Lutz NEWS
ee r F
SERVING LUTZ/ODESSA
LAKERLUTZNEWS.COM
Auto Accident? Slip and Fall? FREE CONSULTATION
No Fees Or Costs Unless You Win
Concerns raised about reopening
Union announces plan to seek injunction to block school opening By B.C. Manion bcmanion@lakerlutznews.com
The United School Employees of Pasco is raising concerns about the prospect of offering brick-and-mortar instruction when
HOLLIDAY KARATINOS
AU G U S T 5 , 2 0 2 0
school begins, given current COVID-19 conditions. A post on the union’s Facebook page says that USEP “will seek injunction to prevent schools from opening for safety & health reasons.We do this to allow common sense to prevail and provide a virtual opening to this unprecedented school year.” Don Peace, the union’s president had
urged the Pasco County School Board and school district leaders at the board’s July 28 meeting for an online-only opening of school when classes begin on Aug. 24. “In light of the fact that Pasco’s COVID19 positivity rate is above 10% and the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and See REOPENING, page 11A
LAW FIRM, P.L. 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
COVID-19
Air Conditioning • Plumbing • Electrical
ESSENTIAL BUSINESS WE’RE OPEN following COVID-19 precautions
DISINFECTION & FOGGING FREE AC
LK/LZ
CHRISTINE HOLTZMAN
With $39.95 Tune-up, $190 value Must present coupon. Cannot be combined.
FREE SERVICE CALL
LK/LZ
One per visit. Exp. 8/31/20. While supplies last.
With Repair M-F 8AM-8PM Must present coupon. Cannot be combined. One per visit. Exp. 8/31/20.
2012-2019
CAC1816647 CFC1428982 EC0001103
The Laker/Lutz News scores four awards The Laker/Lutz News received four awards in the Florida Press Association’s 2020 Weekly Newspaper Contest, announced in a virtual awards ceremony on July 31. Christine Holtzman won second place for photo series in one issue, second place for sports photo and third place for a story entry in the Outdoor and Recreation category. The Laker/Lutz News competed in the contest’s largest circulation category (13,000 and above). This year’s competition received more than 1,400 entries — the most in five years. Twenty judges from across the nation picked the winners. Above, in a purple and pink parachute, Gerry Austin soars through the clouds with her tandem instructor, Paul Wolfe. These are a selection of photos from Christine’s winning entry.
Same-Day Service Free 2nd Opinion* Free Estimates** 24/7 Emergency **Free estimates for new A/C, water heater, water treatment, whole home generators, whole home repipe and electrical panel upgrade. *Free second opinion with written diagnosis from another company.
CORNERSTONEPROS.COM
813-990-0561
When experience matters to you! 42 years in Land O’ Lakes
After their first skydiving adventure together, the trio hold hands in celebration, as they walk back to the staging area. From left: Alvin Davis, Gerry Austin and Betsy Strickland.
Gerry Austin jokes around with a group of her supporters in the waiting area of Sky Dive City.
Voting during the time of COVID-19 New property Dr. Michael Craven “The area’s most highly reviewed Chiropractic office on Google”
CRAVEN CHIROPRACTIC CLINIC 5420 Land O’ Lakes Blvd. #105 www.cravenchiropractic.com 813-996-9800
B
INSIDE, PAGE 1B
appraiser follows in father’s footsteps
By B.C. Manion bcmanion@lakerlutznews.com
Supervisors of election in Pasco and Hillsborough counties both have reported how they will proceed with carrying out the Primary Election on Aug. 18, during the midst of a global pandemic. Pasco County Supervisor of Elections Brian Corley has announced his office will be using safety measures in accordance with guidelines of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, to ensure the wellbeing of poll workers and voters. In a news release, Corley said his office strongly encourages voters to consider voting by mail, but added voting by mail, in-person early voting and Election Day voting will be available. Early voting in Pasco is Aug. 8 through Aug. 15. The Pasco Supervisor of Elections also noted that those choosing to vote in-person should expect longer wait times as his office uses precautionary measures, such as limiting the number of people inside the polling room and continuous cleaning of equipment and surfaces. “With advanced notice, the expectation is that voters will be understanding and remain patient while waiting in line,” the news release adds.
By Kevin Weiss kweiss@lakerlutznews.com
Hillsborough County Supervisor of Elections Craig Latimer also has detailed his plans for in-person and Vote By Mail for the upcoming 2020 elections. “As always, we will offer no-excuse Vote By Mail, postage-paid return envelopes for Vote By Mail, and the maximum number of Early Voting days for Hillsborough County voters,” Latimer said, in a website posting. “And while some of our Election Day
Mike Wells will be stepping into the role of county property appraiser come January — after serving for more than five years on the Pasco County Commission, representing District 4. The elected leader will be following a path his father took before him. Mike Wells Sr., served two terms on the County Commission and went to serve 20 years as the county’s property appraiser, before retiring in 2016. Before the current commissioner becomes property appraiser, he has some unfinished business, he told members of the East Pasco Networking Group during its July 14 virtual meeting. Although “very, very excited to get started” in his new elected office, he’s currently focused on pushing for a 3% raise for the county’s 2,500 or so employees.
See VOTING, page 11A
See APPRAISER, page 11A
FILE
Local elections supervisors gear up for the Aug. 18 primary. Early voting has begun in Hillsborough County and begins soon in Pasco County.