ReportWire

Tag: Human Interest

  • Greensboro remembers civil rights activist Joseph McNeil

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    GREENSBORO, N.C. — One of North Carolina’s most influential civil rights activists died this week.

    Joseph McNeil was one of the Greensboro Four, a group of North Carolina A&T students who held sit-ins at Woolworth’s lunch counter. 

    What You Need To Know

    • Joseph McNeil died Thursday at the age of 83

    • McNeil was a pioneering activist, and part of the iconic Greensboro Four

    • The Greensboro Four were students from North Carolina Agriculture and Technology University who helped desegregate Woolworth’s lunch counter in a series of sit-ins beginning in 1960

    Those protests eventually led to the restaurant’s desegregation 65 years ago.

    John Swaine, the CEO of the International Civil Rights Museum in Greensboro, educates the public about the Greensboro Four and McNeil’s role in the civil rights movement.

    “After the sit-ins, he had entered the Air Force, he had become an Air Force general,” Swaine said, “He had established an institute, at his alma mater. He had become a mentor for many young men and women. And he inspired our co-founders to develop this institution.” 

    So when Swaine received the call from Joe McNeil Jr. on Thursday informing him of the activist’s death, Swaine said it was crushing.

    “It was a sharp hit because I understood what he meant to the world, to nonviolence and so much to this museum,” he said.

    McNeil visited the museum, located in the same building he helped desegregate, many times.

    This year he also visited N.C. A&T to celebrate 65 years since the first day of the sit-ins.

    “It was a great pleasure of mine just to hear him talk about what it was like being a freshman here on the campus in the 1960s. Being a freshman, he was not a sophomore or a senior. These were incoming students,” said Corey Torain, a professor of history at N.C. A&T.

    The professor said he remembers being a student at the school when they honored the Greensboro Four by placing a statue on campus. 

    He said McNeil’s legacy was personally motivating and will never be forgotten by the school, the community and people fighting for social justice and equality everywhere.

    “He inspired us and showed us what to do. So yes, it is a physical loss of having him away from us physically, but he will always be an Aggie, and once an Aggie, always Aggie,” Torain said.

    McNeil was 83 years old.

    Jibreel Khazan, formally known as Ezell Blair Jr., is now the only living member of the Greensboro Four.

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    Sasha Strong

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  • Honoring the Changemakers: Women’s Fund celebrates 30 years of equity work

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    CINCINNATI — For 30 years, the Women’s Fund of the Greater Cincinnati Foundation has been working to dismantle systemic barriers, promote economic equity and uplift the voices of women and families across the region.

    What You Need To Know

    • The Greater Cincinnati Foundation’s Women’s Fund is celebrating its 30th anniversary

    • The Women’s Fund celebrated the milestone with an anniversary luncheon on Thursday

    • Four women, including radio host and advocate Sister Keli, were honored for their work

    On Thursday, Sept. 4, the organization will mark that milestone with its Legacy in Motion luncheon — a celebration of community impact, progress and the people driving it forward.

    Held at the Anderson Pavilion, the event will honor four women whose work has helped shape Greater Cincinnati:

    • Sister Kelli, a radio host and grassroots advocate known for her Hope Fest community event
    • Leslie B. McNeill, founder of the Women’s Fund
    • Barbara Turner, founder of BT RISE and a leader in financial equity
    • Mary Stagaman, a civic advocate for inclusion and regional collaboration

    Sister Kelli said she was truly moved by the news of her recognition. 

    “I did drop some tears because I felt it,” she said. “I knew others were seeing the good work.”

    She has spent nearly a decade helping connect underserved families to essential resources, all while navigating life in a wheelchair. She said it doesn’t limit her ability to serve.

    “I’m able to do whatever I set my mind to do,” she said. “Giving of myself without any expectation really is the greatest reward.”

    Founded in 1995, the Women’s Fund focuses on research, policy change and community investment to support women’s economic self-sufficiency. Executive Director Camilla Worrell said Thursday’s luncheon will celebrate the organization’s impact and ongoing mission.

    “There’s been a lot of work. There’s been resistance, there’s been downfalls. But we have a lot to celebrate,” Worrell said. “I want people to go away with a renewed sense of community and a little fire in their belly.”

    In addition to the luncheon, the Women’s Fund recently launched a Self-Sufficiency Simulator, an interactive tool that allows users to experience the financial challenges many women and families face.

    To date, the organization has raised more than $450,000 through community initiatives to further its mission.

    Sister Kelli said she hopes the recognition will inspire others and fuel her own continued work.

    “We need the Women’s Fund to continue and programs like that in order to keep us striving,” she said.

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    Javari Burnett

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  • A viral-worthy Cotton Candy Cake among the favorites at Fun Spot Orlando

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    ORLANDO, Fla. — Something really sweet is happening at Fun Spot Orlando, and it’s thanks to a special confectioner.

    Nestled within Fun Spot Orlando’s entrance is a shop called the “Sweet Spot.” That’s where you’ll find the park’s bakery chef Tina Brenner. She makes and bakes things you may never have seen before, like a cotton candy cake.

    The cake is a hit for summer, with pastel colors and a viral-worthy cross-section. Think of it as a layer cake, but made of hand-spun cotton candy and a surprise Skittles filling.

    Brenner says she gets her inspiration from online forums, bringing to Fun Spot a variety of sweet treats unlike anything around.

    Some of Fun Spot’s other exclusive sweets include the Unicorn Sundae, which features 3 scoops of ice cream, toppings and whipped cream on a fluffy cotton candy taco shell. Fun Spot also has summer-themed candied apples, cake pops and chocolate-covered Rice Krispy Treats.

    Brenner is 17 years strong with Fun Spot, and she has seen a lot. “I kept seeing the owners’ children grow up,” she said smiling. “It’s really awesome. It’s more of a family than a business.”

    The Cotton Candy Cake can last more than a week in your fridge. She also decorates it according to the season. Up next, Halloween! 

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    Allison Walker

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  • Mountain ministry continues helping veterans after Helene

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    ASHEVILLE, N.C. — Veterans in a transitional housing program in Asheville had little time to evacuate during Helene. 

    They were able to leave the Asheville Buncombe Community Christian Ministry’s Veterans Restoration Quarters unharmed, but their living quarters suffered severe damage from the storm. 

    What You Need To Know

    • Asheville Buncombe Community Christian Ministry provides transitional housing for veterans at the Veterans Restoration Quarters 

    • Helene damaged the Veterans Restoration Quarters, prompting an evacuation of the veterans on site

    • The ministry relocated veterans to a nearby hotel after they were separated in three area shelters

    • Kenny McCurry, a former resident of the VRQ, recounts the evacuation and aftermath of the storm


    Kenny McCurry returned to the VRQ this summer after it had been cleaned up from the storm. 

    He called this place home for three years. 

    The ministry is behind the 250-bed facility offering transitional housing for veterans facing homelessness.

    “This was my first home I’ve had since 2010,” McCurry said. 

    The ministry’s chief administrative officer, Tim McElyea, said Team Rubicon removed debris and cleaned off mud for the nonprofit.

    “There was just so much damage. Trees down everywhere, stacked cars turned over and damaged, and certainly we didn’t have the means to, you know, be able to do all that,” McElyea said. 

    The storm damaged rooms, plumbing, electrical and their parking lot. 

    “We had an extreme amount of water come through, and these rooms now, they’re all gutted,” McElyea said. 

    The VRQ neighbors the Swannanoa River, which flooded to unprecedented levels.

    McCurry learned about the evacuation when members of the National Guard and the sheriff’s office knocked on his door. 

    Around 200 people had to evacuate quickly to area shelters. 

    “A lot of guys, they had everything that they owned here, you know, with them, which wasn’t a lot to start with. And then they lost that too,” McElyea said.

    With the evacuation being imminent, he left behind his dentures and other invaluable items. 

    “I wish that I grabbed that box of photographs of my children that are overseas. They live in Britain,” McCurry said. 

    The 65-year-old, who served in the U.S. Marine Corps, couldn’t retrieve much after the flood, but he carries with him the memories of the time he spent at this place.

    “I can’t say enough things about this place. They got me through culinary school,” McCurry said. “Then I got my CDLs.”

    McCurry said 18 years ago when he was struggling with addiction, he set an empty house on fire and was convicted of second degree arson. 

    “I did a very horrible thing in 2007. It was probably the darkest time of my life, when I lost control of myself and I burnt my home and my family’s home. That’s been my greatest thing to overcome,” McCurry said. 

    After Helene, when veterans couldn’t return to the VRQ, he went to a PTSD rehabilitation program in Ohio. 

    Meanwhile, the ministry found temporary housing for the rest of the veterans at a nearby hotel.

    “The biggest request that we heard, because they were all three in different locations, is, ‘When can you get us out of here, and when can we get all back together?’” McElyea said. 

    McElyea said the rebuilding process will take up to two years.

    “We are definitely going to need support to get it back to where it was,” McElyea said. 

    McCurry said this place gave him hope during his recovery journey. This summer, he was staying at his sister’s house and started a new job. He still gets support from the ministry with furniture for his rented room.

    “I just have great people all around me,” McCurry said. 

    The ministry said private funding, corporate benefactors and a fundraiser are underway for the rebuild. The nonprofit also purchased a building next door to provide job training for veterans. 

    The program at the VRQ is a partnership through the federal government, the Department of Veterans Affairs and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

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    Estephany Escobar

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  • Hundreds across Central Florida gather for ‘Workers over Billionaires’ protests

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    SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. — Hundreds of protesters across several Central Florida counties came out to make their voices heard on Labor Day.

    From DeLand to Casselberry, protesters of all ages showed up in numbers, holding signs supporting workers’ rights and denouncing the Trump administration.

    It’s part of the nationwide ‘Workers over Billionaires’ protests taking place across the country to demand fair wages and benefits for working class citizens.

    What You Need To Know

    • Nationwide “Workers Over Billionaires” protests took place in various Central Florida counties

    • Protests advocated for workers’ rights in Orange, Seminole and Volusia Counties

    • In Casselberry, over 300 people rallied together for the protest along SR 17-92 while holding signs and chanting

    • Dozens of protesters participated in the 50501 organization’s car caravan to “stand with workers” in Orange County 

    In Casselberry, over 300 protesters filled the sidewalks along 17-92 while chanting and holding signs advocating for workers’ rights.

    While some protests took place in the morning, others took a different form in the afternoon.

    The 50501 organization invited the public Monday evening to take part in a car caravan as part of the nationwide movement.

    Protesters were encouraged to tape posters reading messages like “We all deserve a good life” and “Workers over Billionaires” on their windows as they drove around in support of worker organizing.

    On a day that serves to honor the achievements of those in the labor force, hundreds across various central Florida counties took to the streets to advocate for workers and demand more from the Trump administration.

    “It is Labor Day, and it’s important to talk about the role of workers and how unions have built an America where we have vacation, where we have holidays, where we have wages that you can live on,” says Seminole County Democratic Party Vice-Chair, Deborah Poulalion, who was also one of the event organizers.

    Protesters from Seminole County put their arms together to demand better working conditions for those who need them the most.

    Among those protesters looking to help workers is Steve Barnes.

    He sits on the Central Florida Democratic Labor Caucus; a brand-new organization that defends workers’ rights in Orange, Osceola, Seminole and Lake Counties.

    “It’s really important for us to make sure we hear from people who are union members, working families, what issues are important to them so that we can advocate for them in the legislature and with elected officials,” explains Barnes.

    His goal, he says, is to bridge the gap between the Democratic Party and labor unions in the area, which he hopes to keep on doing through these protests, which started gaining momentum early this year after the “Protest to Protect Democracy.” 

    “Our biggest one was No Kings Day. It was a big national event but every time we have one of these, we get 300-400 people,” explains Seminole County Democratic Party Vice-Chair, Deborah Poulalion.

    Seminole County resident and protester Erin Kutner has also noticed these protests’ growing attention over the last several months.

    “Coming out to these protests fills your hope cup because you see that you’re not alone and not only the people who are showing up but you see the reaction we’re getting from all these people,” she says.

    And it unites all types of people, like protester Nelson Roe, who has been a Republican his entire life. 

    “I believe in a lot of traditional stuff, I consider myself a Christian, and I think it probably says a lot that I’m out here protesting Donald Trump’s administration and probably tells you how strongly I feel about it that I’m willing to do that,” says Roe.

    Another 100 or so protesters gathered for the same cause in DeLand on Labor Day morning from 10 AM-12 PM.

    “Seems like we’re going to have to put our bootstraps on and keep fighting. As I said, all the things, the attacks to health care, right? The attacks to our families. The attacks on working people in general are uncalled for, right,” Political Director for 1199 Service Employees International Union Coy Jones said.

    Jones said 1199 SEIU represents more than 45,000 members and retirees across the state, focusing on healthcare jobs.

    “We are seeing devastating cuts to health care in ways that we have never seen before. We already had a staffing crisis inside of our facilities. It’s even worse now. The fact that we have ICE raids. Our hospital workers are concerned about being targeted while they’re at work,” Jones said.

    Jones said what brought her and others to the Labor Day “Workers Over Billionaires” event is concern for the future of workplace security for millions of people nationwide.

    “We are we are the engine of this economy. We keep things moving. An attack on us is an attack on all. So, we’re out here. We want to make sure that families are first. We want to make sure we’re taxing the billionaires, and we want to make sure we take care of our families,” Jones said.

    “At the end of the day, all of our issues are connected, and history has shown that when we all unite together, we are more powerful,” Obsidian Tiburón said, an Orlando 50501 member.

    Tiburón said workers’ rights, specifically those from Disney Springs who work under the parent company Patina, are crucial now more than ever.

    Corey Hill, from Orlando 50501 and an organizer of the car caravan event, echoed the same message.

    “We very frequently say one struggle, one fight at our events, because ultimately, a lot of the source of pain for us is interconnected,” Hill said, referencing his concerns over the Trump administration.

    Specifically, Hill and others cited anger over job cuts, ICE raids, healthcare cuts, concerns for LGBTQ+ community’s rights, and more as reasons for hosting the event.

    “All of these things are related to the sort of oppression that you’re seeing in the workplace, is related to what you’re seeing, where masked agents of the state are kidnaping people off the streets. These are all human rights violations,” Hill said.

    Those who participated in the Orlando caravan drove all the way to Disney World to advocate for better worker contracts and treatment for those who specifically are working under the umbrella company Patina at Disney Springs.

    Unite Here Local 737 said there have been recent discussions of a potential strike vote for patina workers.

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    Jordan Mead, Sasha Teman

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  • Nonprofit continues helping refugees but shifts focus after funding cuts

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    SALISBURY, N.C. — With an executive order in January, President Donald Trump suspended the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program, which welcomed thousands from other countries fearing persecution due to race, religion or political opinion. 

    What You Need To Know

    •  An executive order in January suspended the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program

    •  The suspension of the program resulted in Lutheran Services Carolinas, a faith-based organization, losing federal funding for their New Americans Program 

    • Lutheran Services Carolinas continues their New Americans Program, which helps refugees, but only focusing on those currently in the U.S.


    The executive order states: “The United States lacks the ability to absorb large numbers of migrants, and in particular, refugees, into its communities in a manner that does not compromise the availability of resources for Americans, that protects their safety and security, and that ensures the appropriate assimilation of refugees.”

    Due to this change, Lutheran Services Carolinas experienced a cut in federal funding for their New Americans Program, which has welcomed more than 18,000 refugees since 1979. 

    “We want abundant living for everybody, and the Bible speaks long and loud about serving refugees, and we have taken that to heart,” Lutheran Services Carolinas President Ted Goins said. 

    Last year, Goins said this group received nearly $20,000 in federal funding to help over 3,300 refugees. 

    “That is used for everything from helping them to find housing and to pay the rent to get them started to food, to getting them lined up with doctor’s appointments and getting the kids in school,” Goins said.

    However, without the federal funding the impact was immediate. 

    “We had to lay off 72 teammates across the Carolinas, which was a horrible experience to have to lay off people that are so passionate and doing such important and good work,” Goins said. 

    Through LSC’s New Americans Program, Vladimir Vasquez and his family resettled to the U.S. last year. 

    “Whenever we need information or assistance or something, we usually come to them,” Vasquez said. 

    Vasquez, who is from Nicaragua, was a journalist there for 13 years. The United Nations said human rights violations have been ongoing in the Central American country since 2018. 

    “They were detaining more journalists in the country. The office where I was working, was seized by the police. They took everything that we had,” Vasquez said. 

    Fearing political persecution, he said he erased bylines from news articles and eventually moved with his wife to Costa Rica in 2021. Safety is the main reason he cited for them leaving Nicaragua. 

    “There was no future there. I was not comfortable working because I couldn’t go out in the street and record like you’re doing right now,” Vasquez said. 

    Last year, he, his wife and their infant moved to the U.S. thanks to the U.N. Refugee Agency. 

    “It’s been good for her and good for us to be in a country that provides us opportunities to grow,” Vasquez said. 

    LSC has been with them every step of the way since they arrived to the U.S. 

    “They have been here with those throughout the whole process of trying to like adapt being here to the U.S.” Vasquez said. 

    The New Americans Program continues thanks to state grants and donations, but it’s focusing on helping refugees already in the Carolinas, like the Vasquez family. 

    Vasquez said while his family is not impacted by the change, he has friends overseas whose resettlement is in limbo. 

    “If the program doesn’t resume again, it will be difficult for them to come here to the United States,” Vasquez said.

    Vasquez and his family celebrated a year in the U.S. He and his wife have jobs in the U.S. and are applying for a green card. 

    “I feel this opportunity of being here is very important for us,” Vasquez said. 

    There are refugees that have been able to resettle in the U.S. since the executive order. The Trump administration welcomed white South Africans back in the spring. More recently, a court order exempted some refugees from the executive order whose travel plans to the U.S. were already set in motion when it went into effect, allowing them to arrive to the U.S. this summer.

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    Estephany Escobar

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  • Filmmaker warns home buyers to beware after a storm

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    ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The creators of a new documentary say that people can have what they call “hurricane amnesia” when they think about buying a new home in the Tampa Bay Area.

    What You Need To Know

    • A new documentary aims to teach people to consider prior storm damage when considering buying a property

    • The documentary is called Built to Last: Buyer Beware

    • The filmmakers say people should think about prior storm damage, as well as building materials and future flood risks when thinking about making a purchase

    When it comes to storm damage, that can be dangerous for homebuyers and those thinking of buying homes.

    Filmmaker George Siegal said he hopes that more people consider previous storm damage, as well as building materials and future flood risks when they are considering a home purchase.

    Siegal said most people walking down Bayshore Boulevard are focused on the view, but he has his eye on something else.

    “Where we’re standing would’ve been under 26 feet of water. That beautiful trauma center there would be out of business, and that bridge would be gone,” he said.

    The former weatherman turned documentary filmmaker said the doomsday scenario in Tampa Bay should be in the back of everyone’s mind.

    “I think people here live with a false sense of security,” he said. “They think it’s not gonna happen to them because it hasn’t happened to them. Tampa always seems to dodge the bullet.”

    That was until last year. Last year’s storms are also why Siegal says he made the documentary Built to Last, Buyer Beware.

    “I want homeowners to start asking more questions. Become your own detective. Learn what the risks are with your house. How was that house built? If the builder is aggravated and doesn’t want to answer your questions, he’s doing you a favor. Run,” he said.

    Siegal’s partner in the film, Aris Papadopoulos said when making the documentary, he noticed some trends that needed to be studied in Shore Acres in St. Pete where flooding has become the norm.

    “We were in Shore Acres before last year’s storms, and I had seen what happened to people there in previous years in filming families. And then when the storms came this past season, I decided to do a study on house values and how they faired after the storm,” Papadopoulos said.

    Papadopoulos is the chair of the Resilience Action Fund. They looked at Shore Acres and the Disston Heights neighborhood. In the report, they identified 36 single-family homes in the Shore Acres neighborhood that were purchased between 2000 and 2024 and sold for less than $400,000 in the five months after Hurricane Milton. Compared to what they bought their homes for, those owners lost 35% on average or about $140,000.

    “We were astounded by what numbers we saw because we saw from the information that on average the people who bought in shore acres and sold right after Milton and we know they flooded there, they lost an average 35% of what they paid for,” Papadopoulos said.

    Both Papadopoulos and Siegal are hoping homeowners and soon to be homeowners will use the information in this documentary and this report as a tool when it comes to buying, building and preparing for a hurricane.

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    Saundra Weathers

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  • Hurricane Katrina survivors reflect 20 years later

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    DURHAM, N.C. — Reading journal entries she wrote 20 years ago, Shawn Trimble is emotional as she remembers the impacts of Hurricane Katrina.  

    What You Need To Know

    • Aug. 29, 2025 marks 20 years since Hurricane Katrina made landfall 

    • Durham resident Shawn Trimble is from New Orleans and was there when Katrina destroyed the area

    • Trimble and her kids were able to get out and move to Hillsborough, North Carolina and eventually settled down in Durham years later

    • Trimble and her kids reflected on the storm together as a family for the first year this year 


    “To even go back in time, sometimes it just it jogs a whole lot of memories I think for me,” Trimble said.

    She flipped through pages of photo albums from a life before the storm in New Orleans, sorting through old letters and articles, as she and her two kids reflected on what happened in 2005 for the first time.

    “We thought it was a hurricane. It was in the city. It was bad. But then it got worse,” Trimble said.

    Trimble was the manager of a Sheraton hotel in the French Quarter at the time, and she vividly recalls the chaos.

    “I remember, the first night, you know, it was like, ‘oh, we were on vacation, and there was so much food.’ And then the food started running out. I remember calling corporate during this time and I’m like, ‘yo, I’m watching the waters rise.’ And folks weren’t believing me. It was so bad, y’all,” Trimble said.  

    Her daughter Sunshine and her son Joshua were 6 and 7 at the time and remember the confusion.

    “I just remember, like, running around and still being amongst family. So I didn’t feel immediately like, unsafe. But I just was witnessing all of this stuff happening, and I couldn’t like process or grasp like what was going on because I was so young,” Sunshine Alvarez said.

    “It was stressful time for me I guess,” Joshua Alvarez said.

    They get emotional as they discuss the trauma and impacts of that deadly storm. They’re also grateful they are able to look back and realize how lucky they are to have gotten out. They drove from New Orleans to Hillsborough, North Carolina and over the years eventually settled down in Durham. 

    “Somehow, we’re getting out, but these folks are still here. And it’s like that survivor’s guilt,” Trimble said.

    Seeing the damage left behind by Helene, Trimble said she’s hyper aware of the weather and sometimes experiences PTSD. 

    “Whenever there’s a storm, you know, I’m very aware that things can go south, so I’m more cognizant. I’m more, more honoring of Mother Nature, if you will,” Trimble said.

    Trimble said they’re closer now as a family than ever before because of what they went through together.

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    Kennedy Chase

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  • UNC Chapel Hill dedicates memorial site to late professor

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    CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — It’s been two years since a shooting on campus claimed the life of a UNC-Chapel Hill professor.

    Colleagues of associate professor Zijie Yan honored his life on the university’s campus with family, students and supporters on Thursday.

    What You Need To Know

    •  UNC Chapel Hill dedicated a memorial site to professor Zijie Yan 

    •  A custom plaque and bench were placed in Caudill Labs courtyard to honor Yan

    •  Two additional benches will be placed in Chapel Hill to honor Yan’s family 


    Dozens gathered to remember Yan, who worked in the applied physical sciences department.

    Two years ago, Yan lost his life at the university’s Caudill Labs. That location will now serve as a permanent memorial site in his memory.

    UNC Chapel Hill Chancellor Lee H. Roberts said this tragedy has taught the university lessons for the future regarding safety and community.

    “The silver lining is the way in which our community has come together in the aftermath. And use this tragedy as a way to learn some lessons about how to prevent something similar happening in the future. And also to reinforce the bonds that the tie us together as a community,” Roberts said.

    Friends took to the podium to say a few words about Yan’s character and love of science.

    Some also paid their respects to the plaque and bench set up to honor the professor.  

    Chair of the Department of Applied Physical Sciences Theo Dingemans said he loved having Yan in his department. He said he felt Yan’s passion for science and his students during every encounter they had.

    “It’s the joy that he brought to the department. He was very quiet, but very observant, extremely smart. Really good with his students,” Dingemans said.

    Two more benches will be created this semester. One for Yan’s family in Chapel Hill and one for his parents in China.

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    Jatrissa Wooten

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  • Florida phases out certificates for students with disabilities

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    WIMAUMA, Fla. — The Florida Department of Education recently voted to eliminate certificates of completion for students with disabilities. The certificates were an alternative to diplomas for those students who could not meet graduation requirements.

    What You Need To Know

    • The Florida Department of Education voted to eliminate certificates of completion for students with disabilities

    • These certificates were previously alternatives for students unable to meet graduation requirements

    • Educators are concerned about the impact on employment opportunities

    • Education leaders are now tasked with creating new guidance about adult education and post-secondary options for students with disabilities


    The vote was to move forward with the implementation of House Bill 1105, which instructs education leaders to create new guidance about adult education and post-secondary options for those students by the next calendar year.

    Luz Gaona, the speech-language pathologist at Southshore Bilingual Therapy, says this change is a setback for the children they serve.

    “If any of them were to seek some type of employment, this is going to be hindering that opportunity for them,” she said.

    Employees at the center help students with disabilities learn skills they can use both at school and beyond.

    “All different kids, all different goals and all different things that they’re working on,” Selena Cadwallader, a certified occupational therapy assistant, said. “There’s something beautiful about kids learning to do things on their own and being able to be a part of this society that they maybe could not have been prior.”

    Many families look forward to their children earning a certificate of completion. They will now have to work around the change to eliminate them as education leaders work to establish a new program.

    The center says they’re now focused on how they can support parents who may be unaware of the changes.

    “(We are) educating our parents on the importance of attending (Individualized Education Program) meetings and asking questions,” Gaona said.

    In the meantime, Gaona and her team will continue to advocate for education opportunities for all.

    The high school graduation requirements for students with disabilities will also be revised to update definitions and permissible course substitutions.

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    Lizbeth Gutierrez

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  • Despite serious diagnoses, young woman carries on crochet business

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    ORLANDO, Fla. — There are times the life we imagine for ourselves is at odds with our reality.

    But, Mei Ashton isn’t letting her reality, dealing with various health concerns — diagnoses of four rare illnesses — dim her light nor crush her endless optimism.

    “I think you should also say what good is happening to you than what bad, then you can also say, ‘This could be worse,’” she said.

    What You Need To Know

    • Doctors diagnosed Mei Ashton with gastroparesis, a delayed stomach emptying, as a teen

    • She suffered from debilitating pain, and was unable to walk across her high school graduation stage

    • Ashton leaned upon her single mother, as well as research into nutrition to tackle her illness

    • She began crocheting for comfort, but turned the pastime into a small business

    Several years ago, around the age of 15, the teenager suddenly found herself in constant great pain. When she wasn’t performing, singing on stage at places like the Dr. Phillips Center, or participating in an array of after-school activities, Ashton was enduring testing and doctors’ appointments. 

    Eventually, she was diagnosed with gastroparesis, a debilitating condition characterized by delayed emptying of the stomach and pain digesting food.

    “What was the hardest was watching her go through it and not be able to give her any answers,” said her mother, Jeannie Lee. “She suffered a lot, not being able to sleep, not being able to eat.”

    It launched Ashton, as well as her mother, on a journey of researching best practices, nutritional advice and non-surgical options — as Ashton worried about the potential risks associated with surgery. She tried holistic medicine, acupuncture, anything to relieve the pain.

    “The second I was diagnosed, I began researching what I can consume,” Ashton said. “I consume about 90 percent liquid, maybe 10 percent food. If I lose too much weight, I might risk having a feeding tube.”

    Later, all the teenager’s concerns were amplified as she was diagnosed with three other rare conditions, revolving around her arteries, connective tissue and renal veins.

    The situation was so dire that Ashton left school, opting to take online classes. Though she graduated early, she could not walk across the stage for her high school graduation.

    But everything turned around as Ashton found her own path forward.

    Behind her, a wall of memories from past trips with her mother serve as motivation to continue pushing forward. (Spectrum News/Julie Gargotta)

    She began walking after meals to stimulate digestion, honed her diet with supplements and carried her blender with her everywhere she went. She got brave, toting along the blender to foreign countries as she proudly displayed her graduation cap with a favorite quote from the movie, Mama Mia: “Life is short, the world is wide. I wanna make some memories.”

    Eventually, Ashton dropped from taking more than a dozen pills per day to zero.

    And she found a new outlet for her creativity, leaning into a hobby she picked up during the pandemic, as a way to find comfort and community: crocheting.

    “When I think of crochet, I think of relaxation, creativity. Really churns the gears in your head,” she said. 

    Ashton started selling crocheted goods at various places, from an online Etsy store to her favorite boba shop owned by a family friend. 

    She also designs patterns for crocheters around the world, with her mother explaining that more than 2,000 people in 65 countries have signed up for her daughter’s free patterns.

    “It’s like a musician that writes notes and sells music sheets,” she said. “She channeled a lot of her frustration into something good….So decided to build something out of it.”

    Locally, the teen curated a community of crocheters, teaching them her methods — for crafting and for getting through challenging times, be it teenage years or serious health concerns.

    It’s a gift, her mother described, that her daughter is capable of persevering and staying positive, even in dire situations.

    “She’s always been one to look on the bright side of things, never once seen herself as a victim. She has always wanted to one-up life,” Lee said. “She has grit that most people don’t have. It would be easier to have a feeding tube. And a lot of people don’t think she’s as sick as she is, because she makes it look so easy.”

    “A lot of people don’t realize how much one may be suffering when they don’t see, so I think by also bringing the awareness of rare diseases, people who have them feel talked about, they feel seen,” Ashton explained.

    The road has not been easy. Ashton is still, at times, overcome with the same insecurities many teenagers face—and then some due to her condition. She wonders aloud what it would be like to have a relationship, go on dates, and pines for the freedom of going out to restaurants or picking up fast food with her friends.

    Yet, Ashton’s manifesting a life for herself that is not defined by her health conditions, leaning on life lessons her single mother taught her, as well as what she learned thus far about herself to propel her forward.

    “If I keep thinking, I’m never going to get better, my stomach is going to get worse.… If I say, ‘I will get better, I will heal,’ I will find a way to be better,” she said. “I think I’ll always feel slightly insecure about the fact I am different than others and have rare diseases, but then I have to find that as a superpower. I’m able to cope with it all and figure out how to live my life with it.”

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    Julie Gargotta

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  • Windermere police chief leads mission to support mental health of officers

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    WINDERMERE, Fla. — Responding to trauma and tragedies are part of the job for police, sheriff’s deputies and other law enforcement officers across the country.

    What You Need To Know

    • Windermere Police Chief Dave Ogden leading national effort to support police officers’ health

    • Ogden said the spiritual component can’t be ignored

    • He uses podcasts, public speeches, counseling programs and new book to reach his audience

    Too often, it has taken a hidden toll on their mental health. Advocates say police have a higher risk of suicide and divorce and other mental health challenges compared to the general population.

    Windermere Police Chief Dave Ogden checks on the mental and spiritual health of his colleagues each day. Ogden has been in law enforcement for 38 years, and he knows the terrible toll responding to tragedies can take.

    “I have seen law enforcement officers unfortunately take their own lives in the line of duty, and I’ve seen them killed in the line of duty, and the devastation that leaves behind,” Ogden said.

    The law enforcement support group Sound Thinking says 170 law enforcement officers died by suicide in 2022 and that 122 took their own lives in 2023. Ogden is on a mission to boost the mental and spiritual health of police officers and their families.

    Ogden said the spiritual component can’t be ignored.

    “I’ve seen over the years, us talking about mental health, talking about physical health, but we refuse to talk about spiritual wellness and we refuse to talk about relationship wellness,” he said.

    Ogden spreads his focus on mental and spiritual well-being through podcast appearances, public speeches and magazine articles he writes on a regular basis.

    Next week, Ogden and his wife will travel to Colorado to counsel officers and their spouses through the Healing Warriors Program.

    Windermere’s top cop also wrote a book called “Seeds of Leadership.” It is a daily devotional with spiritual support for officers and deputies during their most difficult days. The book is small and will easily tuck in a police car console or in the visor.

    Ogden hopes officers will spend a couple of minutes each day reading the uplifting passages.

    “Maybe they open that book and maybe they just see something that just brings some good peace to them,” he hoped.

    Mark De Stefano is working with Ogden to support police. De Stefano was a sheriff’s deputy and police officer for 43 years. He says dealing with the deaths of children and the passing of two colleagues who took their own lives was very painful.

    “During my career, I went to 18 funerals of people I worked with, and that was my biggest trauma,” he said.

    De Stefano is president of Blueline Support, a 24-hour crisis hotline for law enforcement officers and their families.

    “Most people who call our hotline, they just want to talk. They want to vent. They want an ear away from their agency so they have someone to talk to,” De Stefano said.

    Ogden plans to retire in a few years, but he pledges unwavering support to stand with his brothers and sisters for years to come.

    “I think if you do something for 30 or 40 years, you should have the opportunity to finish well,” he said.

    This law enforcement leader is offering colleagues support during their toughest times, during their lifetimes of serving and protecting.

    If you or someone you know is struggling, you can call or text the 9-8-8 suicide and crisis lifeline. It is available 24 hours a day.

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    Keith Landry

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  • Efforts underway to save Chassahowitzka River Campground from potential sale

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    HOMOSASSA, Fla. — A popular campground in Citrus County will be closing this fall.

    The Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD) will assess hurricane damage at the Chassahowitzka River Campground and could recommend selling the property.

    Efforts are underway to help save the campground from being sold.

    What You Need To Know

    • The Chassahowitzka River Campground will be closing Oct. 1 as the Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD) evaluates hurricane damage

    • According to SWFWMD, the campground saw a lot of damage from last year’s storms and may put the campground up for sale
    • But locals disagree with any sale, with an online petition going around, fighting against the sale of the campground
    • A protest is planned on Sept. 6 at the Publix parking lot at 9525 S. Suncoast Blvd. in Homosassa


    Standing under the greenery of the Chassahowitzka River Campground, Ryan McGovern breathes in the fresh air.

    “It’s pristine land, it’s beautiful, I wouldn’t want to see it go any other way,” he said. “I’ve been bringing my kids here since they were 5 years old, so probably about the last decade-and-a-half or so, they have learned to love nature coming out here. It gets them off of their electronic devices, and it shows them real old school Florida.”

    McGovern is taking in the view with little extra time. That’s because the campground will be closing Oct. 1, as SWFWMD estimates hurricane damage.

    “It made me very emotional,” McGovern said. “I was upset, I was mad. That morning, as soon as I saw that, I created the first petition. I got together with some other folks through social media. We’ve grown a group, and we’re moving forward with it.”

    According to SWFWMD, the campground saw a lot of damage from last year’s storms. The cost to restore the campground, the district says, is not an effective way to use taxpayer dollars with a potential sale on the horizon.

    “We would like to see it kept open,” said Elaine Moore, administrator for the campground. “We don’t mind whether we lease it through SWFWMD or the county, we’ve done both before, and we have worked it out. We would just like to see it stay open and be able to fulfill all the reservations that we have on the books.”

    But McGovern disagrees with any sale. It’s why he’s started an online petition, fighting against the sale of the campground. Plus, he has another petition.

    “We need to make sure this land is saved going forward,” he said.

    Already, his petitions have garnered more than 4,000 signatures from people who want to see the campground remain open, he says.

    “It just shows that people do not want development,” said McGovern. “They don’t want this land sold to the highest bidder. They don’t want corporate interests coming in here and ruining our Florida, and we need to keep it that way for our kids and their kids to enjoy for future generations.”

    So they too can enjoy these serene views.

    McGovern said they will be holding a protest on Sept. 6 in the Publix parking lot at 9525 S. Suncoast Blvd. from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. He says they will also be in attendance at next Tuesday’s Water Management meeting.

    Meanwhile, the parking area and boat ramp will remain open and under the control of Citrus County.

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    Calvin Lewis

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  • A+ Teacher Jennifer Swanson

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    PINELLAS PARK, Fla. — Each Tuesday morning, Spectrum Bay News 9 features an A+ Teacher who is inspiring and leading students across the Tampa Bay.

    Jennifer Swanson is a kindergarten teacher at Pinellas Central Elementary, and her principal nominated her, saying she finds something in every student to love and makes them feel like they belong.

    What You Need To Know

    • Jennifer Swanson is a kindergarten teacher at Pinellas Central Elementary School

    • She was nominated by her principal for her work with her kids

    • She works to make sure each student is appreciated and feels like they belong


    It’s hard to say who’s more excited by Jennifer Swanson being named our A+ Teacher, her, or her students. Her principal made the official announcement to her class, “The news is here, and she’s our Bay News 9 A+ Teacher of the week, can we congratulate her?,” and all the kids screamed, cheering for Ms. Swanson.

    While she was taken by surprise, Jennifer says the hugs and congratulations that came after were well worth the shock. Jennifer normally teaches kindergarten, but she taught first graders for summer bridge. She says there’s nowhere she’d rather be this summer break.

    “I love the kids. I love spending time with them every day. They’re just my whole reason to come here. I just love it. I love my job. I think they’re so fun, and I love getting hugs and feeling like a superstar every day,” said Jennifer.

    Her students are known as the “Swanson Sweeties” on campus, and it’s just one of the ways she makes each child feel like they’re appreciated and belong, which is very important during the first year of school.

    “I like being their first experience with school and showing them learning can be fun and just being happy to come to school every day, I love that,” said Jennifer.

    “They learn so much. They go from not knowing their letters and sounds to reading books to me and I feel like, ‘oh my gosh, I get to teach someone something they’re going to do every day for the rest of their life’, it just makes me so happy,” she said.

    Jennifer says knowing she’s having that kind of impact on these little lives keeps her going.

    If you would like to nominate a teacher who is making a difference, you can find the A+ Teacher nomination form on our website.

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    Fallon Silcox

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  • Palmetto residents’ homes damaged after Sunday’s storm

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    MANATEE COUNTY, Fla. — A Palmetto resident says the severe thunderstorms over the weekend significantly damaged his family’s home.

    Manatee County officials on Sunday brought tarps and other aid to the families whose homes were damaged.

    What You Need To Know

    • A Palmetto resident says the severe thunderstorms over the weekend significantly damaged his family’s home

    • Manatee County officials were there on Sunday, bringing tarps and other aid to the families impacted

    “That’s the scary part — how fast this happened. The family told me it was just a matter of seconds from the loud sound of bending metal to it flying off of the house,” William Meade said.

    But the only thing the resident cared about was making sure his wife and kids were safe.

    “It happened in the blink of an eye,” he said.

    Meade recalled Sunday’s storm. It brought heavy winds that tore off the home’s entire carport, with the debris landing in the road.

    “It just… it was gone,” he said.

    The home in Shadow Brook Mobile Home Park in Palmetto is owned by his parents. It’s where he, his wife and their four kids live.

    “My wife was freaking out and said, ‘Oh my God, oh my God.’ She looked out of the window and saw our roof come off. She panicked more than anybody else and grabbed our kids,” he explained.

    He says the home made it through last year’s historic hurricane season, but when it came to Sunday’s storm, the carport didn’t stand a chance.

    “Like my house was being ripped apart. It was so quick,” he said.

    Severe thunderstorms can roll in at any time during the rainy season in Florida, and Meade says he will do what he can to prepare.

    “I think maybe we’ll put a tarp over our shed because we’ve got our laundry — our washing machine and dryer — in there. But apart from that, no, I think we should be OK,” he said.

    Now the family is considering moving because they worry the house isn’t structurally safe going forward.

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    Julia Hazel

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  • Charter captains receive relief grant after hurricane losses

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    MANATEE COUNTY, Fla. — Charter captains are getting some relief after facing revenue losses from last year’s hurricane season. A local nonprofit secured grant money to distribute to recreational and commercial fishermen in Manatee and Sarasota counties.


    Finding the best spot is always the key when Captain David White is fishing.

    “Well, if they’re snook out there, you know, those baits in the water, you’ll see them hit right on the surface,” he said.

    White has been in the industry for a decade, but he started his own business last September, right before Hurricanes Helene and Milton. White said the impact from the storms led to a loss of nearly $50,000.

    “I mean, our whole economy here is based on tourism. And of course, there were no rental properties that were open, so it was a rough three or four months for sure,” he explained.

    He applied for a grant that would help make up for the losses. Recently, White learned he would receive more than $1,100 from Suncoast Waterkeeper, a nonprofit with the mission to protect and restore our waters.

    “Our insurance is about three grand a year. And for me, that’s due in September. So for me, it’s going to go toward my insurance for the year,” he said.

    But he’s not the only one. There are eight other charter captains who are receiving grant money, all from Sarasota and Manatee counties.

    “I know most of them. Most of them have kids. One guy yesterday, I mean, he’s got a brand-new baby,” he said.

    Suncoast Waterkeeper applied to the International Game Fish Association’s (IGFA) Worldwide Anglers Relief Fund and was awarded $10,000 to distribute.

    “Each captain had a different story about how this helps them. A lot of them have families, and this has been really helpful in either moving their kid to college or seeing their little ones into the new school year,” he said.

    White said any amount of money helps.

    “It’s $1,100 that I didn’t have. So it’s a lot. And just to know that they care,” he said.

    He’s optimistic this storm season will be better than last year and is thankful he has a community to support him.

    This is the first time the nonprofit Suncoast Waterkeeper has received this grant to help local fishing professionals. Next week, the rest of the grant recipients will receive their money.

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    Julia Hazel

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  • Pulse Memorial crosswalk on Orange Avenue repainted to meet state standards

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    ORLANDO, Fla. — Calling it a “cruel political act,” Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer is speaking out after the Florida Department of Transportation repainted a rainbow-colored crosswalk in Orlando overnight, which honored the 49 victims of the Pulse nightclub attack.

    However, the crosswalk was repainted to meet state standards after FDOT issued a memorandum in June stating that “all traffic control devices, including pavement surface markings, be compliant with the FDOT Design Manual and the Manual of Uniform Minimum Standards for Design, Construction and Maintenance for Streets and Highways, on all public roads, as applicable.”

    “This callous action of hastily removing part of a memorial to what was at the time our nation’s largest mass shooting, without any supporting safety data or discussion, is a cruel political act,” Dyer said in a Facebook post on Thursday.

    According to the memo, “non-standard surface markings, signage, and signals that do not directly contribute to traffic safety or control can lead to distractions or misunderstandings, jeopardizing both driver and pedestrian safety.

    Examples of non-compliant surface pavement would include any pavement markings that do not meet the color, shape or dimensions provided in the MUTCD or FDOT Standard Plans … or other pavement surface art that is associated with social, political, or ideological messages or images and does not serve the purpose of traffic control.”

    However, Dyer argues that it enhances safety and visibility for pedestrians visiting the Pulse memorial, and says it was approved by FDOT when it was installed in 2017. 

    “While the state works to erase the memory of the victims of the Pulse tragedy by painting over the crosswalk, our community’s commitment to honoring the 49, and completing the memorial, will never waver,” he said on Facebook.

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    Spectrum News Staff

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  • Habitat for Humanity lends hand to Orange County residents after Chantal

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    RALEIGH, N.C. — It’s been more than a month since Tropical Storm Chantal swept over parts of North Carolina. People are continuing to rebuild and repair their lives and homes. 

    What You Need To Know

    • Habitat for Humanity of Orange County is fixing 12 Orange County homes damaged by Tropical Storm Chantal

    • The organization repairs and cleans up homes for low-income families after big storms

    • Repair crews help with everything from foundation or structural repairs to HVAC, electrical and plumbing


    Habitat for Humanity repair crews were hard at work recently fixing 12 Orange County homes damaged by Chantal. 

    Crews last week focused on four homes in the Weatherhill Pointe community in Carrboro.

    “That has been really a shock. And I think, like, I have PTSD right now because we didn’t expect it,” said resident Chea Terrell.   

    Terrell said that in her 19 years here, there had never been extreme flooding like this.

    Although she lives near a community pond, Terrell said she was told the area was not prone to flooding, and because of that, she canceled her flood insurance almost 8 years ago. 

    “FEMA declared the area a non-flooding area, and now here we are, we can’t rebuild the house,” said Terrell.

    Habitat for Humanity of Orange County repaired at least 25 homes last year in North Carolina, all of them a part of its home repair program.

    The organization repairs and cleans up homes for low-income families after big storms.

    “Everything was thrown out, everything from cabinets to clothes to everything. Appliances. Everything was gone,” said Terrell.

    Terrell said until the work is done, she and her husband are staying with friends. Having survived the storm, she’s thankful and looks forward to rebuilding her life with her family in a new house.

    “We didn’t know where to get the money to repair the house. So when Habitat came, it was a blessing,” said Terrell.  

    Repair crews help with everything from foundation or structural repairs to HVAC, electrical and plumbing.

    Habitat for Humanity said it’s continuing other outreach projects as it focuses on repairs from Chantal.

    These repairs can take several months, and the entire project in Orange County will take about 2 years to complete.

     

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    Jatrissa Wooten

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  • Lakeland barbershop helps young man facing homelessness

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    LAKELAND, Fla. — One Lakeland barbershop is transforming more than just hairstyles — it’s helping change lives in the community through its scholarship fund.

    What You Need To Know

    • After serving time in jail and experiencing homelessness, Deron Gregg turned his life around with the help of Barber Skate Shop

    • Barber Skate Shop owner Jairus Rutherford provides scholarships to Polk County residents looking to pursue education and career paths

    • Thanks to the scholarship, 33-year-old Deron Gregg graduated from barber school and built a clientele in less than a year


    Around the streets of Bela Vista is where Deron Gregg spent many years of his life, but the path forward hasn’t always been a straight line.

    “In 2021, I got in trouble, which led to seven months in Polk County Jail. I used to pray like, ‘Lord I just want to be a functioning Christian outside of jail.’ And I ended up taking probation — all my family turned their back on me,” Gregg said.

    With nowhere to go, the 33-year-old turned to faith-based nonprofit Lighthouse Ministries for shelter. He said the first few nights were some of the hardest.

    “I grew up here, so I’m like, ‘I don’t need to go to no shelter.’ So I cried like my first day and to be honest, man, that was the best decision I’ve ever made,” he said.

    But Gregg said it wasn’t until he stepped foot into Barber Skate Shop for a haircut last September that his life truly changed. Along with operating five barbershops, owner Jairus Rutherford gives back to underserved communities in Polk County.

    His scholarship fund, named after his late mother, Autherine B. Rutherford, helps people pursuing college or trade school. Rutherford said once Gregg sat in his chair, he knew he would be the perfect candidate.

    “He would do more with it because he needed it more and not just with the scholarship but something like a mentorship as well. And then he wanted to do the same thing that I do,” Rutherford said.

    In less than a year, Gregg graduated from barber school and is now building his clientele at Barber Skate Shop. His goal is to one day open his own business, something he didn’t think was possible without the support of fellow barbers.

    “I never seen nothing like it,” he said. “We’re almost like a family. Very team-oriented. They’ll toss me walk-ins, they give me tips. This is like the perfect fit for me.”

    Ultimately, it gave him more than just an opportunity — it gave him a community.

    If you would like to learn more about how to apply for the Autherine B. Rutherford Scholarship Fund, visit Barber Skate Shop’s website.

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    Alexis Jones

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  • Dade City residents fighting to save centuries-old grand oak tree from removal

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    DADE CITY, Fla. — The fight to save a centuries-old tree is heating up.

    The roughly 200-year-old grand oak tree sits outside the Pasco County Courthouse. County officials slated the tree for removal, saying it’s threatening a World War II memorial that sits beneath it, but some residents are pushing back.

    What You Need To Know

    • Dade City residents are pushing back to save a centuries-old tree outside the Pasco County Courthouse

    • County officials have slated the 200-year-old tree for removal, saying it’s threatening a World War II memorial that sits beneath it
    • In the tree’s place, commissioners plan to re-landscape the lawn and plant 11 sabal palms
    • A county spokesperson said the board has voted for a more rigorous and detailed arborist inspection, which is expected to be completed later this month


    “This tree was standing here with roots in the ground when this was England, when this was Spain, and then soon became the United States,” said Kevin Taggerty, who created the Dade City Life Facebook page. “We’re talking before the Declaration of Independence was signed.”

    The tree is now being considered for removal by the Board of County Commissioners.

    “They said that it had to be removed because it was unhealthy and that it’s a threat to the bandstand,” said Taggerty.

    Taggerty is a local resident and, through his Facebook page, has rallied other residents to help save the tree.

    “This tree is the heart of our city,” Taggerty said. “It’s an iconic tree right here in front of our courthouse. If they remove it, it’s going to take a lot of the heart with it.”

    Under the tree’s limbs sits a World War II memorial. Pasco County officials have said the tree is a threat to that piece of history. But Taggerty and others argue a recent arborist report refutes those claims.

    “It broke my heart into a million pieces because it is such a grand tree, and it is right in the center of town,” said Karen Menard, a member of the Dade City Garden Club. “And to remove it will create a huge void.”

    “Once we found out about the tree removal, we pulled the documents that were submitted,” Taggerty said. “We found out that they used a 10-year-old arborist report, and that arborist did not even say to remove the tree.”

    In the tree’s place, commissioners plan to re-landscape the lawn and plant 11 sabal palms. A move, Taggerty believes is unnecessary. Instead, he’d like to see the city stand by its nickname.

    “We are ‘Tree City, U.S.A.’ here in Dade City, and we want to keep this look of our beautiful oaks here,” Taggerty said. “We don’t want to see another oak tree fall.”

    Pasco County officials declined to respond to a request for comment. A spokesperson with the county, however, did say the board has voted for a more rigorous and detailed arborist inspection that will guide future actions. The inspection is expected to be completed later this month.

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    Calvin Lewis

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