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Michele Miller - Pasco Features Reporter
Michele Miller

Pasco Features Reporter

I’m jack-of-all-trades of sorts, working for the Pasco regional section of the Tampa Bay Times. I plan local education and entertainment coverage and write a fair share of human interest stories. I always have my camera handy because I enjoy taking pictures. I’m passionate about bringing you local news that you won't get anywhere else. I’m a northern transplant who’s been working for the Times for over 20 years, so you could say, I’ve settled in. Your community is my community. Call me any time with a story idea.

  1. Front porch concerts help Pasco musicians keep an audience and some income
    May 1, 2020• Pasco
    Local duo Julie Black and Dave Eichenberger live-stream a Sunday afternoon set last month from their front porch in downtown New Port Richey.
  2. A drive-by parade celebrates the impact of a beloved Spring Hill teacher
    Apr. 24, 2020• Community News
    On Monday, faculty, students and former students from Nature Coast Technical High held a parade celebrating the life of David Feinberg, a science teacher at the Spring Hill school. Feinberg, who taught at the school for 16 years, was diagnosed with liver cancer in October and recently entered hospice care. "Best teacher I ever had," Justin Mergal (left) calls out to Feinberg as Tiana Mergal holds up an encouraging sign.
  3. Social media helps push business to Pasco and Hernando restaurants hurting from coronavirus
    Apr. 18, 2020• Community News
    Server Emily Boone rings up a take-out order for customer Justin Miller at Craft Street Kitchen in Trinity. Miller, a regular customer, said he is trying to support local restaurants during a time of social distancing.
  5. Tampa Bay farm stands offer open-air grocery store alternative
    Apr. 10, 2020• Hernando
    Beasley Farms in Brooksville provides a needed getaway for locals who come for fresh produce and eggs and to visit with goats, chickens and a horse named Katie that live on the family farm. A golden Lab named Georgia gets some love from 3-year-old Sarah Faulkingham as her mom, Charity, pays for her purchase inside.
  6. Pandemic can’t stop this Pasco teacher from running
    Apr. 1, 2020• Pasco
    When the marathon she was supposed to run was canceled, Kristin Parmenter, 39, decided to create her own, mapping a route that began and ended at her New Port Richey driveway. She ended by crossing a toilet paper finish line at the "Coronavirus Social Distance Classic."
  7. Beyond the coronavirus — moving forward from these days of isolation | Michele Miller
    Mar. 25, 2020• Pasco
    Sidewalk chalk drawings from the neighborhood kids brings levity in a time of isolation.
  8. In New Port Richey, they were taking a walk in the park, one page at a time
    Mar. 17, 2020• Pasco
    Cadynce Nettles, 4, bounds down the park trail to read the next page from a book called 'The Busy Tree' during the opening of a permanent installation called StoryWalk at the James E. Grey Preserve in New Port Richey.
  9. ChasGlo lights up downtown New Port Richey
    Mar. 10, 2020• Pasco
    Aerial "Celestial" King dances with open wings at the ChasGlo pop-up art event held March 6 in downtown New Port Richey. King is a flow performer with The Hoopy Place.
  10. A sign of spring in Brooksville: 36th-annual Art in the Park
    Mar. 9, 2020• Hernando
    Artist Peter Gerbert has spent 25 years painting the wildlife and fauna he encounters throughout Florida, including this painting "Spoonbill Lagoon," inspired by a trip to Fort DeSoto Park. Gerbert will be exhibiting and selling his work March 14-15 at the 36th-annual Art in the Park in Brooksville
  11. Valentine’s Day ceremonies at historic Hernando courthouse fill the air with love
    Feb. 18, 2020• Hernando
    Jacqueline Ortiz and Francisco Medero were the first couple to exchange wedding vows during a special Valentine's Day ceremony held in historic Courtroom 1 at the Hernando County Courthouse in Brooksville. County judges Kristie Healis (pictured) and Kurt Hitzemann took turns officiating the ceremonies that were scheduled at 15-minute intervals throughout the day.
  12. Racing pigs and one-man circus shows: Catch them this week at the Pasco County Fair
    Feb. 18, 2020• Pasco
    Iriann Paynewhite of Dade City enjoys a ride on a lady bug on opening day at the Pasco County Fair. The fair continues through Feb. 23 at the county fairgrounds in Dade City.
  13. New Port Richey boutique owner is moving on up
    Feb. 13, 2020• Pasco
    Lisa Langford opened her artisan boutique, Lis's Pieces, in March of 2019 on Grand Boulevard in downtown New Port Richey. She recently expanded, remodeling an upper floor to use for crafting workshops. Future plans include using the space for small weddings and other intimate occasions, Langford said.
  14. Pasco County Fair kicks off next week in Dade City
    Feb. 10, 2020• Pasco
    MICHELE MILLER | Times Raelynn Reagan offers bits of hay to a heifer named Ariel on opening day of the 2019 Pasco County Fair in Dade City.
  15. Bringing Carol Channing home
    Feb. 10, 2020• Pasco
    "Nicky as Carol Channing," features former New Port Richey resident Nicky Ciampoli. The show will be on Feb. 20 at the Richey Suncoast Theatre in New Port Richey.
  16. Pasco County park reels 'em in at annual Fishing Festival
    Jan. 26, 2020• Pasco
    Kathryn Sharkey, 9, of Masarkytown, proves to have a swift hand in casting at the Family Fishing Festival held Jan, 18 at Withlacoochee River Park in Dade City. Looking on, is her dad, Devon Sharkey (right).
  17. Pasco still marching to the message of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
    Jan. 21, 2020• Pasco
    Members of the community march down Pine Hill Road from the Union Baptist Church to the African American Club of Pasco, as part of the annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. event held Jan. 20.
  18. Annual ode to the kumquat to play out in Dade City
    Jan. 20, 2020• Pasco
    Kumquats that are yet to be harvested in the groves at Kumquat Growers, Inc. in Dade City. The local agriculture business provides fruit for the annual Kumquat Festival to be held Jan. 25 in downtown Dade City.
  19. Feeling the holiday letdown? Pasco/Hernando festival season to the rescue
    Jan. 9, 2020• Pasco
    Raising Cane — A Sweet and Spice Event will be held Jan. 11 at the Pioneer Florida Museum in Dade City.
  20. Pasco kids enjoy winter break, Florida-style
    Jan. 2, 2020• Pasco
    Myrah Almestica, 4, (left) and Alexandra Evelyn, 4, (right) make miniature snowmen out of a mixture of baking soda and hair conditioner during a special winter activity held over winter break at the Fox Hollow Elementary PLACE program.
  21. Volunteers honor fallen vets one wreath at a time at Florida National Cemetery
    Dec. 17, 2019• Pasco
    Ashley Durand of Tampa and her children, Vianne, 6, (foreground) and Ciaran, 3, say a prayer during the annual Wreaths Across America event held on Dec. 14 at Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell.
  22. Dreams fulfilled, goals met at Pasco-Hernando State College commencement
    Dec. 16, 2019• Pasco
    More than 1,300 summer and fall graduates were eligible to participate in the morning or afternoon commencement ceremonies Dec. 11 at the Pasco-Hernando State College New Port Richey campus. Approximately 345 degrees and certificates were conferred.
  23. New Port Richey coffee shop thrives in unlikely spot.
    Dec. 11, 2019• Pasco
    Brett Griest, 61, and his wife, Shannon, are the proprietors of the East Main Street Coffee Shop & Sandwich Shop in New Port Richey. The coffee, specialty sandwiches and a neighborly feel keep customers coming back.
  24. Brooksville mural tour offers low-key stroll through local history
    Dec. 9, 2019• Hernando
    Jan Knowles is the tour guide of a new walking Murals Tour in downtown Brooksville. The one-hour tour is sponsored by the Hernando County Fine Arts Council and features eight murals, including this one painted on the Historic Woman's Club on Main Street.