Efforts are ongoing to keep children fed during this time of the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. As school district officials know, for many children their school meals are their only reliable source of food. So, both the Pasco and Hillsborough County school districts have set up meal distribution sites and have been providing meals to students ages 18 and under. At the … [Read more...]
Pandemic keeps students home from school
April 21, 2020 By
Florida’s elementary and secondary campuses will not reopen this school year, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis announced on April 18. Instead, students and teachers will continue with the distance learning model, which began in March. That approach began as a way to limit the potential spread of coronavirus disease-2019. (COVID-19). The national death toll for the pandemic reached 37,202 as of … [Read more...]
Pasco municipal elections postponed
April 14, 2020 By
Municipal elections in Pasco County were supposed to take place April 14, but instead are delayed indefinitely per an executive order from Gov. Ron DeSantis. The action was taken in the wake of coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19). The elections for the cities of Dade City, San Antonio and Zephyrhills will be rescheduled “as soon as is practicable,” Executive Order 20-97 states. The … [Read more...]
Pasco seeks to delay municipal elections
April 7, 2020 By
UPDATE: Postponed indefinitely per Executive Oder 20-97 from Gov. Ron DeSantis. Elections will be rescheduled “as soon as practicable." In the wake of coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19), Pasco County Supervisor of Elections Brian Corley is seeking to delay the April 14 municipal elections Dade City, Zephyrhills and San Antonio. To that end, Corley has requested Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis to … [Read more...]
State senator offers helping hand for seniors
January 15, 2020 By
When Jemith Rosa approached State Sen. Wilton Simpson seeking some assistance for a project to help senior citizens, she came away with more than she expected. Rosa went to Simpson to see if he could help her with her quest for a new, and larger senior center in Dade City. Simpson, of Trilby, responded to her request by donating 1.7 acres, behind the existing center in downtown Dade … [Read more...]
Zephyrhills presents draft budget, appropriations requests
August 21, 2019 By
The City of Zephyrhills has unveiled its proposed budget for fiscal year 2019-20 — totaling more than $67 million. The $67,043,615 draft budget is based on a tentative tax rate of 6.35 mills previously approved by the Zephyrhills City Council. The draft budget was shared during an Aug. 12 council meeting. Based on the 6.35 millage rate, the total budget for the new fiscal year will be … [Read more...]
Nikki Alvarez-Sowles named county clerk & comptroller
August 14, 2019 By
Gov. Ron DeSantis has named Nikki Alvarez-Sowles to serve as the Pasco County Clerk & Comptroller. She will serve in that role through January 2021, filling out the balance of term for the post vacated by Paula S. O’ Neil, who retired on July 1. Alvarez-Sowles is the county’s eighth clerk & comptroller. She was named an interim successor by Sixth Judicial Circuit Chief Judge … [Read more...]
Florida aims to stop motorists from texting while driving
May 8, 2019 By
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is expected to sign into law a measure that would allow tickets to be issued to motorists for texting while driving — as a primary offense. The current law considers texting while driving a secondary offense — meaning motorists can only be cited for the offense, if they are initially pulled over for another violation. The Florida House passed a bill on April 29 … [Read more...]
Danny Burgess bids farewell to House District 38
January 30, 2019 By
Gov. Ron DeSantis’ selection of Danny Burgess to serve as the state’s executive director of Florida's Department of Veterans Affairs has been confirmed, and Burgess has issued a letter of farewell to his constituents in House District 38. The letter recounts Burgess’ love for Pasco County, the wonderful memories he has and his love for serving the community. “I could not imagine a better … [Read more...]
Wilton Simpson reflects on Parkland in Dade City visit
July 25, 2018 By
More than five months removed from being one of the deadliest school shootings in U.S. history, the massacre at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland is still a considerable talking point for legislators statewide. At least that — and the state’s ensuing school safety actions — was at the forefront of discussion in State Sen. Wilton Simpson’s recent stop in Dade City. Speaking … [Read more...]
