By MELANIE AVE, ANDREW MEACHAM and LETITIA STEIN
Published July 15, 2005
The School Board gave the go-ahead Tuesday night for a site that would be home to a middle school and an elementary school in South Hillsborough.
The board gave administrators the authority to appraise and negotiate for additional property at the proposed Valencia Lakes subdivision east of Wimauma. The developer, GL Homes, is dedicating about 24 acres for unnamed elementary school "L" and unnamed middle school "SS".
But John Bowers, Hillsborough schools' manager of planning and siting, said more land may be necessary. A study is under way to determine how much property is needed. If more land is required, administrators now have the ability to negotiate with nearby property owners. He said another 5 acres may be needed.
Both schools, which will be next to a county park, are set to open in the fall of 2007.
About 2,800 homes will be built on 1,300 acres at U.S. 301 and County Road 674, the former home of DG Farms. Valencia Lakes is being designed for older adults, age 55 and up. It will include two clubhouses and an athletic center. Construction was set to begin this summer. The community should be built out between 2008 and 2010.
Presidents Roundtable honors parade acts
BRANDON - The best acts of Brandon's Fourth of July Parade took one last bow Wednesday when the President's Roundtable honored the following groups:
Best Theme: Music Showcase
Best Musical Marching Unit: Bloomingdale-Brandon High School Summer Band
Best Amateur Performance: Brandon Sports and Aquatic Center
Best Marching Unit: Brandon Broncos Youth Cheerleaders
Best Youth Cheerleaders: Brandon Cowboys Football
Best Amateur Float: Mann Middle School Future Farmers of America Alumni
Best Musical Vocal Unit: Stage Door Productions
Most Unusual Vehicle: Truly Nolen
Best Professional Float: Greater Brandon Chamber of Commerce
Best Krewe: Krewe of Shamrock
Presidents' Roundtable Best Overall Award: Brandon Assembly of God
Each group received a plaque at the awards celebration.
Brandon Regional joins AvMed provider network
BRANDON - AvMed Health Plan members could get more choices in the Brandon area.
Brandon Regional Medical Center is among 14 hospitals affiliated with West Florida Division of HCA Inc. that joined the AvMed provider network on July 1. The agreement allows 500 primary care doctors and physician specialists to work with the AvMed network, which includes HCA's community hospitals, 11 diagnostic imaging centers and nine ambulatory surgical centers.
AvMed is Florida's largest not-for-profit health plan.
