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Pasco Schools wins national honors
By B.C. Manion bcmanion@lakerlutznews.com
Pasco County Schools has been named the best Advanced Placement school district among large districts in the nation. The school district was among 250 districts across the United States and Canada that were named to the annual AP District
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Honor Roll, according to a school district news release. From those, three districts were singled out — one large, one medium and one small, based on an analysis of three years of AP data, the release says. Pasco was honored in the category of large districts, as defined by those with 50,000 students or more.
Pasco Schools Superintendent Kurt Browning shared the news with district staff in a May 29 video posted on YouTube “The top district, in the nation — this is a big deal,” Browning said. “There are more than 13,000 school districts in the United States, and our school district — our stuSee HONORS, page 9A
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Hitting the gyms, to make up for lost time
As Florida reopens for business, lots of people have begun hitting the gyms and fitness facilities again. Whether it’s to take a dip, walk a treadmill, lift weights or work with ropes, gyms are beginning to see activity again. Unlike some businesses, they had been totally shut down in recent weeks, due to concerns about the potential spread of COVID-19. Above, Mandy Johnson, 43, of Land O' Lakes, burns calories during her 30-minute to 45-minute workout on a recent Saturday afternoon at Anytime Fitness, at 1408 N. Dale Mabry Highway in Lutz.
Nancie Howley, 62, of Lutz, is working on her steps on the stairstep machine during a recent workout at Anytime Fitness, 1408 N. Dale Mabry in Lutz. She steps for about an hour, three times a week.
Gabe Marrero, 36, of Wesley Chapel, uses dumbbell curls to enhance the size of his biceps during a Saturday afternoon workout at Strive Athletic Club, 2626 Cypress Ridge Blvd., in Wesley Chapel. He typically works out five days a week, doing cardio and strength-training exercises.
Organizers cancel Lutz Experts offer ‘next Fourth of July festivities steps’ advice for By B.C. Manion bcmanion@lakerlutznews.com
COVID-19 has claimed another victim. The traditional Independence Day festivities in Lutz will not be held this year. For decades, the community, north of Tampa, has attracted thousands of people to its annual Fourth of July parade, and associated activities. But, this year, organizers decided it was just too risky to stage the annual event. “We mulled it over for many, many weeks. It wasn’t a decision made lightly, I can assure you,” said Annette Bellingar, president of the GFWC Lutz-Land O’ Lakes Woman’s Club. Ultimately, said Pat Serio, a club board member:“We had to choose the safe route.” Bellingar said:“When we thought about it, we thought there is just no way that we’re going to get people to be doing the proper social distancing at an event such as this. “Can you imagine having all of those people there and saying,‘You’ve got to be 6
feet apart?’” Bellingar said. The close quarters between people raised concerns, Serio said. Plus, she noted: “In the usual extreme heat we have on Fourth of July, even mask-wearing could be difficult.” Still, canceling the festivities was not an easy choice, Serio said. The event has been an annual tradition for many families. Generally, the parade featured widely known local organizations, such as the GFWC Lutz-Land O’ Lakes Woman’s Club, the Little Women of Lutz, the Lutz Civic Association, Boy Scout Troop 12 and the North Tampa Lutz Cadet Squadron. Local businesses, churches, law enforcement agencies, schools, military organizations politicians and candidates for the honorary Lutz Guv’na are mainstays, too. It’s been a parade that features antique cars, fire trucks, sheriff’s patrol cars, belly dancers, martial arts groups, churches, miliSee FESTIVITIES, page 9A
small businesses
By B.C. Manion bcmanion@lakerlutznews.com
Small businesses around the country recently tuned into a webinar presented by Spectrum Reach to help entrepreneurs respond to challenges posed by COVID-19. Moderator Annika Pergament, of NY 1, asked panelists about current economic conditions and asked them to provide practical suggestions for business owners to help them get to the other side. The webinar, called “Looking beyond: What’s next to help local businesses succeed,” featured David Asman, a host on the Fox Business Network; Mark Langford, director of the North Texas SBDC (Small Business Development Center); and Bridget Weston, acting director of SCORE. Local chambers of commerce, including the North Tampa Bay Chamber and The Greater Pasco Chamber, put out the word See ADVICE, page 9A