Land O' Lakes Pool Opening Soon

The pre-season for the public pool kicks off May 25.

Like to beat the heat with a dip in the pool?  If so, your time is coming soon. The Land O’ Lakes Pool is opening to the public for use this summer on May 25. From May 25 to June 2, the facility at 3032 Collier Parkway will be open Saturdays and Sundays only. From June 5 through Aug. 18, it will be open Tuesdays through Sundays.  Pasco County had previously considered shutting down the Land O’ Lakes pool for the 2012 season when faced with budget shortfalls. But the Lightning swim team hashed out a plan with the county to keep it running. Outside the summer months, the swim team uses the pool and pays the costs for keeping it running. The cost Prices have gone up since last year. Here are the 2013 rates: "We will be holding special events …

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Pasco Opens Cold Weather Shelters as Winter Temps Return

The arrival of a cold front has county officials urging Land O’ Lakes residents to take precautions.

Just because the calendar says it’s springtime doesn’t mean Mother Nature got the message. Forecasters are predicting a blast of winter-like weather to hit Land O’ Lakes over the next few days and this has Pasco County officials concerned. The Office of Emergency Management, in fact, has announced the opening of cold weather shelters overnight Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, March 25-27. The National Weather Service says the cold front won’t bring temperatures down to freezing, but with the wind chill factor added in it will feel close. The forecast for Monday night calls for a low around 40 in Land O’ Lakes with an early morning feels-like temperature down around 36 degrees on Tuesday. The high Tuesday is expected to only climb to about 61…

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Some Pasco Government Offices Are Closed Monday

While it’s an official holiday for many government workers, Pasco’s employees are using Presidents Day, Feb. 18, for training.

Land O’ Lakes residents hoping to take advantage of the Presidents Day holiday, Feb. 18, to get some business done with the county might be out of luck. Many Pasco County government offices are closing down for the day. Workers won’t get a long weekend though – the county uses the holiday to conduct training programs for its employees. The following agencies aren’t shutting their doors for Staff Development Day: All other offices, including the county clerk and courts, will be closed Monday and will reopen for regular business on Tuesday, Feb. 19. Animal services will be open to take emergency calls only. County parks will be open, but recreation centers are closed Monday. Don’t forget Presidents Day is a holiday for the United States …

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Pasco Eyeing Recycling Program Changes

A few proposed tweaks to the existing program are hoped to increase participation.

Ask most Land O’ Lakes residents when their trash hauler picks up recyclables and it’s likely they’ll get a blank look on their faces. That’s a problem Pasco County is hoping to tackle in the near future. The county is eyeing changes to its blue bag recycling program that would make it easier for residents to get their plastic, glass and aluminum recyclables out to the curb. A proposal is under consideration that would enable residents to forego buying those costly blue bags in favor of designating their own cans for recyclable items. The move, officials say, could help improve participation in the voluntary recycling program. Recycling is Low Right Now Participation in the county’s voluntary recycling program is less than ideal, officials…

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PatriciaMurphy

5:49 pm on Tuesday, April 9, 2013

I am so excited about this new program. We throw away so much plastic and the new program will accept almost all of it. As far as the complaints about the bags, well, I have to buy garbage bags and I don't hear anyone complaining about that. Ultimately it's still garbage. I do wish they would pick up more often but I understand the recycling program barely pays for itself. I'm glad we aren't …   more ›

Cold Weather Shelters Opening in Pasco

Lows in the 30s are anticipated early Saturday and Sunday mornings.

As a cold front continues to work its way through the area, Pasco County officials are opening shelters for those without heat. The county’s cold weather shelters will open at 6:30 p.m. tonight, Dec. 21, and again tomorrow night at the same time, according to a county media release. While a freeze isn’t quite expected, according to the National Weather Service, the temperature outside is anticipated to drop to near freezing both days. “These low temperatures and wind chills are dangerous to anyone who will be outside for a long period of time,” the county’s media release warned. “Children, the elderly and pets are especially vulnerable to the cold and extra care should be taken to protect them.” Pasco’s cold weather shelters are at the …

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Incumbent Clerk of Court Wants to Continue Serving Community

Paula O'Neil touts experience serving Pasco County and commitment to community

Paula O’Neil wants something from Pasco residents. Their votes. The Republican is is seeking another four years as the county's Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller, a title which only touches on the position's responsibilities. She’s held the office since being elected to the job in 2008. O’Neil is running against contender Roberta Cutting.  “I care about my community,” O’Neil said. “Which is why I ran in the first place. Which is why I work for government.” O’Neil, 56, moved to Pasco County from Missouri in 1987. She worked for the county government for more than 20 years before her election to Clerk in 2008. Her career before the 2008 election included time in the community services and parks and recreation department. She served …

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Paradise Lakes Nudist Community Founded by Minister

A grand opening ceremony for Paradise Lakes was held Aug. 16, 1980, featuring a water ski show, naked sky divers and an open bar.

Fred Bischoff lived at Lake Como Family Nudist Resort but dreamed of a creating a place of his own. He wanted a place that would allow the members to have clothing-optional choices. Bischoff was a minister, a stockbroker and a Realtor.  His dream became a purchase on April 11, 1980. A grand opening ceremony for Paradise Lakes  was held on Aug. 16, 1980,  featuring a water ski show, naked sky divers and an open bar. The original 42 acres grew to 72 acres and included a beach, a y-shaped pool, a whirlpool, 3 tennis courts and a 4,000 square foot clubhouse. The community's one bedroom, one bath units sold for $24,000 each at the time.  During this time, Bischoff became the president of his daughter's PTA and his wife served as PTA president …

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Mindy Songfer

10:58 pm on Sunday, October 28, 2012

Nudism is a philosophy that values simplicity and increased harmony with nature. http://www.truenudist.net offers a friendly and confidential environment for nudists to look for friendships, relationships, and resources concerning the nudist lifestyle.   more ›

Get Down and Dirty Cleaning up Land O’ Lakes

The last day to sign up for the Coastal Cleanup is Wednesday, Sept. 14.

Land O’ Lakes might not have a coastline, but it has plenty of litter. That’s why hundreds of volunteers are preparing to mobilize this Saturday, Sept. 17, to take part in the annual Coastal Cleanup. Land O’ Lakes volunteers scour the community’s roads picking up litter during the four-hour event. While organizers will technically take volunteers right up to the last minute, advanced registration is preferred to ensure enough food has been ordered for the post cleanup party and that plans are in place to decide where to send volunteers to pick up trash, said Betsy Crisp, of the Pasco County Extension and co-captain for the Land O’ Lakes cleanup. With that in mind, Crisp is asking anyone who would like to spend a few hours this Saturday …

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Intersection Improvements Planned at Collier, Hale

A four-way stop will be installed within the next week.

Relief is in sight for motorists who have been concerned about a lack of traffic control at the intersection of Collier Parkway and Hale Road. Pasco County intends to install a four-way stop there within the next week, and a traffic signal is also in the works, said Debora Bolduc, program administrator for engineering services. A timetable for the light hasn’t been set, she added. Residents began raising concerns about the intersection shortly after the Collier extension opened this spring. Traffic traveling on Hale Road is currently required to stop, but Collier traffic moves through the intersection freely. In addition, there were concerns about a lack of visibility for motorists traveling on Hale through the intersection. “If you are …

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At The Courthouse

The Caylee Anthony Case: Was Abuse Reported While She Was Alive?

We may never know if anyone reached out. Sen. Mike Fasano's office and the Pasco County Sheriff Office discuss DCF and child protective services.

I wanted to find out more about how child protective services are set up in Pasco County, as it seems CPS was not involved at all in Orange County with the Caylee Anthony case. Kevin Doll, spokesman for the Pasco Sheriff's Office, shed some light on this: “I am not sure child protection authorities were ever involved in the child's life to begin with," Doll said. "And as it was more than 30 days as to when she was reported missing when she was last seen alive, there wasn't anything they could have done after the fact." How does the Pasco Sheriff-run CPS get involved? “We receive complaints through the state abuse hotline. We also can begin our own investigation when we have evidence of neglect or abuse, such as the case where the woman …

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