Tim and Anh Read recite the Pledge of Allegiance, during a celebration to welcome them to their new home in Wesley Chapel.

Read was on patrol on Oct. 15, 2010 with the 2nd Battalion, 6th Marines, in Marjah, Afghanistan, when he stepped on an improvised explosive device (IED).

The blast resulted in the loss of his left leg above the knee, and other injuries, the release says.

Normally, key presentations draw a big crowd. This event was kept smaller, intentionally, because of Florida’s current guidelines to limit public gatherings to 50 people to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

The home, which features more than 40 major special adaptations, was paid for through donations from donors, supporters and corporate partners, the news release says.

To find out more about the organization, visit HFOTusa.org.

Published September 09, 2020

Voting locations to expand

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Election supervisors in Pasco and Hillsborough counties plan to expand opportunities to voters in the coming General Election, to make it easier for them to have their voices heard.

Pasco County Supervisor of Elections Brian Corley has announced plans to add more early voting sites for this year’s Presidential Election.

The county also will extend the length of the early voting period, according to a news release from Corley’s office.

The changes are being made “in anticipation of increased voter turnout and the inevitable potential for long lines and wait times due to social distancing and CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)-recommended cleaning guidelines,” the release says.

The early voting period in Pasco County is Oct. 18 through Oct. 31, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., including weekends.

The county also has increased the number of early voting sites.

“A longer voting period and a total of 14 locations marks a new high for Pasco County,” the release from Corley’s office reports.

“In partnership with Pasco County Administration, we have secured additional sites to include Veterans Memorial Park Gymnasium, J. Ben Harrill Recreation Complex Gymnasium, Land O’ Lakes Recreation Complex Gymnasium and Wiregrass Ranch Sports Campus,” Corley says, in the release. “The response from Dan Biles, County Administrator, was without hesitation and completely in the spirit of being on the same team.”

The release also notes that the addition of county sports complexes and gymnasiums will give Pasco voters more options for casting their ballot in-person, and, in terms of size, will accommodate more voters while still social distancing. The Land O’ Lakes Recreation Complex Gymnasium will replace the Land O’ Lakes Library. The library, which is next to the recreation complex, has been a well-attended early voting site, the release says.

Hillsborough County Supervisor of Elections Craig Latimer reports that his county has 24 early voting locations — offering convenient options for voters throughout the county.

Hillsborough County will begin mailing out vote-by-mail ballots on Sept. 24. Ballots must be return to the supervisor’s office by 7 p.m. on Nov. 3, which is Election Day.

Hillsborough also is adding curbside drop-off tents at Latimer’s four offices, which will operate seven days a week, beginning Oct. 1.

Early voting in Hillsborough is Oct. 19 through Nov. 1, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Nationally, President Donald Trump has raised questions about the integrity of the vote-by-mail process, although he has said that Florida’s vote-by-mail system is safe and secure.

Latimer assured voters that “in Florida, our systems will not allow us to accept more than one ballot from a voter.

“A voter’s record is updated to show that a mail ballot has been mailed to them, and updated again when the voted mail ballot has been received and verified.

“Poll workers have this information during early voting and Election Day. If a voter has received a vote-by-mail ballot and shows up to vote in person, one of two things happen: “If the ballot has not been received yet, the voter may vote in person and their mail ballot will be canceled. If the mail ballot arrives at the office after they voted in person, the mail ballot will not be accepted.

“If that voter’s vote-by-mail ballot has already been received, it is deemed “cast” and they will not be allowed to cast an in-person vote,” Latimer said, via email.

For a list of early voting locations and other election information, visit PascoVotes.gov.

For the same type of information in Hillsborough County, visit VoteHillsborough.org.

Published September 09, 2020