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Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Heritage Park

Busy hurricane season expected

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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.

Hurricane Irma gave Floridians a taste of Mother Nature’s fury. This year, weather experts are predicting higher-than-normal activity. (Courtesy of NOAA)

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 almost 6 feet along parts of the northern Gulf Coast, according to national weather reports. Heavy rain triggered flash flooding as far east as Florida, and as far north as Wisconsin and Minnesota. The storm also spawned tornadoes in Florida and as far north as Illinois.

That was the beginning of an Atlantic hurricane season that experts predict will have above-normal activity. Information released by NOAA says there’s a 60% chance of an above-normal season, a 30% chance of a near-normal season and a 10% chance of a below-normal season.

NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center is forecasting a range of 13 to 19 named storms, with winds of 39 mph or higher. Of those, six to 10 could become hurricanes, with winds of 74 mph or higher, including three to six hurricanes (Category 3, 4 or 5), with winds of 111 mph or more.

An average hurricane season produces 12 named storms, of which six become hurricanes, including three major hurricanes, according to NOAA, a division of the National Weather Service.

Concerns about the potential spread of COVID-19 — the deadly virus that has already claimed more than 3,400 lives across Florida — is causing emergency officials to plan differently this year.

Pasco County Emergency Management Director Andrew Fossa said the county will be working with the Department of Health that is maintaining a current list of COVID-positive patients, as well as people of interest.

Part of the county’s plan calls for using the center at Heritage Park, 5401 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., in Land O’ Lakes, to shelter positive COVID-19 patients, or people who have been exposed to the virus.

The county also will use schools as shelters, and will open them as they are needed.

Hurricane Irma blew down lots of trees around Pasco County, including this one, across an East Pasco road. (File)

This year, because of the pandemic, the county also has lined up some hotels and a resort, to use, if necessary, Fossa said. Some empty big box stores also might serve as shelters, he added.

“You’ve got to get creative in this kind of work,” he said.

The county needs to add more potential shelters this year because, in response to COVID-19, the American Red Cross and FEMA have changed the footprint required for sheltering.

“It used to be at general population, you were allocated 20 square feet, inside this big open area. That was your little slice of life. Now, with COVID, they made that 60 square feet,” Fossa said.

Shelter routines will be different
While waiting to register, those arriving will have to stay apart from each other, to maintain a safe social distance. Before entering the shelter, they will have their temperature taken, will be asked the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guideline questions and will be given a mask to wear in the shelter, Fossa said.

Anyone whose temperature exceeds 100.4 degrees F., will be sent to a different shelter, if time permits, or will remain at the shelter but will be housed in a separate part of the shelter.

Fossa said the county has secured enough personal protective equipment for county staff, nurses and firefighters that will be working at the shelters.

Many injuries occur after natural disasters because inexperienced people try to handle tasks they don’t know how to do. Enlist the help of professionals, if possible, and make sure they are properly licensed and insured. (File)

The county is uncertain how comfortable people will feel about staying at a shelter because of concerns about COVID-19. It has released a survey to try to get a better idea of where Pasco residents stand on that issue.

Fossa noted that AAA has done a survey in Florida and the results showed that 42% would not go to a shelter because of COVID-19.

The emergency management director also noted that the state has issued some guidance on whether people should evacuate.

“If you have a  home that was built post-1996 and you’re not on the water, you’re not in an evacuation zone, the coastline or anything like that, they’re (state officials) actually encouraging residents to stay in their houses for a Category 1, maybe Category 2 (storm).”

Fossa urged residents who have not already prepared for a potential threat, to do so now.

“Be ready,” he said. “If you don’t have a go-kit yet, you’re behind the curve.

“If we need to evacuate you, I am not going to sit at your house for 45 minutes while you say, ‘I’m going to grab this, I’m going to grab that. I’m going to grab that.’ Have it ready to go,” Fossa said.

Those evacuating should “go 10s of miles, not 100s of miles,” Fossa added. “You can go 10s of miles to stay with family and friends.”

By staying close to home, residents can avoid getting stuck in miles of traffic jams and keep hotel rooms free for people who are evacuating from more vulnerable areas.

If you are ordered to evacuate, wait for emergency officials to let you know that it’s safe to return.

The county has a fleet of drones it can use to assess damage, Fossa said.

He also noted that the county has 28 generators, which it can use to temporarily restore power to traffic lights that have been knocked out by severe weather.

And, it is getting another generator that is large enough to power a small building, he said. The primary use for that generator would be to restore power to a nursing home — to avoid a tragic outcome like the one that occurred at a Hollywood, Florida, nursing home a few years back.

Pasco County also has had to plan differently for managing its Emergency Operations Center.

“We’re not going to be like Irma. I’m not going to have 120 bodies in my EOC,” Fossa said. Instead, there will be about 17 key personnel there.

“Everybody else will work virtually. That’s the safest way to do it,” Fossa said.

The county has a wealth of information available for residents who want to find out if they’re in an evacuation zone, how to prepare for a hurricane and what to do in the aftermath.

You can find that information at PascoEmergencyManagement.com.

THINGS TO DO NOW
Before a hurricane threatens
Protect your property:

  • Be sure your trees and shrubs are trimmed.
  • Clear out clogged rain gutters and downspouts.
  • Document your valuables by making a list of the items, and taking photos of them and your property.

If a hurricane threatens

  • Cover windows with pre-cut plywood or hurricane shutters.
  • Store outdoor furniture, windchimes, garbage cans, decorations, potted plants and other items that could become projectiles in high winds.
  • If you have a boat, determine how and where to secure it.

Protect yourself:

  • Know your evacuation zone and be prepared to leave, if authorities tell you do so.

Particularly vulnerable areas include mobile homes, high-rise buildings, coastal areas, near rivers or inland waterways, and land below sea level.

  • If you live in a mandatory evacuation zone, prepare an evacuation plan that includes transportation routes and destinations, and considers all family members and pets.
  • If evacuating, reach out to family or friends, now, to see if you can stay with them. Whether you are sheltering in place, or evacuating, be sure to share your plans with someone outside of the danger zone.
  • When making evacuation plans, think in terms of 10s of miles away, instead of 100s of miles. People have been known to leave their homes only to go where the hurricane landed.

Have a go bag ready
Your go bag should include:

  • Medications
  • Clothing
  • Important documents, in a waterproof container, which includes bank account records, marriage certificates or divorce decrees, driver’s license, Social Security card, passport, titles, deeds, income tax information, trusts, wills, insurance papers and birth certificates.

Some practical pointers

  • Avoid gas lines: During hurricane season keep your tank full, or at least 3/4 full
  • Have cash on hand, in case banks are closed and ATMs lose power
  • Have a phone charger that doesn’t require electricity
  • Have a printed list of important telephone numbers, including county emergency management office, evacuation sites, doctors, bank, area schools, veterinarian, etc.
  • Have books and games available, to help pass the time

Stock up on emergency supplies

  • Water — one gallon for each person for three to seven days
  • Food — enough food for at least three to seven days. Nonperishable packaged or canned food and beverages, snack foods, juices. Supplies should include nonperishable foods that are easy to store and prepare, including protein bars, dried fruit, canned pastas, soups, canned tuna, peanut butter and jelly, crackers, raisins, beef jerky. Don’t forget the baby formula and baby food.

Tools/supplies

  • Non-electric can opener, paper plates, plastic utensils, plastic cups
  • Grill, cooking tools, fuel, charcoal
  • Hand tools, automotive repair tools
  • Duct tape and heavyweight garbage bags or plastic sheeting (for shelter-in-place)
  • A wrench or pliers (to turn off utilities)

Personal comfort/hygiene/sanitation

  • Blankets, pillows, sleeping bags
  • Sunscreen, aloe, bug spray
  • Special items for babies, elders, persons with disabilities
  • Toiletries, hygiene items and sanitary wipes
  • Moist towelettes for sanitation
  • Garbage bags and plastic ties (for personal sanitation)

Safety

  • Radio — battery-operated or hand-cranked radio, NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) Weather radio
  • Flashlight and batteries
  • Medications, a first-aid kit
  • Filter masks to protect your mouth and nose
  • A whistle to signal for help
  • Seasonal rain gear, sturdy shoes or boots

Plan for your pets

  • Your pet emergency kit should include: Sturdy leashes, harnesses and/or a carrier; pet food, drinking water, bowls, cat litter, a litter pan; pet health records, current photos of your pets, in case they get lost; pet beds and toys.

DURING THE STORM
When sheltering in place

  • Close all interior doors. Secure and brace exterior doors. Take refuge in a small interior closet, or hallway on the lowest level. Lie on the floor under a table or another sturdy object.
  • Fill bathtubs or buckets with water to use for cleaning and toilet flushing.
  • Stay away from windows and glass doors.
  • Don’t be fooled by a lull in the storm. It could be the eye of the storm and the winds could resume.

AFTER THE STORM

  • Do not drive into water when you can’t see the bottom of the road; you could drown.
  • Do not walk through flooded areas, fast-moving water could carry you away. Also, the water could be contaminated with oil, gasoline, raw sewage and other contaminants. It also may be electrically charged from a downed wire.
  • Be careful about the foods you eat. If the power is out for a prolonged period, your food may have spoiled.
  • Do not burn charcoal in your house or garage, the fumes can be deadly.
  • Do not use gas-powered generators indoors or in a garage, the exhaust can be lethal.
  • If you’re using a generator, do not plug it into a building’s wiring. This can cause generator back feed, which is extremely dangerous for utility workers and for anyone in the public who comes into contact with a downed electrical wire.
  • If you have been evacuated, do not return to your home until authorities tell you that it is safe to do so.

If you have damage

  • Call your insurance agent.
  • Take photos of the damage.
  • Make emergency repairs to avoid more damage and keep receipts for tarps, lumber, etc.
  • Use licensed contractors to make repairs. Be wary of potential scams.

Published July 1, 2020

Collecting litter to help keep Pasco clean

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About 340 volunteers fanned out across Land O’ Lakes to pick up litter and trash along the area’s roads, public lands and waterways.

In their first year volunteering for the Coastal Cleanup event, the Dana family, from Wesley Chapel, work together to pick up trash that was discarded along Collier Parkway, north of Hale Road. From left: 7-year-old Peyton, Cliff, 10-year-old Ethan, and Lydia. (Christine Holtzman)

They were among the thousands who took part in Pasco County, as part of the annual International Coastal Cleanup event on Sept. 21.

Volunteers in Dade City, Lacoochee, New Port Richey, Port Richey, Hudson and Holiday also joined in the efforts that were organized by Pasco County and the not-for-profit environmental organization, Keep Pasco Beautiful.

Those pitching in on the Land O’ Lakes effort met around 8 a.m., at the community center at Heritage Park, 5401 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., to pick up gloves, trash bags, safety vests and bottles of water.

Event sponsors paid for the supplies, and volunteers who had registered received a keepsake bag and an event T-shirt.

Some of the volunteers have been helping out for decades, including 84-year-old Gloria Dale, of the GFWC Lutz-Land O’ Lakes Woman’s Club, who worked at the registration table. She’s been pitching in for 26 years.

Eleven-year old Olivia O’Malley, of Land O’ Lakes, holds a trash bag open, as her father, Michael, throws away a decaying trash bag that was found on the side of Parkway Boulevard. O’Malley, a member of Boy Scouts Troop 34, and her dad also found a piece of a car bumper earlier in the morning.

Lottie Kelley, another longtime volunteer, has helped for 24 years.

She works for Covanta, one of the event sponsors, and was the Land O’ Lakes site captain.

Helping to keep Pasco clean and green is what makes the event important, Kelley said.

“Litter is very unsightly, and it’s not good for the county,” Kelley said.

Besides being unattractive, roadway trash can be dangerous for wildlife, she said.

“We need to keep the litter off the roadways, so the animals don’t eat it. They can end up being in a terrible situation,” Kelley said.

She said this year’s effort focused on roadways in Land O’ Lakes, including Ehren Cutoff, Collier Parkway, Parkway Boulevard, Hale Road, Bell Lake Road and Carson Drive.

Boy Scout troops 33 and 34, and Cub Scout Pack 33 from Our Lady of the Rosary Church in Land O’ Lakes,  collected trash along large stretches of Collier Parkway and Parkway Boulevard.

Twelve-year-old Wesley Swank, of Land O’ Lakes, emerges from the bushes with a large Styrofoam cup, that was discarded along Parkway Blvd, near Paw Place. Swank is a member of Boy Scout Troop 33, which is based out of Our Lady of the Rosary Church in Land O’ Lakes.

The troops have been participating in this event for approximately 15 years and, over the years, have picked up all sorts of items, including a glass table, a microwave, beer bottles and even a device that looked like a pipe bomb.

The idea is to remove every piece of trash discarded on the roadways to prevent it from ending up in waterways, and eventually into oceans.

As each piece trash is picked up, it is recorded on sheets, or on a downloadable app provided by the nonprofit organization Ocean Conservancy.

The ocean-advocacy group is on a mission to tackle the greatest global challenges facing the ocean.

By recording the types of trash and the amounts, the group can establish a snapshot and a state-by-state index of the problem of marine debris.

Last year, 1,823 volunteers picked up 11.94 tons of trash throughout Pasco County, according to the Keep Pasco Beautiful website.

Published September 25, 2019

Five-year-old Aliya Goodwin, of Lutz, left, and 9-year-old Caleb MacKenzie, also of Lutz, take a break from picking up trash, and sit on the bumper of an SUV. The kids were volunteering their time by collecting trash along Parkway Boulevard in Land O’ Lakes with Cub Scout Pack 33.
Seven-year-old Brendan Pratt, of Land O’ Lakes, left, and his father, Michael, stand on the corner of Parkway Boulevard and Collier Parkway. To stay hydrated, Brendan is drinking water from a hose, that is connected to the backpack full of water that he is wearing.
Cub Scout Pack 33, based out of Our Lady of the Rosary Church in Land O’ Lakes, picks up trash along Parkway Boulevard, near the corner of Collier Parkway.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2017 had it all: A sinkhole, Hurricane Irma, wildfires and floods

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But, it also was a year of significant growth, notable achievements and touching moments, too.

It’s not often that Land O’ Lakes makes the international news, but it did just that in July when a massive sinkhole swallowed two homes in Lake Padgett Estates.

This is an aerial view of a giant sinkhole that developed in Lake Padgett Estates, swallowing two homes and causing several others to be condemned. (File)

Then, just a few months later in September, the world’s attention turned to Florida as a potential category 5 Hurricane Irma appeared heading straight toward Tampa Bay.

The year also was marked by severe flooding and wildfires in Pasco County.

It also was a year for the changing of the guard, as Dan Biles was named Pasco County’s administrator to replace Michele Baker, who retired.

Scores of headlines during 2017 involved stories about the area’s congested roadways — and projects that are planned, underway or being discussed to improve traffic flow.

Major road projects that have begun or are planned include improvements to Interstate 75 and state roads 54 and 52. A four-lane extension of State Road 56, between Wesley Chapel and Zephyrhills, is also under construction.

With its sustained wind speeds of 185 mph, Hurricane Irma was deemed to be one of the strongest hurricanes to hit the Atlantic. At one point, forecasters said it appeared headed toward making a direct hit on the Tampa Bay region.

Another improvement, known as the diverging diamond, is planned to improve traffic flow at I-75 and State Road 56.

And, discussions continue over the best ways to reduce congestion at U.S. 41 and State Road 54, an intersection that handles roughly 100,000 vehicles per day.

The county also appears to be making progress in its quest to secure a permit for the extension of Ridge Road, a project it has been seeking for nearly two decades. While the project can’t come soon enough for supporters, its detractors remain steadfast in their opposition.

Increasing traffic is a symptom of Pasco’s robust growth
Housing developments, retail projects, restaurants, businesses and medical facilities are sprouting up on land previously occupied by citrus groves, farms and cattle ranches.

New schools continue to pop up, or expand, too.

Zephyrhills now has a permanent venue for community events, such as the Z’ Hills BBQ & Blues Fest, a popular event, which features blues bands and tasty barbecue.

In August, Pasco County Schools opened Bexley Elementary, in the Bexley subdivision off State Road 54 in Land O’ Lakes and Cypress Creek Middle High School, off Old Pasco Road, in Wesley Chapel. In the coming year, it plans to begin construction of Cypress Creek Middle School.

Also, on the same campus, the school district and Pasco-Hernando State College plan to operate a new performing arts center. That center will be built by the college with $15.5 million in state funds, but both the school district and the college will use it as a teaching facility.

Meanwhile, the school district continues massive renovation projects at Land O’ Lakes High School and at Woodland Elementary School in Zephyrhills.

More public school projects are expected, as funding for school construction gets a boost from increased school impacts fees adopted by the Pasco County Commission that will begin being phased in on Jan. 1.

On the private school front, North Tampa Christian Academy is expected to begin operations in Wesley Chapel in the fall of 2018.

Roy Hardy, of Dade City, who died this year, was known for his perfect Kiwanis attendance and his fish fry fundraisers for the Hardy Benevolent Fund to help cover medical costs for others in need.

And, a charter school also has announced its intentions to open in Wesley Chapel in 2019, but has not identified its location yet.

The year also signaled changes on the spiritual scene across the region, too.

Van Dyke Church in Lutz changed its name to Bay Hope and expanded the scope of its mission. North Pointe Church settled into its first permanent home in Lutz, and the Episcopal Church announced its intentions to branch into Wesley Chapel.

The region also added to its list of amenities during the past year.

In Wesley Chapel, the 150,000-square-foot Florida Hospital Center Ice opened in January, with its Olympic-size rink, three National Hockey League-size rinks and one junior rink. Several rinks can easily be converted to accommodate basketball, soccer, lacrosse, volleyball and events such as corporate meetings, and parties.

In Land O’ Lakes, the Heritage Park Stage opened, off of U.S. 41. The project, which was years in the making, has already become a popular gathering spot for community events.

Starkey Park District Park also opened in Land O’ Lakes, off State Road 54.

Meanwhile, across the county, Zephyrhills added a permanent venue for community events, such as Pigz in Z’Hills, a popular barbecue and blues event.

A time of milestones and transitions
While new construction made the news, 2017 was also a year of big milestones, including R.B. Cox Elementary School’s 90th birthday, in Dade City, and the Dade City Garden Club’s 70th anniversary.

Andre Pamplona, general manager for Royal Lanes, said the closing of a bowling alley has an impact on the community. Royal Lanes, which opened in the 1970s turned off the lights for the final time in May. Lots of memories were made in that building, known for its bowling leagues and birthday parties.

But, it was also the year that Royal Lanes, a community fixture in Lutz since the 1970s for bowling leagues and birthday parties, turned out the lights for the final time in May.

On a more personal level, the region mourned the loss of some of its biggest champions, including Eddie Herrmann of San Antonio, Roy T. Hardy of Dade City and Ray Mason of Land O’ Lakes. All three men were known for their deep commitment to civic causes.

Others — who captured headlines for their excellence — included Margaret Polk, the Odyssey of the Mind team from Wesley Chapel Elementary School, and Courtney Urban, a volunteer for Gulfside Hospice who received a national award for her volunteer work.

Polk, a school nurse at Pasco High School, was named the Florida Association of School Nurses’ 2017 School Nurse of the Year.

Elaine Pittman, a Lutz gardener in her 80s, grows plants and sells them to raise money for Christian Social Services. She chose that cause because it feeds people who are hungry.

Wesley Chapel Elementary School’s “Catch Us If You Can” team, finished first in the Odyssey of the Mind World Finals held in May at Michigan State University. Members of the team were Jake Piller, Sam Cappelluti, Isabell Barrios, Mina Melaika, Rowan Heyman, Jason Sherman and Justin Acosta. Teachers Veronica Acosta and Janet Heyman coached the team.

And, Urban, who initially began volunteering at Gulfside’s Thrift Shoppe in Lutz so she could hang out with her grandmother, went on to serve the organization in a variety of roles.

And then, there were the people who simply extended themselves to help others.

There was Elaine Pittman, a Lutz gardener in her 80s, who nurtures plant cuttings to create plants, which she sells to raise money for Christian Social Services, an organization that provides food for people who are hungry.

And, there was Whitney C. Elmore, who oversees Pasco County Extension.

Elmore reached out to help Frogmore Fresh Farm, outside of Dade City, after Hurricane Irma uprooted and toppled about 100,000 blueberry bushes. Elmore got the ball rolling, but hundreds of volunteers responded — stepping forward to help the farm.

Two Boy Scouts also made a difference in the communities where they live.

Michael Valenti of Lutz and Gabe Vega of Land O’ Lakes each spearheaded Eagle Scout projects.

Cypress Creek Middle High School students make their way to their second class the first day of school on the new campus in Wesley Chapel. Bexley Elementary School also opened for the first time in August, for the 2017-2018 school year.

Valenti spruced up the Lutz Memorial Park in Lutz, and Vega created a Rosary Garden at Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Church in Land O’ Lakes.

And, then, there was a trio of Wesley Chapel Girl Scouts in Troop 1263 who gave new life to Karina’s Garden, behind the administrative offices of Sunrise of Pasco County, in their quest to earn a Girl Scout Silver Award.

The girls — Paige and Kaitlin Trabouley and Alyssa Duran — added flowers, plants, butterflies and statuary to create a place of repose and refreshment in the garden which honors the late Karina Abdul, a former shelter director.

The garden now provides a place to take a break and enjoy nature, according to Vicki Wiggins, director of development for Sunrise, which is a domestic and sexual violence prevention and services organization.

The garden had been choked with weeds and had fallen into disrepair.

The girls and the volunteers they enlisted changed all that.

“It’s beautiful. I’m so happy they did this. They brought it back to life,” Wiggins told The Laker/Lutz News, when the project was completed.

Published December 27, 2017

Holiday Pops concert creates a warm glow on a cool day

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Bill Mickelsen, left, on the tuba, Dwight Decker, middle, on the trombone, and Ken Brown, on the trumpet perform as part of The Florida Orchestra Brass Quintet on the Heritage Park Stage at Heritage Park in Land O’ Lakes. Classical Preparatory School hosted the brass quintet for the concert. It was the first time that the quintet appeared in Land O’ Lakes. (Randy Underhill)

Holiday music filled the air at the Heritage Park complex in Land O’ Lakes on a cool, sunny afternoon on Dec. 10.

The Classical Preparatory School hosted The Florida Orchestra Brass Quint for its first-ever appearance in Land O’ Lakes.

The Brass Quintet has been performing in the Tampa Bay area for more than 35 years.

The audience dressed in warm clothing for the concert, held at Heritage Stage, in the park formerly known as Land O’ Lakes Community Park.

In addition to the brass quintet, entertainment also was provided by Phase III trio, the Stallion Singers and the iPad Band.

Children also were able to enjoy the Big Kahuna slide, a corn hole toss, food trucks, and a visit from Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus.

By Randy Underhill

Published December 20, 2017

The Phase III band performs at the opening of the Holiday Pops concert on Dec. 10 at the Heritage Stage in Land O’ Lakes Heritage Park, formerly known as Land O’ Lakes Community Park.
Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus give a casual wave, as they sit back and enjoy the music performed by The Florida Orchestra Brass Quintet. Of course, the holidays would not be complete without a visit from Santa.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A good-sized crowd turns out to enjoy the first appearance of The Florida Orchestra Brass Quintet at Holiday Pops on the afternoon of Dec. 10 at the Heritage Park Stage in the Land O’ Lakes Heritage Park.
Two-year-old Kellan Weyna, of Lutz, enjoys The Florida Orchestra Brass Quintet along with his parents, David his father, and mother Emily, middle.