Valrico
17
July 2021
Volume 18,
Issue 7
See ad on Page 7
Ph: 657-2418
CELEBRATING 19 YEARS OF PUBLISHING P OSITIVE COMMUNIT Y NEWS
DEVELOPERS TO PAY FOR TRAFFIC LIGHT ON LITHIA PINECREST ROAD
By Brian Bokor
video cameras were set up for 24 hours at the three locations under review in order to gather traffic volume information including U-turns, left and right turns, straight-throughs and crosswalk crossings in all four directions of travel. These cameras were set at the northern entrance to Lithia Crossing near Chili’s, the southern entrance near Panera Bread and the central entrance into Publix on the opposite side of Lithia Pinecrest Rd. The video from the day was sent to A new traffic light is planned for Lithia Pinecrest Rd. at the main entrance to the Publix-anchored Shoppes of Lithia.
Countcloud counting services which counted and compiled turning movement counts for each intersection. In order to justify the need for a signal, certain traffic standards based on volume, crash statistics and other pertinent criteria must be satisfied before the project can move forward. In this case, the resulting data showed multiple instances where minimal criteria were reached at this location with the conclusion and recommendations of the analysis stating it clearly shows the need for a light at this intersection along with a recommendation “that the intersection be signalized as soon as possible.” The estimated cost of the installation is between $250-$400,000.
Osprey Observer 2109 Lithia Pinecrest Rd. Valrico, FL 33596
HONOR OF FALLEN HCSO SGT. BRIAN LAVIGNE
By Tatiana Ortiz
Governor Ron DeSantis signing Senate Bill 1716, along with the families of the fallen officers and other officials.
On January 11, 2021, Sgt. Brian LaVigne was killed in the line of duty while assisting his fellow Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Department officers on a service call in Brandon. An individual, fleeing from law enforcement, struck Sgt. Brian LaVigne’s vehicle which caused injuries which ultimately took his life. Sgt. LaVigne, a 31-year veteran of the department was one shift from retirement when he was struck and killed. On June 18, Governor Ron DeSantis signed Senate Bill 1716, which is an act relating to transportation facilities designated honoring fallen law enforcement officers. Sgt. LaVigne along with Dep. Michael Magli with the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office and Master Patrol Officer Jesse Madsen with the Tampa Police Department were also recognized with commemorative roadway namings in the signing of the bill. “We commemorated three heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice to protect their communities,” Gov. DeSantis said. “Serving in law enforcement is a noble calling and deserves nothing less than our full support and respect. These were the type of men we need in law enforcement,” he added. Families of the fallen officers also attended the commemoration, along with Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister, Tampa Police Chief Brian Dugan, Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri and Sen. Ed Hooper, among others. As of July 1, State Road 60 between Interstate 75 and Phillip Lee Boulevard in Hillsborough County is now designated as “Sergeant Brian LaVigne Road.” “We are so thankful for this permanent symbol of the selfless service and ultimate sacrifice that Sergeant LaVigne made for our community,” Sheriff Chronister said. “I hope that this permanent reminder comforts the family,” he stated. The two additional renamed roadways
include County Road 611 between Keystone Road and Forelock Road in Pinellas County now known as “Deputy Michael J. Magli Memorial Road.” And, Interstate 275 between East Sligh Avenue and East Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard in is now known as “Officer Jesse Madsen Memorial Highway.” “I am honored to make sure these brave heroes are never forgotten. May God grant their families and coworkers peace and comfort,” Hooper said.
Deputy Caitlin LaVigne stands with her father Corporal Brian LaVigne while he received an award at the Alafia River Chapter NSDAR.
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Construction plans for a traffic signal on Lithia Pinecrest Rd. have been submitted to the county on behalf of Publix Supermarkets at the Shoppes of Lithia and the owner of Lithia Crossing Shopping Center. The light would be located at the main entrance to the Publix-anchored Shoppes of Lithia shopping center with a new entrance to Lithia Crossing created between the two existing entrances near Panera Bread and Chili’s making one centralized, signalized entrance and exit for both shopping centers. The study was funded by the owners of these properties and if construction plans are approved all cost for the project will also be the owners’ responsibility. Once completed, the signal will be transferred into Hillsborough County traffic management ownership. According to the traffic signal warrant analysis, “this study was previously performed in 2011 and updated with 2016 traffic volumes and vehicle crashes. This study is now being updated to reflect current traffic volumes and vehicle crashes.” On a random Thursday this past April,
PORTION OF STATE ROAD 60 RENAMED IN
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3345 LITHIA PINECREST RD, VALRICO, FL 33596 | (813) 643-7777 A year ago, on July 3, 2020, Bloomingdale resident Melanie Martin started a Little Free Library in her front yard after seeing them in other areas and realizing her community did not have one. To find more information, follow @ LFLBloomingdale on Facebook and Instagram. For more on Little Free Libraries, visit littlefreelibrary.org.
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