Lutz News-Lutz/Odessa-September 2, 2020

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Ringing in the 2020-2021 school year

This will be one for the history books By B.C. Manion bcmanion@lakerlutznews.com

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Students streamed back to Pasco County school campuses last week to begin the 2020-2021 school year, while Hillsborough County students headed to that district’s campuses this week. The beginning of a new school year often is steeped in tradition, but this year is a year of new routines — in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. Students are arriving on campuses wearing masks, and teachers standing near open classroom doors to greet them are wearing

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masks, too. Lunch tables have been moved outdoors, to reduce crowding in cafeterias and to accommodate outside classes. Signs remind people to keep their distance, and bottles of hand sanitizer are within easy reach to encourage everyone to keep their hands clean. And, there are protocols. Lots of protocols. They spell out what schools should do when there’s a confirmed case of COVID-19 and what to do when one is suspected. In Pasco County, a partnership has been forged between the school district and the Florida Department of Health’s Pasco office. Health department staff members are working in two portables on school district property, so they can respond quickly to COVID-19 cases.

The district also has spent substantial money, time and energy to prepare campuses for the arrival of students and staff; and, it has ramped up cleaning schedules to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. The Hillsborough County school district also has increased cleaning efforts, to reduce potential spread of the virus. Both districts also are using special care to disinfect school buses. Pasco County Schools activated its dashboard last week, and as of 11:30 p.m. Aug. 28, the district had reported three student cases, one each at Fivay High School, Gulf High School and Moon Lake Elementary; and one employee case, at Lake Myrtle Elementary. (For more recent information, visit Pasco.k12.fl.us/news. See SCHOOL, page 9A

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RANDY UNDERHILL

Students donning masks arrive at Sunlake High School, 3023 Sunlake Blvd., at the break of dawn — and make their way to their classes. The school has more room this year because it added a new classroom wing.

Produce stand must stop events or face fines

Local woman hopes to make faith-filled impact on national level

By B.C. Manion bcmanion@lakerlutznews.com

By Joey Johnston

who was elected by mail voting as part of the CDA’s 58th Biennial National Convention, which was scheduled for Dallas but held remotely due to the COVID-19 pandemic. “It was a great way to meet people in my parish. I thought the faith-based emphasis, plus the service and social aspects, were really nice,” Bowman said. “But, it became more than I would have imagined. It has really extended my self-confidence in speaking to people and meeting new people. At one time, I could look around my church and hardly not know anyone. Now, I look around and I know so many people, their stories, their backgrounds. I will now get a chance to do that on a national level. I wasn’t super shy, but this sort of involvement has made me more outgoing.’’ It has also given Bowman ideas about growing an organization. At Court Mother Teresa, the group has worked with Meals on Wheels and the Trinity Cafe. It has organized a Christmas Toy Drive for children of migrant workers. It has held yard sales and bunco games to raise money for charities. Fundraising is good. Charity is good. But, Bowman wants to expand those concepts.The membership must grow.And, it needs a youth movement. Court Mother Teresa is one of only seven courts in Florida.

A produce stand in Lutz that has been a gathering place for events and food truck rallies has been ordered by the Hillsborough County Code Enforcement Board to come into compliance with county codes, or face stiff fines. Ron Anderson, the official agent for the owner of the property, CA Properties Inc., and Michelle Gilbert, an attorney for the tenant, County Line Produce, both came before the Hillsborough County Code Enforcement Board on Aug. 28 to respond to allegations of code violations. Hillsborough County Code Enforcement Officer Rick Garcia explained the nature of the alleged violations to the code enforcement board. “The property (at 206 Newberger Road) is zoned ASC-1, and they’re operating as essentially a retail business/grocery store, as opposed to what’s allowed for a produce stand.They’re also holding food truck rallies, special events on different weekends of the month,” Garcia said. “They continue to operate in this capacity and continue to hold events. They originally purchased the property and were in the belief that these activities were permitted because the building had been there previously and used for a similar purpose,” Garcia said. “I’ve been in constant contact with the proprietor, with the property owner/agent and with the attorney representing the produce stand,” Garcia said. Gilbert, appearing on behalf of County Line Produce, told board members:“the tenant leased this with the representation that the property could be used for the use they’re doing right now. “They are requesting additional time to work with the owner, who is represented today, to bring the property into compliance,” she said. “Again, the tenant is at the mercy of the owner, to bring the property into compliance.” But,Anderson said he “was under the impression that the tenant was hiring the

See FAITH, page 9A

See PRODUCE, page 9A

Special to The Laker/Lutz News

Zephyrhills resident Michele Bowman, raised in the Catholic Church, has always embraced faith as her life’s foundation. “Really, it has given me everything,’’ Bowman said. Now, she has a rare opportunity to give back. Bowman recently was elected as one of nine National Directors for the Catholic Daughters of the Americas (CDA), an organization that promotes spiritual growth, charitable giving, community service and sisterhood. In the CDA’s 117-year history, Bowman is the fourth National Director from Florida. Bowman, who worships at St. Joseph Catholic Church, has been active as a charter member of the 43-woman Court Mother Teresa in Zephyrhills.The chapter is one of CDA’s 1,150 local chapters. She has held several CDA positions on the state and local level, but said she’s looking forward to making connections on the national level. She’s beginning a two-year term. “It’s a big deal and quite an honor for Michele,’’ said Kathy Brady, a regent with Court Mother Teresa. “She will be able to give her opinion and be a liaison at the highest level of our organization. She will be hands-on with a lot of big issues, and it’s going to be a great experience.’’ Bowman grew up in North Tampa, where her home parish was St. Mary Catholic Church in the Lake Magdalene area. During her initial time as a Zephyrhills resident, she attended Our Lady of the Rosary in Land O’ Lakes when it was a small church, then saw it grow exponentially as the area’s population increased. For nearly three decades, she has called St. Joseph home.When she first heard about the formation of Court Mother Teresa, she joined immediately. It became an important factor in her spiritual maturation. “It appealed to me to be around a group of Catholic women, to grow in faith, to be of service to the community,’’ said Bowman,

COURTESY OF MICHELE BOWMAN

Zephyrhills resident Michele Bowman recently was elected as a National Director for the Catholic Daughters of the Americas, becoming the fourth Floridian to reach that level in the organization’s 117-year history.


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