Monday, May 21, 2012
Stay with New Port Richey Patch throughout the season for information and updates you need to know about.
The official start of Atlantic Hurricane Season 2012 is almost two weeks away, but that isn’t stopping Mother Nature from flexing her muscles. Tropical Storm Alberto is already churning off the coast of Florida. While that storm isn’t expected to cause New Port Richey any trouble, it’s just the first in what forecasters say will be a less active year than last, but busy nonetheless. According to the Huffington Post, the 2012 Hurricane Season, which runs from June 1 through Nov. 30, is anticipated to be an average to below-average year as far as storm activity is concerned. Don’t let the “average” fool you though; Colorado State University is predicting 10 named storms. It anticipates four hurricanes and two major hurricanes. As the 2012…
Customers can buy fresh fruits and vegetables while helping the New Port Richey Public Library raise money.
Picking up fruits and vegetables can be as simple as taking a trip to the New Port Richey Public Library, if you want it to be. The library is teaming up with Tampa Bay Organics, a Lutz-based business, for a delivery co-op effort that drops boxes of organically grown produce off at the library, (5939 Main Street, New Port Richey) every week. Customers can order their produce online at the Tampa Bay Organics website and pick and choose what fruits and vegetables they wish to receive in a box. Then they can go to the library and pick up their box at the library circulation desk every week. Ten percent of money from purchases goes to Friends of the New Port Richey Public Library, which is the nonprofit that raises money for the city library…
Friday, May 18, 2012
Writing scores tracked with state averages.
Every high school in Pasco County has reported gains in the reading proficiency section of the ninth and 10th grade FCATs, according to the Pasco County School District. “This accomplishment is particularly impressive considering the fact that the state increased the rigor of the assessment last year and increased the minimum score required to achieve proficiency this year,” district officials stated in a press release. Statewide scores on the writing FCAT were so low that the state authorities lowered the passing score. The writing test is taken by fourth-, eighth- and 10th-graders. However, the Pasco School District exceeded the state average in reading proficiency on the ninth and 10th grade FCATs, according to the district. Fifty-four …
Thursday, May 17, 2012
Much of what the center has to offer will be on display.
Have you ever visited the New Port Richey Recreation and Aquatic Center? If you’ve never been, or haven’t been in a while, Saturday’s a good opportunity to get a taste of what’s currently offered there. The rec center is celebrating its 5fifh anniversary Saturday and is holding a free-to-attend open house event. But at the rec center, open house means a lollipop swim meet, Guinness Book of Records attempt and free food. The celebration is 9 a.m-noon at the center, 6630 Van Buren St., New Port Richey. The city-owned center opened in its expanded capacity in 2007 coming with a $14 million price tag. New Port Richey was recognized this month as a “Playful City” for the fourth consecutive year. The recognition is given out by “KaBOOM,” a …
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
Educators have proposed reducing the FCAT writing passing score to increase passing rates. A discussion is scheduled for Tuesday morning.
Less than 30 percent of fourth graders in Florida passed the FCAT writing test this year, according to preliminary results released on Monday, as reported by the Tampa Bay Times today. That's a steep dip compared to last year when 81 percent scored a passing 4.0 or better. The plummeting scores have prompted extreme concern among educators and state officials. On Monday, Education Commissioner Gerard Robinson proposed reducing the FCAT writing passing score from 4.0 to 3.5. Under that standard, 48 percent of fourth-graders would have passed the test with a 3.5 or better, along with 52 percent of eighth-graders and 60 percent of 10th-graders, according to the Times story. Florida education officials will hold an emergency conference call …
Monday, May 14, 2012
The current surtax expires at the end of 2014.
Since 2005, Pasco County residents have dipped a little deeper in their pockets when they bought just about anything except groceries or prescriptions. The millions from an extra penny in sales tax have gone to improve intersections, expand schools, secure environmentally sensitive land, put laptops in squad cards and even buy defibrillators. Now, school and county officials are gearing up to ask Pasco County voters to approve the tax again as its 10-year lifespan ends New Year’s Eve in 2014. Called the Penny for Pasco, the voluntary additional 1 cent in sales tax is expected to generate $143 million by the time it expires in 2014. Money from the tax with the official name of Local Government Infrastructure Surtax is divided almost evenly …
Thursday, May 10, 2012
But it's only temporary.
City officials are pledging to pay a local public relations firm to market the New Port Richey Recreation and Aquatic Center over the next several months. City Manager John Schneiger said the city is pledging $3,500 per month to deChant Public Relations to spread the word about the center. The firm is run by former City Councilwoman Marilynn deChant and business partner Lia Gallegos. The deal is for three months of service, with the option to extend to the end of September, while the city’s elected officials mull hiring a long-term marketing person. The agreement takes effect as soon as it is signed, Schneiger said. “We really do feel a sense of urgency that we’ve got to get going on this,” Schneiger told the City Council Tuesday. The New …
We want to hear what you think about this issue.
Barack Obama has a history of presidential firsts. He was the first black president elected in America. And now, according to The Huffington Post, he’s the first sitting president to declare support for same-sex marriage. "I've always been adamant that gay and lesbian Americans should be treated fairly and equally," the post quotes Obama as saying. How much of a political impact Obama’s action will have remains to be seen. Huffington Post reports that the issue lies largely in the hands of states and the courts. What do you think about same-sex marriage? Let us know in the comments section.
President Obama announced today his support for same-sex marriage, with advocates across Florida cheering his decision.
The head of Equality Florida lauded President Barack Obama today for voicing his support for lesbian and gay couples who want to marry. This is a "historic day," said Nadine Smith, Executive Director of Equality Florida. "The President's support moves us closer to the day when all Americans will be able to enjoy full marriage equality," Smith said in a written statement released this afternoon to the media. Obama's Announcement On Wednesday, President Barack Obama announced his support for same-sex marriage in a sit-down interview with ABC's Robin Roberts. During the interview with ABC News Obama stated that he's "always been adament that gay and lesbian Americans should be treated fairly," Obama told Roberts. "I have to tell you that over…
Wednesday, May 9, 2012
So far, less than 100 kids have signed up for the program, which is slated to begin next month.
Last year, the New Port Richey City Council proposed raising the fees for the recreation center’s summer program to a level that was unaffordable for most families. Due to intense media coverage and public outcry, the council wisely backed off the plan. However, there was little in the press regarding the council’s decision to drop the proposed increase and remain at the rates that were in effect at the start of the 2011 summer camp. When registration for the 2012 summer program opened in April, it became evident that not many people were aware that the fees remain the same as last year. Normally the recreation center has a line out the door on the day registration opens with people rushing to fill the approximately 170 open slots before …
chayask
4:55 pm on Wednesday, May 16, 2012
I have two comments that might make a point in how important grammar and punctuation are: Grammar is the difference between knowing your s&*t and knowing you're s&*t. 'Let's eat Grandma!' or, 'Let's eat, Grandma!" These are two examples of what will not be caught by spell check and why we should not be relying on them. Students DO need to be taught grammar, punctuation, and spelling; they ARE … more ›