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Zephyrhills

Volume IX • Issue 29 Your Hometown News Source • zephyrhillsfreepress.org March 25, 2021

Shields
At Full
Strength
ZPD Welcomes Two New
Officers To Fill Out Their Roster
Story and photos by Dave Walters
The Zephyrhills Police Department is operating at
full strength after chief Derek Brewer swore in two new
officers Monday night. New Zephyrhills Police Officers Pedro Miliano, left, and Larry Brass flank Chief Derek Brewer after the two officers
From opposite sides of the spectrum, Brewer added a
true rookie in Officer Pedro Miliano and a seasoned veteran
were sworn in Monday night.
in retired Tampa Police Officer Larry Brass. The two were Academy at Pasco-Hernando State College and served on seven years with the HCSO, Brass became a sworn police
introduced to City Council and were administered the the honor guard for his class. officer for the City of Tampa. He retired from TPD in July
oath. Brass is continuing a life-long commitment to public of 2020.
Miliano, originally from Puerto Rico, fulfilled a life- service by joining the Zephyrhills Police Department. An “It was purely coincidental,” Brewer said of swearing
long dream of becoming a law enforcement officer by Air Force Veteran, Brass joined the Hillsborough County
joining the ZPD. He graduated from the Law Enforcement Sheriff’s Office 20 years ago as a detention deputy. After ZPD • Continued on Page 3

Here’s The Windup Wheels Up

Little League
Eager To Get
Back On The Field
Story and photos by Dave Walters
After a season halted by COVID-19,
Zephyrhills Little League Baseball
and Softball will launch the 2021
season this Saturday with Opening
Day ceremonies at Sam Pasco Park
and games in multiple divisions.
The 2020 season came to an
abrupt halt due to COVID-19 and
Pasco County’s shutdown of county
facilities making the return of Little
League baseball a celebrated event.
To kick off the 2021 season, City
Councilman Alan “Coach” Knight
will toss out the first pitch during
the ceremony that will begin at 9
a.m. The opening ceremonies will
officially start the season for the 14
teams encompassing 220 children
on the rosters. A second opening
ceremony will be held at Noon to
launch the start of the majors, juniors
and seniors games.
ZLL will field four T-Ball teams,
two Minor League teams, two Major
League teams, one Junior and one
Senior squad. On the softball side,
there is a Minor B team, two Major
League teams and a Senior League
team.
Zephyrhills Little League President
Adam Wilkes said the sudden end to
the season last year due to COVID-19
pushed some players to travel ball
teams and away from Little League
play.
“It’s feels good to have these kids
Zephyrhills Little League action returns Saturday at Sam Pasco Park with
Opening Ceremonies and games in all divisions.
back,” Wilkes said. “My only purpose
now is to get these kids playing
again.”
Teams from Zephyrhills will
play more interleague games this
season than in league history. Teams
will square off against teams from
Temple Terrace, Land O’ Lakes, Dade
League • Continued on Page 5
For Genesis
Meals On Wheels Expands,
Adds Community Center
Story and photos by Dave Walters
Two years ago, someone in a meeting told Beth
Acker the goal of an
expanded Meals on Wheels
location with a community
center was a pipe dream.
That meeting was March
20, 2019.
On March 20, 2021, that
dream became a reality
when the ribbon was cut
at the 38112 15th Avenue
location.
Aker and more than 400
people helped usher in the Beth Aker
new East Pasco Meals on Wheels location featuring
the Genesis Community Center. In a special block
party celebration complete with live music, auctions,
tours of the new facility and, of course a meal, Aker’s
dream was shared with the community.
Aker still has the invitation she sent to community
leaders to help determine community needs that could
be tackled by East Pasco Meals on Wheels and move
the organization forward. Aker pushed the need of a
community center.
“Someone in that meeting said it would never
happen,” Aker said with a grin. “They said it was too
much and we could never raise that kind of money.
I was discouraged. The last thing I wanted to be told
was, ‘No.’”
The word “No” doesn’t fit in Aker’s vocabulary.
With her heart and determination, coupled with a
dedicated team of volunteers and a supportive board
of directors, she turned “No” into “Yes.”
Meals • Continued on Page 4
2A • March 25, 2021 Your Hometown News Source • zephyrhillsfreepress.org Zephyrhills Free Press
East Pasco Events
Due to local COVID-19 guidelines, please contact individual venues or
sponsors for confirmation of events, schedules and social guidelines.
March 25 – MEGA Pantry Pasco
County Grocery Pickup – If you are
in need of food, stop by John S. Burkes
Memorial Park, 13220 Gene Nelson
Blvd. in Dade City from 1:30-4 p.m.
to receive some free groceries. No ID,
paperwork or screening is required and
all are welcome. The pantry operates
rain or shine every Thursday as long
as it is safe to distribute. There will be
signs directing you once you enter the
park and volunteers will load the food
directly into your vehicle, practicing
social distancing guidelines. Make
a Difference needs volunteers each
Thursday at 12:30 p.m. Call (352) 437-
3466 or email makeadifference12311@
gmail.com to sign up to volunteer.
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 4 – AdventHealth Virtual Easter
Sunrise Service – The 36th Annual
Easter Sunrise Service will be held this
year virtually via the AdventHealth
Zephyrhills Facebook page from 7-7:30
a.m. Doug Higgins, the Director of
Mission and Ministry for AdventHealth
Dade City and AdventHealth
Celebrate Easter with
St. Joseph Catholic Church
He is Risen!
HOLY WEEK 2021 MASS SCHEDULE
Pastor: Reverend Allan Tupa • Parochial Vicar: Msgr. Cesar Petilla • Deacon: David Cardona
Holy Thursday, April 1
7 pm Church
Mass of the Lord’s Supper
Good Friday, April 2
3 pm, 7 pm Church
The Lord’s Passion
Masks and Social Distancing will be required at all services.
813-782-2813
5345 16th Street, Zephyrhills, FL 33542
Zephyrhills Arrests
Burglary Spree
Zephyrhills, will deliver this year’s
sermon titled, “New Life When You Feel
Empty.” The event is free and there is
no registration required. Contact Katie
A string of burglaries in Zephyrhills
Ebner at atkatie.ebner@adventhealth.
between Feb. 22 and March 20 has the
com for information.
Zephyrhills Police Department reaching
out to the community for help in its in-
April 10 – Pigz in Z’Hills BBQ & Blues
vestigations.
Fest – The 11th annual Pigz in Z’Hills
Police reported four separate burglary
BBQ & Blues Fest at 5200 Airport Road
sprees encompassing 29 burglaries in the
will feature a drive-thru BBQ to choose
city with four arrests made; but there are
from select teams from 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
suspects still being sought. Police are
Limited vending will also be available
cautioning the public to lock doors to
along with beer and wine. The Blues
cars, homes and exterior buildings.
concert will take place from 4-7 p.m.
According to ZPD, there were four car
with tickets sold for 10’x10’ grid spots
burglaries Feb. 22 around 11 p.m. in the
for up to 6 people each. Call (813)
areas of Fifth Avenue to Third Avenue
782-1913 for information or visit
and Ninth Street to 20th Street. Three
zephyrhillschamber.org or facebook.
vehicles and one shed were broken into
com/zephyrhillschamber for updates or
resulting in stolen items including a wal- suspect fled the scene and is still at large.
ticket information.
let and a bike valued at $5,000. Both Zephyrhills Police Department continues
have been recovered and returned to the its investigation. The suspect is believed
April 24-25 – Raid on Renault II – Get
owners. Two suspects have been arrested to be a skinny white male with tattoos
ready for combat at this World War
in connection with two of the burglaries. and appears younger than age 55.
II living history event at the Pioneer
The investigation remains open on the A multi-agency response with ZPD
Florida Museum & Village, 15602
remaining two burglaries. and the Pasco Sheriff’s Office resulted
Pioneer Museum Road in Dade City,
Police said a juvenile was arrested in in the arrest of a juvenile connected to
from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. each day. Battle
connection to three car burglaries which 13 burglaries March 20 that occurred
reenactments will be held at 2 p.m.
occurred Feb. 28 in the area around 10th between 4:30 and 7 a.m. between South
both days. Living history displays,
Street and 11th Street and 13th Avenue. Avenue and C Avenue and Ninth Street
live presentations, 1940s radio show
ZPD is still searching for the suspect to 20th Street.
vignettes as well as food and beverages
in nine burglaries on March 15. Several Among the stolen items were a purse,
at the concessions will be featured
items were stolen including a golf cart diaper bag, RC car, wallet, shoes and air-
all day. Contact the museum about
in the Emerald Point mobile home park. pods. The juvenile was found hiding un-
a special field trip day on April 23
A pick-up truck was stolen and used der a rotting carpet in the woods behind
for public, private and home-school
as the getaway car, and a separate sto- the train depot.
students. Admission is $10 for adults, $5
len vehicle, originally stolen from Lake ZPD is asking the public for any in-
for students and children under five are
County, was found in the area. The truck formation or tips on the open investiga-
admitted free. Please observe all current
is believed to be the transportation the tions into the burglaries on Feb. 22 and
CDC guidelines. Masks are required
suspect used to get to Zephyrhills. March 15. Please report information to
indoors. Visit pioneerfloridamuseum.
The suspect fled in the stolen truck, (813) 780-0050, Option 1. The public is
org or call (352) 567-0262 for
resulting in a multi-agency car chase urged to lock their vehicles and to report
information.
concluding when the Ocoee Police De- any suspicious activity or people to law
partment recovered the stolen truck. The enforcement.
Church News
Zephyr Christian Church – 5940
Dogwood St. (corner of 23rd Avenue and
North Street). Phone: (813) 782-8893 –
Sundae Sunday will be held March 28
after eveing services.
Good Friday services will be held
website: www.zephyrchristianchurch. April 2 at 6 p.m. Easter Sunrise service
org – email: zephyrcc@aol.com. Service will be held at 7:15 a.m. There will be
times: Sunday school – 9 a.m. | Sunday a continental breakfast served following
Worship and Word - 10 a.m. | Evening the Sunrise Service. Resurrection Sunday
services – Sunday 6 p.m. | Bible Study – Easter Services will be held April 4, with
Wednesday 6 p.m. Sunday school at 9 a.m. and Worship
The ladies group meets every third and Word service at 10 a.m. There will
Thursday evening. be no evening services on Easter Sunday.
Obituaries
Wanda Lee Schrader one son, many grandchil-
SCHRADER, Wanda Lee, dren and many great-
was born January 11, grandchildren. She was
1939 to Earl and Leona a beautiful hard-working
Stone. She passed on woman who will be dear-
March 12, 2021 in Dade ly missed, always loved
City. She was preceded in and remembered forever.
death by both her parents, A memorial will be held
several brothers, a sister, March 30 at 2 p.m. at1655
a son and a daughter. She Partridge Blvd., Zeph-
leaves behind a husband, yrhills, FL 33540.
Holy Saturday, April 3 Pasco News Publications
8 pm Church Dade City News • East Pasco Senior News • Zephyrhills Free Press
Easter Vigil Publisher Editor Design
Chris Drews Dave Walters Edwin Pitts
Easter Sunday, April 4 cdrews@pasconewspubs.com davewalters12@msn.com pasconewspubs.design@gmail.com
7 am Church, 9 am Church,
9 am Parish Center, 11 am Church 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.
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ADVERTISING ERRORS: Pasco News Publications is not responsible for the validity of claims made by advertisers or for advertisers errors. Pasco
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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 25, 2021 • 3A

Veteran and retired Tampa Police Officer Larry Brass receives the oath from ZPD Chief
Derek Brewer.

ZPD • Continued from Page 1
in a rookie and veteran. “A lot of times we
talk about how much we love having that
youth because we want to have that energy.
A lot of times that youth doesn’t have that
experience to deal with life experience
issues they are going to deal with.
Officer Pedro Miliano is sworn in by Zephyrhills Police Chief Derek Brewer during “Having that balance of experience and
Monday’s Zephyrhills City Council meeting. new is really beneficial to both. We’re
excited for both of them. They are going
to work out great here. They are both
committed to the mission of the police
department regardless of where they are
coming from.”
For the first time in over two years,
Brewer’s department is at full staff and,
with the continuous growth of the city, he
will request more officers in the 2021-22
city budget.

Pasco County Announces Good Friday Office Closings

Pasco Board of County Commissioners offices will
be closed April 2 in observance of Good Friday. BCC
government offices will reopen April 5.
The Pasco County Parks, Recreation, and Natural
Resources’ Offices, Recreation Complexes and
Community Centers will be closed April 2; however,
the parks and beaches will stay open to the public from
dawn to dusk.
Pasco County Public Transportation will be
operating April 2, for all fixed routes and paratransit.
PCPT administrative offices will be closed to walk-in
customers April 2; however, phone lines will be open.
All Pasco County Libraries will be closed April 2, and
will resume regular business hours April 3.
The Pasco County Animal Services Administration
Office, Adoption Center, Intake/Reclaim Shelter and
Field Services will be closed April 2. An Animal Control
Officer will be available for emergencies only. The
Adoption Center & Intake/Reclaim Shelter will resume
regular business hours April 3.
The Pasco County Resource Recovery Facility, West
Pasco Class III, and the East Pasco Transfer Station will
be closed to the public April 2; however, they will be
open to Pasco County licensed commercial haulers.
4A • March 25, 2021 Your Hometown News Source • zephyrhillsfreepress.org Zephyrhills Free Press

Pasco Meals on Wheels volunteers and staff cut the ribbon for the Grand Opening of the organization’s new facility.

Meals • Continued from Page 1

To get to this point, Aker was in need of funding.
Months had passed since she applied for a grant that
was critical in the success of her dream. A last minute
check of her email on a Friday evening yielded approval
of a $60,000 grant award that led to the purchase of the
new building, renovations, the community center and
Saturday’s ribbon cutting event.
East Pasco Meals on Wheels provides meals to 150
clients daily and helps provide food to eight different
food banks in the area. The community supports the
organization with donations and celebrated their grand
re-opening in the new facility.
“It’s beautiful to see the community support here today,”
Aker said. “You hear tremendous amount of negativity
from people, but I believe in the goodness of people and
the support here today shows it. People rally around any
organization that does good for the community.”
The community center aspect of the East Pasco
Meals on Wheels facility will provide cultural services,
entertainment opportunities, services for the visually
impaired, educational opportunities, pastoral services and
human services. The center will also be available to rent
for events and office space is available to assist clients.
According to Aker, the Genesis Center is to “Give our
seniors a purpose for today and our youth a promise for
tomorrow.”

The wall of the Genesis Community Center at the new Pasco Meals on Wheels facility was unveiled Saturday.

ZEPHYRHILLS
Available
Renovated
Mobile Homes
Immediately Trailers • RV Lots

To Rent
Family Oriented, Very
Quiet, Safe & Clean
Neighborhood. Jay Klamer of the Zephyrhills Elks Lodge presents a
donation to Beth Aker, Executive Director of Pasco Meals
www.htwc.biz
Call: (813) 696-4834 on Wheels

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4441 Allen Rd • Zephyrhills 15229 US 301 • Dade City 3708 Copeland Dr • Zephyrhills
M-F 8am-5pm • Sat 8am-Noon M-F 8am-5pm • Sat 8am-Noon M-F 8am-5pm • Nov-March
Zephyrhills Free Press Your Hometown News Source • zephyrhillsfreepress.org March 25, 2021 • 5A
The fierce competition of Zephyrhills Little League softball kicks off Saturday at Sam
Pasco Park.
League • Continued from Page 1
City, Antioch and Plant City.
Wilkes said excellent field conditions
are an unforeseen bonus from the COVID
shutdown. He credits the Pasco County
Parks Department for the incredible
grounds maintenance.
“I have better looking fields than I have
ever seen at this park, since I was playing
at this park as a kid.” Wilkes said. “For
the first time, there is grass on my infields
that is two-three inches thick with no bald
spots.”
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Save The Water
Zephyrhills Utilities Director John Bostic accepts a proclamation from Mayor Gene
Whitfield recognizing April as Water Conservation month.
City Utilities Stresses Water
Conservation, Updates Utility Fees
Story and photo by Dave Walters mind that water is a limited resource,
so we can go on and prosper in the
City of Zephyrhills Utilities Director State of Florida.”
John Bostic showed his passion for the In other related utility department
resource his department covets dearly news, Bostic introduced a resolution
– water. to update the city’s utility fee schedule
Bostic accepted a proclamation from that allows the city to collect fees
Mayor Gene Whitfield recognizing to cover the costs associated with
April as Water Conservation month. sewer installations, repair of damaged
The proclamation stressed that the facilities, new construction and after
city always encouraged and supported hour utility turn on. It was stressed that
water conservation through various these are not water rate increases. Water
educational programs and special and sewer rates are not associated with
events. the resolution.
Zephyrhills, proudly known as Bostic told members of council the
the City of Pure Water, urges every increase in fees provides a guideline for
business, industry, school and citizen recovering repair costs, installation and
to make a difference when it comes removal of materials, plus equipment
to conserving water. Helping to save and labor costs.
water will thus promote a healthy The cost of a ¾ inch meter increased
sustainable economy and community. just under $5 to $218.40. Meter
“People need to realize, especially installation and sewer installation will
in Florida, water is a limited resource,” add an administrative fee. Plan reviews
Bostic said. “We have so much water for developments under 50 units will
coming out of the ground and it’s going cost $50 and developments over 50
to be more and more with all of the units will cost $500.
people moving to Florida. We have to In addition, the resolution calls for
be careful. an extension of the afterhours guideline
“It would be greatly appreciated if from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. for water turn on
the people of Zephyrhills would keep in or shutoffs.
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6A • March 25, 2021 Your Hometown News Source • zephyrhillsfreepress.org Zephyrhills Free Press