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  • Issue #471: Pasco’s Growth Surge | Saddlebrook’s $92M Revamp | Panthers-Lightning Brawl | Amazon Threat Arrest | Gators Upset Texas

Issue #471: Pasco’s Growth Surge | Saddlebrook’s $92M Revamp | Panthers-Lightning Brawl | Amazon Threat Arrest | Gators Upset Texas

10/6/2025

Author

Ted Grellner
06 Oct

Keep your finger on the Pulse!

GOOD MORNING

Dr Ted
USAF Retired


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In this issue of NewTampa | WesleyChapel
Local Pulse

Our Event Calendar 

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Local News

— Boomtown Pasco: County Ranks Among Florida’s Fastest-Growing

— Saddlebrook Stirs Things Up with $92M Makeover and New Eateries

OMG!

— Ruskin Man Arrested After Admitting to Mass‑Shooting Threats at Amazon

Sports

— Penalty Pandemonium: Panthers-Lightning Clash Sparks 322 Minutes of Mayhem

— Swamp Stunner: Florida Topples No. 9 Texas Behind Freshman Star


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Boomtown Pasco: County Ranks Among Florida’s Fastest-Growing

Pasco County’s population has surged by over 15% in the past five years, growing from 510,600 to nearly 589,000 residents, according to U.S. Census data. This places it among Florida’s top three fastest-growing counties—just behind St. Johns (24%) and ahead of Polk (13.8%).

Once a bedroom community, Pasco is rapidly evolving into an economic hub. Projects like Moffitt Cancer Center’s 775-acre Speros campus and more than 669 active construction sites are reshaping the county.

Growth comes with strain: traffic congestion, rising home prices, and infrastructure pressure are increasing. Zephyrhills even paused development in 2023 due to water supply issues.

In response, officials are planning new roads, trail systems, and flexible housing options, while preserving over one-third of the county’s land as green space.

Local leaders say sustainable job creation is essential to reduce commuter dependence and maintain quality of life.

Saddlebrook Stirs Things Up with $92M Makeover and New Eateries

Saddlebrook Resort in Wesley Chapel is undergoing a $92 million transformation, aiming to recapture its status as a premier destination. Central to the revival are four new dining venues, designed to offer a seamless day-to-night culinary experience.

  • BREW, a café in the redesigned lobby, serves artisanal coffee and pastries.

  • The Pool Bar & Kitchen brings tropical cocktails and fresh ceviche by the Super Pool.

  • The Sports Tavern offers a modern clubhouse vibe with elevated pub fare.

  • RARE 1981, opening in November, will deliver regionally sourced fine dining.

Legacy spots like Tropics and Dempsey’s Too are being replaced. Beyond food, the resort is also upgrading guest rooms, golf courses, and lobby areas, adding pickleball courts and enhancing athletic facilities.

The broader vision includes a new town center, retail, and housing, ensuring Saddlebrook remains a dynamic hub for years to come.

Ruskin Man Arrested After Admitting to Mass‑Shooting Threats at Amazon

A 29‑year‑old former Amazon employee, Christopher Colontonio, is under arrest after allegedly sending two threatening emails to the Ruskin fulfillment center on Sept. 27 following his termination.

Colontonio admitted to detectives that he sent the messages, according to the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office. He faces charges of written or electronic threat to kill or do bodily injury and written or electronic threat to conduct a mass shooting or act of terrorism.

Sheriff Chad Chronister emphasized accountability, saying those who try to intimidate the community will be found and prosecuted.

The arrest follows an investigation by local detectives; the sheriff’s office provided information to media outlets. No additional details about explicit motives or planned targets were released in the initial statement.

Community safety officials warn that online threats are taken seriously and that digital communications can lead to criminal charges.

For updates, consult official releases from the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office and local law‑enforcement briefings.

Penalty Pandemonium: Panthers-Lightning Clash Sparks 322 Minutes of Mayhem

Florida Panthers and Tampa Bay Lightning reignited their fierce rivalry in a chaotic preseason matchup Saturday night, combining for an astonishing 322 penalty minutes, 65 total penalties, and a dominant 7-0 Panthers victory.

The tension stemmed from past postseason meetings—four in the last five years—including a violent 2025 series marred by suspensions. That bad blood boiled over early, when Tampa Bay’s Scott Sabourin took down Aaron Ekblad and delivered a punch that forced the defenseman out of the game. Sabourin received a match penalty for intent to injure and now faces a disciplinary hearing.

By game’s end, officials handed out five fights, 20 roughing minors, six misconducts, and 12 game misconducts. At one point, only three Lightning players remained on the bench.

Fines were issued to Gage Goncalves, Roman Schmidt, and A.J. Greer, with hearings pending for Sabourin and J.J. Moser.

The rivals will meet again on Nov. 15 at Amerant Bank Arena.

Swamp Stunner: Florida Topples No. 9 Texas Behind Freshman Star

True freshman Dallas Wilson made a historic debut and DJ Lagway threw for a season-high 289 yards as Florida upset No. 9 Texas 29‑21 in Gainesville Saturday, snapping a three-game losing streak.

Wilson, a Tampa native, hauled in six catches for 111 yards and two touchdowns, including a jaw-dropping 55-yard score where he shed multiple defenders en route to the end zone.

Florida’s defense sacked Arch Manning seven times, forcing two interceptions and keeping Texas off balance in front of 90,714 fans. Lagway’s performance and Wilson’s return from injury helped revive a Gators offense that had been flat for weeks.

Manning threw for 263 yards, but the Longhorns (3‑2) were outmatched in their first visit to Gainesville since 1940.

Florida (2‑3) travels to No. 6 Texas A&M next week, while Texas faces No. 5 Oklahoma in the Red River Rivalry.

What’s New In Tampa Bay
Oct 2025
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Things to do Around Tampa & WC
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