The recently passed $93 billon Florida state budget included some big wins for East Pasco, but District 38 state Rep. Randy Maggard isn’t ready to celebrate or take a victory lap just yet. That’s because the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic will force state lawmakers back to Tallahassee for a special session sometime this summer — and likely result in major spending cuts for … [Read more...]
Initiatives aim to help veterans
November 13, 2019 By
Veterans statewide could soon see a slew of new and expanded benefits and services, if the Florida Department of Veterans Affairs gets its way in the 2020 legislative session and beyond. The agency is enrolling 17 legislative bills for the upcoming 60-day session, which begins in January, Al Carter, the department’s chief of staff, reported at the North Tampa Bay Chamber of Commerce’s November … [Read more...]
East Pasco to receive new, upgraded veterans clinic
October 2, 2019 By
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is in the midst of building a new outpatient clinic in Zephyrhills. As a branch of Tampa’s James A. Haley Veterans’ Hospital, the facility will be an upgraded replacement to the current Zephyrhills Community Based Outpatient Clinic. It will serve former members of the military. “I’d say accessibility is probably our biggest reason for building a new … [Read more...]
Advocates address legislators to reduce veteran homelessness
September 25, 2019 By
Local agency officials recently addressed an array of issues facing homeless veterans, before members of the Economic Opportunity Subcommittee of the U.S. House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, at a session in New Port Richey. U.S. Rep. Mike Levin, chairman of the subcommittee, and U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis, ranking member of the committee, listened to suggestions on reducing veteran homelessness … [Read more...]
Remembering the fallen of 9/11
September 18, 2019 By
The morning of Sept. 11 was marked by a 9/11 memorial at Zephyr Park, 38116 Fifth Ave., in Zephyrhills. The service featured remarks from members of U.S. Marine Corps Detachment 1124, which bears the name of Sgt. Maj. Michael S. Curtin, a first responder who perished in the North Tower of the World Trade Center on the morning of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Zephyrhills Mayor Gene Whitfield, … [Read more...]
Zephyrhills to remember fallen of 9/11
September 4, 2019 By
As commemoration ceremonies take place across America to honor the victims of Sept. 11, Zephyrhills, too, will host its annual 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony. The public event will begin at 11 a.m., and is expected to last an hour. Marine Corps League Sgt. Maj. Michael S. Curtin Detachment 1124 will host the event. The league is named after a fallen first responder at the World Trade … [Read more...]
Collaboration creates connectivity
July 17, 2019 By
The opening of the State Road 56 Extension between Wesley Chapel and Zephyrhills has a personal benefit for Alora Butler, a student at Pasco-Hernando State College’s Porter Campus at Wiregrass Ranch. She said the new road segment will cut her 30-minute commute to school in half. It also reduces the time that the Zephyrhills resident spends on the road, to get to leisure activities or do … [Read more...]
Randy Maggard wins District 38 seat
June 26, 2019 By
Voters have selected Randy Maggard to become their next representative in District 38 of the Florida House of Representatives. Maggard, a Republican, received 9,615 votes, or 55.58 percent of the total in the Special Election held on June 18. His opponent Kelly Smith, a Democrat, received 7,684, or 44.42 percent of the vote. The voter turnout in the contest was 15.24. The district’s … [Read more...]
Local veterans’ home celebrates 20 years of service
May 8, 2019 By
The Baldomero Lopez State Veterans’ Nursing Home drew hundreds to a celebration to mark the 20th anniversary of the center’s opening in Land O’ Lakes. The April 30 ceremony was held outside the facility, which has been home to veterans and has been a place where many community organizations have been involved for two decades. Marlies Sarrett, the facility administrator, opened the … [Read more...]
Political Agenda 02/20/2019
February 20, 2019 By
House District 38 Two Republicans and a Democrat are vying in a special election to fill the vacant seat in Florida State House District 38. Danny Burgess had been re-elected to the post, but vacated it after Gov. Ron DeSantis offered him the position of executive director of the Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs. The Republican candidates that have qualified for the race are Randy … [Read more...]
