Pasco County Students’ Science Experiment Launched to Space
Land O’ Lakes, FL – (December 4, 2020) – A science experiment created by Wendell Krinn Technical High School (K-Tech) students in Pasco County was scheduled to be sent to the International Space Station with the launch of SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket., scheduled on December 5 (Launched on Dec. 6 due to a weather delay)
Related: SpaceX launches first in new line of upgraded space station cargo ships
An all-female team of K-Tech students from Sarah Kumar’s biomedical science class entered a national flight experiment design competition with aspirations of seeing their work launched into space. The team’s experiment was selected from among thousands of submissions of real flight experiments created by students from around the nation. The successful K-Tech submission explores the effects of microgravity on amoxicillin’s ability to kill the bacteria that causes staph infections—a critical concern for astronauts living within the close confines of the ISS. The team will have their own compartment inside Dragon’s payload box for their “mini-lab”, which the astronauts currently orbiting the Earth will then test aboard the ISS.
This authentic STEM experience, which included a formal research project and a written proposal by the student team, mirrors the process that professional researchers would have to follow in the real world.
Pasco County Community Clean-Up Events Make a Difference
In an effort to combat blight and beautify neighborhoods, Pasco County’s Code Enforcement PACE (Proactive Code Enforcement) team and Solid Waste Department joined forces to host four community clean-up events in west Pasco this fall. The collaborative efforts produced big results with nearly 167 tons of trash and debris removed from Tahitian Gardens, Country Club Estates, Moon Lake Estates and Holiday Lake Estates.
Community Clean-Up Trash/Debris Collection Breakdown:
- Tahitian Gardens: 46.19 tons on Oct. 11
- Country Club Estates: 23.88 tons on Oct. 25
- Moon Lake Estates: 64 tons on Nov. 8
- Holiday Lake Estates: 32.92 tons on Nov. 22
The goal of community clean-up events is to provide residents a convenient opportunity to rid themselves of items and debris that could cause potential code violations. Providing free, accessible drop off locations increases participation and reduces illegal dumping activity in Pasco County.
Remember, you can always report code violations and illegal dumping anonymously via the MyPasco App, or by contacting RIDPasco@mypasco.net or Customer Service at 727.847.2411.
County codes are a critical tool in keeping our communities safe and resilient, and we appreciate your cooperation. Learn more about Paso County’s Code Enforcement Department, including frequently asked questions, codes and ordinances, by visiting us online at MyPasco.net.
Join Pasco County Citizens’ Academy
Applications are now being accepted for the 11th Pasco County Citizens’ Academy – a highly educational and entertaining program designed to share information about Pasco County services.
The Citizens’ Academy begins in January and includes ten sessions, culminating in an April graduation. Applications are being accepted through December 18, 2020, and virtual attendance is now an option due to the coronavirus pandemic.
“This is truly a hands-on, interactive opportunity to learn how local government works and to share ideas about how to better serve our communities,” said Citizens’ Academy Program Manager Johanna Rodriguez. “We’ve added flexible options, including virtual attendance, to be mindful of the health and wellness of our class participants and team members alike.”
Apply today by completing an online application: bit.ly/CitizensAcademyApp
Participants will learn many aspects of how County Government and the County’s Constitutional Offices operate including: the Legislative/Administrative Branch, County Attorney’s Office, Fire Rescue, Sheriff’s Office, Office of the Clerk and Comptroller, Supervisor of Elections, Property Appraiser, Tax Collector, School Board, Internal Services Branch, Public Services Branch, Development Services Branch and Public Infrastructure Branch.
For more information about the Citizens’ Academy, including a video testimonial and a full list of class topics, please visit: MyPasco.net/citizensacademy.
Holiday Video update on COVID-19 from County Commissioners
With the busy holiday season upon us, we encourage you to watch this brief COVID-19 Holiday Video UPDATE from your Pasco Board of County Commissioners.
Our actions over the next several weeks can have a direct impact on public health in our communities, and we’re asking for your help.
Please click HERE or on the image below to watch this important update. The video is also available on the county’s Facebook, [twitter.com/PascoCountyPIO]Twitter and Instagram pages and on the county’s website.
Opening on Pasco’s Jobs and Economic Opportunities Committee
~~Agriculture, Real Estate & Industrial professionals needed~~
The Jobs and Economic Opportunities Committee (JEOC) is looking for new volunteer members to participate in the committee that oversees the use of the Jobs and Economic Opportunities Trust Fund (JEOTF) portion of Penny for Pasco.
Responsibilities of JEOC members include ensuring Penny for Pasco spending meets the requirements to promote projects creating new jobs and economic growth. The Committee consists of nine members, appointed by the Board of County Commissioners (BCC), representing diverse knowledge and expertise from each of the following areas: finance/banking, agriculture, real estate, manufacturing and other private industries.
Anyone interested in serving on the JEOC is asked to submit a letter of interest and resume to Economic Growth Manager David Engel at: dengel@mypasco.net
Pasco Board of County Commissioners Undergoes Reorganization
The Pasco Board of County Commissioners (BCC) reorganized at its regular meeting December 8, 2020, in New Port Richey. The board elected Ron Oakley to serve as board chair and Kathryn Starkey to serve as vice chair.
Pasco County Commissioners also recently welcomed newly elected District 4 Commissioner Christina Fitzpatrick to the board. Fitzpatrick was elected in August to fill the seat of Mike Wells, who is transitioning into the role of Pasco County Property Appraiser. Commissioners Ron Oakley, Kathryn Starkey and Jack Mariano were all re-elected to their seats.
“Despite the challenges we’ve faced as a community and nation in 2020, Pasco County is positioned for a bright year ahead,” said new Pasco County Board Chairman Ron Oakley. “Your new board is ready to get to work and is committed to delivering the services, places and opportunities that make Pasco a premier live, work and play destination that we’re proud to call home.”
“As a decades-long Pasco County resident and business owner, I’m honored and blessed to have been given the opportunity to serve our citizens and to share their vision for the future,” said Commissioner Fitzpatrick. “I’m excited to work with our departments and team members to address the needs of our community.”
The Pasco Board of County Commissioners is comprised of the following members:
Chair Ron Oakley, District 1
Commissioner Mike Moore, District 2
Vice Chair Kathryn Starkey, District 3
Commissioner Christina Fitzpatrick, District 4
Commissioner Jack Mariano, District 5
County Commission meetings are usually held every other Tuesday, alternating between the West Pasco Government Center in New Port Richey and the Historic Pasco County Courthouse in Dade City. All Pasco BCC meetings are live-streamed online and broadcast on Pasco TV.
Reclaimed Water Coming to Three Pasco Communities in 2021
The Pasco County Utilities (PCU) Engineering & Contract Management Dept., will soon bring reclaimed irrigation water to the Wesbridge and Chapel
Chase communities in Wesley Chapel, and Copperspring in New Port Richey. Construction on the
much-anticipated projects is estimated to take six months.
Most work will occur outside the
developments along Boyette Road and Madison Street, with no anticipated impact to local traffic.
All three communities have irrigation systems that are being fed by drinking water, with usage
charged at current potable water rates. The new systems will provide lower-cost, reclaimed irrigation water to the communities while helping conserve drinking water. Bills will automatically reflect the new water source with no action required by residents.
“Wesbridge, Chapel Chase and Copperspring were originally built with separate potable and
irrigation pipe networks,” said Utilities Engineering Director Charles J. Cullen. “This design
supports a smooth transition to cost-saving reclaimed irrigation and enhances our long-term
conservation efforts as we keep pace with growth.”
Residents should anticipate an approximate 8-hour temporary outage of irrigation service when the final connection is made. To minimize impacts, this work will be scheduled outside of normal
watering hours. Disconnection and reconnection will not affect drinking water services inside the
home at any time.
To view updates on the projects, please visit: bit.ly/PCUServiceUpdates
Pasco County Utilities has a long-standing mission to support customers and provide high quality
water, wastewater, reclaimed water and solid waste services. Visit PascoCountyUtilities.com for
service updates and information.
