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MARCH 4, 2020
Florida responds to threat of coronavirus Two cases have tested positive in the Tampa Bay area
By B.C. Manion bcmanion@lakerlutznews.com
The Florida Department of Health declared a public health emergency in Florida on March 1, after two cases tested “presump-
tive positive” for coronavirus disease 19, referred to as COVID-19. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and Florida Surgeon General Scott Rivkees outlined the state’s response to the threat of the virus during a news conference held on March 2, at the Florida Department of Health’s Tampa Branch Laboratory. They shared some details of the two cases that have since been confirmed as positive.
One case involves a man in his 60s in Manatee County who was hospitalized for evaluation and treatment for pneumonia. He is stable and remains hospitalized. “At the present time, it is not known how the individual was exposed to COVID-19,” Rivkees said. “The second patient is a woman in her See CORONAVIRUS, page 13A
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Watercolor artist Joye Moon gives visual presentation
Joye Moon, a watercolor artist and author, gave a free demonstration of her watercolor techniques during a Feb. 4 visit presented by the Pasco Fine Arts Council and Avalon Park West, at Avalon Park West’s Amenity Center in Wesley Chapel. During the 2-hour event, the awardwinning artist offered a glimpse into her work flow and techniques. Besides explaining her techniques, she took questions from the audience. Moon is from Oshkosh, Wisconsin, and has taught more than 200 workshops nationwide. She and her husband, Dave, are avid travelers and, to date, have organized 36 international artisan tours throughout Europe, Greece, the Bahamas, Costa Rica and Mexico. Above, after completing a detailed phase of one of her paintings, watercolor artist and author Joye Moon holds it up to show the audience the different elements she incorporated into the water, rocks and the trees of her landscape painting. Moon often uses items such as wax paper, plastic wrap, surgical gauze, sea salt, and alcohol drops to create interesting textures in her work.
Lien forgiveness program may be expanded By Kevin Weiss kweiss@lakerlutznews.com
The City of Zephyrhills is considering a facelift to its residential lien forgiveness incentive program — to also include commercial properties. Zephyrhills Community Redevelopment Agency director Gail Hamilton outlined the case for an enhanced program, as part of a continued effort to increase property values in and around the downtown area. The Zephyrhills Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) board proceeded to direct staff to draft such a policy for further review at its Feb. 24 meeting.The Zephyrhills City Council also makes up the CRA Board. Zephyrhills instituted a residential lien forgiveness program in May 2017, to promote investment and improvements to blighted properties and vacant lots, and See LIEN, page 13A
B INSIDE, PAGE 1B
After finishing the first phase of her painting, artist Joye Moon invites the audience to take a close-up look at her work. From left: Sue Ebert of Holiday, Rita Wilson of Land O’ Lakes, Martha Vee of Lutz, and Karen Mosakowski of Lutz.
Award-winning watercolor artist and author Joye Moon paints a landscape scene during a free watercolor demonstration, at the Avalon Park West’s Amenity Center in Wesley Chapel on Feb. 4. Moon hails from Oshkosh, Wisconsin, and tours the country with her series of informative, workshop demonstrations.
78 floors up, blind man and guide dog survive 9/11 By Brian Fernandes bfernandes@lakerlutznews.com
Michael Hingson felt a sense of calmness as he walked floor by floor — exiting the World Trade Center on Sept. 11, 2001. Hingson has been blind since birth and he, with his former guide dog, Roselle, had to work as a team to find their way to safety. Hingson, the author of “Thunder Dog: The True Story of a Blind Man, His Guide Dog and the Triumph of Trust,” recently shared his story at Saint Leo University. He was accompanied by his current guide dog,Alamo. During his talk, Hingson detailed what happened on Sept. 11, 2001, but also shared experiences from throughout his life that gave him the instincts to survive that devastating day. On 9/11, Hingson said he and his business partner, David Frank, were working for the Artecon corporation on the 78th floor
of the World Trade Center’s North Tower. As they prepared for an important presentation, Hingson said,“suddenly we heard a muffled explosion, the building shook. “Then it began to tip. We moved about 20 feet, I think,” he said. Frank began shouting for everyone to leave the office, imploring Hingson to come along. Hingson, and his guide dog, Roselle, evacuated with everyone. Hingson remained calm and tried to assure Frank to do the same. He said he was able to contain his emotions because he previously had developed a mindset that kicked in automatically. Before the day of the attacks, he said:“I kept thinking almost every day I went in, ‘What if there’s an emergency today? What do I do?’ So, when he had to suddenly leave the building, he said,“I was prepared.” As people descended the stairs, Hingson
MARY RATHMAN
Michael Hingson has been blind all his life and is a 9/11 survivor. He shared his life story at Saint Leo University, on Feb. 19.
noticed a familiar smell – jet fuel. He had not yet learned that a commercial airplane had slammed into the North Tower, just floors above his office. The South Tower had already been hit by a second plane when Hingson and others See BLIND, page 13A