City of Zephyrhills

Zephyrhills airport taking off with improvements

August 2, 2022 By Mike Camunas

Zephyrhills Municipal Airport just keeps clearing projects to land.

This is leading it to become larger and more improved with each completion.

In early July, the airport finished a $5.9-million, 1,200-foot runway expansion that will allow the city to welcome larger planes, including private jets. By bringing the length of the main runaway to 6,200 feet, City of Zephyrhills Airport Manager Nathan Coleman says this expansion could lead to an industrial corridor boom around the airport, likening it to the same thing that happened to Lakeland’s airport and industrial corridor.

The Zephyrhills Municipal Airport, which the city has run since 1947, has spent more than $32 million in capital improvement projects since 2011, including the most recent: a $5.9-million runway expansion that brought the current length to 6,200 feet and which now can accommodate larger planes. (Mike Camunas)

“The city and the planners really set their sights on trying to do something similar to what Lakeland did and, hopefully, that will bring in jobs, that that market can flourish here in Zephyrhills,” Coleman said. “If we can get in businesses of that type, then the hope is they can come here, thanks to the extension.”

The runway extension now allows for larger planes to take off and land, and this includes ones such as Gulfstreams, which are a very popular brand for corporate jets. Coleman says that is a clientele the airport hopes to gain, and it’s not just in the industrial corridor. The city is taking into account all attractions and destinations that would call for a longer runway, such as the Sarah Vande Berg Tennis and Wellness Center.

“We hope tennis attracts jets, maybe if it’s a tennis player who has a private jet,” Coleman said. “We hope those (tennis) facilities bring in a player, where they can fly right in and out. That’s another example.”

These examples are set to come, as the runaway expansion project was slightly different than how most airport improvements are planned. Generally, something of this magnitude and price arise because of a need or demand, however, in this case, it’s “a little of putting the cart before the horse,” according to Zephyrhills City Manager Billy Poe.

“In a perfect world, it probably would have been a little different,” Poe added. “We built (the expansion), so it’s something we’ll promote and also create the reason for the jets to come to Zephyrhills. What’s the reason? Let’s figure out how to attract those types of travelers because we’ve got things like tennis, Saddlebrook (Resort) nearby — we just have to give them a reason for corporate business to come to Zephyrhills and Dade City.”

The airport, which the city has run since 1947, is not done improving. Since 2011 and in the eight years Coleman has been manager, the airport has pumped in $32 million into projects, improvements and additions. He adds there are still five ongoing projects, as well.

In addition, the state just gave the city $12 million in allocations as part of the 2022-2023 Florida state budget, signed into law by Gov. Ron DeSantis on June 2. Of that, $6.6 million is going to more airport additions.

Those funds will be used to design and construct a new Fixed Based Operator (FBO) Terminal Building, Taxiway F and two new box hangars. Future development of the airport and the adjacent Industrial Park is expected to attract new corporate and recreational aircraft operations, including increased jet traffic. When this happens, new jobs are expected from the increased capacity for aviation businesses, including pilot lessons, new hangar construction, mechanical businesses and corporate relocations, and from maintenance, repair and overhaul businesses.

This project is slated to start within the next month or so, plus there will need to finish up the $3.6-million project that will create a parking area to accommodate the new runway extension.

“We’re positioned to be an airport ready to take on the next big wave of progressive air nautical users,” Coleman said.

As of now, the airport, which sees about 45,000 to 50,000 operations yearly, mostly is general aviation and flight training. Several of these operations are tallied by SkyDive City, when it takes up divers on a daily basis.

Now, as Zephyrhills looks to the future and how it plans to keep building the largest municipality in Pasco County, it will continue to take its airport, and potential arrivals and departures, seriously.

“The real question we have to ask,” Coleman said, “is ‘Why are planes coming to the airport?’ And, look, it’s not because of runways or parking or terminals or anything at the airport, really. It’s about the destination, and now we have to make Zephyrhills a destination that warrants an airport of our size.”

Published August 03, 2022

What a community wants

July 12, 2022 By Mike Camunas

The City of Zephyrhills is looking at the future by turning toward the past.

The largest town in Pasco County — with a population of nearly 18,000 — is working on a major update to its Comprehensive Plan through 2035, and is asking for suggestions and feedback from new arrivals and long-time residents.

During this process, the city and its planners will collect ideas from residents, business owners, workers and community stakeholders to help create a citywide vision for 2035.

The city typically updates its plan every 10 years, but given the population boom, Zephyrhills opted to plan for the next 12 years.

The population has more than doubled since 1990, from 8,200 to more than 17,200. It is expected to reach nearly 23,000 by 2035.

The planning project is being called PlanZepyrhills2035.

“(The Comprehensive Plan) sets the tone, the goals, the objectives and policies for basically all of the rest of the city,” said Audrey McGuire, Zephyrhills’ historic preservation specialist and community planner. “That’s because a comprehensive plan impacts land use and development and infrastructure, as well.”

The comprehensive plan is a document that spans a long period of time. It aims to protect valued places and promote economic prosperity.

It is carried out over time through city zoning, land development regulations and infrastructure budgeting.

The city wants to engage its residents and stakeholders in shaping the plan’s direction.

“It’s very important because it gives us an idea of what the community wants and how they want Zephyrhills to grow,” McGuire said. “Because it’s not just what we want as planners. It’s what (the citizens) see that can be issues or needs or things that are great in the community they want to preserve.”

The city has already reached out to the townspeople in the form of three Community Conversation Meetings. At those, McGuire and a representative from Brana Consulting — a firm helping the city organize the plan and its publications — took extensive notes from those who attended.

The city also has posted a three-question survey online that citizens have the rest of the year to complete. The survey seeks to help answer two central questions: “What does our community’s best future look like?” and “How will we achieve that vision of the future?“

“We are planning additional workshops later this year — with public works and the City Council, are a couple — so there will be several more community meetings (about the plan) coming up,” McGuire added.

The Clock Plaza is located on Main Street, in the heart of Historic Downtown Zephyrhills, and the centerpiece to nearby local shops and businesses. (Mike Camunas)

At the second Community Conversation on June 25, several citizens expressed their “concern” that no matter how the comprehensive plan develops, they want Zephyrhills to “maintain” and “protect the small-town feel.”

“That’s the biggest thing we keep hearing,” McGuire said. “That, and improving our parks.”

City Manager Billy Poe has already addressed Hercules Park, which the city took over in 2018.

A renovation plan has been drawn up and city officials announced on June 11 that a construction contract has been awarded to Tampa-based Wharton-Smith Construction Group.

The estimated cost of the project is $4.2 million and includes amenities such as a BMX track, a frisbee disc golf course, a nearly 1-acre open playfield, and a 1.42-acre playground and picnic/shelter area.

“I think keeping that small-town feel is very important because we shouldn’t be extending into Wesley Chapel or vice versa,” Zephyrhills resident Christa Remington told city officials at the June 25 meeting. “It would be nice if there were more walking or biking destinations in town, and more places to go out to — parks and programs, places for kids to play.”

Another item that came up involves a desire to revitalize the historic Zephyrhills Home Theater on Main Street.

The City Council, however, voted on Oct. 25 to deny an appraisal of the downtown building.

Another suggestion by citizens involves the desire for a Zephyrhills community pool.

“This is the first time we heard (a request for a community pool) specifically at these meetings, but not the first time we’ve heard it from the community,” McGuire said.

Ironically, Zephyrhills did have a pool in the city limits: Hercules Aquatic Center. However, that was operated by Pasco County and was closed in 2009, due to budget constraints.

Despite several attempts to keep it open, it was shuttered for good and fell into disrepair.

The former aquatic center site is now owned by the city and is part of the Hercules Park renovation project.

Still, in light of additions to the city in recent years, such as the Sarah Vande Berg Tennis Center, citizens would like a place to cool off.

“This is Zephyrhills, the ‘City of Pure Water.’ Right?” longtime Zephyrhills resident Tim Allen asked at the June 25 community meeting. “How do we not have a community pool?”

To complete the PlanZephyrhills2035 Comprehensive Plan Survey, visit Plan2035.zhills.city.

Published July 13, 2022

More than $12 million in state funding coming to Zephyrhills

June 21, 2022 By Mike Camunas

The City of Zephyrhills has announced it will receive slightly more than $12 million for three local infrastructure-related projects.

The state allocations were approved as part of the 2022-2023 Florida state budget, signed into law by Gov. Ron DeSantis on June 2.

The City of Zephyrhills has announced it will receive slightly more than $12 million in state funding for local projects. (Mike Camunas)

The funds will be used on work at Zephyrhills Municipal Airport, road projects and sewer and water main improvements.

“Receiving these appropriations helps to improve the infrastructure throughout the City of Zephyrhills in a multi-faceted approach,” Billy Poe, city manager for the City of Zephyrhills, said in a news release.

Poe also expressed his appreciation to Florida Senate President Wilton Simpson, Sen. Danny Burgess, and Rep. Randy Maggard for their support of the Zephyrhills community.

Poe also thanked Gov. Ron DeSantis for “seeing the value in these infrastructural improvements in the City of Zephyrhills.”

Here are the specifics:

Municipal Airport improvements: $6.6 million
Several projects are already underway at the airport, including a runway extension that is expected to be completed soon. The additional funds will be used to design and construct a new Fixed Based Operator (FBO) Terminal Building, Taxiway F and two new box hangars. Future development of the airport and the adjacent Industrial Park is expected to attract new corporate and recreational aircraft operations, including increased jet traffic. When this happens, new jobs are expected from the increased capacity for aviation businesses, including pilot lessons, new hangar construction, mechanical businesses and corporate relocations and from maintenance, repair and overhaul businesses.

Kossik Road and Fort King Road Sewer Main/Water Main Extension: $3.5 million
This is the second part of a three-phase project to improve utility access in the north end of the city. When completed, the overall improvement will create a looped system, allowing for redundancy, as well as improving fire flow and water quality.

The sewer part of the project will allow decommissioning of up to 400 existing septic systems and prevent nearly 2000 new onsite sewage treatment and disposal systems. It also will provide reclaimed water to benefit the Hillsborough River Basin minimum flow levels.

South Avenue Extension – National Guard Entrance Road: $1.94 million
This funding is intended to provide to access a new Florida National Guard facility that is planned for Zephyrhills. In 2021, a $25 million appropriation was approved to to construct a new facility in Zephyrhills. The Guard selected a location just north of Sixth Avenue and South Avenue and the airport. However, the proposed site does not have improved access from Sixth Avenue. The extension project consists of purchasing the right-of-way, a quarter-mile roadway to access the Guard site, stormwater and extension of 1,300 linear feet of water main and sewer main to service the site from the Sixth/South Avenue intersection. The industrial access road is a critical segment to access both the armory and future industrial development.

Poe said these funds couldn’t come at a better time, especially as the city has numerous projects already in the works or on the books.

“With the growth we’re experiencing (in Zephyrhills) — not just residential, but commercial and citywide,” Poe said, “that comes with improving the water and the sewers and the streets and even the airport. These are all much-needed improvements.”

Published June 22, 2022

Pasco scores wins and losses, in this year’s state budget process

June 14, 2022 By B.C. Manion

When it comes to state funding for projects, Pasco had some wins and losses, during the last session of the Florida Legislature.

Ralph Lair, Pasco County’s intergovernmental officer and members of Sunrise Consulting Group, the county’s Tallahassee lobbying team, briefed the Pasco County Commission on some of the highlights during the board’s June 7 meeting.

One of Pasco County’s budget priorities that made it into the budget, but was axed by Gov. Ron DeSantis’ veto pen, called for $14 million for the second phase of the Ridge Road Extension.

The governor also slashed a request by Moffitt Cancer Center for a $20 a million a year, which would have been recurring for 30 years, Lair said.

That would have paid out $600 million over time, which Moffitt was going to use to build its hospital, Lair said.

On the plus side, DeSantis retained $106 million in funding intended for infrastructure related to the Moffitt project, Lair noted.

Shawn Foster, of the Sunrise team, added: “I know some of you had some major concerns.”

But he reminded board members that Moffitt got $23 million a year last year, though an increase in the sales tax for cigarettes.

Lair said DeSantis also vetoed $35 million intended for a a sports complex and about $5 million for an intersection project near the Florida Pioneer Museum & Village.

He also noted the veto of a $7.1 million request by Pasco Schools for a partnership school with Moffitt Cancer.

“The Sheriff’s Office had two projects. One of their items was vetoed for their office community outreach and engagement initiative for $150,000; but they did receive $3.2 million for a center for recovery for endangered and missing persons,” Lair added.

Pasco County did receive $2 million for Green Key drainage improvements and $5.9 million for right-of-way improvements relating to Lacoochee industrial development.

The Pasco County Fair Association got $2.5 million to do a barn replacement and the Pasco County Housing Authority received $700,000 for a 77-unit affordable housing for veterans, Lair added.

On the municipal front, Dade City received $9 million for the extension of Morningside Drive and a $4.2 million appropriation for a five-point intersection roundabout, which will be over on Meridian/St. Joe Road/State Road 52.

Commissioner Ron Oakley noted that the roundabout project was scheduled for two years from now, but the funding was brought forward so it can happen now.

A big-ticket item for Dade City, however, fell victim to DeSantis’ veto pen: A $39.7 million project to do a replacement of the city’s wastewater treatment plant and a relocation was struck from the budget.

The City of San Antonio received state funding for two projects: $600,000 for a stormwater management project and $900,000 for a sewer extension project.

The city’s request for $500,000 to harden its historic fire station was vetoed.

“The City of Zephyrhills was our big winner in our community,” Lair said. The projects involved a sewer and water main extension; airport improvements; and, a street extension into the planned National Guard Armory.

Lair also noted that Saint Leo University received $15 million for a multipurpose arena complex, but also had two items vetoed.

Gov. Ron DeSantis Veto Items
Before signing the state’s budget, Gov. Ron DeSantis vetoed 443 items, totaling $3.1 billion. Here’s a look at some of the local items rejected by the governor:

Ridge Road Extension Phase 2B: $14 million
Sports Training and Youth Tournament Complex: $35 million
Moffitt Pasco County Life Sciences Park: $20 million per year for 30 years
Pasco-Hernando State College, remodel buildings A through E and Chiller Plant, west: $22.5 million
University of South Florida, Environmental & Oceanographic Sciences, Research & Teaching Facility, $75 million
Saint Leo University Organic Farm (The Farm) Initiative. $311,000
Two Saint Leo University programs relating to its Robotics Engineering Degree and Microcredentials Program: $1.2 million
Bills relating to Academy at the Farm: $11.8 million
Bills relating to Moffitt Cancer Center Partnership School: $7.1 million
Tampa Bay Thrives: Behavioral Health Navigation and Support Line: $300,000
Pasco County Sheriff’s Office Community Outreach and Engagement Initiative: $150,000
Bills relating to Pioneer Florida Museum: $5.3 million
Bills relating to Tampa Bay Area Regional Transit Authority: $1.4 million
San Antonio City Hall & Fire Station Hardening: $60,000
Pasco County Cultural Arts: $2 million

Source: 2022 veto list of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis

Published June 15, 2022

Chalk Talk 05/25/2022

May 24, 2022 By Mary Rathman

Kylie Culver, Saint Leo University Class of 2022 valedictorian, addresses graduating students on May 14. (Courtesy of Saint Leo University)

Saint Leo awards degrees
More than 1,200 students earned degrees from Saint Leo University, during two commencement ceremonies on May 14, according to a news release. Doctoral, master, bachelor and associate degrees were awarded.

Kylie Culver, of Tampa, served as valedictorian of the Class of 2022. In her commencement address, Culver noted how the graduates successfully completed their degree programs through a global health crisis.

“The Class of 2022 has been through a lot,” said Culver in the release.

“Not only did we have the regular challenges that come with being college students – making sure we got good grades, making friends, managing our time, and social lives, but we also have the additional challenge of living through a pandemic,” noted Culver.

Salutatorian for the class was David Pacheco, of Brentwood, New York.

Free summer program
The City of Zephyrhills will present the 2022 Free Summer Recreation Program from May 31 to July 7, Mondays through Thursdays, from 8 a.m. to noon, at Stewart Middle School, 38505 10th Ave., in Zephyrhills.

The program is limited to 120 students who have completed any grade in kindergarten through fifth grade, in 2021-2022.

For information and to register, visit www.ci.zephyrhills.fl.us/225/Summer-Recreation-Information.

Student achievements

Omicron Delta Kappa, the National Leadership Honor Society, welcomed new initiates from 78 universities. These local students were inducted: Jenna Boudrea (Lutz), University of South Florida; Madelynne Eash (Odessa), Jacksonville University; Hannah Everich (Lutz), University of South Florida; Dylan Gellett (Lutz), University of South Florida; Andrew Nissensohn (Lutz), Washington and Lee University, Lexington, Virginia; and Zachary Rashas (Lutz), University of South Florida.
Andrea Denton, of Wesley Chapel, was recognized to the President’s List at Midwestern State University, Wichita Falls, Texas.
Timothy Elko, of Lutz, earned a Master of Science from the University of Mississippi Graduate School. Elko majored in sports analytics.
Belmont University, Nashville, Tennessee, has recognized Danielle Frances and Jenna Freligh, both of Lutz, to the Dean’s List.
Wolfang Louk, of Lutz, and Faith Quinn and Grace Quinn, of Wesley Chapel, were named to the Dean’s List at Benedictine College, Atchison, Kansas.
Southern New Hampshire University named these local students to its President’s List: Jennifer Nalley, Odessa; Masum Rahman, Odessa; and Allie Ungerecht, Lutz.
Madison Nichols, of Odessa, earned a bachelor degree in psychology, at Nazareth College, Rochester, New York
Sean Saccomanno, of Land O’ Lakes, was recognized to the Dean’s List at St. Norbert College in De Pere, Wisconsin.

Kids Tag Art fundraiser
Hillsborough County Tax Collector Nancy Millan presented the results of its first ever Kids Tag Art Program to the Hillsborough County School Board. The inaugural event raised $33,769, and will provide $1,200 for art supplies and materials to each participating eleentary school, according to a news release.

The Kids Art Program is a creative fundraiser that gives Title I, fifth-grade elementary school students the opportunity to showcase their artistic abilities by designing front license vanity plates in art class.

The plate designs are printed on metal plates, and then sold to family, friends and to the public.

Proceeds from the plate sales and sponsorships go back to the participating schools, to help support their arts program.

Humanitarian Awards
High school students throughout Pasco County recently were honored during the Florida Holocaust Museum’s 2022 Anne Frank Humanitarian Award event.

The award recognizes the outstanding humanitarian actions of high school juniors who have worked to better the lives of others at their schools and in their communities.

“These students are already leaders, being honored for their acts of kindness and for making a difference in our community,” said Superintendent Kurt Browning in a news release.

The winners in The Laker/Lutz News coverage area, are: McKenna Yingling, Cypress Creek High School; Aross Adhikary, Land O’ Lakes High; Johana Morales, Pasco High; Benjamin Borton, Sunlake High; Angelica Chirino, Wesley Chapel High; Kate Niehoff, Wiregrass Ranch High; and Jamarius Giles, Zephyrhills High.

Fee adjustment meeting
Pasco-Hernando State College’s (PHSC) District Board of Trustees (DBOT) will consider approving proposed adjusted course-related fees at its board meeting on June 21 at 6 p.m., at the North Campus.

Fee adjustment proposals are reviewed and approved for DBOT consideration by PHSC’s Council of Academic Affairs, a committee that includes representation by administrators, deans, academic department chairs, program directors, faculty and staff.

Many fee adjustments relate to vendor increases for workforce courses, laboratories, and program testing. Some fees may be covered by financial aid, scholarships and grants.

For details regarding proposed fee adjustments, justification for the fees and fee implementation details, visit Policies.phsc.edu, and click on Policies and Procedures, Public Disclosures.

Planet Fitness offers pass
Planet Fitness is offering a High School Summer Pass program through Aug. 31, for all high-schoolers ages 14 to 19.

Students will be able to work out at no cost, at any Planet Fitness location.

The fitness center aims to help teenagers stay physically and mentally fit over the summer, by providing a way to exercise for free while school is out.

The program, which used to be called the Teen Summer Challenge, first launched in 2019, and more than 900,000 teens signed up.

To encourage teens to take advantage of the program, all participants automatically will be entered into a sweepstakes awarding one person, in each state, with a $500 scholarship.

Additionally, one grand prize of a $5,000 scholarship will be awarded at the end of the summer.

The scholarships can be used for academic or athletic activities, or other programs.

Teens can preregister for the program online at PlanetFitness.com/summerpass.

Chalk Talk 05/18/2022

May 17, 2022 By Mary Rathman

From left: Sophie Biddle, Laney Stoss-Cordeiro, Michael McKnight, Michaela Cordeiro and Lex Cordeiro attend the Tampa Bay Homeschool Inclusive Prom. (Courtesy of Denise Mestanza-Taylor)

Inclusive prom fills a need for many
A group of local homeschooling parents banded together to create Tampa Bay’s Homeschool Inclusive Prom, the first of its kind in the area that welcomed LGBTQ+ teens and allies, according to a news release.

Denise Mestanza-Taylor, founder of the prom, saw a need and wanted to make a change.

“As a homeschooling parent of an LGBTQIA+ teen, I wanted to create a safe, welcoming, and affirming space for all teens to formally dress as they identify. Through word of mouth, other homeschool parents stepped up to build something beautiful for our teens,” Mestanza-Taylor said in the release.

Local businesses donated services, too, including event space provided by Metro Inclusive Health; music and entertainment provided by the Rose Dynasty Foundation; and photography by Elizabeth Dugan Creative.

About 100 area homeschool students attended the “Starry Night” prom.

A group of students from Learning Gate Community School took a field trip to Lake Park to help bluebirds. (Courtesy of Joni Hartzler)

Young birders learn about bluebirds
Students from Learning Gate Community School in Lutz recently took a field trip to Lake Park and met with bluebird handlers and monitors, Joni Hatzler and Gary Krotz of Tampa Audubon.

Led by teacher Jim McGinity, students were able to help with the bluebirds’ nesting habits and install a new nest box, adding to the 25 boxes that currently are maintained and monitored at the park.

They also helped by prepping the inside of the new box, installing a predator guard, and securing the box at the needed height and location on a pole.

Tampa Audubon is an active chapter whose mission is to conserve and restore ecosystems, focusing on birds, wildlife and their habitats through education, advocacy and community involvement.

To learn more about Tampa Audubon, visit TampaAudubon.org.

Open house
Fundamental Minds Education Services, 26809 Tanic Drive, Suite 102, in Wesley Chapel, will host an open house on May 21 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Academic services are offered for kindergarten through 12th-grade students, including tutoring, test preparation, foreign languages (Spanish, French and Chinese), life skills, and elective classes (art, coding/computer science, STEM, and more).

Classes are taught by a certified teacher in a private or small group setting of up to eight students, both in person and virtually.

Summer classes include Academic Preview/Review; Coding; Financial Literacy; Arts & Crafts; and Spanish.

For information, visit FundamentalsMinds.com, or call 813-618-3559.

Parent forum
Lift Up Pasco!, Pasco Advocates PTSA, and Gary Cucchi LLC Florida Educators Insurance will sponsor “Lift Up Pasco! Parents Speak Up” on May 23 at 7 p.m., via Zoom.

The forum will provide information and answers to parents’ questions about the school board’s Aug. 23 ballot referendum, according to a news release.

The referendum, which was approved May 3 by the Pasco County School Board, asks voters to allow the board to increase property tax millage by up to one mill with proceeds going exclusively to increase non-administrative employee pay. It would be effective July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2027, unless extended by voters, and the school district would be required to report annually to the public on its expenditures, the release said.

Representatives from Lift Up Pasco!, the political action committee led by school district retirees and established to educate the public about the referendum, and school district experts will present details of the proposal and take questions submitted to the moderator.

Participants need to complete the Pasco Advocates PTSA Google form, at tinyurl.com/yckpcrec, to be admitted into the meeting.

Transfer student info
Saint Leo University welcomes prospective transfer students who recently received their associate degrees from Pasco-Hernando State College.

Saint Leo’s East Pasco Education Center will host a virtual Transfer Student Information Session on May 26 at 6 p.m., for those interested in pursuing a bachelor degree.

Registration is online at tinyurl.com/4hvwwe9w.

For information, contact Matthew Lenihan, center director, at or 352-588-7451.

The program is limited to 120 students who have completed any grade in kindergarten through fifth grade, in 2021-2022.

For information and to register, visit www.ci.zephyrhills.fl.us/225/Summer-Recreation-Information.

Degree awarded
Kaylyn Burr, of Lutz, received a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Minnesota State University-Mankato. Burr graduated summa cum laude.

Planet Fitness offers pass
Planet Fitness is offering a High School Summer Pass program through Aug. 31, for all high-schoolers ages 14 to 19.

Students will be able to work out at no cost, at any Planet Fitness location.

The fitness center aims to help teenagers stay physically and mentally fit over the summer, by providing a way to exercise for free while school is out.

The program, which used to be called the Teen Summer Challenge, first launched in 2019, and more than 900,000 teens signed up.

To encourage teens to take advantage of the program, all participants automatically will be entered into a sweepstakes awarding one person, in each state, with a $500 scholarship.

Additionally, one grand prize of a $5,000 scholarship will be awarded at the end of the summer.

The scholarships can be used for academic or athletic activities, or other programs.

Teens can preregister for the program online at PlanetFitness.com/summerpass.

Chalk Talk 05/11/2022

May 10, 2022 By Mary Rathman

Showering teachers with tokens of appreciation
The GFWC Lutz-Land O’ Lakes Woman’s Club has always prioritized education, and supports the local teachers and schools often. Club member Sabrina Scott, center, recently visited the Lutz K-8 School to deliver snacks and treats to PTA representatives, which were distributed to the teachers as small tokens of the club’s gratitude and in commemoration of Teacher Appreciation Week. Similar gifts of appreciation were delivered to the teachers at Connerton Elementary and Miles Elementary, as well. The woman’s club has supported these three schools for many years.

Eighth USF president named
Florida’s Board of Governors has confirmed Rhea Law as the University of South Florida’s (USF) eighth president. Law spent the past eight months serving as interim president, and is the first USF alum to fill the role, according to a University News post.

“Under her leadership, the university recently experienced the most transformational legislative session in USF history, with record-setting investments in operations on all three USF campuses. She also led the effort to complete USF’s new five-year strategic plan, created a collaborative working group to develop a more transparent budget model and has fostered greater communication and collaboration across campuses,” the post said.

Law also is a founding member of the Board of Directors of the USF Law Alumni Society, served as a member of the USF Research Foundation Board, and was named a 2018 Distinguished Alumna by the USF Alumni Association.

Planet Fitness offers pass
Planet Fitness will offer a High School Summer Pass program from May 16 through Aug. 31, for all high-schoolers ages 14 to 19.

Students will be able to work out at no cost, at any Planet Fitness location.

The fitness center aims to help teenagers stay physically and mentally fit over the summer, by providing a way to exercise for free while school is out.

The program, which used to be called the Teen Summer Challenge, first launched in 2019, and more than 900,000 teens signed up.

To encourage teens to take advantage of the program, all participants automatically will be entered into a sweepstakes awarding one person, in each state, with a $500 scholarship.

Additionally, one grand prize of a $5,000 scholarship will be awarded at the end of the summer.

The scholarships can be used for academic or athletic activities, or other programs.

Teens can preregister for the program online at PlanetFitness.com/summerpass.

Ukulele for home-schoolers
The Starkey Ranch Theatre Library Cultural Center, 12118 Lake Blanche Drive in Odessa, will host a Ukulele Basics class for home-schoolers on May 17 from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Participants can learn the basics during this hands-on workshop, presented by Candy Otte of the Tampa Bay Ukulele Society.

Ukuleles will be provided, but home-schoolers can reserve a ukulele to play at home later.

Masks are recommended, but not required.

Registration is a must, online at PascoLibraries.org.

College prep seminar
The Starkey Ranch Theatre Library Cultural Center, 12118 Lake Blanche Drive in Odessa, will present “Preparing for College: Academically, Socially and Financially,” on May 17 at 4:30 p.m.

High school and middle school students and families can attend, to learn about the importance of preparing early for college. Topics also will include how to gain acceptance and how to fund the college of your choice.

Registration is online at PascoLibraries.org.

The program is limited to 120 students who have completed any grade in kindergarten through fifth grade, in 2021-2022.

For information and to register, visit www.ci.zephyrhills.fl.us/225/Summer-Recreation-Information.

Citizens of the Month
The Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce has named 13 students as Citizens of the Month, for March and April.

Students are chosen by the teachers and administrators of their individual schools for exemplary effort, achievement and contribution to their school, family and community.

These students received recognition: Ivani Sharrock and Nicholas Dester, Academy of Spectrum Diversity; Jordan Reed, The Broach School; Parker Dixon and James Spivey, Chester Taylor Elementary; Evelean Grantham and Lazaro Martin, Heritage Academy; Gissel Garcia-Romero and Lacy Ferris, West Zephyrhills Elementary; Mackenzie Gavin and Nathaniel Fuller, Woodland Elementary; and Annalyse Guash and Brooke Lea, Zephyrhills High.

Student inductions
Rebecca Moore, of Odessa, and Alex Kiester, of Lutz, have been inducted into The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi at Florida Southern College.

Saint Leo awards degrees
Saint Leo University will host a doctoral hooding ceremony on May 13, for more than 40 students receiving degrees in business administration, criminal justice, and education.

Two in-person commencement ceremonies will take place on May 14, at which time degrees (doctoral, master, bachelor and associate) will be awarded to more than 1,200 students.

Kylie Culver will be honored as the Class of 2022 valedictorian, and will deliver the official “farewell.” Culver will graduate summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts in history, and minors in Spanish and world politics.

The salutatorian is David Pacheco, who will graduate summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in computer science, information assurance.

For details on the times and ceremony locations on campus, visit SaintLeo.edu.

To access a livestream, visit the school’s website, where a link will be posted the day of.

Best high schools ranked
U.S. News & World Report has named the best high schools in the Tampa area, as well as national rankings, according to its website, USnews.com.

The top 10 high schools were ranked as follows:

Plant High, No. 1 in Tampa; No. 632 in National Rankings
Steinbrenner High, No. 2 Tampa; No. 742 National
Brooks DeBartolo Collegiate High, No. 3 Tampa; No. 790 National
Newsome High, No. 4 Tampa; No. 903 National
Palm Harbor University High, No. 5 Tampa; No. 985 National
Osceola Fundamental High, No. 6 Tampa; No. 1,326 National
Robinson High, No. 7 Tampa; No. 1,351 National
St. Petersburg Collegiate High, No. 8 Tampa; No. 1,354 National
Sickles High, No. 9 Tampa; No. 1,367 National
Land O’ Lakes High, No. 10 Tampa; No. 1,380 National

Other area school rankings in Tampa included Wiregrass Ranch High, No. 12; Mitchell High, No. 14; and Sunlake High, No. 15.

Hillsborough Virtual School came in at No. 19 in the Tampa area.

Name that mural

April 26, 2022 By Special to The Laker/Lutz News

Main Street Zephyrhills and the City of Zephyrhills are seeking help to name the mural shown here.

(Courtesy of Main Street Zephyrhills)Main

The mural is part of the “Elements on 5th” public art series.

It’s in Transplant Park, a park that covers 0.2-acres, at Fifth Avenue and 12th Street.

The mural was inspired by a water drop landing in water.

It was designed by Main Street board member Christine Bennett.

Volunteers from the Design Committee chalked the outline and painted the mural earlier this year.

This is one of five murals located around town as part of the transformation strategy to revitalize and strengthen downtown Zephyrhills, through four aspects: Economic Vitality, Design, Organization and Promotion.

To learn more about the murals, log onto MainStreetZephyrhills.org/murals.

To submit your name suggestion for the new mural, visit log onto Form.jotform.com/220933714975059.

Published April 27, 2022

A spring cleaning was in order

April 19, 2022 By Mary Rathman

Keep Pasco Beautiful once again encouraged volunteers to scour 43 locations in Pasco County for debris pickup, during its annual 2022 Great American Cleanup.

More than 750 volunteers logged 2,244 hours to help to clear public spaces, roadsides and waterways in Dade City, Holiday, Hudson, New Port Richey, Port Richey and Wesley Chapel.

Zephyrhills Public Works’ employees were on hand to assist with cleanup and drop-offs during the city’s annual Neighborhood Clean-Up. (Courtesy of City of Zephyrhills Public Information Office)

The effort yielded 45,300 pounds of collected trash throughout Pasco County.

For information on how to reduce litter, promote waste reduction and encourage beautification, call 727-834-3611, ext. 1072, or email Keep Pasco Beautiful coordinator Kristen King at .

The City of Zephyrhills also hosted its seasonal “Neighborhood Clean-Up,” targeting Gall Boulevard to 12th Street and 12th Avenue to Fifth Avenue.

Fifteen Zephyrhills Public Works employees were on hand to assist with check-ins and roving cleanup in alleyways, and to facilitate the drop-off site at Zephyrhills City Hall, according to a news release.

Numerous items were disposed of, including tires, electronics, appliances, yard debris, mattresses and more.

Collection totals in Zephyrhills were: 150 cubic yards of mixed-debris; four appliances; seven TVs/electronics; 35 tires; and 17 drive-up drop-offs.

The idea of the city’s clean-up program is to help alleviate various Code Enforcement issues in certain areas, and the municipality at-large.

Published April 20, 2022

Zephyrhills Skatepark comes alive during ‘Grind for Life’

April 5, 2022 By Special to The Laker/Lutz News

Competitors came from as close as a neighborhood nearby to as far away as Hawaii — and from a wide array of places in between — for the Grind for Life Series, a national competition hosted on March 19 at the Zephyrhills Skatepark, 39096 Alston Ave.

Thirteen-year-old Zion Effs makes a jump, as he prepares for the Grind for Life skateboard series on March 19, at the Zephyrhills Skatepark. Effs traveled from Miami to test his skills. The event featured 156 competitors, in various divisions and age classes, demonstrating their abilities in the daylong event. (Fred Bellet)

There were 156 competitors, of all ages and skill levels, including 20 first-time skaters and 17 women, according to statistics provided by the City of Zephyrhills.

Contestants included 10-year-old Samantha Livaditis, of Chicago, who dazzled the judges with a ‘front side air trick.’ She traveled to the competition with her dad, Steve Livaditis.

Twenty-year-old Jesse Yates didn’t travel far at all. He lives in Zephyrhills and was the only Pasco County resident to compete in the tournament.

Anthony Ferraro, of Spring Lake, New Jersey, is a relative newcomer to skateboarding — starting just two years ago. Blind since birth, Ferraro and other competitors with disabilities approach the sport differently. Before the competition began, he and other competitors with sight disabilities familiarized themselves with the placement of jumps, ramps, walls and rails, and distance. Ferraro took fourth place in the men’s adaptive division.

He showed off his skills in a street division jump, flipping his skateboard beneath his feet.

He said he took up the pursuit when the Zephyrhills Skatepark was completed in 2015.

Anthony Ferraro of Spring Lake, New Jersey, competed, too.

He’s a relative newcomer to skateboarding, starting just two years ago.

Blind since birth, Ferraro and other competitors with disabilities approach the sport differently.

Prior to the competition’s start, he and other competitors with sight disabilities familiarized themselves with the placement of jumps, ramps, walls and rails, and distance.

Ferraro placed fourth in the men’s adaptive division.

The Grind for Life Series benefits the Grind for Life organization, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that assists cancer patients with travel expenses, according to a news release from the City of Zephyrhills.

The skateboarding competition was founded in 2003, by lifelong skateboarder Mike Rogers, after his second battle with sarcoma cancer. He beat cancer once as a preteen, and again 25 years later. Rogers beat the odds and is a competitive skateboarder again.

The City of Zephyrhills has been a host for a Grind for Life Series leg for several years, with the city’s public works crew members providing cleanup assistance during the course of the event.

The competition includes a men’s and women’s bowl, and street division, as well as an adaptive skateboarding division, for athletes with disabilities.

Registration was $35.

Published April 06, 2022