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The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Lutz since 1964 and Pasco since 1981.
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News

Pasco Sheriff addresses local concerns, issues

Pasco County Sheriff Chris Nocco discussed a number of other ongoing efforts by his agency to bolster community connection and engagement, during a Zoom breakfast meeting of the East Pasco Networking Group. For instance, the law enforcement agency partners with ...
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Zephyrhills councilwoman bullish on town’s outlook

Zephyrhills City councilwoman Jodi Wilkeson has closely observed the evolution of the small-town East Pasco community over the past three decades. The elected official and longtime resident is pleased, overall, with the current situation in the municipality — amid a ...
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Vaccination efforts continue to expand

Vaccine supplies, vaccine eligibility and vaccination sites have increased in recent weeks — as efforts continue to defeat the COVID-19 pandemic and restore a sense of normalcy. The availability of vaccine supplies and vaccination sites continues to change, so it’s ...
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June opening anticipated for Dade City bike hub

Bicyclists and fellow exercisers alike will soon have an idyllic spot in Dade City to relax and take a breather — thanks to a new visitor’s information welcome center and bike hub that’ll help anchor a forthcoming downtown park site ...
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Union Park Charter Academy has one year to get finances in order

The Pasco County School Board has refused a 5-year extension of Union Park Charter Academy’s contract, instead granting it a one-year term. The decision came during the board’s April 6 meeting, at the recommendation of Pasco Schools Superintendent Kurt Browning ...
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Pasco County Schools preparing for two new STEAM schools

The Pasco County school district plans to close Centennial Elementary School in Dade City and Marlowe Elementary School in New Port Richey, and reopen them as STEAM magnet schools. The acronym STEAM stands for science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics ...
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Cleanup collects 37,000 pounds of trash

Volunteers fanned across Pasco County collecting trash during the 2021 Great American Cleanup in early March. All in all, the 659 volunteers collected 36,920 pounds of trash — from public spaces, roadsides and waterways, according to a county news release ...
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Divided county board approves apartment request

The Pasco County Commission voted 3-2 to approve a request for a conditional use to allow a maximum of 248 apartments on the west side of Bruce B. Downs Boulevard, south of Eagleston Boulevard. Commission Chairman Ron Oakley, and commissioners ...
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Groundbreaking held for veteran’s free home

Retired U.S. Army Sgt. Javier Torres and his family have been selected to receive a new mortgage-free home from PulteGroup, through the company’s Built to Honor program, in partnership with the nonprofit Operation Finally Home. Ground recently was broken for ...
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Garden club plans Arbor Day celebration

The annual Arbor Day and Memorial Celebration is set for April 30 at 10 a.m., at the Dade City Garden Club, 13630 Fifth St., in Dade City. The event marks the 26th year that the City of Dade City and ...
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Flea market lures shoppers with its bargains

The GFWC Lutz-Land O’ Lakes Woman’s Club offered a variety of good deals at its annual Spring Flea Market fundraiser, attracting a steady crowd of bargain-hunters to the sale, held at the Boy Scout Pack 12 property, at 205 Second ...
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Nail salon gets OK, despite neighbors’ objections

The Pasco County Planning Commission has granted a special exception request by Amber Thomas to allow a nail salon, as a home-based business, on the north side of Carr Road, about 280 feet east of Arms Drive, in Zephyrhills. Thomas ...
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Pause on multifamily moves step closer in Pasco

The Pasco County Planning Commission is recommending approval of a six-month moratorium on new applications for multifamily development in a portion of the county. Planning commissioners also think the land development code should be changed to limit the ability to ...
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Growth is coming to Zephyrhills

Activity is on the rise in the City of Zephyrhills — from multiple new housing developments, to myriad airport and roadway improvements, to the prospect of wholesale changes to its local 911 communication operations. Zephyrhills City Manager Billy Poe offered ...
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Pasco schools to drop mySchool Online option this fall

Pasco County Schools Superintendent Kurt Browning has announced that the school district is dropping its mySchool Online option in the fall. Browning explained the district’s decision in a video and the district issued a news release, as well, to explain ...
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City manager recaps possible 911 dispatch merger

During a recent breakfast meeting with the East Pasco Networking Group, Zephyrhills City Manager Billy Poe briefed those gathered on the city’s current consideration of combining its  911 police communications system with the Pasco County Department of Emergency Services in ...
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Pasco board approves nearly $200,000 for design work

The Pasco County Commission has approved $198,500 for design and permitting work for site refurbishment of the East Pasco Transfer Station. The task order will be accomplished by JMG Engineering Inc., according to agenda background materials for the county board’s ...
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Leadership Pasco seeking applicants

Leadership Pasco is accepting applications for the Class of 2022. The organization is seeking emerging and existing community leaders who live or work in Pasco County, according to a news release. Applications, which are due by May 15, can be ...
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Help is available for rent, utility payments

Pasco County residents experiencing economic hardship because of COVID-19 now have an additional application option for people needing help. The county is providing help through a program called H.E.A.R.T., which stands for Help with Emergency Assistance Relief for Tenants. The ...
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Plenty of ways to get a kumquat fix at this festival

If you love kumquats, the 24th annual Kumquat Festival in downtown Dade City, was like a little slice of heaven. Festival-goers could taste kumquat ice cream or kumquat pie. They could pick up bags of the tiny, orange citrus fruit, ...
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Raising money for the Special Olympics of Pasco County

Pasco County Tax Collector Mike Fasano’s five offices will be collecting donations in April for the Special Olympics of Pasco County, according to a news release from the tax collector’s office. Special Olympics is a sports and training program for ...
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Pasco Parks plans modified 2021 summer camp program

Pasco County Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources (PRNR) is planning to host a modified 2021 Summer Day Camp program due to the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a news release. Registration is online only and Pasco County residents can register for ...
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Art contest invites kids to think about ‘home’

The Florida Housing Finance Corporation (Florida Housing) has launched a statewide art contest, inviting kids and teens to submit their visions on the theme, “What does home mean to you?” The contest aims to increase awareness of the importance of ...
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Pasco health department seeks community help

The Florida Department of Health in Pasco County is reaching out to physicians and pharmacists to help provide COVID-19 vaccine to eligible Florida residents. "As more COVID-19 vaccine becomes available and more people become eligible to receive it, more people ...
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The show went on, despite pandemic challenges

There were times when it wasn’t certain if the 38th annual Spotlight on Talent would take place at all, but the producers of the annual showcase pushed ahead, to make it happen — despite the COVID-19 pandemic. Indeed, as a ...
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NAMI chapters get a boost from grant

In its continued efforts to improve access to mental health services, the BayCare Health System recently awarded a $100,000 grant to the four National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) affiliates in the Tampa Bay area. The grant allows the chapters ...
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New sheriff’s substation at the Grove

The Pasco County Sheriff’s Office has set up a new substation at the Grove in Wesley Chapel. Patrol deputies now will work out of this substation and desk officers will join them once lobbies reopen, according to a sheriff’s office ...
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Dade City boosts IT security system, in response to breach

The City of Dade City is taking actionable steps to strengthen IT security protocols to prevent future data breaches and hacks. Dade City Commissioners on March 9 voted unanimously to purchase cybersecurity services from Arctic Wolf Networks Inc., to provide ...
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Detective, investigator complete specialized firearms training

A pair of Dade City Police Department employees have achieved the distinction of earning an advanced firearms certification. Dade City Police Detective Amanda Chambers and Investigator Diana Surratt completed a local three-day certified firearms specialty class, organized by the International ...
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Connerton ‘downtown’ moving closer to reality

A plan for a downtown in Connerton — that’s been decades in the making — is moving closer to coming to fruition. The Pasco County Planning Commission, and the county’s planners, are recommending approval of a change that would set ...
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Passover continues through April 4

The Jewish holiday of Pesach, or Passover, is an eight-day festival celebrated in the early spring, from the 15th through the 22nd of the Hebrew month of Nissan. This year, it runs from March 27 through April 4. Passover celebrates ...
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Easter services are evolving, amidst pandemic

There was so much uncertainty last year about COVID-19 that many churches changed up their Easter celebrations, to reduce potential spread of the disease. A year later, many churches across the region continue to use a variety of approaches in ...
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Pasco County Good Friday closings

Pasco County’s offices will be closed on April 2, in observance of Good Friday, and government offices will reopen on April 5. The county’s parks, recreation and natural resources’ offices, recreation complexes and community centers will be closed on Friday, ...
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Pasco board delays decision on land use change

The Pasco County Commission has delayed a decision regarding a controversial request that would clear the way to consider commercial uses at the southwest corner of State Road 54 and Meadowbrook Estates. The request is being vigorously contested by residents ...
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Jelly Bean Fling offers festivities, photos and fun

Hundreds turned out to the Jelly Bean Fling at the Pioneer Florida Museum and Village to take advantage of festivities that included free family photos, an Easter egg hunt, a petting zoo, live entertainment, games and crafts. Event-goers could make ...
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Northeast Pasco Advisory Committee established

The Pasco County Commission has approved the establishment of the Northeast Pasco Rural Advisory Committee. The advisory committee’s role will be to recommend nonresidential design standards to the county board for commercial development located within the boundaries of the Northeast ...
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Wesley Chapel native relishes second shot at ‘American Idol’

Wesley Chapel native Zach D’Onofrio made his first brief appearance on ABC’s hit reality television show “American Idol” back in 2018. Then he was a timid 17-year-old Wiregrass Ranch High School student who perhaps came away best known for his ...
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Access road to be built to serve future county facilities

The Pasco County Commission has approved a task order for CPH Inc., to handle road design and permitting for an access road between Central Boulevard and Symphony Parkway, in Land O’ Lakes. The cost of the work is not to ...
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Local chiropractor shares lessons from ‘life in a bubble’

Like everyone, Dr. Timothy Bain, a chiropractor from Wesley Chapel, has had to adapt due to concerns about COVID-19. Unlike the vast majority of people, though, Bain’s adjustments have been more extreme. As the Tampa Bay Lightning’s team chiropractor, he ...
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Approval sets stage for 325 more homes in Bexley area

The Pasco County Commission has approved a change to the county’s land use plan to set the stage for additional residential development on the south side of Tower Road, south of Bexley Village Drive. Board members voted on March 9 ...
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New fire station coming to Central Pasco

The Pasco County Commission has approved spending $1,650,000 to purchase 3.25 acres from SR 54 Land Associates for Fire Station No. 45. The land is located on State Road 54. The new fire station is intended to service Trinity, Starkey ...
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Family Fun at Molly’s Hatchet — Axe Throwing, Virtual Reality and Video Games

April 13, 2021 By Special to The Laker/Lutz News

When the owners of Molly’s Hatchet axe throwing venue in Zephyrhills tell folks they are a family destination, they … [Read More...] about Family Fun at Molly’s Hatchet — Axe Throwing, Virtual Reality and Video Games

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04/20/2021 – Republican club

The East Pasco Republican Club will meet on April 20 at 6 p.m., at the Golden Corral, 6855 Gall Blvd., in Zephyrhills, in the Tuttle Room. The guest speaker will be Brian Corley, supervisor of elections. … [Read More...] about 04/20/2021 – Republican club

04/21/2021 – Democratic Club

The Central Pasco Democratic Club will meet on April 21, via Zoom, to discuss voting rights and current legislative issues. Socializing starts at 6:30 p.m., followed by the meeting at 6:45 p.m. For information, email , or call 813-383-8315. … [Read More...] about 04/21/2021 – Democratic Club

04/21/2021 – Financial wellness

The Hillsborough County Public Library Cooperative will present “Strategies for Short-Term Financial Wellness” on April 21 at 6:30 p.m., for adults. Participants can learn tips and information for building emergency funds, managing debt and increasing cash flow. Registration is through the calendar feature at HCPLC.org. … [Read More...] about 04/21/2021 – Financial wellness

04/22/2021 – Virtual Earth Day

UF/IFAS Pasco County Extension will host a Virtual Earth Day Celebration on April 22 from 10 a.m. to noon. Educational sessions, with guest speakers, will include: Composting, gardening, getting outside, water conservation, forest services and recycling. To register, visit bit.ly/registrationpascoearthday. To join in on April 22, visit bit.ly/zoom2021earthday. … [Read More...] about 04/22/2021 – Virtual Earth Day

04/23/2021 – Improv Night

Live Oak Theatre will present an Improv Night on April 23 at 7:30 p.m., at the Carol & Frank Morsani Center, 21030 Cortez Blvd., in Brooksville. The family friendly event will feature the Conservatory’s Improv Troupe with games, skits and actor’s choices inspired by the audience. Doors open at 7 p.m. Seats are $10 per person in advance and $15 at the door. For information and tickets, visit LiveOakTheatre.org, call 352-593-0027, or email . … [Read More...] about 04/23/2021 – Improv Night

04/24/2021 – Keep Pasco Beautiful Earth Day

Keep Pasco Beautiful will celebrate Earth Day on April 24 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Crews Lake Park, 16739 Crews Lake Drive in Spring Hill. There will be educational and upcycle vendors; a ladybug release; presentations by Croc Encounters and the Owl’s Nest Sanctuary for Wildlife; native plants for sale from the Nature Coast Chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society; document shredding from 9 a.m. to noon; a rain water harvesting workshop at 10 a.m. ($45 fee); and compost workshop at noon. Preregistration is required for both workshops, at KeepPascoBeautiful.org/earth-day. There also will be a free household hazardous waste collection with Pasco County Solid Waste. The first 50 people to bring a thermometer containing mercury will receive a $5 Publix gift card (one per vehicle). For information on what waste will be accepted, call 813-929-2755, ext. 2046, or visit PascoCountyUtilities.com. … [Read More...] about 04/24/2021 – Keep Pasco Beautiful Earth Day

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Top Stories

Pasco Sheriff addresses local concerns, issues

Zephyrhills councilwoman bullish on town’s outlook

Vaccination efforts continue to expand

June opening anticipated for Dade City bike hub

Union Park Charter Academy has one year to get finances in order

Pasco County Schools preparing for two new STEAM schools

Cleanup collects 37,000 pounds of trash

Divided county board approves apartment request

Groundbreaking held for veteran’s free home

Garden club plans Arbor Day celebration

Flea market lures shoppers with its bargains

Nail salon gets OK, despite neighbors’ objections

Local stakeholders seek solutions to opioid crisis

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Check out our other stories for the week

Pasco Sheriff addresses local concerns, issues

Zephyrhills councilwoman bullish on town’s outlook

Vaccination efforts continue to expand

June opening anticipated for Dade City bike hub

Union Park Charter Academy has one year to get finances in order

Pasco County Schools preparing for two new STEAM schools

Cleanup collects 37,000 pounds of trash

Divided county board approves apartment request

Groundbreaking held for veteran’s free home

Garden club plans Arbor Day celebration

Flea market lures shoppers with its bargains

Nail salon gets OK, despite neighbors’ objections

Local stakeholders seek solutions to opioid crisis

Sports Stories

Hillsborough County Parks launches exercise challenge

Watch these locals during 2021 MLB season

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