The Laker-Wesley Chapel/New Tampa-June 26, 2019

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The LAKER

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WESLEY CHAPEL/NEW TAMPA EDITION

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Tourist tax collections to change

By B.C. Manion bcmanion@lakerlutznews.com

The Pasco County Tax Collector will begin collecting Pasco County’s tourist development taxes, under a change approved by the Pasco County Commission. Pasco County hotels, motels and other short-term rental accommodations have been remitting Tourist Development Tax collections to the Florida Department of Revenue (DOR).

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The Department of Revenue received the collections, then returned them each month to Pasco County. Under the change approved on June 19, Pasco Tax Collector Mike Fasano’s office will be taking on those duties.The change will be effective once it is transmitted to the state, expected to occur within 10 days of the board’s meeting. Fasano’s office also will be responsible for enforcement and audits. The DOR could have charged administra-

tive costs, but did not do so — meaning that the county received 100 percent of the proceeds, according to Pasco County officials. Shifting the duty to Fasano’s office will result in some costs, as public education efforts get underway, and enforcement actions begin. Under the previous system, the DOR collected the tax revenues and the county was entirely dependent on the state’s registraSee TOURIST, page 15A

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Going batty at the library About 75 people attended “Bats!” a program geared for children in grades four through seven, held on June 19 at the Hugh Embry Branch Library, 14215 Fourth St. in Dade City. Francine Prager, a rescuer with a Lutz-based bat rescue and rehab center, presented the program, which detailed the many fact about bats worldwide, and in our backyards. She also dispelled many misconceptions about bats. Above, 7year-old Bryson Finlay of San Antonio, center, reacts with a smile, as he meets ‘Amelia’, an evening bat, up close. Also, from left, library volunteer Hannah Edgeman, Autumn Hoff of Dade City (in back), Beth Finlay (Bryson’s mom), and Francine Prager.

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813-990-0561 LOCAL WILDLIFE

STEFANIE BURLINGAME/STAFF PHOTO

Share your wildlife photos If you’ve captured a photograph of an interesting bird or wild creature, we’d love to share your image with our readers.

If you’d like us to consider publishing your photograph, please email it to us at news@lakerlutznews.com. Please be sure to include what kind of animal it is, and where you took the picture. Also include your contact information, so we can get in touch with you, if we need to.

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Francine Prager, a rescuer with Tampa Bay Bats in Lutz, shows off ‘Amelia,’ an evening bat, to a group of children.

A close-up look at ‘Miracle’, a free-tailed bat.

Pasco MPO board Region offers plenty of approves new Wesley ‘Independence’ celebrations Chapel connections By Brian Fernandes

bfernandes@lakerlutznews.com

By Brian Fernandes bfernandes@lakerlutznews.com

Wesley Chapel motorists would have more options, under connections approved by the Pasco County Metropolitan Planning Organization board on June 11. The first new connection calls for extending Wesley Chapel’s Meadow Pointe Boulevard, into Tampa. The second new connection calls for extending the planned Wynfields Boulevard, which would run from State Road 56 to KBar Ranch Boulevard, in Tampa. The third new connection would link Mansfield Boulevard to Kinnan Street, but would only be used for emergency purposes and bicycle-pedestrian paths. “We did a survey to try to gauge public input on the connections,” said Megan McKinney of the AECOM organization. See CONNECTIONS, page 15A

Residents within The Laker/Lutz News coverage area will have plenty of options for celebrating the nation’s independence this year. Some festivities are being held before the Fourth of July, some are scheduled on the holiday itself, and there are a couple being held at the end of the holiday weekend. Whether you enjoy watching a parade, like to run, enjoy listening to live music or get a kick out of fireworks — you’ll be able to find a place locally, or within the region, to celebrate the way you like best. Enjoy the festivities, and be careful out there. Here’s a roundup of area and regional activities:

WESLEY CHAPEL

July 4th Picnic WHERE: Wesley Chapel District Park, 7727 Boyette Road WHEN: July 4 from noon to 4 p.m.

COST: Free INFO: Call (813) 907-9081

Fourth of July Celebration at Avalon Park West WHERE: Avalon Park West Community Center, 5227 Autumn Ridge Drive, Wesley Chapel WHEN: July 4 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.; Fireworks show at 9 p.m. COST: Free DETAILS: Guests can enjoy Independence Day with a bike parade, a pie bake-off, live performances, food trucks and fireworks. INFO: Call (813) 783-1515 or email Stephanie@AvalonParkWest.com

LUTZ

Red White & Blue Sunday WHERE: CrossPointe Family Church, 919 Debuel Road WHEN: June 30 at 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. COST: Tickets are $7 per person; $25 per family DETAILS: Celebrate Independence Day early, with a Sunday service followed by a barbecue

See INDEPENDENCE, page 15A


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