Lutz News-Lutz/Odessa-Feb. 18, 2015

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FEBRUARY 18, 2015

Improvements planned on SR 54 By Kathy Steele ksteele@lakerlutznews.com

Pastoral scenes of as-yet untouched land in Pasco County still exist amid the office complexes, shopping centers and subdivision rooftops that dot parts of State Road 54. But the “for sale” and “for lease” signs planted on large open fields in between KATHY STEEL/STAFF PHOTO those developments porThe Florida Department of Transportation is scheduled to begin work this month to widen State Road 54 tend the future story for from four lanes to six lanes from east of the Suncoast Parkway to west of U.S. 41 (also known as Land O’ traffic counts on what is alLakes Boulevard). ready one of Pasco County’s busiest east-west corridors. State highway officials are ready to unveil p.m., at the Residence Inn at 2101 a $16 million road project to widen the Northpointe Parkway, off State Road 54, at Want to see the plans? highway from east of the Suncoast Parkway the Suncoast Parkway interchange and The Florida Department of to west of U.S. 41 from four lanes to six Northpointe Village. No formal presentation Transportation is having an open house to lanes. The widening will bring that section is planned. State road department staff will give the public a chance to see the plans of the roadway into alignment with the ex- be on hand to answer questions. for a construction project to widen a secisting six-lane divided highway that narrows The project will cover a 6.7-mile stretch tion of State Road 54, from east of the to four lanes at the Suncoast Parkway. of highway that passes by Long Lake Ranch, Suncoast Parkway to west of U.S. 41(also Survey teams began work Feb. 9. a master-planned community that has its known as Land O’ Lakes Boulevard). Construction is scheduled to be completed first homes on the market. The meeting will be Feb. 24 from 5 p.m. in spring 2016. Other subdivisions along the route are to 7 p.m., at the Residence Inn, 2101 Residents can look at the road design at Northpointe Parkway in Lutz. See SR 54, page7A an open house Feb. 24 from 5 p.m. to 7

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PHOTO COURTESY OF SAINT LEO UNIVERSITY

William J. “Bill” Lennox, Jr. addresses the audience at the Feb. 6 announcement of his selection as the next president of SaintLeo University. He’ll start work later this summer.

Meet Saint Leo’s new president: William J. Lennox, Jr. By Michael Murillo

United States Army three-star lieutenant general, has been named as the ninth president in the university’s history. He was introWhen Saint Leo University began the duced at a campus news conference on search for its next president, it knew it was Feb. 6. He assumes his new post this sumlooking for a star. mer. Instead, the search committee found “It feels great,” Lennox said about taking three stars. on his new job. “I think it’s an amazing instiWilliam J. “Bill” Lennox, Jr., a retired tution.”

mmurillo@lakerlutznews.com

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Lennox is familiar with Saint Leo University. He served on the school’s board of trustees for six years before deciding to take on the president’s role. Lennox has been part of the selection process from its inception, but not always in the role of a candidate for the job. See PRESIDENT, page7A

Today’s ‘Teen World’ isn’t easy By B.C. Manion Winner 2012, 2013, 2014

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bcmanion@lakerlutznews.com

Being a teenager has never been an easy time, but with today’s technology, poor decisions and impulsive actions can go viral in an instant. And, with Snapchat, Instagram and Twitter it’s so much easier for kids to get themselves into trouble these days — sometimes with deadly consequences. Teenagers aren’t the only ones facing new challenges in this cyber age. Parents also have trouble helping their children navigate through their teen years. To help both groups, Steinbrenner High School’s Parent Teacher Student Association recently held a “The World of a Teen,” forum to discuss challenges confronting today’s teenagers. A panel of experts covered issues ranging from dating, drugs, alcohol, stress, social media.

They also talked frankly about such topics as sexting and sexploitation, human trafficking, date rape, drug and alcohol abuse, depression, self-mutilation, eating disorders and various kinds of anxiety. More than 160 people turned out for the event, prompting Laura LoPresti, one of the organizers to remark as she addressed the crowd: “This is obviously a topic of interest.” The forum offered a safe space for both parents and their children to ask questions. They jotted them on index cards and LoPresti read them to panelists. Parents wanted advice about how to keep track of their child’s online behaviors. It’s a serious issue, said Michelle Gonzalez, a special agent with the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Parents must monitor what their children are doing online — on whatever kind See TEEN, page7A

B.C. MANION/STAFF PHOTO

Cindy Floyd, a licensed clinical psychologist who practices in Wesley Chapel, was on a panel at ‘The World of a Teen’ event sponsored by Steinbrenner High School’s Parent Teacher Student Association. The forum fostered a frank discussion of the issues that teenagers confront in today’s cyber age.


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