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WESLEY CHAPEL/NEW TAMPA EDITION
Golf may be back in play at Plantation Palms
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that Morgan has until the end of September to complete “due diligence” on the purchase. Plantation Palms Golf Course could reAccording to the online blog in a posting open within coming months, according to on Sept. 13, a closing could happen no later posts on a Facebook page and an online than Nov. 3, and possibly sooner. blog created by a residents’ group, Project The driving range, clubhouse, restaurant Bring Back Our Course. and bar could reopen by the end of the A potential buyer, Rocky Morgan of GSP year, with the course opening in early-toBusiness Alliance, is nearing a deadline to mid-2016. Full and social club memberships buy the closed golf course, located within would be offered to people living in the Plantation Palms subdivision, off Collier subdivision, as well as to people outside of Parkway. Plantation Palms, according to the blog. In a telephone interview, Rob Rochlin of See GOLF, page 13A Dennis Realty told The Laker/Lutz News
ksteele@lakerlutznews.com
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SEPTEMBER 23, 2015
A potential buyer for the Plantation Palms Golf Course plans to refurbish the clubhouse and golf course, which have been closed since 2014. In recent weeks, landscapers have mowed the grass and cleared undergrowth.
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The Murphrees prepare to enter their new home in Land O’ Lakes during a Sept. 12 celebration.
Decorated war veteran receives new home
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It had been assessed that there would be enemy combat in the area. The unit moved out with four trucks and was positioned to see enemy activities, the release adds. During a five-hour period, the unit detained two prisoners. Just as they were set to return to the base, a Russian anti-tank mine blew up Murphree’s vehicle. Murphree lost both legs above The Laker/Lutz News Staff Report the knee, suffered a traumatic brain injury, has been diagnosed Army Cpl. Jesse Murphree and his family with post-traumatic stress disorder moved into a new mortgage-free home in and has nerve damage to his right Land O’ Lakes on Sept. 12, following a homeforearm. coming celebration. He received the Purple Heart, Bronze Star Medal, Army Good Joining the decorated military veteran Conduct Medal, National Defense were representatives from Building Homes Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign for Heroes, military personnel, members of Medal with Two Campaign Stars, the construction team, corporate sponsor, Army Cpl. Jesse Murphree, a decorated war veteran, Global War on Terrorism Service members of local organizations, family, friends follows his son, Brody and his wife, Ashlee, into the Medal, Army Service Ribbon, NATO and others, according to a news release. family’s new home in Land O’ Lakes. A crowd gathered to celebrate with Medal, Combat Infantry Badge and Murphree, his wife, Ashlee, and son, Brody, as the Parachutist Badge. they moved into their new home on Lago ment, but a news release details the circumBuilding Homes for Heroes, Inc. is a nonVista Circle in Land O’ Lakes. stances leading to his war injuries. profit, public charity. It expects to provide Murphree joined the military in 2005 On Dec. 27, 2007, Corporal Murphree’s between 30 and 40 mortgage-free homes in after his family in New York City was affect- unit was on an over-watch mission in the the state of Florida within a 12-month peried by the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001, Korengal Valley, near Ali Abad, Afghanistan, od. according to a news release from Building the release says. For more information about the organiHomes for Heroes. Murphree served as the gunner on an zation, call (516) 684-9220, or visit Murphree could not be reached for com- up-armored Humvee. BuildingHomesForHeroes.org.
Wesley Chapel complex to help ‘Build the Thunder’ Winner 2012, 2013, 2014
By B.C. Manion
bcmanion@lakerlutznews.com
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A recently announced $6 million initiative aimed at expanding the game of hockey regionally in Tampa Bay will be partially played out at the Florida Hospital Center Ice, a hockey complex expected to open in Wesley Chapel in the spring. Lightning Chairman Jeff Vinik announced the “Build the Thunder” initiative on Sept. 14. The Tampa Bay Lightning, the National Hockey League and the National Hockey League Players’ Association are collaborating on the five-year program that aims to help develop hockey players and to teach life skills lessons to area youth. A news release from Tampa Bay Lightning outlines the program’s components. They involve: • Distributing 100,000 street hockey sticks and balls to third-graders through fifth-graders • Offering 10,000 hours of training op-
COURTESY OF FLORIDA HOSPITAL CENTER ICE
Florida Hospital Center Ice is expected to play a role in the recently announced $6 million initiative to ‘Build the Thunder.’ The complex is expected to open in the spring, off State Road 56 and Interstate 75.
portunities for players and coaches • Increasing the number of local youth, ages 7 through 13, registered with USA Hockey by 1,000 • Utilizing Lightning players, coaches and
alumni to mentor 100 at-risk youths from diverse backgrounds • Establishing 10 new junior varsity See COMPLEX, page 13A