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MARCH 31, 2021
Lessons from ‘life in a bubble’
By B.C. Manion bcmanion@lakerlutznews.com
Like everyone, Dr.Timothy Bain, a chiropractor from Wesley Chapel, has had to adapt due to concerns about COVID-19. Unlike the vast majority of people,
though, Bain’s adjustments have been more extreme. As the Tampa Bay Lightning’s team chiropractor, he was in a traveling party that spent a combined 65 days at hotels in Toronto and then Edmonton through the Tampa Bay Lightning’s Stanley Cup title run.
Bain was “in the bubble” from late July through late September, while games were played without fans in attendance and measures were taken to allow teams to safely complete the NHL playoffs. See BUBBLE, page 11A
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The Easter Bunny, jelly beans and huge bubbles — oh my!
Event-goers to the Jelly Bean Fling at the Pioneer Florida Museum & Village, in Dade City, had the chance to visit the Easter Bunny, grab a bite to eat, make an Easter bonnet, search for eggs and take in a bubble show, among other things. Above, 1-year-old Emma Dewey delights at the sight of bubbles while on her father, Garrett Dewey's shoulders. For more photos from the March 20 event, visit page 1B.
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As museum photographer, Laura Barthle tries to get a picture, Caydence Leasure, 2, gets a little uneasy in the arms of the Easter Bunny. His mom, Tisha Leasure, of Hudson, said: ‘He was better with Santa.’ Caydence was there with his sister Makenna Leasure, 7.
Children and adults were showered with bubbles, at the Jelly Bean Fling.
Pasco County board delays decision on land use change County commissioners encourage attorneys for opposing sides to try to work something out. By B.C. Manion bcmanion@lakerlutznews.com
The Pasco County Commission has delayed a decision regarding a controversial request that would clear the way to consider commercial uses at the southwest corner of State Road 54 and Meadowbrook Estates. The request is being vigorously contested by residents in Meadowbrook Estates and Sierra Pines subdivision, in Lutz. Opponents object to allowing a change in the land use designation that would open the door to a rezoning request that would allow a litany of commercial uses. Kiddie Campus University Inc., the land owner and applicant, is represented by at-
torney Barbara Wilhite. Two previous efforts to gain approvals for a day care at the site were denied. The current effort is to first obtain a land use change to allow commercial uses, and then to get a zoning change for the 1.67acre site. It is not unusual for the sale of property to be contingent on the successful acquisition of land use or zoning change. Sharon Hunnewell-Johnson, of 17300 Riverstone Drive, told commissioners she’s lived in the neighborhood for 30 years. “I do know firsthand, I was called by the person that I believe Barbara (Wilhite) represents, and I was told this was going to be a gas station/car wash. We cannot have a gas station/car wash within our neighborhood,” Hunnewell-Johnson said. Speakers told commissioners that they worry that contaminants from a gas station could seep into their groundwater supply. They said the neighborhoods rely on well See LAND, page 11A
Connerton ‘downtown’ moving closer to reality By B.C. Manion bcmanion@lakerlutznews.com
A plan for a downtown in Connerton — that’s been decades in the making — is moving closer to coming to fruition. The Pasco County Planning Commission, and the county’s planners, are recommending approval of a change that would set the stage to convert land currently zoned for agricultural into a master-planned development. The proposal, by applicant Lennar Homes LLC, calls for Connerton Villages III and IV, which would be a master-planned development that would allow a maximum of 2,160 dwelling units, 150,000 square feet of retail, 150,000 square feet of office, a charter school with up to 765 students, an See CONNERTON, page 11A