Lutz News-Lutz/Odessa-February 13, 2019

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‘Facts are facts,’ economic expert says By B.C. Manion

bcmanion@lakerlutznews.com

Understanding the economy means having a handle on factual information. That’s not such an easy thing to achieve in today’s environment. But John B. Jung Jr., the featured speaker at the Pasco Economic Development Council’s 2019 Economic Forecast Luncheon, focused on informing the audi-

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ence in his talk,“Facts are Stubborn Things.” “We struggle sometimes when we talk about the economy, because we don’t know what the facts are,” said Jung, who is the senior managing director and head of BB&T Capital Markets. “You turn on your television, and it’s on Fox News, and you walk into your other room and you’ve got another television and you turn it on, and that’s on MSNBC, you don’t think you’re living in the same coun-

try,” Jung said. “It’s really important, when we talk about the economy, that we get down to facts. Facts are facts. “The U.S. economy is driven by the consumer. Post-World War II, 70 percent of the GDP (gross domestic product) has been driven by consumer spending. Right this minute, it’s between 73 and 74 percent. See ECONOMY, page 15A

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Florists’ fingers fly, as they gear up for a very, very busy Valentine’s Day Rose’s Hub Florida on North Dale Mabry Highway in Lutz has played a role in brightening Valentine’s Day for recipients of the florist’s handiworks for decades. The business, which opened its doors in 1959, is best-known for its farm-fresh flowers and 70-cm long-stem roses. Rose Moore is the current shop’s owner. Her mother, Louise, opened it, and Rose’s daughter, Egan, is the third generation of floral designers to work there. Above, while Caroline the cat rests on the counter, Rose Moore, left, and her 20-year-old daughter Egan, create a longstem rose masterpiece. Between deliveries and walk-ins, Moore said that during this time, her shop will create and sell hundreds of flower bouquets and centerpieces.

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Rose Moore, the owner of Rose’s Hub Florist, tidies a long stem rose that will be used in one of several centerpieces. Roses are the top choice by customers for Valentine arrangements, and they prefer the red, white and pink varieties.

Caroline, a stray cat that stuck around to become the mascot of Rose’s Hub Florist, rests on the counter while watching shop owner Rose Moore and her daughter, Egan, prepare flowers for what promises to be a very busy Valentine’s Day.

TouchPoint Medical’s Local teen spreads anti-human trafficking awareness in Pasco headquarters to open in 2020 By Kevin Weiss

kweiss@lakerlutznews.com

By B.C. Manion

bcmanion@lakerlutznews.com

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Construction began last week on TouchPoint Medical Inc.’s global headquarters on South Branch Boulevard in The Preserve, a new residential community off State Road 54, west of the Suncoast Parkway. The 142,000-square-foot facility in Land O’ Lakes is expected to be completed during 2020.The company will bring a total of 228 jobs to Pasco County, including 116 new jobs and other positions transferred from several locations. The project represents more than $23 million in capital investment in Pasco County, according to officials with Pasco Economic Development Council Inc., the agency that seeks to attract new businesses and strengthen existing ones to bolster the county’s economy. Officials from TouchPoint Medical and its parent company, elected leaders,TouchPoint employees and members of the community celebrated the groundbreaking on Feb. 6. It was a blue sky kind of day, with See TOUCHPOINT, page 15A

Walk through any public middle or high school in Pasco County, and you’re bound to come across impactful posters bringing awareness to the issue of human trafficking. They’re pretty hard to miss. Displayed in bright pink and green colors, with large fonts in English and Spanish versions, the posters explain that human trafficking is a crime where someone is forced to work or engage in a commercial sex act against their will. They warn that anyone, especially young people, can be a victim, and that it’s happening in Florida. The posters lists warning signs that someone, particularly a friend or another student, may be involved in human trafficking.They may be a victim if she or he: • Often runs away and skips school • Has bruises, scars, brands or untreated injuries • Is distant from family/friends • Has a controlling older boyfriend/girlfriend • Suddenly has expensive possessions The posters informs students on ways to help.They can: • Be aware and learn to recognize the signs • Immediately report suspected trafficking to your school’s Corporal/SRO(School

COURTESY OF MAKAYLA HILDEBRAND

Makayla Hildebrand founded Priceless Youth Movement her senior year at Land O’ Lakes High School. Now in college, Hildebrand is an active volunteer with the Pasco County Commission on Human Trafficking, serving as a youth-friendly advocate.

Resource Officer) • Encourage anyone you suspect is being trafficked to talk to a school social worker • Provide support; remind your friend that help is available and they are not alone Contact information for the National Human Trafficking Hotline is listed, too. The posters were placed in schools this See AWARENESS, page 15A


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