Saturday, May 19, 2012
Sexual abuse survivor-turned-advocate Lauren Book visited the Alpha House of Tampa this week.
Submitted by Ellen Hochschwender of the Alpha House of Tampa: Sexual abuse survivor-turned-advocate Lauren Book lambasted a recent New York high court ruling that it’s not illegal to “merely” view child pornography. She called it “an alarming outrage that will open the door to increased acceptance of child sexual abuse.” “Child pornography is a multi-billion dollar business that profits from the exploitation and spiritual devastation of children. This court ruling is an egregious assault on children’s rights that gives a lewd and lascivious license to pedophiles. By making it OK for adults to view child pornography on a computer, the sick industry that profits from the sexual exploitation of children just got a powerful legal boost,” Book …
Friday, May 18, 2012
The county is scaling back on the number of polling locations and precincts it offers in time for November’s presidential election.
South Tampa voters accustomed to reporting to the same poll election after election may be in for a surprise this November. The Hillsborough County Supervisor of Elections office is scaling back on the number of polling locations and precincts it has. The move is being made on the heels of new district lines being drawn for county, state and federal representative seats. “Redistricting is done every 10 years in accordance with the U.S. Census,” said Travis Abercrombie, spokesman for the Hillsborough elections office. “Legislators determine where the specific districts will be placed, then submit their proposals to the courts for approval. Once approved by the courts, we adjust the precinct lines to conform to the different districts.” …
Most weapons — but not concealed firearms carried with a permit — will be banned in the area surrounding the Republican National Convention, including part of Harbour Island and the University of Tampa.
The Tampa City Council has voted to ban most weapons from the "Event Zone" set up for protests around this summer's Republican National Convention. The zone — which includes downtown north to Interstate 275 and Interstate 4, Ybor City, the northern part of Harbour Island and an area across the Hillsborough River that includes the University of Tampa — is city officals' attempt to keep demonstrators safe in an area designated for protests. But Thursday's 4-2 council vote (with Mary Mulhern and Yvonne Yolie Capin dissenting) does not include restrictions on the carrying of concealed firearms in the Event Zone. A 2011 Florida law prohibits local lawmakers from regulating guns or ammunition, the Tampa Bay Times reports. Gov. Rick Scott turned …
Thursday, May 17, 2012
A resurfacing project on Bayshore Boulevard from West Gandy to South Rome will begin Monday, May 21, causing intermittent lane closures.
Submitted by Hillsborough County: Beginning on Monday, May 21, Hillsborough County will start re-surfacing work on Bayshore Boulevard from West Gandy Boulevard and South Rome Avenue. The project, which was originally brought to the Hillsborough County Commission by Comm. Sandra Murman, is expected to be completed by June 5. During this project, drivers should expect intermittent lane closures, and may wish to consider using other routes. The total cost of the project will be approximately $880,000 from gas tax reserves. For more information, call 813-272-5275.
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
Protesters are expected at the meeting, near Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd and I-75.
- GOVERNMENT
-
Tuesday, May 15
Occupy Tampa protesters are among those expected to gather near JPMorgan Chase's Tampa headquarters this morning. The CEO of the company will address shareholders at the annual meeting, following a recent $2 billion loss due to a trading mistake. According to TBO.com, the Florida Comsumer Action Network has called for a protest at the meeting near Dr Martin Luther King Jr Blvd and I-75 beginning at 10:30 a.m. Receive updates to this story and other breaking news in your inbox or smartphone by signing up for our newsletter here The address of the meeting is 10420 Highland Manor Drive
You're Invited to shape Tampa's future with InVision Tampa.
- GOVERNMENT
-
Tuesday, May 15
From InVision Tampa: The City is bringing in international experts and scholars to create a master plan for the Center City area, spanning from downtown to Ybor City on the east, Armenia Avenue on the west, and north along historic Nebraska Avenue to Hillsborough Avenue. You are encouraged to participate in a series of Knowledge Exchanges, designed to examine and discuss ideas, thoughts and perspectives. With a mix of both presentations and interactive exercises, these Exchanges will help the City create a living "workbook" of initiatives, linking real-world market opportunities with good public policy and a critical mass of both grassroots and grass tops supporters. Here's the schedule of events and topics of discussion: Your input and …
Thursday, May 10, 2012
Residents can only water their lawns one day a week now.
The rules of the game have changed for customers of the Tampa Water Department. Starting today, lawns may only be watered one day a week. The city tightened its water restrictions in response to the Southwest Florida Water Management District’s modified Phase II Water Shortage Emergency declaration. The new restrictions affect homes and businesses within the city’s limits. They apply to those using the city’s water system, well and surface water to irrigate their lawns. Reclaimed water users are not included. Tampa water customers who live in unincorporated Hillsborough need to follow Hillsborough County Water Resource Services restrictions. For information on those rules, call 813-275-7094. "Conditions continue to be drier than normal …
An identity thief who has stolen someone’s name and Social Security number will not be able to obtain new credit in that name as credit files are essentially locked.
- GOVERNMENT
-
Thursday, May 10
From Hillsborough County Government Online: According to statistics from the Federal Trade Commission’s 2011 Consumer Sentinel, Florida had the highest per capita rate of reported identity theft complaints in the nation. Many Florida consumers are unaware of a valuable tool available since 2006 that allows them to freeze credit reports to combat identity theft and prevent financial loss. What you should know about a credit report security freeze: The cost to place a freeze on credit files: How to freeze a credit report: Log onto the County’s Consumer Protection Agency website and click on “Identity theft” to obtain a copy of Security Freeze Information, or call 813-903-3430.
Wednesday, May 9, 2012
A volunteer group fighting to keep the Friendship Trail Bridge from being demolished received good news at a conference held at the foot of the bridge on Wednesday, May 9.
What kind of outdoor activities would you like to do on the Friendship Trail Bridge? Biking? Jogging? Fishing? Tell us in the comments section below. South Tampa resident Carlos Orozco wants to wake up one sunny morning, grab his fishing gear and head out into the waters of Tampa Bay for some fishing, but he has a problem. With no boat, there is little chance Orozco will get out far enough to catch anything worthwhile. If a volunteer group currently aiming to save the Friendship Trail Bridge from demolition is successful, however, Orozco will have his day on the water and won't have to spend a penny on gas to do it. Kevin Thurman, a Tampa marketing consultant, has joined forces with other concerned citizens to work toward creating a public…
27.89326
-82.533728
5125 W Gandy Blvd, Tampa, FL
/articles/volunteer-group-gets-more-time-for-bridge-presentation
/locations/6979651
Friday, May 4, 2012
“Be Floridian” is messaging on Tampa buses to support new city fertilizer ordinance.
Submitted by Nanette O’Hara: Bright orange bus wraps heralded the roll-out of the “Be Floridian” awareness campaign Friday, May 4, in support of Tampa’s new fertilizer ordinance. The bus wraps urge residents to skip the fertilizer in the summer to protect Tampa Bay and other waterways that are our major source of fun. The campaign’s mascot is the iconic plastic pink yard flamingo. “Be Floridian” is a regional education campaign developed by the Tampa Bay Estuary Program. It debuted last year in Pinellas County and expands this year to Tampa, which is joining Pinellas in enacting the strictest urban fertilizer regulations in Florida. The city’s ordinance bans the use and sale of lawn and landscape fertilizers containing nitrogen from June …
Alessandra Da Pra
12:13 pm on Monday, May 21, 2012
Alethea, thanks for your comment. Does anyone else feel the same? more ›