Did a neighbor share this with you? Subscribe for free!

Have a business that serves families north of Tampa? Reach 25,000+ local families by replying to this email or reaching out to [email protected].

Good Morning Neighbor,

What a beautiful couple of days we've had! Hardly any rain, plenty of sunshine, and some really nice weather. And it looks like we're in for more of the same! According to The Weather Channel, here's what the next couple of weeks look like in Wesley Chapel:

And there's certainly no shortage of things to do! Between the carnival, Halloween markets, festivals, street bash, and more markets than usual, there's a whole lot happening around town. It's shaping up to be a great week and an even better weekend!

Have a great week!

-Mike

Extras:

Access local events in different ways:

Community Calendar
Event List w/Links
Join our Facebook Events Group

Each newsletter includes the latest event information available at the time of publication.

Pizza World Opens Today in Wesley Chapel

Another pizza option is coming to Wesley Chapel! Pizza World is celebrating its grand opening today at 26863 Wesley Chapel Blvd. near Lexington Oaks. The menu includes pizza, wings, pasta, subs, and salads, with delivery and carryout available. Hours are listed as 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily, and online ordering is already set up.

Early Voting Begins Across Tampa Bay

Early voting is underway for the November 3 election, with dozens of locations available throughout Pasco and Hillsborough counties. Pasco residents can vote October 19–31, while Hillsborough residents have until November 1. Both counties offer early voting daily from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

There are convenient locations in Wesley Chapel, Land O' Lakes, Lutz, New Tampa, Zephyrhills, and surrounding communities. You can vote at any designated early voting location within your registered county, so you're not limited to your usual precinct. Just remember to bring a valid photo ID with a signature.

Find Early Voting Locations & Details:

Florida Updates Classroom Door Lock Safety Rules

Florida has updated its rules for temporary classroom door locks, which schools can use to help protect students during emergencies. Under the revised guidelines, secondary locks installed after January 1 cannot have permanent floor attachments, must be unlockable from outside with a key, and must be easy to release from inside.

School districts must also provide first responders with a master key or other way to override the locks. The locks remain optional, and state officials say the changes should not require districts to spend additional money. A lock manufacturer has challenged the rules, arguing that the state is imposing restrictions beyond what the law allows.

Zephyrhills Leaders Discuss City's Economic Future

Zephyrhills is looking ahead at how to keep its economy growing. The East Pasco Chamber of Commerce hosted its 10th annual Economic Summit on October 14, bringing together local business leaders, city officials, and community members to discuss the city's future.

The conversations focused on attracting businesses, developing a skilled workforce, and improving infrastructure to support future growth. Representatives from Pasco County Schools, Duke Energy, CSX Transportation, and local businesses discussed everything from job training to roads, railways, and transportation needs.

Pasco Explores Solar Panels on Reservoirs

Pasco County is considering a couple of interesting ways to generate solar power, including floating panels on the Boyette and Land O' Lakes reservoirs. Beyond producing electricity, the panels could reduce water evaporation by up to 70% and help limit algae growth. The estimated costs are $1 million for Land O' Lakes and $3.3 million for Boyette, before potential tax credits.

Commissioners are also looking at solar-covered parking spaces at the West Pasco Government Center, with the possibility of adding electric vehicle chargers. That project could eventually provide 196 covered spaces and save the county an estimated $28,000 to $49,000 annually. Nothing has been approved yet, and county officials are gathering more information on costs, funding, and long-term savings.

Teachers Federal Credit Union Coming to Wesley Chapel

Another financial institution is headed to Wesley Chapel. Teachers Federal Credit Union has announced plans to open a new branch in the area as part of its expansion across Florida and New York. Despite the name, membership is open to anyone in the United States, not just teachers.

The credit union already has Florida branches in Tampa's Westshore district, Naples, and Lake Mary. It offers traditional banking services along with financial guidance and digital banking options. A specific Wesley Chapel address and opening date have not yet been announced.

Pasco Sheriff's Office Warns of Banking Scam

A quick heads-up from the Pasco Sheriff's Office about a banking scam making the rounds. Scammers are calling or texting residents while pretending to be bank employees or fraud department representatives. They're asking for banking information and instructing people to move money into other accounts using wire transfers, cryptocurrency, or Western Union. Be cautious of unexpected requests to move your money.

Pasco County Animal Services Presents: Mase

Mase is a professional ball retriever and ready to play the game with you. He is approximately three years old, red nose medium in size. He came to our shelter as part of an abandonment call at the beginning of June, he is lovely but because of his appearance isn’t standing out because he is so regular. He has been in foster and does amazing riding along running errands, he plays professional ball and will bring the ball back. He is housetrained, he did well in the home sleeping in the kennel and in a crate. He loves every toy in the toy box; at the shelter he loves to play in playgroup with other dogs. Based on how he has been he seems like a good fit with or without other dogs in the home. Mase is searching for a home outside of the shelter where he can have his very own toys.

He is HW negative, had all of his vaccinations, is microchipped and neutered.

Pasco County Animal Services
19640 Dogpatch Lane
Land O Lakes, FL 34638
Wed - Thurs 12-5:00pm
Fri - Sat 12-6:00pm
Sun - 12-5pm
(813) 929-1212
MyPasco.net/PAS

A Huge Thank You to our wonderful local partners!

EVENTS REMINDER:

We’ll be on Instagram with updates wherever we end up. Feel free to slide into our DM’s.

Thanks for reading the North Tampa Buzzletter!

If you loved it, send it to a friend.