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Good Morning From Lutz,

May is starting to settle into that familiar pattern around here. The storms finally seem to be backing off a bit, even if the heat isn’t going anywhere anytime soon. We might even get a couple of those crisp Florida mornings before things crank fully into summer mode.

We also wanted to test something a little different and try out a Wednesday morning edition. No big commitment here, just seeing how it feels and whether you all enjoy having a midweek check-in.

The Rays currently have the second-best record in baseball, and if you’re a golf fan, the PGA Championship tees off tomorrow as well. Not a bad week to stay inside for a little air conditioning after work. Let’s get into it.

Hope you all have a great weekend.

-Mike

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Better Buzz Coffee Eyeing Wesley Chapel

Another out-of-state coffee chain may be heading to Wesley Chapel. Reports this week indicate California-based Better Buzz Coffee Roasters is planning its first Florida location in Pasco County, adding to the growing list of national brands targeting the area.

While official local details are still limited, the brand is known for drive-thru coffee shops and has been expanding beyond California in recent years. If confirmed, it would be another sign that the Wesley Chapel corridor continues attracting major food and beverage chains ahead of many other Tampa Bay suburbs.

K-9 Boomer Tracks Down Missing Lutz Senior

That could have turned into a very different story out in Lutz this weekend. A 96-year-old man who went missing Saturday was safely found after Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Boomer tracked him through a wooded and swampy area near his home.

Deputies say Ray Cornett disappeared from the area around the 18000 block of 4th Street Southeast, which sits in a heavily wooded part of Lutz about 15 miles north of Tampa. Body-camera video released by the sheriff’s office shows Boomer being introduced to Cornett’s belongings before leading deputies deep into the woods.

About 100 yards from the home, deputies found Cornett stuck and unable to move. Thankfully, he was safe and uninjured, and deputies were able to return him home safely.

Second Wesley Chapel Walmart Taking Shape

A second Walmart in Wesley Chapel appears to be getting closer to construction, with plans moving ahead for a new location near S.R. 56 and Morris Bridge Road across from the growing Two Rivers area. The project has been rumored for months, but recent site plans and approvals are making it look increasingly likely that work could begin later this year.

The new store would be a bit smaller than some nearby Walmart Supercenters but is still expected to include most of the features people typically use, including grocery shopping, curbside pickup, a pharmacy, auto services, and a gas station. The project is also tied to several traffic upgrades nearby, including road widening, additional turn lanes, new walking and biking paths, and a roundabout along Morris Bridge Road.

County leaders say the added infrastructure is meant to support the rapid growth happening around Two Rivers, River Landing, and surrounding parts of Wesley Chapel and Zephyrhills. While some residents have raised traffic concerns, others see the store as another sign of how quickly the area continues to expand.

Johns Hopkins Children’s Hospital Rising

Construction crews officially topped off the new Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital in Wesley Chapel this week, marking a major milestone for the $300 million project on Boyette Road. Hospital leaders say the facility is being built specifically to bring pediatric care closer to the growing number of young families moving into Pasco County.

The five-story hospital will include an emergency room, operating suites, rehab services, outpatient clinics, imaging rooms, a pharmacy, and 56 inpatient beds. Leaders say the goal is to give families access to specialized children’s care locally instead of making the drive to St. Petersburg for most treatments.

The new campus is expected to employ around 400 people and is currently scheduled to open in fall 2027.

GoPasco Brings Back Summer Pass

If you’ve got teenagers looking for a little more independence this summer, GoPasco is bringing back its “Summer Haul Pass” program. Students of all ages can get unlimited rides on GoPasco fixed-route buses from June 1 through August 31 for a flat $20.

The pass is meant to help students get to summer jobs, libraries, malls, beaches, and other spots around Pasco County without depending on parents for rides or burning through gas money. Students will just need a valid student ID along with the pass when boarding.

Passes will be sold at GoPasco offices, select Pasco libraries, and county government centers in Dade City and New Port Richey. GoPasco is also offering free travel training for students who have never used the bus system before.

Tax Collector Wants Seat At Table

As plans for a potential Tampa Bay Rays stadium in Drew Park continue to move forward, the Hillsborough County Tax Collector’s Office is pushing to be included in the conversation before any final decisions are made.

The concern centers around the Drew Park Service Center near MLK and Lois, which currently serves about 900 people a day and sits inside the footprint of the proposed Rays development. County officials say the office is one of the area’s most important service hubs, especially for residents who rely on public transit.

Tax Collector Nancy Millan says she supports bringing the Rays to Tampa but wants clearer communication about what happens to the office, who would cover relocation costs, and how services would continue if the site is impacted. Officials say they mainly want to ensure they have a seat at the table as negotiations continue.

Olive Garden And Seasons 52 Coming

South Wesley Chapel is getting a few more big-name additions. Construction is already underway on a new retail plaza near I-75 and Wesley Chapel Boulevard that’s expected to bring an Olive Garden, Seasons 52, and a Heartland Dental office to the area.

The project is going up near The Grove and Old Pasco Road, right along one of Wesley Chapel’s busiest commuter corridors. For a lot of local residents, the Olive Garden would become the closest location without having to drive toward Tampa or Brandon, while Seasons 52 adds a more upscale dining option that’s still relatively rare nationwide.

Site work has already started, though opening dates haven’t been announced yet. The plaza is another sign of how quickly the commercial side of south Wesley Chapel continues to grow alongside the area’s booming residential development.

A Huge Thank You to our wonderful local partners!

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