The Laker-East Pasco-September 22, 2021 by LakerLutzNews

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Diverging Diamond work resumes

By B.C. Manion bcmanion@lakerlutznews.com

Superior Construction Company Southeast LLC began working on the completion of the Diverging Diamond Interchange (DDI) last week, at State Road 56 and Interstate 75. Work activities in the first few weeks will involve cleanup, surveying, and other tasks needed to safely resume construction.The project is expected to be completed in summer 2022, according to information on the

Florida Department of Transportation’s website. Activities last week were expected to include mobilization of labor, equipment and materials, erosion control, survey, jobsite cleanup of debris and office setup, according to an update provided by Kris Carson, spokeswoman for the District 7 office of the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT). Minor pothole and erosion control repairs were completed last week by the interim maintenance contractor, the update

adds, with maintenance responsibility expected to be fully transitioned to Superior by Sept. 20. The project will reconfigure the I75/State Road 56 interchange between County Road 54 and Cypress Ridge Boulevard, in Pasco County. The existing diamond interchange will be modified and converted to a DDI. The main change will be to diverge, or cross, State Road 56 traffic to the left side of See DIAMOND, page 9A

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MARY RA ATTHMAN/STAFF PHOTO

Pipes await a crew on the south side right of way, along State Road 56. Construction starts up again in the creation of the diverging diamond road design.

Share your wildlife pho otos If you’ve captured a photograph of an interesting bird or wild creature, we’d love to share your image with our readers.

sider If you’d like us to consider graph, publishing your photograph, please email it to us att news@lakerlutzne ew ws.c com. Please be sure to include what kind of animal it is, and where you took the picture. Also include your ur contact information, so we can get in touch with you, if we need to.

Construction again has started at the State Road 56 and I-75 interchange. This photo was shot from I-75.

Vehicles that exited from the northbound lanes of I-75 to State Road 56 are diverted because of construction work at the interchange.

SEASON 2

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Restaurant tabbed for historic buildings in Zephyrhills By Kevin Weiss kweiss@lakerlutznews.com

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www.lakerlutznews.c com

B INSIDE, PAGE 1B

A local restaurant and café is being tabbed for two renovated historic buildings in Zephyrhills. Before long, the Captain Jeffries House and Carriage House in Zephyrhills are expected to have new tenants — Tina and Joe Novak, of Tina and Joe’s Café in Dade City. The Novaks have operated the cafe for about seven FILE years, at 14232 Seventh St., in A Dade City-based restaurant called Tina and Joe’s Café is Dade City. The lunch spot served a expected to relocate to the Captain Jeffries House (seen variety of fare, including above) and Carriage House in Zephyrhills. Lease agreement soups, wraps, salads, hand- negotiations are ongoing between the City of Zephyrhills crafted sandwiches, lobster and restaurateurs Tina and Joe Novak. rolls and homemade desserts, including cookies and pie. with the idea of making those historic Over the summer, the City of Zephyrhills spaces a catalyst to inject new life into the opened a request for proposals (RFP) from city’s downtown and attract more foot trafpotential tenants for the adjacent Jeffries fic to the area. House and Carriage House. The Jeffries House and Carriage House The city received three responses — are in the downtown shopping district, Tina and Joe’s Café, Flowers by Annie and which includes City Hall, the City Library, as Shell’s Killer Bakery. well as multiple retail shops and a microAn evaluation team ranked the propos- brewery. als, with Tina and Joe’s Café coming out as The buildings are a short walk to the top-ranked firm by a strong margin. Zephyrhills Brewing Company, Your Turn The evaluation team consisted of Board Game Café, Gentleman’s Quarters Zephyrhills Community Redevelopment Barber Shop, and other destinations. Agency director Gail Hamilton, Zephyrhills Extra weight was given to would-be tenbuilding official Bill Burgess, Zephyrhills sen- ants willing to use both the Jeffries House ior planner Rodney Corriveau, and Pasco and Carriage House, Hamilton said, in addiCounty Economic Development Council di- tion to letters of recommendation from rector of stakeholder engagement Mike customers, bank information, business Bishop. See RESTAURANT, page 9A The collaborative exercise was designed

Worker shortage takes a toll on Pasco schools School board member Colleen Beaudoin urges Superintendent Kurt Browning to lighten the load, whatever way he can. By B.C. Manion bcmanion@lakerlutznews.com

Pasco County Schools has been struggling to fill bus driver, custodial, food service and instructional vacancies — prompting school board member Colleen Beaudoin to seek relief for overburdened workers. Although the numbers fluctuate from day to day, a recent report showed that the district had roughly 155 instructional vacancies and 348 non-instructional vacancies, according to Steve Hegarty, the district’s public information officer.The non-instructional vacancies include 100 bus driver openings. “Our folks are really under a lot of stress,” Beaudoin said, during the school board’s Sept. 14 meeting.“We must do something. Our folks need help” The district has added positions, but is having trouble filling them, she said. “Grants that were supposed to provide for more nurses to help with contact tracing — people are not taking these jobs. It is stretching our folks too thin. “On top of that, people are calling our schools and berating whoever answers the phone because they are upset that buses are late. See WORKER, page 9A

Governor wants to end Florida’s high-stakes testing Insuran nce Questions?

By B.C. Manion

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Gov. Ron DeSantis has announced a legislative proposal that will eliminate the Common Core-based, end-of-year Florida Statewide Assessment (FSA), according to a news release from his office. Instead, the governor is proposing a new accountability measure known as the Florida Assessment of Student Thinking (F.A.S.T), which will monitor student progress and foster individual growth, according to the Sept. 14 news release. By creating F.A.S.T., Florida would become the first state in the nation to fully implement progress monitoring, instead of end-of-year standardized testing. “Florida’s education focus should be students’ growth and how we restore the conversation between parents and teachers in support of students’ growth,” DeSantis said, in the release. In this final step to eradicate Common Core from our assessments, our administration is implementing the lessons learned from progress monitoring both during the state’s recovery and from our districts and schools that were already showing how we can better support students reaching their own unique growth goals.” DeSantis made this announcement with Florida Education Commissioner Richard Corcoran, and was joined by several teachers and students from High Point Elementary School who have already benefited from utilizing the progress monitoring approach.

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“Each year, Governor DeSantis’ administration has been committed to a data-driven approach to constantly improving how Florida provides supports to its teachers and turns the focus of education to how we impact our students, especially those representing achievement gaps,” Commissioner of Education Richard Corcoran said, in the release. The new approach calls for: • Minimizing the stress of testing to three much shorter tests in the Fall, Winter and Spring that will inform students, teachers and parents about students’ growth. • Reducing testing time an average of 75% through progress monitoring, increasing time for teaching and providing more timely, usable feedback to help students reach their unique goals. At the Pasco County School Board’s Sept. 14 meeting, Don Peace, president of the United School Employees of Pasco, applauded DeSantis’ push regarding state testing. “Earlier today, we did get some good news delivered by the governor.The Department of Education has decided that this will be the last year for the high-stakes FSA testing. “This will go a long way of relieving teachers of the stress that has been born for years, related to these tests. “This is something that educators and unions have advocated for, for many years. “Other methods of assessment will be in play, so there will still be accountability, but this is a historic event in Florida education,” Peace said.

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Massive Two Rivers development gets OK After decades in the making, the community will feature housing, jobs, recreation and schools. By B.C. Manion bcmanion@lakerlutznews.com

A huge swath of land now occupied primarily by pastures and trees is expected to become home to Two Rivers, off State Road 56, between Morris Bridge Road and U.S. 301. The Pasco County Commission voted 5-0 to approve a master-planned unit development (MPUD) zoning that will allow 6,400 residences, more than 2.6 million square feet of office and industrial, and 630,000 square feet of commercial uses. The 3,405-acre property’s southern boundary is on the north side of County Line Road, and its northern boundary is on the north side of State Road 56. The Two Rivers development also in-

cludes a site for an elementary school, middle school and high school, an 80-acre district park and a public safety site. The development also will feature a connectivity plan, with trails and pedestrian paths — aimed at making it easier for people to get around the community — without relying on vehicles. The Eisenhower Property Group will be building the majority of residential uses within the project, said Clarke Hobby, an attorney representing the applicants. “The Thomas family is retaining substantially of the all nonresidential uses within the MPUD,” he said. The Thomas family also owns the adjacent property, directly south of the Two Rivers site, in Hillsborough County, and part of the approval for the Two Rivers project requires a connection between the two developments to give the Two Rivers project access to U.S. 301, on a planned extension of County Line Road through the Hillsborough tract. If that connection isn’t made on the Hillsborough side, then Two Rivers will be required to make the connection on the Pasco side, as one of the conditions for approval.

The schools and district park are expected to be co-located, so they can share land and other amenities, according to Joel Tew, who is co-counsel with Hobby, for the applicants. The exact access to the school isn’t shown on the map because the school district and county must work out their plans to ensure access and safety for different uses, Tew said. The shared uses could be similar to the arrangement the county and school district have at the Starkey Ranch K-8 and district park site in Odessa. The Two Rivers project has been in planning stages for decades, Hobby said, noting that “Bob Sierra had this site under contract back as far as 2008.” The Thomas family played an instrumental role in helping to secure the funding for the first two lanes of the State Road 56 extension to U.S. 301, and then for lanes three and four of the extension, Hobby said. “Two Rivers was the largest part of the additional surcharges that are imposed on developments in this area to pay for lanes three and four of that extension. Of the $26 million

that the county has to pay back to the state infrastructure bank, $15 million of that comes solely from surcharges on development on Two Rivers,” he said. “What we’re bringing to you today reflects a lot of thought and effort by a lot of parts of your staff, the school board, particularly your natural resources (department) and the county attorney’s office. “We believe this project has been done the right way,” he said. “One of the biggest things you have to remember about Two Rivers is that it truly is a mixed-use project,” Hobby said, with 2.6 million square feet of employment-generating uses. “So, this project has been set up correctly, from the get-go. We’re not shortchanging it. And, we’re going to create a lot of jobs along the way, in addition to creating an overall great community,” Hobby said. Some residents objected to aspects of the request, including potential traffic congestion, concerns about potential flooding, and a lack of specificity regarding access points and other details, but the county board was not swayed by the testimony.

Supervisor of Elections Office not visiting voters The Laker/Lutz News Staff Report

The Pasco County Supervisor of Elections Office has become aware that individuals have begun and will continue to go to registered voters’ homes seeking information from voters. Supervisor of Elections Brian Corley has issued a statement announcing that his office is not involved in those efforts. “Our office has been made aware that individuals have begun and will continue to go to registered voters’ homes throughout

Pasco County to inquire and verify information for voters at that particular address and possibly inquiring if those person(s) voted in the 2020 General Election,” the release says. “Pasco County voters need to be aware that these individuals are not affiliated with the Pasco County Supervisor of Elections Office.These activities are also occurring in other Florida Counties and we have received information from another Supervisor of Elections Office that an individual went to a voter’s home and misrepresented themselves as being with that county and/or the

The LAKER / Lutz NEWS LUTZ, ODESSA, LAND O’ LAKES, WESLEY CHAPEL, NEW TAMPA, ZEPHYRHILLS, DADE CITY Serving Pasco since 1981 / Serving Lutz since 1964

Supervisor of Elections Office,” the release adds. “Additionally, in spite of lobbying by Florida’s Supervisor of Elections, voter’s personal information from their voter file (e.g. name, address, phone number, email address, designated political party, which elections you voted in) is public record,” the release continues. “Voters often contact my office with concerns about their personal information being publicly available. Voters shouldn’t have to choose between protecting their

personal information with exercising their constitutional right to vote,” Corley says in the release. Third-party groups have a legal right to voter information, but Corley wants the public to know that his staff will not come to your house to ask about your voting history. Through the release, Corley makes this request:“If an individual indicates they are with ‘Pasco County’ or the ‘Pasco County Supervisor of Elections Office,’ please contact us at 800-851-8754.”

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VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

BAY CITY FLYERS SWAP MEET

The Grand Concourse Railroad Spooky Train and Spooky Trail, 11919 Alric Pottberg Road in Shady Hills, is looking for volunteers. Students are welcome.Adults also are needed.Volunteers have the option to dress up. For more information, call or text Bill Donati at 727-639-7639.

Bay City Flyers will host a radio control models swap meet on Sept. 25 from 8 a.m. to noon, rain or shine, at the club’s flying site, 22500 State Road 52 in Land O’ Lakes. This is a non-flying event, with 3D flying demonstrations by club members, with giant scale airplanes and helicopters. Coffee and doughnuts will be provided.The cost is $3 per car, at the gate. For information, contact Pete Rundel at 813-591-2544, 813802-8970 or pete@therundels.com. For directions, visit BayCityFlyer.org.

BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS

The Pasco County Library Cooperative will host a Big Brothers Big Sisters virtual orientation, via Zoom, on Sept. 23 from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., for anyone interested in becoming a mentor/volunteer. Mentors spend one hour per week, or two outings per month, participating in activities. Participants can learn how to become involved, the programs offered, commitment levels, expectations and more. No RSVP is required.Visit Zoom.us/my/bbbstb/vbot.

BASEBALL MUSEUM OPENS

The Tampa Baseball Museum at the Al Lopez House, 2003 N. 19th St., in Tampa, is scheduled to open on Sept. 25.There will be a First Pitch Opening Ceremony at 10 a.m., half-price admission to the museum from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., and a special edition of “Homeruns & History” starting at 10 a.m. The grand opening will be hosted by Hall of Famer and Tampa native Lou Piniella. Mayor Jane Castor will address attendees. There also will be family friendly games and activities at nearby Centennial Park & Garden of the Ybor City Museum State Park. For information, visit TampaBaseballMuseum.org.

The Hillsborough County Public Library Cooperative will offer ways to celebrate the culture and contributions of Hispanic Americans through special events, curated book lists, and its annual youth art contests. National Hispanic Heritage Month runs from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15. Free online events include: • Sept 24 at 6:30 p.m.: One Book One Night program — readings in English and Spanish of “The Soul of a Woman,” by Isabel Allende. Registration includes a chance to win a free book. • Sept. 28 at 6:30 p.m.: Book e-Club for Kids — “Pancho Rabbit and the Coyote: A Migrant’s Tale,” by Duncan Tonatiuh. • Sept. 30 at 6:30 p.m.: Book e-Club — “The Lost Book of Adana Moreau,” by Michael Zapata • Oct. 5 at 5:30 p.m.: Library staff will share books that changed their lives and share recommendations of Latino authors and stories, for all ages. • Oct. 5 at 6:30 p.m.: Cultural Cooking: Postres — participants can learn how to make favorite postres, or desserts. • Oct. 12 at 5:30 p.m.: Celebrations Around the World: Dia de los Muertos — a look at the music, food, customs and culture of special occasions around the globe. Recommended for all ages. There also is a bookmark contest for students in kindergarten through eighth grade. Visit HCPLC.org/events/hhforms/hispanic-heritage-bookmark-2021.pdf. The poster contest is for grades nine to 12. For information, visit HCPLC.org/events/hhforms/hispanic-heritage-poster-2021.pdf.

VIRTUAL TOWN HALL

The Straz Center will host “Voices of the Community,” a series of free town hall discussions, via Facebook Live and Zoom. Each gathering is at 8 p.m.The next meeting is on Sept. 23 and entitled “Giving Voice,” about the evolution of the artistic and social power of the spoken word, hip hop, and its Caribbean elder, reggae. For information on upcoming events, visit StrazCenter.org.The Zoom link is https://us02web.zoom.us/s/83745518504.

TEEN BOOK CLUB

The Starkey Ranch Theatre Library Cultural Center, 12118 Lake Blanche Drive in Odessa, will host its first Teen Book Club on Sept. 23 at 4:30 p.m.This introductory meeting will include a discussion on a variety of topics, including general interests and what titles teens would like to read. Registration is online at PascoLibraries.org.

Hungry Howie’s between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.To register, visit ScoutingEvent.com/089-48024-128551. For information, contact Tom Knotts at 813-2934474 or backcountrylove@gmail.com.

CUB FEST FOR SCOUTS

The Fort Brooke Fall Cub Fest:World of Scouting will take place Sept. 25 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Camp Brorein, 16901 Boy Scout Road in Odessa, for kindergarten through fifth grade. Displays, presentations and hands-on activities will include animals, model rockets, model camp sites, cooking, a building station, hayride, nature hike, cooking demonstration and the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Mounted Patrol.The cost is $10 per youth.Attendees can bring a lunch or buy a lunch from

FESTIVAL & HAUNTED FARM

The Raprager Family Farms, 16907 Boy Scout Road in Odessa, will host a Fall Pumpkin Festival & Haunted Farm on Sept. 25 and Sept. 26, and Oct. 29 and Oct. 30, and every Friday, Saturday and Sunday in between. Friday and Saturday hours are 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Sunday hours are 9 a.m.

FALL WREATH CRAFT

The Regency Park Library, 9701 Little Road in New Port Richey, will offer a fall wreath craft on Sept. 25 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., for kindergarten through third grade. Materials can be used to make the wreath at the library or taken home. For information, call 727-861-3049.

FAITH CONCERT CANCELED

The Xtreme Faith concert scheduled for Sept. 25 at The Pioneer Florida Museum & Village in Dade City has been canceled.

to 7 p.m.The festival will include farm animals, pumpkins, an 80-foot giant bounce pillow, a 40-foot hay chute slide, a corn pit, a mini crop maze, live entertainment (comedians, musicians and more), a haunted barn, Fort Merlin (play fort), tractor-pulled hayrides and a greenhouse display, included in the $12.50 cost per person. Children age 2 and younger are free.There also will be a scarecrow contest. Gem mining, pony rides, face painting and items at the Raprager’s Sweet Shop will cost extra. For more information and tickets, visit RapragerFamilyFarms.com.

MURDER MYSTERY DINNER

An interactive murder mystery dinner,“My Big Fat Italian Funeral,” will be presented on Sept. 26 at 5 p.m., at the Lake Bernadette Clubhouse, 5410 Golf Links Blvd., in Zephyrhills.Actors will perform around the tables between dinner courses, as the audience looks for clues and becomes involved in the show.Tickets are $35. For information, contact Maria Buckley at 813469-1233. More WHAT’S, page 5A

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ORCHID EXPO

The Tampa Orchid Club will host its annual Orchid Expo on Sept. 25 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and on Sept. 26 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., at the USF Botanical Gardens, 12210 USF Pine Drive in Tampa. There will be vendors with plants, accessories and supplies; judged orchids on display; and a culture lecture on Sept. 26 at 1 p.m.Admission is $5; parking is free. For information, visit TampaOrchidClub@shutterfly.com, or email Lynn Turke at nanturke0710@gmail.com.

FALL FAMILY FEST

The Tampa Bay Moms Group (TBMG) will host a Fall Family Fest, presented by Seal Swim School, on Sept. 26 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., at Water Works Park, 1701 N. Highland Ave., in Tampa.The event will feature interactive exhibits, giveaways, Food Trucks for Charity, market-style shopping, family resources, free samples, and more.There also is a dog park on site, and there will be dogs available for adoption.The first 100 moms to visit the TBMG table, will receive a swag bag. Admission is free. For tickets, visit EventBrite.com. For information, email steffany@tampabaymomsgroup.com.

REPUBLICAN CLUB

The Central Pasco Republican Club will meet on Sept. 27, at Copperstone Executive Suites, 3632 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., Land O’ Lakes.The guest speaker will be Pasco Clerk of Court Nikki Alvarez-Sowles. A social begins at 6:30 p.m., followed by the meeting at 7 p.m.Anyone who is interested in the political process can attend. For information, call 813-996-3011.

NETWORKING GROUP

The East Pasco Networking Group will meet on Sept. 28 at 7:30 a.m., at the Sarah Vande Berg Tennis & Wellness Center, 6585 Simons Road in Zephyrhills.The guest speaker will be Melissa Parks, director of development and marketing, Habitat for Humanity of East & Central Pasco County.

ARTS ALLIANCE TOWN HALL

The Tampa Arts Alliance will host a virtual, North Tampa town hall meeting on Sept. 29 to gather community feedback about the arts in Tampa and Hillsborough County.The alliance is a non-governmental organization created by art leaders to build the Tampa arts scene.Visit TampaArtsAlliance.org, for a link to register. Other meetings are scheduled for Oct. 6 and Oct. 13.

ORIGAMI PUMPKIN

The Regency Park Library, 9701 Little Road in New Port Richey, will offer a take-andmake craft from Sept. 29 to Oct. 1. Kits to make an origami pumpkin will be available, while supplies last, one kit per person. For information, call 727-861-3049.

BANDS & BREWS FEST

The Rotary Club of Land O’ Lakes will host the Land O’ Lakes Bands & Brews Festival on Oct. 2 from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m., at Land O’ Lakes Heritage Park, 5401 Land O’ Lakes Blvd. Live, nonstop music from local bands will include Stonegrey, Melissa Lee, 5 Shades of Grey, and JT Curtis & the Florida Scoundrels. Guests should bring chairs and blankets, but leave coolers at home.There will be food, drinks and beer for sale. Admission is $10 in advance on Eventbrite.com, or $15 at the gate.Ticket holders are eligible to win a $500 gift certificate from Kiefer Jewelers.All proceeds will benefit Gulfside Hospice and Land O’ Lakes Rotary charities. For information, call Terri Dusek at 813-3407973.

WEAVING CLASS

The Pioneer Florida Museum & Village, 15602 Pioneer Museum Road in Dade City, will offer a “Weaving Class with Marilynn Ory” from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., on Oct. 16, Nov. 13 and Dec. 11.The cost is $25 in advance and $30 at the door, for the first class. Subsequent classes are $20. Family discounts are available. Minors will require adult supervision. First-time guests will receive complimentary admission to the museum. Register by calling Ory at 405250-5743, by calling the museum front desk at 352-567-0262, or by emailing pfmfrontdesk@gmail.com.

CHAMBER AWARDS BANQUET

The Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce’s “Award Winning Z’Hills” is now scheduled for Nov. 9 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., Southport Springs Golf & Country Club, 3737 Southport Springs Parkway in Zephyrhills.The banquet is held to show appreciation for members and the community, and to bestow awards in seven categories, including Small Business; Large Business; Diamond Award (nonprofit); Economic Development or Leadership in Government; Citizen of the Year; Chamber Member of the Year; and Ambassador of the Year. Limited seating is available. For information and tickets, visit ZephyrhillsChamber.org, or call 813-7821913.

WEEKLLY Y TOURNAMENTS

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The Double Branch Name Runs Deep In Wesley Chapel Special to The Laker / Lutz News

The roots of Double Branch Artisanal Ale (DBAA) run deep in the history of Wesley Chapel, beginning with its name. Double Branch, named after twin creeks that once flowed through the area, preceded what we now know as Wesley Chapel. It wasn’t until the postal service was established inside a Methodist chapel in the Wesley district, that the name Double Branch was lost. But thanks to this local brewery, this historical name is no longer forgotten. “We wanted a name that calls back to our community,” said co-owner Ryan Clarke. During prohibition, the Wesley Chapel area was a refuge for moonshiners. Nowadays, these brewers of old would be impressed with the lineup of 29 taps that DBAA offers. Guests can try entrylevel craft beers, as well as drinks on the more experimental side, all of which are rotated throughout the year and handcrafted on site. This keeps things fresh, and allows guests to come back for another love-at-first-sip experience. “We see what space needs to be filled on our list and we fill it. It’s what we have fun doing,” said Clarke, who has dreamed of owning a bar since he was very young. DBAA is the only brewery in Tampa Bay to use dedicated lagering tanks, which provide the necessary space and

5956 Wesley Grove Blvd Wesley Chapel 813-495-8800 • DBAA.com

Brewer Bob Hunt (left) and co-owner Ryan Clarke at DBAA in Wesley Chapel.

temperature for their pilsners and other lagers. A crowd favorite, the “Grove Gold” pilsner, is named after Grove owner Mark Gold, and is crafted in these one-of-a kind tanks. The pilsner calls back to the essence of our area once again, with notes of citrus. DBAA also cans and distributes its beers farther into the community and throughout Pasco, Pinellas and Hillsborough counties. Outside of what’s brewing in the back, the family friendly brewery offers just as much excitement in the dining room. There’s ample room for entertainment with sports TV and arcade games, complete with a dedicated scratch kitchen. A diverse, high-end menu is not your runof-the-mill bar food — everything from the smoked brisket to sauces are homemade, boasts co-owner Travis Glenn. “I grew to enjoy craft beer and I loved the environment, and now we are here. We’re welcoming, we’re open, we have a lot of options, and we really do have something for everyone,” said Clarke. With strong ties to the community, DBAA is dedicated to giving back by supporting local charities throughout the month with day-long events. The brewhouse also celebrates with its guests holidays and special events, including its upcoming Oktoberfest from Sept. 17 through Oct. 3.

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September 22, 2021

Bring The Family To The 10th Annual Paulie Palooza Music Festival SATURDAY, OCT. 16 FROM NOON TO 9 P.M., IN DOWNTOWN ZEPHYRHILLS Paul Correia was introduced to Gulfside Hospice back in 2008 when a friend, Kymberly Corkum, asked him to play with his musician friends at the annual Ride for Hospice — an event she helped organize with the Pasco Sheriff’s Mounted Posse to raise money for the nonprofit. “That was my first experience with hospice, and I learned how important this organization is to our community,” said Correia, co-owner of Sunstate Aluminum in Zephyrhills. “My job was to ask other local musicians to Paul Correia, founder of the donate their talent and perform at the Paulie Palooza Music Festival. event, and we had so much fun, we continued to play every year.” the entire event. In 2010, the benefits of hospice became A change this year is the very personal to the Correia family, when their October date for the event, 93-year-old father became a patient of Gulfside which previously was held in Hospice during the final two weeks of his life. the spring. Because of COVIDCrowds sit in front of the stage on Main Street Zephyrhills “After dad died, I was even more thankful 19 restrictions, this past March at the 2019 Paulie Palooza Music Festival. for hospice and became more involved in the Paulie Palooza went virtual for fundraiser. Then in 2012, when the Sheriff’s its ninth annual event, which Company Inc. and Ryman Construction of Posse needed to step back its involvement, I makes next month’s festival its 10th anniverFlorida Inc.; and Super Fan Sponsors Bahrs decided to relaunch the event as tribute to my sary. Aluminum & Construction, Bahr’s Propane father, and we changed its name to the Paulie “We are happy to be moving back to our Gas & AC Inc., Heister Automotive Palooza Music Festival,” said Correia. signature event schedule, and look forward to Performance, Sunstate Aluminum, and “I’m proud that this year is the 10th Paulie seeing everyone in person this October on SouthState Bank. The Laker/Lutz News is the Palooza Music Festival, and we’re hoping it Main Street Zephyrhills,” says Leesa Fryer, media sponsor. will be our biggest fundraiser yet,” he said. fundraising & event planning specialist for Proceeds from Paulie Palooza benefit The all-day music festival takes place on Gulfside Hospice. “There are so many other Gulfside Hospice. Since its founding, the festiSat., Oct. 16 from noon to 9 p.m., on Main community events in March for people to val has raised more than $71,000 to benefit Street Zephyrhills (Fifth Avenue and U.S. choose from, we decided to move Paulie Gulfside Hospice, which provides patient care 301). The daylong event features live music Palooza to October so more people can and bereavement services to more than 650 by local musicians; vendors; food trucks; an attend.” patients and families every day in our local auction; prize drawings; and much more famiFryer is in charge of overall planning for community. ly fun. A $5 donation gives all-day access to Paulie Palooza, and has limited spots still available for vendors, food trucks and sponsors. Vendor fee is $75, and sponsorships are availAbout Gulfside Healthcare Services: able starting at $200, and include a vendor Gulfside Healthcare Services is a nonprofit organispot along with additional benefits. More zation serving the community for more than 30 information is available online at years. Its three lines of business include Gulfside PauliePalooza.org, or by contacting Fryer at Hospice, offering care for patients at end of life; 727-845-5707 or leesa.fryer@gulfside.org. Gulfside Palliative Care, providing treatment Current event sponsors include Rockstar options for those with chronic illness; and Gulfside 2061 Collier Parkway • Land O’ Lakes Sponsors O2 Solutions and Michels & Home Health, helping patients stay independent Lundquist Funeral Home; Crooner Sponsor 800-561-4883 through skilled nursing and rehab at home. For Norm & Sons Tire & Auto Repair; Roadie more information about Gulfside Healthcare www.Gulfside.org Sponsors DeliverCareRX, Medfleet and Right Services, visit Gulfside.org, or call 800-561-4883. SPONSORED CONTENT at Home; Groupie Sponsors ABC Supply

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September 22, 2021

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Pasco approves apartments off Wesley Chapel Boulevard By B.C. Manion bcmanion@lakerlutznews.com

Pasco County’s moratorium on multifamily applications continues, but the county board approved 400 new apartments off Wesley Chapel Boulevard at its Sept. 15 meeting. The approved development is planned for 43 acres at the intersection of Wesley Chapel Boulevard and Hay Road. The request had received recommendation of approval with conditions from county planners and the Pasco County Planning Commission. No one signed up to speak on the issue. The request was approved 4-1, with Commissioner Mike Moore voting no. “It’s in the (temporary) moratorium area (for new multifamily applications), but they obviously submitted before the moratorium,” Moore said. “I will say this, you know previous to the last hearing, a number of residents, people in the community had reached out in concern. But nobody is here to speak today. “If you don’t come and speak, it is very difficult to convince a board of five why something should be denied,” Moore said, adding that those reaching out to him should show up, sometimes, too. On another item, the county board approved spending $70,000 to purchase 4.25 acres from J.L.Tucker Inc., to add the property to its Environmental Lands Acquisition and Management Program. The Environmental Lands Acquisition Selection Committee recommended the purchase, according to the county board’s agenda backup materials. The property is in Shady Acres along Triple J Ranch Road and is adjacent to the ELAMP-owned Martinez and DeAngelo property. The property is not within an Ecological Corridor nor an Ecological Planning Unit, but its acquisition would extend the more than 1,700 contiguous acres of conservation land, which extends along the North Pasco to Crossbar Ecological Corridor. Acquisition of the property would also include eliminating an ingress/egress easement, thereby reducing potential future access and land use conflicts, the agenda backup says. The county board also approved a change order with Blackwater Construction Services LLC, in connection with the Hugh Embry Branch Library renovation.The change order is for the amount of $71,358.11 for fiscal year 2021, bringing the new cumulative not-to-exceed amount to $1,575,939. The bids for this project were received on Oct. 20, 2020, with seven months elapsing between the receipt of the bid and the award of

the contract.The time delay is beyond the required 90-day hold period for prices, and during that time, there were significant increases in the prices for both labor and materials, resulting in the request for the additional funding. “This has been considered a unique case and does not apply to any other projects being procured by the county,” the agenda backup says. In other action, board members: • Heard a report on a proposal to increase mobility fees in some categories and decrease them in others.The fees are charged to help pay for impacts that growth has on roads and other aspects of the transportation network. A final adoption on the new fee schedule is set for Sept. 28. • Found a proposed Property Rights Element to be consistent with the county’s comprehensive plan and authorized transmittal to state agencies for review. Adoption of the element is scheduled for Oct. 26. • Continued to a date uncertain a request for master-planned unit development called Dayflower, seeking 1,469 single-family, villas and townhomes on approximately 1,014 acres, north of Wesley Chapel Boulevard and Lexington Oaks and west of Old Pasco Road. • Continued until Dec. 7 a request from Acorn LLC, for a rezoning to allow general commercial development on 9.2 acres, on the south side of State Road 54, west of the intersection of River Glen Boulevard and State Road 54. • Approved an increase of $515,355 for medical examiner services due to an increased number of autopsies being performed.The increase will cover the final months in this fiscal year’s budget. • Appointed Joseph Ward and Rocio Rosie Paulsen to the county’s Jobs and Economic Opportunities Committee. • Approved an increase of $13,787.50 in a professional service agreement with Rainey Leadership Learning, to provide leadership coaching and development for the executive team in the public infrastructure branch.The additional funding brings the total not-to-exceed amount to $63,412.50. • Accepted a donation of hand sanitizer retailing at $34,524.62 from Joseph Di Sano. Di Sano, of Wesley Chapel, delivered 3,400 bottles of HYGN brand hand sanitizer to the administrative offices of the Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources department in July. Each 12.6-ounce bottle retails at $9.56. • Transferred $1,157,206 from the county’s Health Insurance Reserve Fund to cover higher-than-anticipated health claims. The county maintains a self-insured health fund and therefore pays health claims as they are incurred.

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September 22, 2021

Teen panel addresses problems facing youths By Kevin Weiss kweiss@lakerlutznews.com

A trio of Pasco County high schoolers gathered over the summer to share their perspective on youth drug use, mental health and other issues facing their peers — both on school campuses and in the community at large. The teen activists — Land O’ Lakes High School’s Jocelyn Meriwether, Fivay High School’s Avery Merta and Gulf High School’s Maddie Horn — are part of a group called Safe Teens Against Drugs, or STAND, in Pasco County. They have a straightforward mission: To end youth substance abuse in the area by educating teachers, law enforcement, business owners and other community members. They do this by sharing their observations and by suggesting solutions. The youth group is facilitated by the Pasco County Alliance for Substance Abuse Prevention (Pasco ASAP), which arranged a virtual panel discussion. “The mission of STAND is to really empower youth to be agents of change, by strengthening their voices,” Pasco ASAP’s coalition coordinator Kellie Rodriguez said, during the session. Incorporating adolescent voices in the discussion is critical, she said.

DRUG USE IN SCHOOLS

The teens’ testimonies of what’s happening within their respective public schools were revealing for health service providers and other stakeholders.That was particularly true regarding the pervasiveness and accessibility of drugs. Merta asserted students at Fivay High have access to all types of illicit substances — including cocaine, Percocet and LSD. “A lot of kids get their hands on things they shouldn’t have,” the 17-year-old junior said.“There’s people getting hands on literally everything at my school.”

Horn said marijuana vapes and edibles are an issue at Gulf High School, and beyond. The 15-year-old sophomore shared a story about a classmate openly selling marijuana-laced brownies to other students in one of her art classes last year. “It was just wild to see,” Horn said. The sale was out in the open, but because it was a brownie, the teacher wasn’t suspicious. The prevalence of marijuana vaping is concerning, too, she said. Horn said these so-called weed pens have been found to have higher concentrations of THC — tetrahydrocannabinol — the main active ingredient of cannabis. The troubling trend hits close to home for Horn, whose cousin became addicted to the weed pens and experienced withdrawal symptoms. It was hard to watch, Horn said. Smoking marijuana remains “one of the biggest drug-related issues” in schools, according to Meriwether, a high school junior and STAND Pasco president. She said some Land O’ Lakes High students have strategically teamed up to visit different school restrooms simultaneously so if one gets caught, not all of the drugs are confiscated. Offending students, however, rarely ever were discovered and punished, Meriwether observed. “Getting caught was not common,” she said.

MORE SCHOOL ACCOUNTABILITY NEEDED

The students also pointed to the need for

adults in the Pasco County school district to play a more active role in curbing illicit drug use. More teachers need to routinely check school restrooms between passing periods “to make sure no one’s doing (anything),” Merta suggested. Meriweather and Horn said teachers need to listen to what students are saying and pay attention to what they are doing. “I don’t know how many times I’ve been in class and students are like talking very loudly about what they’re about to go do in the bathrooms…and our teachers just kind of overlook it, or kind of don’t react or don’t say anything,” Meriweather said. She said teachers and other adults should step in and say: “Hey, I hear what you’re talking about. Let’s not do that, you know.’”

“You can only talk for like 10 to 15 minutes, so it’s not really something that’s worth it,” Merta explained. Meriwether said it can take more than two weeks to get in to see a guidance counselor at Land O’ Lakes High School. That’s not helpful during the middle of a panic attack, she said. Pasco County Commissioner Christina Fitzpatrick chimed in, too. She agreed with the panel that students need to have easy access to counselors. “Yeah, they might be working on a specific topic right then, but they should be able to stop what they’re doing and help address a student, because a student is priority,” Fitzpatrick said. She recommends that teachers be given mental health and anxiety de-escalation training.

MORE EMPATHY FOR TEENS NEEDED

SOME POSITIVE STEPS FORWARD

Another major complaint the panelists expressed centered on the general lack of empathy from teachers, guidance counselors and other school-support staff when students experience a panic attack or other mental health episode. “A lot of times, I’ll be having a panic attack and our teachers will be like,‘Oh, you need to get back to work, you need to stop doing that,’” Horn said.“It’s really discouraging because I’m going through something and I have these really big emotions and big thoughts, and sometimes I can’t handle (them) on my own.” Merta agreed:“Most of the teachers actually cause more anxiety by pressuring you into doing something.” Merta explained — a student can be experiencing some type of anxiety, and instead of helping, the reaction might be:“Do your work. Do this. Do that.’” Although the counselor at his school is supportive, Merta said, the counselor simply can’t devote enough time to students.

Students said they have seen progress, both at school and in the community. Fivay has installed smoke detectors that can locate vapes, Merta said. The school district also is instituting human trafficking educational programming at the end of each school year, Merta said. Meriwether commended the positive presence of the Pasco Sheriff’s Office’s in schools and in the community. Deputies routinely ask how they can help better serve the area, the teen said. Horn appreciates the welcoming attitude that Pasco County Schools has toward groups such as STAND. The group has been invited to elementary and middle schools where information is shared on an array of topics, she said. The plan to use COVID-19 relief funds to bring on 27 mental health counselors is a good step, Horn said. To find out more about these issues or STAND, visit EmpoweredCommunities.org, or email stand@empoweredcommunities.org.

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September 22, 2021

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DIAMOND, from page 1A the road through the interchange, and then cross vehicles back over to the right side of the road on the opposite side of the interchange. The changes will help to alleviate traffic congestion at this interchange to reduce travel time for motorists in this rapidly growing area, according to information posted on FDOT’s website. A DDI was chosen for the I-75/State Road 56 interchange because of the proven ability of this traffic configuration to increase safety and capacity while using a large amount of the existing interchange footprint, including the existing bridge, according to FDOT. The DDI also was chosen because of its ability to handle heavy left-turn volumes, such as the westbound to southbound movement from State Road 56 to southbound I-75. The new interchange at State Road 56 will reduce vehicle delays by allowing traffic to enter the interstate without waiting at a left-turn signal.To do this, traffic is redirected from the right side of the bridge to the left side. Signalized crossovers are positioned at each side of the interchange, and are designed to cross eastbound and westbound State Road 56 traffic with no turning movements at these two intersections. This design allows for more efficient signal timing, which reduces delay times, minimizes conflict points, and enables the interchange to more effectively handle higher volumes of traffic while eliminating the more serious crashes associated with a conventional interchange. These types of interchanges operate under two-phase signal control, which reduces lost time, delays and queue lengths at traffic signals. Safety features include lower design speeds between ramps and a reduction in the number of conflict points. The lower speeds result in less severe crashes. The design also fosters increased safety for pedestrians and bicycles, and better sight

distance at turns. The expected benefits for the interchange are an increase in capacity and pedestrian safety while reducing vehicle delays and crashes. These benefits will be achieved by an increased number of lanes, improved pedestrian facilities, more efficient signal timings and reduced vehicle conflict points, the FDOT says. Future project updates on the diverging diamond will be provided at FDOT’s website, at FDOTTampaBay.com/. Carson also provided updates on other projects that were halted when DAB Constructors ceased operations.

STATE ROAD 52, SUNCOAST PARKWAY TO U.S. 41

The surety has received bids from prospective completion contractors on Sept. 9 and is evaluating the bids. Quail Ridge requested additional delineation at entrance; additional barrels were placed on Sept. 17. New Beginning Family Ministry requested additional mowing at their entrance, which was performed on Sept. 16. Work continues on necessary pothole and silt fence repairs throughout the site.

STATE ROAD 54, FROM CURLEY ROAD TO MORRIS BRIDGE ROAD

The surety responded to questions from prospective bidders, posting those responses on Sept. 14. Bids are expected to be received the end of September. The surety’s subcontractor has been mowing, performing litter control and filling potholes at side streets and driveways throughout the project. Emerald Striping is receiving school ahead sign panels to be installed by early next week. The flashing beacons for the signs are expected to be installed within three weeks to five weeks. Also, FDOT maintenance crews have been onsite filling in washouts behind sidewalks project wide. Driveways and side streets milling was scheduled to begin on Sept. 18, with paving scheduled to begin this week.

WORKER, from page 1A “Bus drivers have been yelled at. Please consider that you are yelling at the people who are showing up for our kids. “This problem is not unique to schools, nor is it unique to Pasco County. “I’ve been to restaurants where there are only two servers at work, and they’re understaffed too. “We need to be thanking and supporting the people who are showing up,” Beaudoin said. “Superintendent (Kurt) Browning, I know that you are aware of the stress on our employees. Please continue to brainstorm ways to take some things off their plates, prioritize, and let’s try to get them some relief. “There’s a lot of smart people in this room. I’m just asking you to revisit and remove any unnecessary paperwork, or anything else you can do, to provide some relief,” Beaudoin said. Don Peace, president of the United School Employees of Pasco(USEP), told school board members that he’s been hearing mixed reviews about how the school year is going so far, from school district employees. “Some who were teaching MSOL (My School Online) last year are glad to be back with students; some teachers are scared to death to be in a classroom with unmasked students, but have no other prudent option. “We all expected better for this year, but that hasn’t happened. Judgment and emotions have eroded to all-time lows in many cases, and people are at political war with each other. “Some teachers have expressed that with quarantined students, political disarray and mental frustration running wild, delivering instruction is taking a severe hit in the classroom. “There’s so much confusion about COVID and so much changing information, it is near impossible to make an informed decision on anything. “I think it would behoove us all, superintendent, board members, staff, USEP and district employees, alike, to take a step back and see just exactly where we’re at. “There are many states where schools have not been open for some time, and student learning has been halted.That is not so in Florida. “We seem to have a balance of keeping our schools and businesses open, and moving our economy forward. “Are things perfect? No, not at all. Is there room for improvement? Absolutely. “And, much of that improvement can start with us. “Instead of hollering at the bus driver for

FILE

Pasco County school board member Colleen Beaudoin is seeking relief for district employees who are feeling the stress of worker shortages.

being an hour late, how about if we thanked them for being willing to go the extra mile to see that our kiddos get to school and home safely. “Some of them are running three and four runs. “Instead of railing at the teacher for not getting right back to the student on quarantine, why not exercise some compassion and restraint, and try to understand that providing makeup instruction for students has now become a full-time job. “Maybe a thank you to the teacher or bus driver would be more appropriate,” Peace said. Betsy Kuhn, assistant superintendent for support services, has been keeping board members informed about the district’s efforts to fill bus driver, custodial and food service vacancies. And, she repeatedly expressed her gratitude for employees working in departments with significant staffing shortages. “We’ve had a lot patience and partnerships at schools, as we work through all of this,” Kuhn said. “We do have some silver linings. HR (Human Resources) has been a wonderful partner in helping us to recruit, and some new ideas, to help as much as possible.And our schools are stepping in,” Kuhn said, during a recent meeting. “We also have a mini call center.We have started a mini one that involves district secretaries that are answering the phones for the garages because we have anyone who can drive a bus, driving a bus right now. It’s all hands on deck for the transportation department. Kuhn said her own assistant,“has taken the brunt of those calls.”

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The Jeffries House and Carriage House (seen above) are in the downtown shopping district, which includes City Hall, the City Library, as well as multiple retail shops and a microbrewery.

RESTAURANT, from page 1A model and overall track record. Written evaluation comments shared in a city memo pinpointed Tina and Joe’s Café as being well-established and credit-worthy, with an ability to create jobs as a full-service restaurant. Besides locating the restaurant and café within the Jeffries House, the Novaks plan to use a portion of the Carriage House for a produce and plant makerspace, Hamilton said. The committee unanimously ranked them No. 1, Hamilton told city council members at a Sept. 13 regular meeting. “We wanted to make it something that was a draw for downtown, and we don’t have a restaurant downtown, so that was part of the ranking as well,” she said. The Zephyrhills City Council voted 5-0 to select Tina and Joe’s Café.The action allows city staff the notice to proceed on a negotiations and lease agreement with the Novaks. Councilman Lance Smith voiced disappointment that more restaurants didn’t submit bids. But Smith added:“I’m glad we had one, I’m glad that they (Tina and Joe’s Café) have a track record and they’re not a person that has a dream of starting a restaurant.” Lease arrangements — including terms and length — will be brought back to the council for final approval. The lease could start as early as Oct. 1. Councilwoman Jodi Wilkeson suggested modeling a lease after those used in other municipal historic districts, perhaps encompassing improvement allowances or allowances amortized over time.

“You know, there’s lots of creative ways to make that work, too, so I look forward to seeing what you folks come up with,” Wilkeson said. Smith added:“We all understand that to create a commercial kitchen in that (Jeffries House) building is going to be very expensive, so we need to get very creative on giving allowances for improvements to the building.” Hamilton assured council that staffers will work closely with Zephyrhills City Attorney Matt Maggard “to make sure we create a lease that is both creative for the city and for the prospective lessee.” The Captain Jeffries House, at 38537 Fifth Ave., is named after the city’s founder, Captain H.B. Jeffries, who established Zephyrhills as a retirement area for old Union soldiers. The 2,365-square-foot structure, built in 1912, was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places on Nov. 29, 1995. In addition to the interior space, it has a 600-square-foot wraparound porch. It has original hardwood floors, windows, light fixtures, a fireplace and stained glass windows. Work completed in 2016 included plumbing, electrical and heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC). The Carriage House at 5323 Ninth St., was built in 1940. It is a two-story structure of 1,320 square feet, including a balcony on the second floor. It has restored original windows and folding garage doors. The building has a one-bedroom apartment, with a kitchen and bathroom on the second floor, which has its own entrance. New plumbing, electrical and HVAC work was completed in the structure during 2020.

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September 22, 2021

Community Sports Your Neighborhood Sports Source

Former big leaguer is Bishop McLaughlin’s new coach By Kevin Weiss kweiss@lakerlutznews.com

ishop McLaughlin Catholic High School has tapped a decorated big leaguer to lead its pedigreed baseball program. Rob Ducey spent parts of 13 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB) between 1987 to 2001 — playing for the Toronto Blue Jays, California Angels, Texas Rangers, Seattle Mariners, Philadelphia Phillies and Montreal Expos. (He also played two professional seasons in Japan, for the Nippon Ham Fighters and another handful of seasons in the minor leagues.) A left-handed hitting outfielder, Ducey played over 700 games in the majors, posting a .242 batting average, .331 on-base percentage, .396 slugging percentage, with 309 hits, 190 runs, 146 RBIs, 31 home runs and 22 stolen bases. Ducey achieved another unique designation by the time he retired — the longest career of any Ontario position player since Jeff Heath played 14 seasons from 1935 to 1949. Ducey’s involvement in baseball doesn’t end there. Following his professional playing days, Ducey competed for Canada at the 2004 Olympics, and served as a coach at the 2006 World Baseball Classic and 2008 Olympics. He was a hitting coach in the minor leagues for the New York Yankees, Expos and Phillies. And was a talent scout for the Blue Jays and Tampa Bay Rays. Ducey’s baseball lifer status — and one of the very few Canadian big leaguers — has him enshrined into both the Cambridge Sports Hall of Fame (2006) and the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum (2013). All told, Ducey has been involved with professional baseball in some shape or form for over 37 years. “Baseball has been a unique staple of my life, almost my entire life,” Ducey told The Laker/Lutz News in an exclusive interview.

COURTESY OF BISHOP MCLAUGHLIN CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETICS DEPARTMENT

Bishop McLaughlin Catholic High School has tabbed former major leaguer Rob Ducey, pictured, to lead its baseball program.

The 56-year-old Tarpon Springs resident is now tasked with leading the Bishop McLaughlin Hurricanes, which has won five district championships and two regional championships, and has made a pair of state final four appearances. The program has produced several pro ballplayers of late, including Blue Jays big league pitcher Nate Pearson, Red Sox Double-A pitcher Frank German and San Francisco Giants Low-A pitcher Carson Ragsdale, to name a few. “We are trying to build this program into the best program that it can be,” said Ducey, adding he has always had a desire to coach high school baseball. “Every year there’s going to be an influx of different types of ability, and hopefully we can build and build and build. …And regardless of how good physically players are, they play the game the right way and bring respect to not only the game, but to the school.” Ducey takes over for Marc Eskew, who

coached the team the last two seasons. Eskew’s tenure included a 20-8 mark and Class 2A playoff appearance in 2021. Ducey officially was announced as the new head coach in a news release sent last month from Bishop McLaughlin athletics director Jay Bowen. The release also mentioned Kenneth Burroughs as the team’s assistant coach. Burroughs played in the minor leagues for the Los Angeles Dodgers and Chicago White Sox and is a certified pitching coach with the National Pitching Association. Bowen explained why Ducey was the top fit to steer the Hurricanes baseball program, in an email to The Laker. “When we began the baseball search, we were looking for family men, professional, moral, ethical and knowledgeable,” Bowen wrote. “We want great teammates in our family. We also wanted a good fit into our athletic philosophy of family first and promoting multiple sports athletes. “A quote by coach Ducey that stuck with me in our very first meeting was the goal to, ‘be a part of a championship-quality family, and shape the youth of today in personal growth and development.’” Over the past few weeks, Ducey has been coordinating fall ball practices with a 32-member roster split across junior varsity and varsity. It has given him a chance to learn the makeup of the Hurricanes program. “It’s a huge time for me getting to know the kids, getting to understand their abilities,” Ducey said. “We don’t have a lot of upperclassmen, so the JV program is very, very important, and we’re trying to figure out exactly what we have and put processes in place for them to improve.” Ducey has clear expectations. “Obviously, I want the pitchers to throw

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WOMEN’S SOCCER TOURNAMENT

The New APSL (Adult Women’s Soccer League) will host its first-ever ladies soccer tournament on Oct. 16 at Wesley Chapel District Park, 7727 Boyette Road, in Wesley Chapel. The daylong event will be a six-on-six format. Early bird registration is $225 for a team of eight players, through Sept. 18; it bumps up to $250, from Sept. 19 onward. The tournament will allow teams to have one player under 18 years old, provided she has a family member on the team and is included in the eight rostered players. The tournament’s winning team will earn $250, while second place will re-

MEMORABLE MOMENTS

COURTESY OF CAMBRIDGE SPORTS HALL OF FAME

New Bishop McLaughlin baseball coach Rob Ducey played parts of 13 seasons in Major League Baseball, from 1987 to 2001. The Cambridge, Ontario, native is enshrined in the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame.

strikes, I want the defenders to handle the baseball, and the hitters to be able to situational hit,” he said. He added, “We may not have the most ability on the field, but you’re going to know that you’ve got to fight, and if we do that every single day we come out and work improves in those areas, then it’ll be a successful year.” The former major leaguer emphasized that strikeouts will not be tolerated on offense. This comes in the face of a shifting philosophy across the game — particularly in the pro ranks — which suggests all types of

The Saint Leo University athletics department has announced the return of its “Pups in the Pride” K9 club for the 2021-2020 sports season. The annual membership serves as the official dog club of the Saint Leo Lions. The Pups in the Pride K9 Club allows dog-loving fans to show their Lions’ pride at home and on the Saint Leo campus at designated athletic events. For $25, dogs will receive a membership package with exclusive club items including a member certificate, dog bandana, name and photo included on the university’s Pups in the Pride webpage, and special offerings at all Pups in the Pride athletic events. Membership also includes a pup of the month spotlight on the Lions’ social media platforms. For more information, visit saintleolions.com/sports/2020/9/30/pups-in-the-pri de.aspx

COURTESY OF JOHN MEDVID

Solid haul

Jashua Dunn, left, and Calvin Crowe won the South Pasco Bassmasters (SPBM) August tournament on Lake June-In-Winter, in Lake Placid, hauling in five bass for a total weight of 17.17 pounds. The duo caught their fish with offshore drop-offs and brush piles using assorted plastics and crankbaits. The next SPBM tournament is scheduled for Sept. 18 at Crooked Lake in southeast Polk County. For more information, visit SouthPascoBassmasters.com.

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September 22, 2021

Ducey has been in a slew of historical moments, during the course of his lengthy career. He was in the last-ever game pitched by Hall of Famer Nolan Ryan, in 1993. He was playing left field when Hall of Famer and Kansas City Royals great George Brett recorded his 3,000 career hit, in 1992. In other baseball career footnotes, Ducey: • Played the first-ever game at Toronto’s SkyDome (now called Rogers Center) in 1989 • Set an all-time record for pinch batting with the Phillies in 2000 (73 appearances) • Tied an all-time record in Japan in 1996 when he hit eight leadoff home runs • Was the final Rangers player to hit a home run in the old Arlington Stadium (1993) before the team moved to Globe Life Park in Arlington In addition to a rare athletic skill set, Ducey credits a dependable work ethic and focused attitude for his staying power at the game’s top levels. “I tried to be the best I could be every single day,” the retired pro said.“I felt that I was consistent as far as when I showed up to the ballpark, the manager knew when I walked in the door what effort was going to be made that day. …There wasn’t a question that I came to play, came to win every single day, regardless of who I was competing against, or, the amount of playing time I actually got.”

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outs are the same, and strikeouts can be stomached if a particular team is hitting for power and drawing walks. Take the hometown Rays, who have the best record in the American League, for example. They rank sixth in MLB in home runs and seventh in walks, but also have accumulated second-most strikeouts among all 30 ballclubs. The high school game is a little different, of course. “Strikeouts, not OK,” Ducey said pointedly. “I’ve made that abundantly clear that strikeouts are not OK. We need to have a solid two-strike approach, and treat every atbat like it’s gold, grind out every at-bat.” Aside from instilling traditional fundamentals, Ducey and his staff will incorporate high-tech analytics and advanced video equipment. This includes Blast Motion bat sensors to analyze hitters’ swings with raw data, like bat speed and attack angle, as well as plane, connection and rotation metrics. The team also will have access to computerized baseballs to measure velocity and spin rates, among other details. “I think that it’s important that if we do have new technology then we should utilize it,” Ducey said.“I think that goes a long way with the kids. I think that goes a long way with the school that has provided the technology for us. And, for recruiting purposes going forward for the kids, that’s what colleges want to have, those types of numbers, that’s how they see players now.”

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SEPTEMBER 22, 2021

COURTESY OF PORT TAMPA BAY

Port Tampa Bay handles imports and exports, and has an excellent location in a supply chain that delivers goods for both domestic and international markets.

Port Tampa Bay’s impact is far-reaching By B.C. Manion bcmanion@lakerlutznews.com

f you live in the Tampa Bay region, there’s a high likelihood that your life has been touched by the activities that occur at Port Tampa Bay. The port — also known as the Port of Tampa and the Tampa Port Authority — is located near downtown Tampa — but its impacts are far-reaching. “Port Tampa Bay is the largest port in the state of Florida,” Greg Lovelace, the port’s senior director of business development, told members of the North Tampa Bay Chamber of Commerce, through a Zoom meeting last month. Hope Kennedy, the chamber’s president and CEO, told those listening:“I don’t know if we all realize what a huge asset the Port of Tampa is to our entire region. Not every community has a wonderful port, deepwater port.” About 33 million tons of cargo moves across the port’s docks each year, and the port is made up of about 5,000 acres — making it Florida’s largest port both in terms of tonnage, and in land mass, Lovelace said. Wondering if the port has an impact on your life? If you drive a car, take an Uber or fly in an airplane, chances are the gasoline, diesel or jet fuel used to run them came through the port of Tampa. “Over 40% of the energy products in the state of Florida come through the Port of Tampa,” Lovelace said. If you buy a couch at a furniture store, shop at a Big Box store or order on Amazon — your purchase probably came through the port. “The port business —which is products moving in or out by ship — is driven by the local market. In our case, that’s the I-4 corridor,” Lovelace said. Nearly 1,000 people are moving into the state each day, he added. “That translates into a lot of consumption for housing, appliances, groceries, furniture, etc.Whatever you see on the store shelves, that’s ultimately what comes through the port,” Lovelace said. “There’s over 380 million square feet of distribution space along the I-4 corridor. “You can see what a significant market this is, with all of the distribution centers and all of the population there, which consume products.That’s really what drives our business from a cargo standpoint, is the consumption,” said Lovelace, who has been with the port for 25 years and lives in Wesley Chapel. “This area is considered the 10th largest economy in the U.S., with a GDP (gross do-

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mestic product) of more than $300 billion. The port handles containers, refrigerated cargo, and cargo that is rolled onto and rolled off of a ship, referred to in the trade as RORO. One of the port’s key exports is fertilizer because a chief ingredient, phosphate, is mined in Central Florida. But producing the fertilizer requires other raw materials, which are imported, Lovelace said. Other imports include steel coils, lumber, and other materials used by the building and construction industry. Recently, the port expanded its import trade to include fresh fruit from Guatemala and Honduras, through Dole Fresh Fruits, on a weekly service into Tampa. “We’re excited about the service, which is operated by their sister company Dole Ocean Cargo Express, and what it means for the local community. “Not only will Dole produce have a more efficient way to reach the market here in Central Florida, but the ships going back and forth are open to third-party cargo interests, meaning that companies in this area that are trading with Guatemala and Honduras have access to a ship to get there,” Lovelace said.

LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION Tampa’s port has a competitive advantage because it is less than a mile away from the I-4 connector, allowing trucks to quickly jump on and off of I-4. “Accessing the interstate system is very important for companies to efficiently trans-

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port goods inland,” Lovelace said. It makes sense for shippers to come to Tampa to serve the Central Florida market because of time and trucking-cost efficiencies, he said. Tampa also is a logical choice for those wanting to move goods to the Atlanta or Charlotte markets, he added. The federal Department of Transportation limits the number of hours that truck drivers can drive in a day, Lovelace explained. Trucks leaving Tampa can reach Atlanta or Charlotte within the DOT’s rules, but those departing from South Florida cannot, he said. “We look for those types of advantages to provide efficiencies in the supply chain,” Lovelace said. While many industries and businesses have suffered during COVID-19, Port Tampa Bay has been on a roll. “Our container business is really booming. It’s up by almost 50% compared to the last year. “We are expanding.A lot of new services coming in,” he said. “We’re pretty excited about that.” So, with the exception of the cruise industry, Port Tampa Bay has flourished, he said. Of course, the port is part of the larger supply chain, which, because of COVID, has experienced a huge backlog. The port executive explained it this way: “If you order something on Amazon, a lot of

times you’ll get a message now that says something like,‘Due to extenuating circumstances, your order might be delayed … . “That’s happening all over the country,” he said. In short, when COVID initially hit, workers at plants in Asia were told to stay home and production halted. With no cargo to move, ocean carriers laid up their vessels. Then, everything came to a screeching halt. Meanwhile, demand was building because people in the U.S. were working from home and thinking about things they could do around the house, such updating the kitchen, redoing the bathroom, buying a new chair or desk for their office, and so on, he said. They began buying stuff online. “So, now you have all of the plants shut down, all of the shipping lines down, but then all of sudden you started having all of these orders starting to come in,” Lovelace said. Plants began producing again, but were months behind. Shipping lines began reintroducing vessels, but there wasn’t enough capacity. The lack of capacity, coupled with the high demand, drove up ocean freight rates. “And, they’re still struggling to catch up with some of the demand that has happened with all of the online ordering,” he said. Some are projecting this situation will continue until sometime in 2022, he said.

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The osprey, or more specifically the western osprey, is a large raptor also known as a sea hawk, river hawk or fish hawk. It is a fish-eating bird of prey with a dive speed of 30 mph. Sharon Thompson, of Wesley Chapel, saw this osprey apparently seeking a meal, in Country Walk.

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Best friends, forever Meeka, left, and Mojito are best buds, along with their canine sisters. They like to groom each other, play, and then snuggle. Meeka and Mojito live with their proud owner, Carol Scharfeld, in Lutz.

PET OF THE WEEK FAMILIES RECEIVE A $30 GIFT CARD TO CHUY’S TEX MEX.

COURTESY OF ZOOTAMPA

World Rhino Day is Sept. 22

Send us a picture and information on your favorite pet! Write a short paragraph about why your pet is special along with a photo and mail to: Pet of the Week, c/o The Laker, P.O. Box 479, Lutz, FL 33548 or email to mrathman@lakerlutznews.com, ATTN: Pet of the Week

ZooTampa celebrates World Rhino Day, a day dedicated to raising awareness of the plight of the world’s five remaining rhinoceros species. ZooTampa is home to six Southern white rhinos —Ongava, Kidogo, Kipenzi, Fujo, Alake and Ahadi — and three greater one-horned rhinos (also known as the Indian rhino) — Johnny, Jamie and Gronk. A group of rhinos is called a ‘crash.’ Shown here is an adult Southern white rhino with a calf. For more about all the animals living at the zoo, visit ZooTampa.org.

PLEASE NOTE: OWNERS NAME AND ADDRESS MUST BE INCLUDED FOR YOUR PET TO BE CONSIDERED FOR PUBLICATION.

PET PAWS PUBLIC INPUT NEEDED The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is looking for public feedback on draft Species Conservation Measures and Permitting Guidelines for four state-listed beach-nesting bird species, including the American oystercatcher, snowy plover, least tern, and black skimmer. Once approved, the guidelines will be part of Florida’s Imperiled Species Management Plan. All four species of the state-listed beachnesting are included in one set of draft guidelines, which is now available for review and comment. Key information included in the guidelines will be presented at public webinars, which also offer an opportunity for public questions and feedback. Webinars are scheduled on Sept 23 at 3 p.m., Sept. 29 at 6 p.m., and Oct. 11 at noon.

To learn more on how to attend the webinars, visit MyFWC.com/Shorebirds. Written comments will be accepted until Oct. 17, at Imperiled@MyFWC.com.

KEEPING PETS SAFE FROM POISONS

BluePearl Specialty and Emergency Animal Pet Hospital has compiled a list of the top five most-seen pet toxicities in 2020.The findings were taken from data collected from more than 100 BluePearl Pet Hospitals across 29 states in the nation, according to a news release. THE TOP FIVE POISONS NOTED: • Chocolate. Caffeine and theobromine in chocolate can be toxic, even lethal, to dogs. The risk of poisoning depends on the type and amount of chocolate ingested and the weight of the dog. Symptoms of chocolate poisoning include vomiting, diarrhea,

hyperactivity, restlessness, excessive urination, and muscle tremors. Keep chocolate out of a dog’s reach by storing it in a cabinet or pantry. • Marijuana. With more states legalizing marijuana, there have been increases in the number of marijuana ingestion cases, making it important to educate pet owners on its toxicity. Tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, can be absorbed both orally and through inhalation. Symptoms can show up in as little as five minutes and include depression, lethargy, pupil dilation, slow heart rate, hypothermia, and leaking urine. Seizures and coma also can occur. • Rodenticide. Bricks, pellets or granules left out for rats or mice may pose as tasty treats for pets. Rodenticide products are designed to kill rodents by causing high calcium levels, internal bleeding, brain swelling or toxic gas production, and are dangerous to

pets. Never put rodenticides where a pet can access them. • Grapes. Grapes and raisins are highly toxic to dogs. Signs and symptoms after ingestion can include loss of appetite, lethargy, weakness, vomiting and/or diarrhea, abdominal pain, dehydration (panting, dry nose and mouth, and pale gums), increased thirst, increased urination or urinary incontinence, or kidney failure. • Human medication. Ingestion of overthe-counter or prescription human medications such as aspirin, ibuprofen, acetaminophen, naproxen, ADHD medications, antidepressants, heart medications, cold medications and herbal supplements can be dangerous to pets. Do not leave medications on countertops or in areas reachable by a pet, including pocketbooks or backpacks left on chairs or the floor. Store medication in a cabinet, closet or drawer.

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Herbert is looking for his perfect match Herbert is a big guy at nearly 80 pounds and would do best with an experienced adopter who can handle his size and strength. This 4-year-old could use some work on his leash manners, but he sits and shakes on command. Herbert is attentive, especially when treats are involved, and would likely be a quick learner. He is friendly and affectionate, but may do best in a home without other pets or small children.

If you would like to adopt Darby or Herbert, be sure to make an appointment at Pasco County Animal Services at 19640 Dogpatch Lane in Land O’ Lakes, by calling 813-929-1212. The adoption center is open Tuesday through Saturday, noon to 6:30 p.m. All adoption fees include spay/neuter, microchip and vaccines. For more information, email adoptionpartners@pascocountyfl.net.

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www.LakerLutzNews.com

September 22, 2021

Health

Heart monitoring goes wireless

Wellness Send health news to news@lakerlutznews.com

CAR WASH FUNDRAISER

The Pasco ASAP (Alliance for Substance Addiction Prevention) and STAND Above the Influence will host a car wash fundraiser with proceeds benefiting the STAND Youth Team. The cost is $10 for a general car wash, or $20 for a deluxe car wash. Information on vouchers is available by emailing stand@empoweredcommunities.org. Vouchers are good through Dec. 31, 2022, at these Tidal Wave Auto Spa locations: • 3893 Atmore Grove Drive, Lutz • 2209 Sun Vista Drive, Lutz • 3500 Tampa Road, Oldsmar

FIRE RESCUE BOOT DRIVE

For the remainder of September, the five Pasco County Tax Collector Offices will accept donations on behalf of the Pasco Fire Rescue’s Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) Boot Drive. After nearly 70 years, the traditional sight of a firefighter standing on a street corner, fire boot in hand, has been replaced with boots on the counter, waiting for spare change to be dropped in. “Last year, our generous customers donated over $2,000 to the Pasco County Fire Rescue department’s efforts to raise money to fight this disease,” said Pasco Tax

AdventHealth Tampa has performed its first wireless monitoring sensor implant to help physicians manage heart failure patients remotely, according to a news release. The FDA-approved procedure is designed to reduce hospital admissions by 58% and improve quality of life for patients. “This innovative technology is opening up a new chapter in how we treat patients with heart failure,” said Dr. Oliver Abela, cardiologist at AdventHealth Tampa, in the release. “We are committed to elevating cardiovascular care in our community and adding (the) CardioMEMS HF System allows us to treat heart failure patients from a distance and, proactively, personalize their medical needs,” said Dr.Abela. The minimally invasive procedure allows physicians to insert a small sensor (the size of a COURTESY OF ADVENTHEALTH WEST FLORIDA DIVISION paper clip) into the patient’s pulmonary artery. Once implanted, the patient goes home with The CardioMEMS HF System sensor is about the size of a paper clip.

Collector Mike Fasano, in a news release. “Currently the MDA is funding 150 research projects around the world due in part to donations made by concerned individuals in this and other communities,” said Fasano. Tax collector offices are located in the West Pasco Government Center, Gulf Harbors,Wesley Chapel, Land O’ Lakes, and the East Pasco Government Center-Dade City. For information, visit PascoTaxes.com, or call 813-235-6076, 727-847-8032 or 352-521-4338.

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a queen-sized pillow device that connects wirelessly to the sensor, allowing physicians to monitor the patient’s heart failure status from anywhere. Patients usually can be discharged from the hospital four hours after the procedure, and can make a full recovery in a week. The sensor is designed to last the lifetime of the patient and does not require batteries.

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p.m. to 10 p.m., at Texas Roadhouse, 26409 Silver Maple Parkway in Wesley Chapel. Texas Roadhouse will donate 10% of its total food purchases, during that time, in support of the Alzheimer’s Foundation. For information, call 813-907-8188.

the audience, and a chance to win a gift card after the show. The hourlong play is family friendly for all ages. For information, call 727-536-7076, or visit SagesTheater.org.

HEALTH CENTER OPEN HOUSE

MEDICARE SEMINARS

Premier Community HealthCare will host an open house for its new Pediatric Health Center, 6906 Madison St., in New Port Richey, on Sept. 25 from 9 a.m. to noon. There will be games, giveaways and free dental screenings. For information, call 352-518-2000, or visit PremierHC.org.

‘DENYING GRAVITY’ PLAY

The nonprofit SAGES (Senior Actors Guild & Education Services) Theater will present two free live performances of “Denying Gravity,” an award-winning Play with Purpose, on Sept. 25 at 2 p.m., at The Palladium, 253 Fifth Ave., N., St. Petersburg, in the Catherine Hickman Theater. The play introduces guests to Claire, a feisty independent retiree who gets tripped up in a twilight-like “Danger Zone” after she experiences a fall in the dark. The cast of characters representing Claire’s family and friends show the true-life consequences and tug on the heart strings as it outlines how best to prevent falls in older adults. All lead roles are played by seniors age 65 and older. The Play with Purpose helps to raise public awareness and support healthy, independent living for older adults. The event will include goody bags for

The free SHINE (Serving Health Insurance Needs of Elders) program offered by the Florida Department of Elder Affairs and the Area Agency on Aging of Pasco & Pinellas continues to provide Medicare seminars, via Zoom. • Oct. 4 at noon: Overview of Medicare Advantage Plan options • Oct. 6 at 10 a.m.: Medicare Basics • Oct. 6 at noon: Medicare Open Enrollment • Oct. 9 at 10 a.m.: Medicare Basics • Oct. 11 at noon: Medicare Part C Advantage Plans • Oct. 13 at 10 a.m.: Medicare Basics • Oct. 13 at noon: Medicare Open Enrollment For information on registering, call 727217-8111 or 800-963-5337.

NAMI PASCO SEEKS DONATIONS

NAMI Pasco (National Alliance on Mentall Illness) is asking for donations of the following items, for its office: • School supplies • Fall décor • Holiday décor • A couch (it would need to be delivered) • Things on its Amazon Wish List For more information, please email info@NAMIPasco.org.

Pushing to expand early childhood offerings By B.C. Manion bcmanion@lakerlutznews.com

Pasco County School board member Colleen Beaudoin made an impassioned plea during the board’s Sept. 14 meeting to increase the district’s early childhood learning opportunities. She observed that she’d recently attended a Head Start meeting, and she noted that as of August, Head Start’s enrollment was 530, and Early Head Start’s enrollment was 107. She praised the efforts of district staff in the early childhood programs but, she said, there are 299 children on the Head Start waiting list and 132 on the Early Head Start waiting list. Beaudoin noted that the district has made great strides, overall, in expanding its programs and offerings. “We have more students taking advanced academics, and career and technical courses, and they aren’t just taking these courses. Our students are excelling, when given this opportunity,” she said. But Beaudoin emphasized that all district students should have these opportunities. “This includes students who are living in poverty and students whose parents don’t know the options that are offered.This includes kids whose parents, grandparents, guardians and other caregivers are working at night and can’t sit at the kitchen table every night helping their kids,” Beaudoin said.

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It includes students with disabilities, she said. “I read somewhere once that when children are young, their intelligence can mask their disability. And when they are older, their disability can mask the intelligence. I know this is true. “I’m including the kids with limited English proficiency. “This is about all our kids.We cannot let these students slip through the cracks. If the district wants to expand educational opportunities for all students, it needs to start when they are young, she said. “We have students in this county who begin kindergarten already at a disadvantage compared to some of their peers,” Beaudoin said. “The further a student falls behind, the harder it is for them to catch up. The gap continues to widen, if not addressed. “It’s much easier and less costly to provide supports and interventions to 3-, 4- and 5-year-olds than it is to a high school student sitting in an algebra class, who’s lacking good number sense,” said Beaudoin. “I know we are working on expanding early childhood programs,” she said, and she urged the district to invest more in those efforts. “Four-hundred-and-thirty-one students on waiting lists for Head Start and Early Head Start is sad and unacceptable. We’ve got to find a way to reach these students, and that’s where I’d like us to focus our time and more of our funding,” Beaudoin said.

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Drew Hudgins’ Love Affair With Pasco County Drew Hudgins’ love affair with Pasco County began 38 years ago when the Tampa native and his wife, Kerri, bought a weekend getaway on Lake Linda in what they called “Land O’ Lutz, Florida.” “I had just started my career at a fastpaced law firm in downtown Tampa, often working 70-hour weeks,” Hudgins recalls. “We needed, and loved, our little lake place getaway, and began spending more and more time in Pasco. So, when we decided to open our own practice, we knew Pasco was where we wanted to be.” That was in 1985, when there was little between Land O’ Lakes and east Pasco except citrus groves and pastureland. “Back then we could drive from Land O’ Lakes to Zephyrhills in just 20 minutes, with only one stoplight in between,” Hudgins laughs. The couple settled on downtown Zephyrhills as the location for their new law practice, after they found an office on Eighth Street for just $350 a month that came with a one-page lease, compared to Tampa office leases of 40 pages or more. Success quickly followed. He was able to purchase the building two years later, and since then has added two adjacent buildings that today total over 8,000 square feet for his clients’ comfort and nine full-time employees. Hudgins quickly learned that there was a tremendous need for legal services in Pasco County, which in 1985 had fewer than 100 practicing attorneys, compared to 7,000 in Hillsborough County. Most Pasco attorneys back then did a little bit of everything. After graduating from law school in 1981 from Mercer University in Macon, Georgia, Hudgins came back home to Tampa and worked for a firm that specialized in personal injury and took that experience with him when he opened his new practice in Zephyrhills. “Most of my early clients came from referrals from other attorneys who did not do personal injury, and in return, I referred my clients that needed other legal services to other local attorneys,” said Hudgins. “I’m proud that today I continue to have great working relationships with my legal colleagues.” It’s been 35 years since Hudgins Law Firm opened its doors in beautiful downtown Zephyrhills, and it ties to the community run deep. Proudly displayed in the office are pictures, plaques and certificates of community organizations the firm has supported through the years, including Little League team photos, and recognition for its participation in Christmas decoration contests and community parades.

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Hudgins Law Firm takes cases under a contingency fee agreement — meaning no payment is required upfront, because the firm gets paid a percentage of the recovery only, if and when a client receives a successful financial recovery. If there is no recovery, there is no fee. The contingent fee is often called the poor man’s key to the Courthouse. “The vast majority of our clients are great, loyal, hard-working and family-oriented people. Most cannot afford the $300 or more hourly rate that other attorneys charge. Over time, our clients become family and we love fighting for them,” said Hudgins. “It’s very rewarding to help people who don’t have the means to pay for legal assistance up front. We always welcome folks to call or come by the office to see if we can help them, and make sure when they do that, they don’t feel intimidated,” he adds. Long before Google had reviews, Hudgins

Drew Hudgins

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Law Firm was receiving testimonials from people it helped – oftentimes from second and third generations of families. “Nothing makes me prouder than when a former client comes up to me at the grocery store or Walmart to thank me for fighting for them, and for being their attorney,” said Hudgins. Hudgins has had many opportunities to double or triple the size of his firm over the years, but he believes bigger is not always better. “We’ve chosen to keep our firm small with just a handful of long-time employees,” he said. “We are truly a small family business.” In addition to his wife, Kerri, who has been the office manager for 35 years, other team members include case manager Tammy Phinney (34 years), case manager Linda Hines (27 years), trial attorney Ken Minio (26 years), accountant Jana Tombrink (20 years), case manager Tammara Wentworth (15 years) and case manager Samantha O’Berry (14 years). “All of our staff are caring, committed employees who work exceptionally hard for our clients,” said Hudgins. “My staff works as a team —we have four case managers that clients are assigned to — but every one of us is aware of every case we have and support each other. This means our clients are never left waiting for answers to their questions.” Hudgins’ law partner for 26 years is Ken Minio, whom Hudgins describes as a tenacious advocate. “Ken is just what clients need when battling for their settlements in court or in negotiations. He fights harder, and smarter, than any attorney I have ever known,” said Hudgins. Besides his law firm, Hudgins is most proud of his son, Maximilian, who is a junior at Auburn University in Alabama, the alma mater of both of his parents. “Having a son was the best thing we ever did,” said Hudgins. Like his father and grandfather, Max is an Eagle Scout, and Hudgins spent many years in local scout leadership. “I am incredibly proud that my father, George Hudgins, who is an unbelievable 96year-old WWII and Korean War veteran, myself and Max are all Eagle Scouts. Less than 1% of scouting families can claim this third generation Eagle legacy, and we are so proud to be among them,” said Hudgins. Hudgins has spent 35 years fighting for his clients and welcomes you to call his office to set up an appointment to see if his firm can help you. “One of the most important decisions you could ever make is to call Hudgins Law Firm. We hope you do, so we can help you and your family get what you deserve if you are the unfortunate victim of an accident.

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September 22, 2021

Send school news to news@lakerlutznews.com

SUBSTITUTE TEACHERS NEEDED

Pasco County Schools currently is hiring substitute teachers. A high school diploma is required. Apply at ESS Pasco County, Jobs.willsubplus.com/jobs?districtIds=1466. Email Jenny Hacker at jhacker@ess.com for additional questions.

COVID NOTICES CHANGED

Pasco County Schools has changed the way it notifies parents of positive cases being reported at the district’s middle and high schools. As of Sept. 13, the district stopped sending daily notifications regarding a positive case being reported at its secondary schools. “Given the nature of middle school and high school schedules, a handful of positive cases often resulted in notifications going school-wide, with some parents receiving multiple notifications of possible exposure,” according to the email the district sent to parents.

“This change pertains to middle school and high school only. Daily notifications will continue at the elementary school level,” the email added. While the district stopped sending those daily notifications, anyone interested in finding out positive cases at any particular school can visit the school district’s COVID-19 Daily Report, which is listed on the district’s website, at Pasco.k12.fl.us. The report lists each school alphabetically and provides the number of staff or student cases for that day.

STUDENT ACHIEVEMENTS

• These local students, all from Lutz, were named to the summer President’s List at Southern New Hampshire University: Joel Gomez Ruiz, Felicia Shingles and Allie Ungerecht. • Nathan Shane, of Lutz, was recognized for his academic achievements during the spring semester at The Citadel. Gold stars are awarded to cadets and students who achieve a 3.7 GPA or higher.The individuals who achieve gold-star recognition also are placed on The Citadel’s Dean’s List.

COURSE REVIEW

Pasco-Hernando State College (PHSC) is receiving excellent reviews of its collegereadiness course called Journey to Success, according to a news release. As part of the college’s reaccreditation

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STUDENT ATTENDS SPACE PROGRAM

Rocco Pupello, of Lutz, attended the Advanced Space Academy at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center, in Huntsville,Alabama. The weeklong educational Space Camp program promotes science, technology, engineering and math (STEM), while training students with hands-on activities and missions based on teamwork, leadership and problem-solving. Rocco spent the week training with a team that flew a simulated space mission to the International Space Station (ISS), the moon or mars.

EARLY RELEASE DAYS

Pasco County Schools again will utilize a monthly, early release time to allow for staff to engage in professional development aligned with student needs, and district and school priorities. Upcoming early release dates are: Oct. 6, Nov. 10, Dec. 8, Jan. 12, Feb. 2, March 9 and April 13. On each of these days, students will be released two hours early. The bell times, including the early release times for each school, can be found online at Pasco.k12.fl.us/site/pcs_bell_schedule. Space Camp uses astronaut training techniques to engage trainees in real-world applications of STEM subjects. Students also sleep in quarters designed to resemble the ISS and train in simulators like those used by NASA.

4-H PROGRAM HAS BEGUN

Pasco County Cooperative Extension’s 4-H program will run through Aug. 31, 2022. Children ages 5 to 18 can participate in county, district, state, regional and national level 4-H clubs, events and activities. Members join community clubs where they work with fellow volunteers to complete projects, community service, camps and workshops. Project areas include: Leadership, environmental science, animal science, robotics, sewing, art, fishing and more. The cost to join is $15 for ages 5 to 7 and $25 for ages 8 to 18. For more information or to join a club, call 352-518-0156, or email sreighter@mypasco.net. For more information about the Florida 4-H program, visit Florida4H.ifas.ufl.edu.

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D i n e i n - Ta k e O u T - D r i v e T h r u - C aT e r i n g

The Laker/Lutz News likes to keep our readers informed about news from our local schools, including upcoming events, photos of events, recognitions and so on. Submissions need to include who, what, where, when, contact information, identifications for individuals in a photo (unless it is a large group), and a photo credit. Please send your information two weeks prior to desired publication date, and email it to news@lakerlutznews.com. If you would like The Laker/Lutz News to consider coverage of an event, send a request to the same email.

Color the picture then mail to:

ROCKY’s Coloring Contest The LAKER/Lutz NEWS

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September 22, 2021

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Crystal Lazar, Habitat CEO, MisIvy Rettie Housing Authority, left, joins members of the Hooks family at the groundbreaking for their new home.

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Double groundbreaking dedicates new homes By Mary Rathman mrathman@lakerlutznews.com

Habitat for Humanity of East and Central Pasco County (HFHECPC) on Sept. 8 hosted a double groundbreaking ceremony for two homes on Church Avenue in Dade City. Habitat staff joined Bellvis Hooks and Sonja Wenzel, along with their family and friends, at the dedication. “We are so happy to start building these two homes,” said Crystal Lazar, CEO and president of HFHECPC, in a news release. “They are the final homes in this fivehome neighborhood in downtown Dade City.These families have worked very hard to have the opportunity to become homeowners, and we are so proud of how far they have come,” said Lazar. Hooks and her four children acknowledged that this has been a long journey, but they are encouraged by the progress that the groundbreaking represents, and they are excited to work on their own home.

Wenzel brought her family so they could see the location of their new home. Standing in the quiet residential neighborhood,Wenzel’s son Kenneth remarked, “I really like this area. I can’t wait to move in here and make it our home.” Watching the homes become a reality is something Habitat staffers hope will become a cherished memory for the families.

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A Legacy of Love Mary "Faye" Burnside Martin, born April 25th 1937, ascended to heaven Thursday, Sept 9th 2021. Faye descended from a founding family of Pasco County. Those connections spread wide through the Burnside and DeRosier families, and of course her own. She took immense pride in her family, and her faith, and will be greatly missed by both family and community. The following is a tribute to her extraordinary life and the lasting legacy she leaves behind: Faye was raised in San Antonio, FL and attended Holy Name Academy (St. Leo College). She was studying for her degree in education at Dayton University in Ohio when she met Jerome "Jerry" Martin in drama class. Her greatest desire was to have a large family; and she decided to stand up for the life of her own choosing by breaking away from her education early to marry Jerry at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church in San Antonio, FL. Together, they raised their growing family in Tampa, FL, even as their TV characters, "Barney Bungelupper" and "Marigold," the fairy princess, delighted kids and families throughout central Florida. Being Barney Bungelupper’s (Jerry's) wife was no small task, either. She was at the ready as Marigold, the Fairy Princess, while maintaining her full-time job as mother to the 5 toe-headed children they had at the time. Faye’s intuitive musical talent and Jerry’s signature comedic genius fostered a nurturing environment where creativity thrived. Early on, the Martin residence became known as a wheelhouse of music, laughter and loving acceptance. On any given day this was evidenced by a number of neighborhood kids crowding in with everyone else to be included in the warmth of laughter and family camaraderie. Faye focused greatly on being a positive force in the lives of others; and had a well-spring of energy, which she needed as a mother of 8 and all of their friends! When it came to her family, she was kind and generous, and 'momma-bear fierce'. Faye’s fortitude as the matriarch of the Martins is seen in each of her children, grandchildren, and extended family and will endure for many generations to come. She left behind a legacy of love not only in our hearts, but in writing. As a talented poet, her collection of poems about her children and grandchildren is aptly titled just that, "A Legacy of Love". In it she reflects on the individual talents of each of her progeny and drills down to reveal the nuanced personality traits unique to each of their lives. Throughout her poetry you catch glimpses of the insights and wisdom she had. She was working to collect decades worth of her poems to put into a new book, and we look forward to helping her complete that. Faye was a remarkable woman with a ground shaking faith that galvanized not just her family, but the world around her. Everybody knew, if you needed prayer - you called Faye! She was a prayer warrior! Throughout her life, Faye’s approach to challenges and hardships reflected her unshakeable trust in God to manage those things that were beyond her control or understanding. She exemplified the true walk of faith with a forgiving spirit, and maintained a joyful, optimistic outlook. When Jerry passed away in 2015, even in her grief, Faye’s strength and abiding faith provided comfort and shelter for those around her through this loss, the worst storm of their lives. Her eternal legacy is in each life she has inspired to faith and salvation in Jesus Christ. For us yet earthbound sojourners in faith, her departure isn’t “good bye”, but “see you again, soon”. For now, the Jester and his Fairy Princess are reunited….and they are living happily ever after. Faye is preceded in death by Jerry who passed away in 2015 and is survived by her 8 children, 6 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren and the many that she mothered and grand-mothered as though they were her very own. The service was held on Monday Sept. 20th at First Baptist Church in Dade City, FL. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the family's fundraiser at https://gofund.me/605cc960.

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September 22, 2021

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10B September 22, 2021