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DECEMBER 29, 2021
Complaints increasing about area traffic
By B.C. Manion bcmanion@lakerlutznews.com
Pasco County has been attracting more residential, commercial and industrial development in recent years — leading to new opportunities and population growth. But the growth creates traffic and there’s growing pushback against the county’s clogged traffic arteries. Carla Card appeared, via a remote feed,
during the public comment portion of the Pasco County Commission’s Dec. 7 meeting. “I’m here today to discuss the tremendous growth, which is leading to the terrible traffic issues and accidents, near State Road 54, State Road 56, the Grove (at Wesley Chapel),Tampa Premium Outlets, and Old Pasco Road to Bruce B. Downs (Boulevard),” Card said. “My home is off of Wesley Chapel Boulevard, and this concerns County
(Commission) Districts 1, 2 and 3. “Fender-benders and horrible accidents are happening in this area every day because of the overgrowth in population. “Our community can’t handle any more. “Not only is the gridlock and the buildup negatively affecting the quality of life with current residents, but it’s also negatively affecting the wildlife that has nowhere to go See TRAFFIC, page 9A
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A look at the year that was — 2021 in photos
There were a lot of big moments during 2021 and we take a look back at some of them, as shared in the pages of The Laker/Lutz News. Above, ‘Coach’ Zack Cimaglia runs with Eliezer Hernandez during a track event at the Special Olympics Showcase at Achievers Day School, in Lutz. Players from the Tampa Bay Tornadoes professional arena football team were on hand to help out. See more photos, page 1B.
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SPECIAL SECTION inside this week
Regina Petrone models one of the hats she’s made to help others. So far, she’s completed about 300 hats and scarves, and she continues to make more. While her primary focus was on family life, over the years she has volunteered her time and talents in a number of capacities. The Land O’ Lakes woman recently celebrated her 105th birthday.
FRED BELLET
Seven-year-old Jalen Diaz, of Tampa, watches skaters as they demonstrate their skills during the Skate Jam at the Land O’ Lakes Recreation Complex. The young competitor said he’s been skateboarding for two years. His father, disc jockey Dondy Telesford, of Tampa, provided music for the event.
Pasco County Sheriff says jail Pasco County Schools expansion will fall short of need continue to add more school choices
By B.C. Manion
bcmanion@lakerlutznews.com
Even before it opens, Pasco County Sheriff Chris Nocco says the planned expansion of the county’s detention center in Land O’ Lakes will fall short of the county’s needs. The sheriff and County Administrator Dan Biles addressed the issue during the county board’s Dec. 7 meeting. “One of the reasons that people are happy to move to Pasco County is because it’s safe,” Nocco said. However, he said, the capacity of the county’s detention center can’t accommodate the county’s needs and the expansion won’t resolve that, either. Pasco County voters approved a bond issue in 2018 for a 1,000-bed jail expansion. A PowerPoint prepared by the Sheriff’s Office, which was included in the county’s board’s agenda packet, says the bond will fall $19 million to $25 million short and will provide just 540 beds, if the shortfall is addressed.
The Sheriff’s Office manages the jail for the county, which falls under the county board’s jurisdiction. Currently, a temporary structure helps address the bed shortage at the jail. The PowerPoint notes: “With only 540 additional beds and with the temporary structure outliving its expected use by several years, the county jail expansion will be outdated and over capacity before it is even open.” Nocco said the county’s current situation has its roots in past failures to address the county’s jail needs. “These are things that happened way before any of us. These are things that have been going on for years and because they weren’t dealt with then, we’re now in the predicament we’re in,” Nocco said. He cited a study done in 2015 projected that the county’s detention center would need 2,535 beds in 2024. It currently has 1,432 beds. Another problem the county is encounSee JAIL, page 9A
By B.C. Manion bcmanion@lakerlutznews.com
The Pasco County School Board recently approved the conversion of two existing elementary schools into Science Technology Engineering Arts and Mathematics magnet schools. The board voted on Dec. 14 to shift the boundaries for Centennial Elementary School, in Dade City and for Marlowe Elementary School in New Port Richey into the boundaries of nearby schools. The conversion to the new approach to learning will take place beginning in the fall of the 2022-2023 school year. Centennial Elementary will provide a convenient option for students and families in East Pasco, to explore the same educational opportunities as those offered at Sanders Elementary STEAM Magnet School, See CHOICES, page 9A