"Tampa Celebrates Global Recycling Day with a myth-busting campaign and a sneak peek of the Waste Management Recycling Plant," as reported by the Department of Solid Waste & Environmental Program Management. The city of Tampa collects over 34 million pounds of recyclables annually, enough to fill eight Olympic-sized pools. In January 2023, a record of approximately 3.7 million tons of recyclables was collected in one month.Larry Washington, Director of Tampa's Solid Waste Department, emphasized the importance of recycling right, stating, "We need [residents']...
The City of Tampa has announced a revision in the trash collection schedule in observance of the upcoming Spring Holiday on Friday, March 29, 2024. According to the official statement, residential customers who usually receive service on Friday will not have garbage, recycling, or yard waste collection on that day, with no make-up day scheduled. Trash collection for these customers will resume on the next scheduled service day, Monday, April 1, 2024.For commercial customers, collection service will run one day behind until Saturday, April 5, 2024. Regular collection...
The most represented ethnicity in the Hillsborough County student body in the 2022-23 school year was Hispanic, according to the Florida Department of Education.
The Tampa Police Department has taken a proactive approach to support the community's youth by launching a "Heart and Sole" Shoe Drive. The initiative, spearheaded by Sergeant Roni Hill, aims to collect new or gently-used sneakers and shoes for children in need in the Tampa area.Chief Lee Bercaw expressed his support for the project, stating, "This shoe drive is a great example of officers going above and beyond to support our community's youth. By ensuring children have proper footwear, we're helping them stay healthy and active."The importance of this initiative lies...
In February, the median sale price of a home in Hillsborough County rose by $35,000 from the same period in the previous year, while total sales decreased by 23%.
The Tampa Convention Center is gearing up for a busy period from March 13 to March 17, 2024, as two major events are set to take place. The Florida State Thespian Festival and the Molten Florida Pre-Qualifier volleyball tournament will be held during this time, attracting thousands of attendees and athletes to the city.According to the official announcement, the Florida State Thespian Festival is expected to bring in 7,600 attendees, while the Molten Florida Pre-Qualifier volleyball tournament will draw around 4,000 athletes and spectators. Speaking about the events, it...
The Tampa Police Department has unveiled its 2024 TPD Community and Resources Enhancing Success (C.A.R.E.S.) grant program aimed at supporting projects and programs benefiting the residents of Tampa. Chief Lee Bercaw emphasized the importance of this initiative, stating, "This funding is an investment in our community."With a total of $35,000 available for the funding awards, grants will be distributed in tiers ranging from $1,000 to $10,000. Eligible applicants include community groups, associations, agencies, or non-profit organizations with 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(4)...
Tampa Police detectives are seeking the public's help in identifying a suspect involved in a recent homicide case. The victim, 37-year-old Rebecca Couture, was tragically shot and pronounced dead at the scene on Monday, March 4, 2024, in the 5700 block of N. Nebraska Avenue.In a statement released by the Tampa Police, authorities are asking for anyone with information or camera footage that could aid in the investigation to come forward. The Tampa Police can be reached at 813-231-6130, or individuals can submit anonymous tips to Crime Stoppers at 800-873-TIPS (8477) or...
The Hillsborough River is going green ahead of next weekend’s Tampa’s Downtown River O’ Green event. As reported by the press release, the Tampa Downtown Partnership, Grow Financial, and City of Tampa Water Department will test the dye that will transform the river in preparation for the annual St. Paddy’s Day celebration. A specially equipped boat will temporarily color a portion of the river, showcasing the environmentally safe and non-toxic dye.According to the statement, "The coloring is safe for the environment, humans, and animals. It's non-toxic, biodegradable,...
The Internal Audit Department recently released its Parks and Recreation-Special Facilities, Audit 24-02 report, which delves into the special services provided by the Parks and Recreation Department. According to the report, the Parks and Recreation Department has facilities that offer unique services aimed at furthering their mission.The report is available for public viewing on TampaGov.net, allowing interested individuals to access the detailed findings and recommendations outlined in Audit 24-02.In a statement regarding the release of the audit report, the Internal...
Tampa Police Chief Lee Bercaw expressed his enthusiasm for the extended Stay & Play program, stating, “The expansion of Stay & Play this Spring Break to include our Police Athletic League is an ideal opportunity to further enhance programs available for our youth. We are committed to working with our city and community partners to give our children safe and positive spaces to spend their time.”Parks and Recreation Director Tony Mulkey highlighted the importance of the Stay & Play program, saying, “As schools let out for spring break, the Stay & Play program offers...
The Tampa Police Department has released its 2023 Annual Report, showcasing the department's focus on crime reduction, community engagement, quality assurance, and wellness.Chief Lee Bercaw emphasized the department's achievements in his open letter to the community, stating, "Our work resulted in a decline in overall violent crime that was three times lower than the national average for major cities at 8.3%." Despite facing challenges such as a mass-casualty incident in 2023, Chief Bercaw highlighted the launch of new community-oriented policing programs aimed at...
The City of Tampa is gearing up to celebrate Women's History Month with its 27th Annual Women's History Month Celebration on Tuesday, March 5, 2024, at 10:30 a.m. The event, to be held at the Tampa Bay History Center, will be free and open to the public.Mayor Jane Castor will be presenting the 2024 Josephine Howard Stafford Memorial Award to Ocea Wynn, Administrator of Neighborhood and Community Affairs, who has been a dedicated public servant for nearly two decades. Ocea, an electrical engineer with a Master’s degree in Public Administration, has been a trailblazer in...
The City of Tampa is gearing up to relaunch its popular eBike Voucher Program, with an exciting kick-off event scheduled for Tuesday, March 5, 2024. This program, which was a hit last year, is returning with even more to offer thanks to increased funding. Mayor Jane Castor highlighted the benefits of eBikes by stating, "With more than 130 miles of bike lanes in Tampa, and many more on the way, there has never been a better time to try out an eBike."The eBike Voucher Program is an application-based initiative that provides participants with the opportunity to receive up to...
Tampa Police are currently investigating a homicide in the 5700 block of N. Nebraska Ave, as reported on March 4, 2024. According to the authorities, officers responded to a call at 8:04 a.m. and discovered a deceased white female with upper body trauma at the scene.In response to the incident, detectives are actively working to determine the circumstances surrounding the homicide and are striving to identify a suspect. However, it has been assured that there is currently no perceived threat to the community stemming from this tragic event.The victim's identity is being...