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Lending sinkhole victims a hand
By Kevin Weiss
kweiss@lakerlutznews.com
Penny Foote felt the need to help families — after the largest sinkhole in Pasco County history opened July 14 on Ocean Pines Drive in Land O’ Lakes. “When I saw the two homes go in, my heart hit the floor,” Foote said.“I knew we had to do something and try to pull people together because it could’ve happened to anybody, even me.” That same day, Foote created the Lake Padgett Families Sinkhole Relief Facebook page. Through the group page, which now totals more than 2,200 members, Foote has coordinated the delivery of donations and supplies to displaced sinkhole families, and adjacent properties on Ocean Pines Drive and Canal Place. Foote, who has partnered with United Way of Pasco and Pasco County Human
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UPCOMING FUNDRAISERS: Lake Padgett Estates Sinkhole Family Day Fundraiser WHERE: Harvester United Methodist Church, 2432 Collier Parkway, Land O’ Lakes WHEN: Aug. 26, noon to 5 p.m. COST: Free admission DETAILS: Food trucks, local vendors, live music, yard sale, raffle and silent auction, kidfriendly activities. INFO: email lpsinkholehelp@gmail.com
Services, has met individually with each of the sinkhole victims, to inquire about various essentials — everything from food and clothing, to baby supplies and furniture. Then, she posted to the Facebook page, soliciting needed items from group members and local businesses. “Somebody comes and just brings it,”
Build it Back Sinkhole Relief WHERE: Skipper’s Smokehouse, 910 Skipper Road, Tampa WHEN: Aug. 27, at 5 p.m. COST: Admission is $10 in advance, $15 at the door DETAILS: Benefit concert featuring local bands Stonegrey, Peace of Woodstock, Solar Exposure, and 4X INFO: SkippersSmokehouse.com
Foote said. “The community’s just been donating tons and tons of stuff, and the families have been at my house multiple times getting everything they want.” Besides donations, Foote also rallied numerous volunteers to assist displaced See SINKHOLE, page 15A
18920 N. Dale Mabry Hwy Ste 101 Lutz, FL (Corner of Sunlake & Dale Mabry)
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COURTESY OF KONNECTAGENCY.COM
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A ribbon cutting recently was held to celebrate the opening of The Goddard School preschool system’s new location at 2539 Bruce B. Downs in Wesley Chapel. The school is operated by franchisee Dinesh Patel. It focuses on building each child’s emotional, academic, social, creative and physical skills. For more information about the school, call (813) 603-6100.
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COURTESY OF PETER C. LENT
This is what the Wiregrass Sports Complex site is expected to look like when the project is completed.
Tourist tax increase to help finance Wiregrass sports complex By Kathy Steele
ksteele@lakerlutznews.com
Pasco County commissioners approved a 2 percent increase in the tourism tax and cleared the way to finance construction of the Wiregrass Sports Complex of Pasco County. The added revenues will be used as collateral to secure a construction loan of up to $15 million for a 98,000-square-foot multipurpose indoor sports venue. The tax increase is on top of an existing 2 percent tax collected on hotel rentals, often described as the “heads in beds” tax.At a total of 4 percent, Pasco’s tourism tax rate will remain lower than most other counties in Tampa Bay. County commissioners also approved a series of resolutions setting up the framework for a private/public partnership
between Pasco, which will own the complex, and RADD Sports, which will operate and manage the facility. The county will receive lease payments and share in profits generated from the sports complex. Besides the indoor facility, seven outdoor sports fields, an amphitheater with an event lawn, trails, pavilions and a playground are planned. County commissioners also approved a ground lease for a 128-room Marriott Residence Inn to be built on about 2 acres within the complex. Mainsail Lodge and Development will build the hotel at an estimated cost of $18.5 million. Funding for the sports complex also will come from about $11 million collected from previously pledged tourism dollars and See COMPLEX, page 15A
COURTESY OF ANGEL SHANNON
Shaylee Shannon on her first day of first grade in Lisa Hoffman’s class at Lutz Elementary School.
Send us your First Day photos We know that you took them, so why don’t you share them? If you would like your photo to be considered for publication in The Laker/Lutz News, please email us a digital copy. Include the name or names of the student, the grade of the student or students, and what school they attend. Also include contact information, in case we need to get back to you. Please submit by Aug. 25 by emailing to bcmanion@lakerlutznews.com.