S.R. 54/56 Toll Road Proposal Officially Axed

A concerned Pasco resident expresses opposition to the proposed S.R. 54/56 elevated toll road during a public meeting at Sunlake High School in March.
A concerned Pasco resident expresses opposition to the crowd and Pasco Administrator Michele Baker (left) about the proposed S.R. 54/56 elevated toll road during a public meeting at Sunlake High School in March.

By Matt Wiley

After months of speculation, negotiation and apparent opposition throughout Pasco County, the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) officially has pulled the plug on the proposed S.R. 54/S.R. 56 (54/56) elevated toll road plan that would have linked U.S. 301 in Zephyrhills to U.S. 19 in New Port Richey along the 54/56 corridor (just a few miles north of New Tampa).Continue reading

Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber Honors Students At ‘Pride’ Breakfast

The 12 recipients of Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce scholarships with their oversized checks.
The 12 recipients of Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce scholarships with their oversized checks.

By Matt Wiley

It’s no secret that the Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce (WCCC) takes pride in the education provided to students at the 12 different elementary, middle and high schools in our area. After all, this year was the milestone 15th annual WCCC Student Pride Awards Breakfast, held on April 29 at the packed Performing Arts Center at Wesley Chapel High (WCH), located on Wells Rd., where 140 students were recognized for their excellence in academic achievement.Continue reading

Grove Theatre Shooter Appeals For Bail

More than two months after a circuit judge denied him bail for shooting a man to death in a Wesley Chapel movie theater, Curtis J. Reeves, Jr., is taking his case to an appeals court.

According to court records, Reeves’ attorney Frances Martinez filed a Criminal Habeas Corpus Petition in the Second District Court of Appeals on April 21, to release Reeves, 71, on his own recognizance or set a reasonable bond amount.

Reeves originally was denied bond on February 7 by Pasco Circuit Judge Pat Siracusa, who said that although it was not a verdict, he was not granting bail to the accused Grove 16 Theater shooter, who is charged with second degree murder and aggravated battery.

Reeves pled not guilty to the charges of the murder of Chad Oulson, 43, of Land O’Lakes, who was texting his daughter’s babysitter before a matinee showing of “Lone Survivor.” Oulson was seeing the movie with his wife, Nichole.

Reeves reportedly asked Oulson to stop texting repeatedly and even informed theater management. Surveillance video from the scene of the crime shows Oulson standing up and turning around before Reeves pulled out a .380 handgun and shot him. The bullet also grazed Nichole Oulson’s finger.

Reeves claims that he shot Oulson in self-defense. The trial is begins on July 9.

New Site Plan Submitted For Tampa Prime Outlets Mall At Cypress Creek

A new site plan has been given to Pasco County for the long-awaited Tampa Prime Outlets mall planned for the portion of the Cypress Creek Town Center DRI located south of S.R. 56.
A new site plan has been given to Pasco County for the long-awaited Tampa Prime Outlets mall planned for the portion of the Cypress Creek Town Center DRI located south of S.R. 56.

By Matt Wiley

During the past several months, there have been periodic rumblings about future development at the long-vacant Cypress Creek Town Center Development of Regional Impact (DRI) on the north and south sides of S.R. 56, just west of I-75. However, an updated site plan has been submitted to Pasco County and the development of the long-awaited outlet mall portion of the project looks as if it’s all but moving forward.Continue reading