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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. Valentine’s Day ceremonies at historic Hernando courthouse fill the air with love
    Yesterday• 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.
  2. Racing pigs and one-man circus shows: Catch them this week at the Pasco County Fair
    Yesterday• 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.
  3. New Port Richey boutique owner is moving on up
    Feb. 13• 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.
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  5. Pasco County Fair kicks off next week in Dade City
    Feb. 10• 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.
  6. Bringing Carol Channing home
    Feb. 10• 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.
  7. Pasco County park reels 'em in at annual Fishing Festival
    Jan. 26• 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).
  8. Pasco still marching to the message of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
    Jan. 21• 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.
  9. Annual ode to the kumquat to play out in Dade City
    Jan. 20• 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.
  10. Feeling the holiday letdown? Pasco/Hernando festival season to the rescue
    Jan. 9• Pasco
    Raising Cane — A Sweet and Spice Event will be held Jan. 11 at the Pioneer Florida Museum in Dade City.
  11. Pasco kids enjoy winter break, Florida-style
    Jan. 2• 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.
  12. 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.
  13. 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.
  14. 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.
  15. 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.
  16. Tampa Bay potters throw open their studios for 12th-annual Tour de Clay
    Dec. 5, 2019• Pasco
    Glenn Woods, 62, shapes a decorative bottle made with a blend of porcelain clays at Pottery Boys Clay Studios on Nov. 18 in Palm Harbor. Woods and his partner, Keith Herbrand, 56, have created dozens of pieces, including holiday decorations, vases, coffee cups, bowls and platters for the Tour de Clay, a progressive tour of five pottery studios in the Tampa Bay area featuring the work of 33 artists from near and far.
  17. Holiday Hopes: A family reunited
    Dec. 4, 2019• Pasco
    After a series of hard knocks, Ryan Clark (center) is working to rebuild with the help of Metropolitan Ministries. Pictured, (left to right) is Clarke's mom, Maria Johnson, Clarke holding their son, Christopher, and fiance, Kristi Agnew. The family is hoping to reunite soon with Agnew's two sons, who are living temporarily with family in Louisiana.
  18. Read-to-a-dog programs a new thing at Hernando County libraries
    Nov. 28, 2019• Hernando
    Ari Shipley, 5, (left) reads to a golden retriever named Turbo, while her brother, Jett, 3, looks on. Reading to Turbo is a new program at the Spring Hill/Harold G. Zopp Memorial Library.
  19. For Thanksgiving, a Dade City church gives back
    Nov. 27, 2019• Pasco
    Volunteers from Renovate Church in Dade City serve a Thanksgiving meal to members of the community at Farmers Self-Help on Nov. 23. This is the third year the church has hosted the meal, which is funded by community and business donations.
  20. Yoga with cats: Out of the shelter and into the zen
    Nov. 18, 2019• Pasco
    A cat named Karma finds a comfortable spot in the lap of Taylor McKenzie during the Kitty Cats and Yoga Mats wellness activity at the Land O' Lakes Library.
  21. Veterans Day in Zephyrhills: A day for remembrance
    Nov. 12, 2019• Pasco
    Members of the VFW Post 8154 honor guard stand at attention during the Veterans Day Remembrance service held Nov. 11 at Zephyr Park in Zephyrhills.
  22. Pasco and Hernando community bands strike a chord
    Oct. 31, 2019• Pasco
    Henry Fletcher is entering his 47th season directing the Richey Concert Band.
  23. A hero’s welcome: Medal of Honor recipients visit Pasco County schools
    Oct. 30, 2019• Pasco
    Medal of Honor recipient and retired Navy Seal Lt. Thomas Norris shakes hands with Angelina Anderson, 11, during a visit to Paul R. Smith Middle School in Holiday.
  24. Gulf Middle theatre students reach for the stars with ‘In the Heights’
    Oct. 25, 2019• Pasco
    During a recent rehearsal of 'In the Heights,' Gulf Middle student Dominic Nitz gets a toss in the air with help from Noah Mederios (left) and Jay Woodson (right).