Mike Moore Kicks Off Commission Campaign In Dade City

(L-R) Pasco County school superintendent Kurt Browning, Pasco Republican state committeeman Bill Bunting, Mike Moore, Pasco property appraiser Mike Wells & Dist. 18 State Senator Wilton Simpson came to support Moore at his campaign kick-off reception at Kafé Kokopelli in Dade City on Sept. 18.
(L-R) Pasco County school superintendent Kurt Browning, Pasco Republican state committeeman Bill Bunting, Mike Moore, Pasco property appraiser Mike Wells & Dist. 18 State Senator Wilton Simpson came to support Moore at his campaign kick-off reception at Kafé Kokopelli in Dade City on Sept. 18.

By Matt Wiley

Surrounded by family, friends and supporters, Pasco County Board of County Commissioners District 2 hopeful Mike Moore (R-Wesley Chapel) kicked off his campaign on September 18 in Dade City.

Inside the packed Kafé Kokopelli in downtown Dade City, guests and honorary hosts — including Dist. 18 State Senator Wilton Simpson (R-Dade City), Pasco County Schools superintendent Kurt Browning, Pasco property appraiser Mike Wells, San Antonio Mayor Tim Newlon and Zephyrhills Mayor Danny Burgess — gathered with Moore for a fund-raising reception. Honorary hosts House Speaker Will Weatherford (R-Wesley Chapel), Pasco Sheriff Chris Nocco (R-Odessa) and Commissioner Jack Mariano (R-Hudson), all of whom have endorsed Moore, were unable to attend due to scheduling conflicts.

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Bickham Named Honorary Mayor At Chamber Awards Banquet!

Among those honored at the Wesley Chapel Chamber’s annual awards banquet at Hunter’s Green Country Club on Sept. 14 were (l. to r.) Greg Lenners of the Shops at Wiregrass mall; Peter Castellani of Oasis: A Pregnancy Care Center, Maureen Moore of St. Leo University, Kelly Mothershead of A Focus on Fitness, Cathy Bickham of Chapel Home Health & Brian Adams of Florida Hospital Wesley Chapel. At right is Chamber president Jeff Novotny. Photos courtesy of OurTownFla.com.
Among those honored at the Wesley Chapel Chamber’s annual awards banquet at Hunter’s Green Country Club on Sept. 14 were (l. to r.) Greg Lenners of the Shops at Wiregrass mall; Peter Castellani of Oasis: A Pregnancy Care Center, Maureen Moore of St. Leo University, Kelly Mothershead of A Focus on Fitness, Cathy Bickham of Chapel Home Health & Brian Adams of Florida Hospital Wesley Chapel. At right is Chamber president Jeff Novotny. Photos courtesy of OurTownFla.com.

By Gary Nager

Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to attend the Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce (WCCC)’s annual “Excellence in Business Awards” banquet, which was held on September 14 at Hunter’s Green Country Club in New Tampa. But, I was definitely there in spirit as the Chamber once again showed why it is still the heart of the business community in Wesley Chapel.

Congrats go out to the evening’s many award winners, especially to the new Honorary Mayor of Wesley Chapel, Cathy Bickham of Florida Hospital Wesley Chapel (FHWC)’s Chapel Home Health. Cathy also was one of the primary members of the fund-raising teams for previous Honorary Mayor winners John Negley of the FHWC Foundation and Troy Stevenson of Wesley Chapel Nissan, who will retain the title until January 1, 2014.

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Make Strides Against Breast Cancer On Oct. 19!

Help make strides against breast cancer at the Shops at Wiregrass mall on October 19.
Help make strides against breast cancer at the Shops at Wiregrass mall on October 19.

By Matt Wiley

As Breast Cancer Awareness Month approaches in October, so, too, do events that help raise money that goes toward the research for a cure for the disease that has killed millions. One of the biggest of these events across the nation each year is the American Cancer Society (ACS)’s “Making Strides Against Breast Cancer” 5K walk, which will again be held locally on Saturday, October 19, at the Shops at Wiregrass mall.

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Bid Recieved For S.R. 54/56 Toll Road

By Matt Wiley

Interest from private firms is building regarding the possible construction of a toll road that would connect Wesley Chapel to western Pasco County.

According to the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), a Request for Proposals (RFP) was opened on August 23, after the agency received an unsolicited bid from International Infrastructure Partners (IIP), LLC — a group of investors and infrastructure construction companies — to lease right-of-way to fund, design, build, operate and maintain a toll road with elevated and “at-grade” lanes along the more than 33-mile stretch of S.R. 54/56 from Wesley Chapel to New Port Richey.Continue reading

Local Residents Taken In Massive Drug Operation

Lazaro Martin (left) and Heather Short
Lazaro Martin (left) and Heather Short

By Matt Wiley,

A recent, large-scale drug sting operation by the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO) has resulted in more than 50 arrests in just 24 hours, including two Wesley Chapel residents, each charged with dealing in controlled substances.

As part of the PCSO Vice Narcotics Unit’s “Operation: Balderstone,” on September 5, 55 arrests were made across Pasco County, including Lazaro “Lachi” Martin, 23, of the Riverside Crossing community on S.R. 54, and Heather Marie Short, 35, of Quail Hollow, who were arrested after selling prescription pills and other drugs to undercover PCSO deputies.

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