News &amp; Public Notices

Tampa Trash Collection Schedule Revised In Observance of Memorial Day

Robert Lockridge dp9q (Technology & Innovation) — Wed, 22 May 2024 14:16:45 +0000

Tampa Trash Collection Schedule Revised In Observance of Memorial Day Robert L. Wed, 05/22/2024 - 10:16 am

The City of Tampa offices will be closed on Monday, May 27, 2024, in observance of Memorial Day.

The revised collection schedule is as follows:

Residential Customers who normally receive service on Monday will not receive garbage, recycling, or yard waste service. There will be no make-up day for Monday customers. Trash Collection will occur on the next scheduled service day. Regular residential collection service schedules will resume on Tuesday, May 28, 2024.
Some Commercial Customers will be serviced as normally scheduled on Monday, May 27. 2024. Remaining commercial customers will receive collection service on a one-day delay through Saturday, June 1, 2024. Regular collection service schedules will resume on Tuesday, May 28, 2024.
McKay Bay Transfer Station and Scale House located at 114 S. 34th St., will be closed on Memorial Day (Monday, May 27, 2024) and will reopen with regularly scheduled hours on Tuesday, May 28, 2024, between the temporary hours of 8 am to noon.

To receive personalized schedules, download the Tampa Trash and Recycling app from the Apple App Store: Tampa Trash and Recycling App and Google Play Store: Tampa Trash and Recycling App.

Customers with any questions or concerns please contact the City of Tampa Utilities Call Center at (813) 274-8811 or visit the website at www.tampa.gov/solidwaste.

 NOTE: New Tampa residents are encouraged to contact Hillsborough County Solid Waste Management at (813) 272-5680 for their collection schedule.

Posted

05/22/2024

News Solid Waste

Tampa Police Arrest Two Subjects on Gun and Narcotics Charges

Eddy Durkin P44428 (Police Department) — Mon, 20 May 2024 19:41:51 +0000

Tampa Police Arrest Two Subjects on Gun and Narcotics Charges Eddy D. Mon, 05/20/2024 - 03:41 pm

After conducting a traffic stop, Tampa Police Officers recovered drugs and two guns from the car, one of which was illegally converted to a fully automatic machine gun. The driver and passenger were both arrested.

On May 18th, 2024, just before 10:30 pm, Tampa Police Officers observed a 2011 black Infiniti in the area of N 34th St and E MLK Blvd. The driver, later identified as 19-year-old Demetris B. Riggins (black male 8/17/2004), cut through a parking lot to avoid traffic at the intersection of N 29th St and E MLK Blvd. Officers conducted a traffic stop and, after detecting a strong odor of marijuana coming from the car, began a narcotics investigation.

During the investigation, officers located an empty holster in Riggins' waistband and a Glock 29 10mm handgun, with a loaded magazine and chambered round, inside the vehicle. The gun was also equipped with a "switch," illegally converting it to a fully automatic machine gun. A search of the vehicle further revealed various quantities of fentanyl (10.9 grams), marijuana (26.1 grams), and marijuana wax (1.3 grams).

A passenger in the vehicle, 18-year-old James Vickers (black male 4/5/2006), was found to be in possession of a Glock 40 caliber handgun.

Both Riggins and Vickers are under the age legally permitted to carry concealed firearms.

"Our officers are trained to be observant and address illegal activity, especially before it can escalate into violence," said Tampa Police Chief Lee Bercaw. "Taking these dangerous weapons and drugs off the streets is a prime example of how proactive policing is making Tampa a safer place for everyone."

Riggins was charged with Carrying a Concealed Firearm, Possession of an Operable Machine Gun, Armed Trafficking in Fentanyl, Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony, Possession of Cannabis (more than 20 grams), and Possession of Cannabis Sativa Resin.

Vickers was charged with Carrying a Concealed Firearm.

Both subjects were transported to Orient Road Jail.

Posted

05/20/2024

Male Arrested After Tampa Police Find Loaded Guns During Pro-Active Patrol

Eddy Durkin P44428 (Police Department) — Mon, 20 May 2024 19:30:12 +0000

Male Arrested After Tampa Police Find Loaded Guns During Pro-Active Patrol Eddy D. Mon, 05/20/2024 - 03:30 pm

Tampa Police Officers recovered two guns, one of which was reported stolen, and arrested an 18-year-old for carrying a concealed firearm.

On May 18, 2024, at approximately 10:30 pm, Tampa Police Officers were conducting proactive patrols in the South Howard area. Officers at S. Howard Ave and W. Swann Ave. observed two males, including the 18-year-old defendant, later identified as Bryce Rivers (black male 1/28/2006), loitering around a blue BMW before walking away from the car.

Officers approached the car and, after seeing a black and tan handgun in plain view, immediately began surveillance.

As the subjects returned to the car, officers approached them to conduct a field interview. The previously observed firearm, a loaded Taurus G2C 9mm, was recovered during a search of the car. During the investigation, a second firearm, a loaded purple Taurus G2C 9mm handgun that had been reported as stolen in 2021, was also recovered.

"The keen observation skills displayed by our officers resulted in the recovery of two guns,” said Tampa Police Chief Lee Bercaw. "These dedicated efforts are a win for public safety and highlight the commitment of our department to keeping Tampa a safe place to live, work, and visit."

Rivers was arrested and charged with Carrying a Concealed Firearm. He was transported to Orient Road Jail.

Posted

05/20/2024

City of Tampa and Developer Break Ground on Rome Yard Community for First Phase of 18-Acre Mixed-Use Project

Robert Lockridge dp9q (Technology & Innovation) — Mon, 20 May 2024 13:11:38 +0000

City of Tampa and Developer Break Ground on Rome Yard Community for First Phase of 18-Acre Mixed-Use Project Robert L. Mon, 05/20/2024 - 09:11 am

City of Tampa and Developer Break Ground on Rome Yard Community for First Phase of 18-Acre Mixed-Use Project

The City of Tampa will officially break ground Tuesday afternoon on its first phase of Rome Yards, the transformative and inclusive development in the West Tampa community. Alongside developer Related Urban Development Group and the Tampa Housing Authority, the partnership will take the first steps in building the Gallery at Rome Yards, the first phase of the mixed-use Rome Yards master plan.

The Gallery at Rome Yards, located south of Columbus Drive between Rome Avenue and the Hillsborough River, will offer a mix of one, two and three-bedroom apartment homes, totaling 234 units. Eighty percent of the units will be reserved for households at or below 80 percent of the Area Median Income (AMI), and the remaining 20 percent will be reserved for workforce housing.

“This joint venture between the City of Tampa, the Tampa Housing Authority and the Related Urban Group is the perfect example of public and private entities working successfully toward one goal: affordable housing for all,” said Mayor Jane Castor. “Today’s groundbreaking is just the tip of the iceberg of what will eventually be 18 acres of development that will serve Tampa for generations to come.”

Unique to this phase of development are five live/work units that seamlessly integrate residential space with work space for small business owners. Additionally, a workforce training center will provide workplace training and resume-building assistance.

The development will build upon the City’s visionary approach to affordable housing and create another uplifting and transformative community.

“As Tampa continues to grow, so has our need for affordable housing,” said Nicole Travis, the City of Tampa’s Administrator for Development and Economic Opportunity. “The Rome Yard development is a public-private partnership success story that will put a roof over the heads of more than 1,000 individuals and families.”

As the first phase of the Rome Yards Master Plan, Gallery at Rome Yards will set the stage for the transformational project, converting a vacant 18-acre City of Tampa maintenance yard into a mixed-use neighborhood with 954 units of mixed-income housing. The master plan is a resilient and sustainable hub that will revitalize the area with expansive neighborhood amenities, including new green space, a new community amphitheater, and a brick observation “cigar” tower paying homage to West Tampa’s history.

Gallery at Rome Yards is expected to be completed in December 2026.

Posted

05/20/2024

Cleveland Street to Become Safer for Pedestrians and Drivers

Robert Lockridge dp9q (Technology & Innovation) — Mon, 20 May 2024 12:22:41 +0000

Cleveland Street to Become Safer for Pedestrians and Drivers Robert L. Mon, 05/20/2024 - 08:22 am

Cleveland Street to Become Safer for Pedestrians and Drivers

Identified as one of the most dangerous streets in Tampa for drivers and pedestrians, a portion of W Cleveland Street will be undergoing a series of safety improvements and roadway enhancements.

Sunday night, May 19, construction crews began working along W Cleveland Street, just west of the railroad tracks that intersect at Willow Avenue to Parker Street. Tampa's ambitious Vision Zero Action Plan identified Cleveland Street as part of the High Injury Network (HIN), a designation for roads where the most deadly and serious injury crashes occur. After rigorous study, Tampa's traffic engineers found Cleveland Street is under capacity and can operate efficiently with just two lanes. From 2021 to May 2024, a total of 80 crashes were recorded along Cleveland Street. Forty percent of the crashes resulted in injuries.

The Cleveland Street Quick Build safety improvements include:

Converting one of the three existing travel lanes into a protected bicycle lane with approximately 80 new on-street parking spaces. The bicycle lane, just under a mile long, will eventually connect with the future West River BUILD project, expanding Tampa's Green Spine.
The creation of Tampa's first protected intersection. Located at Cleveland and S. Hyde Park Avenue, the design keeps bicyclists separate from cars, providing them with a dedicated path through the intersection and the right-of-way with turning vehicles.
Drivers exiting the Selmon Expressway at the Willow Avenue exit ramp will have much better visibility and safer access while merging onto Cleveland Street with oncoming vehicles.

"In 2019, Tampa joined the national Vision Zero mission to do all we could to prevent crashes and save lives," said Mayor Jane Castor. "The Cleveland Street Quick Build is just one of several projects our Mobility Department has undertaken in recent years as part of this commitment. Despite limited transportation funding, we must continue to tackle challenges creatively and relentlessly to turn Tampa's roads from one of the most dangerous in the country, to the safest."

This Quick Build will cost approximately $350,000 and is expected to be completed in a matter of weeks. Drivers can expect nightly lane closures from 7:00 P.M. to 5:00 A.M.

Posted

05/20/2024

News Transportation and Stormwater Services

Memorial Park Cemetery Clean-Up

Robert Lockridge dp9q (Technology & Innovation) — Thu, 16 May 2024 19:59:02 +0000

Memorial Park Cemetery Clean-Up Robert L. Thu, 05/16/2024 - 03:59 pm

Memorial Park Cemetery Clean-Up

The second annual Memorial Park Cemetery Clean-Up will take place from 8:30 a.m. to noon on Saturday, May 18.

Volunteers — more than 75 have registered — will be cleaning headstones, distributing flags, and picking up trash. The Parks and Recreation Department will provide all supplies.

A ceremony honoring those laid to rest in the cemetery is expected to take place at 9 a.m.

Memorial Park Cemetery is the final resting place of more than 1,000 veterans. The cemetery, which has the only known Florida Negro World War Veterans Memorial, was established in the early 1900s. The City of Tampa purchased Memorial Park in May 2023.

The event is organized by Vietnam Veterans of America, Military Order of the World Wars, the International Association of Firefighters, Friends of the Belmont Heights Memorial Park Cemetery, The Cemetery Society, and the City of Tampa Parks and Recreation.

Posted

05/16/2024

News Parks and Recreation

News Sustainability & Resilience

News Tampa Fire Rescue

Tampa Convention Center Advances to Finalist Round for Best Convention Center Award

Robert Lockridge dp9q (Technology & Innovation) — Wed, 15 May 2024 17:12:03 +0000

Tampa Convention Center Advances to Finalist Round for Best Convention Center Award Robert L. Wed, 05/15/2024 - 01:12 pm

The Tampa Convention Center is now a finalist for Best Convention Center in the 2024 Stella Awards, and is being considered for the Gold honor for the second year in a row.

The Tampa Convention Center is one step away from defending its title of Best Convention Center in the Southeast U.S., after advancing to the finalist round in the 2024 Stella Awards. The center was among a limited number of nominees that received enough votes from the public to move on to the final round.

In 2023, the Tampa Convention Center won gold in this category, and it is now aiming to take the top honor for the second year in a row. A panel of judges made up of meeting and event professionals will now determine gold, silver, and bronze winners.

The Stella Awards are the highest honor in the meetings industry. They recognize convention centers, conference centers, hotels, and other event suppliers that consistently deliver exceptional service to meeting and event professionals. The Stella Awards are presented by Northstar Meetings Group, which is known for its influential brands including Meetings & Conventions, Meeting News, Incentive and Successful Meetings.

A record number of convention centers, hotels, and other venues competed for the 8th Annual Stella Awards, with more than 1,000 nominations submitted across 16 categories and six regions worldwide.

Winners will be announced on October 1. Follow the Tampa Convention Center on social media at @TheTampaCC for updates.
About Tampa Convention Center

Located in the heart of Downtown Tampa, the Tampa Convention Center offers sparkling waterfront views, 600,000 square feet of transformable event spaces, and state-of-the-art amenities for event and meeting planners. The venue was named among 20 Centers of Excellence by Exhibitor Magazine, which features North America’s best convention centers for trade shows and corporate events, and was selected as a winner in ConventionSouth’s 2023 Readers’ Choice Awards. The Tampa Convention Center achieved 2024 Global Biorisk Advisory CouncilTM (GBAC) STAR™ accreditation for cleaning, disinfection, and infection prevention. The facility is set to host a record number of large, citywide events in 2024. It is expected to bring an estimated economic impact of nearly $136 million dollars and more than 354,000 attendees to the City of Tampa over the year.

The Tampa Convention Center partners with several companies to provide high-quality event services to exhibitors, including Aramark for food and beverage, Edlen for utilities, Encore for audiovisual and rigging, Sentry Event Services for security, Smart City for Internet and telecommunications, and The UPS Store for shipping, printing, branding, and signs.

To learn more about the Tampa Convention Center, go to www.TheTampaCC.com.

About Northstar Meetings Group

Northstar Meetings Group is the leading B-to-B information and marketing solutions company serving all segments of the business meetings, events, sports and incentives market — including full- and part-time meeting planners, as well as corporate, association, sports and not-for-profit decision-makers, and incentive professionals — facilitating their professional development and achievement of business goals. The company's leading brands — Meetings & Conventions, Successful Meetings, Associations Meetings International, Meetings & Incentive Travel, Meeting News, Incentive and SportsTravel — currently serve over 500,000 active meeting and event planners and incentive professionals, across an integrated suite of data, digital, events and print products.

For more information, please visit www.NorthstarMeetingsGroup.com.

Posted

05/15/2024

News Convention Center

Follow the Tampa Convention Center on Facebook

Tampa Convention Center Advances to Finalist Round for Best Convention Center Award

Kirstin Albert ccdx (Convention Center & Tourism) — Wed, 15 May 2024 16:31:12 +0000

Tampa Convention Center Advances to Finalist Round for Best Convention Center Award Kirstin A. Wed, 05/15/2024 - 12:31 pm

Tampa Convention Center Advances to Finalist Round for Best Convention Center Award

The Tampa Convention Center is one step away from defending its title of Best Convention Center in the Southeast U.S., after advancing to the finalist round in the 2024 Stella Awards. The center was among a limited number of nominees that received enough votes from the public to move on to the final round.

In 2023, the Tampa Convention Center won gold in this category, and it is now aiming to take the top honor for a second year in a row. A panel of judges made up of meeting and event professionals will now determine gold, silver, and bronze winners.

The Stella Awards are the highest honor in the meetings industry. They recognize convention centers, conference centers, hotels, and other event suppliers that consistently deliver exceptional service to meeting and event professionals. The Stella Awards are presented by Northstar Meetings Group, which is known for its influential brands including Meetings & Conventions, Meeting News, Incentive and Successful Meetings.

A record number of convention centers, hotels, and other venues competed for the 8^th Annual Stella Awards, with more than 1,000 nominations submitted across 16 categories and six regions worldwide.

Winners will be announced on October 1. Follow the Tampa Convention Center on social media at @TheTampaCC for updates.

Follow the Tampa Convention Center on Instagram

Follow the Tampa Convention Center on X

Follow the Tampa Convention Center on LinkedIn

About Tampa Convention Center

The Tampa Convention Center partners with several companies to provide high-quality event services to exhibitors, including Aramark for food and beverage, Edlen for utilities, Encore for audio visual and rigging, Sentry Event Services for security, Smart City for Internet and telecommunications, and The UPS Store for shipping, printing, branding, and signs.

To learn more about the Tampa Convention Center, please visit https://www.tampa.gov/tcc.

About Northstar Meetings Group

For more information, please visit https://www.northstarmeetingsgroup.com/.

Posted

05/15/2024

News Convention Center

Tampa Police Provide Update In Search For Missing & Endangered Woman

Verliz Williams p93571 (Police Department) — Mon, 13 May 2024 15:45:16 +0000

Tampa Police Provide Update In Search For Missing & Endangered Woman Verliz W. Mon, 05/13/2024 - 11:45 am

At approximately, 1:00 a.m., on May 13, 2024, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) issued an Amber Alert for 9-year-old Briana Pagan.

At the time of the alert, authorities believed that Briana Pagan may have also been accompanied by 34-year-old Sylvia Pagan and person of interest, 38-year-old Jovanni Caceres Steffani.

Before 2:00 a.m., on May 13, 2024, Steffani was located deceased with a self-inflicted gunshot wound in Suwannee County.

Briana Pagan was also located safely in Suwannee County and the Amber Alert was lifted.

Sylvia Pagan was not located with Briana Pagan or Steffani.

As detectives diligently work to locate Sylvia Pagan, we are deeply concerned for her overall well-being.

Sylvia Pagan was last seen at approximately 10:00 a.m., on May 12, 2024, in the 10400 block of Altman Street.

Anyone with additional information that could assist is asked to call the Tampa Police Department at 813-231-6130.

Thank you to FDLE and the Suwannee County Sheriff's Office, who helped us locate Briana Pagan and ensure she was safe.

Additional information will be made available pending the ongoing investigation.

**PREVIOUS ALERT**

TAMPA POLICE ISSUE ALERT FOR MISSING & ENDANGERED WOMAN

Tampa Police have issued a Missing & Endangered Alert for 34-year-old Sylvia Pagan, who is approximately 5ft 3in and 155 pounds.

Sylvia Pagan was last seen at approximately 10:00 a.m., on May 12, 2024, in the 10400 block of Altman Street.

She was last seen wearing an unknown color dress.

Anyone with additional information that could assist is asked to call the Tampa Police Department at 813-231-6130.

Posted

05/13/2024

Tampa Premiering First Asian Film Series to Honor AAPI Heritage Month

Robert Lockridge dp9q (Technology & Innovation) — Mon, 13 May 2024 13:09:15 +0000

Tampa Premiering First Asian Film Series to Honor AAPI Heritage Month Robert L. Mon, 05/13/2024 - 09:09 am

Tampa Premiering First Asian Film Series to Honor AAPI Heritage Month

The City of Tampa Mayor's Asian American Pacific Islander Advisory Council proudly presents Tampa's first-ever Asian Film Series on Sunday, May 19th, 2024. The event is being held at Tampa Theatre in celebration of Asian American Pacific Islander Month. The film series will showcase two films this year: At 3 pm, the family-friendly Kung Fu Panda 4, then at 7 pm, a new documentary by Filipino American, Emmy award winning, celebrity Chicago restaurateur Billy Dec.

In his new documentary Food Roots, Billy Dec adventures through his mother's native 7641 Islands of the Philippines to learn recipes from his last living elders, confronting culinary and cultural treasures and family secrets.

Food Roots gives viewers the opportunity to accompany Dec by plane, boat, motorcycle, jeepney, and foot as he searches through bustling metropolitan cities, tiny remote islands, and hidden cloud-scraping mountain villages to find his family members. He climbs a mountain to meet with a 103-year-old tribal tattoo master, who blesses him with a tattoo related to his ancestral connection. Through the ups and downs of the trip, Dec gains a deeper understanding of his family history, along with an elevated appreciation for how food has shaped their view of the world.

Red carpet and media interviews with Filmmaker Billy Dec will be available between 6 pm and 6:45 pm.

The 7 pm showing will be followed by a filmmaker Q&A with Billy Dec, whose ties to Tampa include the Sunda New Asian restaurant in Midtown (3648 Midtown Dr, Tampa, FL 33607).

For media inquiries or additional information, please contact Mayor’s AAPI Council Member Nerissa Lamison at nlamison@hccfl.edu or (813) 486-7446.

Posted

05/13/2024

Tampa Police Identify Deceased Men From Soho Shooting

Verliz Williams p93571 (Police Department) — Sun, 12 May 2024 14:55:11 +0000

Tampa Police Identify Deceased Men From Soho Shooting Verliz W. Sun, 05/12/2024 - 10:55 am

On May 12, 2024, right before 3:00 a.m., the Tampa Police Department began an investigation into a deadly shooting that occurred in the 500 block of S. Howard Ave.

Based on the preliminary investigation, it is believed that the three people injured were known to each other and had previously interacted with one another. Prior to shots being fired, the three adult males were engaged in a dispute that then escalated.

Officers assigned to the SOHO area were already on scene at the time of the incident as they were assigned to crowd dispersal and egress.

Fortunately, there were no officers injured. There were also no reports of additional injuries to other bystanders in the area.

As a result of the shooting, two individuals succumbed to their injuries. Those two subjects have been identified and their next of kin have been notified. They are Kenneth Washington (B/M; 01/15/1996) and Kevon Christmas (B/M; 10/11/2000).

A third shooting victim remains hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries.

Police detectives are working diligently to identify the suspect involved in the accident.

"My thoughts are with the loved ones impacted by this violence, especially on a day like today," said Chief Lee Bercaw. "Our officers, detectives, and crime scene technicians have been working tirelessly to gather any available evidence and leads in this case."

As detectives conclude their on-scene investigation, all roads in the SOHO area are back open, employees are being let into businesses, and the parking lots are expected to open shortly.

Anyone with information that could assist detectives is encouraged to call the Tampa Police Department at 812-231-6130 or submit an anonymous tip via Crime Stoppers of Tampa Bay at 800-873-8477 or by texting SAFETAMPA to Tip411 (847411).

Additional updates will be provided when available.

****PREVIOUS ALERT****

TAMPA POLICE INVESTIGATE DEADLY SHOOTING AT 500 BLOCK OF SOUTH HOWARD

At approximately 2:57 am, officers on patrol in SOHO heard shots fired and immediately responded to a parking lot on the 500 block of South Howard.

Three adult males were injured as a result of the shooting, they were transported to the hospital, where two were later pronounced deceased.

While early in the investigation, it appears the shooting stemmed from a dispute between known parties.

Posted

05/12/2024

Downtown Road Closure

Robert Lockridge dp9q (Technology & Innovation) — Fri, 10 May 2024 12:13:16 +0000

Downtown Road Closure Robert L. Fri, 05/10/2024 - 08:13 am

Downtown Road Closure

Routine driving patterns in Downtown Tampa are going to be impacted by an upcoming construction project.

Starting Monday, May 13th, 2024, E. Jackson Street, between Tampa Street and Franklin Street, will be reduced to one eastbound lane as crews replace an aging wastewater pipe.

The closure is expected to last up to three weeks.

Drivers should use extra caution in the area or avoid it all together by using N. Ashley Drive to either E. Whiting Street or E. Madison Street. Tampa Police Officers will be directing traffic in the area.

Posted

05/10/2024

News Transportation Advisories and Road Closures

Tampa Police Working to Identify Stabbing Suspect

Jonee' Lewis p94157 (Police Department) — Wed, 08 May 2024 21:56:42 +0000

Tampa Police Working to Identify Stabbing Suspect Jonee' L. Wed, 05/08/2024 - 05:56 pm

TAMPA, Fla.- The Tampa Police Department is actively working to identify the suspect seen in a video related to a stabbing incident that took place on March 4, 2024, on the 1500 block of East 8th Avenue. The victim in this case, an adult male, was treated and released from the hospital for what were thankfully non-life-threatening injuries.

During the investigation, it was determined that the victim in this case was experiencing homelessness. In response, officers assigned to patrol as well as those assigned as homeless affairs liaisons have increased their proactive work with the homeless in an effort to generate possible leads in this case and also remind those in need of available resources.

The Tampa Police Department works in partnership with a variety of organizations to assist those who are homeless. If you know someone in need, the following resources are available:

- The Crisis Center of Tampa Bay, dial 211.

- Use the following link for a variety of resources: https://www.tampa.gov/homeless

We urge members of our community to report any suspicious activity to the police by contacting our nonemergency line at 813-231-6130 or dialing 911 in case of emergencies.

If you can assist in identifying, the subject shown in the video, please contact Tampa Police or submit an anonymous tip through Crime Stoppers at 800-873-TIPS (8477) or via TIP411.

VIDEO LINK: https://youtu.be/kNxaSxnReL8

Posted

05/08/2024

Thrilling Military Showcase Coming to Tampa Convention Center

Robert Lockridge dp9q (Technology & Innovation) — Mon, 06 May 2024 13:30:57 +0000

Thrilling Military Showcase Coming to Tampa Convention Center Robert L. Mon, 05/06/2024 - 09:30 am

Thrilling Military Showcase Coming to Tampa Convention Center

Don't be alarmed if you hear explosions, simulated gunfire, and low-flying helicopters on Wednesday, May 8, near the Tampa Convention Center, as U.S. Special Operations Command hosts a thrilling capabilities demonstration from 12 P.M. to 1 P.M.

The public is encouraged to attend and observe this rare display of military-tactical-might. A rehearsal of the event will take place a day earlier on Tuesday, May 7, starting at 12 P.M.

The "Battle of the Bay" is one of the most exciting parts of the Special Operations Forces (SOF) Week annual conference. More than 170 United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) and international service members from 10 nations will take part in a mock scenario defending the City of Tampa from "hostile invaders." Helicopters, boats, drones, ATVs, scuba divers, and much more all be involved in the demo. This is as close to a real-life mission as it gets!

Noise Advisory

A noise advisory will be in place for those in the downtown Tampa area surrounding the Tampa Convention Center. Those with sensitivity to loud noises may want to avoid the area. Wearing a form of hearing protection is also recommended for those in attendance.

Traffic Advisory

Traffic around the Convention Center will be affected both May 7 and May 8 from 11:30 A.M. to 1:30 P.M. South Franklin Street will be blocked off from Channelside Drive to the Westin Hotel and at the Water Street Intersection. During the closures, traffic should detour to Beneficial Drive. Attendees are advised that construction work is ongoing in front of the convention center and may affect travel times. Boat access to the Seddon Channel will also be restricted both days from 11:30 A.M. to 1:30 P.M. to participating Special Operations Teams only.

Where to Watch

The best views of the demonstration are from higher vantage points including the Harbour Island Bridge. The demonstration will also be visible around the Convention Center, Riverwalk and Bayshore Blvd. Viewing space is first come, first served and will fill up fast! Attendees are advised that construction work is on-going in front of the convention center.

The SOF Week conference is expected to draw more than 16,000 attendees and has an estimated economic impact of more than $12 million. The City of Tampa will present a public proclamation prior to the event on Wednesday, with participants available for interviews at the conclusion of the demonstration.

Television stations interested in parking at the Tampa Convention Center may contact USSOCOM Public Affairs at 813-826-8800, or SOCO_ALL@socom.mil. Media planning to attend the demo are asked to RSVP by email by 12 P.M. on May 6.

Posted

05/06/2024

News Convention Center

News Parking

News Tampa Fire Rescue

Tampa Solid Waste Driver Honored for Heroic Act

Robert Lockridge dp9q (Technology & Innovation) — Mon, 06 May 2024 13:17:06 +0000

Tampa Solid Waste Driver Honored for Heroic Act Robert L. Mon, 05/06/2024 - 09:17 am

Solid Waste Driver David Llanos received Life Changer Award for heroic actions.

David Llanos holding Life Changer Award with Mayor Castor and Solid Waste Team Members

A City of Tampa Solid Waste Driver is being recognized for going above and beyond his job duties to help a mother find her toddler who had wandered away from home.

David Llanos was awarded the Life Changer Award by Mayor Jane Castor and the City of Tampa Solid Waste Department for helping locate a toddler on March 19, 2024 while he was on his route. Around 9:00 A.M., he encountered a distraught mother looking for her child. Llanos immediately parked his truck and helped the mother search for her son. While walking through the neighborhood he spotted the lost child a block away from his home. He assured the child he was a safe person to go with and carried him back to his mother.

"I could not be prouder of David Llanos for noticing something was wrong and stepping in to help," said Solid Waste Director Larry Washington. "His heroic actions reflect our team's dedication to the community and reinforce our role as first responders."

Due to Llanos' quick actions, Tampa Police was not called. Each December, the City of Tampa Solid Waste Drivers are equipped with the See Something, Say Something Training provided by the Tampa Police Department. Training helps drivers to be vigilant and remain alert for special events and on collection routes.

Posted

05/06/2024

News Solid Waste

Tampa Hosts 2024 Asian Pacific Islander Cultural Festival

Robert Lockridge dp9q (Technology & Innovation) — Mon, 06 May 2024 12:20:09 +0000

Tampa Hosts 2024 Asian Pacific Islander Cultural Festival Robert L. Mon, 05/06/2024 - 08:20 am

Tampa Asian Pacific Islander Cultural Festival

In honor of Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month, Mayor Jane Castor and the City of Tampa will celebrate AAPI heritage and cultural diversity at the 2024 Tampa Asian Pacific Islander Cultural Festival.

The vibrant and colorful festival will showcase and celebrate all things Asian and Pacific Islander in the heart of downtown Tampa. Free and open to the public, the community is invited to Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park (600 N Ashley Dr) on May 11, from noon to 9:00 pm, to immerse themselves in a spectacular afternoon and evening of incredible Asian cultural performances, mouthwatering delicacies, authentic Asian wares, fascinating informational exhibits, plus a beauty pageant and singing competition. Asian countries and regions represented include Korea, Philippines, China, Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, India, Japan, Indonesia, Taiwan, Bangladesh, and Malaysia, as well as the Hawaiian and South Pacific Islands.

"In Tampa, we embrace diversity as our strength and celebrate the many cultures that make our city dynamic," said Mayor Jane Castor. "This festival embodies our commitment to honoring the heritage of all those within our community and provides a great opportunity for everyone to learn about and appreciate new cultures.”

Organized by the Mayor's Asian American Pacific Islander Council, the goal of the event is to showcase the beauty of all AAPI people and share the unique and rich cultures and traditions present in our community. Join us for Tampa’s biggest Asian Pacific Islander celebration of the year!

For media coverage and more information please contact Nerissa Lamison at nlamison@hccfl.edu or (813) 486-7446.

Posted

05/06/2024

News Parks and Recreation

News Parking

Tampa Police Make Arrest in 26th Ave Homicide Investigation

Eddy Durkin P44428 (Police Department) — Sat, 04 May 2024 15:04:17 +0000

Tampa Police Make Arrest in 26th Ave Homicide Investigation Eddy D. Sat, 05/04/2024 - 11:04 am

Tampa Police arrested 37-year-old Whitney Newsome in relation to a shooting on Friday that left two dead.

“I am incredibly proud of the dedication and efficiency demonstrated by our detectives and officers throughout this investigation,” said Chief Bercaw. “Their tireless work, combined with the tips and assistance provided by the community, allowed us to quickly remove a dangerous felon from the streets and bring a sense of closure to the families of the victims.”

On May 3, 2024, at approximately 10:30 am, the Tampa Police responded to a ShotSpotter notification followed by the report of a shooting in the 900 block of E. 26th Ave. Officers arrived to find two victims, an adult white female in her mid-20s and an adult black male in his early 40s, both suffering from gunshot wounds. These two victims died because of their injuries. A third victim, a black female in her early 40s, who was shot at but not struck by gunfire, was located, and interviewed.

Detectives immediately began gathering evidence and interviewing witnesses.

Investigators determined that the defendant, later identified as 37-year-old Whitney Newsome (black male, 1/19/1987), was engaged in an argument with the white female victim before the shooting. The black male victim attempted to intervene and an argument between the two males escalated and moved down E. 26^th Ave. The black female victim was also walking in the same area at the time. It was later determined that all parties involved were known to each other.

Newsome then pulled out a handgun and shot the white female, who attempted to run before collapsing in front of the convenience store.

The black male and black female victims also attempted to run for safety when Newsome shot at both of them. The black male was struck by a bullet. The black female, thankfully, was not injured by the gunfire. Newsome then ran from the scene.

Officers quickly located a handgun along the route Newsome fled.

Detectives followed evidence and developed leads based on witness statements that led to Newsome being identified as the shooter. Officers worked throughout the night and were able to locate Newsome in the area of E. 25^th Ave and N. 33^rd St., where Tampa Police Officers took him into custody early Saturday morning.

He was charged with two counts of Murder, Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon, and Felon in Possession of a Firearm. He was transported to Orient Road Jail.

Posted

05/04/2024

Tampa Police Investigate as Unidentified Candy Sickens Students at Charter School

Eddy Durkin P44428 (Police Department) — Fri, 03 May 2024 21:11:39 +0000

Tampa Police Investigate as Unidentified Candy Sickens Students at Charter School Eddy D. Fri, 05/03/2024 - 05:11 pm

Just after 1:30 pm on Thursday, May 2, 2024, Tampa Police responded to a call from New Springs Charter School, located at 2410 E Busch Blvd. School staff reported that several children reportedly became sick after eating candy.

Employees of the school found a clear cylindrical container, with no label or markings, that contained two pieces of what resembled “Nerds” brand candies, sometimes legally sold as Delta-9 THC products in Florida.

Eleven children, all between the ages of nine and eleven, reported symptoms including dizziness, nausea, lethargy, and numbness in their legs and arms. The commonality shared by the students was that each of them had eaten some candy. All the students were picked up by their parents. Three were taken to a nearby hospital for evaluation as a precaution. Thankfully, there were no reported serious injuries to any of the students.

While early in this investigation, it is believed one of the students may have brought the candy to school. Detectives continue working to determine the origin of the candy, who brought it to the school, and how it ended up in the possession of the children.

Here are some safety tips to help keep children safer:

Teach your kids to always ask you, or a trusted adult, before eating anything they find, especially if it's not in a familiar location.
Have an age-appropriate discussion with your children. If they are old enough to understand, explain that some items that look like everyday candy might contain ingredients that could make them sick.
If you believe your child may have ingested THC-infused items, contact Poison Control by calling 800.222.1222 or contact your child’s medical provider.

Posted

05/03/2024

Tampa Police To Produce Weekly Spanish Segments for Local Hispanic Community

Verliz Williams p93571 (Police Department) — Fri, 03 May 2024 20:40:01 +0000

Tampa Police To Produce Weekly Spanish Segments for Local Hispanic Community Verliz W. Fri, 05/03/2024 - 04:40 pm

To enhance communication with our Spanish-speaking residents, we are excited to announce the launch of "Noticias de Policia De Tampa." This weekly feature will be available on Policia De Tampa's social media pages and a dedicated YouTube playlist on Tampa Police's channel. Stay tuned for important updates and information in Spanish to better serve our community.

“Noticias de Policia De Tampa” will provide our Spanish media outlets with b-roll and interviews that will provide an overview of weekly incidences and other relevant topics to help keep the community informed.

“The Latino/Hispanic population within the city has grown to just over 26%,” said Chief Lee Bercaw. “In order to keep everyone safe, you also have to keep them informed. Launching “Noticias de Policia de Tampa” is a positive step towards enhancing our relationship with our Hispanic residents while ensuring they are aware of what’s happening in our community.”

“Noticias de Policia De Tampa” will be posted every Friday by 5:00 p.m. and will include stories from the week and the previous weekend.

The first episode of “Noticias de Policia De Tampa” can be viewed here: https://youtu.be/Yovnep3biPU

We also encourage the community to submit topic suggestions for future episodes by emailing TPD-PIO@tampagov.net.

We look forward to producing this content for you all and the community we share as we fulfill our mission of being safer, together.

Posted

05/03/2024