The Laker - Lutz News

12/15/2025

It’s not uncommon for a patient staying in a hospital for a long time to make a special connection with a team member providing their care.

For Diane Sabel, 66, of Tampa, who was in Lutz’s St. Joseph’s Hospital-North for 10 days, her connection to a team member included one of the four-legged variety – a dog named Lily.

Click below to read the full story:

LUTZ – It’s not uncommon for a patient staying in a hospital for a long time to make a special connection with a team member providing their care. For Diane Sabel, 66, of Tampa, who was in Lutz& #82…

12/12/2025

Better Together has hired Joy Harris as executive director of its Tampa Bay region.

At Better Together, Harris will work alongside CEO Megan Rose to oversee, support and grow Better Together’s presence in the greater Tampa Bay area.

TAMPA – Better Together has hired Joy Harris as executive director of its Tampa Bay region. At Better Together, Harris will work alongside CEO Megan Rose to oversee, support and grow Better Togethe…

12/03/2025

Alan Misch brought out the tape measure to get a reading on this butterfly’s wings. They measured about seven inches in length. Their beauty, however, was immeasurable.

📸 Photo courtesy of Alan Misch

We’re always happy to receive your submissions to our column - keep the great photos coming and share them with us at [email protected], along with your name, where you live, and a short description of your picture.

12/02/2025

Joy Bar, Tampa’s year-round Christmas-themed dive bar, is rolling out seasonal cocktails, holiday promotions and weekly events throughout December.

The bar is also hosting Saturday tequila takeovers, offering a free Fireball shot to anyone in a Christmas sweater, and expanding its rotating whiskey selection of more than 100 options.

Click to read more:
https://lakerlutznews.com/christmas-themed-bar-is-full-of-joy/

11/28/2025

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers turned teamwork on the field into life-changing impact in their community by donning hard hats with Habitat for Humanity of Tampa Bay Hillsborough to build two new affordable, hurricane-resilient homes for Brandon families in need.

TAMPA – The Tampa Bay Buccaneers turned teamwork on the field into life-changing impact in their community Nov. 18 by donning hard hats with Habitat for Humanity of Tampa Bay Hillsborough to build …

11/17/2025

VantagePoint AI is expanding its footprint in Pasco County.

The trading software company specializes in artificial intelligence-driven financial market forecasting and it is investing over $4.6 million in land acquisition, building renovations and equipment/technology infrastructure. It will begin renovations on its new location in Wesley Chapel in January 2026.

WESLEY CHAPEL – VantagePoint AI, LLC is expanding its footprint in Pasco County. The trading software company specializes in artificial intelligence-driven financial market forecasting. VantagePoi…

11/14/2025

A new art initiative is taking shape in Zephyrhills, aiming to capture the city’s beauty and highlight its place within Pasco County’s cultural story.

The Zephyrhills Art Heritage Project, led by local artist Abraham Albadawi, will feature two Impressionist-style oil paintings celebrating the city’s spirit.

  ZEPHYRHILLS – A new art initiative is taking shape in Zephyrhills, aiming to capture the city’s beauty and highlight its place within Pasco County’s cultural story. The Zephyrhills Art Heri…

11/05/2025

By commercializing their research, two University of Florida scientists are trying to get practical artificial intelligence tools into the hands of farmers.

EZ-AI technology, which is patented and licensed by UF, can help growers spray only weeds and minimize damage to surrounding crops, including strawberries and tomatoes.

Click below to read more:

By commercializing their research, two University of Florida scientists are trying to get practical artificial intelligence tools into the hands of farmers. The goal is to build their business by …

11/04/2025

After last year’s record-breaking attendance, Hyde Park Preservation Inc. will sell tickets for its Old Hyde Park Home Tour online in advance, with a very limited number of tickets available at the door.

TAMPA – After last year’s record-breaking attendance, Hyde Park Preservation Inc. will sell tickets for its Old Hyde Park Home Tour online in advance, with a very limited number of tickets av…

11/03/2025

The annual Paulie Palooza Music Festival is back! 🌟

Don't miss out on a day full of live music, vendors, food trucks, prize drawings and much more!

Mark your calendars for Sunday, November 16, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and join us along Main Street in downtown Zephyrhills.

Don't miss the silent auction with Chase Lounge. Lightning tix up for grabs! All proceeds benefit Gulfside Hospice patients.

10/31/2025

In response to the temporary SNAP benefit shutdown, the East Pasco Chamber of Commerce, North Tampa Bay Chamber, Greater Pasco Chamber, The Thomas Promise Foundation and Vortex Car Wash are hosting an Emergency Food Drive.

Non-perishable food items (such as canned goods, boxed meals, snacks, cereals, peanut butter, etc.) will be collected through November 7, to help ensure no child or family in our community goes hungry.

Each Chamber office — along with Vortex Car Wash — will serve as a drop-off location.

Scan the QR code in the flyer for more information.

Every donation helps!

10/29/2025

Metropolitan Planning Organizations in Pasco, Pinellas and Hillsborough counties are continuing talks about joining forces to secure more funding for larger transportation projects across the Tampa Bay region.

Click below to read the full story:

ZEPHYRHILLS – Metropolitan Planning Organizations in Pasco, Pinellas and Hillsborough counties are continuing talks about joining forces to secure more funding for larger transportation projects ac…