Hillsborough County’s annual Hiking Spree is back, with some new twists, turns and challenges. The hiking extravaganza, now in its fourth year, encourages people to exercise, explore the outdoors, and experience nature through the county’s numerous parks and preserves. The 2020 Hiking Spree trail list features 24 trails at 21 locations throughout the county. Five of those parks sit within … [Read more...]
Prep football midseason review
October 2, 2019 By
The 2019 Florida high school football regular season has reached the midway point. Here’s a closer look at how teams and players are faring from The Laker/Lutz News coverage area. Perfect performers At the midway mark, there are three programs sporting undefeated records — Academy at the Lakes, Gaither and Steinbrenner. What do each have in common? Potent offenses backed by efficient, … [Read more...]
Ridge Road permit coming soon, administrator says
September 25, 2019 By
A permit to clear the way for the construction of the Ridge Road Extension is expected to be granted by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers within the next four weeks to six weeks, Pasco County Administrator Dan Biles said. That would signal the end of a two-decade effort to secure the federal permit needed to create a new 7.6-mile east-west connection from Moon Lake Road in New Port Richey to … [Read more...]
New sports complex expected to attract national events
September 25, 2019 By
With concrete footers poured and steel beams heading vertical, the Wiregrass Ranch Sports Complex is a step closer to its much-anticipated opening. The $44 million sports complex is targeted for a mid-July 2020 soft opening — more than two years after a celebrated groundbreaking ceremony that marked the beginning of construction at 3211 Lajuana Blvd., in Wesley Chapel. Once completed, the … [Read more...]
Hillsborough residents can weigh in on stormwater fees
August 28, 2019 By
A public hearing is set for Sept. 5 regarding a proposed stormwater fee increase in Hillsborough County. The public hearing is set for 10 a.m., in the second floor board room at Frederick B. Karl County Center, 601 E. Kennedy Blvd., in downtown Tampa. Any changes approved by the Hillsborough County Commission would be reflected on the 2019 property tax notices, according to a Hillsborough … [Read more...]
You, too, can help reduce plastic pollution
May 8, 2019 By
Hillsborough County and Keep Tampa Bay Beautiful (KTBB) are inviting residents and business owners to join in the worldwide movement to reduce waste from single-use plastics. According to the Ocean Conservancy, six of the top 10 contributors to marine debris are single-use, or disposable, plastic products, which include common food service ware, such as food and beverage container caps and … [Read more...]
Early voting begins in Pasco, Hillsborough counties
October 24, 2018 By
Voters will head to the polls on Nov. 6 for the 2018 Mid-Term Elections, but a significant number won’t be waiting until then. A good portion of voters decide who they want to represent them while filling out their ballots in the comfort of their own living room, and dropping them into the mail. Another part of the electorate streams to various polling places, taking advantage of early voting … [Read more...]
Hillsborough County files ‘opioid’ lawsuit
August 22, 2018 By
Hillsborough County has filed a lawsuit in the 13th judicial circuit court in Hillsborough County against 14 manufacturers and distributors alleging they have played a role in the opioid epidemic in the county. The county has hired a national team of lawyers to represent them in the lawsuit, with attorney Mike Moore as the lead litigant. Moore, a former Mississippi attorney general, is now … [Read more...]
Raises unlikely this year in Pasco County Schools
June 27, 2018 By
Pasco County School Board members have expressed a desire to give teachers a raise, but according to Superintendent Kurt Browning, there’s no money available to make that happen. Browning’s remarks came during a budget workshop last week in the board room at the district’s headquarters in Land O’ Lakes. Olga Swinson, the district’s chief financial officer, provided a run-through of budget … [Read more...]
Wesley Chapel road study looks for traffic solutions
June 6, 2018 By
Pasco County is moving forward with efforts to find consensus on easing traffic congestion in Wesley Chapel and building road connections between Pasco and Hillsborough counties. Consensus appears elusive, however, on the proposed linkage between Mansfield Boulevard, in Pasco County and Kinnan Street in Hillsborough County. Pasco residents don’t want more traffic whizzing down a … [Read more...]
