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DECEMBER 14, 2016
Boundary proposals draw fire
By B.C. Manion
bcmanion@lakerlutznews.com
The Pasco County School Board is in for a long meeting on Dec. 20, if parent meetings on proposed school boundaries are any indication. Board members are scheduled to hold public meetings on school boundaries proposed for Bexley Elementary School, Cypress Creek Middle/High School and on rezoning changes affecting schools in West Pasco County. The board meets at the school district’s headquarters at 7227 Land O’ Lakes Blvd.,
in Land O’ Lakes. Recommended boundaries for Bexley Elementary, which is being built in a new subdivision off State Road 54 in Land O’ Lakes, appear to be the least controversial. The proposed boundaries for Bexley would reduce crowding at both Odessa and Oakstead elementary schools, and would provide additional students for Lake Myrtle Elementary. Controversy ratchets up when it comes to proposed boundaries for Cypress Creek Midde/High School, now under construc-
School boundary hearing WHEN: Dec. 20, 6 p.m. WHERE: Pasco County School boardroom, at 7227 Land O’ Lakes Blvd. WHY: New boundaries are needed to relieve overcrowding at some schools and to provide enrollment for others. To be sure to have the most updated information, call (813) 794-2000 or visit Pasco.k12.fl.us/planning/rezoning/.
See BOUNDARY, page 11A
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Advance Tickets ON SALE NOW! www.flstrawberryfestival.com
MARY RATHMAN/STAFF PHOTOS
Barbara Wilson, Jennifer Crissey and Stephanie Vokes have their Build-A-Bear minions and bears in hand, ready to stuff.
Spreading cheer, and cuddly bears, at Christmas By B.C. Manion
bcmanion@lakerlutznews.com #berryfest17
March 2 –12, 2017 • Plant City, FL
Service the Way
it Oughta Be!
A Land O’ Lakes mom recently led an effort to help less fortunate children by making stuffed bears and other animals at Build-A-Bear Workshop at The Shops at Wiregrass. “I made an event on Facebook,” said Cindy Ross, whose business RP&G Printing, is in Wesley Chapel. “I asked people to come build a bear. Bring their kids, bring their family. Just have fun building a bear that they’re willing to donate,” she said. She also announced the event through The Laker/Lutz News. Twenty-seven people came out to build stuffed animals and 11 others who couldn’t come donated money. The volunteers made a total of 70 bears and other animals with a total estimated value of more than $1,100, Ross said, expressing gratitude for all of the help.
Build-A-Bear employee Ayah mans the stuffing machine during a fundraiser for a women’s shelter and underprivileged schoolchildren.
The people at Build-A-Bear Workshop were fantastic, she said.And, the volunteers were great, too, she added. “A lot of the people I’ve met through the years — with my business and with the chamber and with my friends — this comSee BEARS, page 11A
Guests lined up at the bins to choose which animal to stuff and dress for the fundraiser at Build-A-Bear in Wesley Chapel.
Rally sheds light on risks of impaired driving CAC1816647 CFC1428982 EC0001103
CORNERSTONEPROS.COM
813-949-4445
B INSIDE, PAGE 1B
By Kevin Weiss
kweiss@lakerlutznews.com
For one drunk driver, it took going blind to finally see. That’s the message Derrick Jenkins shared during A Rally to Prevent Impaired Driving, on Dec. 5 at John Long Middle School in Wesley Chapel. Three years ago, Jenkins was just a “normal kid.” But, the St. Petersburg resident’s life changed forever on Nov. 5, 2013. Jenkins, then 21, attended a local car show with a few buddies. His intention was to get drunk. He did. “Being 21, I was thinking,‘Sweet, we can get trashed legally.’That was my mindset at the time,” Jenkins said, addressing a group of parents and their children. That November evening, an intoxicated Jenkins chose to ride his motorcycle home. He wasn’t wearing a helmet. He did not make it far. He trekked about a “a block down the road” before he and his motorcycle collided full-force into a stationary construction truck on U.S. 19. The fallout was catastrophic. “I hit the truck so hard my eyes literally
KEVIN WEISS/STAFF PHOTO
Derrick Jenkins was the guest speaker during A Rally to Prevent Impaired Driving on Dec. 5. Jenkins lost his eyesight three years ago after an impaired driving accident.
popped out of my head,” Jenkins said,“My eyes were literally hanging on my cheeks.” Jenkins, now completely blind with no eyes, had suffered a severe traumatic brain injury from the crash.
As a result, he now suffers from diabetes insipidus. It is a rare disorder that causes an imbalance of water in the body and is marked by intense thirst and heavy urination. He is also unable to regulate his body temperature, and is stricken with short-term memory loss because of dead spots scattered across his brain. “They all affect me on a daily, hourly basis,” he said of his existing medical problems. The incident was a long time coming, Jenkins said, considering his proclivity to excessively drink at house parties since he was in high school. “I’m surprised it didn’t happen to me sooner,” he said, candidly.“I let what other kids think of me affect my decisions.” For Jenkins, the dangers of driving impaired serve as a constant reminder. “It only takes once,” he said. December is National Impaired Driving Awareness Month. To spread the message, several organizations — the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office, the Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), the Alliance for Substance Abuse See RALLY, page 11A