Wesley Chapel Woman Wins Big At World Taekwondo Tourney

By Matt Wiley

Wesley Chapel resident Carla Souza with her 1st and 2nd place medals that she won during the American Taekwondo Association's Class AAA World Championships on July 12 in Little Rock, AK.
Wesley Chapel resident Carla Souza with her 1st and 2nd place medals that she won during the American Taekwondo Association’s Class AAA World Championships on July 12 in Little Rock, AK.

Overcoming injuries can be a daunting task. Overcoming an injury and becoming world champion in a sport is another thing altogether.

Lexington Oaks resident Carla Souza, 41, knows this well, after becoming the American Taekwondo Association’s (ATA) Class AAA world champion in combat weapons and finishing second in sparring on July 12 in Little Rock, AK, during the ATA World Championships.Continue reading

Pasco Residents Still On Once-A-Week Watering, Despite ‘Swiftmud’ Change

By Matt Wiley | August 31
Although the heat of the summer is still affecting the Wesley Chapel area (and with it, the usual pattern of afternoon thunderstorms), Pasco County remains on the once-per-day watering system that it utilizes year-round, despite the fact that the Southwest Florida Water Management District (aka “Swiftmud”) recently eased the water restrictions implemented last month.
According to a July 30 release from Swiftmud, the District’s Governing Board voted to let all Phase III water shortage orders — which limited lawn watering to once per week on specific days and determined by address, between the hours of 6 p.m. and 8 a.m. — expire on July 31.

Construction Underway On The Boyette Reclaimed Water Reservoir On Overpass Rd.

By Matt Wiley

The Boyette Reclaimed Water Reservoir, which is expected to be completed by early 2015, will be an average of 12.5-ft. deep and hold more than 500 million gallons of reclaimed water for the dry season.
The Boyette Reclaimed Water Reservoir, which is expected to be completed by early 2015, will be an average of 12.5-ft. deep and hold more than 500 million gallons of reclaimed water for the dry season.

Construction has begun on Pasco County’s newest water reservoir.

In July, ground officially was broken on the Boyette Reclaimed Water Reservoir (BRWR) project, located at the northeast corner of the intersection of Boyette Rd. and Overpass Rd. The 500-million-gallon storage area for reclaimed water is part of the Pasco County Master Reuse System (PCMRS) and will store reclaimed water during the wet season to prepare for lower supplies during the dry season, as well as allow for more reclaimed water customers.

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Pair Charged with First-Degree Murder in Wesley Chapel I-75 Stabbing

Justin P. Gonzalez (left) and Jesse M. Blair are being held at the Land O' Lakes Detention Center on first-degree murder charges for the Sept. 7 stabbing of a man in their vehicle on I-75 in Wesley Chapel.
Justin P. Gonzalez (left) and Jesse M. Blair are being held at the Land O’ Lakes Detention Center on first-degree murder charges for the Sept. 7 stabbing of a man in their vehicle on I-75 in Wesley Chapel.

By Matt Wiley

Two men are in custody after allegedly stabbing a man in a car while driving, just north of S.R. 54 in Wesley Chapel.

According to the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO), on September 7, an off-duty deputy was traveling south on I-75 when he noticed a silver Acura sedan parked on the northbound shoulder of the interstate. The deputy doubled back and found Justin P. Gonzalez, 22, of Crossville, TN, and Jesse M. Blair, 23, of Lakeland, at the vehicle, along with a deceased man in the passenger seat with several apparent stab wounds to his chest and abdomen.Continue reading

Pasco’s Supervisor Of Elections: Every Vote Counts In Local Races

Brian Corley addresses Wesley Chapel Chamber Economic Development Committee members at a July meeting.
Brian Corley addresses Wesley Chapel Chamber Economic Development Committee members at a July meeting.

Guest editorial by Brian Corley

Pasco County Supervisor of Elections

As your Supervisor of Elections, I take very seriously the responsibility of encouraging and motivating citizens to vote. I firmly believe that our freedom, which came at such a huge cost to others, requires responsibility on the part of every American — beginning with the privilege of casting a ballot. Veterans, including my own grandfather, have crossed oceans to fight for our democracy, and yet others won’t even cross the street to vote when given the opportunity! This is why it’s important that the voters of Wesley Chapel — and all voters within our great county — exercise this precious right.

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