A Year's Worth of Local Disc Golf Courses
Plus, pizza robberies, new restaurants, and meet Uno.
Happy Fri-yay. Besides the news from around the bay and our weekly update on new restaurants, today's Navigator includes some leisure in The List — a quick take on disc golf courses around the Bay. If you haven't tried the golf-like game played with Frisbee-ish discs on courses with metal baskets, consider it. It's a great way to get a little exercise and a taste of the great outdoors.
CURRENTS
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TOP NEWS
Tampa Bay mom says her kids are missing in Gaza. ABC Action News
Florida leaders blame insurance crisis on lawsuits, but evidence is thin. Tampa Bay Times $
Florida program allows DMV to revoke driver licenses based on anonymous reports. ABC Action News
Tampa neighbors concerned over 'clustering of sexual predators' in their area. 10 Tampa Bay
Death investigation at Farnell Middle School in Tampa is underway. Tampa Free Press
Hillsborough man sentenced in 15-year-old’s murder after trying to have key witness killed. Fox 13 News
Firefighter injured while battling Tampa house fire. 10 Tampa Bay
‘Sleepless nights’: Multiple customers of roofing company have liens placed on homes. News Channel 8
Rep. Fentrice Driskell calls on state to search for erased Black graves under I-175. 10 Tampa Bay
Tampa is creating a regional office that should make finding transportation funding easier. WUSF
Rowdies ready for another playoff push. ABC Action News
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BRIEFS
UT Sets New Record: Enrollment at the University of Tampa for the 2023-2024 academic year, including graduates and undergraduates, set a new UT record with 11,054 students, according to a university press release. All of the states and most of the world’s countries are represented in the mix of UT students, and nearly 30 percent of enrolled students are from diverse backgrounds which include domestic and international students. Ninety-eight percent of UT undergraduate students are full-time students. The University continues to see growth, receiving a record-setting 35,351 applications for the fall’s new entering class of 2,898 full-time undergraduate students.
Delivery Drivers Beware: The Tampa Police Department is investigating a pair of recent robberies of pizza delivery drivers that authorities believe are related. The latest robbery occurred about 8 p.m. Oct 16 and involved a Papa John’s deliver driver who was sent to 2223 E. Osborne Ave., Apt. C, a nonexistent unit, according to PIO Verliz Williams. The driver called the customer who instructed the driver to the back of the apartment complex, where four black juveniles were waiting. One suspect, armed with a knife, was described as wearing a black hoodie, a beige hat, and red sweatpants. Another suspect grabbed the order, and all four immediately fled. Detectives believe this incident is related to another robbery involving a Domino's delivery driver that occurred on Oct. 16 in the same neighborhood. Anyone with information that could assist in the investigation is encouraged
to contact Tampa Police at 813-231-6130 or submit an anonymous tip via Crime Stoppers of Tampa Bay at 800-873-TIPS (8477).
Arts as Job and Economy Booster: The arts in Hillsborough County are an economic driver, according to a study released Oct. 18 by the Arts Council of Hillsborough County and the national nonprofit Americans for the Arts. The report, the Arts & Economic Prosperity 6, or AEP6, study offered a thorough assessment of the economic impact of the arts, revealing: total industry expenditures (FY2022) of $387,463,290; personal income paid to residents working in the arts of $260,142,550; local tax revenue (city and county) of $11,242,603; and total event-related expenditures of $234,390,974. The results put the role of the arts in Hillsborough County as an economic driver into perspective, according to a county press release. The $53.68 per person per event spend is 40 percent higher than the national average of $38.46 and helps show that arts and culture drive commerce to local businesses.
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WHAT HE SAID
TODAY’S SPONSOR
The Navigator is sponsored by Mary’s Little Lamb Preschool at 7311 N. Armenia Ave. in Tampa. We are a nationally accredited preschool established in 1959.
Free Childcare and a paycheck. We are currently seeking a qualified toddler teacher or teaching assistant. The ideal candidate must be creative, energetic, dependable, nurturing, patient, have a passion about the growth and development of the children, and be a team player. Requirements: pass a level 2 background screening, high school diploma or higher, completed or willing to start and complete the DCF 45 training hours, get CPR/First aid certified.
Interested in sponsoring the Navigator? We need to talk.
BITES
Champion Pizza: Square, round, or no pizza at all (fried chicken or wings instead) is what you can get at this Seminole Heights newcomer. With NY-based pizza roots, Champion has built its rep on square pies, thin-and-crispy crusts, and ooey-gooey cheeses. Choose from ready-made slices — about 10 varieties when we visited — or create your own, choosing shape, crust style, and sauce. We were happy with our square choices: veggie, chicken-bacon-ranch, and truffle mushroom slices. And we liked our round pepperoni slice, too, which had a little more flop at the point and a bit more tooth at the edge. You can hear the prep cooks chopping mushrooms and whirring sauces as TVs play in the bar. There seems to be a lot of Ichicoro Ramen, Champion’s predecessor, left behind, which is to say, it’s a stylish place. Friendly service and welcome concern about our dine-in experience, especially on our boneless crispy chicken selection, made for a very pleasant experience. Open 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Sun.-Wed. and 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Thu.-Sat. 5229 N. Florida Ave., Seminole Heights, Tampa, 813-231-5942.
New Restaurant Openings
There is no shortage of new restaurants coming to the Tampa Bay Area. Here’s a list of places. Some are now open; others are coming. Call ahead before visiting.
Kōsen, underneath the Pearl at 307 W Palm Ave., Tampa Heights: omakase restaurant with an 18-course, $250 menu by renowned Chef Wei Chen.
ro, 1500 W. Swann Ave., Hyde Park, Tampa: innovative Asian cuisine.
Sesame, 1500 W. Swann Ave., Hyde Park, Tampa: bagels, all the way from Long Island.
Blaze Fast Fire’d Pizza, 18701 State Road 54, Lutz: artisan oven-fired pizza with 45 ingredient options, multiple crusts choices, and build-you-own salad availability.
Got restaurant news? Send it here.
THE LIST
Each week, we’ll bring you a new one. Got any ideas? Reach out.
A Full Year of Disc Golf Courses
Looking for a little fun this fall? Try out disc golf. The Tampa Bay Area has no shortage of courses for practicing your drives and putts. The game uses specialized discs that are smaller than the Wham-O Frisbee discs of your youth, and you can get started with as few as a single disc, which should set you back about $12. Try visiting one new course per month. These 12 should fill the bill nicely and come from UDisc.
22nd St. Park, Tampa
Cliff Stephens Park, Clearwater
Clearwater Disc Golf in The Ballpark, Clearwater
Crosswynde, Tampa
Cypress Point, Tampa
Oakridge Discgolf Course, New Port Richey
Oldsmar Disc Golf Course, Oldsmar
Picnic Island, Tampa
PureLine Practice Nine, Clearwater
Showmen’s Disc Golf Course, Riverview
Taylor Park Disc Golf, Largo
USF Riverfront Park, Tampa
YOU NEED A PET
This is Uno, one of Mama Darla's “Game Litter” pups from Sunshine Big Dog Rescue, and he’s ready to meet potential adopters. He and his littermates were born 7/26/23. Mama Darla appears to be a bulldog/Staffy mix, and we suspect the pups are more bulldog genetics. They are all fostered in a home with other dogs, kids, and fun. Each pup will be spayed/neutered, up to date on age appropriate vaccinations, microchipped, and dewormed. Adopters must have a securely fenced yard due to their vaccination schedule. The rescue requires someone home often, or a scheduled dog sitter/walker for feeding/potty schedules. To meet this adorable pup, please visit our website for further requirements and to submit an application for adoption. SunshineBigDogRescue.com
OTHER NEWS
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BAY AREA
Iconic Tampa seafood shop closes after 47 years. Business Observer
‘Kids were banging on the windows’: Chaotic Tampa school bus incident caught on video. News Channel 8
Tampa electrical contractor liquidates in $60 million bankruptcy. Tampa Bay Business Journal $
Treasure Island begins the next phase of an emergency beach restoration. WUSF
Local places of worship increase security amid Middle East Conflict. ABC Action News
New Tampa projects in the City Of Tampa’s fiscal ‘24 budget. New Tampa and Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News
What does Hillsborough school's LGBTQ History Month proclamation mean for the community? WUSF
ZooTampa breaks another attendance record. Tampa Bay Business Journal $
Graphicstudio at USF Tampa is the preferred printmaking shop of legendary artists. ABC Action News
Here’s the best time to see the Orionid meteor shower in the Tampa Bay area. News Channel 8
Bad Bunny’s ‘Most Wanted Tour’ is coming to Tampa next year. Creative Loafing
Beloved Tampa biker bar and music venue Born Free Pub & Grill is closed. Creative Loafing
Tampa Bay's best live music happening October 19-26. Creative Loafing
Florida State Fair tickets get discounted price for one day only. News Channel 8
Tampa Bay gets more cycling-centric. Axios
Cyclists converge in St. Pete for CRIT championship. Axios
Lightning begin five-game homestand Thursday night. Tampa Free Press
Falcons impressed by Baker Mayfield’s ‘absolutely amazing’ turnaround in Tampa Bay. The Athletic $
4-star Tampa recruit Booker Pickett Jr. commits to Miami Hurricanes. Tampa Bay Times $
FLORIDA
Advocates hope to connect the Legacy Trail to Tampa and Naples. WUSF
Florida denies defying the judge in a case on blocking medical care for transgender people. WMNF
A cooler, wetter winter could be coming this year despite the record heat so far. South Florida Sun Sentinel $
The private prison industry in Florida is now changing; the state is taking more control. Florida Phoenix
Florida’s insurance commissioner doesn’t support cap on rate increases. News Channel 8
Florida Supreme Court weighing prison guard’s dismissal for using medical marijuana. Florida Phoenix
Pending Florida Supreme Court ruling clouds financial calculation of abortion-rights initiative. Florida Phoenix
Indian River Lagoon saw 'fairly extensive' fish kills this year. WUSF
Bathroom rules now apply to private schools in Florida. WUSF
Jacksonville struggles to overcome a racism ‘baked into our culture’. The Washington Post $
New College of Florida president's contract is unusually high, analysts say. ABC Action News
Can Florida State beat Duke to go 7-0 for the 1st time since 2014? Tomahawk Nation
Steve Spurrier: Florida has a chance to beat Georgia after win over USC. Gators Wire
POLITICS
Ex-Florida GOP lawmaker who sponsored so-called ‘Don’t Say Gay’ bill sentenced to prison. Politico
Phil Ehr drops out of Democratic U.S. Senate race — will now run for Congress in South Florida. Florida Phoenix
Florida Dems hopeful Biden’s Venezuela move won’t come back to haunt them. Politico
Poll: Ron DeSantis leads GOP Primary field with voters who backed Joe Biden in 2020. Florida Politics
‘DeSantis Airways’ T-shirts tout Florida governor’s rescue flights from war-torn Israel. New York Post
COMMENTARY
DeSantis vs. Newsom on Violent Crime. The Wall Street Journal $
After many false starts, Tampa’s latest shot at transit. Tampa Bay Times $
To be an elite school, USF must be more selective. The Oracle
ABOUT US
Editors: Judith M. Gallman and Stephen Buel
Contributing editors: The Navigator is seeking contributors