Lutz News-Lutz/Odessa-December 30, 2020

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Construction, legal action on Ridge Road

By Kathy Steele Special to The Laker/Lutz News

Work on the Ridge Road extension is pushing ahead even as legal action from the Sierra Club to halt construction remains active. Attorneys for the Sierra Club recently filed a motion to add U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as a defendant in a lawsuit that was filed in February against the U.S.Army Corps of Engineers. The approximately 9-mile corridor would link Moon Lake Road in New Port

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Richey with the Suncoast Parkway, and eventually will reach U.S. 41 in Land O’ Lakes. The extension cuts through the Serenova Tract of the Starkey Wildlife Preserve, which has been a point of contention. Environmentalists say the road will destroy sensitive conservation wetlands and wildlife habitats.They believe the motive for the road extension is to support more growth and development. The lawsuit alleges that Fish and Wildlife in its “biological opinion” violated the Endangered Species Act and failed to prop-

erly assess harmful impacts, specifically to the Eastern indigo snake. The lawsuit also claims the Army Corps failed to complete a legally required comprehensive analysis on impacts to the Florida scrub blue jay and the red-cockaded woodpecker. “They are causing damage to the best preserve in Pasco County,” said Tim Martin, chair of the Sierra Club Florida’s conservation committee. County officials say the road extension will add a vital east/west evacuation route

See RIDGE ROAD, page 9A

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A wonderland of 'snow' and surprises Coupled with a light drizzle, Life Church’s booth generated bubbles that doubled as snowflakes and snow drifts. Hundreds of vehicles made their way along the line of vendor tents at the Stuff Your Stocking Drive Thru, hosted by Wesley Chapel Rotary at Wesley Chapel District Park. Natalie Dougherty (left), of Life Church, hands out gifts within the sudsy blizzard. See more on page 1B.

Celebrating some of life’s big moments

Making birthdays happy, despite COVID-19

By B.C. Manion bcmanion@lakerlutznews.com

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If ever there was a time when joy was needed, 2020 was the year. Here’s a look, in condensed form, at some of the stories revealing big moments and happy times in The Laker/Lutz News region, during the year that was. More photos on page 9A. FILE

When original plans for Evelyn “Ev” Furman’s 99th birthday were canceled, her daughter came up with Plan B. The plans were all set. Furman’s family planned to travel to Land O’ Lakes and to take her to the Rusty Pelican to celebrate her 99th birthday. A birthday lunch with friends was planned, too. Neither happened, thanks to COVID-19. Instead, her daughter, Debbie Storts organized a party — inviting people to drive, walk or bicycle by the house to help Ev celebrate. Storts used a 6-foot tray to hand out cupcakes. Those bringing gifts left them at the edge of the driveway, where they were collected and sanitized, before being delivered to the Birthday Girl. Although the original plans fell through, Ev didn’t mind. “It was the best party I ever had,” she said.

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When Kynlee Kuberski wasn’t able to celebrate her 11th birthday at Universal Studios, her mom, Jessi, took to social media inviting people to drive by to wish her a happy, socially distanced birthday. People responded, making the day a treat for Kynlee, who lives in Connerton. Kynlee, center, reacts as a Pasco County Fire Rescue truck drives by — adding to the fun. Her mother, Jessi, stands to her left, and her older sister, Kalyn, is on her right.


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