Pasco to enforce permitting for hurricane damage in flood zones
NEW PORT RICHEY – A final notice is being mailed to Pasco property owners in special flood hazard areas who sustained damage from Hurricanes Helene or Milton and have not applied for permits.
Federal, state and local regulations require building permits for hurricane damage in floodplains.
Pasco County will begin enforcing these regulations April 14. Failure to comply with these rules, including pulling a permit to repair hurricane-damaged structures, could result in citations and fines of up to $500 per day.
The official notice includes a list of steps to meet permitting requirements.
Pasco County has professionals that can help navigate the permitting process. Visit the Substantial Damage Center from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays and 8 a.m. to noon Saturdays at the West Pasco Government Center, 8731 Citizens Drive, Suite 360.
On the web: mypas.co/Damage
Animal services hosting Shelter Slumber Pawty
LAND O’ LAKES – Pasco County Animal Services invites the community to spend the night with its animals during its second Shelter Slumber Pawty.
Adults can experience behind-the-scenes operations and engaging activities – side-by-side with shelter pets – to raise donations for Friends of Animal Services.
“The first ‘Shelter Slumber Pawty’ happened in 2017 in St. Louis, and we’re proud to join more than 160 shelters to offer this unique experience this year,” Director Mike Shumate said. “The money raised will help purchase a mobile adoption vehicle, offering more accessible offsite adoption events, pop-up clinics and food drives to our community.”
The event takes place from 6 p.m. April 5 to 7:30 a.m. April 6 at 19640 Dogpatch Lane, Land O’ Lakes. Email animalservices@mypasco.net to reserve a spot today.
On the web: mypas.co/2025SlumberPawty.
Pet Resource Center dealing with canine pneumovirus
TAMPA – The Hillsborough County Pet Resource Center will temporarily stop taking in most dogs as it deals with an increase in the number of dogs with canine pneumovirus.
In recent weeks, veterinarians at the Pet Resource Center (440 N. Falkenburg Road) have noticed a marked increase in the number of dogs with upper respiratory illness coming into the shelter.
The shelter identified canine pneumovirus as the cause, with symptoms ranging from mild nasal discharge and cough to pneumonia in severe cases.
Following protocols recommended by experts at the University of Florida’s Shelter Medicine Program, the Pet Resource Center will temporarily accept only dogs that are severely sick or injured, and dogs involved in Animal Control cases beginning March 12. The target date for resuming regular operations is March 26, pending further test results.
American Red Cross awards $200K to Habitat
DADE CITY – Habitat for Humanity of East and Central Pasco has been awarded a $200,000 grant from the American Red Cross to support the launch of its ReBuild Program.
The initiative will provide assistance to East Pasco residents as they rebuild and repair their homes from damage caused by Hurricanes Helene and Milton.
“We are deeply grateful to the American Red Cross for their generous support,” said Kathy Proulx, development and community engagement manager at Habitat for
Humanity of East and Central Pasco. “This funding will enable us to provide crucial assistance to families who have been struggling to rebuild in the wake of Hurricanes Helene and Milton.”
The grant from the American Red Cross will help cover material costs, labor and program operations.
On the web: habitatpasco.org
Hillsborough offers fraud alert program
TAMPA – Victor Rodriguez pleaded guilty March 10 to organized fraud, fraudulent use of personal information and filing false documents in cases where he was accused of filing fake deeds to gain control of homes, according to the Hillsborough Clerk of Circuit Court.
He was sentenced to multiple 5 and 15 year sentences which will run concurrently.
Clerk of Circuit Court and Comptroller Victor Crist offers a property fraud alert that will notify a homeowner within 48 hours whenever a document is recorded in Hillsborough County using their name or business name.
The Drilbys registered for the free program and were alerted that same day to the fake quit claim deed that was filed by Rodriguez, according to the Hillsborough Clerk of Circuit Court. The victims took quick action, which led to arrests. To date, the clerk’s office has over 74,000 property fraud alert program subscriptions for the free program.
Sign up at hillsclerk.com/Additional-Services/Property-Fraud-Alert.
