What would you do with 1,000 acres of land if you had a chance to buy it? A small group of owners are experiencing that first-hand in Wesley Chapel right now after a bunch of agricultural land just west of Quail Hollow was gobbled up in a $4.2 million land sale. Will it become homes? A new commercial center? Or will it stay as grazing land. Bill Eshenbaugh, the owner of Tampa's … [Read more...]
In Print: New Lowe’s adding traffic light to State Road 54
December 3, 2014 By
When the new Lowe's store opens next March, it not only will bring more jobs to State Road 54 in Land O' Lakes, but more traffic congestion as well. To accommodate the new store, Pasco County will link the Lowe's parking lot to the Village Lakes Shopping Center across the street, complete with the first traffic light between Collier Parkway and Land O' Lakes Boulevard. But that does mean … [Read more...]
In Print: Something funny happening at Beef’s?
November 19, 2014 By
Football and hockey might be the first thing that comes to people's minds when they think of Beef O'Brady's. But comedy? That might be something new. Yet, the Beef's at 7040 Land O' Lakes Blvd., is welcoming comedians to the sports-themed restaurant once a month. And coming up Nov. 21 is a teacher-turned-jokester from Pinellas County, Mike Rivera. "There's nobody else who has a comedy … [Read more...]
In Print: Playoffs kick off Friday for Sunlake, Zephyrhills
November 12, 2014 By
Are you ready for the playoffs? Are the Sunlake Seahawks, or the Zephyrhills Bulldogs? Well, someone needs to be, because the state football playoffs begin Friday, with Zephyrhills on the road to the Panhandle area, while Sunlake is hosting a tough team from Ocala. "The farthest we've gotten is the second round in the playoffs," Seahawks coach Bill Browning told reporter Michael Murillo. … [Read more...]
In Print: Martial arts, grief, and a horror movie
November 5, 2014 By
Depending on your age, you have cheered either for Daniel Laruso or Dre Parker to bring home a karate championship. But that's the movies. In reality, for those living in Wesley Chapel, all eyes were on the Vo brothers — Derick, Jason and Andrew — who traveled all the way to Poland to represent the United States at the World Union of Karate-Do Federations World Karate Championship. The … [Read more...]
In Print: Growth at The Grove could get red light
October 29, 2014 By
It takes a lot to stand in the way of progress, but a popular shopping center just off Interstate 75 in Wesley Chapel may have finally found its Achilles heel: A traffic light. The Grove at Wesley Chapel has the room to grow, however new tenants are shying away from the complex because they say another traffic light is needed where Oakley Boulevard meets County Road 54. "The challenge we … [Read more...]
In Print: There’s only one way, the Keppel Way
October 22, 2014 By
Kris Keppel is the last person who feels he deserves all the accolades he's received lately. While he had to retire as both a cross-country coach and a teacher for Land O' Lakes High School earlier this year because of his battle with pancreatic cancer, Keppel still has to admit, what he's done — and always has done — is inspire. And that's what he wants to keep on doing. "It's pretty … [Read more...]
In Print: Pasco’s day without public transit
October 15, 2014 By
Unless you were heading to the post office or bank on Monday, chances are you probably didn't realize the nation celebrated Columbus Day this past week. The holiday, meant to recognize explorer Christopher Columbus and his trip to North America in the 15th century, is technically a federal holiday, but not really recognized as one that closes many businesses or schools. Except for Pasco … [Read more...]
In Print: This is not your typical Amazon summertime excursion
October 8, 2014 By
Missionary work, especially the kind that takes you around the world, is very important. And that could include all kinds of jobs — educators, builders, doctors, you name it. But what about hairstylists? Mayra Santiago helps many customers at Ulta Beauty at The Grove at Wesley Chapel. But this past summer, she traveled to Colombia, where the 43-year-old made sure the people living in the … [Read more...]
In Print: New baseball, new schools, a new rivalry?
October 1, 2014 By
On a Wiregrass Ranch site where Pasco County officials had once dreamt about a massive tennis complex, developer James Talton has put together a new dream. And with a little help from the county — about $11 million worth — he might be able to make plans for a massive baseball complex come true instead. Talton is ready to take on more than 100 acres not far from Florida Hospital Wesley Chapel to … [Read more...]
