Congratulations to all 21 public and charter schools located in Wesley Chapel, none of which earned lower than a “B” grade from the Florida Department of Education (DoE) for 2026, and a record 18 of those schools earned “A” grades!
Perhaps the biggest news was that New River Elementary improved its grade from a “D” last year to an “A” this year, although seven other schools ā Double Branch, Veterans & Wiregrass elementary schools, Cypress Creek and Weightman middle schools, Innovation Preparatory Academy and Wesley Chapel High all improved from a “B” to an “A,” and Watergrass Elementary improved from a “C” to a “B.”
Also, not one school located in Wesley Chapel received a lower grade this year than last, and overall, the Pasco School District received its first-ever “A” grade from the Florida DoE.
“This achievement reflects the incredible dedication of our teachers, support staff, administrators, students and families,” said Pasco Superintendent of Schools D. John Legg in a statement released by the District.
The Neighborhood News applauds the entire Pasco School District’s improvement and the amazing achievements of all 21 public and charter schools located in Wesley Chapel.
On June 13-14, former Tampa Bay Bucs head football coach Jon Gruden and former Tampa Bay Lightning player (and current TV commentator) Ryan Malone were among the celebrities on hand at AdventHealth Center Ice’s annual “Hockey Heals 22” event. Hockey Heals 22 raises critical awareness locally of the 22 military veterans who lose their lives each day to suicide, and provides some financial support for suicide prevention programs, with 22 consecutive hours of hockey at AdventHealth Center Ice. The event’s opening ceremonies were hosted by Fox 13 anchor/reporter Alyse Zwick and local sports media personality J.P. Peterson, the host of “Tampa Bay Lightning Hockey Night Live.”
Coach Gruden was on one of the benches for the first game following the very moving opening ceremonies, which included honoring a dozen families who have lost loved ones to veteran suicide. Many of the family members of the fallen vets and other former NHL players (including former Lightning goalie Mathieu Garon) also played for the teams that rotated on and off the ice for the 22-hour marathon.
Event coordinator Lara Lopez says, “Portions of the proceeds from the Hockey Heals 22 event will benefit the Black Dagger Military Hunt Club, Operation Healing Forces and the Lightning Warriors Hockey Program. Money was raised through a silent auction, raffles, merchandise sales and sponsorships. We donāt yet have all the totals of the funds raised from this year’s event, but our treasurer is working hard to compile them.” The Black Dagger Club and Operating Healing Forces each received $5,000 checks from the Lightning Warriors program during the opening ceremonies.
TheĀ Neighborhood NewsĀ applauds everyone involved in Hockey Heals 22, which is such an important event that takes place in our community. For more information about “Hockey Heals 22,” visit LightningWarriorsHockey.org.
Courtesy of Headcase Graphics 813Courtesy of Headcase Graphics 813Courtesy of Headcase Graphics 813Courtesy of Headcase Graphics 813Courtesy of Headcase Graphics 813Courtesy of Headcase Graphics 813
The Korean fried chicken craze is not only sweeping the country, but also Wesley Chapel.
It started slowly locally, almost two years ago, with Sweet Krunch, located in the Shoppes at New Tampa of Wesley Chapel plaza on Bruce B. Downs Blvd. south of S.R. 56.
Then, just a couple of months ago, we first told you about the opening of Bonchon Korean Fried Chicken at The Hub at Lexington.
Of course, both of those are local links in growing regional (Sweet Krunch) or international (Bonchon) chains. But now, the former location of multiple Indian restaurants ā and Chicken Boss and TJās Hot Dogs before them ā at 5888 Grand Oro Ln., in the KRATE at the Grove container park (it most recently was Curry Club), is now K-Crunch Fried Chicken, Bowls & Fries, an independently owned Korean fried chicken place that, based on my first visit, has super-crunchy fried chicken and tasty seasoned fries (above photo).Ā
Of course, it remains to be seen if K-Crunch can succeed where those other places have failed, but you should definitely go check it out for its āBold Flavors & Good Vibes!ā
For more info about K-Crunch, call (813) 550-8243. ā GN
Although we still hadnāt seen any updates about the opening of the Brazilian restaurant called Triamo, we were excited to find a new Nigerian-style tea house called Udo Ulo Tea Lounge that is now open at the KRATE at The Grove container park.
Photo above from @udoulo on Instagram.
I spoke with owner Denisha Allen, who said that, āUdo Ulo means āHouse of Peaceā (in the Igbo language spoken in Nigeria) and is the perfect āthird place lounge and maker spaceā for people who work from home who are tired of, when they want to get out of the house, having to sit in uncomfortable chairs at the local coffee shop. This is a super-comfortable, relaxing environment, where itās like working from your couch or your bed, but without the distractions of the TV or having to clean your house.ā
Denisha, who has previously advised governors and members of Congress, also founded the nonprofit organization Black Minds Matter.
And, perhaps best of all, Udo Ulo offers unlimited tea with admission and memberships are available. It sure looks comfy to this reporter!
For more information about Udo Ulo, visit UduUlo.com. ā GNĀ
Please remember that these are the names that will be on the ballot for the August 18 Primary Election only. Races where there is no primary election needed do not appear on this list. We apologize if we inadvertently left any races or qualified candidates off of our list.Ā
Federal Races:
All Registered Wesley Chapel Republicans can vote in the following race:
U.S. Senate
Ashley Moody (Incumbent-Rep)
Neelam Taneja Perry (Rep)
Ernest āErnieā Rivera (Rep)
Chris Gleason (Rep)
All Registered Wesley Chapel Democrats can vote in the following race:
U.S. Senate
Angie Nixon (Dem)
Alex Vindman (Dem)
All Registered Wesley Chapel Democrats can vote in the following races:
U.S. Representative, District 12
Darren McAuley (Dem)
Kimberly Overman (Dem)
U.S. Representative, District 15
Christopher Irizarry (Dem)
Robert People (Dem)
State Of Florida Races:
All Registered Wesley Chapel Republicans can vote in the following race:
Governor
Jay Collins (Rep)
Byron Donalds (Rep)
James Fishback (Rep)
Jim Holcomb (Rep)
Arthur Joseph McCaffrey (Rep)
Daniel Nokovich (Rep)
Paul Renner (Rep)
Rachel Rodriguez (Rep)
James W. Shaw (Rep)
Caneste Succe (Rep)
Bobby Williams (Rep)
All Registered Wesley Chapel Democrats can vote in the following race:
Governor
Evelyn Castillo-Bach (Dem)
Thomas Eloy Fernandez (Dem)
Dayna Marie Foster (Dem)
David Jolly (Dem)
Dotie Joseph (Dem)
Stephann Norman (Dem)
All Registered Wesley Chapel Republicans can vote in the following race:
Chief Financial Officer
Blaise Ingoglia (Incumbent-Rep)
Frank William Collige (Rep)
All Registered Wesley Chapel Democrats can vote in the following race:
Chief Financial Officer
Earle Ford (Dem)
Annette Taddeo (Dem)
All Registered Wesley Chapel Republicans can vote in the following race:
Commissioner of Agriculture
Wilton Simpson (Incumbent-Rep)
Matt Taylor (Rep)
All Registered Wesley Chapel Democrats can vote in the following race:
Commissioner of Agriculture
Joey Mendoza Atkins (Dem)
Donald A. āDonā Prichard (Dem)
All Registered Wesley Chapel Voters can vote in the following races:
Circuit Court Judge, District 6, Group 39
Elizabeth “Liz” Constantine (NOP)
Stefen Diskey (NOP)
Circuit Court Judge, District 6, Group 44
Oxalis Garcia (NOP)
Elizabeth “Liz” Jack (NOP)
Pasco County Races:
All Registered Wesley Chapel Republicans can vote in the following races:
County Commissioner ā District 5 (ElectedCountywide)
Lisa Yeager (Incumbent – Rep)
Jonathan Deckard (Rep)
All Registered Wesley Chapel Voters can vote in the following races:
