Local Martial Artist, 13, Raising Money To Return To World Games

By Benjamin Carter

Ethan Dillon, now 13, with his medals from the 2012 World Martial Arts Games.
Ethan Dillon, now 13, with his medals from the 2012 World Martial Arts Games.

A shy four-year-old sits on his mother’s lap refusing to join the other kids because the martial arts class is simply too intimidating for the young boy. But, after some encouragement from his instructor, he is suddenly participating with the others. Within five minutes, he’s hooked.

Today, Land O’Lakes resident Ethan Dillon, 13, studies a plethora of martial arts fighting styles. He has achieved high ranks in several different disciplines, including two second-degree black belts in karate and mixed martial arts, as well as a first-degree black belt in Krav Maga, the official self-defense training of the Israeli Defense Forces.

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Walmart On S.R. 54 To Begin Construction

By Matt Wiley,

Construction is set to begin on the Walmart at the intersection of S.R. 54 and Pointe Pleasant Blvd./Wiregrass Ranch Blvd. in Wesley Chapel.

A Site Development Permit dated September 30 has been posted at the site, which will cover 35 acres on the northern section of the Wiregrass Ranch Development of Regional Impact (DRI), more than 196,000 sq.-ft. of which will be used for the retail store, which will include a Garden Center of more than 21,000-sq.-ft.Continue reading

North Tampa Behavioral Health Opens To Patients

By Matt Wiley,

As of October 1, North Tampa Behavioral Health (NTBH), the area’s newest medical facility, officially is open to patients.

The 53,000-sq.-ft., 75-bed facility, which is located on S.R. 56 about a half mile east of Mansfield Blvd. on an outparcel of the Wiregrass Ranch Development of Regional Impact (DRI), serves the mental health needs of the surrounding community, providing care for geriatric, general adult, and dual diagnosis patients who may check into the facility themselves, be checked in by family members or other providers for emotional or psychiatric concerns, or be transported to the facility under the Florida Mental Health Act, more commonly known as the “Baker” Act, which allows for a person to be involuntarily committed for up to 72 hours if there is evidence that the person is a danger to themselves or to others.

The facility also can receive Florida Substance Abuse & Impairment (aka, the “Marchman”) Act patients. Those who fall into the Marchman Act category are subject to the same treatment as Baker Act patients.

For more info, please visit NorthTampaBehavioralHealth.com

Wing-walker Dies After Chute Does Not Deploy

By Matt Wiley

An entertainer who regularly walked on the wings of airplanes, miles over the heads of spectators, has died following an accident during a local air show.

According to the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office, Mark Curto, 62, died after falling off the wing of a World War II-era biplane during a stunt, as part of the inaugural “Festival of Flight” at the Tampa North Aero Park, located off S.R. 54 in Lutz (just west of Wesley Chapel), on October 19.Continue reading