Florida COVID-19 cases continue to rise, with 9,478 cases recorded on July 2, according to Florida Department of Health figures. The day before, 9,529 positive cases were reported. The surge in new cases has prompted additional measures to try to limit the spread, and has prompted cancellations of more planned events. As the Fourth of July weekend approached, Gov. Ron DeSantis and Florida … [Read more...]
Parents asked to help on school reopening plan
June 30, 2020 By
As Hillsborough County Schools gears up for a new school year, district officials need guidance from parents to help them plan. Hillsborough Schools Superintendent Addison Davis has laid out three potential models the school district could follow in the fall, depending on what’s happening with COVID-19. Here is a synopsis: Model A: Model A has three options: Students can return to … [Read more...]
Pasco Tax Collector’s Office back in business
June 30, 2020 By
After closing its doors for nearly a month amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, the Pasco County Tax Collector’s five countywide branches are back open for business. And, they’ve been quite busy ever since reopening, Pasco County Tax Collector Mike Fasano said during an East Pasco Networking Group virtual meeting earlier this month. Besides handling various tax payments, Fasano said his office has … [Read more...]
Florida’s COVID-19 cases surpass 100,000
June 23, 2020 By
Florida’s positive COVID-19 cases have exceeded the 100,000 mark, according to the most recent Florida Department of Health data available on the morning of June 22. The state figures show Florida had 100,217 positive cases, including 98,047 Florida residents and 2,170 non-residents. The state’s death toll stood at 3,173, including a 17-year-old male from Pasco County, whose death was … [Read more...]
Political Agenda 06/24/2020
June 23, 2020 By
Pasco voters won’t have to pay for postage Supervisor of Elections Brian E. Corley has announced that voters who wish to vote-by-mail in the primary and general election will not have to pay postage to send in their ballot. In a news release, Corley said that the step is being taken due to the unprecedented nature of the 2020 election cycle. "Although the impact of COVID-19 on the election … [Read more...]
An invitation to join our ReaderSHIP Club
June 9, 2020 By
I am writing this column to personally invite you to join our new ReaderSHIP Club. We started this club to give us a direct line of communication with our most important customer base — local residents like you who read The Laker/Lutz News every week. We also established the club to thank you for your loyalty and patronage by sending you club goodies, shown in the above photo with our … [Read more...]
Gov. DeSantis initiates phase two of state’s reopening
June 9, 2020 By
Gov. Ron DeSantis has initiated the second phase of the state’s reopening, as residents and visitors adapt to new routines amid COVID-19. As has been recommended all along, senior citizens and individuals with significant underlying medical conditions continue to be strongly encouraged to avoid crowds and take measures to limit exposure to COVID-19 Under phase two: Groups of 50 or more … [Read more...]
Pasco municipal elections set for June 30
June 2, 2020 By
Municipal elections for the cities of Dade City and San Antonio have been rescheduled to June 30, per an executive order from Gov. Ron DeSantis. The local elections were originally supposed to be held April 14, but were delayed due to COVID-19. The announcement of the rescheduled elections came in a press release from the Pasco County Supervisor of Elections Office. Pasco County … [Read more...]
Use tax holiday to stock up on emergency items
May 26, 2020 By
The 2020 Disaster Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday was passed by the Florida Legislature and signed into law by Gov. Ron DeSantis, according to the Florida Department of Revenue’s website. This sales tax holiday begins May 29 and extends through June 4. During this sales tax holiday period, qualifying items related to disaster preparedness are exempt from sales tax. However, the sales tax … [Read more...]
Check out these reopened libraries
May 26, 2020 By
Pasco County residents once again can walk into a library and check out a book. Or, spend time on a computer doing online searches. Or, find a magazine to their liking. As of May 18, Pasco County libraries are open for business — with the exception of the Zephyrhills Branch Library, which is offering curbside service only at this time. The county’s reopened libraries do have … [Read more...]
