Tag: Tampa
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Tampa is battling a serious termite problem, landing among the top three most termite-infested cities in the country, according to a new report from Orkin. The pest control company released its 2025 rankings, which are based on the number of residential termite treatments performed between January 1 and December 31, 2024. For the third consecutive…
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Residents in North Tampa’s Forest Hills neighborhood—classified as “Flood Zone X,” typically considered low-risk—gathered Monday night to demand answers from city and county leaders after devastating flooding last year. Sherri Allen, a longtime Forest Hills resident, recalled watching helplessly as water poured into her home the morning after Hurricane Milton made landfall. “It was terrible,”…
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Tampa has unveiled its latest efforts to combat flooding impacts with a $94 million project aimed at improving the city’s pumping stations. Mayor Jane Castor, Sustainability Officer Kayla Caselli, and Wastewater Treatment Plant Manager Erik Garwell highlighted the importance of upgrading outdated infrastructure to ensure resiliency. This ambitious undertaking is part of the city’s $2.9…
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Hurricane victims in Tampa are grappling with confusion over who qualifies for relief funds and when they might receive assistance, prompting city leaders to call for patience. Recently, some homeowners received emails informing them that they won’t be getting financial help in the immediate phase. Marilyn Menendez-Arnett, whose husband Wendal passed away in June 2023,…
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Following last year’s unprecedented hurricane season, the City of Tampa has intensified its efforts to clear storm drains and regrade drainage ditches throughout the city. The heavy rainfall preceding Hurricanes Helene and Milton put significant strain on the city’s stormwater system, resulting in coastal flooding during Helene and rare street-level flooding in parts of Tampa…
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New data from Redfin indicates a shift in Tampa’s housing market, with home prices declining and properties spending more time on the market. Overall, the city has seen a 6% year-over-year price drop, with some areas—particularly downtown—experiencing even steeper declines. In downtown Tampa, the median home sale price has fallen by over 25% compared to…
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For Kathy Kaestner, the list of home repairs seems never-ending. “We had to rip out all the floors, all the drywall four feet and under, the cabinets,” Kaestner said. “I lost all my appliances.” Local news station, WFTS previously shared Kaestner’s story. Living in Tampa’s Forest Hills neighborhood, she suffered severe flood damage after Hurricane…
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Nearly six months after hurricanes Helene and Milton caused widespread destruction, five Parks and Recreation facilities across Tampa are on track to reopen by May. The storms left significant damage in their wake—submerged HVAC units, downed light poles, toppled fences, uprooted trees, and shingles torn from roofs. Among the affected sites, the DeSoto Community Center…
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Tampa is introducing a fresh effort to revive its tree canopy, focusing on underserved areas. Dubbed “Plant Your Heart Out,” the initiative is a collaboration among the city, Keep Tampa Bay Beautiful, and Suncoast Credit Union, which contributed $50,000. It takes inspiration from Tampa’s “Paint Your Heart Out” program, where citizens, businesses, clubs, and groups…
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As spring break approaches, Tampa Bay area prepares for an influx of visitors. The Sunshine State has several popular destinations, with Tampa ranking No. 8 on AAA’s list of top domestic spring break locations. Other Florida hotspots include Orlando (No. 1), Fort Lauderdale, and Miami. A recent survey highlights theme parks as the second most…
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Work is intensifying on a major project aimed at easing traffic congestion along I-4 between Tampa and Orlando. This effort is part of the “Moving Florida Forward” initiative, unveiled by Gov. Ron DeSantis last June, which focuses on enhancing safety and reducing congestion on key roadways across the state. A significant component of this plan,…
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The Tampa City Council has unanimously approved $3.2 million in State Housing Initiatives Partnership Program (SHIP) funds to aid homeowners affected by Hurricanes Helene and Milton. This funding will help residents with mortgage payments, home repairs, and insurance deductible costs. Relief Package Details Supporting Homeowners “We have to remember that some residents are still displaced,…
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Hillsborough County is offering a course on hurricane preparedness for homeowners. It’s only been a few months since the Bay Area endured the wrath of back-to-back hurricanes Helene and Milton, which caused significant damage to Florida’s trees. Although the 2025 hurricane season doesn’t officially begin until June, now is the ideal time to assess the…
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Mayor Jane Castor has officially announced the commencement of renovations at Herman Massey Park, located in downtown Tampa. The Tampa Community Redevelopment Agency is funding the project with a $2 million budget, according to a press release. The renovation will feature several upgrades, including a new raised deck with moveable furniture, improved electric and plumbing…
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As the next hurricane season approaches, the City of Tampa is taking proactive steps to address flooding challenges experienced during recent storms. During a recent workshop, city officials outlined a comprehensive plan to improve the city’s stormwater management infrastructure and emergency preparedness. Key Flooding Mitigation Strategies Water Pump Station Upgrades Some water pump stations lost…
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The Tampa metro area now boasts one of the lowest inflation rates among major U.S. cities. Over the past year, prices in the Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater area grew by just 1.6%, significantly below the national inflation rate of 2.9%, according to the latest Consumer Price Index (CPI) data. Between September 2023 and November 2024, Tampa’s inflation…
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The Tampa Hillsborough Expressway Authority (THEA) has been awarded a $4 million federal grant aimed at reducing traffic congestion and emissions on the Selmon Expressway. This grant will fund smart technology designed to detect traffic delays and provide timely notifications to drivers. THEA CEO Greg Slater stated that the initiative will enhance understanding of traffic…
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Parents and students at Seminole Heights Elementary School in Tampa are expressing concerns over recent changes to intersections on Central Avenue. The intersections at Hanna Avenue and Lake Avenue, which previously had traffic lights, have been converted into four-way stops as part of a new bikeway project by the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT). Safety…
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The Tampa Bay Rays have released new details regarding their relocation to George Steinbrenner Field for the upcoming season. Steinbrenner Field, traditionally the spring training venue for the New York Yankees, has sparked some debate over responsibilities for certain upgrades. The Rays are now clarifying these arrangements. The Rays will occupy the field following the…
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Following the impact of Hurricanes Helene and Milton, City of Tampa officials have outlined the next steps as residents and business owners prepare to receive substantial damage assessment letters in the mail. These letters will detail the extent of the damage, which has been estimated based on a visual assessment conducted by city officials in…
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Residents of a prominent neighborhood say they warned officials about flooding concerns well before Hurricane Milton, but now dozens of homes have been devastated. “Inside we had 10 inches of water consistently through the entire first floor,” Omyra Rodriguez said as she gave a tour of her home. “We lost kind of everything on [the]…
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Tampa’s Museum of Science and Industry (MOSI) announced a significant multimillion-dollar project on Wednesday afternoon, reaffirming its commitment to remaining near the USF campus. Mayor Jane Castor and other leaders unveiled the project, highlighting it as a major advancement in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) education. The project involves reopening the museum’s iconic Dome…
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Tampa’s vibrant events, diverse dining scene, and plentiful recreational options have earned it a spot among the top 20 most fun cities in the U.S., according to a recent WalletHub analysis. The study evaluated major U.S. metropolitan areas across numerous factors, including the number of attractions, restaurants per capita, and available recreational activities. Tampa secured…
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The housing market in Florida is facing challenges, and Tampa is no exception, according to a new report from Redfin. Released on Tuesday, the report reveals that the five U.S. cities with the biggest decrease in home sales are all in Florida. In Tampa, home sales dropped by 7.2%, while Fort Lauderdale saw a 15.2%…
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Shake Shack has launched its latest Tampa location at International Plaza, adding a new spot for fans to enjoy its popular burgers, shakes, and more. Situated at 2223 N Westshore Blvd, Space #B213, this outdoor restaurant is located in the plaza’s lively dining area, right across from Doc B’s. Known for its modern “roadside” burger…
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The nationally-acclaimed Country Thunder music festival is making its Tampa debut in 2025, and on Tuesday night, organizers revealed the highly-anticipated artist lineup. For the first time, Country Thunder Florida will hit the stage at Raymond James Stadium from May 2-4, 2025. After years in Kissimmee, event organizers promise that Tampa will offer “an even…
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Today, Hillsborough County leaders are set to discuss dedicating additional funding to support recovery efforts following the recent back-to-back hurricanes. A proposed $5.6 million would come from the Hope Affordable Housing Fund, which typically provides local public funds to create, preserve, and improve affordable housing. This allocation would be especially helpful for mobile homeowners, who…
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A Tampa resident has won a $1 million prize from the Florida Lottery’s 300x The Cash scratch-off game. Donald Geisler, age 66, claimed the prize at the lottery’s Tampa District Office, where he chose to receive a one-time, lump-sum payment of $695,500. Geisler’s winning ticket was purchased at the Harney Food Store, located at 6901…
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In November 1958, Tampa merchants attempted to create a winter wonderland in the Florida heat, with disastrous results. The idea was to attract holiday shoppers to downtown Tampa instead of the new suburban shopping centers. But what started with good intentions quickly descended into chaos. According to Historian Rodney Kite-Powell of the Tampa Bay History…
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Ybor City is gearing up for the holidays! The 14th annual Ybor City Tree Lighting Ceremony will take place on November 20 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at 1600 E. 7th Ave. This cherished event in Hillsborough County officially kicks off the festive season in one of Tampa’s most historic districts, made even more…
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According to city authorities, the accumulation of storm-related refuse is obstructing access to water meters, preventing accurate readings…
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The Cross Bay Ferry will make its long-awaited return this weekend, resuming its route between Tampa and St. Petersburg on Friday, October 4. Offering a scenic and convenient travel option, the ferry will operate from Wednesday through Sunday, catering to both residents and visitors seeking a unique way to commute or explore the area. This…
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