Tampa Police to Step Up Shopping-Related Patrols
Plus, the day's news and a way to make needy animals thankful.
News is slow as we head into the long holiday weekend. The Bay Area Navigator staff is going to eat too much food tomorrow and go into a four-day food coma. We’ll be back on Monday. Happy Thanksgiving.
CURRENTS
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TOP NEWS
Hillsborough County Schools, University of Tampa under investigation by US Department of Education. News Channel 8
TLR Group clears construction hurdle for 43-story tower in downtown Tampa. Tampa Bay Business Journal $
Florida legislative request would develop rail corridor on I-4, paving way for Brightline's expansion. Tampa Bay Business Journal $
High inflation in Tampa thwarts national trends. WUSF
Tampa Bay superintendents defend public education, criticize voucher program. WMNF
Personal pronouns targeted in workplaces. WMNF
State Attorney’s Office confirms 1984 killing was 'murder for hire'. ABC Action News
Seven carriers approved to assume as many as 202,000 policies from Citizens this week. Creative Loafing
‘Drinksgiving’ prompts Bay Area law enforcement agency to pump up patrols on day known for binge drinking. Fox 13 News
FSU drops out of Top 4 in latest College Football Playoff Rankings. ABC Action News
Forecast now predicts rainfall for much of the state tomorrow. WUSF
BRIEFS
TRAFFIC
Full Road Closure: West Bay to Bay Boulevard will be closed between South West Shore Boulevard and South Schiller Street while the Tampa Water Department repairs a water main break. Barricades and signs will be located in the area to assist with traffic flow. The completion of the work with a return to normal traffic patterns is expected by 3 p.m. Thursday. The Tampa Water Department may need to return at a later date to complete additional work. See all road closures at tampa.gov/RoadClosures.
Avoid This Intersection: The intersection of South Georgia Avenue and West Mississippi Avenue is closed while the Tampa Water Department repairs a water main break. The completion of the work with a return to normal traffic patterns is expected by 5 p.m., Tuesday, dependent on weather conditions. See all road closures at tampa.gov/RoadClosures.
CRIME
Cops at the Shops: There will be a stronger showing of Tampa Police Department personnel in town throughout this holiday season to ensure shopping and roadway safety. Police officers on foot, horseback, motorcycles, and inside unmarked patrol cars will be patrolling parking lots and shopping areas throughout Tampa. For greater shopping security, police offered these tips: Stay alert; shop before dark; lock car doors and windows; keep packages and valuables out of public view; park near streetlights; check the interior of your car before getting in. If you see something, say something. Report any suspicious activity to store personnel or police immediately.
NEWS
5 New Flights: Tampa International Airport celebrated five inaugural flights — four domestic routes and one international city — with airline partners last week. Spirit Airlines now offers nonstop flights to Richmond, Va., four days a week and nonstop flights to Charleston, S.C., four days a week and added four-times-per week Service to Norfolk, Va. Frontier Airlines added daily nonstop flights to Baltimore-Washington International Airport. And Lynx Air introduced nonstop flights to Montreal.
Community Cornerstone Honored: The Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners approved naming the synthetic turf field at Larry Sanders Sports Complex, 5855 S. 78th St., Tampa, after the late Jeffery Owen Key. The Parks, Recreation, and Conservation Advisory Board approved honoring Key for his role in co-founding the Progress Village Panthers, which provides an opportunity for local youth to engage in organized sports and helps instill teamwork, discipline, and sportsmanship. Key was a coach, role model, and mentor.
Honor a Downtown Business: If you opened a new business, expanded one, hosted an event or festival in downtown, or took part in bettering the community, you could be eligible for an Urban Excellence Award from the Tampa Downtown Partnership. Just complete and submit a nomination form for your downtown-related service, which can be an individual, business, nonprofit organization, for-for profit organization, event, or project that was completed in the last 12 months, made a significant contribution to downtown in the last 12 months, or displayed an entrepreneurial spirit, creativity, and/or community leadership that positively contributed to downtown during the last 12 months. Direct questions to Julie Sabolic, at jsabolic@tampasdowntown.com.
Where to Recycle Cooking Oil: Don’t pour cooking oil, fat, or grease down the drain in Hillsborough County. This can cause a serious problem for home plumbing and Hillsborough County's wastewater collection system. The matter gels and solidifies inside pipes, sewage lines, and sewage lift stations, constricting water flow. It can back up home plumbing and cause equipment malfunction, sewage spills, overflows, and foul odors. Used oil can be collected and brought to 24 collection stations to be recycled. Used cooking oil, fat, and grease are collected all year long at these locations. Cooled cooking oil should be poured into a large, sturdy plastic or glass food-grade container with a lid. Once the container is full, bring it to a Hillsborough County Cooking Oil Recycling Effort station or to a Household Hazardous Waste Collection Center. Don’t flush cooking oil or grease down the toilet, don’t put greasy foods down the garbage disposal, and don’t place used cooking oil in the recycling cart. To learn more, visit HCFLGov.net/CORE, email GotGrease@HCFLGov.net, or call 813-272-5977. ext. 43515.
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TODAY’S SPONSOR
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THE LIST
Each week, we’ll bring you a new one. Got any ideas? Reach out.
You’ll Be Thankful for the Love of a Pet
By Judith M. Gallman
There’s nothing like the love of a pet. When you want to add a new furry friend to your family, consider adopting from one of these Hillsborough County and Tampa rescue and adoption organizations.
Animal Luv’rs Dream Rescue: Do you have a soft spot for animals with health issues? The mission at this nonprofit is helping animals with medical needs find permanent homes. P.O. Box 1384, Lutz, AnimalLuvrs.org, ALDR@AnimalLuvrs.org
Happy Tailz Cat Rescue: If you have a way with sick kitties, look to Happy Tailz, where the goal is aiding sick, Injured and special needs cats around the Tampa Bay area. 813-424-7493 (text only), HappyTailzCatRescue.org, HappyTailzCatResuce@Gmail.com
Hillsborough County Pet Resource Center Foundation Inc.: This nonprofit organization supports Hillsborough County shelter animals, never turning away strays with regard to age, breed or health. 440 N. Falkenburg Road, Tampa, 813-586-1988, HCPRFoundation.org
Humane Society Tampa Bay: This nonprofit animal welfare organization provides shelter for homeless and at-risk animals as well as adoptions, veterinary services and trap-neuter-vaccinate-return services for the public. 3607 N. Armenia Ave., Tampa, 813-876-7138, HumaneSocetyTampa.org, Adopt@HumaneSocietyTampa.org
Maxx and Me Pet Rescue: Founded in 2014 by Lea Haverstock in memory of her rescue golden retriever, Maxx, this rescue organization is a volunteer, foster-based, canine and feline rescue and adoption organization for the greater Tampa Bay area. It’s dedicated to the well-being and deserving care of animals–large and small, young and old, healthy and in need. 12191 W. Linebaugh Ave., #554, Tampa (mailing address only), MaxxAndMe.org, MaxxAndMeRescue@gmail.com
Mercy Full Project: This nonprofit is devoted to rescuing animals and helping the helpless ones, including dogs and cats, by finding them homes via fostering. 901 N. Fremont Ave., Tampa, 813-836-0711, MercyFullProjects.org, Info@MercyFullProjects.org
Raining Cats and Dogs Shelter: Raining Cats and Dogs offers temporary and forever homes for unwanted cats and dogs in the Polk/Hillsborough County area by partnering with municipal shelters to provide a rescue resource for at-risk dogs and cats. 2708 East State Road 60, Plant City, 813-704-4915, RainingCatsAndDogsShelter.com, RainingCatsAndDogsShelter@gmail.com
SPCA Tampa Bay: This Tampa Bay nonprofit animal welfare agency has been around for 80-plus years and operates an open-admission animal shelter and veterinary center in Pinellas County. 9099 130th Ave. North, Largo, 727-586-3591, SPCATampaBay.org, Information@SPCATampaBay.org
St. Francis Society Animal Rescue: This is an all-volunteer nonprofit animal rescue organization that saves the lives of sick, injured and stray cats and dogs. 813-744-5660, StFrancisRescue.Org
Sunshine Big Dog Rescue: If a big dog is in your future, check in with Sunshine Big Dog Rescue, which helps rehome displaced large breed dogs throughout the Southeast with foster-based homes throughout the Tampa Bay Area. SunshineBigDogRescue.com, SunshineBigDogResuce@Gmail.com
Tampa Cat Crusaders: These cat lovers operate out of the New Tampa PetSmart located at 6248 Commerce Palms Drive in Tampa. P.O. Box 46292, Tampa, TampaCatCrusaders.org, Information@TampaCatCrusaders.org
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OTHER NEWS
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BAY AREA
As Tampa Bay real estate slows, luxury housing dominates. Tampa Bay Times $
Trans students fear violence due to new USF bathroom rule. The Oracle
Publix names new CEO in leadership reshuffle. Tampa Bay Business Journal $
Veterinarians warn of mysterious, highly contagious dog illness. 10 Tampa Bay
Congresswoman Castor worries about cuts in a nutrition program for low-income women and kids. Florida Phoenix
Tampa Area citrus farm showcasing importance of sanitizing crops as listeria outbreak linked to California farm. Spectrum Bay News 9
Tampa telecom pioneer David Ruberg dies at 77. Tampa Bay Business Journal $
Benefit show aims to raise money for, and spirits of, Tampa Bay comedian Steve Miller. Creative Loafing
Tampa father, daughter killed in head-on crash involving box truck in Virginia. News Channel 8
VIDEO: Hillsborough County deputies rammed in ‘intentional’ attack given $20K each. News Channel 8
New covered field, all-purpose courts create more opportunities in New Tampa. Tampa Beacon
Land O’ Lakes Boulevard to be repaved starting at county line. The Laker/Lutz News
Wiregrass Ranch Marching Band captures another state title. Tampa Beacon
FLORIDA
Legislator proposes putting state in charge of investigating complaints against law enforcement. Tampa Free Press
Florida teachers unions scramble to collect dues or risk decertification. WUSF
Florida jobless rate stays at 2.8 percent. Tampa Bay Business Journal $
Florida companies fighting against sports betting seek more time to make their case. WUSF
Plaintiffs again seek lawmaker documents in ‘Stop WOKE Act’ appeal. Creative Loafing
Florida wildlife officials consider ‘greater flexibility’ in the state's alligator hunts. WUSF
Sasse dismisses Florida Republican’s claim that UF professor compared Israel to Nazi Germany. Politico
Florida insurance commissioner bullish on new domestic property insurer. Florida Politics
Washington Post lawsuit reaches beyond specific requests, challenges constitutionality of records exemption. Florida Politics
Florida cities dominate list of regions with vacant housing. Stacker
Florida Commerce’s $910 million Hurricane Ian recovery plan approved by HUD. The Capitolist
Deadline approaching for Floridians to apply for FEMA assistance. Spectrum Bay News 9
Hundreds of family farms chosen for land protection program. Florida Politics
Florida man throws Oreos at woman over empty coffee maker, report says. News Channel 8
POLITICS
‘Don’t say gay’ for nonprofits: GOP lawmaker files bill that would restrict LGBTQ nonprofits receiving state funding. Florida Politics
New polling shows Floridians want law protecting confederate monuments. Florida Politics
GOP states are embracing vouchers. Wealthy parents are benefitting. Politico
Poll: Rick Scott less popular than other statewide Republican leaders. Florida Politics
DeSantis picks up key endorsement from Iowa religious leader. The New York Times $
A new group linked to DeSantis allies pops up in Iowa. The New York Times $
Problems mount for DeSantis as Haley rises and Trump dominates. The Wall Street Journal $
Ron DeSantis vents about Donald Trump picks moving Supreme Court to ‘the left’. Florida Politics
LEISURE
9th annual Turkey Gobble set to take over Downtown Tampa. Patch
ZooTampa's Christmas in the Wild comes to life this week. Patch
Biggest costumed bike ride in the world returns to Tampa for the holidays. That’s So Tampa
Despite slip in rankings, FSU’s path to playoff is clear. Tomahawk Nation
Tom Brady: NFL has 'a lot of mediocrity' in the game nowadays. 10 Tampa Bay
USF wide receiver — and nephew of singer John Legend — says family has inspired his football career. Spectrum Bay News 9
USF women’s volleyball on verge of championship title. The Oracle
Bulls hope to defy expectations on Saturday with postseason bid on the line. The Oracle
Tampa Bay Fishin’ Report: It’s pompano time in Tampa Bay. Tampa Beacon
COMMENTARY
With Florida abortion rights in peril, I’m glad I live abroad during my difficult pregnancy. Tampa Bay Times $
NFIB: Florida businesses will see rent tax cut on Dec. 1, but it should be even lower. The Capitolist
Is it the party of Reagan or the party of Trump? A time for choosing as the clock ticks. Tampa Bay Times $
ABOUT US
Editors: Judith M. Gallman and Stephen Buel
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