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Good Morning!

Now that we can finally turn the heat off, hopefully we’re in the clear. It’s been a strange stretch of weather lately, and we’ll touch on just how dry it’s been a little later in the newsletter. The Super Bowl wasn’t the most eventful, but hopefully everyone made it to work Monday without too much trouble.

Now it’s time to shift gears to Valentine’s Day. There’s a lot happening around town this week and heading into the weekend, and we’ve added more links to the events list to make things easier to explore. If we missed anything, let us know, and have a great rest of the week.

If you’re feeling antsy: jump to all of our event links here:

And let’s get to it.

-Mike

In this edition of the North Tampa Buzz:

🛣️ Major 41 & 54 redesign talk
✈️ TPA’s new terminal approved
🏆 Seven Pasco schools honored
🥙 CAVA coming near outlets

…and more!

Feel free to follow us on Instagram for more local updates.

Possible new idea for the community… 🍽️

There may be an opportunity to start a local dinner club where readers, or friends, can sign up, answer a few quick questions about preferences, and get placed into small groups to meet at different restaurants around the area. After dinner, the groups could all head to a central spot like a bar or another hangout to mix and meet more people. A number of communities around the country have been having some success with this idea.

There are plenty of real estate options out there, but working with Yael Hatfield means having an agent who truly puts people first.

Yael is known for her patience, market expertise, and clear communication. Clients consistently share how she takes the time to educate, guide, and advocate for them, especially during big, emotional decisions. From first-time buyers to relocations and long-distance purchases, her approach is steady, thoughtful, and relationship-driven.

Just listed is this beautifully maintained home at 4601 Huntsman Ct, Tampa, offered at $540,000, featuring:

5 bedrooms and 3 baths
2,003 square feet
Pool with cabana
Fenced yard on a corner lot

Curious what it’s like to work with Yael? Check out what people are saying about her.

Yael Hatfield, Realtor®
Keller Williams Tampa Properties
📞 727.771.5474
📧 [email protected]
🌐 YaelHatfield.kw.com
📍 5020 W. Linebaugh Ave #100, Tampa, FL 33624

Big Changes Proposed for Busy Intersection

We’ve been trying to keep tabs on this even though it’s quite a ways into the future and there are still many stages that need to be worked through. With U.S. 41 and Dale Mabry converging right into the already busy intersection at State Road 54, Pasco, the region, and the state are well aware of the urgency to address this area. FDOT says the intersection has seen a higher-than-average number of crashes over the years, largely tied to congestion, turning traffic, and the constant flow of vehicles.

The leading idea is a diverging diamond interchange, where traffic briefly shifts to the opposite side of the road to allow safer left turns and help keep cars moving. The proposal would also elevate 54 over 41, much like what we see down the street at 75. In the county meetings, they’ve actually gone back and forth on this decision. FDOT is gathering public feedback through a virtual update open through February 18, giving drivers, businesses, and nearby residents a chance to review the plans and share input.

Teacher Pay Referendum Headed Back to Ballot

I hinted to this last week but the attached article was behind a paywall, so here’s a link to a similar article from Hernando Sun that explains what’s going on. The Pasco County School Board wants voters to renew the one-mill property tax referendum in November 2026, which helps fund higher pay for teachers and staff and now makes up about 12% of employee salaries, adding roughly $5,000 a year for teachers and $3,000 for support staff. Since it first passed in 2022 with 58% support, the added funding has helped reduce teacher vacancies from 314 at the start of the 2022–2023 school year to 55 this year, and the renewal would extend it for four more years with most funds continuing to go toward salaries.

A Huge Thank You to our wonderful local partners!

Pasco County Animal Services Presents: Nan

Nan (A041681) is a 3yo spayed brindle mixed breed – we’re pretty sure she’s got some Catahoula in there somewhere. Nan is a super sweet girl who recently graduated from her loving foster home and is now looking for her forever. According to her foster dad, Nan is potty trained, patient and takes treats gently. She enjoys her long walks and going to the park. Nan is friendly with other dogs, and she enjoys a snuggle – but she also gives you your space when needed. Nan is also good when left alone, as she does not get separation anxiety. Nan is back at the shelter, and we’d love to see her get adopted ASAP!

Pasco County Animal Services
19640 Dogpatch Lane
Land O Lakes, FL 34638
Tues - Thurs 12-5:30pm
Fri - Sat 12-6:30pm
(813) 929-1212
MyPasco.net/PAS

P.S. Pasco County Animal Services has two Valentines promotions running:

Mend A Heart – fundraiser to help heartworm positive shelter dogs. For each donation received (any amount appreciated) we display a heart with your name on it in our shelter lobby. Donations can be made in person or online https://www.fpcas.org/donate-2/

No One Spends Valentines Day Alone – Valentine Foster Event. PCAS pups will spend the weekend on a “date” with a foster. Pickup is Friday 2/13 & drop off is Sunday 2/15 (or never if you’re an awesome foster fail!)

Seven Pasco Schools Earn National Honors

Pasco County Schools just picked up national recognition, with seven campuses earning Magnet Schools of America awards for their specialized programs. Three elementary schools, Sunray, Gulf Trace, and San Antonio, received the top Award of Excellence, while Starkey Ranch K-8, Pine View Middle, Hudson High, and Angeline Academy of Innovation earned Awards of Distinction.

The honors highlight the district’s “Pasco Pathways” approach, which lets families choose schools based on interests like STEM, arts, languages, and Cambridge or IB programs rather than just zoning. These awards are based on more than test scores, with judges also looking at how well schools close achievement gaps and build engaging, theme-based learning environments.

Another CAVA Coming to Pasco

A new CAVA restaurant is coming to the Lutz/Wesley Chapel area, with permits filed for a location at 2227 Sun Vista Drive near Tampa Premium Outlets. The fast-casual Mediterranean spot will take over the former MOD Pizza space and will offer customizable bowls, pitas, and fresh build-your-own options. Here’s a post by WesleyChapelLocal.

Stage 2 Drought Warning Across Region (It’s DRY)

Mother Nature is doing Dry February. Much of the Tampa Bay area is now under a Stage 2 Drought Warning as severe to extreme dry conditions continue across the region. The warning applies across Hillsborough, Pasco, and Pinellas counties, where officials say rainfall has been far below normal and water supplies are under strain. Mandatory one-day-per-week watering limits have started, and residents are being asked to cut back on water use to help stretch supplies through the dry season. And…an emergency burn ban to go with it.

New Airside Terminal Takes Shape

The best airport in the country is continuing its improvements with the final design approval for a massive new Airside D terminal at Tampa International Airport. The $1.52 billion, 16-gate expansion is the airport’s largest project in nearly 20 years and is expected to open in 2029, with major construction starting later this year. Leaders say the project supports the region’s growth, with passenger traffic projected to rise from about 25 million a year now to as many as 35 million by 2037.

The new 600,000-square-foot terminal will handle both domestic and international flights and include a modern TSA checkpoint, international arrivals area, and automated people movers to the main terminal. Plans also call for more than 10 dining and shopping spots, plus new airline lounges to improve the travel experience. The airport is also updating the main terminal’s ticketing level, adding 28 new airline counters and redesigning the space to improve flow by 2029.

New Blood Kits Saving Lives Fast

Pasco County Fire Rescue has started using new blood transfusion kits that allow paramedics to give blood to patients right at the scene instead of waiting until they reach the hospital. The program launched in mid-December and has already been used on at least five patients, especially during serious trauma calls like car crashes, major falls, and pedestrian accidents. Officials say getting blood into someone faster can make a major difference, noting that even short delays can increase the risk during severe injuries.

The kits are carried by EMS supervisors and were made possible through partnerships with Tampa General Hospital and OneBlood, which help supply and rotate the blood so it stays usable. Fire leaders say the goal is to improve survival and recovery by giving patients treatment when every minute counts, rather than waiting until they arrive at the emergency room. The department is also planning a public blood drive on February 28 at Station 38 in Wesley Chapel to help support the program.

I hope this answers the question, “What is there to do around town without having to drive down to Tampa?”

Instead of listing every single event here, I’m going to start highlighting/featuring a few things each day to keep this section easy to scan. So these are just some standouts.

If you’re looking for everything happening around town, the full Community Calendar is still the best place to go. Or, you can find the full list here.

Line Dancing w/ Grace
Wednesday, 7:00–9:00 PM

A fun, beginner-friendly line dancing night at Treble Makers where Grace teaches the steps and keeps the energy up. It happens on the 2nd and 3rd Wednesdays each month, and your $10 entry is credited back toward food and drinks if you stay.

Galentine’s Day at The Collective
Thursday, 6:00 PM

A midweek girls’ night celebration with drink specials, half-off select wine bottles, a wine bottle decorating station, and photo ops to capture the night. It’s all about relaxing, getting creative, and spending time with friends.

Street Bash: Valentine’s Night Market
Friday, 5:00–9:00 PM

A family-friendly street market in Dade City with local vendors, food trucks, music, and a relaxed, open-air vibe. It’s a great spot to walk around, grab a drink, and enjoy a Valentine’s-themed night out.

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

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