The LAKER
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LAKERLUTZNEWS.COM
EAST PASCO EDITION
JUNE 21, 2017
Dade City Police gets new K-9 team By Kevin Weiss
kweiss@lakerlutznews.com
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“It was a long 16 weeks of school — four months, 10-hour days, four days a week,” Burns said. Tyke, a 16-month-old German shepherd, passed the state exam “with flying colors,” according to Dade City police chief Ray Velboom. The new unit will become an integral part of the police department and the community, acting as a “force multiplier” capable of searching buildings and tracking suspects, missing children and vulnerable adults. After a year on the beat, the K-9 unit will be sent to a narcotic detection school to receive dual-certification from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. “Overall, he’s going to be a good tracking dog. He’s going to be good for the city here,” Burns said.
The Dade City Police Department has a new K-9 team — with Officer Kevin Burns and his new partner Tyke. Burns is a 12-year veteran of the Dade City Police Department. He hit the streets with Tyke on June 5. The city had operated nearly 15 months without a K-9 team. The team was introduced to the public at the Dade City Commission meeting on June 13. The tandem is fresh off a demanding 16week training course in patrol procedures and tracking, sponsored by the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office. During the course, K-9s are trained to ascend obstacles, negotiate water bodies and follow their handler’s commands, among other tasks.
Tyke is a 16-month-old German shepherd. Officer Kevin Burns, a 12-year veteran of the agency, is his partner.
American Legion Adjutant Al Boucher supervises as some of the cotton and nylon flags are burned.
Dignitaries at the event included Dade City Commissioner Nicole Newlon, Pasco County Commissioner Ron Oakley, Bob Hatfield (representing U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis), and American Legion members Oren Adams and Al Boucher.
COURTESY OF DADE CITY POLICE DEPARTMENT
See K-9, page 11A
13100 Fort King Road, Dade City, FL 33525
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A dignified service to destroy old flags The Laker/Lutz News Staff Report
Some protesters burn American flags as an act of defiance, but members of the American Legion Post 15 in Dade City recently had a dignified ceremony to discard of worn flags, as a sign of respect. The post held the ceremony on the morning of June 14, which is the day designated as national Flag Day. The event took place at the American Legion Post 15, at 37745 Church Ave., in Dade City. Several dignitaries joined post
members for the ceremony. The post conducts the flag-burning ceremony in keeping with federal code, which says:“The flag, when it is in such condition that it is no longer a fitting emblem for display, should be destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by burning.” American Legion Post 15 also asked downtown merchants to display the flag in front of their business that day, as a way to honor the flag, and to thank past and present members of the military, as well as law enforcement officers for their service.
These flags were collected to be disposed of properly during the flag-burning ceremony.
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The third annual Zephyrhills SummerFest features a 30-minute fireworks display.
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B INSIDE, PAGE 1B
A few yards away, a second tree house is nearing completion. The treehouses are taking her Yes You Can Tutoring service down a new path. For nearly 10 years, she has taught in her home, at 13050 Curley Road, near Dade City. Students could enjoy window views of the woodlands and open spaces, and sometimes a walk in the woods for a timely break in studies. Christiansen now is moving students even closer to nature. “There’s something about a tree house
It’s the only fireworks show in Zephyrhills. And, it promises to offer wholesome family fun. The 2017 Zephyrhills SummerFest is slated for June 24 from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m., at Zephyr Park, 38116 Fifth Ave. Besides offering free admission and parking, the event is pet friendly, too. However, alcohol sales will not be allowed. Entering its third year, Zephyrhills SummerFest is the only 4th of July celebration in the city, promoting “summer, families and our great country.” Arguably, its biggest attraction is a 30minute fireworks show, which is set to begin sharply at 9 p.m. The vibrant display — by Patriot Fireworks—is set over Zephyr Lake, the park’s centerpiece pond. Besides nighttime fireworks, there are loads of daytime activities aimed at keeping families entertained on the last Saturday in
See TREE HOUSE, page 11A
See SUMMERFEST, page 11A
KATHY STEELE
Sarah Christiansen, left, owner of Yes You Can Tutoring service, enjoys a moment with former student, Alexis Sandoval, outside Christiansen’s tree house.
Tree house tutoring blossoms in nature By Kathy Steele
ksteele@lakerlutznews.com
Teaching is not a profession that Sarah Christiansen expected to pursue. As a child growing up in the Virgin Islands, she hated going to school. “I had a difficult time listening and writing. I struggled with comprehension.” She couldn’t picture herself as a teacher. Times change. Christiansen, these days, lives in rural Pasco County where she tutors students – usually working with them on mathematics – inside a tree house in her backyard.