Latest News from Tampa Republic

City of Tampa Hosts 3Rs Art & Poetry Contest to Promote Environmental Stewardship

By Tampa Republic | Jan 17, 2024

The City of Tampa's Department of Solid Waste and Environmental Program Management has announced the kick-off of the 2024 3Rs Art & Poetry Contest. This annual contest, now in its 19th year, aims to promote environmental stewardship among students in grades 3 to 12, representing various educational institutions and programs in Tampa.The 3Rs Art & Poetry Contest centers around the message of the 3Rs: reduce, reuse, recycle. Participants are encouraged to express this message through their artwork and poems. Winning entries will have the honor of being displayed on...

Award-Winning Tampa Convention Center Prepares for Record-Breaking 2024

By Tampa Republic | Jan 17, 2024

Following an award-winning year and the successful completion of a historic renovation project, the Tampa Convention Center is gearing up for a record-breaking year in 2024. The center is set to host 39 large city-wide conventions and conferences involving multiple venues, compared to 28 city-wide events in 2019. Nine events that were postponed due to the pandemic in 2020 have been rescheduled for 2024. In total, the center is expected to hold a remarkable 98 events of various sizes throughout the year.Juan Lopez, the Sales and Marketing Manager at the Tampa Convention...

Reps. Lee, Neguse Introduce Bill to Combat Online Fentanyl Trafficking

By Tampa Republic | Jan 17, 2024

Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Laurel Lee (FL-15) and Congressman Joe Neguse (CO-2) have introduced the bipartisan Combating Online Fentanyl Trafficking Act, a bill aimed at strengthening efforts to detect, prevent, and prosecute online fentanyl trafficking. The legislation seeks to address the alarming increase in fentanyl-related overdose deaths, which reached over 112,000 in 2023, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention."The fentanyl crisis has impacted every community in this nation," said Rep. Laurel Lee. "Despite tireless efforts from law...

Tampa Police Officers Shot At While Investigating Shooting

By Tampa Republic | Jan 17, 2024

Tampa, FLA.- Tampa police officers came under fire while responding to a shooting incident in the 10000 block of 23rd Street. According to reports, officers received a call about a shooting inside a residence. When they arrived at the scene, two female victims who had been shot approached them for help. Amidst the chaos, the suspect, identified as 42-year-old Michael Banks, opened fire on the officers. In response, 32-year-old Officer Darren Gibson fired shots at Banks, but none of them hit their intended target. Fortunately, the officers managed to apprehend Banks a...

Tampa Police Officer Terminated for Misuse of Authority and other Policy Violations

By Tampa Republic Report | Jan 17, 2024

On January 11, 2024, the Tampa Police Department terminated an officer for a violation of multiple departmental policies.

Hillsborough County home prices rose in December 2023 compared to December 2022

By Tampa Republic | Jan 16, 2024

In December 2023, the median sale price of a home in Hillsborough County rose by $45,000 from the same period in the previous year, while total sales decreased by 69%.

TFR Conducting Live Firefighting Training Exercise at TPA

By Tampa Republic | Jan 16, 2024

Tampa Fire Rescue (TFR) will be conducting a live firefighting training exercise at Tampa International Airport (TPA) on Wednesday, January 17. The exercise, led by TFR's Airport Rescue Fire Fighting Division (ARFF), will involve flames up to 40 feet in the air, created by jet fuel.According to TFR, this type of fire is different from what firefighters usually face, and the exercise is meant to simulate an aircraft emergency. The training will take place at night to minimize concerns about the large plumes of black smoke produced by the fire. However, the visuals are said...

City of Tampa Hosts Panel Discussion on Proposed Juvenile Curfew Ordinance

By Tampa Republic | Jan 16, 2024

The City of Tampa is taking steps to implement a proposed juvenile curfew ordinance that will impact juveniles 15 years old and under. To educate the community about this ordinance, the City's Community Engagement & Partnerships team is hosting a panel discussion during the upcoming Family Summit. The event will provide an opportunity for community members to receive information from law enforcement, as well as family and teen development experts. The panel discussion will be followed by a brief Q&A session.The Family Summit will take place on Tuesday, January 16, from...

Tampa Police Seek Assistance In Identifying Burglary Suspect

By Tampa Republic Report | Jan 16, 2024

Tampa Police detectives are seeking assistance in identifying a suspect who burglarized Corona Coffee (9307 N. Nebraska Ave) on January 7, 2024, at approximately 1:00 a.m.

The Internal Audit Department released its Cayenta Utility Accounting Controls and Application Review, Audit 23-15

By Tampa Republic Report | Jan 15, 2024

Cayenta is a utility management system used mainly by three departments: Water, Wastewater, and Solid Waste and Environmental Program Management.

Tampa Convention Center Nominated for Two Urban Excellence Awards

By Tampa Republic Report | Jan 15, 2024

The Tampa Convention Center is honored to be nominated for two Urban Excellence Awards from the Tampa Downtown Partnership, following an award-winning year for the center in 2023.

Home prices in Hillsborough County increased

By Tampa Republic | Jan 14, 2024

The median sale price of a home sold in the second half of 2023 in Hillsborough County rose by $10,000, while total sales decreased by 24.2%.

Hillsborough County home valuations rose in Q4 2023

By Tampa Republic | Jan 14, 2024

The median sale price of a home sold in the fourth quarter of 2023 in Hillsborough County rose by $17,250, while total sales decreased by 34.1%.

On Saturday, January 13, former Wellington High School standout Bryan Williams’ college team lost in an NCAA D2 game

By Tampa Republic | Jan 14, 2024

The game took place in Winter Park, Florida.