Lutz NEWS
ee r F
LAKERLUTZNEWS.COM
Auto Accident? Slip and Fall? FREE CONSULTATION
No Fees Or Costs Unless You Win HOLLIDAY KARATINOS LAW FIRM, P.L.
SERVING LUTZ/ODESSA
JANUARY 14, 2015
Flu cases are up: Take precautions By B.C. Manion bcmanion@lakerlutznews.com
Chances are that you know someone who has become ill with the flu this year. It could be a family member, a colleague, a friend or someone at church —whoever it is, Dr. James Robelli, of St. Joseph’s Hospital North in Lutz, offers this bit of advice: “If you know someone that has the flu, stay away from them.” More people are coming down with the flu, as compared to prior years, said Dr. Nadeem Kahn, chief of medicine and direc-
Dr. James Robelli
Dr. Nadeem Kahn
tor of infectious control at Florida Hospital Wesley Chapel. Florida Hospital Wesley Chapel has reported a significant increase in the number
of flu cases coming into the hospital, according to statistics provided by Tracy Clouser, director of marketing. In December, it saw a 274 percent increase in flu cases in its emergency department and a 125 percent increase in the number of patients admitted with the flu. Robelli, who is medical director of the emergency department at St. Joseph’s North in Lutz, also reported an increased number of flu cases. See FLU, page9A
HelpingInjuredPeople.com Call Attorney
JIM HOLLIDAY 813-868-1887 “I Will Aggressively Fight To Protect Your Legal Rights” 18920 N. Dale Mabry Hwy Ste 101 Lutz, FL (Corner of Sunlake & Dale Mabry)
Walk-Ins Welcome
Watoto choir shares story of Africa’s vulnerable children By B.C. Manion bcmanion@lakerlutznews.com
The Watoto Children’s Choir is kicking off its four-month United States tour with appearances in Florida, including local stops. The choir’s tour, entitled “Beautiful Africa: A New Generation,” seeks to raise awareness about the plight of orphaned and vulnerable children in Africa. The performances — which are free and open to the public — include original African music, dance routines and life-transforming stories from rescued orphans and women who are part of the choir. Local stops on the tour include a 7 p.m. performance Jan. 14 at Victorious Life Church, 6224 Old Pasco Road in Wesley Chapel, and three performances at Van Dyke Church in Lutz. The Van Dyke performances are at 6 p.m. on Jan. 17, and 9:30 a.m. and 11:15 a.m. on Jan. 18. Van Dyke is at 17030 Lakeshore Road. Each of the children in the choir has suffered the loss of one or both parents. They live in Watoto Children’s Villages where they are nurtured to become productive citizens and leaders in their own country. Edwinsmith Kigozi, now 29, was just 11 years old when he went to live in a Watoto Village. His parents had both died. His uncle did not have the means to support him and they welcomed Watoto’s help, said Kigozi, now a team leader with the organization. The concerts feature a fusion of contemporary gospel and traditional African rhythm. Watoto’s children’s choirs have been traveling internationally since 1994 as amSee CHOIR, page9A
CALL TODAY FIXED TODAY! NEW LOOK
PHOTOS COURTESY OF WATOTO CHILDREN’S CHOIR
The Watoto Children’s Choir is touring around the Southeastern United States, including stops in Wesley Chapel, Lutz and Tampa. Allan Nyakaana takes center stage here.
SAME GREAT SERVICE
Air Conditioning • Heating • Plumbing A/C LICENSE #CAC1816647 PLUMBING LIC. #CFC1428982
Mike White, at right, president and founder of the Lutz Citizens Coalition, said residents who want to protect their quality of life need to “fight fire with fire” by hiring experts to represent them during public hearings. Otherwise, legitimate concerns — such as traffic congestion and potential for flooding — might be disregarded by the hearing officer, White said.
Opponents to charter school gearing up for battle By B.C. Manion
but the precise time this request will be heard won’t be known until that evening because there generally are a number of About 90 concerned residents turned items on the agenda. out to a strategy meeting on Jan. 8, as opThe hearing has already been delayed ponents gear up to battle a proposed twice and there’s a chance it could be decharter school for up to 1,050 kinder- layed again, Mike White, president and garten through eighth-grade students in founder of the Lutz Citizens Coalition told Lutz. area residents and interested parties who Charter Schools Inc., of Boca Raton is gathered at J.F. Swartsel Masonic Lodge, seeking permission from Hillsborough 3109 Lutz Lake Fern Road. County to allow a school for students in The application for the project shows kindergarten through eighth grade at the two phases. southwest corner of Lutz Lake Fern Road The first phase includes a two-story and Sunlake Boulevard. building with 33 classrooms, and the secThe operator of the school would be ond phase calls for a two-story building Charter Schools Association of Coral with 20 classrooms. Gables, according to the application filed The plans also show a storm water with Hillsborough County. pond, a playground, and areas for parking The proposed Sunlake Academy would for both vehicles and bicycles. Plans also operate on 7.46 acres. A 1-acre outparcel at call for basketball courts. the site represents a potential child care Since submitting the original plans, the center in the future that is already permit- applicant has revised the plans to include a ted by existing zoning. number of changes, including a larger A public hearing on the request is set buffer area and setback from residential for Feb. 16. The meeting begins at 6 p.m., lots to the west of the proposed school,
bcmanion@lakerlutznews.com
Winner 2012, 2013, 2014
CornerstonePros.com
813-949-4445
B INSIDE, PAGE 1B
double tree plantings and fencing. The plans also include revised plans regarding how vehicles will be able to get in and out of the proposed school. Area residents and organizations have submitted letters objecting to the proposed school — citing concerns about traffic congestion, potential flooding and negative impacts on their quality of life and property values. Todd Caroline, who lives in Lake Fern Villa, notes that the project would back up to his property line, according to a letter objection he submitted to Hillsborough County. “It is already a struggle to get out of our community morning, afternoon and evening due to a poorly built intersection at Lutz Lake Fern Road and Sunlake (Boulevard). Ever since Steinbrenner (High School), Martinez (Middle School) and McKitrick (Elementary School) have opened, it has only gotten worse,” Caroline wrote in a Dec. 23 email to Hillsborough See CHARTER, page9A