Saddlebrook Hosts FHWC’s Successful Women’s Health & Wellness Day

By Matt Wiley

Complimentary health screenings, a keynote speech from breast cancer survivor, and Pasco clerk of court, Paula O’Neil at Wesley Chapel's Saddlebrook Resort.
Complimentary health screenings, a keynote speech from breast cancer survivor, and Pasco clerk of court, Paula O’Neil at Wesley Chapel’s Saddlebrook Resort.

Calm and collected, Pasco County clerk of Circuit Court & comptroller Paula O’Neil spoke about her recent diagnosis as if it were a faint memory from another life. Few would suspect that the popular public official is still actively battling the deadly disease, as she spoke to hundreds of women about her experience fighting breast cancer.

On September 21, more than 700 women from all over Tampa Bay attended the inaugural Florida Hospital Wesley Chapel (FHWC) Women’s Health & Wellness Day at Saddlebrook Resort in Wesley Chapel, taking part in breakout sessions with guest speakers and an exhibit room full of pampering and health screening opportunities, including mammogram registration, screenings for oral cancer, blood pressure and glucose, a grip strength test, a self-breast exam, as well as a balance test, body mass index (BMI) and body fat analysis from the FHWC Health & Wellness Center. The hospital also introduced its “Pink Army” campaign that encourages women to make sure that they get their annual breast cancer screenings.Continue reading

The New Tampa Eye Institute Helps Bring The World Into Focus

By Bonnie Mason

Dr. Laurie Small, M.D. (left), and Dr. Gretta Fridman, M.D., of New Tampa Eye Institute.
Dr. Laurie Small, M.D. (left), and Dr. Gretta Fridman, M.D., of New Tampa Eye Institute.

Patients clearly see the focus of the New Tampa Eye Institute — high quality personalized care.

In fact, Michael Alperovich, the CEO and co-founder of New Tampa Eye Institute, located in the Summergate Professional Park (behind Sam’s Club) in Seven Oaks, says, “We have a team of devoted health care professionals standing by to care for you. And, our state-of-the-art facilities and equipment, plus the latest in medical record technology, complement the excellent care our doctors provide their patients.”

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Man Beats Minor With Motorcycle Helmet & Pencil

By Matt Wiley

Joseph Esgro, Jr.
Joseph Esgro, Jr.

A Wesley Chapel man has been released after a child abuse arrest involving the man’s fists, a motorcycle helmet and a pencil.

According to the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO), Joseph George Esgro, Jr., of Meadow Pointe, was arrested on Oct. 11 for child abuse following multiple batteries against a 15-year-old boy. The relationship between the two was not disclosed at our press time.

The PCSO report states that the first abusive encounter took place after the unnamed victim admitted to stealing Esgro’s car, for which Esgro allegedly struck the victim in the mouth and temple with a closed fist. The report also states that the second encounter resulted in Esgro being charged with battery using a pencil. Esgro allegedly struck the boy with the pencil, which caused a cut to his bicep and also stabbed him in the shin, just below the knee. Esgro also reportedly struck the victim in the arm with a motorcycle helmet.

Esgro was charged with one count of child abuse and released from the Pasco County jail on a $5,000 bond.

 

Men Charged With Murder In Wesley Chapel Shooting

By Matt Wiley,

Two Wesley Chapel residents have been charged with first-degree murder in the shooting of a third Wesley Chapel man.

Matthew Brian Tillman
Matthew Brian Tillman

According to the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO), Matthew Brian Tillman, 25, and Joseph James Berenguer, 27, both of 6300 Tulip Dr. in Angus Valley, were arrested on October 14 on first-degree murder charges for the Oct. 9 shooting of 31-year-old Timothy Leigh Skowronski at a home at 30122 Eastport Dr. in Wesley Chapel. Skowronski died of a gunshot wound to the head on Oct. 11.

PCSO reports that at around 9:20 p.m. on Oct. 9, Tillman and Berenguer traveled to the Eastport Dr. home in a red Toyota Camry with two other unidentified witnesses (who ended up reporting the crime), to rob the victim. Tillman and Berenguer knocked on the rear door of the residence and identified themselves as “Nick.”

When Skowronski opened the door, Tillman had a semi-automatic pistol aimed at him. The victim reportedly went for the gun, but was shot in the head and Tillman and Berenguer fled in the Camry.

Joseph James Berenguer
Joseph James Berenguer

Tobin says that the victim died of his injuries on Oct. 11 at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Tampa. Four people were home at the time of the shooting, the report states.

In addition to first-degree murder, Tillman and Berenguer were each charged with six counts of auto burglary, one count of armed burglary and one count of burglary of an occupied dwelling; Tillman also was charged with one count of grand theft, although details about the additional charges were not available at our press time, as the case was still under investigation.

Tillman and Berenguer remained in custody at the Land O’Lakes Detention Center at our press time.