Volume 34 Issue 14 July 7, 2026 Scan the QR code to your left with your phone to access our website!
Get Ready To Vote In The Primary Election, Wesley Chapel!
In Addition To Rep. & Dem. Primaries, All Wesley Chapel Registered Voters Can Help Fill 3 School Board Seats Aug. 18! By Gary Nager Roughly six weeks after this issue lands in your mailbox, Primary Elections will be held throughout the State of Florida — on Tuesday, August 18. Ho-hum, right? Sure, it’s ho-hum if you only want Pasco County’s Board of County Commissioners to maintain the status quo, if you’re not interested in helping our county decide who should be elected to Pasco’s School Board and/or if you have no interest in helping determine who will run our state government. But, for those of you who complain in every local social media group about rampant over-development, about all of the problems in our schools and about how the decisions being made at the state level affect your quality of life, Aug. 18 is your chance to start attempting to make a difference. But, hurry! The deadline to register to vote in the Primary Election is Monday, July 20. The Early Voting Period for the Primary Election is from Saturday, August 8-Saturday, August 15. Here are the Primary Election races that are up for grabs for Wesley Chapel’s voters: U.S. Senate — Incumbent Republican Ashley Moody faces three Republican challengers (Neelam Taneja Perry, Ernest “Ernie” Rivera & Chris Gleason). Democrats will choose an opponent from Angie Nixon and Alex Vindman. No-party candidate Neil J. Gillespie will not be el-
igible for votes until the Nov. 3 General Election. U.S. Representative — With Florida having now redrawn its Congressional boundaries, some Wesley Chapel voters are now in House District 12 (where Republican Congressman Gus Bilirakis is the incumbent), while other Wesley Chapel residents are still in House District 15, where Republican Laurel Lee is the incumbent. Neither Bilirakis nor Lee has a Primary opponent, but registered Democrats will choose an opponent for Bilirakis from Kimberly Overman and Darren McAuley, with no-party candidate Brandon Scrivener joining the fray in Nov. Meanwhile, while Rep. Lee’s Dem. opponent will either be Christopher Irizarry or Robert People. Write-in candidate Angie Boone (whose name will not appear on the ballot) joins in Nov. Governor & Lt. Governor — With current Gov. Ron DeSantis reaching his two-term limit, Republicans will choose their nominee on Aug. 18 to replace DeSantis from among eleven candidates, including front-running Congressman Byron Donalds (who has been endorsed by President Donald Trump), current Lieutenant Gov. Jay Collins and former Florida House Speaker Paul Renner (see story on pg. 10). There also will be a Democratic primary, where former Congressman David Jolly is the front-runner among six candidates. Jolly also is the only candidate from either party who has his running mate’s name — Gwen Graham, the daughter of former U.S. Sen. Bob Graham — on the ballot with his name. The two major party
CONGRATS, FIT 4 LIFE & TRAVIS!
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Our editor celebrates his friend and long-time advertiser who is still going strong after 25 years. See page 3
Correspondent Joel Provenzano takes a deep dive into the latest development in Wiregrass Ranch. See page 12
*
*Note - Some WC Dems. will instead help pick a Dist. 12 Cong. candidate on Aug. 18. Those candidates are:
Darren McAuley Kimberly Overman
nominees will be joined on the Nov. ballot by six no-party candidates, five write-in candidates and Libertarian Party of Florida nominee Scott Eckhard Jewett. Chief Financial Officer (CFO) — Incum-
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bent CFO Blaise Ingoglia’s Republican Primary opponent is Frank William Collige. Democrats will choose the Rep. winner’s opponent from Earle Ford and Annette Taddeo. Commissioner of Agriculture — Incumbent Wilton Simpson’s Republican Primary See “Primary Election Preview” on page 5.
DINING NEWS!
The latest on 1916 Irish Pub, Bella Roma NY Pizza, Slap Burger & more See pages 44-53
What’s New At The Grill At Morris Bridge? To check out the new chef ’s delicious recent specials, see pg. 42!
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Celebrating 25 Years Of My Relationship With Fit 4 Life & The Monday Family An Editorial by GARY NAGER
The first time I walked into Fit 4 Life Personal Training & Physical Therapy was 25 years and a few months ago, when owner Travis Monday was still in the process of getting ready to open his first Florida location (after previously opening the first Fit 4 Life in his native Wisconsin) in the Palm Villa Centre professional park, next to what is now called The Shoppes at Amberly in Tampa Palms. The current location of Fit 4 Life, in the Tampa Palms Professional Center, is actually the studio’s fourth location in New Tampa. I was so impressed with Travis and his Wisconsin-bred, super-personable demeanor that I told him I wanted to start working out with him as soon as he was able to get the place open, which finally happened on June 6, 2001. Fast-forward 25 years. I’m still working out twice a week with Travis and his amazing personal trainers that somehow all have little pieces of his personality, even though most of them are not from Wisconsin or even from anywhere in the Midwest. Now, if I could somehow just get into the same kind of shape the now-52-year-old Travis seems to effortlessly keep himself in, my life would be damn-near perfect. Other than the fact his hair is turning gray, you’d never know how old Travis is, and he attributes his lean physique to not only the “Super Slow” method he teaches on Fit 4 Life’s perfectly balanced Med-X circuit machines but also everything he’s learned about nutrition since he graduated from the University of Florida. “I really don’t do any other kind of working out,” says the former high school football player from Merrill, WI, who was only recruited by Division II and II colleges, even though he hoped to play for the University of Wisconsin at Madison (which is 160 miles or so from his hometown). He earned an Associate of Arts (A.A.) degree from Northcentral Technical College in Wausau, WI, before transferring to the University of Florida. “I just don’t have the time now between the business and my family.” Today, Travis is a married father of two rising young volleyball stars, daughters Molly, 16, and 13-year-old Madison. He first hired his wife Fiona (a former volleyball star herself at Florida State University) as a personal trainer for Fit 4 Life a couple of years after he first opened the studio here and they’ve now been married for 20 years. But, even though Travis attributes much of his company’s early success to his ads in the Neighborhood News, the fact is that no matter where the studio has been located, it has been able to attract both new personal training and physical therapy clients because of the aforementioned people Travis seems to have no problem attracting — despite how hard it is for most business owners to find, and retain, good help, especially these days. That’s not to say he hasn’t “lost” most of them over the years. He has. But, many of them leave to either pursue a doctorate-level physical therapy degree or another health- or exerciserelated field, or even open their own businesses.
Correction From Last Issue
(L.-r.) Fiona, Travis, Madison & Molly Monday
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In our June 9 issue, I included a brief note about the new Pasco County Fire Rescue Station No. 2 that is getting ready to open on Wesley Chapel Blvd./C.R. 54. I said it was close to opening, which was true, but I apparently got some of my information wrong. Jessica Imbimbo, PCFR’s public information officer, called me to say that, contrary to my story, Station No. 2 is fully staffed and that there was no delay in its opening — which is currently expected to be on Tuesday, July 14 — and that everything with the station has gone according to schedule. I apologize for any inconvenience my mistake may have caused. — GN
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Publisher & Editor Gary Nager Correspondents Celeste McLaughlin • Joel Provenzano Traviyon Bigby • Mary Durbin Joshua Gabel • S.P. Gordy • Jordan King Editorial Research by Joel Provenzano Ad Sales & Marketing Director Jannah Nager Video Producer/Multimedia Specialist Charmaine George Graphic Designers Georgia Carmichael • Valerie Wegener Nothing that appears in Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News may be reproduced, whether wholly or in part, without permission. Opinions expressed by Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News writers are their own and do not necessarily reflect the publisher’s opinion. The deadline for outside editorial submissions & final advertisements for Volume 34, Issue 16, of Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News is Tuesday, July 21. Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News will consider previously non-published outside editorial submissions if they are double spaced, typed and less than 500 words. Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News reserves the right to edit and/or reject all outside editorial submissions and makes no guarantees regarding publication dates. Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News will not return unsolicited editorial materials. Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News reserves the right to edit &/or reject any advertising. Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News is not responsible for errors in advertising beyond the actual cost of the advertising space itself, nor for the validity of any claims made by its advertisers.
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Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News • Volume 34, Issue 14 • July 7, 2026 • NeighborhoodNewsOnline.net • For Advertising Information, Call 813-910-2575
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Previewing The District 4 Pasco Board Of County Commissioners Election Incumbent Lisa Yeager Faces Jonathon Deckard, But Only Republicans Will Get To Vote In The Primary By Joshua Gabel
Neighborhood News Correspondent
The 2026 Midterm Primary Election is quickly approaching — it will be held on Tuesday, August 18 — and while most eyes in Florida will be focused on the gubernatorial and U.S. Senate elections, the Neighborhood News will be focused on the local races impacting us right here in Wesley Chapel — including the race for the District 4 seat on the Pasco County Board of County Commissioners (BOC). Please note that even though part of Wesley Chapel is located in District 1 and the other part in District 2, those seats are not up for grabs on Aug. 18 (although the Dist. 2 election between incumbent Republican Seth Weightman and Democratic challenger Stephanie Vazquez will be held on Nov. 3). However, all Pasco BOC and School Board seats are elected countywide. In the Aug. Primary Election, only registered Republican voters in Pasco will be eligible to vote for one of the two declared Republican candidates in Dist. 4 — incumbent Commissioner Lisa Yeager and businessman and U.S. Marine Corps veteran Jonathon Deckard, thanks to the last-day-to-qualify entry of write-in candidate Louie Rodriguez, who will not be able to receive votes on Aug. 18, but his addition to the race makes the Republican contest a “Closed Primary,” meaning no one other than registered Republicans will be able to vote in Aug. in Dist. 4. The winner of Yeager vs. Deckard will face off against Rodriguez — whose name will not even appear on the Nov. 3 General Election ballot. Rodriguez’s late entry as a write-in for the second time in four years has generated some controversy. Had Rodriguez not filed, all registered Pasco voters would have been eligible to vote in Aug. for Yeager or Deckard in Dist. 4. Rodriguez, a registered Republican, doesn’t live in Dist. 4 — just as he didn’t live in Dist. 2 in 2022, when he ran for that seat as a write-in. Dist. 2 Commissioner Seth Weightman won that closed Republican primary and Rodriguez dropped out shortly after the primary, which allowed Weightman to be elected without having to run in the General Election, since neither the Democrats nor any other third party ran a candidate. Rodriguez did not respond by our deadline to our request for an interview, so none of his information is included with this story. Republican Executive Committee of Pasco chair Troy Stevenson would not speak on the record about the ongoing tactic of his party turning what should be Open Primaries, where all registered voters get to decide who should be elected to any seat, into Closed Primaries with candidates whose names do not even appear on the ballot, who have no chance of winning and will likely again drop out after this Primary. Notes - 1) We asked both Republican candidates almost all of the same questions, so their separate answers will both be listed following our questions. 2) The fund-raising numbers listed in this story for both candidates are from the Pasco County Supervisor of Elections website — PascoVotes.gov — and were accurate as of June 28.
About Candidate Jonathon Deckard
2a) JD: I would like to prioritize infrastructure. I will work to put a temporary moratorium Deckard (left) is a on new residential developments that are more Marine Corps veteran and small business owner. He has than a few units to allow us to focus on an infrastructure-first plan. Primarily, road development worked in the automotive and water supply issues, since we are so far behind. service industry for more 2b) NN (for LY only): As the incumbent than a decade and ran his in this race, you’ve been at the forefront of a own mobile auto repair variety of issues impacting Pasco County. What company before selling would you say has been your biggest accomthe business. A first-time plishment so far and what are you hoping to candidate seeking to defeat accomplish should you retain the seat? an incumbent, Deckard has raised just under 2b) LY: I am most proud that during my $12,800 for his campaign. first two years on the County Commission, we About Commissioner Lisa Yeager didn’t just talk about problems — we tackled Yeager (left), who was them. Whether it was responding to Hurricanes first appointed to the Dist. Helene and Milton, helping establish senior food 4 seat by Governor Ron programs, launching Pasco’s first low-barrier DeSantis in 2024, following homeless shelter, revitalizing Moon Lake, or the passing of Commissioner cutting through red tape for small businesses, I Gary Bradford, is running for have focused on delivering results that improve her first full term as County people’s everyday lives. Commissioner. With her I believe government works best when it is incumbent advantage. Yeager efficient, accountable and action-oriented. That’s has raised $56,350 for her why I fought to roll back the tax rate, partnered campaign, making her the favorite to retain with the School District to expand parks and the seat. Prior to her appointment to the Pasco athletic facilities while saving taxpayers money County Board of County Commissioners, she and championed economic development projects was the director for a decade of the Teen Parent that are creating jobs and strengthening our local Program at Pasco County Schools. economy. From neighborhood cleanups that Yeager’s husband, Brad Yeager, is the State removed hundreds of tons of debris to major inRep. for Florida House Dist. 56. vestments like Moffitt’s Speros campus and new manufacturing opportunities in Pasco, I have Questions For Both Candidates: worked every day to be the kind of commission1) Neighborhood News (NN): Tell our er who rolls up her sleeves, gets things done and readers about your background and why you’ve never forgets who she works for. decided to run for Dist 4 County Commissioner. 3) NN: A common complaint we hear Jonathon Deckard (JD): I am a U.S. from our readers is that Pasco County is being Marine Corps veteran, father of three, husband, overdeveloped or developed too quickly, often business owner and native Floridian. I was born causing infrastructure and public safety to lag in Dunedin and raised in Palm Harbor, and sev- behind. Do you agree with that assessment and en years ago, I made New Port Richey my home. what do you think needs to be the future of Since then, I’ve seen firsthand the impact of Pasco County as it pertains to development? rapid over-development, overcrowded roads and 3) JD: Yes, I 100-percent agree. I think we decisions that don’t prioritize the people who live need to prioritize slowing residential develophere. My service in the Marine Corps instilled in ment in the future, after a temporary moratome the values of integrity, accountability and the rium is completed, for new residential develcourage to stand up and fight for what’s right. opment. We need to require larger lot sizes per Lisa Yeager (LY): I ran for County Comhouse to maintain green space throughout the mission because I believe our residents deserve a county and be more strict on tree removal and leader who not only serves them, but fights for replenishment. them. As a small business owner and someone 3) LY: Development is happening fast, too who spent years working with at-risk youth, I fast in many cases. The growth we have experihave witnessed firsthand the challenges families enced puts pressure on our infrastructure, our face as they struggle to make ends meet, recover ability to plan smartly and to keep Pasco County from hardship, and create opportunity for the affordable for our residents. Growth should be next generation. County government should smart, thoughtful, consider future needs and be help people succeed — not stand in their way. truly in the best interests of Pasco residents. That means lowering taxes, protecting 4) NN: Some readers have raised concerns our quality of life from unchecked growth, about write-in candidate Louie Rodriguez’s entry strengthening our community against flooding into the race, thus closing off the GOP Primary and storms and creating opportunities for our to independents and Democratic voters who bechildren and families to thrive. These principles lieve they aren’t getting a voice in the race. Other have guided every decision I have made during readers agree that the Republican candidate my first two years on the Commission, and they should be selected only by Republican voters. will continue to guide me as I seek the privilege Where do you fall on this issue? of serving a full term. 4) JD: I believe every registered voter de2a) NN (for JD only): Should you be serves a voice in choosing their elected officials. elected, what would be an idea or policy that you When a race has only Republican candiwould like to get passed your first year in office? dates, Florida’s Closed Primary law normally
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allows all voters to participate if the winner will effectively take office. However, when a write-in candidate qualifies for the General Election, the Primary is closed to non-Republican voters, even if the write-in campaign is minimal. Four years ago, Louie Rodriguez qualified as a write-in candidate, raised no campaign funds, and later withdrew after the Primary. If he is willing to publicly campaign, participate in debates and demonstrate that he is genuinely seeking to serve the people, then I have no issue with him appearing on the General Election ballot. But until then, I believe this is simply a tactic that closes the Primary and prevents many Pasco County residents from having a voice. A large portion of our county is made up of independent voters who lean conservative and regularly support Republican candidates. Because of this situation, they are denied the opportunity to vote in what is effectively the election that decides their county commissioner. Whether you’re Republican, Democrat, independent, or belong to another party, I believe every American deserves the opportunity to vote when an elected office is being decided. That’s not a Republican issue or a Democrat issue; it’s a fairness issue. 4) LY: I don’t have comments on the other candidates in this race. I stand on my own merit and welcome the opportunity to make my case to Republicans countywide that I am in the best position to protect our conservative values and help make Pasco County the best place in Florida to raise a family, start a business, or retire. 5) NN: Pasco County, like many other counties across Florida, is considering a data center moratorium. What are your thoughts on data centers and what should be done to address concerns residents have about them? 5) JD: I oppose bringing large AI data centers to Pasco County and will work to prevent them from being built here. Virginia’s rapid expansion of AI data centers has shown the enormous strain these facilities can place on local communities. They require tremendous amounts of electricity, consume significant water resources, and in some proposals, have been paired with large on-site natural gas power plants to meet their energy demands. Researchers have found that these power plants can increase air pollution and negatively impact public health. Florida is not the right place for this type of development. Our priority should be protecting our aquifer, preserving our natural environment and ensuring our infrastructure serves our residents first, not accommodating energy-intensive projects that place additional demands on our land, water and electrical systems. Other parts of the country are better suited for large-scale AI data centers. Pasco County should focus on attracting businesses that create quality jobs while protecting the health, natural resources, and quality of life of the people who already call this community home. 5) LY: I support the moratorium on data centers. There are too many unanswered questions and uncertainty [about] data centers for Pasco residents. We need to ensure that the health and safety of our residents are protected. Neighborhood News
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‘Primary Elections’
Continued from pg. 1 opponent is Matt “The Welder” Taylor. In Nov., the winner of that Primary will face writein candidate Kyle “KC” Gibson and the winner of the Democratic Primary between Joey Mendoza Atkins and Donald A. “Don” Prichard. Florida House District 54 — In the Republican Primary on Aug. 18, incumbent Randy Maggard faces local community activist and longtime firefighter Michael Pultorak, who is running for political office for the first time. With no Democratic or third-party opponent in Nov., the “Closed Primary” winner will face only write-in candidate Paul Bybee in the General Election, whose name will not appear on the ballot. Circuit Court Judges — There also are two District 6 Circuit Court Judge seats being contested on Aug. 18 and both are Nonpartisan races, meaning all registered voters in Wesley Chapel are eligible to cast ballots for them: Group 39, between Elizabeth “Liz” Constantine and Stefen Diskey; and Group 44, between Oxalis Garcia and Elizabeth “Liz” Jack. Pasco County Board of County Commissioners (BOC) — Although one of Wesley Chapel’s two County Commission districts — Dist. 2, where incumbent Republican Seth Weightman faces Democratic challenger Stephanie Vazquez — won’t be contested until Nov. 3, registered Republicans in Wesley Chapel can cast ballots on Aug. 18 in BOC Dist. 4 (see story on pg. 4), where incumbent Lisa Yeager faces first-time candidate Jonathan Deckard. The winner of the seat won’t be officially
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decided, however, until Nov., because there will be a space on the ballot for write-in candidate Louie Rodriguez, even though his name won’t actually appear on the ballot, and I’m guessing the “trading” site Kalshi will offer odds on whether Rodriguez drops out of the race after the primary (as he did in 2022, when he was the write-in candidate for Dist. 2). If so, the winner of the Republican Primary will then be on the Nov. ballot unopposed, as Weightman was in 2022. Pasco County School Board — Three seats are up for grabs, as two incumbents — Al Hernandez in Wesley Chapel’s Dist. 1 and longtime Dist. 3 incumbent Cynthia Armstrong — have opted to not seek reelection, while Dist. 5 incumbent Megan Harding will be opposed by first-time candidate Michelle Mandarin. Here are the other School Board candidates on the Aug. 18 ballot: Dist. 1 — See story on pgs. 6 & 8. Dist. 3 — In the crowded field for Dist. 3, candidate Matt Geiger lost his bid to unseat Armstrong four years ago. None of the other candidates — Sean O’Flannery, who has previously run for the Pinellas County School Board; Dr. Kirk Phillips, who ran for the Republican nomination against incumbent Brad Yeager for the Florida House Dist. 56 seat in 2024; Erin Stroupe and Mollyana Ward — has run for the Pasco School Board before. In fact, neither Stroupe nor Ward has run for any political office previously, but Pasco Superintendent of Schools Dr. John Legg has endorsed Ward in Dist. 3. I’m aware that Pasco’s voter turnout is historically pretty low for these Primary Elections — 24.88% in 2022 and 15.88% in 2024 — but please exercise your right to vote this year!
Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News • Volume 34, Issue 14 • July 7, 2026 • NeighborhoodNewsOnline.net • For Advertising Information, Call 813-910-2575
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Previewing Wesley Chapel’s District 1 Pasco County School Board Election
Superintendent John Legg Endorses Dr. Gino Collura, But There Are Three Other Candidates, Too Into by Gary Nager Story by S.P. Gordy & GN
There are actually three seats on the Pasco County School Board that will either be filled (or at least narrowed down to two candidates) at the Primary Election on Tuesday, August 18. The District 1 race, which has four candidates — none of whom has served on the School Board before (incumbent Al Hernandez is not seeking reelection) — is the only one that includes Wesley Chapel residents. Dist. 2, which isn’t being contested this year, is Wesley Chapel’s other district, but like all County Commission races (see page 4), all School Board members are elected countywide and the races are all Nonpartisan, which means that if you are registered to vote and live anywhere in Pasco County, you are eligible to cast a ballot to help fill all three of these seats on Aug. 18. Unfortunately, we didn’t have enough time, manpower, nor even the space in this issue to interview all eleven candidates for the three available seats on the Board for this issue. We hope to be able to preview the Dist. 3 and Dist. 5 races in our August 4 issue.
Dist. 1 Candidates (in alphabetical order) Dr. Gino Collura
Local businessman and former teacher Dr. Gino Collura, 40 (left), lives in San Antonio. This will be his first time running for public office, but he has a long history in Pasco and deep ties across the state. Dr. Collura’s campaign has managed to garner some high-profile endorsements, including outgoing Pasco County Sheriff Chris Nocco, Florida’s Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson and, perhaps most notably, Superintendent of Schools Dr. John Legg — who has, somewhat surprisingly, made endorsements in all three of these School Board races. Collura’s campaign also had raised $20,750 at our press time, the most of the four Dist. 1 candidates. Collura earned his Bachelor’s, Master’s and Ph. D. degrees from the University of South Florida in Tampa. He specialized in a subfield of Applied Anthropology called Neuroanthropology, which is a fusion of psychology and cultural anthropology. Collura taught 7th and 8th grade reading and social studies at Pasco Middle School in Dade City in 2008 and then taught 10th and 11th grade English and reading at Sunlake High in Land O’Lakes in 2009. He currently sits on the Pasco-Hernando State College District Board of Trustees, a position he was appointed to by Governor Ron DeSantis. He also sits on several advisory and community boards, including at both Saint Leo University and USF. Collura says, “Pasco County has appointed me so many opportunities, my experiences have helped me understand the difference between school administrations and parents. I’ve been exposed to how things work in Tallahassee, at the state level. Having a doctoral degree, I know what it takes to achieve excellence. There are so many changes happening, I want to help the county grow with those changes, in a safe envi-
ronment, and nurture parents and educators.” On the topic of school safety, Collura says he spent some time working in Latin America in high-stakes security, specializing in threat assessment. “I want to focus on proactive security measures, not reactive — like conducting behavioral threat assessments and open-source intelligence gathering. I want to find out how dialed-in we are on things being posted in public internet spaces. I want to find more ways to paint a full picture of what’s happening at home and take more preventive measures for school safety.” Collura admits he hadn’t heard that there is a medical magnet school coming soon to Wesley Chapel, but says, “We need to do anything and everything we can to give students options to learn before they start paying tuition in college. You have to go and try things, you have to make sure it’s speaking to you.” Considering the upcoming medical magnet school is also expected to help alleviate some overcrowding in Wesley Chapel, Collura mentioned he is a supporter of school choice, and touched on enrollment issues. “Home schooling and charter schools have boomed; parents reserve the right to choose,” he says. “We have to think smart and strategic to maximize the resources we have. We may have to shut some schools down because of changes happening in the area. I’m wide-open to possibilities, as long as all students are getting the same opportunities,.” Although he didn’t specifically mention Dr. Legg’s endorsement, he did generally address the high-profile endorsements he has received. Collura says, “It’s a compliment and says a lot about trust. They know I honor my commitments, and endorsements create that additional line of trust. At the end of the day, it’s about the work, you put yourself out there, and it’s a sacrifice of time. Look, you don’t run for School Board because you want to advance your career, it’s because you want to serve. And, if it’s your true calling, you’ll show-up and be honored to serve. It’s the people’s voice that matters, the will of the people. I respect it 100%.” — SG
Dr. Kimberly Coward
Dr. Kimberly D. Coward, 47 (left), lives and was born and raised in Dade City, where she attended Pasco High, back when it was called Pasco Comprehensive High. She received her Bachelor’s in Psychology, and Master’s in Education degrees from the University of Florida in Gainesville. Her campaign has thus far raised $16,510, second among the four Dist. 1 candidates. Dr. Coward served in the U.S. Air Force for more than a decade, including 9-1/2 years as a JAG (Judge Advocate General) at Tampa’s MacDill Air Force Base, which she calls “One of the most influential times in my life. [Being] a JAG Officer in the Air Force gave me the opportunity to learn leadership and discipline. It was a unique opportunity that consisted of hands-on work, running the legal office at my base. It really stepped-up my leadership skills a notch.” Dr. Coward recently completed her Ph.D. degree in Education Management at Hampton University, in Virginia, after which she worked as
a Guidance Counselor at Land O’ Lakes High for one semester, and at Wesley Chapel High for a year. She says she has always wanted to help make changes in the lives of children, but she realized that she could better serve them by impacting policy. “When I decided I wanted to serve on a School Board, I wanted to go back home to Pasco County to do that. I have been preparing myself for this run. I believe in student success and student achievement. Pasco County is not just where I’m from, it’s where I’m called to serve.” On the subject of Wesley Chapel schools, Coward says, “I can see why they are attractive for people. They are diverse across the spectrum, politically and socio-economically. That culture will continue to evolve. People are moving to Wesley Chapel from all over the place.” She also admits to not knowing too much about the medical magnet school coming to Wesley Chapel, but says,“I am curious. I think it will be beneficial to growth, and provide access and opportunity. It could also help with overcrowding.” Coward is a supporter of school choice, but is concerned about enrollment at lower performing schools. “I want to identify issues about declining enrollment and school closures, and mergers. I want families to have more access and opportunity. I want to see what the budget looks like and be a good steward of the finances. If it helps students to do well, I support school choice, I support parent choice. If there is a ‘D’ school and an ‘A’ school, can I really be upset at a parent for choosing the ‘A’ school? We need to provide high-quality education, so parents don’t have to make those tough choices. All of the schools, including in Wesley Chapel, should be at a level where students are receiving a high-level education. We have to make sure our teachers are paid better, [so] maybe choice wouldn’t be such a hot topic.” On the issue of political endorsements in a school board race, Coward says, “It’s nothing new; honestly, they are becoming more common. Although this is a nonpartisan race, political endorsements become the ‘tell.’ It concerns me. When I think of why I’m in this race, I think of what fault people would have with my views. Teachers, families, vulnerable populations, but we can all agree on protecting our children. The politicization of that threatens the goal and the purpose. It threatens the nonpartisan nature of the position. That nonpartisan nature is supposed to maintain a student focus. “I don’t think those political endorsements will affect me at all, if I’m elected. I learned in my dissertation research that trust is the most influential. It is important to work on those relationships, but I’m here for the children. You can trust that I will always make the best decision for the students.” — SG
Christopher King
Christopher King, 44, also is a candidate for the District 1 seat. King (left) served 10 years in the U.S. Marine Corps, including four combat deployments. He is the founder and CEO of The Gentlemen’s Course — an
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organization that has taken him inside schools, working directly with students. The Gentlemen’s Course serves 1,700 students across five Florida counties. The students learn about leadership development, workforce readiness, etiquette, human rights education and human trafficking prevention. He has been running The Gentlemen’s Course for the last 11 years. King also sits on several boards and committees, including GTE Financial, the Wesley Chapel Black Chamber of Commerce, and he is Vice President of the Pasco County NAACP. King also serves as the State President at United for Human Rights Florida. He has also received awards for his service, including the President’s Volunteer Service Gold Medal for four consecutive years, and the Presidential Volunteer Lifetime Achievement Award, in 2001. King, whose campaign has so far raised $3,870 (or about $300 more than fellow candidate Brian Perras), explains how his history of service ties into his ambition to run for the Pasco County School Board. “For me, this isn’t a career move, it’s a continuation of the work I’m already doing,” King says. “For more than a decade, I’ve been walking the halls of schools, speaking to students, partnering with principals, supporting teachers, and working alongside families. I’ve seen firsthand what’s working, and I’ve also seen where we can do better. I’m not running because I suddenly became interested in education. I’m running because education has already been my life’s work. I believe every student deserves to graduate with more than a diploma. They should graduate with confidence, character, leadership skills, career opportunities and hope for their future. As a School Board member, I want to strengthen academics, support our teachers, improve communication with families, expand career pathways and make sure our schools continue preparing students for the real world.” King also shared his thoughts about Wesley Chapel’s schools, saying that many of the students he has been working with through The Gentlemen’s Course were from Wesley Chapel. “One thing I’ve learned is that Wesley Chapel families are deeply invested in their schools,” he says. “Parents expect excellence, and our educators work incredibly hard to provide it. At the same time, the community continues to grow at an incredible pace. That growth creates challenges with enrollment, transportation, staffing and classroom capacity. I don’t view those as problems, I view them as opportunities to plan better. The decisions we make today will shape what education looks like 10 years from now.” King says he is aware of the medical magnet school coming to Wesley Chapel. “I think it’s the kind of forward-thinking investment we need,” he says. “Healthcare is one of the fastest-growing industries in our region. Giving students the opportunity to begin preparing for medical careers while they’re still in high school creates tremendous opportunities. What excites me most isn’t just the building; it’s the partnerships. I want to see our schools working alongside hospitals, healthcare providers, colleges, universities and See “School Board District 1” on page 8. Neighborhood News
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‘School Board District 1’ Continued from pg. 6
local businesses so students graduate with certifications, internships, college credit and real career opportunities. Education should connect directly to opportunity.” King also talks about overcrowding in Dist. 1, saying that it can’t be solved after it’s already happened. “You solve it through planning,” he says. “As someone who spends time inside schools, I’ve seen how growth affects classrooms, teachers, transportation and students. I support using growth projections to stay ahead of development, building schools before capacity becomes a crisis, reviewing attendance boundaries transparently, expanding specialty programs and continuing to recruit and retain outstanding teachers. Most importantly, parents deserve a seat at the table before decisions are made, not after.” As for Superintendent Legg’s endorsement of Dr. Gino Collura for Dist. 1. King says, “I respect anyone’s right to endorse the candidate they believe in. School Board elections are different. This race isn’t about political parties. It’s about children. I hope voters spend less time looking at who endorses us and more time looking at what we’ve actually done. I have spent the last eleven years serving students inside schools, not during campaign season, but year after year. I believe that record speaks louder than any endorsement ever could. If I win, I don’t think I will be impacted by those endorsements. I’ll work with anyone who wants what’s best for the children, regardless of who they supported during the campaign. Leadership requires listening, building relationships, and bringing people together. That’s exactly how I’ve
led throughout my career, and that’s how I’ll serve on the School Board.” — SG
Brian Perras
Brian Perras, 48, is no stranger to the political scene. His first attempt at winning an election was in 2004, when he ran unsuccessfully for a seat on Pasco’s Mosquito Control Board. He moved to California, where he worked as a model and actor, before running for Congress in California’s 29th Congressional Dist. in 2020. After that election, he returned to Pasco County in 2021, where he was born and raised. He ran in 2022 as a Republican candidate against incumbent Gus Bilirakis for the then-Dist. 15 seat, but did not appear on the ballot. He also considered a run for the Superintendent of Schools seat ultimately won by Dr. John Legg in 2024. Perras served in the U.S. Navy from 199799, but was honorably discharged following an injury suffered on the U.S.S. Enterprise, the world’s first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier. Although School Board elections are Nonpartisan, Perras is an unapologetic conservative Republican. He served as a substitute teacher in Pasco for several years, but was banned by the District for participating in a protest against having to wear masks on campus during the Covid-19 pandemic in 2021. “But, what I found when I taught,” he says, “is that many of the students weren’t learning anything of value — no basic life skills, no financial fundamentals, nothing that would help them in the next stage of their lives.”
Perras feels that students in Pasco’s public schools are being “indoctrinated. I just want kids to learn the right way, get back to common sense and critical thinking. School should be about reading, writing, arithmetic and basic life skills.” He adds, “I also think it would be great for them to learn how to grow their own food. I have local farmers ready to teach these kids how to grow food — plant fruit trees and gardens at all the different schools, so kids and teachers have access to good, healthy food.” Perras also says that he is very concerned, “about the safety aspect. There are a lot of bullies in our schools, and no real discipline. I think we need to implement a system where kids are told that they either straighten up or ship out. If it were up to me, they wouldn’t be bullying or causing violence against students or teachers, or cursing them out and being disrespectful. You want to do that, you can’t be part of the school system. You’re going to have to learn from home.” On the subject of Superintendent Dr. John Legg’s endorsement of candidates in all three School Board races, Perras says, “I honestly wasn’t surprised about it. It seems that all of the [political] establishment in Pasco is trying to get behind certain candidates in all of these races, for whatever reasons. Lobbyists are funding them and I believe it’s because they want to be able to control the School Board and dictate and tell them what to do. But, you can’t control certain people.” He adds, “I actually think it might hurt the people who are endorsed, who wanted that endorsement. I just don’t think other politicians should be jumping into everybody else’s races. They should ‘stay in their own lanes,’ race-wise, focus on what they do. But, I know it’s all a big, ‘good old boy’ system that they want to continue
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to cycle through. They just select the next person to take over so they can continue that power grab. Grab that money, which is the root of all evil, so they can stay in power.” Perras says his only endorsement thus far is from “Stand for Health Freedom,” a 501(c)(4) nonprofit health freedom advocacy group, which also endorsed him in his 2022 campaign. “I haven’t chased any endorsements, though,” he says, “I just want to be endorsed by the people of Pasco County.” As for what he knows about Wesley Chapel’s schools, Perras said that, “a lot of those schools are overcrowded and the transportation/ bus situation is terrible over there.” As for the plan to build a medical magnet high school in Wesley Chapel, Perras says, “I’m a big trades guy. I believe we need to implement way more trade schools for sure — teach things like welding, plumbing, electrical work, auto and aircraft repairs and things like that, which can lead to high-paying jobs right out of high school.” In fact, he adds, “There was an airline repair pilot program at Hudson High. I’d like to bring that back to Zephyrhills, because they have an airport over there. “So, whatever trade and technical programs schools are up for — whether it’s nursing, medical or whatever — I think we need to focus on that, because not everybody is meant to go to college. “Instead of a useless piece of paper, you can graduate high school and get a good job or even start your own company. These are the kinds of things that can help preserve our future.” And finally, Perras says schools should get back to basics, teach “the Constitution and what it means to be an American citizen. This country isn’t perfect, but it’s still the best in the world.”
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9
Former Florida House Speaker Paul Renner Makes His Case To Be Governor By Gary Nager
surance, electric rates, etc. That will be my Day One priority, to make Florida affordable again.”
Photo by Charmaine George I will admit that I don’t always attend Wesley Chapel Republican Club (WCRC) meetings, but when a legitimate candidate for Governor of Florida — former Florida House Speaker Paul Renner — was the featured speaker, I definitely wanted to hear what the man had to say. After all, I’ve already heard former Congressman and Democratic front-runner David Jolly and current Lieutenant Gov. Jay Collins speak, so when Renner spoke at the WCRC meeting on June 11, I made sure I was in attendance to hear him speak and take some pictures. Renner, who was introduced by WCRC president Jim Cracchiolo, said that he has seen the latest polls, which have Donalds garnering 54% of the Republican support in Florida for the Aug. 18 Primary Election, compared with 8% for businessman and activist James Fishback, 5% for Collins and only 2% for Renner. “Yes, Byron Donalds has a wide lead in the polls, and a ton of money he spends on glossy ads,” Renner, 59, told the 50 or so WCRC members and guests at the June 11 meeting. “And that may be enough for him to win the nomination. But, is he the candidate most likely to win against Jolly in November? The polls show he is losing badly to “undecided,” but he won’t agree to debate and instead of qualifications like mine, he has more disqualifications. “I could personally forgive the things he did as a kid, but if you’ve gone to Congress and missed over 150 votes in five years, missed showing up for the job you have and now you want a promotion, when you’ve gotten wealthy in office, trading stocks that you oversee on the Financial Services Committee? He’s really not delivered anything material. If you only look at the ads and you go with someone who’s never led anything, who’s not gotten results in office, doesn’t have the same vision and hasn’t been part of the fights here in Florida, you could go with a flawed candidate who could lose to David Jolly.” Renner, who also brought his wife Adriana, his son William and his daughter Abby (photo) with him to the meeting, talked a lot about his leadership skills. “I started in leadership at age 23, on the deck of the USS McInerney in the first of two wars. I led a team that navigated through mine-infested waters. Twenty years later, as a reservist Commander in the Navy, I led a team of men and women to stop foreign fighters from entering Afghanistan to kill Americans. “In between, I graduated from the University of Florida Law School and became a prosecutor in Broward County, which is nothing like Pasco County. I was a supervisor of a misdemeanor division and later as a lead in a felony trial unit, where I would try cases up to second degree murder. So, I know what it’s like to have a victim at my side, a jury in front of me and have to convince them, unanimously beyond a reasonable doubt, to put a guy away or he’ll create another victim. “If you stack that experience up against any other candidate in the race, you’ll find that I should be your next Governor.” Renner also talked about his results. “The two years that I was Speaker of the House, Gov. DeSantis described them as the most successful two years of any legislature in the entire country, when conservatives won every battle.’
Renner On Property Tax Relief
“As a veteran, it’s about focusing on the mission, putting your ego and politics aside, not for self-promotion, to have fun or to get rich, which is too often what we see among Republican elected officials. “Here’s my highlight reel: We balanced the budget. We had tax relief. We took the small amount of state debt we had, paid it off ahead of schedule and returned it to the taxpayers. We passed Universal School Choice so parents can choose the best place for their children’s needs. We got the ‘wokeness’ out of education and said teach reading, math, science and civics and make a high school diploma matter again, with technical and vocational training. “We defended parental rights by passing a bill to protect an unborn life in the moment a child has a heartbeat. We made sure we were ending transgender surgeries on minors, and boys using girls’ bathrooms and all of the other crazy stuff the left was pushing. We passed permitless carry, we ended DEI, pushed back against ESG. “We built Florida’s wildlife corridor, to make sure Florida doesn’t get paved over, so we can still catch fish and eat the fish we catch. “We took on big special interests when it was the right thing to do — like when our insurance market was collapsing in 2022, three weeks after becoming Speaker, we had a special session. We went after the ‘billboard lawyers’ and the litigation abuse that was driving insurance costs through the roof. And we went after the insurance companies and told them, ‘You’re going to be accountable and do just as good a job paying claims as you do collecting premiums. “By focusing on our consumers, we rescued the insurance market from collapse and we now have more than 20+ and counting new insurers in the market. There are actually some people getting premium decreases across the state. “We went after Big Tech and defended children online against the kind of pornography online that you can’t buy in a convenience store. “We went after addictive social media platforms where, among high school-aged girls and young women, 57% had feelings of hopelessness, 41% had mental health issues and 30% of high school women contemplated taking their own life in the last year. That is a direct result of social media wrecking their mental health. “We told those social media companies that you’re going to keep kids under the age of 16 off those platforms. They lobbied us to stop us from passing that common sense law. And we beat them. He also noted, however, “Florida has become unaffordable. We’re victims of our own success, with millions coming from out of state, driving up the cost of everything — taxes, in-
“People say that the property tax relief bill is ‘better than nothing,’” he said, “but what’s going on the Nov. ballot isn’t what the Governor asked for. My plan, and I’m the only candidate who has one, would be to eliminate all property taxes entirely on the first $1 million in assessed value, which is 95% of the properties. That way, if you get sick or lose your job, you won’t have to risk having your house taken away because you can’t pay your property taxes. “On the other end, the Governor also wanted a back-up for counties and cities that couldn’t pay for fire or police, a grant program, but that didn’t make the ballot either. “That made the compromise bill that passed not as good as it would’ve been if it was what the Governor proposed. “My plan has replacement taxes to fund essential services that shift the burden away from those of us who make our home here, and onto those that vacation here, have second homes or speculate or just want to move here. I think it’s the best way to harness those dollars for those of us who want to stay here in Florida.”
Renner On Insurance & Utilities
“I’m also the only candidate with a plan to reduce insurance rates by 10-20% through a list of regulatory reforms, as well as reduced electric rates, because the utility companies don’t get paid based on whether you do well, they get paid and guarantee profit based on how much they spend. So, when you see these huge solar farms as far as the eye can see, they’re buying up our farm land, driving up land prices, and the utilities since 2019 have invested entirely in solar for new power generation. “I want the utilities to deliver the lowest possible cost to your doorstep that is U.S.-based, not dependent upon China or any other foreign power, and to be reliable. But, nuclear, natural gas and coal are all cheaper than solar, where 90% of the market, the batteries and the storage of power, comes from China. And, we know they put kill switches in some of that equipment, so in a hot war with the U.S., they can just say ‘Lights out.’ How can we let our country be vulnerable like that? We need American-based energy.”
Renner On AI Data Centers
“We have to make sure we stop things that are going to turn [Florida] in the wrong direction and make it less affordable. And that is why I’m a hard ‘No’ on data centers. I’ve always been against them. “So, coming in as Governor, I’m going to call for a Special Session on affordability, which will include a halt on any construction of the hyperscale data centers, which are a dangerous deal for Floridians, for two reasons: “It’s the equivalent of 800,000 people being dropped into Pasco County, putting them on your grid and then looking at you with a straight face and saying ‘It won’t raise your electric rates.’ “They also require a huge amount of water to cool those facilities. They’ll put a pipe in the ground and suck the aquifer dry. I don’t think so!”
Renner On...
“As the only prosecutor in this race, we are
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not going to let people who rape and kill children or cop killers sit on death row for 30+ years, which is the average time to spend on death row. Not everyone gets the death penalty, but when they do, I will get a law passed that gives them a three-year period of appeal and then, we will do justice for those families. I will not let them grow old and die waiting for justice.” “I also will weed out public corruption with permanent DOGE in every single corner that touches taxpayer money. Not just in local government, but the state government, universities, special districts, you name it, because that’s part of my property tax proposal — to squeeze out some savings so those replacement taxes can be as low as possible. We have to stay vigilant. When that money is on the table, it will be stolen. We will have waste, fraud and abuse.” “One other thing on safety. We’ve all read about Jeffrey Epstein. As a father of young children, you will not want to hurt a child when I’m Governor. We’re going to go after those folks. Many of those victims are minors, and we have to make sure we stop that here in Florida, which is one of the worst states in the nation right now when it comes to [human trafficking].” “We also have to control AI because it could basically wipe out humanity. If your child or grandchild says, ‘I’m depressed. I’m thinking about suicide,’ you’d stop whatever you’re doing to try to prevent it. They ask AI that same question, and it’ll give that child five ways to do it. It has no moral compass. So, when it comes to technology, the people of Florida will control it, not the other way around. We’re not going to have a handful of big tech billionaires, who are funding my opponent’s campaign, fill our state with hyperscale data centers, look the other way on AI protection and say ‘It’ll all be fine.’” “The late Charlie Kirk talked about the ‘Red Threat,’ which is China, and the ‘Green Threat,’ which is Muslim extremism. We passed a bill when I was Speaker to keep China from buying up our land. I also will not allow Chinese professors or students in our public universities. Because, as an intelligence officer, if they come from China and the Chinese Communist Party, they are spies, here to steal our information.” “As for the Green Threat, there are half a million Muslims in Florida today and we have to stop this in its tracks. I served overseas. People say, ‘You have to fight them abroad so we don’t have to fight them at home.’ “But, as a Christian, I have no hatred for anybody. We want to have friends in Muslim nations that want to be friends with us. But, that’s never worked in a 1,000 years to have Muslims mixed with non-Muslims in a country. It always leads to conflict and violence. So, we have to stop immigration from those countries and de-naturalize and deport those who engage in terrorist ties.” “After experience, results and vision, you also want a Governor who will run to the fight when others will wait for the fight to come to them. I stood with the Governor to fight indoctrination at our schools in 2022 and 2024. I stood with him to fight an ‘abortion until birth’ and ‘taxpayer-funded abortion’ amendments and it was going to happen, if the Governor had not leaned in, and there’s only one candidate in this race that also traveled that road.” Neighborhood News
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11
Fresh Market-Anchored Development Moves Forward At Wiregrass Ranch
One Of The Largest Undeveloped Corners Along S.R. 56 Is Moving Towards Finalizing Its Design By Joel Provenzano
Neighborhood News Correspondent
A 59-acre cow-field located between Pasco-Hernando State College and S.R. 56, on the southwest corner of the signal with Mansfield Blvd., is set to become Wiregrass Ranch’s next major commercial development. Plans were officially submitted to Pasco County starting on June 19, confirming that development activity is preparing to begin on land that has remained largely untouched for years. For many longtime Wesley Chapel residents, the project is hardly a surprise. The property has long been designated for future development within the Wiregrass Ranch Master Planned Unit Development (MPUD). Still, there is a sense of nostalgia among some residents as yet another stretch of open pastureland and cattle fields gradually gives way to additional growth.
Fresh Market Appears To Remain The Anchor Tenant
The development was first publicly discussed during a community presentation in April, when longtime Locust Branch, LLC (the development wing of the Wiregrass Ranch MPUD) chief operating officer Scott Sheridan shared several upcoming projects planned throughout Wiregrass Ranch — as reported in detail in our Apr. 14 issue. While the project was mentioned at that meeting, Sheridan declined to discuss additional details for this article beyond acknowledging that plans had recently been submitted to the county. That lack of comment initially raised questions about whether the project had changed since the April presentation. County permits do not specifically identify The Fresh Market (the photo on the next page is of a recently completed Florida location, as provided by The Fresh Market’s own media materials) by name, and the grocery chain has not yet made any public announcement regarding a Wesley Chapel location. However, several pieces of evidence strongly suggest that The Fresh Market remains the new development’s planned anchor tenant: The applicant and developer listed on the permit documents is Seth Lane, VP of Regency Centers, a company that has extensive experience developing shopping centers anchored by The
Fresh Market. Additionally, the proposed grocery space — Parcel D in the center of the site map above — shown on the site plans measures 26,187 square feet, which is almost exactly the size of a typical Fresh Market store. Combined with the company’s recent expansion efforts across Florida, there is strong reason to believe that The Fresh Market is still moving forward as the centerpiece of the project.
What Is The Fresh Market?
For residents unfamiliar with the brand, The Fresh Market is an upscale, European-style grocery chain known for its boutique shopping experience, premium meats, high-quality prepared foods, fresh produce, wine selections and specialty grocery items. Unlike traditional supermarkets, The Fresh Market operates smaller-format stores designed to create an old-world market atmosphere. Stores typically average around 25,000 square feet— roughly half the size of a standard Publix. Online reviewers frequently praise the chain’s USDA Prime steaks, seafood selection, freshly prepared hot foods and salads and made-daily sushi offerings. Many customers also use the store
as an alternative to cooking at home, thanks to its extensive selection of ready-to-heat meals. The chain is already established in the Tampa Bay region with four stores — the closest existing location is situated near the intersection of N. Dale Mabry Hwy. and W. Fletcher Ave.
Grocery Store Size Comparison:
The Fresh Market: 26,187 sq. ft. (Boutique/Small-Box Grocery) Under-Construction Wesley Chapel Whole Foods (Aronwood Blvd. at Bruce B. Downs Blvd. in Meadow Pointe): 35,518 sq. ft. (Mid-Sized Organic Grocery) Typical Publix: Approximately 50,000 sq. ft. (Traditional Full-Service Grocery)
A Project Nearly The Size Of The Shops at Wiregrass
The total scale of this development may surprise some residents. The overall property is roughly comparable in size to The Shops at Wiregrass and will ultimately be divided into 10 separate parcels and outparcels. So far, plans have only been submitted for three of those parcels, meaning much
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of the project’s future remains unknown. Parcel D – 7.65 Acres: This will serve as the development’s primary retail center and is planned to include: • The Fresh Market grocery store (26,187 sq. ft.) • 28 separate retail & restaurant plaza suites • Spaces ranging from 1,220-4,230 sq. ft. • The plans for this parcel currently show 54,985 total sq. ft. of retail space & 17,390 sq. ft. of restaurant space Outparcel B – 4.10 Acres The plans for this outparcel include: • One 5,750-sq. ft. sit-down restaurant • One 8,000-sq. ft. sit-down restaurant • One 3,075-sq. ft. fast-food restaurant with drive-through Outparcel A – 2.88 Acres The plans for this outparcel include: • One 3,000-sq.-ft. restaurant or office building • One 8,000-sq.-ft. sit-down restaurant At this stage, no additional tenants have been publicly identified for any of these parcels.
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Only The Beginning
While the currently submitted plans are significant, they represent only a fraction of this overall project. Site plans indicate that seven additional outparcels remain undeveloped, representing approximately 27.28 additional buildable acres. As those parcels move through the approval process in the coming years, residents can expect additional retail, restaurant, office, commercial, and residential uses to be announced. In other words, what has been submitted so far is likely only the first phase of what could become one of Wesley Chapel’s largest upcoming commercial destinations.
Traffic Questions Remain
As with nearly every major project along the S.R. 56 corridor, the traffic implications of this new project is already the biggest concern being discussed by local residents. Current transportation standards limit where median openings can be located along S.R. 56. Under existing conditions, a full median opening is shown at Yaupon Lane, while a future full-access signalized intersection is anticipated at Lajuana Blvd. — the same median opening currently serving Cooper’s Hawk and Audi Wesley Chapel across S.R. 56. Plans also call for a future reverse-frontage
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road that would connect this development to that signalized intersection. One question that remains unanswered is whether transportation officials will eventually require modifications to Wiregrass Ranch’s existing full median opening configuration. If changes are required, some drivers traveling eastbound could find themselves needing to make U-turns at the existing signalized intersection until that reverse frontage road is extended west to the future signal (which is expected to be added to that intersection soon) in front of Cooper’s Hawk. Those details will likely become clearer as the project moves through the county and state review process.
Another Piece of The Wiregrass Puzzle
For years, residents driving along S.R. 56 have looked across open fields and wondered what would eventually be built there. Now, many of those answers are emerging. While some will miss the remaining cattle pastures that once defined Wesley Chapel’s landscape, others will welcome the additional dining, shopping and grocery options in one of the community’s fastest-growing corridors. Either way, the latest plans confirm that another major chapter in the ongoing development of Wiregrass Ranch is officially under way.
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13
No Takers Yet? The Most Expensive House In The Tampa Bay Area Is Just Next Door! Property Owner Who Sold A $50-Million Miami Mansion To Superstar The Weeknd Is Making Waves Locally By Joel Provenzano
Neighborhood News Correspondent
Nestled along a perfectly tree-lined road, amid gently rolling pastureland, stands something truly unique at 12321 Fort King Hwy. in Thonotosassa (just a few miles south and east of Cross Creek Blvd.) — the highest-priced home ever listed for sale in the entire Tampa Bay area. The garages alone are larger than many mansions in the Tampa Bay area, and the premium lakefront property is roughly the acreage of a small community. There really isn’t much this estate doesn’t have. The main house is an absolute masterpiece of French Normandy architecture. The 43,000-square-foot (total) château features 9 bedrooms and 26 bathrooms, and it looks more like something that belongs in the European countryside than where it’s actually positioned — just outside of both Wesley Chapel and New Tampa, on the edge of sleepy Lake Thonotosassa. And for those wondering why anyone needs 26 bathrooms, only 12 are full baths. The remaining 14 are half baths spread throughout the estate’s many gathering spaces. The primary suite alone features separate his-and-hers bathrooms. The 87-acre property includes impeccably manicured grounds, multiple equestrian facilities, a go-kart race track, a car museum complete with an executive boardroom, a dual-lane bowling alley, movie theater, private spa with sauna, adjacent fitness center, indoor and outdoor
All photos/renderings of The Oaks Estate in Thonotosassa are from One Sotheby’s International Realty.
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swimming pools, and a private dock featuring a covered boat lift and party deck. There is simply nothing else like it anywhere in the greater Tampa Bay region, and brokers at One Sotheby’s International Realty are counting on that fact as they attempt to make this the highest-priced single-family residential sale in Tampa Bay history. The asking price: $115 million. If the property ultimately sells anywhere near that figure, it could represent a dramatic shift in how luxury real estate is valued throughout the region. Especially considering the estate last sold in April 2021 for $16.7 million, when it “only” included approximately 36 acres. Property records also show that roughly 51 additional acres, much of it greenbelt land, sold separately that same year for approximately $3.65 million. Combined, the transactions totaled roughly $20.35 million. So how does a property purchased for approximately $20 million in 2021 arrive at a $115-million asking price just five years later, with relatively few major additions or changes to the estate itself?
How Did We Get Here?
The property was originally owned by Donald and Erika Wallace, who acquired the sprawling and largely undeveloped land in 2007, around the same time Donald Wallace retired. Wallace was the founder and chairman of Lazydays RV Supercenter, which grew into the largest RV dealership operation in the world. Almost immediately after purchasing the property, the existing home was demolished and construction began on what would become known as The Oaks Estate. The main residence and its extensive amenities would take nearly five years to complete, with few expenses spared in the process. What makes the estate particularly unusual is its location. It’s not tucked behind the gates of an exclusive master-planned community or hidden within one of Florida’s traditional luxury enclaves. Instead, it sits in a part of eastern Hillsborough County where old orange grove homes still stand, where a historic Methodist church remains a local landmark, and where a small post office and library continue to serve the surrounding community. And yet, Lake Thonotosassa has quietly attracted a number of impressive homes over the years. Neighborhood News
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parisons become almost impossible. At that level, the question is no longer whether one home is worth more than another, but whether there is anything remotely comparable available at all. Of course, publicity alone does not guarantee a sale. Even some of the country’s most heavily marketed luxury listings have struggled to find buyers. Celebrity Broker Ryan Serhant famously lost one of New York City’s highest-profile listings after the property failed to sell despite extensive media attention and marketing efforts. Still, timing may be working in The Oaks Estate’s favor. Recent luxury housing data has shown Tampa Bay’s high-end market among the stronlisting and a $115 million listing illustrates just gest-performing luxury markets in the nation, how ambitious The Oaks Estate’s pricing strategy with premium home values continuing to rise. truly is. Whether it ultimately sells for $115 Whether The Oaks Estate ultimately sells million, $80 million, or something significantly for anywhere near its $115 million asking price less, the estate has already secured its place in The 947-acre lake is the largest in Hillsremains to be seen. But, regardless of the final local real estate history. borough County and one of the region’s premier number, the property has already accomplished recreational lakes. Its size even makes fly-in, flyone thing: Everyone is talking about it. out access possible for seaplane owners. For those And perhaps that was always the plan. who prefer helicopters, the estate’s expansive The Bigger Picture grounds provide plenty of room for a landing. The next highest-priced residential listing An Exercise in Marketing? in the area is currently asking approximately $20 The property is currently owned by former million. Coincidentally, it is located just down oil executive and investor Steven Lempera, who the road from The Oaks Estate. made headlines last year after selling a Miami While that property offers fewer amenities Beach mansion to music superstar The Weeknd and significantly less acreage, it does feature one for a reported $50 million. amenity the $115 million estate cannot claim: a That sale came after Lempera acquired the full-scale replica of the Oval Office. property at auction in 2019 for $25.5 million. Even so, the gap between a $20 million That history naturally raises an interesting question: Is the $115 million asking price for The Oaks Estate purely a reflection of its actual value, or is it also part of a carefully crafted marketing strategy? In the world of ultra-luxury real estate, asking prices often serve a purpose beyond estabYou’ve worked hard to save. Now you need a clear plan lishing market value. A record-breaking price tag for turning your savings into reliable income. can transform a home into a conversation piece, generating headlines in real estate publications, If you’re within 10 years of retirement — business journals and local news outlets across or already retired — you may be wondering: the country. The listing itself becomes the story. And in many cases, that publicity is free. 1 When should I claim Social Security? Whether the strategy originated with the 2 How can I reduce taxes in retirement? owner, the brokerage, or a combination of both 3 How much can I safely spend each year? remains unclear. Representatives involved with the listing declined to discuss how the asking 4 Will my money last 25–30 years? price was determined. But one thing is certain: very few homes generate this level of attention Here’s how it works: without first attaching a number large enough to 1 Schedule a short introductory call make people stop scrolling. 2 Get answers to your biggest retirement questions When we spoke with listing broker 3 Decide if working together makes sense associate Eddy Martinez, he said the property had already secured two private showings on Follow: @RetireWithDana for weekly retirement tips the same day shortly after officially hitting the market in late April. Dana Lyon, AWMA™, CRPC™, MBA Even seeing the estate requires extensive Founder, Capital Wise Advisory vetting. Prospective buyers must demonstrate the Registered Investment Adviser financial capacity to complete a purchase before Fee-Only Fiduciary they are granted access. According to Martinez, Independent Retirement Planner those restrictions extend beyond buyers and even apply to members of the media and other real No Obligation. Just Clarity. estate agents. That level of exclusivity may itself be part Call: 813-778-3856 Scan to Schedule Your of the appeal. For ultra-high-net-worth buyers, dana@capitalwiseadvisory.com Introductory Call scarcity often carries value of its own. There are Serving Wesley Chapel and surrounding communities (Watch a short video luxury homes, and then there are trophy properintroduction first) Registered in FL & GA and other states where exempt ties — properties so unique that traditional com-
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Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News • Volume 34, Issue 14 • July 7, 2026 • NeighborhoodNewsOnline.net • For Advertising Information, Call 813-910-2575
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‘Fit 4 Life’
Continued from pg. 3 And, whenever one of those past employees happens to visit the studio when I’m there, or I see one of them out somewhere, they all still have nothing but wonderful things to say about Travis. He is literally just “that guy.” Of course, nice guys can’t finish first in any kind of business unless they deliver results and, after a quarter of a century, Fit 4 Life surely has, and continues to, deliver results. I’ve always said that although two 30-minute workouts a week isn’t going to be enough to turn you from fat to fit, I know that if I always ate as “clean” as Travis does every day, and did cardio 3-4 times per week, in addition to my strength training at Fit 4 Life, while I probably still would never be built like him, I’d at least be...a little closer. In fact, between last November and April of this year, Jannah and I re-committed ourselves to working out at least 5-6 days a week, cooking most of our meals at home and only going out to eat either on vacation or to sample a new restaurant in either of our distribution areas — and I’ve dropped 36 pounds and Jannah’s lost close to 20 (and she had a lot less to lose than I did). “We’re not trying to make you musclebound here,” Travis says. “We want to get and keep you moving, help counsel you on improving your diet and help you maintain a healthy lifestyle.” Each 30-minute workout at Fit 4 Life includes one of two abdominal machines, one or two of three leg machines and three or four machines that work your arms and/or chest. Using the Super-Slow method, invented at the University of Florida (where Travis learned Med-X rehabilita-
tion) in 1982 by researcher Ken Hutchins, you take ten full seconds in each direction, and then hold for a count of five at the end of the (usually no more than) eight reps on the same Med-X machines that Travis has had since he first opened Fit 4 Life here. “Each exercise works a specific muscle or group of muscles to full exhaustion,” Travis says. “Our trainers learn exactly how much weight you need to get the maximum benefit on each one without over-exerting yourself or allowing you to try to push too much weight. We want your muscles to be fully fatigued, not torn.” At the end of each workout, the trainer puts you on Med-X’s full-body stretch machine, which I really hated at first but now actually feel like I need to feel my best each time I finish a session. And, although I’ve never been a physical therapy patient at Fit 4 Life, Travis says his Med-X spine machine “is one of the safest, most-effective ways to improve lower-back pain. We have a 95% success rate with that low-back machine.” The studio’s physical therapy sessions include other therapist-led exercises and all of the therapy part of Berkeley Prep winning the Class 1A State patients I’ve spoken with also rave about Fit 4 Life. title during the spring beach volleyball season. “She’s already being recruited by pretty much every top college volleyball program in the country What About Those Volleyball Girls? — Texas, Stanford, Miami, you name it,” Travis Yes, Travis and Fiona’s daughters Molly and says. “Beach or indoor, she just loves to play.” Madison are both outstanding young volleyball And, even though she’s only 13 and it doesn’t players. Molly, who is now just going into her junior year in high school at Berkeley Prep in Tampa, seem that she’s going to ever have Molly’s height, is among the highest-rated players in all of Florida Madison Monday “may end up being even better and plays for the elite Tribe Volleyball Club — in than her sister,” Travis says. Madison (above right), who is going into Deerfield Beach — and the family has been traveling three+ hours in each direction every weekend the eighth grade at Martinez Middle School, plays for her practices. Molly (above left) is a 6-foot-tall libero for her school and club beach and indoor setter whose specialty is serving aces. She was a big teams, which means she’s the player who’s always
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diving for and saving balls that would otherwise end up as points for the opposing team. In other words, Travis and Fiona really do have their hands full and yet, he keeps making sure his Fit 4 Life trainers, therapists, personal training and physical therapy clients stay happy, healthy and keep working towards their goals. I don’t do many page 3 editorials about our advertisers, but Fit 4 Life and Travis Monday are just that special and mean that much to me. For appointments and more information about Fit 4 Life (5338 Primrose Lake Cir., Tampa Palms), call (813) 907-7879, visit Fit4LifeTampa.comn or see the ad on pg. 48.
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Check Out The Wesley Chapel Theater Group’s 2nd Annual ‘One-Act Festival!’ Submitted to the Neighborhood News What do an elephant in a train station, a Beanie Baby, an unexpected visitor, a Florida hurricane and a grown man who believes in Santa Claus all have in common? They’re all integral parts of the Wesley Chapel Theater Group (WCTG)’s second annual One-Act Festival — Seven plays. Seven stories. One unforgettable afternoon of theater.
This year’s One-Act Festival features seven original short plays by talented Florida playwrights. Directed and performed by local artists, this unique collection showcases some of the most creative original storytelling that can be found throughout our state. Audiences will enjoy an eclectic mix of both comedy and drama, with each 10-minute play offering a one-of-a-kind story. With everything from laugh-out-loud moments to heartfelt, thought-provoking scenes, this year’s One-Act Festival is sure to have something for everyone. It is a celebration of new works, local voices and the power of live theater to entertain, inspire and connect communities. This year, WCTG took in more than 50 play submissions. “Narrowing it down to seven shows was not easy,” says WCTG spokesperson Samantha Grahn. “We feel that we have an exceptional lineup. We are especially excited to welcome back playwrights Jessica Burchfield and Keith Whalen, whose works were featured in last year’s production. This collection of shows explores themes of family, enduring friendship and the moments that remind us not to take ourselves too seriously. It is truly a festival you won’t want to miss!” This year’s Featured One-Act Plays include: • “Twelve Books” by Philip Middleton Williams
(Above) A scene from “Zoe’s Party” by Lois Findlay. (Left) A scene from “On the Likelihood of Elephants” by Brian S. Brijbag, Esq. (Photos provided by Wesley Chapel Theater Group) • “Finding Help” by Marj O’Neill-Butler • “Zoe’s Party” by Lois Findlay • “On the Likelihood of Elephants” by Brian S. Brijbag, Esq. • “Priceless” by Samara Siskind • “Non-Weight Bearing” by Jessica Burchfield • “Coming to Town” by Keith Whalen Both performances of the 2026 “One
18 For Advertising Information, Call 813-910-2575 • Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News • Volume 34, Issue 14 • July 7, 2026 • NeighborhoodNewsOnline.net
Act Festival” will be held at the Starkey Ranch Theatre Library Cultural Center, located at 12118 Lake Blanche Dr., Odessa — on Saturday, July 18 & Sunday, July 19, both at 2 p.m. Tickets, which cost $15 for students and seniors and $20 for general admission, may be purchased at WesleyChapelTheaterGroup.org. For additional information, scan the QR code in the advertisement below or visit WesleyChapelTheaterGroup.org.
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New Elks Lodge To Host A Social On July 21! Submitted to the Neighborhood News The Wesley Chapel Elks Lodge #2893 is bringing together men and women from Wesley Chapel, Land O’ Lakes, Lutz, New Tampa and surrounding communities who share a commitment to service, friendship, patriotism and to giving back. For more than 150 years, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks has supported veterans, youth programs, scholarships, first responders, charitable causes and local communities across the U.S. Today, Elks Lodges collectively donate millions of dollars and countless volunteer hours each year to improve others’ lives. “Our mission is simple,” says Wesley Chapel Elks Lodge “Exalted Ruler” Jerry Bianchi. “We aim to strengthen our community through volunteerism, charitable giving and meaningful relationships, while creating opportunities for people to make a positive impact right here at home.”
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As the newest Elks Lodge in Florida and across the country, Wesley Chapel Elks Lodge #2893 is actively welcoming new members. The Lodge offers opportunities to participate in community service projects, support veterans and military families, assist local youth programs, enjoy social events and build lasting friendships with neighbors who share similar values. The Lodge already has participated in numerous community activities, including veteran support initiatives, public outreach events, charitable fund-raising efforts and volunteer opportunities across the area. To encourage community members to learn more about the organization and join the new Elks Lodge’s efforts, the Wesley Chapel Lodge is offering a special membership promotion during July 2026 — application fees are being reduced from $25 to $1 between now and July 31.
Social/Fun Night July 21!
If you’re interested in learning more about the Wesley Chapel Elks, a Social/Fun Night will be held on Tuesday, July 21, at Vallarta’s Mexican Restaurant (5335 Village Market). You’ll meet current members and discover how the Elks are making a difference in the community. For more info about membership opportunities, volunteer activities, or upcoming events, search “Wesley Chapel Elks Lodge” on Facebook, or send an email to Elks2893Membership@gmail.com.
Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News • Volume 34, Issue 14 • July 7, 2026 • NeighborhoodNewsOnline.net • For Advertising Information, Call 813-910-2575
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Upcoming Events — ‘Rumplestiltskin, ‘The Moogician,’ ‘Trouble Man,’ ‘Annie’ & More! Wednesday, July 8, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. – North Tampa Bay Chamber Ribbon Cutting. At Virtue Health Collective (210 Crystal Grove Blvd., Lutz). Welcome this new business to the community by attending its ribbon cutting. Virtue provides compassionate, comprehensive healthcare focused on helping individuals achieve elevated living. For more info, call (813) 994-8534. Or, visit Business.NorthTampaBayChamber.com/events. Thursday, July 9, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. – Open House and Ribbon Cutting. At AdventHealth Primary Care Wesley Chapel (26240 Golden Maple Loop, Unit 6). Help welcome this new primary care practice to the community. Meet the Doctors and tour the office. For more info, email Bryanna.Blank@AdventHealth.com. Thursday, July 9, 12 p.m.-2 p.m. – Healthy Happenings – Orthopedic Wellness. At AdventHealth Wesley Chapel Healing Plaza (2590 Healing Way). This presentation is designed to help you better understand bone and joint health. Free to attend, but you must register. For more info or to register, call (813) 929-5432 or visit AHWesleyChapel.com/Events. Thursday, July 9, 3 p.m.-4 p.m. – Summer Kids Performance – Bits N’ Pieces Puppet Theater Presents “Rumplestiltskin.” At New River Branch Library (34043 S.R. 54). Promises can be tricky things — especially in a kingdom where magic has a way of twisting even the simplest deal. In this lively marionette adventure, the mysterious “Rumpelstiltskin” (left photo above) spins more than straw into gold; he spins the whole royal family into a tangle of choices, consequences and courage. Come see a classic marionette performance featuring carved wooden puppets, toe-tapping music and audience fun. Free to attend. For more info, call (813) 788-6375 or visit PascoLibraries.libnet.info/event/16345278 Thursday, July 9, 3 p.m.-4 p.m. – “The Moogician.” At Wesley Chapel Branch Library (27531 Mystic Oak Blvd.). A special performance by “The Moogician,” an original and refreshing combination of magic, juggling, music and comedy. For elementary-aged children; there is limited seating. Free to attend. For more info, call (352) 518-5064 or visit PascoLibraries.libnet.info/ event/16582165. Saturday, July 11, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. – Community Health Fair Sponsored by AdventHealth
(Left) The Bits N’ Pieces Puppet Theater brings “Rumplestiltskin” to the New River Branch Library on July 9. (Above) See “Trouble Man — A Tribute to Marvin Gaye” at the New Tampa Performing Arts Center on Jul. 12. (Photo source: NewTampaArtsCenter.org)
& Wiregrass Ranch. At the AdventHealth Sports Arena at the Wiregrass Ranch Sports Campus (3021 Sports Coast Way). Join Wiregrass Ranch and AdventHealth for this free community event focused on health, wellness, sports, and family fun. There will be free sports physicals with ECG for students under 18, free youth & adult health screenings, a back-to-school zone, local vendors, youth activities, sports clinics and giveaways. Free to attend, but you must pre-register for sports physicals. For more info and to register, please visit PlayWiregrass.com/event-detail/ advent-health-community-health-fair/
She Reigns, LLC, and She Reigns Legacy Institute, is the featured speaker at this Wesley Chapel Black Chamber breakfast. Members $20, non-members $25; includes a light breakfast. For more information or to register, visit wcbcc.org/events/
Check out the Hilton Garden Inn’s meeting room for “Christmas in July.” There will be complimentary hors d’oeuvres & a cash bar. Free to attend, but please RSVP. For more info, email lisamoore2@hilton.com or bradley.sandler@ hilton.com or see the ad on pg. 21.
Wednesday, July 15, 6 p.m. – Central Pasco Democratic Club Meeting. At Meadow Pointe I Clubhouse (28245 County Line Rd.) and on ZOOM. Summer Social. Come meet other Democrats. All friends of the Democratic Party are invited. Free to attend. For more info, call (813) 453-1663 or email CentralPascoDemocracticClub@gmail.com.
Saturday & Sunday, July 18 & 19 2 p.m. – “One Act Festival 2026.” At Starkey Ranch Theatre (12118 Lake Blanch Dr., Odessa). The Wesley Chapel Theater Group presents seven one-act plays in one unforgettable afternoon of theater. This is an exciting collection of one-act plays featuring original works by Florida playwrights, directed and performed by talented artists from this community. Tickets cost $20 for general admission and $15 for students and seniors. For more info, visit WesleyChapelTheaterGroup.org or see the story and ad on pg. 18.
Thursday, July 16, 4 p.m.-7 p.m. – Sunday, July 12, 3:30 p.m. & 6:30 p.m. – “Christmas in July.” At Hilton Garden Inn Philip Cooper Entertainment Presents: “Trou(26640 Silver Maple Pkwy.). Are you looking for ble Man – A Tribute to Marvin Gaye.” At New a place to host your corporate Christmas Party? Tampa Performing Arts Center (8550 Hunters Village Rd.). Immerse yourself in an unforgettable evening of music and nostalgia. For two performances, the stage will come alive as the mesmerizing L. Young (right photo above) takes you on a journey through the legendary hits of one of the greatest soul artists of all time. With his velvety voice and undeniable charisma, L. Young captures the essence of the late, great Marvin Gaye, evoking emotion and excitement with every note. Tickets $69-$79 depending upon seat selection. For more info, call (813) 829-2760. Or, to purchase tickets, visit NewTampaArtsCenter.org/events/ Philip-cooper-entertainment-presents-troubleman-a-tribute-to-marvin-gaye-t8e9l Tuesday, July 14, 9 a.m.-11 a.m. – “Women Rising Together: Bold Voices & Vision.” At LMCU New Tampa (17635 Bruce B. Downs Blvd.). Angela K. Davis, founder & CEO of
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Monday, July 20, 4 p.m.-6 p.m. – North Tampa Bay Chamber Ribbon Cutting. At the Brain & Stroke Center (4416 Bruce B. Downs Blvd. Suite 201, Wesley Chapel). The Brain and Stoke Center is a comprehensive neurology clinic dedicated to providing advanced, patient-centered neurological care. Free to attend. For more info, call (813) 994-8534. Or, visit Business. NorthTampaBayChamber.com/events. Monday, July 20, 6:30 p.m. – East Pasco Democratic Club Meeting. At the Genesis Center (38112 15th Ave., Zephyrhills) and on ZOOM. The topic will be “Winning the Midterm Elections.” All friends of the Democratic Party are welcome. Refreshments are provided. Come early to socialize. Free to attend. For more info, email eastpascodems@gmail.com. Wednesday, July 22, 10:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m. – Wrap Up the Summer: Silly Sam the Music Man. At New River Branch Library (34043 S.R. 54). A party full of singing, dancing, silliness and balloon animals. Silly Sam gets the kids moving, grooving & laughing. Free to attend. For more info, call (813) 788-6375 or visit PascoLibraries.libnet.info/ event/16348082. Thursday, July 23, 3 p.m.-4 p.m. – Summer Kids Performance – James Songster presents “Magically Ever After.” At New River Branch Library (34043 S.R. 54). Mixing equal parts imagination, storytelling, and magic, “Magically Ever After” stars ChaChing the Amazing Bunny and her best friend, James the Unbelievable. For more info, call (813) 788-6375 or vis-
it PascoLibraries.libnet.info/event/16346127. Friday-Sunday, July 24-25 & July 31-August 1, 8 p.m.-11 p.m. & July 25-26 & August 1-2, 3 p.m.-6 p.m. – New Tampa Players Present: “Annie.” At New Tampa Performing Arts Center (8550 Hunters Village Rd.). Leapin’ lizards! Follow the spunky red-headed orphan with unshakable optimism as she sets out to find the family she’s always dreamed of, bringing sunshine, song and laughter to everyone she meets along the way. Tickets cost $25-$39 depending upon seat selection. For more info, call (813) 829-2760 or see the ad below. Or, to purchase tickets, visit NewTampaPlayers.thunderstix.com. Saturday, July 25, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. – “Back to School Blast.” At The Shops at Wiregrass (28211 Paseo Dr.). A family event with free backpacks, school supplies and books for the kids while supplies last. There also be a “Touch-ATruck” experience, health screenings and community resources, inflatables, games and family entertainment. Free to attend. For more info, visit TheShopsatWiregrass.com/event/40502back-to-school-blast Thursday, July 30, 4:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m. – “Jingle Mingle.” At the Hyatt Place Tampa-Wesley Chapel hotel (in the Sierra Conference Center, 26000 Sierra Blvd.). Beat the heat with a little holiday cheer. This festive “Jingle Mingle” event will celebrate clients, partners and local friends. Enjoy light bites, cheerful sips and great company because gratitude never goes out of season. FREE to attend. For more information or to RSVP, call (813) 803-5600.
Looking for a place to host your next corporate Christmas Party? Come check out our meeting room for Christmas in July!
July 16, 2026 4 -7 pm 26640 Silver Maple Pkwy. Wesley Chapel, FL 33544 Complimentary Hors d’oeuvres Cash Full Bar
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Two Years After Milton, Atonement Lutheran Church’s Sanctuary Finally Reopens! By Mary Durbin
Neighborhood News Correspondent In Oct. 2024, Hurricane Milton tore through Atonement Lutheran Church in Wesley Chapel, ripping away a large section of the roof, and scattering insulation, wood, and nails across the street. Fortunately, the beautiful stained-glass windows above the altar and the cross on the roof of the Church were spared. Atonement Lutheran Pastor Scott Lindner (far right photo) hoped that the Church would make it through Milton without any damage, as it did with Hurricane Helene, which also hit the Tampa Bay hard area two weeks prior, but it was not to be. Pastor Lindner’s wife Susan says that she and her husband were not initially aware of the damage, explaining that, “One of our members who was driving to work saw the damage. He pulled into the parking lot, took pictures, and then called his wife and told her to let us know.” After Milton, it wasn’t possible to hold services in the Church itself. “Luckily, we had just finished renovations to the Friendship Hall,” Lindner says, “and we were able to use that. However, the first week’s services were actually held outside, due to the fact the power had not yet come back on inside. Pastor Lindner says that the community really came together to help the church. “The Saturday after Milton hit,” he says, “there was debris everywhere outside. We had a clean-up day. We advertised it on our marquee and we invited other local churches. We had over 100 people participate. We found out that we had friends we didn’t know we had.” Looking at the sanctuary now it is hard to believe there had been so much damage. Pastor Lindner says the contractor, “Did an amazing job.” Even though Lindner and his congregants had hoped to have everything completed by last Christmas, it wasn’t until June 14 that Atonement Lutheran was finally able to have the first Sunday worship service inside, and the church held an Open House to show off the renovations to the community the day before that first service, which also included the rededication of the sanctuary. The damage doesn’t seem to have affected the number of people who have wanted to join the Church. Since October, Atonement Lutheran has welcomed about 20 new mem-
bers, increasing the church’s total membership Church’s application to FEMA, Pastor Lindner to 225. “It was very unexpected,” Lindner says. says: “We went through this [assistance request]at the worst possible time.” Milton Was Not Kind Around the same time the church In addition to the structural damage submitting its application to FEMA, the new to the roof, the woodwork throughout the administration in Washington, DC, began sanctuary needed refinishing and there also reviewing all government agencies and prowas mold found that needed to be mitigatgrams, looking for inefficiency and waste and ed. The process included “A lot of waiting,” FEMA was among the main targets of those says Lindner. Because the church had to wait efforts. Lindner says, “The first person they for the permits and the funding to pay for everything, repairs that may have been able to (FEMA) sent was a contractor working under wait had to then be completed, due to the on- FEMA; he was the best. He spent a lot of time with us working through the initial process.” going damage, including replacing the floors But then, with the reorganization process throughout the church and recovering the chairs in the sanctuary. The delays also resulted in the Church having to receive financing.
The Cost, The Fund Raising & FEMA Lindner says that the cost of the initial phases of construction has been about $1 million. The Church did have insurance, but it unfortunately didn’t cover wind damage. Atonement Lutheran did receive $100,000 from the Florida-Bahamas Synod, the church’s governing body. Other local churches also have pitched in to help, donating the proceeds from various fund raisers to Atonement. There was even a $10,000 donation from a church in Arizona. The Church also has held raffles and other events over the past year and will continue to do so this year. Atonement Lutheran also applied to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for assistance. In discussing the
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Lindner says that contractor was transferred and they were assigned a brand-new person who was not familiar with the case, particularly the mold mitigation process. To date, Lindner says, “FEMA has provided about $19,000 in cost-sharing which is based on the documentation of volunteer hours and donated services.” Lindner adds that the church could be waiting a while for any additional assistance from FEMA. “Everything stopped for a while because FEMA was not working on any of the cases from Milton; cases from Hurricane Helene were being reviewed first.” Delays in FEMA itself receiving its funding also has stalled the process. “A few weeks ago, we heard that they would start reviewing cases from Milton and just last week we got an email requesting documentation for their case.” While Lindner says that this news was a bit frustrating, since the church had previously submitted this documentation, it looks like things might finally be moving forward. He adds that Atonement Lutheran is hoping to receive about $300,000 by the end of the year which will go towards the rebuilding fund.
The Remaining Projects
With the sanctuary now usable, Lindner says that the final phase of construction will include the following projects. Finish Restroom Renovations — Pastor Lindner says of the restrooms: “They are usable, but they need to be replumbed. There is a lot that needs to be done there.” Redoing The Kitchen Space —The Church has a small kitchen which is not really
being used, especially as the Church will no longer be running a food pantry, which was, unfortunately, another casualty of the hurricane. The plans are to gut the kitchen and repurpose the space. Church Entrances & Freedom Hall — Pastor Lindner says he remembers when he first became the Pastor at Atonement Lutheran 20 years ago that, “54 was a two-lane road and the business park next door was not built yet. All these things changed the nature of our grounds.” He adds that, “The front door is not really our front door anymore; people [usually] enter the church from the side instead of walking all the way around from the parking lot.” He also says that the remodeling will include adding double doors to the side of the Church with a canopy. “The entrance would become the new Narthex or Welcome Center.” We wish the Church luck with their continued restoration and fingers crossed that this year’s Hurricane season passes us all by. Atonement Lutheran Church is located at 29617 Wesley Chapel Blvd. Sunday worship services are held at 10:30 a.m. The office is open Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. For more information, call (813) 9732211 or visit DiscoverALC.com.
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Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News • Volume 34, Issue 14 • July 7, 2026 • NeighborhoodNewsOnline.net • For Advertising Information, Call 813-910-2575
23
The Worthington AAA Insurance Agency Cuts A North Tampa Bay Chamber Ribbon By Gary Nager All photos by Charmaine George
On June 4, a little more than a week after the Shark Branding Solutions “Hackathon” (story in previous issue) that was hosted at the Worthington Agency, agency owner Philena Worthington hosted a North Tampa Bay Chamber ribbon-cutting ceremony of her own at the same location — 35366 Pure Water Way in Zephyrhills. Philena (with scissors in top photos), who has more than two decades of experience in the insurance industry, is proud to be the first woman in Florida to launch a AAA Entrepreneurial Agency of her own. “I’ve been working on this since October of last year,” Philena told the Chamber members in attendance. “I’m here to serve the community...and I’m not going anywhere.” AAA, which of course, was originally known as the company you turned to for roadside assistance, including “TripTik” maps, for its members, also sells a wide variety of insurance products, including auto, home, life, pet and umbrella policies. According to its website, AAA’s Entrepreneurial Agent (EA) Program “allows ambitious professionals to own and operate a branded, multi-line insurance and membership sales agency.” In addition to the aforementioned AAA coverages, as an independent agency, Philena said that the Worthington Agency is able to work with a network of other top insurance carriers, so it can offer a variety of coverage options
— including commercial (business) insurance, and added services that support your finances, travel and everyday needs — and tailor each of those solutions to each client’s individual needs. “At the Worthington Agency, we build insurance around people — not policies,” Philena said. “Our approach is straightforward: listen carefully, explain clearly and guide you with honesty every step of the way.” Philena and her licensed Worthington Agency agents Rodney Bueno (left in bottom photo) and Fareshta Majid (far right in same photo) were excited to be able to meet Chamber members at the ribbon-cutting event. For more information about the Worthington Agency, call (813) 454-7388 or visit Worthington.Agency.
24 For Advertising Information, Call 813-910-2575 • Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News • Volume 34, Issue 14 • July 7, 2026 • NeighborhoodNewsOnline.net
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Mercedes-Benz WC Celebrates The Opening Of Its Remodeled S.R. 56 Showroom! By Gary Nager All photos by Charmaine George
The Mercedes-Benz Wesley Chapel dealership has been open at 2383 Willow Oak Dr. (off S.R. 56, near I-75) since 2015, so why did the dealership host a North Tampa Bay Chamber ribbon-cutting event at the dealership on a rainy June 25? “Mercedes-Benz says we have to remodel the dealership every ten years,” said general manager Tom Schnelle, as he and his staff unveiled the showroom’s amazing renovations that took 14 months to complete. “We’re glad the Chamber and its members got to share this event with us.” The high-tech, beautiful luxury vehicles from Mercedes-Benz looked very much at home in the elegantly revamped showroom, and several Chamber members definitely showed interest in the vehicles. “That white convertible (far right photo) definitely caught my eye,” said NTBC president & CEO Hope Kennedy of the 2026 CLE Cabriolet. “I wasn’t thinking about a new car...until I got here!” For more info about Mercedes-Benz of Wesley Chapel, call (813) 2007788 or visit MBWesleyChapel.com & please tell them I sent you! — GN; photos by Charmaine George
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Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News • Volume 34, Issue 14 • July 7, 2026 • NeighborhoodNewsOnline.net • For Advertising Information, Call 813-910-2575
25
Pet Wants Cuts A North Tampa Bay Chamber Ribbon At The Hub At Lexington! By Gary Nager All photos by Charmaine George
We told you in our last issues that the new Pet Wants store had opened in The Hub at Lexington, and that it specializes in healthy pet food, treats and toys. Owned by Nickole Davis (with scissors; she previously owned All Good Things Gifts in the KRATE at The Grove container park) Pet Wants held a well-attended North Tampa Bay Chamber ribbon-cutting event on June 25, a few hours after Mercedes-Benz of Wesley Chapel cut a Chamber ribbon (see story on pg. 25). Yes, the people in attendance were great, but wow, the puppies! At least half a dozen dogs of different shapes, sizes and breeds were on hand, from a couple of long-haired dachshunds (below & right) to Sabrina, the golden retriever (bottom photo) who had no problem getting a quick rinse in the Pet Wants “spa.” The store is great, but Jannah says she’s glad that none of the visiting pups were for sale. For more info about Pet Wants at The Hub, call (813) 365-0704 or visit PetWantsWesleyChapel. com — and please tell Nicki I sent you!
26 For Advertising Information, Call 813-910-2575 • Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News • Volume 34, Issue 14 • July 7, 2026 • NeighborhoodNewsOnline.net
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27
Clean-It’s Celly De Freitas Provides Outstanding Home & Office Cleaning Services By Traviyon Bigby
Neighborhood News Correspondent Between demanding work schedules, children’s activities, and the endless responsibilities of everyday life, finding the time to keep a home spotless often falls to the bottom of the to-do list. While many homeowners strive to stay on top of it all, professional cleaning has become less of a luxury and more of a practical solution for creating a healthier, less stressful home. This perspective is reflected in the work of Clean-It, a local business dedicated to helping families in Wesley Chapel, New Tampa and surrounding areas feel better by providing professional home and office cleaning services. Behind Clean-It is a story rooted in opportunity, determination and a genuine passion for serving others. After relocating with her husband Rogerio from Brazil in 1998, Clean-it owner Celly De Freitas noticed something that was very common back home but far less common in the U.S. — professional residential cleaning services. Having always enjoyed cleaning and creating organized, welcoming spaces herself, Celly recognized an opportunity to fill a growing need. While Rogerio was temporarily working under a visa in the U.S. as an IT professional, Celly decided to make the most of her time here by offering cleaning services to families and eventually, small businesses in need of an extra helping hand. What began as a temporary endeavor soon evolved into something much greater. As she saw the demand for her cleaning services continue to grow, so did Celly’s vision for her business. Six years after moving here, she officially incorporated Clean-it, transforming a simple idea into a company built on hard work, trust and a commitment to helping clients enjoy cleaner, more comfortable homes. Today, that same hands-on approach remains at the heart of Clean-it. Rather than offering a one-size-fits-all service, Celly says, “We begin every client relationship with a complimentary in-home consultation. During the visit, I like to personally evaluate the space and listen to the client’s needs to recommend a cleaning plan tailored to their home and lifestyle.”
Celly De Freitas (right) and her crew at Clean-it provide excellent residential & commercial cleaning services for Wesley Chapel, New Tampa & surrounding areas. (Photos by Charmaine George)
Once that plan is in place, a team of two professional cleaners comes out to complete the service as often as you need it — from once a week to once a month or whatever you think you need.
the trust, commitment to quality and personalized service the company has built within the community. Celly says that some of her clients have continued to utilize Clean-it’s services for more than 25 years. One of those satisfied customers is AdriBonus: The Follow-Up anna Silva, who says she has relied on Clean-It What truly sets Clean-It apart isn’t simply for nearly three years after being referred by a the cleaning itself — it’s the follow-through. friend. She says consistency is what keeps her Instead of relying solely on employee reports coming back. of how a job went, Celly personally returns to “I’m always happy with the results,” inspect each completed job. Adrianna shares. “I appreciate the consisten“My goal is always to ensure that every detail meets my standards and, more importantly, that every client is completely satisfied,” she says. It’s this level of personal involvement that Celly believes separates her company from larger corporate cleaning services, where customers may never interact with the owner after scheduling an appointment and may not always get to work with the same cleaners. Clean-It offers a variety of residential services, including deep cleaning, recurring maintenance cleaning, move-in and move-out cleanings, post-construction cleanups and even pressure washing. While the company has expanded its services over the years, Celly says its growth has been driven almost entirely by referrals and word of mouth — a testament to
28 For Advertising Information, Call 813-910-2575 • Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News • Volume 34, Issue 14 • July 7, 2026 • NeighborhoodNewsOnline.net
cy — not only in the quality of the work, but also in the familiar faces who come to my home. They are professional, detail-oriented, efficient, and accommodating. You can tell Celly treats her staff very well because they’re always so happy. With them, you know it’s going to be done right.” Celly says that relationships like these are the true measure of success. “Building trust one home at a time has not only sustained the business, but has also created a loyal customer base that continues to
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recommend our services to family, friends and neighbors,” she says. Clean-it only has a few Google reviews, but they are all 5 stars, including a customer named Henry, who says, “Great prices for the quality and level to detail, trustworthy team, flexible schedule. Highly recommend!
Environmental Factors
Beyond providing a clean home, Celly also has witnessed a noticeable shift in what today’s homeowners value. Over the years, she says she has seen clients become increasingly health-conscious and more mindful of the products used in their homes, with many requesting natural, environmentally friendly alternatives to harsh chemicals. “Many people now prefer [that we use] products like vinegar or other eco-friendly alternatives,” Celly says, “because they want a home that’s not only clean but healthier for their families and pets.” For Celly, cleaning goes hand in hand with education. She encourages homeowners to replace their HVAC filters regularly, wash bed linens and towels regularly, and stay ahead of dust and allergens that can accumulate over time — especially in Florida’s warm, humid climate. She believes these small, consistent habits can make a meaningful difference in maintaining a healthier home, proving that a cleaning service can offer more than just spotless surfaces. It also can provide knowledge that helps families better care for the spaces they call home. “Our homes are our temples,” Celly says.
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“They’re our sacred places, and we have to take care of them.” For those searching for a professional cleaning company, Celly recommends choosing one that is insured, reputable, reliable and committed to quality. She encourages homeowners and business owners alike to ask about the products used, whether a post-clean inspection will take place after each visit, and whether the company trains its staff before they are hired. At Clean-It, every team member completes approximately two months of hands-on training to learn proper cleaning techniques and how to care for a variety of household surfaces before entering a client’s home. “A clean home starts with a well-trained team,” she says. And, as a naturalized U.S. citizen for 18 years herself, even though not all of Celly’s cleaners are fluent in English, they all understand English and Celly says, “Since I am the primary point of contact with every client, I always ensure that there is clear communication from the initial consultation through the final inspection.” As life becomes increasingly busy, Celly believes homeowners deserve more than just a clean house — they deserve peace of mind. Whether she’s educating clients about healthier cleaning habits or personally inspecting every completed job, her goal remains the same: help families (and businesses) spend less time worrying about cleaning and more time enjoying the place they call home. To obtain a free quote from Clean-it, call (813) 505-0431 or e-mail cleanitmc@ gmail.com. For more information, see the ad on page 54 of this issue.
Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News • Volume 34, Issue 14 • July 7, 2026 • NeighborhoodNewsOnline.net • For Advertising Information, Call 813-910-2575
29
The Topash Family Of Topash Painting — Trusted In Wesley Chapel For Almost 50 Years! By Mary Durbin
Neighborhood News Correspondent K.T. Topash and his son Cole provide quality painting services for the residents of New Tampa, Wesley Chapel and surrounding areas, continuing the Topash family’s almost50-year tradition. The company provides both interior and exterior painting for both residences and businesses. Paul Topash, K.T.’s father, started Paul Topash & Son in 1978. K.T. bought the company from Paul in 2009 and changed the company name to Topash Paining, LLC. Cole became part owner when he turned eighteen, and next month, he will have been painting with his dad for 10 years. K.T. has now been painting for 33 years. Rounding out the family staff is Hollie Topash, K.T.’s wife and Cole’s mother. Hollie manages all of the bookkeeping and other back-office responsibilities. Cole has two young sons who might end up being the fourth generation to join the business! While a lot has changed since the business started, K.T. and Cole still maintain the values and work ethics that keep their customers loyal. Typically, K.T. and Cole will be on the worksite together. Unlike some contractors, Topash does not use any subcontractors. K.T. says, “If we can’t do it with the two of us, we don’t do it.” In other words, you know who you are getting when you contract for the company’s services. Over the last few years, the State of Florida stopped requiring painting companies to be licensed. Pasco County currently still issues licenses to painting companies, but they are phasing out such licensing; and Hillsborough County has stopped issuing licenses to painting companies altogether. Cole says the reason for the change in the requirement is because the state licensing agency does not see painting — unlike roofing and other types of construction work— as a “crucial” service. Cole disagrees, however, saying “you can get water intrusion and all sorts of issues.” Not requiring the licenses does make it harder for potential customers to distinguish a truly professional painting company from the amateurs. We caught up with K.T. and Cole on a worksite at a home in the Quail Hollow area
of Wesley Chapel. The homeowner, Michele Florio Williams, is a long-time customer: Paul Topash painted for Michele’s mother, so Michele says: “I’ve grown up with the Topash family. I’ve known K.T. since he was a toddler. And then Cole was born so I have seen I have now seen three generations of Topashes.” As far as their work is concerned, Michele says, “They are my lifeline.” She adds: “Their personalities just get everybody in a good mood. It is not an ego thing with them. They are just like, ‘We have to get this done.’”
Sherwin Williams for cabinet refinishing. He says it has the feel of a factory finish, is hard and super-durable and comes in almost any color. K.T. adds, “We really focus on high-end paints, like Sherwin William’s Duration Line, for both interior and exterior jobs.” He adds, however, if a customer prefers an even more expensive paint, like Benjamin Moore, “We just charge the customer the difference.”
If It’s Not Broken, Don’t Fix It
The family’s strong work ethic and treat-
ing customers like family has resulted in a lot of customer loyalty and referrals. K.T. says, “being referred is the best complement for us.” Michele adds when contracting for other home services she also depends on the Topashes for referrals saying, “I don’t do anything without first asking K.T. who he knows.” Unlike most other painting companies, Topash Painting does not require an upfront deposit before starting a job, and only expects to be paid when the job has been completed to the customer’s satisfaction.
So, What’s New?
While Topash Painting continues to do jobs in both New Tampa and Wesley Chapel, the family moved to Brooksville in October of 2024. Hollie explains that, “It had nothing to do with the business. We just wanted to move somewhere that had land because we have horses and we wanted to have them in our own backyard.” She added, however, that K.T. and Cole are starting to get jobs near Brooksville, so she wants Neighborhood News readers to know that, if you know people in Hernando County, Topash Painting can now help them, too. As far as new products are concerned, Cole mentions that they are using a Gallery Series from
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K.T. (left) and Cole Topash of Topash Painting, LLC, are continuing a 50-year family tradition of providing quality exterior and interior residential and commercial painting. (Photos by Charmaine George)
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30 For Advertising Information, Call 813-910-2575 • Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News • Volume 34, Issue 14 • July 7, 2026 • NeighborhoodNewsOnline.net
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As K.T, says, “We don’t get paid until you’re happy.” And, although Topash Painting doesn’t ask for or have a lot of online reviews, the company has all 5-star ratings on Google and all “Recommended” reviews on Facebook, including customer Rachel R., who wrote: “Topash Painting did a great job on our house! They worked quickly and efficiently to do an incredible job.
We are so pleased with the outcome. Thank you so much! Highly recommend.” For estimates or appointments, K.T. requested that people call his cell phone (813) 810-1975, as the old office number must be rerouted and it may take longer to get back to you. You also can email topashpainting@ gmail.com. Or, search for “Topash Painting” on Facebook or see the ad on page 55.
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31
Aqua Works Plumbing Co. Promises To Deliver Honest, Professional Service By Jordan King
Neighborhood News Correspondent When you talk to Devin Jenkins, the owner of Aqua Works Plumbing Co.,, one thing becomes clear pretty quickly — this isn’t just a business to him. It’s personal. Aqua Works is still a relatively young company, only around four years old, and that has worked in the company’s favor. Instead of following “the way things have always been done,” Devin says that Aqua Works was built to do things better. Before starting his own company, Devin worked for larger plumbing companies and saw firsthand how customers were sometimes treated — and he didn’t like what he saw. “I saw things that just didn’t sit right with me,” he says. “And I knew it could be done better.” He adds that it was never about money, it was about how the work was being done and how people were being treated. With encouragement from his wife Lauren, Devin made the decision to step out on his own. At the time, he already had several years of experience — enough to understand the work, but still early enough in his career to question habits others had simply accepted. “You’re never going to know everything,” he explains. “Even guys who’ve been doing this for 50 years are still learning.” Now, with close to a decade of experience and a growing team, Devin says that Aqua Works Plumbing operates on one straightforward principle: do the job right and treat people fairly. “If I wouldn’t tell my Mom or Dad to do
Louis Cerillo, DDS
you avoid the issue than keep coming back for the same thing,” Devin says. The company’s work with tankless water heaters reflects that same approach. These systems have become more popular because they heat water as it’s needed instead of storing it, which helps reduce energy use and provides steady hot water. But, Devin makes sure customers understand both the benefits and the limitations before making a decision. “People hear ‘tankless’ and think it means instant everything,” he says. “Yes, it’s efficient, but you still need the right setup for it to work the way you expect.” One thing that sets Aqua Works apart is how transparent the company is with its customers. Plumbing can feel (Above) Owner Devin Jenkins (center) and plumbers Alan (left) and Dylan (right) of Aqua Works overwhelming, and Devin understands Plumbing Co. provide licensed plumbing services in Wesley Chapel, New Tampa & surrounding areas. (All photos supplied by Aqua Works Plumbing) that. Instead of asking people to just take his word for it, he shows them whenever something, I’m not going to tell a customer to untreated water will wear down plumbing syspossible. With sewer and drain work, camera tems. Seals break down, parts wear faster and do it,” Devin says. inspections are used so customers can see their issues keep coming back. That’s why, he adds, Aqua Works Plumbing handles everyhis plumbers will talk with homeowners about issues for themselves. “The video talks for me,” thing from everyday repairs to full plumbing Devin says. “So you don’t have to guess.” long-term solutions like filtration systems. system replacements. The company doesn’t Devin and his team regularly take the “Most plumbing problems come down to focus on quick fixes. Instead, Aqua Works’ time to explain whatever is happening, answer the water itself,” Devin says. plumbers focus on why the issue is happenquestions and walk customers through their Along with filtration systems, the coming in the first place. “If you’re just fixing the pany provides inspections, maintenance, sewer options. In some cases, Devin will even faucet or the toilet, you’re just treating the talk someone through a temporary fix over and drain work and water heater services. The symptoms,” Devin says. “You’ve got to ask the phone so they don’t have to pay for an goal, he says, is to help homeowners underwhy the problem is happening.” emergency visit. “If you can handle it yourself That way of thinking often leads back to stand how it all connects so they can prevent and it gets you through the night, I’ll tell you bigger problems later. something many homeowners don’t consider — water quality. Devin says that over time, “I’d rather explain it to you once and help how,” he says. “People remember that.”
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32 For Advertising Information, Call 813-910-2575 • Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News • Volume 34, Issue 14 • July 7, 2026 • NeighborhoodNewsOnline.net
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Devin stays closely involved in all aspects of the business. When you call, you’re often speaking directly with him. He manages scheduling, works in the field when needed and personally takes after-hours calls so his team doesn’t have to. “If the phone rings at night, it’s coming to me,” he says. “That’s part of owning it.” That hands-on approach reflects the family foundation of the company. Lauren manages the administrative side, and together they’ve built something that feels personal, not corporate. It also creates a level of accountability that customers notice. “I look in on every job,
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even if I’m not the one doing it,” Devin says. Devin doesn’t pretend to have all the answers, and he doesn’t expect his team to either. “Nobody’s ever going to say they know everything in this field,” he says. “You’re always learning.” That openness keeps the team focused on improving and doing things better rather than falling into routines that don’t serve customers well. Aqua Works currently holds a perfect 5-star rating across 247 Google reviews. One recent review by customer Chris S. captures that experience well: “Devin and his team were
great — even down a man, they were able to get someone out to [the] house [the] same day and diagnose the problem. I was then given a very thorough explanation with pictures to make sure I understood the nature of the problem. His team took care of all the fixes and communicated everything. Would heartily recommend them and would definitely use them again — very pleased with the results.” For homeowners looking for someone they can trust, Aqua Works offers both skill and a genuine level of care. As an added bonus, the company currently is offering a
promotion for Neighborhood News readers: Mention this story or the ad on pg. 37 ad and receive $25 off any plumbing service. Also included is a free sewer camera evaluation with any drain clearing, giving homeowners clear answers without extra cost. Aqua Works Plumbing is built on doing things the right way. And sometimes, that’s exactly what makes all the difference. For more information about Aqua Works Plumbing, call (813) 909-1670 (24 hours a day, 7 days a week), see the ad on page 37 or visit AquaWorksPC.com.
Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News • Volume 34, Issue 14 • July 7, 2026 • NeighborhoodNewsOnline.net • For Advertising Information, Call 813-910-2575
33
Compton & Smith — Caring Attorneys With Decades Of Family Law Experience By Celeste McLaughlin
Neighborhood News Correspondent Attorneys RaeAnn Compton and Todd Smith are the partners at Compton & Smith, P.A., in the New Tampa Professional Park (on Regents Park Dr., off Bruce B. Downs Blvd.,) near Pebble Creek. Their firm was established nearly a decade ago, in 2017, when the pair determined that their then-separate private practices might benefit from a partnership between the two. “We used to face off in court all the time,” Todd recalls with a smile. “Eventually, we got tired of roughing each other up and decided to sit down for lunch. That’s when we realized how well we’d work together.” Both attorneys bring decades of experience to the table, along with deep roots in the local area. RaeAnn, who grew up in Dade City, earned her Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in political science from St. Leo University and her Juris Doctor (J.D., or Law) degree from Stetson University College of Law in DeLand. She passed the Florida Bar in 2000. After three years as an assistant state attorney, RaeAnn opened her private practice in Pebble Creek in 2003. Todd’s path started in Jacksonville, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts (B.A) degree in history from the University of North Florida and his J.D. degree from the Florida Coastal School of Law, also in Jacksonville. He passed
RaeAnn Compton (above) and Todd Smith (photo on next page) are the experienced attorney partners at Compton & Smith, P.A., which has an office in the New Tampa Professional Park (off Bruce B. Downs Blvd.) in New Tampa’s Pebble Creek community. (Photos on these pages by Charmaine George)
the Florida Bar in 2001. Like RaeAnn, Todd began his career as an assistant state attorney before branching into private practice and, eventually, to partnering with RaeAnn. Compton & Smith, P.A., is primarily a family law office, providing legal services for people going through divorce and related challenges, including custody, visitation, child
support, modifications, and paternity issues. In addition, the partners handle cases in criminal defense – specifically misdemeanors, felonies and DUIs, as well as personal injury cases, especially involving auto accidents. “We’re very client-focused,” RaeAnn says, “and we’re both from this area, so each case is not just another case. We both care a lot about
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our clients, and I think that’s very important.” She says they build relationships with their clients that last for years, sometimes decades. They enjoy when clients share pictures of how their families have grown, and especially when they have the opportunity to serve people who have been referred to them from someone who was happy with the service they received at Compton & Smith. “This isn’t just where we work,” RaeAnn says. “It’s where we live, where we’ve raised our families and where we’re deeply invested.” RaeAnn has lived in Wesley Chapel since 2007 with her husband Jeff. They have two adult children, Jessica and Hunter. Todd lives in Dade City with his wife Lisa. They have three children, Avery, Kendall, and Colton. “We’ve both lived in this [general] area for years,” he says. “We have deep roots in the area and care about what happens to the families around us — because our families are among them.” Yolanda Darbyshire is a mom who lives in Seven Oaks who has been a client of RaeAnn’s as she has been dealing with issues related to her divorce and custody for nearly 10 years. “We’ve had so many different things that have happened,” Yolanda says, “but she’s been great about following through on all of them.” Yolanda describes RaeAnn as “really fair,” explaining that, “She’s aggressive when she
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needs to be, but she’s also very realistic. She doesn’t over-promise and is realistic about outcomes, so you’re not spending a lot of unnecessary time and money.” Yolanda says she’s seen firsthand how RaeAnn has earned people’s respect over the many years she’s been practicing law. “When we had to deal with mediators and judges and the supporting legal community, I could tell they had a strong relationship with her,” Yolanda explains. “I could see that she was well respected.” For anyone who may be concerned that it would be hard to talk to an attorney, Yolanda
was evident as she helped him navigate the relationship with his ex during their divorce and custody issues. “It was her knowledge and expertise and good advice that guided me in how to talk with and respond to my ex,” he says. And when his case went to trial, he says RaeAnn’s character was evident. “She’s very smart, very professional,” he says, “and she doesn’t get flustered at all.” While each client primarily works with one attorney, RaeAnn says they all benefit from the expertise of both lawyers. “Todd and I work on almost every case together,” RaeAnn explains. “Clients might meet with one of us at first, but behind the scenes, we’re both looking at everything. We challenge each other, play devil’s advocate and walk into court with multiple perspectives.” They also are intentional to remember the people behind each case. says RaeAnn would put them right at ease “In family law,” Todd with her approachable manner. says, “it’s not just about “She’s really easy to talk to and very down winning. It’s about helping to earth,” Yolanda says. “She’s also confident people get to a better place. and no-nonsense.” It’s always a challenging Pedro Rodriguez, a Wesley Chapel and emotional area, one resident who lives in River Landing, is another that requires both legal client of the firm’s who credits RaeAnn with knowledge and emotional helping him navigate an incredibly difficult intelligence. It also requires divorce. “She was so responsive, and worked thinking outside the box.” with me throughout the process,” Pedro says. Todd and RaeAnn say “She told me what to do and what not to do, that the firm’s small size and she got the outcome I wanted.” allows them to form oneHe says RaeAnn’s extensive experience on-one relationships with
their clients, ensuring each client gets both their personal attention and legal expertise for the best possible outcomes. “We’re a small firm,” she says. “I’ve always maintained a very busy office, but I’ve always kept it small, and I like it that way.” Todd agrees. “We’ve thought about adding associates,” he says, “but our biggest concern is whether someone else would treat the cases with the same care we do. Both of our names are on the door, and that means everything.” Compton & Smith, P.A., is located at 8905 Regents Park Dr., Suite 210, in the New Tampa Professional Park located near Pebble Creek. To schedule a free consultation, call (813) 994-2026. For more information, visit ComptonAndSmith.com or see the ad on page 41.
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Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News • Volume 34, Issue 14 • July 7, 2026 • NeighborhoodNewsOnline.net • For Advertising Information, Call 813-910-2575
35
Seven Oaks Dentistry & Sleep Medicine — 20 Years Of Privately Owned Care! By Jordan King
Neighborhood News Correspondent When you walk into Seven Oaks Dentistry & Sleep Medicine in the Seven Oaks Professional Park, it feels different right away. It isn’t rushed or impersonal. Instead, it’s built around connection. As Dr. Lee Daniels, DMD, explains, “We’re not really in the dental business. We’re in the people business. We just happen to fix teeth.” That mindset has guided his practice in Wesley Chapel, creating a place where patients feel known rather than processed. Dr. Daniels opened his practice in 2006, long before Wesley Chapel became what it is today. He was drawn to the area’s potential and strong sense of community, where he has built a practice that has grown alongside the families it serves. Many of those same families still return today. “I’ve been treating some of the same patients for 20 years,” he says. “I’ve seen their kids grow up. That consistency matters.” And, he says he is proud to own one of the only privately-owned dental offices remaining in this area. Dr. Daniels received his undergraduate degree at Washington & Jefferson College in Washington, PA, where he majored in Biology. He then earned his Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) degree from the University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine in Pittsburgh, PA. He is Board-certified and an active member of the American Dental Association, Florida Dental Association and Seattle Study Club. Dr. Daniels practices as a general and family dentist, with additional focus on restorative, cosmetic, and sleep-related care. “If you love what you do, it’s not work,” he shares. “I love being a healer and teacher.” That approach carries throughout the practice, including surgical dentistry associate Dr. Shivani Butala, DDS, whose background in international training and clinical research supports her passion for improving both health and confidence through dentistry. In addition to performing surgical procedures, Dr. Butala also provides comprehensive dental care alongside Dr. Daniels. She received a Bachelor’s degree in Dental Surgery in India before earning a Master of Science (M.S.) degree in Clinical Research from Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, OH. She
(Above) The friendly, professional staff at Seven Oaks Dentistry & Sleep Medicine is led by general & family dentist Dr. Lee Daniels (in white coat). Dental surgery associate Dr. Shivani Butala is to Dr. Daniels’ right (in black coat). (All photos on these pages by Charmaine George)
earned her Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from Indiana University School of Dentistry in Indianapolis, IN. Dr. Daniels believes consistency is everything. “In my office, you’re not just a number,” he says. “We take pride in giving you comfort and excellence, not just in your dental care, but in how you’re treated as a person.” And, from the practice’s four hygienists to the front office team, that emphasis remains the same. Seven Oaks Dentistry & Sleep Medicine currently holds a near-perfect 4.9-star rating across 959 Google reviews. One recent reviewer, Jayden H., shared, “From the moment I arrived at Seven Oaks Dentistry & Sleep Medicine, everything was smooth and welcoming. The staff were incredibly friendly and professional, and the dentist took the time to explain every step of my appointment. I appreciated how thorough the cleaning was and how comfortable I felt during the brief consultation about sleep apnea. I left feeling confident about my oral health and grateful for the caring team. Highly recommended! Truly a world-class dentistry experience.” Seven Oaks Dentistry & Sleep Medicine offers a wide range of services under one roof, including cleanings, preventive care, crowns, bridges, implants and even orthodontics. The practice also uses modern technology to make
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visits more comfortable and efficient. Digital scanning has replaced traditional impressions, making visits faster and more comfortable. “We haven’t taken impressions in years,” Dr. Daniels says. “Patients love it — it’s faster, more accurate, and just a better experience.” Three-dimensional imaging allows the team to see a complete picture of a patient’s teeth, jaw, and airway, leading to more precise treatment planning. While the practice’s name now highlights sleep medicine after a rebranding in 2021,
it’s not new to Dr. Daniels — he has been offering sleep medicine in this area for nearly 20 years. He helps patients understand how the mouth and airway affect sleep and overall health, and he has completed advanced training in dental sleep medicine to help patients with sleep apnea. “A lot of people don’t even know where sleep apnea happens,” he says. “They think of the lungs or throat, but it actually happens in the mouth.” He adds that, “sleep apnea isn’t just snoring. If it goes untreated, it can lead to serious
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health issues like heart disease, high blood pressure, fatigue and even increased risk of stroke.” For those who find CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) machines uncomfortable or difficult to use, the practice offers custom oral appliances that gently reposition the jaw to keep the airway open during sleep. Each appliance is custom-made to fit the individual patient, ensuring both comfort and effectiveness. “Nobody really likes wearing a CPAP,” Dr. Daniels says. “They’re bulky, hard to travel with, and limit how you can sleep. An oral appliance is simple and allows you to move naturally.” Seven Oaks Dentistry & Sleep Medicine also places an emphasis on early airway and dental development in children. By identifying potential concerns early — often as young as
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at age four — proper growth is encouraged. “We don’t believe in waiting until everything is crowded and then fixing it,” Dr. Daniels states. “We want to guide growth so the teeth come in the way they’re supposed to.” This approach can reduce the need for more extensive orthodontics later in life. And, even though neither dentist is an orthodontist, for teens and adults interested in straightening their teeth, the practice offers CandidPro clear aligners. The system uses remote monitoring, allowing patients to complete many check-ins from home instead of making frequent office visits, which is especially helpful for busy families. At the core of everything at Seven Oaks Dentistry & Sleep Medicine is a simple belief about health. Dr. Daniels emphasizes that
good sleep, proper airway function, and oral health all play a role in long-term wellness. “We like to treat the root cause, not just the symptoms,” he said. “When people sleep better, they function better.” Seven Oaks also works to make care accessible by accepting most dental insurance plans and offering additional options like in-house plans and third-party financing. Early-morning appointments give patients the option to come in before work and start their day without interruption. After two decades in Wesley Chapel, Dr. Daniels has seen both the community and the dental industry change. “Private dentistry is still alive here,” he says. “You can still come [a dental office] where you’re known, cared for, and where
there’s consistency.” That message resonates with patients looking for something more personal from their dentist in a fast-growing area where corporate options are becoming more common. As Dr. Daniels puts it, “We care about you. Not just your teeth, but you.” Seven Oaks Dentistry & Sleep Medicine, located at 2112 Ashley Oaks Cir., is hosting a special Clear Aligners event on Wednesday, August 5, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Guests can enjoy complimentary appetizers, drinks and raffle prizes, along with exclusive event-only pricing. The event will also include free whitening and free retainers for anyone making a same-day commitment. For more info, call (813) 710-6921, visit DentistWesleyChapel. com or see the ad on pg. 52.
Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News • Volume 34, Issue 14 • July 7, 2026 • NeighborhoodNewsOnline.net • For Advertising Information, Call 813-910-2575
37
Running Great Automotive — Nearly 30 Years Of Keeping Your Vehicles Running Great! By Celeste McLaughlin
Neighborhood News Correspondent For nearly three decades, Running Great Automotive on N. Nebraska Ave (just south of Skipper Rd.) has been run by Glen Yudman. Since 1997, when he purchased the auto repair shop, Glen has been working to build a reputation for honesty and reliability. These days, his sons Robby and Danny work alongside him every day at the shop. Glen’s wife Barbi helps with the books, too, making it a truly family-run business. “We’ve been telling our friends and neighbors about Glen for 25 years now,” says Hunter’s Green resident Al Frick. “He is very dependable and very honest. Running Great has great mechanics and is very affordable.” Al says that over the years, he’s often taken his cars in with something he thought might be a serious problem, and received good news about a minor, inexpensive fix instead. “They have turned down many opportunities to sell us a few extra parts,” Al says. While Running Great is his go-to shop, it’s not the only place Al has taken his cars. For example, when he bought a new car, the dealer offered free oil changes, so Al took advantage of the offer. “I went to the dealer for the free oil change, and they gave me a list of four things that ‘needed to be done’ that would add up to $900,” he says. “I told them, ‘Let me think about it.’” Al then took his car and the estimate to
(L.-r.) Glen, Danny & Robby Yudman of Running Great Automotive, located on N. Nebraska Ave. in North Tampa, which provides everything from simple oil changes to body work following an accident. (All photos on these pages by Charmaine George)
Running Great, where he was told none of the four repair items were necessary. “In fact, the mechanic pulled the air filter out of the car and showed it to me,” Al says, “and it was almost brand new.” At Running Great, as an independently-owned, neighborhood automotive center, there are no sales commissions, no quotas and no dealer prices.
“We don’t follow any franchise rules. No one works on commission here,” Glen says. “Nobody out in the shop is going to profit by saying you need something you don’t. Whether you buy new brakes or you don’t, it’s all the same to the mechanic.” As a NAPA-certified auto care center, any repairs done at Running Great use NAPA’s better quality parts and have a nationwide
guarantee. Glen says that means if you take a road trip or move, if something fails, those parts will be fixed at no cost to you. He adds that he will get parts from dealers when needed, but even if the parts aren’t from NAPA, the work is still guaranteed and can be repaired at no cost at any NAPA-certified repair shop. In fact, Running Great has recently become Napa Gold Certified, which is an elite distinction meaning the shop meets high criteria standards for service quality and professionalism, and can offer the best parts and repairs warranty available — up to 36 months and 36,000 miles. A staff of 11 handles automobile maintenance and repairs at Running Great, from oil changes to brake service to new tires and more, including full maintenance and repairs for classic cars. An additional six employees provide services in the body shop. Many of the shop’s employees are longterm, including Chris Bach, a certified Master Mechanic by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE). He has been working at the location for nearly 35 years, starting out before Glen owned the shop, when Nebraska Ave. was just a two-lane road and the shop was called Mad Hatter Mufflers, Brakes & Transmissions. Other technicians have worked at Running Great for 10 years or longer, which is something else that sets it apart from franchise or dealer shops. “We’ve seen the same few mechanics for
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almost as long as we’ve been going there,” Al says. “That seems to be very unusual in the auto repair business. It shows Glen’s loyalty to his team, and since he’s taking care of his workers, the workers in turn are very concerned about making sure we’re taken care of, too.” Running Great also has expanded its tire lines, keeping many brands on-site in a large warehouse behind the shop. “This allows us to provide you with the best brands and prices on tires,” Glen says. He also says the key to keeping your car in tip-top shape is regular oil changes. Being in Florida, oil gets really hot, so it’s important to change it every 3,000 miles for conventional oil and every 5,000 miles for synthetic oil. When you bring your car to Running Great, your oil change also will include a complimentary vehicle inspection. “If you go to the quick oil change places, they don’t usually care if your steering is about to fall off or if you have a bald tire,” Glen says. “Most are not trained to look.” He says his customers tell him all the time that they’re surprised that the people at an oil change place didn’t tell them about problems with their brakes or other systems, but Glen emphasizes that’s not what a quick oil change place is in business to do. And, he advises, if your brakes make any noise other than just a squeak, get someone to look at them right away. “The longer you wait,” he says, “the more it will cost you.” Glen promises the same honest, personalized service in the body shop. The staff in the body shop includes Terry Hasse, who has been in the body business for more than 30 years as a certified estimator. Terry deals directly with all insurance company claims. Glen recommends that you never pay out of pocket if your car needs body work after an accident. “Always go through your insurance,” he says. “Otherwise, you won’t get a rental. And, if someone else agrees to pay for your repairs, they aren’t going to pay more if we find something else wrong. But, the insurance company will.” Running Great uses a computer matching system for paint that has a camera with an eye that goes up against the body of the car to match the color. If it’s not perfect, the body shop can make adjustments based on what they see. Glen’s auto body employees will tint the paint on site so adjustments can be made as needed. Drivers who have been in an accident have the right to take their car to any body shop they choose, so even if the insurance company recommends a specific shop, you don’t have to go there. Neighborhood News
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Al says when he started taking his cars to Running Great 25 years ago, there wasn’t a lot in New Tampa, so Running Great was one of the closest shops to go to. Now, he says, he drives past any number of tire shops, but is happy to go a little bit out of his way. “We’ve found Glen consistently to be looking out for our best interests,” says Al. “Both of his sons, Danny and Robby, are just like him. There have been times where Glen isn’t there and they treat us exactly the same way, with good workmanship, good integrity and reasonable prices.” Running Great Auto (14513 N. Nebraska Ave.) is open Monday-Friday, 7:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m., with some pickups available on Saturday. For more information, call (813) 971-0642, visit RunningGreatAuto. com or see the ad on pg. 55.
Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News • Volume 34, Issue 14 • July 7, 2026 • NeighborhoodNewsOnline.net • For Advertising Information, Call 813-910-2575
39
Giovanni’s Flooring, Kitchen & Bath — A Family Tradition Of Quality Remodeling By Jordan King
Neighborhood News Correspondent
For more than two decades, Giovanni’s Flooring, Kitchen & Bath has built its reputation on a simple idea: specializing in just three services and doing them all well. With the company’s main office and showroom located in the Target-anchored Northwoods shopping center on Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd. in Wesley Chapel and its original location in the Trinity area of New Port Richey, Giovanni’s focuses on flooring and kitchen and bathroom remodeling. Although owner Giovanni Gocaj is a licensed contractor qualified to perform many types of construction work, he says the company’s success comes from sticking to what it knows best. “We choose to do only three things — flooring, kitchens and baths,” Giovanni says. “When you do the same job every day, you’re going to be good at it.” The business dates back to 2004, when Giovanni’s father, Luk Gocaj, opened the family’s first flooring store in Trinity after immigrating from Albania. Today, the company remains family-ownedand-operated, with Luk still working alongside Giovanni and other family members on projects throughout the Tampa Bay area. “My brothers, cousins, father and I all work together,” he says. For Giovanni, that family involvement is one of the things that separates the company from many of its competitors. Rather than hiring subcontractors, Giovanni’s Flooring, Kitchen & Bath uses its own employees on every project. “We don’t do subcontractors,” Giovanni
(Above) Owner Giovanni Gocaj of Giovanni’s Flooring, Kitchen & Bath, which has a showroom in the Target-anchored Northwoods shopping center on BBD Blvd. (Photo by Charmaine George) (Right) The bathroom of your dreams is closer than you think! (Next page) Before & After photos of kitchen & bath remodeling projects completed by Giovanni’s. (Photos provided by Giovanni Gocaj) workmanship and smoothsays. “I’d rather wait to start a job than bring in er experiences for the company’s customers. somebody I don’t know. My crews have been When you visit the Giovanni’s showwith me for a long time.” room on BBD, you will find much more than He also says that having dedicated crews helps keep his pricing competitive. And, because just flooring samples. In addition to helping employees work in the same specialty every day, homeowners select materials, Giovanni and his staff also offer interior design consulting services projects often move faster and more efficiently. “I can compete with anybody on price,” he to help tie an entire room together. Whether a customer is updating a single room or tackling says. “My guys know exactly what they’re doing a full kitchen or bathroom renovation, the team when they get to the job site.” assists with everything from color selection and The same approach applies in the field. Flooring crews handle only flooring installations, floor coverings to furniture, lighting, fabrics, wallpaper and window treatments. Giovanni kitchen crews focus on kitchens and bathroom crews focus on baths. Giovanni believes that this says, “The goal is to create spaces that not only look good but also reflect the personalities and higher level of specialization results in better
40 For Advertising Information, Call 813-910-2575 • Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News • Volume 34, Issue 14 • July 7, 2026 • NeighborhoodNewsOnline.net
lifestyles of the people who live in them.” The showroom features a wide range of flooring options, including hardwood, laminate, carpet, tile and Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP), which has become increasingly popular because of its durability and waterproof qualities. Customers can browse products from major manufacturers such as Armstrong, Bruce, Tarkett, Beaulieu and Columbia, as well as higher-end brands like Mirage, Indus Parquet and Robbins. Giovanni’s also installs and refinishes hardwood flooring, repairs damaged wood floors, and can update staircases with new treads, risers and finishes. Kitchen and bathroom remodeling projects are equally comprehensive. Giovanni’s provides
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Before
cabinetry, countertops, backsplashes, sinks, faucets, vanities, showers, tile surrounds and other fixtures needed to complete a renovation from start to finish. The company works with you to coordinate layouts, materials and finishes, helping transform outdated rooms into spaces that are both functional and visually appealing. For bathroom remodels, many customers look to create spa-like retreats that bring comfort and relaxation into their homes. “Every house is different,” Giovanni explains. “Not everybody has the same layout or the same colors. We look at what they already have and help plan everything around their home.” He says design mistakes tend to happen when homeowners rush through the process. In some cases, improving a space requires more than simply replacing materials. “We might open up a wall or change the layout because it blocks the view of
the kitchen,” he says. “You have to visualize how everything is going to work together.” Communication remains a major part of every project. Giovanni says either he or a manager visits active job sites each day to monitor progress, answer questions and stay in touch with homeowners. “When we start a job, we’re there every day until it’s done,” Giovanni says. “I hear from customers all the time who had contractors start projects and never come back. We don’t do that.” The company also backs all of its work (including remodeling jobs) with a lifetime warranty, offering additional peace of mind long after a project is completed. Before any project is wrapped up, the company conducts a final walkthrough. And, Giovanni’s customers appear to appreciate that approach. Between the Wesley Chapel and
After
Trinity locations, Giovanni’s Flooring, Kitchen & Bath has earned a combined 4.85-star rating across more than 170 Google reviews. In a recent 5-star review of the Wesley Chapel showroom, Dorothy H. wrote, “From start to finish, my experience with Giovanni’s was outstanding. The team went above and beyond to guide me through the flooring selection process, helping me find the perfect style and material to fit both my space and budget. They were patient, knowledgeable, and transparent every step of the way...I highly recommend Giovanni’s to anyone looking for expert guidance, great products, and top-notch service. Thank you for making this such a smooth and rewarding experience!” Growth remains on the horizon as well. Along with its Wesley Chapel and Trinity showrooms, Giovanni says he would eventually
like to add a third showroom somewhere in the Riverview/Bloomingdale area. For now, however, the focus remains on the same values that have guided the business since the beginning: family, craftsmanship and personalized service. “If there’s one thing I want people to know,” Giovanni says, “it’s that we’re familyowned and family-operated. That’s what makes us different.” Giovanni’s Flooring, Kitchen & Bath is located at 1285 BBD Blvd., Wesley Chapel. Be sure to check out the company’s social media pages, Facebook.com/giovanniflooring or Instagram.com/giovanniflooringstore. For more information, see the ad on pg. 51, call (813) 461-8686, visit FlooringForFlorida.com, or stop by the showroom to explore your flooring, kitchen and bath remodeling options.
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Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News • Volume 34, Issue 14 • July 7, 2026 • NeighborhoodNewsOnline.net • For Advertising Information, Call 813-910-2575
41
Welcome To New Grill At Morris Bridge Executive Chef Zach Thorpe By Gary Nager All photos by Charmaine George
You have to hand it to Frank Gouveia, the owner of The Grill at Morris Bridge, which has been one of my two favorite restaurants in New Tampa since it first opened back in late 2021. The restaurant has gone through several chef changes — including losing the most recent chef Mike Touranjoe, who left to become a top chef at a cruise line — but Frank seems to have no problem finding outstanding new talent to lead the restaurant’s culinary team. The latest case in point is new Executive Chef Zach Thorpe (at right in top right photo, with Frank), who moved to the Tampa Bay area from Phoenix, AZ, five years ago. Zach was most recently a sous chef at Caretta on The Gulf at the Sandpearl Resort in Clearwater and he says he is excited for his first opportunity to be an Executive Chef. “What appeals to me most at The Grill is the chance to use my creativity,” Zach says. “I feel like menu changes are necessary. I look forward to putting my mark on this restaurant in a good way and hope everyone will love my food and the atmosphere we try to create here at The Grill.” He adds that his favorite cuisine types are both Southern and Southwestern American. “Currently, my favorite items to make off the menu are the shrimp scampi and the ribeye steak,” he says, but he also is already using his creativity on a constantly-changing “Chef’s Features” menu. On our most recent visit, Jannah, photographer Charmaine George and I were able to sample three of those Chef’s Features — and we’re hoping that all three will stay on the menu. We started our meal with Chef Zach’s refreshing and tasty Watermelon Salad (top left), which combined slices of seedless fresh watermelon, spring mix, pickled Fresno chiles, a slightly sweet blueberry compote, feta cheese, pepita (pumpkin) seeds and a delicate white balsamic vinaigrette. We all also loved the blackened chicken linguine (below), which had roasted tomatoes, peas, bacon and a light Alfredo sauce that was creamy the Italian way, without being loaded with heavy cream. The blackened
chicken had just the right amount of spice, too. My favorite of the specials was the braised lamb shank (below right) which was topped with a rich, savory and slightly sweet port wine reduction and the tastiest, crispiest yucca frites I’ve sampled and fresh broccoli. The lamb was so tender you barely needed a knife to cut it. I’m also hoping that the crispy pork belly with sweet potato purée, bourbon caramel sauce and candied pecans and the lump blue crab cake (with charred lemon aji Amarillo aioli, jicama, Kohirabi slaw and scallions) will either both be added to the regular menu or at least stick around long enough for us to try them. But, speaking of seafood (and the regular menu), Charmaine also was able to sample the seafood risotto (bottom right), which included large shrimp, scallops and a lobster claw, in a lobster cream sauce and micros greens. Charmaine said the seafood was “perfect” and she loved the overall flavor of the risotto. And, even though we all already loved several of The Grill’s famous “Southshore Bar Pizzas,” we tried one we hadn’t had before — the spicy “New Bedford” pizza (upper left photo on page 46), which was topped with hot chicken, onions, scallions and spicy peri-peri sauce. If you’re a beer lover, this super-crisp-crusted New England-style beauty is a perfect complement to a Sam Adams seasonal draft or any of The Grill’s other draft, bottled or canned beers. See “Grill at Morris Bridge” on page 44.
42 For Advertising Information, Call 813-910-2575 • Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News • Volume 34, Issue 14 • July 7, 2026 • NeighborhoodNewsOnline.net
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43
‘Grill At Morris Bridge’ Continued from pg. 42
Speaking of great bar-friendly food, if you want to watch a World Cup soccer match, The Grill’s bar (right) is a great place to talk “futbol” with other local fans and enjoy an order of crispy grouper bites, mushroom arancini (rice balls) or one of the menu’s many great “Handhelds,” from a ground brisket, short rib and chuck smash burger to a fried, blackened or Nashville hot chicken sandwich to an excellent shaved ribeye sandwich (far right), which is topped with caramelized onions and Swiss cheese on an amoroso roll and served with au jus for dipping. And, The Grill also has more upscale regular menu items, like the seared Florida grouper (bottom left), served on a bed of goat
cheese and pea risotto, with a confit of baby vegetables. The Grill’s fresh fish and the filet mignon and NY strip steaks have always been among mine and Jannah’s favorites in the area and the prime rib (available Fri.-Sun. only) also is extremely tender and seasoned just right. Other favorite menu items of ours at The Grill include the meatballs and the spinach & artichoke dip “Shareables,” the New England clam chowder, the grilled Caesar salad and the braised beef short ribs in cabernet demi-glace. If you’re craving dessert, we’re still partial to the Chef ’s cheesecake, but we tried the bourbon-glazed chocolate chip bread pudding (bottom right) and even though I’ve never been the biggest bread pudding fan, it was delightfully dense, not overly sweet and topped with house-made bourbon glaze, a streusel swirl and a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Truly delish! Jannah absolutely loves The Grill’s sparkling French (with Grey Goose vodka, Chambord, LaMarca prosecco and pineapple juice) and strawberry basil martinis and, of course, not only does The Grill have my Jameson, but on this most recent visit, I tried a super-smooth Dunbrody Irish whiskey and will almost definitely be enjoying it on my
next visit to the Grill, too. We don’t usually drink wine when we visit The Grill, but I firmly believe Frank, who was previously in the wine distribution business, has assembled the largest and best wine list in the area, with more Italian reds (Barolos, a Brunello, etc.), California pinot noirs and chardonnays and sparkling options than you’ll find anywhere in New Tampa or Wesley Chapel. And, The Grill’s wine dinners are legendary and always sell out, so keep your eyes peeled or call to reserve your spot at the next one! Or, to elevate your next event, call Frank about The Grill’s catering. The Grill at Morris Bridge (10920 Cross Creek Blvd.) is open every day for dinner, and for brunch/lunch and dinner on Sat. and Sun. For more info, call (813) 388-5353, visit TheGrillatMorrisBridge.com, see the ad on pg. 51 or email Frank at info@thegrillatmorrisbridge.com.
44 For Advertising Information, Call 813-910-2575 • Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News • Volume 34, Issue 14 • July 7, 2026 • NeighborhoodNewsOnline.net
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1916 Irish Pub Opens In Former Beef O’Brady’s Location On WC Blvd. By Gary Nager All photos by Charmaine George
Although it doesn’t look that different inside (photo on next page) from the Beef O’Brady’s that it has now replaced — and you can still see the outline of the Beef’s sign outside — the 1916 Irish Pub we first told you about last issue is now open at 27315 Wesley Chapel Blvd. (at Old Pasco Rd.), in the Towne Centre at Wesley Chapel plaza that had long been home to Winn-Dixie. And yes, 1916 is an upgrade over Beef’s menu-wise, at least in one editor’s opinion. Owner Chuck Jamieson, who also owns 1916 Irish Pub locations in Brandon, Plant City and Lakeland, says that his goal was always to create an Irish pub with an upgraded menu — he also owns Second Plate Catering — and Jannah, photographer Charmaine George and I agree that he is already achieving that goal. To date, we’ve sampled three of 1916’s Irish favorites and we all gave them thumbs up — the haddock fish & chips (bottom right), the Rebel’s Reuben (tasty corned beef, sauerkraut, melted Swiss cheese and house-made Thousand Island dressing; top right) and my favorite of the three, the Irish stew in a garlicky sourdough bread bowl (top left). The stew has marinated braised beef, slow-cooked in red wine, Guinness and house
brand demi-glace, with celery, carrots and onions and topped with creamy mashed potatoes. The regular and parmesan fries and tater tots were all served extra-crispy and were definitely addictive. But, perhaps our favorite dishes so far have been the bruschetta appetizer (the melted mozzarella was a unique touch; below left), the Irish Lamb Jam (a tasty take on a traditional gyro sandwich, not pictured) and the crisp-crusted meat lover’s flatbread (also not pictured). 1916 has a full-liquor bar and lots of beers on tap, plus different specials every day — from $6.99 burgers on Monday to Trivia and $6.99 wings on Wed. and $3 mimosas for Sat. & Sun. brunch — and Chuck says there will soon be more entertainment, including (maybe) live bands and karaoke. “We want to be your neighborhood hangout,” he says. “Come give us a try!” For more info, call (813) 991-4747 or visit 1916IrishPub.com.
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Say ‘Arrivederci’ To Johnny C’s & ‘Ciao’ To Bella Roma New York Pizza! By Gary Nager All photos by Charmaine George
I was, at first, truly sad to hear that Erik Ravenna, the owner/chef of Johnny C’s Italian Eatery (located at 10970 Cross Creek Blvd., at Morris Bridge Rd.) had sold the restaurant. But, now that I’ve had a chance to sample a lot of the menu at the new location of Bella Roma NY Pizza, the Italian restaurant and pizzeria that has replaced Johnny C’s, I have to say that, so far, I’m impressed. First of all, Bella Roma’s pizza (top left photo) is definitely much more NY-style. The crisp, thin crust, sauce and cheese are all spot-on and the pepperoni is legit. The more Neapolitan-style margherita pizza (below) has a slightly different crust, but Chef Jimmy’s homemade tomato sauce on the margherita is more of a garlicky Grandma’s-style and is just so tasty. We also loved the done-to-perfection fried zucchini appetizer (2nd from top, far right), which has a thinner marinara dipping sauce but again...yum. We substituted penne for the spaghetti that usually comes with the housemade meatballs (3rd from top) and the pasta was served properly al denté and the meatballs were tender and terrific. We also loved the wings (not pictured). We ordered them with no sauce on them, and with teriyaki sauce on the side. We also agreed that the wine sauce on the cut-it-with-a-fork chicken Marsala (also not pictured) was excellent, but my favorite entrée was definitely the veal parmigiana (bottom right). The veal has a wonderfully crispy breading that didn’t wilt under the fresh marinara and mozzarella and
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was incredibly tender. I savored every bite, as most Italian restaurants and pizza places in our area don’t even serve “vitello,” which always makes me sad. I have no doubt that Bella Roma will now be my new go-to for veal locally. Charmaine also loved the shrimp scampi (not pictured) and Jannah also enjoyed Bella Roma’s huge portion of lasagna. The bruschetta appetizer could have used crisper toast points and a little more balsamic drizzle and the meatball parmigiana sandwich would have been even better if the sub roll was properly baked in the oven. The chocolate (below) and regular cannolis were both very good, too. Bella Roma has a huge menu that needs to be explored even more. But, Marko, the owner, who also has a successful South Tampa location, and Chef Jimmy are off to a flying start so far! For more info about Bella Roma NY Pizza, or to place an online order, visit BellaRomaNYPizza2.com. Or, call (813) 278-8020 & please tell them I sent you!
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50 For Advertising Information, Call 813-910-2575 • Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News • Volume 34, Issue 14 • July 7, 2026 • NeighborhoodNewsOnline.net
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Independently owned by brothers Frank & James Gouveia, The Grill at Morris Bridge will feature an ever-changing menu created by Executive Chef Daniel Friley. Featuring a 250-bottle wine list with carefully selected bottles starting at $25 while also featuring some iconic wineries from around the world, plus craft cocktails, a premium full-liquor bar and a curated beer list. The Grill is open for dinner seven nights a week d n e p S and for lunch Wednesday through Sunday, u o Y When ! re o with New Tampa’s best M r $50 o ; ly on n Saturday & Sunday Brunch! Food portio
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Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News • Volume 34, Issue 14 • July 7, 2026 • NeighborhoodNewsOnline.net • For Advertising Information, Call 813-910-2575
51
The First-Ever Slap Burger In Florida Is Now Open In The Oak Ramble Plaza Although, as I told you last issue, the new Slap Burger — located at 14915 Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd., in a former nail spa location in the restaurant-rich Oak Ramble Plaza — does indeed look a lot like a Five Guys Burger & Fries, with its red-and-white-checked interior, the food is completely different. Jannah, photographer Charmaine George and I visited Slap Burger on one of its soft opening days and we couldn’t help but notice the many similarities and differences between the two. While both are primarily burger places, Slap Burger sells authentic Halal smash burgers, with the crispy edges so many of us crave (top right photo). The burgers are served on super-soft grilled buns and come topped with American cheese, grilled onions, pickles and a slightly-spicy “Slap Sauce” (reminiscent of a Cajun-style remoulade). Another difference, for those looking to top their burger with bacon, Slap Burger only serves Halal beef bacon (no pork products at all). And, while Five Guys serves free peanuts and softer, greasier fries, Slap Burger’s French fries also are skin-on and are crispier (which I prefer). Jannah and I couldn’t stop eating them. And, in addition to the fries, Slap Burger also offers creamy mac-&-cheese and cole slaw as sides. So yes, both places also sell all-beef hot dogs, but Slap Burger’s are Halal (similar to Kosher-style) and the biggest deal for me is that Slap Burger also has hot NY-style sauerkraut. And, even though many people complain about there being too many fried chicken tender places in our area (especially in Wesley Chapel), we also really enjoyed the crispy, juicy chicken sandwich. There also are 3-, 6- and 9-piece tenders and even “Waffle’N Tenders” that I will try soon. Slap Burger also offers “Slap Platters,” including Loaded Beef Fries with Cheese, Loaded Beef Mac & Cheese and toppings like jalapeños and sautéed ‘shrooms. For dessert, Slap Burger serves banana pudding with different toppings (the crumbly biscoff topping is shown on this page). There’s also Dubai pudding and fried Oreos. Jannah and Charmaine both loved the dragon fruit and raspberry lemonades and there also are Slap Shakes in chocolate, vanilla and strawberry that we didn’t try yet. Franchise co-owners and brothers Rosco and Kamel Musallet (Kamel also owns the Ice SSScreamin’ ice cream shop in the same plaza) and their partner Tamer Abbad, Rosco’s daughter Gabby Musallet and company co-founder and owner Geath Asad were all on hand the day we
(Above, l.-r.) Gabby, Rosco & Kamel Musallet, Geath Asad & Tamer Abbad at the soft opening of the new Slap Burger in the Oak Ramble Plaza on BBD, south of Tampa Palms.
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Wednesday, August 5, 8 am-5pm visited and were super-excited for us to try the food — and give them our honest feedback. The bottom line is that we all really enjoyed our first visit to Slap Burger and we will be back. Oh, and for you night owls out there, Slap Burger stays open until 2 a.m. every day. For more info, call (813) 284-7064 or visit SlapBurgerUS.com & please tell them I sent you! — GN, all photos by Charmaine George
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52 For Advertising Information, Call 813-910-2575 • Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News • Volume 34, Issue 14 • July 7, 2026 • NeighborhoodNewsOnline.net
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Donna Gale Sappington, age 80, passed away June 3, 2026, leaving a legacy of kindness, creativity, and profound strength. Born June 16, 1945, in Danville, KY, to Edna and Capt. Howard McPike, (USN, Ret.), Donna grew up moving around the world in a naval family, later marrying into one herself. An early elementary teacher and Old Dominion University graduate, she patiently and fiercely raised her
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two daughters as a single mother following the tragic 1980 passing of her husband, LCDR Merrill Arthur “Art” Sappington, (USN, Ret.). A magnificent quilter, Donna stitched warmth and love into everything she made. She was preceded in death by her husband, parents and sister, Carolyn McPike. Donna is survived by her daughters, Teresa Searcy (Michael) and Kristina Cardoso (Thomas Jr.); grandchildren, Rylan Cardoso (Gabrielle) and Lucinda Cardoso; and great-granddaughter, Alice, with another great-grandchild on the way. Services were held on June 20 at Bridgeway Church in Wesley Chapel.
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56 For Advertising Information, Call 813-910-2575 • Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News • Volume 34, Issue 14 • July 7, 2026 • NeighborhoodNewsOnline.net
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