• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to secondary sidebar
  • About Us
  • Videos
  • Online E-Editions
  • Social Media
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Instagram
  • Advertising
  • Local Jobs
  • Puzzles & Games
  • Circulation Request

The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Lutz since 1964 and Pasco since 1981.
Proud to be independently owned.

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

  • Home
  • News
    • Land O’ Lakes
    • Lutz
    • Wesley Chapel/New Tampa
    • Zephyrhills/East Pasco
    • Business Digest
    • Senior Parks
    • Nature Notes
    • Featured Stories
    • Photos of the Week
  • Sports
    • Land O’ Lakes
    • Lutz
    • Wesley Chapel/New Tampa
    • Zephyrhills and East Pasco
    • Check This Out
  • Education
  • Pets/Wildlife
  • Health
    • Health Events
    • Health News
  • What’s Happening
  • Closer Look
  • Homes
  • Obits

Manatee County

Zephyrhills poised to name Spillman permanent fire chief

October 10, 2014 By Michael Hinman

Four months after being named the interim fire chief, the Zephyrhills City Council is set on Monday to make Daniel Spillman’s job at the head of the city’s fire rescue department permanent.

Spillman took over the department in June when Verne Riggall — under fire for how he had run the agency over a two-year period — resigned before city council members could vote on whether to terminate him.

Spillman interviewed for the permanent position Sept. 22, and competed against Capt. Ralph Velez and former Pasco County fire service officer Stephen Smith for the job, according to city documents. The three made their bids for the job in front of a selection committee that included Zephyrhills city manager Steve Spina, city human resources director Sandra Amerson, former fire captain Scott Winters, and Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce executive director Vonnie Mikkelsen.

Velez has been a captain with the fire department for more than seven years, according to an online social media profile, and also has served on the board of Main Street Zephyrhills Inc. between 2005 and 2011. Velez has spent 24 years total with the Zephyrhills fire department, according to published reports, and graduated from Zephyrhills High School in the early 1980s.

Smith spent six years as a training chief for Pasco County Fire Rescue, according to an online business profile, and retired from that job in 2010. He’s currently a charge paramedic and trainer in Manatee County, and has consulted with and worked as an expert legal witness for EDT Corp., for nearly 25 years.

Spillman joined the Zephyrhills fire department in September 2013 after spending more than a year as a fire chief in Escambia County. He received his bachelor’s degree from Florida International University, and a master’s degree from City University in Bellevue, Washington, according to his resume.

As city manager, Spina has the power to appoint and even remove the chiefs of both the fire and police department, as long as he has a simple majority approval from the city council.

Riggall worked in High Springs as the fire chief the same time now former Zephyrhills city manager Jim Drumm led that city’s administration. Drumm resigned his job in Zephyrhills less than two months before Riggall after realizing he didn’t have the council’s support to continue as city manager.

Before he left, however, Drumm already had considered investigating issues in the fire department under Riggall. Spina continued the investigation after he took over as interim city manager, and said there were problems in how Riggall staffed fire engines and emergency response vehicles. Some of the staffing records also showed there were not enough workers on hand to safely respond to necessary calls, Spina said, and even they didn’t have all the appropriate equipment they would need.

The fire department was suffering from low morale, as well, and Riggall reportedly did not keep regular office hours, Spina’s report at the time said. Instead showing up at non-traditional times so that he could work around his wife’s schedule.

The city council will make the final decision during its regular meeting Oct. 13 at 6 p.m., at Zephyrhills City Hall, 5335 Eighth St.

Filed Under: Updates Tagged With: Bellevue, City University, Daniel Spillman, EDT Corp., Eighth Street, Escambia County, Florida International University, Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce, HIgh Springs, Jim Drumm, Main Street Zephyrhills Inc., Manatee County, Pasco County, Pasco County Fire Rescue, Ralph Velez, Sandra Amerson, Scott Winters, Stephen Smith, Steve Spina, Verne Riggall, Vonnie Mikkelsen, Washington, Zephyrhills, Zephyrhills City Council, Zephyrhills City Hall, Zephyrhills High School

TBARTA picks Don Skelton as interim executive director

June 17, 2014 By Special to The Laker/Lutz News

Don Skelton is the new interim executive director of the Tampa Bay Area Regional Transportation Authority board of directors.

He replaces Bob Clifford, TBARTA’s first executive director, who resigned to join the engineering firm Parsons Brinckerhoff, according to a release.

Skelton has a lengthy career in transportation planning and programs, including serving as secretary of the District 7 office for the Florida Department of Transportation for seven years, ending in 2012. During that time, he was on the board of directors as an “ex officio” member, and was instrumental in providing support for the development of TBARTA’s master transportation plan.

Right now, however, he is vice president at H.W. Lochner, where he provides transportation engineering services for the Tampa Bay region and Central Florida.

“Don was there when we started, and played a major role in our early success,” said Ronnie Duncan, TBARTA’s chair, in a release. “There could not be (a) better person to serve in this capacity as we work through the process of selecting a permanent executive director.”

TBARTA was created in 2007 by the Legislature to plan and develop a multimodal transportation system that will connect the second counties of the Tampa Bay region — Pasco, Hillsborough, Hernando, Citrus, Manatee, Pinellas and Sarasota.

Filed Under: Updates Tagged With: Bob Clifford, Central Florida, Citrus County, Don Skelton, Florida Department of Transportation, H.W. Lochner, Hernando County, Hillsborough County, Manatee County, Parsons Brickenhoff, Pasco County, Pinellas County, Ronnie Duncan, Sarasota County, Tampa Bay, Tampa Bay Area Regional Transportation Authority, TBARTA

Free isn’t always free, especially with cell phones

June 9, 2014 By Special to The Laker/Lutz News

A full-page ad that appeared in a South Florida newspaper in May has caught the attention of the Better Business Bureau, which warns consumers that just because someone claims a product is free doesn’t mean it is free.

The ad, according to the consumer advocacy organization, offered “easy-to-use senior mobile cell phones free” for senior citizens. The advertiser is a company that has earned an F-rating with the BBB because of its lengthy negative advertising and complaint industry.

According to the ad, for a one-time activation fee of $97 plus shipping, those who had beat a 48-hour deadline would receive a free cell phone, get nationwide coverage with no long-distance charges, would not have to sign any contracts, make no deposits, or pay no monthly bills. The bill also repeatedly expresses that senior citizens are risking their safety by not having a cell phone, and that the government urges them to carry one, the BBB said.

The organization first became aware of this ad in May 2013 in West Virginia, and an investigation there showed that the company inflates the costs of its activation fees to cover and profit from what’s advertised as “free,” BBB officials said.

The offer would charge consumers $97 plus shipping for access to 911 services, which already are provided by all wireless carriers for free. And while there are no monthly bills, consumers must pay for minutes once their first 250 prepaid minutes are used, or after 60 days.

BBB officials say the best way to avoid issues like this is to make sure, as a customer, that all the terms of the offer are read and understood. If something doesn’t make sense, be sure to ask.

Also, customers should always question free offers. The BBB Code of Advertising states that the word “free” can be used whenever the advertiser is offering an unconditional gift. If that free item is conditional on a purchase, the advertiser must make that clear and conspicuous with the free offer — and not simply by placing an asterisk next to the word “free” with a footnote.

Customers can always check out the reliability of a company by visiting BBB.org. The Better Business Bureau Serving West Florida is one of 112 local, independent BBBs across North America that serves Pasco, Hillsborough, Hernando, Pinellas, Manatee, Sarasota, Hardee, Desoto, Charlotte, Lee and Collier counties.

Filed Under: Updates Tagged With: Better Business Bureau, Better Business Bureau Serving Westr Florida, Charlotte County, Collier County, DeSoto County, Hardee County, Hernando County, Hillsborough County, Lee County, Manatee County, Pasco County, Pinellas County, Sarasota County, South Florida, West Virginia

Region under severe thunderstorm watch

April 18, 2014 By Special to The Laker/Lutz News

The National Weather Service says a line of strong thunderstorms have formed in the Gulf of Mexico, and are threatening the entire Tampa Bay region — including Pasco and Hillsborough counties — until 8 p.m.

Meteorologists with the weather service detected the storms just after 2 p.m. Friday along a line extending from Honeymoon Island near Palm Harbor to Longboat Key. The system was moving northeast at 30 mph, and has gusty winds of 45 to 55 mph that can cause unsecured object to blow around, snap tree limbs and cause power outages.

Torrential rains will reduce visibility to near zero, and will cause water ponding on roadways, the weather service said.

The watch also is for Citrus, DeSoto, Hardee, Hernando, Highlands, Lake, Manatee, Polk, Pinellas, Sarasota and Sumter counties.

UPDATE: The watch has been lifted.

Filed Under: Updates Tagged With: Citrus County, DeSoto County, Gulf of Mexico, Hardee County, Hernando County, Highlands County, Hillsborough County, Honeymoon Island, Lake County, Longboat Key, Manatee County, National Weather Service, Palm Harbor, Pasco County, Pinellas County, Polk County, Sarasota County, Sumter County, Tampa Bay

Commission candidate among those appointed to planning council

April 1, 2014 By Special to The Laker/Lutz News

Michael Moore is one of six appointments announced Monday by Gov. Rick Scott to the Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council.

Moore, who is seeking Pat Mulieri’s seat on the Pasco County Commission, is the owner of VR Business Sales/Mergers & Acquisitions of Wesley Chapel. He was appointed for a term that began Monday, and would end in October 2015.

Also appointed to seats were John Neal of Bradenton, Robert Sebesta of Seminole, Scott Sheridan of Temple Terrace, Mary Yeargan of Brandon and Timothy Schock of Tampa. All the appointments must be confirmed by the Florida Senate.

The regional planning council was first formed in 1962, bringing together local governments and gubernatorial appointees to coordinate planning for the region’s future, according to the group’s website. It also analyzes issues and shares solutions among its 43 jurisdictions located in Pasco, Hillsborough, Manatee and Pinellas counties.

Moore told The Laker/Lutz News that he looked forward to serving in the group, and that the Pasco County Commission also appoints a member to serve on the council. If he is elected in November, he said, he would “comply with all newly applicable rules and guidelines established for membership.”

Filed Under: Updates Tagged With: Bradenton, Brandon, Florida Senate, Hillsborough County, John Neal, Manatee County, Mary Yeargan, Michael Moore, Pasco County, Pasco County Commission, Pat Mulieri, Pinellas County, Rick Scott, Robert Sebesta, Scott Sheridan, Seminole, Tampa, Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council, Temple Terrace, Timothy Schock, VR Business Sales/Mergers & Acquisitions, Wesley Chapel

Primary Sidebar

Cup of Organic

Foodie Friday Gallery

Search

Sponsored Content

A New Look For 2021 From Tampa Surgical Arts

January 12, 2021 By Kelli Carmack

Tampa Surgical Arts offers cosmetic treatments that give patients confidence and makes them look years younger. Two of … [Read More...] about A New Look For 2021 From Tampa Surgical Arts

More Posts from this Category

Archives

What’s Happening

01/16/2021 – Train Show & Sale

Regal Railways will present a Toy Train, Toy Show/Sale on Jan. 16 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the Hernando Fairgrounds, 6436 Broad St., in Brooksville. Vendors will be on hand with various model trains, toys and die cast cars. There also will be a running train layout. Admission is $5 for adults, and free for kids age 12 and younger. Credit cards will be accepted. For information and to prepay, visit RegalRailways.com. … [Read More...] about 01/16/2021 – Train Show & Sale

01/18/2021 – Garden club

The Dade City Garden Club will host a virtual general membership meeting on Jan. 18 at 9:30 a.m., via Zoom. The program will feature a presentation by Madonna Wise, author of “A Haunted History of Pasco County.” Wise’s husband, Ernest, also will present a short demonstration on pressing flowers. Non-members can attend. Registration is through email at by Jan. 17. For information, visit DadeCityGardenClub.com. … [Read More...] about 01/18/2021 – Garden club

01/19/2021 – Best of crafts

The Pasco County Library Cooperative will present a “Best of Craft Tuesdays: Playlist” on Jan. 19 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Check out a video at Facebook.com/hughembrylibrary or Facebook.com/newriverlibrary to learn about some of the craft programs that are worth revisiting from the past year. For information, call 352-567-3576, or email Danielle Lee at . … [Read More...] about 01/19/2021 – Best of crafts

01/19/2021 – Virtual gardening

The Pasco County Library Cooperative will present “Virtual Backyard Gardening with Jo Ann” on Jan. 19 at 2 p.m., via Zoom. Registration is required to receive an email on how to join the meeting. For information, email . … [Read More...] about 01/19/2021 – Virtual gardening

01/20/2021 – Library story times

The Pasco County Library Cooperative will offer these upcoming story times: Jan. 20, for birth to age 5: Participants can tune in anytime between 10 a.m. and 8 p.m., at Facebook.com/hughembrylibrary or Facebook.com/newriverlibrary, to hear “Private I. Guana.” For information, call 352-567-3576, or email Danielle Lee at . Jan. 21 at 10 a.m.: “Virtual Baby Time with Miss Cindy.” Visit Facebook.com/cplib. Jan. 21 at 10 a.m., for ages 2 to 5: “Virtual Story Time with Miss Jenn.” For information, call Amaris Papadopoulos at 727-861-3020. … [Read More...] about 01/20/2021 – Library story times

01/20/2021 – LOL Book Club

The LOL Book Club from the Land O’ Lakes Library will meet on Jan. 20 at 2:30 p.m., to discuss “Beartown” by Fredrik Backman. Register online for a Zoom link, which will be sent out via email a day ahead of the discussion. For information, call 813-929-1214. … [Read More...] about 01/20/2021 – LOL Book Club

More of What's Happening

Follow us on Twitter

The Laker/Lutz NewsFollow

The Laker/Lutz News
LakerLutzNewsThe Laker/Lutz News@LakerLutzNews·
17h

Looking for your new favorite restaurant? Maybe Foodie Friday can help!
https://buff.ly/38wIay0

Reply on Twitter 1350125797957398530Retweet on Twitter 1350125797957398530Like on Twitter 1350125797957398530Twitter 1350125797957398530
LakerLutzNewsThe Laker/Lutz News@LakerLutzNews·
14 Jan

Busy 2021 anticipated for East Pasco communities. https://buff.ly/3hSZLo5

Reply on Twitter 1349763337278681090Retweet on Twitter 13497633372786810901Like on Twitter 13497633372786810901Twitter 1349763337278681090
LakerLutzNewsThe Laker/Lutz News@LakerLutzNews·
13 Jan

"It’s Not Wednesday Until You Read The Laker!" This week's papers are out in print & online https://buff.ly/2UTt6EA

Reply on Twitter 1349406604429565956Retweet on Twitter 1349406604429565956Like on Twitter 1349406604429565956Twitter 1349406604429565956
Load More...

 

 

Where to pick up The Laker and Lutz News

Top Stories

Rioters breach U.S. Capitol building

Zephyrhills development yields roadway concerns

400 apartments proposed on Wesley Chapel Boulevard

Law enforcement memorial receives donations

New community planned along State Road 56

Pigz in Z’Hills festival postponed until April

COVID-19 vaccinations in high demand

Zephyrhills seeking state funding for four projects

Bridging Freedom is charity of the month

Pasco County approves $205,000 for work on comprehensive plan

State road projects will ease congestion

Street hockey rinks open in Wesley Chapel, Holiday

Dade City approves modified CRA plan

Secondary Sidebar

More Stories

Check out our other stories for the week

Rioters breach U.S. Capitol building

Zephyrhills development yields roadway concerns

400 apartments proposed on Wesley Chapel Boulevard

Law enforcement memorial receives donations

New community planned along State Road 56

Pigz in Z’Hills festival postponed until April

COVID-19 vaccinations in high demand

Zephyrhills seeking state funding for four projects

Bridging Freedom is charity of the month

Pasco County approves $205,000 for work on comprehensive plan

State road projects will ease congestion

Street hockey rinks open in Wesley Chapel, Holiday

Dade City approves modified CRA plan

Sports Stories

All-Pasco County fall awards announced

New year in sports to deliver joy, excitement, adventure

2020 had shining moments in sports, despite COVID-19 (Part 2)

2020 had shining moments in sports, despite COVID-19

Toronto Raptors training camp a slam dunk at Saint Leo

Copyright © 2021 Community News Publications Inc.

   