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Zephyrhills

Volume IX • Issue 26 Your Hometown News Source • zephyrhillsfreepress.org March 4, 2021

Green
Light
They say it takes a village and the Stewart Middle School eighth grade basketball team family members celebrate
with the players and coaches after claiming the conference championship.

Hoop Dreams A Go
Both RBSMS Boys’ Basketball Teams Claim Conference Title
Story and photos by Dave Walters
For the first time in school history both Stewart Middle
School seventh grade and eight grade boys’ basketball teams
claimed the conference title. Both squads wrapped up their
respective seasons and championships with wins over Pasco
Middle School Wednesday night.
The eighth grade squad finished the season 6-1 and
handled the Pirates 43-15 with Tristan Lennon leading the
way with 12 points. The seventh grade team completed a
The football stadium at ZHS will be the June 3 home for the Class of 2021 graduation.
perfect 7-0 season with a 52-21 win over the Pirates with
Amontiy Hudson leading the Bulldogs with 12 points.
Coach Marcus McKinley led the eighth grade squad and
Brandon Bristow had the reins of the seventh grade team.
In McKinley’s first season, the Bulldogs finished third in the
conference. Last year, they were conference runners-up and
this year they are on top. The eighth graders reached the
pinnacle, but had some tough games on the way.
Basketball • Continued on Page 4
Annual Driver’s
License Reinstatement
Event Returns
Story submitted
Set for March 3-6, Operation Green Light 2021
is the Pasco County Clerk & Comptroller’s annual
event to help motorists idled by certain unpaid
court fines and fees get back behind the wheel
legally while saving big on collections, penalties
and interest.
“This is an important moment for drivers who
have seen their licenses suspended over unpaid
court obligations,” says Clerk & Comptroller Nikki
Alvarez-Sowles. “So much of our modern lives
depends on having reliable transportation, and for
most of us, that means being able to drive.
“During Operation Green Light, penalties,
interest, and collections fees that have been piling
up can, in many cases, be waived. For those
who can’t pay their obligations in total, we offer
payment plans that allow driving privileges to be
restored, too.”
The Clerk’s office has identified a handful of
past participants who would be delighted to talk
about their experiences. Contact communications
officer Tom Jackson for details.
Deputy Clerks will be available at both
courthouses – the Robert Sumner Judicial Center
in Dade City and the West Pasco Judicial Center
in New Port Richey – from 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. March
3-5 for in-person assistance. March 6 is by phone
or online only.
All four days, sidelined motorists can skip the

Home Field Advantage

ZHS Grads Will Walk The Stage At Bulldog Stadium In June
Story and photos by Dave Walters place June 3 at 9 a.m. at Bulldog
Stadium.
The Zephyrhills High School Class Last year, graduates were limited
of 2021 will graduate on Tom Fisher to two guests. This year, each
Field at Bulldog Stadium with double graduate can have four guests. Two
the capacity of the 2020 event. of the guests will join the graduate
Zephyrhills High School Principal on the field. Two other guests will be
Dr. Christina Stanley announced this seated in the bleachers.
afternoon the ceremony will take “It is great news,” Dr. Stanley said.
“We already have our plan. We know
what we loved about last year and
we know what we want to fix from
last year. It’s going to be fine.”
The tentative plan is to have the
stage set up in the southern part of
the stadium near the scoreboard
Graduation • Continued on Page 3
trip and get squared away by telephone by calling
(352) 521-4542, Option 2; or (727) 847-8031,
Option 2; between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. Any time
leading up to and during the event the Operation
Green Light web page will be offered at www.
pascoclerk.com/856/Operation-Green-Light.
Those with licenses suspended over failure
to pay child support, DUI, failure to complete a
driver’s course ordered by the Florida Department
of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, traffic-
related felony, or deemed by FLHSMV as a
habitual traffic offender may not be eligible to
participate. Drivers wanting to get a grasp on the
financial obligations pending against their license
may check their status online at https://services.
flhsmv.gov/DLCheck/.
2A • March 4, 2021 Your Hometown News Source • zephyrhillsfreepress.org Zephyrhills Free Press
East Pasco Events
NOTE: With recent cancellations of events due to local COVID-19
guidelines, please contact individual venues or sponsors for
confirmation of events, schedules and social guidelines.
March 3-6 – Operation Green Light
– Operation Green Light 2021 is the
Pasco County Clerk & Comptroller’s
annual event to help motorists idled
by certain unpaid court fines and fees
get back behind the wheel legally
while saving big on collections,
penalties, and interest. Deputy clerks
will be available at the Robert Sumner
Judicial Center 38053 Live Oak Ave,
Dade City from 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m.
March 3-5 for in-person assistance.
March 6 is by phone or online only. All
four days, sidelined motorists can get
squared away by telephone at (352)
521-4542, Option 2; between 8:30
a.m. and 5 p.m. Any time leading up
to and during the event you can access
the Operation Green Light web page at
www.pascoclerk.com/856/Operation-
Green-Light for information, eligibility
or processing.
March 13 – Charity Golf Tournament
– The 29th Annual Loving Hands
Ministries “Save Our Sons” Charity
Golf Tournament is gearing up.
Registration starts at 7:30 a.m. with
a four-man scramble shotgun start at
8:30 a.m. Lunch is included as well as
awards, door prizes, a silent auction
and raffle. Sponsors are needed to
help make the tournament a success
and help the ministry’s 37-year legacy
of helping young men overcome the
grip of addiction at no charge to them.
Call (352) 523-1399 to register for
the tournament or for information.
You can also visit lovinghands.net/
events to submit your tax-deductible
sponsorship or register teams. The
tournament will be held at Scotland
Yard Golf Course, 9424 U.S. 301 in
Dade City.
March 20 – Jelly Bean Fling – Hop on
down to the Pioneer Florida Museum
& Village, 15602 Pioneer Museum
Road in Dade City, from 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
for a day of fun and entertainment.
Free family photos, Easter egg hunts,
games, crafts, petting zoo, model
train room, vendors and more will
be on the agenda. You can also check
out Sphere’s Bubble Magic Show or
Soccer Collies during the day. Pulled
pork dinners will be available for
$10 as well as other food and drink
items. Admission is $5 and children
under five are admitted free. Please
observe all current CDC guidelines.
Masks are required indoors. Visit
pioneerfloridamuseum.org or call
(352) 567-0262 for information.
For more events visit www.pasconewspubs.com
March 6 Grand Horizons
8am-1pm Individual Family Yard Sales
Grand Horizons off Green Slope Drive behind Zephyrhills WalMart Supercenter
Over 25 homes with lots of items. Patio furniture,
antique dolls, crafts, fishing rods, waders,
March 20 – Craft Club Easter Sale
– The St. Josephs Catholic Church
Craft Club is having their Easter sale
from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. There will be
Easter baskets, wreaths and more.
The church is located at 5316 11th
Street in Zephyrhills. The sale will be
outside the Parish Center, across 5th
Avenue from the church. Proceeds go
to the church to help support outreach
programs such as the baby pantry and
the food bank.
March 20 – Dogs’ Day in Dade City –
Join the canine crowd at Agnes Lamb
Park, 14200 Ninth Street in Dade City
for a tail-wagging event featuring
a dog wagon parade, dog costume
contest, K-9 challenge, Canine Got
Talent contest, ice cream/yogurt
eating contest as well as other fun and
informative events for dogs and their
owners. All dogs must be on a leash.
Vendors are being accepted. Call (352)
424-4972 or visit dogsdayindadeicty.
com for information or vendor
applications.
March 22 – Bingo – AMVETS Post
#550 will have Bingo every Monday
(starting March 22) from Noon-3 p.m.
at 4645 Airport Road.
March 27 – Kumquat Festival –
Visit downtown Dade City from 9
a.m.-5 p.m. for the annual Kumquat
Festival. Check out the car and
truck show on your way to tasty
kumquat pies, specialty food from
local restaurants and food trucks,
vendors, entertainment, an interactive
Kids Corral – even kumquat beer.
Admission is free. COVID precautions
will be in place and masks are required
by all vendors and attendees. Visit
kumquatfestival.org or call the Dade
City Chamber of Commerce at (352)
567-3769 for information or vendor
applications.
April 10 – Pigz in Z’Hills BBQ & Blues
Fest – The 11th annual Pigz in Z’Hills
BBQ & Blues Fest at 5200 Airport
Road will feature a drive-thru BBQ
to choose from select teams from 11
a.m.-2 p.m. Limited vending will also
be available along with beer and wine.
The Blues concert will take place from
4-7 p.m. with tickets sold for 10’x10’
grid spots for up to 6 people each.
Call (813) 782-1913 for information
or visit zephyrhillschamber.org or
facebook.com/zephyrhillschamber for
updates or ticket information.
bike/ bike rack, tools, RV accessories,
TVs, TV hutch, bar stools,
desk, grill, smoker,
kitchen cart
and lots of
miscellaneous
items.
Zephyrhills Arrests
Tagged For No Tag
A 38-year-old Zephyrhills man was arrest- A warrant check led to the arrest of a
ed recently on multiple drug charges after Plant City man on drug
a traffic stop and subsequent search yield- charges Feb. 22. Ac-
ed heroin, methamphetamine, synthetic cording to Zephyrhills
narcotics and paraphernalia. According Police, Steven Rini,
to Zephyrhills Police, Joe Childress, of 48, of 3327 Rini Ranch
38848 James Court, was stopped by po- Lane, was arrested for
lice for driving a vehicle not having a tag an outstanding failure
attached. He was issued a warning for the to appear warrant. A
violation and granted police permission subsequent search uncovered metham-
to search his personal property. Police phetamine. Rini told the officers the
found a silver spoon with a white un- crystalline substance was methamphet-
known residue, six syringes, .25 grams of amine. After he was read his rights, he
heroin, 1.2 grams of buprenorphine and longer wanted to talk to police. He was
.49 grams of methamphetamine. placed under arrest and transported to
the Pasco County Jail.
A pair of Zephyrhills women were
arrested Feb. 24 for sim- A 29-year-old Zephyrhills man was
ple battery after an inci- arrested Feb. 26 for do-
dent where the two mestic violence after a
were involved in a ver- physical altercation.
bal argument that According to ZPD, Rod-
turned into a physical erick Boston, of 38816
altercation with a third South Ave., allegedly
woman. According to slapped the female vic-
Spencer ZPD, Katie Veley, 21, tim in the bathroom of
and Ciara Spencer, 25, both of 4732 their home and a “tussle” ensued. A wit-
Coral Street, allegedly were involved in ness told police Boston also tried to pull
the altercation that turned physical the victim off the couch where he
where Spencer reportedly smashed her slapped the telephone out of her hand
face against the victim’s face. The victim and the two “started tussling” over the
put Spencer in a choke hold and Veley phone. Boston was arrested for domes-
tried to hit the victim from behind. Ulti- tic battery and transported to the Pasco
mately, both women had the victim on County Jail.
the ground and were punching her. The
victim fended off the two women using The information provided in the
her legs to push away. A witness was Zephyrhills Police report is taken from
able to stop the attack. Veley and Spen- public record and news sources. All parties
cer reportedly fled the scene. Both were are considered innocent until proven
arrested at their residence. guilty.
Spring Break Kicks Off Free Safety
Around Water Lessons at the YMCA
East Pasco area children can once
again receive free water safety and swim
lessons at their local YMCA, during
the local school districts’ spring break,
March 15-18.
The Y’s Safety Around Water program
is offered this year at 16 Tampa
Metropolitan Area YMCA and YMCA of
the Suncoast locations.
The program is free and open to
all 3-12-year-old beginners and non- You can sign up online at tampaymca.
swimmers in the Tampa Bay community. org, in-person at East Pasco Family
The YMCA of the Suncoast is able to YMCA, 37301 Chapel Hill Loop in
offer the program at no cost in Pinellas Zephyrhills, or by phone at (813) 780-
County thanks to the generosity of the 9622.
Juvenile Welfare Board. As with all YMCA programs and
During the 4-day course, certified services, the Y follows guidance from the
instructors teach kids a sequenced set CDC and government officials to create a
of skills that will reduce the risk of safer environment and ensure the highest
drowning and give them confidence in standards of cleanliness and appropriate
and around water. accommodations for social distancing.
Participants must be present on the The Y will also offer the free Safety
first day of class and bring their own Around Water program in May and
swimsuit and towel. August of this year.
A YMCA membership is not required; Dates and times vary based on YMCA
however, due to limited space, pre- location. Visit tampaymca.org for
registration is required. information.
Pasco News Publications
Dade City News • East Pasco Senior News • Zephyrhills Free Press
Publisher Editor Design
Chris Drews Dave Walters Edwin Pitts
cdrews@pasconewspubs.com davewalters12@msn.com pasconewspubs.design@gmail.com
Zephyrhills Free Press | www.zephyrhillsfreepress.org
(813) 997-1703 - www.pasconewspubs.com
NEWS & ADVERTISING DEADLINE: Monday at 12:00 noon • SALES: Please call (813) 997-1703
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR: Letters to the editor should be limited to 200 words. Pasco News Publications reserves the right to edit published letters.
Letters to the editor are the writer’s opinion and do not reflect the opinion of Pasco News Publications. Please include your name and phone number.
ADVERTISING ERRORS: Pasco News Publications is not responsible for the validity of claims made by advertisers or for advertisers errors. Pasco
News Publications is responsible only for the cost of space for the first insertion.
PASCO NEWS PUBLICATIONS IS A MEMBER OF: The Greater Dade City Chamber of Commerce and The Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce.
COPYRIGHT: Contents copyright of Pasco News Publications, all rights reserved. Reproduction in part or whole prohibited without prior, written permission
of the publisher.
Zephyrhills Free Press Your Hometown News Source • zephyrhillsfreepress.org March 4, 2021 • 3A
Tom Fisher Field at Bulldog Stadium will again be the home for graduation. This year,
the capacity will be doubled with each graduate eligible to bring four people to the
ceremony.
Graduation • Continued from Page 1
with graduates and two family members
seated on the field.
Zephyrhills High School Senior Class
President Madison Aguilera has always
looked on in envy to the graduates
of nearby Pasco High School as they
Graduation speeches will fill the air at
Bulldog Stadium as graduation returns
to the venue for the second straight year.
LaGrande-Chase Engagement
traditionally graduate at WF Edwards
Stadium.
“I’m really excited,” Aguilera said.
“I’ve always wanted to graduate on the
football field. I was always jealous of
the Pasco kids. I think this is the best
situation we could have and we are
making the best out of it.
The Pasco County School District
made these plans after being notified
recently that the Yuengling Center at
Mr. Leo LaGrande of S, B & L Mr. Chase earned his Bachelor of
USF will not be available for the school
LaGrande Ranches in Williams, Calif., is Science degree in Interdisciplinary
district’s 2021 graduations in June.
pleased to announce the engagement of Studies from Western Oregon University
Every high school in the Pasco County
his daughter, Lauren LaGrande, to Cadis with Magna Cum Laude honors. He
School District will be hosting its each
William Chase of Belgrade, Mont., son is currently a second-year student at
individual graduation ceremonies which
of Dr. Steven Chase of Casper, Wyo. and Idaho College of Osteopathic Medical
will be similar to the in-person events
Harriet (Smith) Chase of Dade City. School.
held for Pasco graduates last year, with
Ms. LaGrande received her Bachelor Lauren is the granddaughter of the
the significant differences.
of Science degree in Agricultural late Hedy and Vic LaGrande and Ann
“We know how important it is to the
Sciences from Oregon State University and Bud Williams.
graduates to walk across the stage and
with Magna Cum Laude honors and Cadis is the grandson of Terry Smith,
receive their diploma in person. And we
earned her Master of Science degree in the late Mary Reid Smith and great-
know how important it is to have family
Agricultural Communications at Texas grandson of the late Pearl Bessenger
there to celebrate this once-in-a-lifetime
Tech University. She is an instructor, of Dade City, FL and Allen and Jessica
experience,” said Kurt Browning, Pasco
researcher and curriculum developer in Chase of Livingston, MT.
Superintendent of Schools. “This plan
agricultural communications at Oregon The couple is planning a June 2021
makes that possible while keeping
State University. wedding in Bozeman, Montana
everyone safe.”
4A • March 4, 2021 Your Hometown News Source • zephyrhillsfreepress.org Zephyrhills Free Press

Point guard Kingston McCullough drives Sanilyn Black leads the fast break in
Seven grader Daniel Carter goes up for Samaryna Black gets the Pasco defender through the Pasco defense in Stewart Wednesday’s championship-clinching
a shot surround by Pasco defenders in off his feet in Wednesday’s 43-15 win Middle School’s eighth grade team’s win game as Stewart Middle School seventh
Stewart Middle School’s 52-21 win over over Pasco to secure the eighth-grade over Pasco to secure the eighth-grade grade team handled Pasco 52-21 and
the Pirates. conference title. conference championship. finished the season undefeated.
Basketball • Continued from Page 1 in perfect position for a repeat with a pair graders and win the championship,” talent returning and moving up from his
of seventh graders, Kingston McCullough said McKinley. “Coach Bristow and I had squad.
“These kids are phenomenal,” McKinley and Demontia Hudson, playing up on the a plan at the beginning of the season. If “It’s going to be very exciting to see how
said. “We won one game with a buzzer eighth grade team and a roster full of the we followed the plan to the tee, we could these young men mature and grow as they
beater and another one in overtime. The undefeated seventh grade team moving up bring home both championships and that’s move up to the next level,” Bristow said.
kids never gave up.” next season. what we did.” “While that is happening, I get to come
With the Bulldogs rewriting the history “I have to be the first coach in Pasco Bristow said the eighth grade team will back and defend our championship and go
books, it puts the eighth grade program County history to start two seventh be exciting to watch with the wealth of for the repeat of both teams.”

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Zephyrhills Free Press Your Hometown News Source • zephyrhillsfreepress.org March 4, 2021 • 5A

Bulldogs Stumble After Fast Start

Wesley Chapel Overruns ZHS 17-9 After ‘Dogs’ 7-0 Lead
Story and photos by Dave Walters
What started as an amazingly
promising start, turned into an incredibly
disappointing finish, as the Zephyrhills
Bulldogs’ baseball squad squandered a
7-0 lead over Wesley Chapel only to lose
17-9 Tuesday night.
Zephyrhills jumped all over the
Wildcats with five runs in the first inning
thanks to hits from Jaxson Rivera, Mykah
Berrian, Bryan Santiago, Maddox Rivera,
Austin Dobbins and Connor Prickett.
The Bulldogs defense held the Wildcats
to just two hits in the first two innings.
The hitting continued in the bottom if
Zephyrhills third baseman Matthew
Cazarez puts the tag on Wesley Chapel’s
Ethan Chana during Tuesday night’s 17-9
loss to the Wildcats.
the second for ZHS with Martin Calhoun
and Maddox Rivera adding RBI singles to
extend the Bulldogs lead to 7-0.
In the top of the third, Wesley Chapel
added a pair of runs to close the gap at
7-2. In the bottom the third, the Bulldogs
got one of those runs back on a RBI
double by Mark Santiago scoring Jaxson
Rivera. Both teams were scoreless in the
fourth before Wesley Chapel opened the
offensive floodgate and put up 15 runs
over the next three innings.
Zephyrhills head coach Rusty Guynn
was pleased in what he saw early in the
game, but knew a team with no seniors,
a few juniors and loads of young talented
freshmen and sophomores could struggle
against a team as seasoned as Wesley
Chapel. Jaxson Rivera dives back to the bag during the Bulldogs’ 17-9 loss to Wesley Chapel.
“That’s a really good team that swings Rivera went 3-for-5 and scored three runs in the loss.
the bat really well,” Guynn said. “They
are older and they make the plays on
defense. Here we are with a lead and
no one could make a routine play. If we
make three routine plays, maybe we’re
home an hour ago.”
In addition, the Bulldogs canceled its
fall season due to COVID-19 and had its
2020 regular season cut short because of
the virus.
“Last year really hurt us getting cut
short,” Guynn said. “That was the year
these young guys take the bumps and go
and be ready for this year.
“This group has a chance to very good.
There are always going to be days like
this, but we’ll be there at the end. We’re
always there at the end.”

Relief pitcher Caden Negron get ready Caden Negron crosses the plate in
to fire a pitch in the fifth inning Tuesday Zephyrhills 17-9 loss to Wesley Chapel
night against Wesley Chapel. Tuesday night.

Bryan Santiago makes contact in the first inning with an RBI single during Tuesday
night action at John Clements Field where the Bulldog fell to Wesley Chapel 17-9.

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