Pasco seeks input on Draft 2050 Comprehensive Plan
PASCO COUNTY – Pasco County’s Planning, Development and Economic Growth Department has unveiled its draft Pasco 2050 Comprehensive Plan.
The county has scheduled open houses for residents to provide input to help shape the next 25 years of Pasco’s future.
Residents can explore updated maps, chat with the Pasco planning team and share thoughts to help refine the vision for 2050 at the following open houses:
- July 16, 6 to 8 p.m., at Elsie Logan Memorial Park, 15840 Greenglen Lane, Spring Hill.
- July 23, 6 to 8 p.m., at South Holiday Branch Library, 4649 Mile Stretch Drive, Holiday.
- July 28, 6 to 8 p.m., at New River Branch Library, 34043 State Road 54, Wesley Chapel.
Visit Pasco2050.com to review the plan and provide feedback.
Pasco County launches real-time bus information
PASCO COUNTY – Pasco County Public Transportation (GoPasco) is now offering an app called myStop to provide real-time tracking for GoPasco buses.
Users can view the exact location of their bus, see estimated bus arrival, plan a trip and get service notifications/alerts. The app is available on Android or Apple IOS.
“This app represents a significant advancement in our efforts to modernize and improve your public transit experience in our community,” GoPasco Director Jannina Elkin said. “With real-time bus tracking, you can better plan your trips, reduce wait times and make more informed decisions about your transportation needs.”
On the web: mypas.co/MyStopApp
Cats overcrowd pet shelter
TAMPA – Residents are encouraged to adopt or foster a dog or cat from the Hillsborough County Pet Resource Center, which at the start of July was at more than five times capacity for cats.
On July 1, the Pet Resource Center had 285 cats and kittens, putting the shelter at 508% of its stated capacity of 56 cats. The pet shelter had 247 dogs, or 137% of capacity. The crowded living conditions increase the risk of the spread of infectious diseases and create other stresses for the animals.
During times of severe overcrowding, the shelter works closely with dozens of animal rescue groups and other community partners to help deal with the sheer volume of cats and dogs. What is most needed, though, are residents to provide a permanent home or offer their services as a pet foster parent.
Hillsborough residents to review plans for future road
TAMPA – The Corridor Preservation Plan Study will help Hillsborough County keep up with growth by planning the location of future roadways to ensure the scale, location and rights-of-way are adequate to serve residents’ needs.
To do so, an update to the plan, which is part of Hillsborough’s Comprehensive Plan, is needed.
It has been 15 years since the last major update to the Corridor Preservation Plan. As land use patterns and travel habits change, county planners want to ensure transportation is safe and efficient for years to come.
Meetings will be held countywide to explain the study, review objectives and gather feedback.
Meetings will be held:
- July 17, 6 to 8 p.m., at Jimmie B. Keel Regional Library, 2902 W. Bearss Ave., Tampa.
- July 22, 6 to 8 p.m., at Town ‘N Country Regional Public Library, 7606 Paula Drive, Suite 120, Tampa.
- Online, at PublicInput.com/CorridorPreservation through Aug. 15.
Florida Aquarium unveils new costumed character
TAMPA – The Florida Aquarium introduced its newest ambassador: a pink, wide-eyed axolotl from Mexico City. The costumed character is ready to dive into her new life in Tampa but needs a name. The aquarium is inviting the community to help name its newest resident by voting online.
The names are inspired by her Mexican heritage and vibrant personality:
- Xochi (pronounced so-chee) – Short for Xochimilco (so-chee-meal-koh), one of only two lakes in Mexico City where axolotls are found in the wild. The name comes from the Aztec word xochitl, meaning “flower” or “princess of flowers,” and symbolizes beauty, growth, creativity, renewal and new beginnings.
- Toci (pronounced toe-see) – Named after the Aztec goddess of renewal and healing, Toci means “our grandmother,” representing wisdom, protection and nurturing strength.
- Izel (pronounced ee-sel)– An Aztec word meaning “only one” or “unique,” highlighting how special and rare axolotls are in the natural world.
Voting is open through Aug. 1 at https://www.flaquarium.org/name-that-axolotl/. The winning name will be revealed Aug. 4.
