Two Sections, 36 Pages of Community News
Valrico
15 C E L E B R A T I N G
July 2019 Volume 16, Issue 7 Ph: 657-2418 1 7
Y E A R S
O F
P U B L I S H I N G
Turning Lane & Improvements Coming To S. Miller And Lithia Pinecrest Intersection
By Brad Stager
PRSTD STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID TAMPA, FL PERMIT #2397
the project for Hillsborough County. “The intent is to relieve the pressure on Miller,” she said. Julia Delones is a longtime resident of the area near the junction and expressed appreciation for the county’s effort, but is skeptical as to how well the plan will help a situation involving human behavior as much as a high traffic count. “The extra turn lane will The intersection of S. Miller Road and Lithia Pinecrest will be improved with a $356,000 upgrade. help, but it’s not going to fix A growing number it because of people making they block the Valrico their home intersection,” means an increase in said Delones, cars traveling on what referring to a were once country motoring techroads, adding up to nique known as ‘blocking the box.’ congestion and delays for drivers, espeEntering an intersection with traffic cially during peak travel times. backed up to the point where the car Among the plans in Eastern cannot clear the intersection, blocking Hillsborough County to keep traffic mov- the movement of other cars, is not only ing is a project to improve the interseca matter of courtesy, it is against the law tion of Lithia Pinecrest Road and S. according to Florida Statute 316.2061, Miller Road, just north of Bloomingdale which says in part, “No driver shall enter Avenue. an intersection or a marked crosswalk Plans for the project presented at unless there is sufficient space on the an open house held by Hillsborough other side of the intersection or crossCounty call for resurfacing and restripwalk to accommodate the vehicle…” ing existing pavement on S. Miller Road It is a problem that Workman to create an additional left-turn lane acknowledges does exist. from westbound S. Miller Road to the “Cars shouldn’t be blocking the southbound lanes of Lithia Pinecrest intersection, but they do,” she said. Road at the T-intersection. The traffic The project is part of Hillsborough signal system will be upgraded and County’s Capital Improvement Program pedestrian safety features will be and is estimated to cost $356,000. added. Actual road work will take about 60 to 90 Relieving congestion on S. Miller days and the project is expected to be Road is the desired outcome, according completed by August 2020. No road cloto Steffanie Workman, who is managing sures are anticipated.
C O M M U N I T Y
N E W S
Therapy Dog At Nelson Elementary To Be Integrated With Classrooms
By Hailey Le Roy
Nelson He had two surgeries Elementary has on his back legs and acquired a therapy two anterior cruciate ligdog to be integrated ament (ACL) tears. inside its classrooms. However, he has mostly Odd Job, a recovered and is continmixed black lab, has uing to positively impact visited the school the community. occasionally for the “Just to sit and pet past seven years, a dog totally reduces said the owner of the your stress level,” dog and physical Everyone, including the education teacher at teachers, has used Odd Nelson, Leslie Wheeler. She has been teaching at Nelson since 2005 and would bring Odd Job in during teacher workdays ever since she got him. Solomon walking Odd Job around “Who doesn’t Nelson Elementary. want to have their dog at school with them?” said Wheeler. Job to calm Last year, Wheeler decided to train down after a Odd Job to be a therapy dog so that he rough day. could regularly work with students at the “He’s had an Coach Wheeler has been school. According to Wheeler, Odd Job effect on teaching Physical got was very cooperative during his thereverybody in Education at Nelson Elementary since 2005. apy training and got it done in four this school.” weeks. He did everything the trainer In addition, Wheeler would like to asked him to do. Then, with the help of start bringing Odd Job into assisted living Nelson’s principal and guidance counhomes so he can continue to help others selors, he was approved to visit during inside and outside of school. school hours. In the past school year, Odd Job was used only on Fridays and strictly to reward students’ good behavior and academics. The kids could either read to Odd Job, take him out for a walk or just relax and enjoy petting him. 14 “He has always loved children and has a great disposition and I didn’t want that to go to waste,” said Wheeler. SPORTS FIELD UPGRADES ..................PG 4 Next year, the school is hoping to TEEN COURT ......................................PG 9 add onto Odd Job’s purpose. It would like to incorporate him even more inside SPORTS CONNECTION...............PGS 28‐29 the classroom setting as well as rewardCHALKLINES .....................................PG 32 ing students. He will be visiting the students daily. A blanket permission slip will READ MORE LOCAL NEWS ONLINE be sent out across the school to allow interaction with Odd Job. Odd Job has not had the easiest life.
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2 for $7
Create Your Own Love It Ice Cream Expires 8/14/19
Three Bulls Tavern & Brewery recently opened to rave reviews. Hours are Monday to Thursday from 4-11 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 4 p.m.-12 Noon and Sunday from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Three Bulls Tavern & Brewery is located at 4330 Bell Shoals Rd. in Valrico in the former Beef O’ Brady’s spot on Bell Shoals Rd. Call 381-3853 or visit on Facebook at Three Bulls Tavern & Brewery.
3426 Lithia Pinecrest Rd • Valrico (813) 681-2223 (located behind Chili’s)