• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • About Us
  • Videos
    • Featured Video
    • Foodie Friday
    • Monthly ReCap
  • Online E-Editions
    • This Week’s E-Editions
    • 2022
    • 2021
    • 2020
    • 2019
    • 2018
    • 2017
    • 2016
    • 2015
    • 2014
  • Social Media
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Instagram
  • Advertising
  • Local Jobs
  • Puzzles & Games
  • Circulation Request

The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

       

Click to join our weekly e-newsletter

  • 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
    • Reasons To Smile
  • 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
  • Sponsored Content
    • Closer Look
  • Homes
  • Obits
  • Public Notices

U.S. Department of Justice

Pasco County continues making progress on jail takeover

August 2, 2022 By B.C. Manion

Pasco County is continuing to make strides toward the planned transfer of county jail operations.

The Pasco County Sheriff’s Office has been in charge of the jail, but plans call for switching it over to county administration in fiscal year 2022-2023.

Toward that end, the Pasco County Commission has appointed Stacey Jenkins as chief correctional officer.

It also has provided notice to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) regarding its intent to assume operation and control of the Pasco County Jail.

The county board took those actions at its July 12 meeting, as part of the board’s consent agenda. That means the board voted on those agenda items as part of a packet of actions, without discussion, as part of a single vote.

The board notified the FDLE in a transmittal letter signed by Board Chairwoman Kathryn Starkey.

Background on the issue was detailed in the county board’s July 12 agenda packet.

According to that information, the board certified to the U.S. Department of Justice on Jan. 4, 1998 that the sheriff was the county’s chief correction officer, with full administrative control and responsibility for the county jail.

On April 6 of this year, Pasco County Sheriff Chris Nocco notified the board that he intended to transition the management of the jail to the county.

There have been discussions of an Oct. 1 transfer date, but the county and sheriff must approve the transition in an interlocal agreement.

In another action related to the jail, the board authorized the issuance of not-to-exceed $41 million in bonds to finance the expansion of the county jail and to pay the transactional costs.

Published August 03, 2022

Planning Commission appointments approved

May 4, 2021 By B.C. Manion

The Pasco County Commission has approved the reappointments of Jaime P. Girardi and Peter D. Hanzel to the Pasco County Planning Commission. Their term will end on Aug. 9, 2022.

They also have approved the appointment of Don Anderson to fill the vacancy created by the departure of former Planning Commissioner Michael Cox. The term for the seat ends on Aug. 9, 2021.

Girardi, of New Port Richey, is a civil engineer with more than 20 years of experience in that field. Since 2005, he has focused on private development, planning and design.

He has served on the Pasco County Planning Commission since 2015.

Hanzel, of Wesley Chapel, is retired from the U.S. Department of Justice.

He is a past member of the Pasco County Citizens Mobility Board, chairman of the Lexington Oaks Community Development District and a past member of the Lexington Oaks Homeowners Association board.

Anderson, the CEO of the Coalition for the Homeless of Pasco County, was among 19 applicants for the post.

Pasco County Commissioner Kathryn Starkey made a motion to appoint Anderson, which was seconded by Commissioner Christina Fitzpatrick.

In calling for Anderson’s appointment, Starkey said she thinks he “brings a really fresh perspective that’s needed to the commission.”

Zoning Administrator Denise Hernandez said the call for applicants for the volunteer post attracted considerable interest.

The pool of applicants was filled with people of varied backgrounds, including a retired employee of the Florida Department of Transportation, civil engineers, community association managers, retired Department of Justice employee, real estate investors, real estate appraisers, real estate brokers, mortgage brokers, folks that formerly served on planning and zoning commissions in other states, architects, folks that served in the public works commission in other states; one certified planner and a few contractors, Hernandez said.

That drew a reaction from Starkey, who asked if there is a way for the county can “find a way to let them have their voices heard.”

Commission Chairman Ron Oakley agreed with Starkey’s suggestion of finding other ways to encourage the applicants to be of service.

“We’re always looking for people to be involved,” Oakley said.

Hernandez said the application did inquire whether applicants would be willing to help in another capacity and many of the applicants said they would.

Published May 05, 2021

Green Dot program teaches violence prevention

May 2, 2018 By Kathy Steele

Central Pasco Huddle hosted a community discussion and learning session at the Land O’ Lakes Branch Library on violence prevention.

The huddle is a locally organized group of the Central Gulf Coast chapter of the Women’s March Florida.

Its members, who come from Wesley Chapel, Land O’ Lakes, and Lutz, meet monthly in Land O’ Lakes, said huddle member Charity Henesy-Brooks.

The goal is to find activities “to make Pasco better for people,” she said. “We’re going to do more events like this for Pasco’s women and children.”

Green Dot coordinator for Sunrise of Pasco County, Aubrey Hall, led discussion on violence prevention at Land O’ Lakes Branch Library. The workshop was sponsored by the Central Pasco Huddle of the Women’s March Florida. (Kathy Steele)

Aubrey Hall, Green Dot coordinator with Sunrise of Pasco County Inc., led the recent workshop – “Embrace Your Voice.”

Combatting violence in all its forms “is daunting,” she said. “How do we change something that is so ingrained?”

Cultural change isn’t something that happens quickly, she added.

She said, though, that she’s encouraged by the #metoo movement, which is prompting people – mostly women – to come forward to tell their stories.

Green Dot is a violence prevention program that seeks to enlist the help of bystanders — who witness violence in everyday situations.

Green Dot provides educational awareness, training and actions that can reduce sexual assault, dating/domestic violence and stalking.

Green Dot serves more than 300 colleges and universities across the country.

Sunrise at Pasco works with students at Saint Leo University.

“To stop violence, we first have to recognize what it is,” Hall said.

Examples of violence include physical, sexual, verbal, economic and psychological assaults where one person has real or perceived power over another person.

People often overlook economic issues, Hall said. But, she noted: “Economic abuse is present in 98 percent of domestic violence abuses.”

She also explained that stalking can go beyond physically shadowing another person.

“You can be stalked by someone you never see now because of social media,” Hall said. “It’s so normal to like and follow.”

Hall led the workshop participants through a series of activities to identify early, immediate and after signs of sexual assault, stalking and dating/domestic violence.

She also addressed bullying.

Participants watched videos that had no sound to help them learn how to recognize body language cues, in different scenarios, of stalking and domestic violence. The videos show bystanders reacting to each situation.

“Being able to identify behavior, that’s going to be key,” Hall said.

Working in two teams, the workshop participants came up with ways that bystanders could choose to intervene, either directly or indirectly, to stop or calm down volatile situations.

They also discussed the barriers that often prevent bystanders from becoming involved.

Sometimes those barriers are the fear of becoming a target, or of being retaliated against, or of being uncomfortable, or not knowing where to seek help.

The Green Dot program offers the “three Ds” as guidelines to follow.

Those are:

  • Direct action: Asking someone to stop his or her behavior.
  • Delegating action: Calling 911, human resources or the school’s campus police. (The key is “making sure it’s someone who can do something,” Hall said.)
  • Distraction or delay: This can be done by possibly asking a question. “Do anything that allows the tension to break,” Hall said.

The Green Dot program launched at the University of Kentucky in 2006, as a sexual assault, domestic violence and stalking prevention program. It was funded with a grant from the U.S. Department of Justice.

The program was adapted for high schools, and expanded to other colleges. A nonprofit, known as Green Dot, etc Inc., was established, and its headquarters moved from Kentucky to Washington D.C.

In 2017, it also got a new name – Alteristic.

For information, visit SunrisePasco.org/green-dot-rev.

For information on Central Pasco Huddle, email .

Published May 2, 2018

Plantation Palms golf course to reopen

May 25, 2016 By Kathy Steele

After a hiatus of more than two years, activities are expected to begin again at the Plantation Palms Golf Course.

A new owner took possession on May 16 and plans to get the golf course’s fairways and greens ready for use within a few months.

Bill Place, owner of Ace Golf Inc., bought the golf course and clubhouse for about $700,000 in a short sale approved by the U.S. Department of Justice. His general manager picked up the keys to the clubhouse at the closing, said Rob Rochlin of Dennis Realty.

Place is on vacation in Africa.

In an email sent to The Laker/Lutz News in late April, Place said he hoped to have the golf course open within four months.

Plantation Palms golf course and clubhouse, which have been closed for about two years, are expected to be reopened by Ace Golf, the new owner, in about four months. (File Photo)
Plantation Palms golf course and clubhouse, which have been closed for about two years, are expected to be reopened by Ace Golf, the new owner, in about four months.
(File Photo)

After years of neglect, the golf course needs extensive work, including restoration of the fairways and greens, Place said, in a later email on May 18.

“Grass and weeds grew up to 6 feet high!” Place said. “The greens are all dead, and most of the fairways will have to be re-grassed.”

Almost everything from the parking lot to the clubhouse has to be renewed.

“It’s been an eyesore,” said Tim Hodes, president of the Plantation Palms Homeowners Association. But, he added, “We’re embracing it and looking forward to it reopening.”

A low estimate on the cost to get the golf course ready would be about $800,000, Rochlin said.

With the rainy season around the corner, he added, “You have the window of opportunity. Now is the time to get it right.”

Place said social and golf memberships will be available, with public play during most hours.

In addition, the more than 800 Plantation Palms’ residents will support the renovations by purchasing social memberships for each of the next five years. Plans also are to add a 3,000-square-foot banquet room overlooking the golf course. It will be available for weddings, meetings and other events.

Place said he expects to open a version of Mulligan’s Irish Pub at Plantation Palms, similar to restaurants at other golf courses owned by Ace Golf.

Plantation Palms’ golf course is regarded as one of the top courses in Tampa Bay, with a 4-star rating from Golf Digest, Place said in his email.

Rochlin has been marketing the 156-acre golf course for two years. It also has a driving range, clubhouse, restaurant and bar.

MJS Golf Group bought the property in 2011 for about $2.1 million, financed by the Native American Bank of Denver. But, owners Mitchell Osceola, Jayson Ray and Steven McDonald were plagued with recurring financial losses and debts.

The course shut down briefly in 2013, then reopened briefly, only to close for good in May 2014.

Rocky Morgan of GSP Business Alliance stepped forward in 2015 to say he would buy the course. But, Rochlin said Morgan never came through with money to finance the sale.

Because the mortgage holder – Native American Bank of Denver – serves Native Americans, the short sale had to be approved by the U.S. Department of Justice.

Place has extensive experience in golf course and driving range management in the Tampa Bay area.

His company, Ace Golf, owns and operates Crescent Oaks and Wentworth golf clubs in Tarpon Springs, and Pebble Creek in New Tampa. Place also has driving ranges in Brandon and Riverview.

Plantation Palms was an attractive acquisition, Place said, because of its proximity to his other golf courses and the huge growth on State Road 54.

“I think the right guy got it,” Rochlin said.

Published May 25, 2016

Sheriff’s office to honor fallen officers

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

The public is invited to remember and honor law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty during a memorial service May 2 at 8 a.m., on the north lawn of the Historic Courthouse, 37918 Meridian Ave., in Dade City.

The memorial recognizes eight offices killed in the line of duty in Pasco County, from 1909 with Deputy Shelly Nicks, to 2011 when Hernando County Sheriff’s Office deputy John Mecklenburg was killed in Pasco while pursuing a suspect on U.S. 41.

Nicks, according to historians, was killed when he stepped in front of a bullet meant for his father, during an arrest attempt in the Fivay area. Despite the offer of a reward of $1,025 — around $25,000 today — the shooter was never apprehended.

“Once a year, we in Pasco have a formal memorial to remember those that gave their ultimate sacrifice,” Pasco County Sheriff Chris Nocco said in a release. “We should, however, every day think about those heroes and their families that have sacrificed so much to protect others.”

In previous years, multiple federal, state and local law enforcement agencies have participated in the memorial, including groups like the Dade City Police Department, the Zephyrhills Police Department, the Florida Department of Transportation, Florida Wildlife Conservation Commission and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.

Officers killed in action, according to the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office website, also include:

• Pasco Sheriff’s Lt. Charles “Bo” Harrison, 56, shot and killed while on surveillance in Lacoochee on June 1, 2003.
• Florida Highway Patrol Trooper James Bradford-Jean Crooks, 23, shot and killed while chasing a suspect who had killed two Tampa police officers on May 19, 1998.
• Pasco Sheriff’s Deputy John Herbert McCabe, 24, in a car accident on U.S. 41 in Land O’ Lakes while responding to a call about stolen grove heaters on June 26, 1948.
• Pasco Sheriff’s Deputy William Henry O’Berry, 36, shot and killed while investigating a felony where a suspect resisted arrest on Jan. 1, 1926.
• Pasco County Constable Arthur Fleece Crenshaw, 31, during an ambush after visiting an illegal alcohol distillery near Dade City on Oct. 4, 1922.
• U.S. Department of Justice Prohibition Agent John Van Waters, 46, during the same ambush with Crenshaw, on Oct. 4, 1922.

Primary Sidebar

Search

The Recap Presents…

Sponsored Content

Affordable Living At Club Wildwood

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

Older adults in central and east Pasco County are discovering the charming manufactured home community of Club Wildwood … [Read More...] about Affordable Living At Club Wildwood

Jolie Smiles Helps Patients Rediscover Their Confidence

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

Jolie Smiles, a denture and implant studio in Odessa, provides state-of-the-art dentistry and permanent solutions for … [Read More...] about Jolie Smiles Helps Patients Rediscover Their Confidence

More Posts from this Category

What’s Happening

08/08/2022 – Afterschool snacks

The Hillsborough County Public Library Cooperative will host Chef Yamira Lee Johnson on Aug. 8 at 6:30 p.m., for a demonstration on easy, healthy recipes kids and parents can make for an afterschool bite. This is an online program for all ages. Register through the calendar feature at HCPLC.org. … [Read More...] about 08/08/2022 – Afterschool snacks

08/09/2022 – Butterfly gardening

The New River Library, 34043 State Road 54 in Wesley Chapel, will host a master gardener presentation on butterfly gardening on Aug. 9 at 2 p.m. Registration is online at PascoLibraries.org. … [Read More...] about 08/09/2022 – Butterfly gardening

08/09/2022 – Coffee with a deputy

The Pasco County Sheriff’s Office will host “Coffee with PSO” on Aug. 9 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., at Wawa, 25155 Maren Way in Lutz. Deputies will be on hand to answer questions and to get to know the community. … [Read More...] about 08/09/2022 – Coffee with a deputy

08/09/2022 – Native Plant Society

The Nature Coast Chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society will meet on Aug. 9 at 7 p.m., at Land O’ Lakes Heritage Park, 5401 Land O’ Lakes Blvd. There will be showing of the 2018 American documentary, “The Serengeti Rules,” directed by Nicolas Brown and based on the book by Sean B. Carroll. The film explores the discoveries of five pioneering scientists: Bob Paine, Jim Estes, Anthony Sinclair, John Terborgh and Mary E. Power. Popcorn will be provided. For information, call 813-469-9597. … [Read More...] about 08/09/2022 – Native Plant Society

08/09/2022 – Transportation stories

The New River Library, 34043 State Road 54 in Wesley Chapel, will present story times on the topic of transportation on Aug. 9 and Aug. 10. Toddlers can attend at 10:15 a.m., and preschoolers at 11:15 a.m. The 45-minutes sessions will include songs, stories and movement. Register online at PascoLibraries.org. … [Read More...] about 08/09/2022 – Transportation stories

08/11/2022 – Food distribution

Farm Share, the Pasco Sheriff’s Office, Pasco Sheriff Charities, The Gentlemen’s Course, and the Pasco County NAACP will host a free food distribution on Aug. 11 starting at 9 a.m., at the Big Lots parking lot, 4840 Allen Road in Zephyrhills. Food will be handed out rain or shine, on a first-come, first-served drive-through basis, until the items run out. … [Read More...] about 08/11/2022 – Food distribution

More of What's Happening

Follow us on Twitter

The Laker/Lutz News Follow

Your home for weekly news that impacts your life and community. Serving Land O' Lakes, Lutz, New Tampa, Wesley Chapel, Zephyrhills and Dade City.

LakerLutzNews
lakerlutznews The Laker/Lutz News @lakerlutznews ·
8h

Happy #InternationalCatDay!

To celebrate, here's our adorable feline friends who have been featured as our Pet of the Week this year 🐱

Do you have a kitty you'd like to submit for Pet of the Week? Send a photo of them, along with a short blurb, to

3

Reply on Twitter 1556701943510228993 Retweet on Twitter 1556701943510228993 Like on Twitter 1556701943510228993 1 Twitter 1556701943510228993
Retweet on Twitter The Laker/Lutz News Retweeted
whartonbaseball Wharton Baseball @whartonbaseball ·
7 Aug

This guy right here! He keeps grinding ⚾️💙💪🏼 @DrewEhrhard @UT_Baseball @WhartonBoosters https://twitter.com/officialccbl/status/1556010951840866307

Cape League @OfficialCCBL

Drew Ehrhard (@UT_Baseball) absolutely crushes the ball to left for a Home Run!

Top of the 1st:
@CotuitKettleers - 0
@harborhawks - 3

Reply on Twitter 1556235095786373120 Retweet on Twitter 1556235095786373120 3 Like on Twitter 1556235095786373120 6 Twitter 1556235095786373120
Retweet on Twitter The Laker/Lutz News Retweeted
sandeferrussell Russell Sandefer @sandeferrussell ·
6 Aug

I am very excited to announce my commitment to Saint Leo!!

Reply on Twitter 1555777190888972288 Retweet on Twitter 1555777190888972288 11 Like on Twitter 1555777190888972288 54 Twitter 1555777190888972288
Load More

Archives

 

 

Where to pick up The Laker and Lutz News

Copyright © 2022 Community News Publications Inc.

    Doc