🌱 Patch AM: Lutz native sets historic bowl record and earns AP honors

Morning Lutz! We've got the scoop on the latest happenings in town. Read on to get looped in. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

• Lutz native sets historic bowl record and earns AP honors
• Lutz sister mourns the passing of Phyllis Mary Koons

Today's riddle: After dinner, my parents asked if I could clear the table. 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Thursday: Partly sunny and very warm, with a high of 82 and low of 61 degrees.
• Friday: Mostly sunny and very warm, temps: high: 85, low: 63.
• Saturday: Sun mixing with clouds; warm, with a high of 84 and low of 61 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

• Football's Anderson Earns All-Bowl Status from AP (fiusports.com) — A hometown athlete from Lutz is getting national attention after FIU’s Maguire Anderson was named an Associated Press All-Bowl Performer for his record-setting 97-yard punt return touchdown in the First Responder Bowl. The former walk-on, now a key contributor, is expected to play a major role for FIU again in the 2026 season.
   

• Phyllis Mary Koons (thewestfieldnews.com) — Lutz readers may feel a connection to this obituary, as Phyllis Mary Koons’ surviving sister, Theresa Molesky, lives in Lutz while other family members remain in Massachusetts. Phyllis, remembered as a caring hairdresser, artist, and musician, passed away January 1 at 75, with private services planned and memorial donations suggested to Alzheimer’s organizations.
   

📸 Around Lutz

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🗓 Events Nearby

Thursday January 8

• Preschool Storytime at Land O Lakes Library
  Land O'Lakes Library , 2818 Collier Pkwy , Land O' Lakes
  10:15 am
• Centennial Celebration Committee
  Temple Terrace, FL Calendar Temple Terrace, FL 33617
  4:00 pm
• JV & V Boys Basketball vs Pasco
  Wiregrass Ranch High School , 2909 Mansfield Blvd , Wesley Chapel
  6:00 pm
• Boys Soccer [HOME] vs. WChapel (Varsity + JV)
  HOME Land O Lakes, FL 34638
  6:00 pm
• Charlie Mac
  Side Splitters Comedy Club - Wesley Chapel , 6333 Wesley Grove Blvd Theater , Unit 7 , Wesley Chapel
  8:00 pm

Friday January 9

• Girls Soccer vs Lake Gibson JV & V
  Wiregrass Ranch High School , 2909 Mansfield Blvd , Wesley Chapel
  6:30 pm

Saturday January 10

• Girls Wrestling @ Rusted Jade INV. (Hernando HS)
  Rusted Jade INV. Land O Lakes, FL 34638
  8:00 am
• Land O’ Lakes Toddler Time Winter Multi-Sport Program
  Land O' Lakes Heritage Park , 5401 Land O' Lakes Blvd , Land O' Lakes
  9:00 am

Tuesday January 13

• Boys Soccer @ Land O'Lakes (Varsity + JV)
  Land O'Lakes Land O Lakes, FL 34638
  6:00 pm
• Girls Basketball JV & V @ Pasco
  Pasco High School , 36850 Co Rd 52 , Dade City
  6:00 pm
• Girls Soccer vs Mitchell JV & V
  Wiregrass Ranch High School , 2909 Mansfield Blvd , Wesley Chapel
  7:00 pm

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

Thank you 👏👏👏 to the local businesses for making Lutz PatchAM possible:

• Mindsee.it — (646) 663-8317
  Teach your kids they can achieve the impossible!

Click here to show your appreciation! 💚

Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• Update on Pippy.
  He has been found, he is currently at the vet getting checked out. I found him this morning unable to support his back end. Praying it is nothing… (Nextdoor Sunset Lane)
• Please share & repost to help reunite this stray dog!
  FOUND on January 5, 2026 in Land O' Lakes, FL 34638 near Mcdonald’s Sharing for a neighbor. For the latest information or to contact the finder,… (Nextdoor Lakes Edge Ln)

• Mettler-Toledo International posted a job opening for Technical Assembler I (M - F 6:30 AM - 3:00 PM) in Lutz. Apply here.
• Burger King posted a job opening for Team Member in Lutz. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Lutz here.

🗞 Nearby News

University

• Basketball Recap: Harmony Comes Up Short (maxpreps.com)

Temple Terrace

• HART Board Elects Councilman Schisler Chair (blogspot.com)

Tampa

Ok Lutz! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I needed a running start, but I made it!
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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