Statewide Safety Effort Brings ‘Watch For Motorcycles’ Signs To Local Crash Site

Tyler J. Norman 

Tyler Norman (photo) was riding east on County Line Rd., the road still quiet in the early morning hours, and the hum of his motorcycle steady beneath him as he approached the signal for the intersection of County Line Rd. and Grand Hampton Dr. 

It was the kind of ride that feels routine — familiar roads, familiar turns — until, suddenly, it wasn’t. Tyler’s life was cut short at age 19. 

Five months later, two small matching roadside signs now stand along that same stretch of asphalt. Simple, temporary, easy to miss if you’re not looking. But, for those who know, it marks something permanent. 

May is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month in Florida, and this year, those signs and their familiar message have taken on a deeper meaning across Wesley Chapel, New Tampa, and the surrounding areas. 

As part of a statewide effort, Florida’s Motorcycle Safety Coalition — also known as “RideSMART Florida” — and its partners announced the following at the end of April: 

“RideSMART Florida and our statewide partners will begin placing hundreds of “Watch for Motorcycles!” signs throughout the state at the sites of 2025 motorcyclist fatalities. This powerful visual tribute aims to honor fallen riders and raise driver awareness leading up to the start of Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month [which started] on May 1.” 

After the initiative began, those signs (paid for by the Florida Department of Transportation, or FDOT) appeared locally — including the one placed along County Line Rd., in front of Grand Hampton (photo, right) — each one tied to a real story, a real life lost. 

One of those lives lost was 19-year-old Tyler Norman. 

According to investigators, Tyler was riding a 2012 Kawasaki motorcycle eastbound around 2:30 a.m., on Dec. 6, 2025, when a Nissan Rogue traveling westbound attempted to turn left onto Grand Hampton Dr. Authorities say the driver, 50-year-old Mauricus “Rico” Labron Green, turned directly into Tyler’s path, violating his right of way. The motorcycle struck the front of the SUV. 

Tyler (who was wearing a helmet) was transported to a nearby hospital, where he died from his injuries. 

Green remained at the scene and was arrested, as police reported signs of impairment. Court records show he was charged with DUI manslaughter and refusal to submit to testing, along with a citation for an improper left turn. His case remains open and is scheduled to continue later this year. Records also indicate a prior DUI arrest in Lakeland in 2017. 

Behind the legal process, though, is the reality those roadside signs are meant to convey. 

Tyler’s family, like too many others, was devastated by the loss. And, across Florida, similar signs now stand for other riders — each representing family and friends navigating the same kind of grief, the same unanswered questions, the same sudden absence. 

The goal of the campaign is not only remembrance, but prevention. 

Above graphic source: RideSMART Florida 

Motorcycle crashes often come down to a narrow margin — visibility, timing and judgment. In many cases, including this one, right-of-way violations and impairment play a role. 

But, safety officials emphasize that responsibility for these crashes is shared. Drivers are urged to double-check intersections, especially before turning left, always use their turn signals, even if they think no one is nearby, and to remain alert for motorcycles — which can be harder to see and judge in distance. 

Riders, in turn, are encouraged to stay visible, ride predictably and anticipate potential hazards at every intersection. 

Those small signs along the roadside are easy to pass by without a second thought. But they are placed with intention — at the exact locations where moments like Tyler’s unfolded. 

They are reminders that every commute, every late-night drive and every routine ride carry weight. And, that looking out for one another on the road isn’t just a slogan — it’s what may one day separate a close call from a devastating loss. 

State officials stated that due to safety and maintenance reasons, the temporary signs would only be placed on local roads, not interstates or limited access roadways. 

To learn more about RideSMART’s statewide initiative, visit RideSmartFlorida.com/may/ 

‘Serve For Strength’ Pickleball Event At Saddlebrook Is Just The Beginning

Valerie Simon returns a shot during the Serve for Strength tournament at Saddlebrook on Apr. 19. 

Anyone who was ever an athlete whose career — whether you had any chance of turning pro or going to the Olympics — was cut short by injury can certainly relate to the story of Wesley Chapel resident Valerie Simon. 

Once the top-rated girls tennis player in Florida, who was training at the Harry Hopman Tennis Academy at Saddlebrook Resort, and one of the top handful in the entire country, Valerie, who is now 18, tripped on a tennis ball in 2023 and the injury she suffered, according to her mother Daniella, “was misdiagnosed as not being a fracture.” 

As the pain of the injury continued to get worse, rather than improve, Valerie ended up at the Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) in New York City, where titanium rods were surgically implanted to repair her broken navicular bone. 

Following the recommended healing time, Valerie entered and won the Dasani Georgia Mayor’s Cup Junior “Super Championship,” but after receiving the trophy, Valerie insisted “My other foot is broken.” Because she had put so much pressure on her non-surgical foot during the tournament, Daniella says, “she now had a broken navicular bone in her other foot. Her career was over at barely 16 years old. She tried many time to go back to tennis,” but couldn’t because of the “loading” you have to do to hit those power shots. 

Making Lemonade 
(l.-r.) Victoria, Valerie, Vanessa, Daniella, Jonathan and Zachary Simon.

After seeing how expensive her medical bills were, Daniella says, “She made lemonade from lemons and turned pain into purpose,” by starting “Serve for Strength,” a 501(c)(3) nonprofit “supporting individuals and families facing life-changing health challenges…Through community-driven events, we raise funds for organizations that provide care and relief to those in need. 

Because of the amazing surgeries she received at HSS, Daniella says the new organizations first three fund raisers were held in New York to benefit the Foot & Ankle Dept. at HSS. 

“I felt very alone after my injuries,” Valerie says. “I didn’t want anyone else to feel alone.” 

Valerie signed with the Professional Pickleball Association in Jan., so Daniella decided to host Serve for Strength’s most recent fund raiser on Apr. 19, on the new eight-court pickleball complex at Saddlebrook, where the entire family — twin sisters Vanessa and Victoria, 16, her father Jonathan and 13-year-old brother Zachary, as well as Daniella, all played or helped run the event. 

“We had about 170 people enter the tournament, where we had multiple men’s and women’s divisions — a total of 12 age brackets. We brought together people of all ages, from teens to people in their 80s. Some had only four teams, others had as many as twelve. Several of the players had taken clinics with our girls and were playing competitively for the first time ever. We even had a ‘Meet a Partner, Make a Friend’ event after the tournament ended because we had to shut down the entries.” 

So, how did the tournament do? 

“We ended up raising about $3,500 to help fund the Foundation’s future events,” Daniella says, because everything we want to do costs money.” 

Thanking The Sponsors 

Daniella says that without the help of the major sponsors, especially Saddlebrook, “We could never have put on an event like this. They were wonderful. [Saddlebrook general manager] Jeff Mayers donated the courts and hospitality tents, plus waters for all players, ice, orange juice and fresh fruit. They also provided T-shirts for every player. Serve for Strength split the cost of the shirts.” Other sponsors included Century 21 Molly Nye, José Pomoles from State Farm, and Farina Orthodontics. “Yes! Apples is a year-round sponsor, too,” Daniella says. 

Up next for Serve for Strength is an entire weekend at Saddlebrook — Saturday & Sunday, June 6-7. 

“Saturday will be another pickleball event and Sunday will be a ‘Swing for Strength’ golf tournament,” she says. “We’re just really trying to get the word out that we are here to help.” 

For more information about Serve for Strength or to enter either event in June, visit ServeforStrength.org. 

New Discovery Academy Of Science Charter School Is Coming To Wesley Chapel

An update on the DAS Pasco construction. (All photos on this page are from DAS) 

A new charter school is coming to Wesley Chapel to provide students with a quality educational opportunity in a world that is increasingly reliant on technology, including AI. Discovery Academy of Science (DAS) Pasco, located on the south side of S.R. 56 at Two Ridges Rd. (aka Wyndfields Blvd.), is a tuition-free public charter school with a STEM+R (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Reading) focus that will open its doors to students for the 2027-28 school year, with construction currently under way. 

The school will welcome students in grades K-6 in its first year and then expand to grades K-8 as the school grows. The curriculum is meant to be rigorous, in order to prepare students for the 21st century by focusing heavily on STEM subjects and literacy, which the school leaders believe is foundational to the future success of the students.. 

“Parents can expect a rigorous, standards-aligned academic program with a strong emphasis on STEM, reading, critical thinking and real-world applications,” says Alex Register (right), director of communications & facilities for DAS. “In addition to core academics, DAS Pasco plans to offer enrichment opportunities such as robotics, coding, Science Olympiad, Math Olympiad, VEX Robotics, First LEGO League, SeaPerch, art, music, physical education, Spanish and computer science. These activities help students learn teamwork, persistence, creativity, leadership and problem-solving — the same skills they will need in college and for career pathways.” 

Beginning at the elementary level, the DAS program will emphasize phonics, fluency, vocabulary, reading comprehension, writing and text-based discussion for its literacy instruction. In mathematics, students will learn problem-solving, reasoning, procedural fluency and real-world application skills. For science, students will participate in inquiry-based learning, labs, experiments, engineering challenges and STEM projects. 

An update on the DAS Pasco construction. 

Progressing to the middle school level, DAS Pasco students will continue to build upon their skills gained at the elementary level in the STEM fields, along with sharpening their research, writing, collaboration and presentation capabilities. The goal of the program is to prepare students for high school success, including readiness for advanced coursework. 

Approved by the Pasco County School Board, DAS Pasco’s footprint will encompass roughly 60,000 square feet of classroom and learning space for STEM and arts/music, along with a dedicated library and media area. The plans also include administrative offices, a cafeteria, outdoor recreational areas and parking for staff and visitors. 

DAS Pasco will be the third DAS campus in the Tampa Bay area, joining the existing Clearwater campus and the Dunedin campus that is on track to open for the 2026-27 school year. DAS Clearwater has served families in Pinellas County since 2013, earning an excellent reputation for its academic performance in STEM, including “A” ratings from the Florida Department of Education (FDoE), and its strong student and parent support system. It also has been recognized as a “Florida School of Excellence” and has held “High Performing Charter School” status, both from FDoE. 

The rendering of the exterior of the now-under-construction Discovery Academy of Science (DAS) Pasco campus on S.R. 56 at Two Ridges Rd. (see map, top left) in Wesley Chapel.

“One of the reasons DAS has been successful is that it combines academic rigor with a very structured, family-oriented school culture,” says Register. “We focus heavily [not only] on STEM, [but also on] character, student safety, data-driven instruction and regular communication with families. The goal is not simply to teach content but to help students become confident learners who know how to think, collaborate, communicate and solve problems.” 

DAS Pasco is expected to welcome approximately 480 students when it opens its doors in Aug. 2027 and to reach 860 students within five years. The school will employ roughly 40-45 staff members in its first year, including teachers, ESE teachers, guidance and support staff, administrative staff, full-time substitute support and more. At full capacity, the school expects to employ 65-70 staff members. 

School officials already have selected the inaugural principal for the Pasco campus — Suzanne Mizzi, who currently serves as the K2 Administrator for Curriculum and Instruction at the DAS Clearwater campus. She brings more than 22 years of experience in classroom teaching and school administrative leadership, including having served as an assistant principal at BridgePrep Academy of South Tampa. 

Mizzi (left) holds a Bachelor’s degree in Child Psychology from Hunter College in New York City, NY, and a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership from Saint Leo University in St. Leo, FL. Register says her experience and understanding of early literacy, strong parent-school relationships, student support and building a great culture were the main drivers in her selection. 

Register also says that DAS wanted to bring its model of success from Pinellas to a rapidly growing Pasco County community seeking additional educational opportunities. 

“Many families are looking for additional high-quality K-8 options, and we have also seen interest from Pasco families who are familiar with the DAS model in Pinellas County,” she says. “The Pasco campus gives us an opportunity to bring a proven STEM-focused public charter model to a fast-growing community that values education, innovation and school choice. We believe DAS Pasco can help meet that demand while becoming a long-term partner for families, students and the broader community.” 

Discovery Academy of Science Pasco is currently accepting applications for its inaugural school year (2027-28). Parents can visit the school’s website at DiscoveryAcademy.info to learn more about the school, key enrollment dates and additional background about the curriculum. 

New Signal Underway at Cypress Creek Rd. & County Line Rd.; Design Approved for Meadow Pointe Blvd.

By Joel Provenzano

Two key intersections are moving forward in Pasco County’s short-range efforts to improve traffic flow and safety, with one signal now under construction and another entering its design phase. 

Cypress Creek Rd. & County Line Rd. (photo above): Signal Construction Begins

As previously reported in March, in connection with the Mater Academy signal project in front of Grand Hampton, Pasco County had placed the long-anticipated signal at the dangerous intersection of Cypress Creek Rd. and County Line Rd. in its 2026 work plan. Construction officially began in April. 

The start of work followed completion of a key roadway improvement: the southbound approach on Cypress Creek Rd. was widened to include a dedicated right-turn lane onto County Line Rd. Before formal improvements began, that approach had become an informal, dirt-and-pothole right turn path created by steady driver use. 

This intersection serves as an important connector between County Line Rd. and S.R. 54 (just west of where it becomes S.R. 56), supporting traffic from Oak Grove, Carpenter’s Run and the Lantower at Cypress Creek apartments. 

It is especially congested during peak hours, with drivers often struggling to find safe gaps in both directions of traffic before entering. 

According to the latest plans, the new signal will feature a single diagonal span wire mounted between two steel poles, and pedestrian crosswalks across both roadways. 

Once complete, it is expected to significantly improve both safety and traffic flow at this heavily used junction. 

The project is anticipated to be finished and operational by this summer. 

Meadow Pointe Blvd. & Country Point Blvd.: Signal Moves Into Design Phase 

More than two decades after the Country Walk community first started taking shape, a traffic signal is finally moving forward at Meadow Pointe Blvd. and Country Point Blvd. (rendering, right). 

Pasco County officially approved the signal’s design funding during the March 24 Board of County Commissioners (BOC) meeting. 

This intersection serves as the only entrance and exit for the Country Walk community. 

Although the roadway currently includes dedicated left- and right-turn exit lanes, residents have long experienced challenging conditions, particularly during morning peak hours when outbound traffic competes with commuters heading toward S.R. 54 and nearby schools. 

The project was first formally shared with residents at the Country Walk CDD meeting in June 2025, where it was noted that the county also would make modifications to the median nose to accommodate an updated crosswalk location. 

At this time, construction is shown to take place sometime in the county’s 2027 adopted work plan. 

Both projects reflect continued efforts by Pasco County to address long-standing congestion points in the rapidly growing communities of Wesley Chapel and Lutz, although residents in Meadow Pointe and Country Walk will need to wait longer for relief compared with the soon-to-be-finished Cypress Creek improvements. 

HOPE Services Hosts Another Successful ‘Dance Your Dream’ Event

Congratulations to Cindy Bray (front right in left photo), the founder & CEO of Hope Services, for the success of the nonprofit’s fifth annual “Dance Your Dream” event held Apr. 16, at the Wesley Chapel District Park’s Recreation Complex. 

Dance Your Dream is an inclusive, high-energy evening designed for individuals with special needs ages 14 and older. This year’s theme was “A Night at the Circus” and included dancing, food, games, entertainment, a raffle area, and a newly added Community Resource Room, offering access to representatives from local organizations that provide valuable assistance and support. 

Happy to make an appearance at this year’s event was published author Chris Angilella (right), who hasn’t let Asperger’s Syndrome stop him from self-publishing (and co-illustrating at least six books, including Oakley’s Sanctuary Friends and Speckle Delivery, which he was signing copies of at this year’s Dance Your Dream. 

Angilella’s books feature characters with special needs, which made him a great addition to this year’s event, which also included appearances by Elsa from “Frozen,” stilt walkers and multiple Chick-fil-A cows, since Chick-fil-A was again a major sponsor of the event.. 

All proceeds from Dance Your Dream benefit Hope Services’ Life Skills & Vocational Training Center, which provides hands-on, nationally recognized certification programs, including Culinary Arts, Construction, Customer Service, and more. To support Hope Services, visit HopeGetsJobs.com. — All photos by Charmaine George