It's a Good Morning to be in New Port Richey

At ABC Action News, we know it's the combination of all the communities that make Tampa Bay great to live in. That's why we've started a new series of reporting highlighting good things happening around town, discovering cool gems you may not know about, and uncovering the big news events impacting those areas.

On Friday, the Good Morning Tampa Bay team focused on New Port Richey.

Complete Coverage: GBTB Local Spotlight

Fast Facts

• The city was originally known as Hickory Hammock then later renamed after its original settler Captain Aaron Richey
• The city was established during the 1880s and incorporated in October 1924
• The area was known as the "Hollywood of the East" at one time
• The Hacienda Hotel opened February 5, 1927 and brought big Hollywood names to the area

• City plans for NPR came 28 years after Port Richey; W.E. Guilford drew up plans in 1911
  • There's been little deviation from the original plans
• Dr. Elroy M. Avery founded the Avery Library and Historical Society in 1919, he became the first mayor in 1924 in a 201-4 vote
• Golfer Gene Sarazen moved to and invented his famous "sand wedge" in New Port Richey

We're highlighting local programs and businesses, road safety projects and more.

New Port Richey's historic Hacienda Hotel will greet guests once again after a loving renovation

Built in a Mediterranean Revival style, the New Port Richey hotel was a glowing getaway for the rich and famous.

"This place was built as a hotel," says Jim Gunderson, the man responsible for returning the Hacienda back to its former glory. "It was designed as a hotel. It wants to be a hotel."

Later this year, maybe as early as summer, the Hacienda will open as a gorgeous 40-room hotel complete with dining room, bar and romantic courtyard perfect for weddings.

Downtown New Port Richey finds success on Main Street

Just after you turn off U.S.19 in New Port Richey you'll find a bright and vibrant slice of the city.

"Downtown New Port Richey is really experiencing a Renaissance. It's been growing and thriving for the past six or seven years now. And even through the last year during the pandemic, we continue to grow with over a dozen new businesses coming into downtown," says Economic Developer Director Charles Rudd.

Pepin Academies expands footprint in New Port Richey

For seven years, Pepin Academies has called New Port Richey home. But now, the students and staff are in a beautiful, brand new building.

The state of the art campus sits on 14 acres. They have a gym, all new classrooms, fields and five acres of Flatwoods trails for student use.

US 19 improvements set to increase safety for pedestrians in New Port Richey, Holiday

The Florida Department of Transportation is making pedestrian improvements to four intersections along U.S. 19 at Richey Road, Gulf Drive, Marine Parkway, and Continental Drive in Pasco County.

Work began at the beginning of 2021. This primarily impacts drivers who live and work in Holiday, New Port Richey, and Port Richey.

Reconnections Education Center offers unique education in New Port Richey

Here, playtime is not only encouraged, it's celebrated.

The school is described as a therapeutic intervention in an academic setting. It's Kindergarten through 7th grade, with plans to add more grade levels in the future.

Dr. Joleen Fernald and Lilibel Bernhardt run the program, both are licensed therapists.

Woman uses loss of vision to help others; credits New Port Richey non-profit for helping her

One local woman is using her own trials and tribulations to help others in her community.

At the age of 12, Heather Tuck was diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa, a rare genetic eye condition that left her blind in 2014.

She sought help at the Lighthouse for the Visually Impaired and Blind.

New Port Richey business on the forefront of medical trials

Suncoast Clinic Trials has been in operation since 1998.

Co-Owner Jennifer Selk says, "We test potential new medications as well as devices."

An important process in getting something FDA approved.

"We are involved in the development of all kinds of new medications as well as devices, as I mentioned, so that we can treat new conditions and prevent conditions and viruses," says Selk.

New Port Richey city leaders excited about future of Keiser University

There's progress being made at the corner of U.S.19 and Main Street in New Port Richey, especially if you ask City Manager Debbie Manns.

"This is an exciting project for the city really catalyst in nature," says Manns.

The property, hopefully by summer, will be home to a 45,000 sq. ft. Keiser University and around 1,000 students and 100 employees.