Friends and family members will gather at Harvester Community Church in Land O’ Lakes on June 22 for a memorial service for Walter Robert Seitz. […]
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This Week
Pasco County issues Emergency Burn Ban
By Mary Rathman
Pasco County is under an Emergency Burn Ban for all areas of the county, effective immediately, and will not expire until conditions improve, according to a news release. The county is experiencing extremely dry conditions due to a prolonged lack of rainfall, resulting in an increased risk of brush fires. Everyone living in unincorporated areas […]
City of Zephyrhills starts new recycling pickup schedule
By Mary Rathman
The City of Zephyrhills is notifying municipal residents of a new recycling pickup schedule due to the increasing population within the city limits. The updated schedule aims to better serve the community’s needs and ensure efficient recycling management, according to a news release. The new pickup schedule is: June 5: Recycling will be picked up […]
Lisa Yeager sworn in as commissioner
By Joe Potter
Lisa Yeager was sworn in to represent District 4 during the May 21 meeting of the Pasco County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC). She was appointed by Gov. Ron DeSantis on May 16 to fill the seat that had been vacant since the death of former Commissioner Gary Bradford on April 21. Commission District 4 […]
Pasco Schools to provide free meals during summer
By Mary Rathman
Pasco County Schools’ Summer Food Service will begin on June 3 and has provided the following information in a news release. Breakfasts and lunches will be provided Monday through Thursday to anyone age 18 and younger at these school locations: June 3 to June 28 — Anclote High, Centennial Middle, East Pasco Education Academy, Fivay […]
Florida regulators reject request for oral arguments in rate increase cases
(The Center Square) — Florida regulators denied on Tuesday a request for oral arguments in two petitions by utilities seeking electricity rate hikes. On April 2, Tampa Electric Company and Duke Energy Florida filed petitions to the Public Service Commission (PSC) requesting rate increases beginning in January 2025 if the commission approves. The Office of […]
Let me spell it out for you
You think that I don’t even mean A single word I say It’s only words, and words are all I have To take your heart away -Bee Gees, “Words” As a child growing up in Lutz in the ‘60s, I was no stranger to corporal punishment. Children are children and there must be certain disciplinary […]
Florida’s Sports Coast offers marketing matching program
Florida’s Sports Coast, the destination management organization for Pasco County, has introduced the 2024-2025 Marketing Matching Sponsorship Program (MMSP) aimed at promoting an artistic, cultural or unique experience that is not sports related. These types of events have the potential to attract visitors to the region. The program provides up to $5,000 to expand the […]
State unemployment rate up slightly in April compared to same time last year
(The Center Square) —The Florida Department of Commerce released a new report on the state’s unemployment rate, showing that while it has risen slightly from a year ago, it continues to outpace the national average. According to the report, Florida’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 3.3% as of April 2024, an increase of 0.1 percentage […]
This Week (cont)
Pioneer Florida Museum joins Blue Star initiative
By Mary Rathman
The Pioneer Florida Museum & Village, 15602 Pioneer Museum Road in Dade City, has joined museums nationwide in the Blue Star Museums initiative, a program that provides free admission to currently serving U.S. military personnel and their families during the summer. The program began on Armed Forces Day (May 18) and will end on Labor […]
Report indicates Florida tort reform reduced ‘nuclear verdicts’
(The Center Square) — A new report shows that the number of “nuclear” verdicts in the Sunshine State has steadily declined since tort reforms were signed into law in 2023. Marathon Strategies released its 2024 report on corporate verdicts throughout the U.S., and data shows a 30% rise in juries awarding enormous sums of money […]
Report spotlights Florida discretionary projects known as ‘budget turkeys’
(The Center Square) — A Florida nonprofit organization released a report on Wednesday identifying individual budget appropriations that did not undergo thorough scrutiny by lawmakers. Florida TaxWatch released its 2024 Budget Turkey Watch Report on Wednesday, which is an independent review of the state’s fiscal year 2024-2025 budget. Former Florida lieutenant governor and Florida TaxWatch […]
Local Sports & Rec
10 great summer sports and recreation activities
Summer is the perfect time to enjoy a variety of sports and recreational activities. Whether you’re looking to stay active, enjoy the outdoors, or try something new, there are plenty of options to make the most of the sunny season. Here are the top 10 summer sports and recreation activities to consider: Swimming Why it’s […]
How athletes can keep feet and ankles in tip-top shape this summer
With the weather warming, the time is ripe to lace up your trainers and hit the asphalt. But summer fun and chores alike come with potential hazards to feet — and the last thing you want is to be sidelined from sports with a nagging foot issue. According to the American College of Foot and […]
Sports & Rec – Check This Out
Saint Leo men’s tennis advances to semifinals
The top-ranked Saint Leo University men’s tennis team defeated Wayne State University 4-0 at the 2024 NCAA Division II National Championship quarter finals on May 22, advancing to the national semifinals. Their next opponent had not yet been determined at The Laker/Lutz News’ press deadline. More information and scores can be found at SaintLeoLions.com/sports/mens-tennis.
Top spots for outdoor workouts
Fitness website Lift Vault released a poll of fitness enthusiasts that ranked the top 150 outdoor fitness spots in the country, which they describe as “destinations offering breathtaking views that elevate the fitness experience,” according to a news release. The top five spots are: Chautauqua Park, Boulder, Colorado Lake Tahoe Nevada State Park, Nevada Acadia […]
Best soccer cities
The personal-finance website WalletHub released its report on the Best Cities for Soccer Fans in 2024, comparing 300 U.S. cities with at least one college or professional soccer team across 52 key metrics, including minimum season-ticket price and performance on the pitch, according to a news release. Here are the top 20 cities: Los […]
Reasons To Smile
School’s out for summer!
By Mary Rathman
Nykolus Di Roma, of Lutz, celebrates his fifth-grade graduation from Denham Oaks Elementary in style. The last day of school for Pasco County students was May 24.