Hello, everybody! It’s me, Carlos Hernandez, your host of the Tampa Daily. Come along for the most important things going on around town. Today you’ll learn about…
- The Tampa Firefighters Union has endorsed former Sen. Janet Cruz for Tampa City Council in District 3.
- Hundreds of volunteers worked Sunday to cleanup trash from the Gasparilla Pirate Festival.
- Mardi Gras has returned to Busch Gardens Tampa Bay.
But first, today’s weather:
Humid with periods of sun. High: 82 Low: 65.
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Here are the top stories in Tampa today:
- Hundreds of volunteers were out Sunday morning helping to clean up trash left from the annual Gasparilla Pirate Festival in Tampa. Keep Tampa Bay Beautiful, a local nonprofit, set up four sites in South Tampa for volunteers to gather and work together. The City of Tampa helps support the effort with its #BeadFreeBay campaign, which aims to get locals to help reduce littering on the streets and waterways. (WTSP)
- A Tampa teenager started a non-profit during the COVID-19 pandemic to help classmates access feminine products. The non-profit is now being expanded to include a Period Care Menstrual Dispenser Program for Hillsborough County Public Schools. School Board member Karen Perez helped with the funding for the program. (Fox 13 Tampa)
- Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri has expressed dismay over the alleged involvement of Memphis police officers in the murder of Tyre Nichols after bodycam footgage was released to the public. Gualtieri said to WFLA, “I stand with law enforcement leaders across the country in strongly condemning their actions. There is no justification for it and they all must be held accountable.“ Five police officers have been charged with second-degree murder, aggravated assault, aggravated kidnapping, official misconduct and official oppression. (WFLA)
- The Tampa Firefighters Union has endorsed former Senator Janet Cruz in her campaign for Tampa City Council District 3. “We are thrilled to endorse Janet Cruz for Tampa City Council. With her years of experience representing our city in Tallahassee, we trust that she will continue to put the needs and concerns of our residents first,” the group said in a statement. The upcoming municipal election is in March of this year. (Florida Politics)
- Mardi Gras has returned to Busch Gardens Tampa Bay. The celebration will include New Orleans style food, Mardi Gras parades, jazz music, Mardi Gras beads, and more. Do not miss the beignets. The celebration will run through Feb. 26. (Q105.com, That’s So Tampa)
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- City of Tampa shared: “The Gasparilla pirates have invaded our fair city! Mayor Jane Castor gave up the key to the city in return for an incredible parade with our community.” (City of Tampa via Facebook)
- Visit Tampa Bay made a highlight reel from the Gasparilla Pirate Festival for those who missed it. (Twitter)
- HCA Florida Oak Hill Hospital in Hernando County has announced Robert Linares, MSN, RN, CCRN-K, NE-BC, RRT, as its new director of clinical operations. Linares holds a Masters in Nursing degree in Leadership and Management from the University of West Florida. (Tampa Bay Newswire)
- TradeWinds Island Resorts in Pinellas County will host a job fair on Monday, Feb. 6 and aims to find workers for full-time and part-time positions at both the Island Grand and RumFish Beach Resort properties. New hires will receive a $500 bonus after four months of work. (Tampa Bay Newswire)
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Thanks for following along and staying informed. See you all tomorrow for another update!
â Carlos Hernandez
About me: Hello my name is Carlos Hernandez and I am a food writer with over 10 years of experience in the industry. I write the food blog Carlos Eats (http://www.carloseats.com) and also contribute to several newspapers and magazines with food-related blogs and articles.
Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Tampa Daily? Contact me at SouthTampa@Patch.com
