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Blown Fuse Prompts Evacuation Of City Hall
Posted Aug 1, 2008 by Northeast News Staff
Updated Aug 1, 2008 at 02:55 PM
TEMPLE TERRACE - Temple Terrace City Hall was evacuated for nearly two hours Friday when a blown fuse knocked out electrical power to the building, according to a release from the city.
Employees reported hearing a loud boom, following by the smell of “electric wires burning.” The incident occurred about 1 p.m. at the three-story building, 11250 N. 56th St.
The Temple Terrace Fire Department responded, with assistance from Tampa Fire Rescue and Hillsborough County Fire Rescue. No fire was observed, and there were no injuries.
Temple Terrace Assistant Fire Chief Ian Kemp said it appeared that a blown fuse shut down a transformer that provides power to the building.
There was a rainstorm at the time; however, it isn’t known whether inclement weather played a role.
Tampa Electric Co. restored power at about 2:45 p.m.
More than 50 city hall employees were evacuated to the Public Works building on 53rd Street until power was restored.
Too Much Rain To Finish Carwash
Posted Jul 29, 2008 by Kenneth Knight
Updated Jul 29, 2008 at 07:10 PM
NORTH TAMPA - Businessman Jim Dudley wishes the rain would go away, so he could open his carwash.
Dudley was hoping to open his new business, Wash Me Fast, on East Busch Boulevard across from Busch Gardens, by mid-August. However, a rainier than usual summer has pushed back the opening date to sometime in September.
“It’s been raining everyday,” Dudley said.
He was unable Monday to say exactly when the 3,046-square-foot carwash built on slightly more than an acre between Larkhall Place and Wick Place would make its debut.
Dudley of Atlanta said he expects to spend about $2 million on construction and plans to hire about eight workers for the opening.
He described the Busch store as a “low-cost, fast, efficient carwash.” Workers will focus only on the exterior of the vehicles, wiping them down as they exit.
A touch screen will allow drivers to pay by cash or credit, ranging from $4 for a basic wash to $12 for a deluxe job.
Cory Lake Isles Emergency Meeting
Posted Jul 23, 2008 by Northeast News Staff
Updated Jul 23, 2008 at 05:25 PM
CORY LAKE ISLES—The community development district board headed by developer Gene Thomason has called an emergency meeting for Thursday at 9 a.m. to add money to the budget to pay for “extraoridnary litigation expenses.”
The proposed budget already would raise homeowners’ fees around $600 next year. The legal costs would be in excess of that figure.
Twenty homeowners have sued Thomason, his family, his companies and two other CDD members who also serve on the property owners’ association board. They have accused Thomason of using homeowners’ assessments to pay for personal expenses and to subsidize his other busineeses. The CDD is not a party to the lawsuit.
Mark Basurto, lawyer for the plaintiffs, said it’s his understanding that Thomason has demanded indemnification from the district, which means it could be liable to pay for any of his losses or legal costs and would hold him and his company harmless.
“There is a definate conflict of interest,” Basurto said. “I don’t believe there would be a basis for the developer to seek indemnification from the CDD, which the developer chairs, for fraud committed by the developer.”
CDD lawyer Mark Straley did not return phone calls. Thomason declined comment.
Dan Morford, one of the plaintiffs who also is running against CDD Supervisor Suzanne Manzi, said that board members could insert the line item and homeowners would “have no way to fight it.”
Added Basurto, “They’re trying to turn the community against us, and at the end of the day, it’s not going to work.”
Life in the Fast Lane
Posted Jul 21, 2008 by Northeast News Staff
Updated Jul 21, 2008 at 03:58 PM
NEW TAMPA—Drivers…start your engines and thank Mother Nature for last weekend’s sunny weather.
The Florida Department of Transportation’s contractor is scheduled to open one lane on the bridge that will take southbound (westbound) Bruce B. Downs traffic onto southbound I-75 by 5 a.m. on Thursday, July 24. That’s a week later than promised, but still months ahead of schedule.
Here are some notes about what will occur when the bridge does open:
* The Florida Department of Transportation’s contractor will open one lane on the bridge that will take southbound (westbound) Bruce B. Downs traffic onto southbound Interstate 75.
* When this new connection onto southbound I-75 opens, the current double left turn lanes to southbound I-75 at the traffic signal will close permanently. All southbound Bruce B. Downs traffic entering southbound I-75 will now exit to the right just south of Dona Michelle Drive. Motorists need to be extra alert in this area as drivers get used to the changed entrance ramp conditions.
* In the coming months, a second lane will be opened on the bridge. Meanwhile, this early opening of one lane on the bridge now will allow free-flowing access to southbound I-75 and allow signal timing to be adjusted on Bruce B. Downs to increase the amount of time Bruce B. Downs traffic has green signals.
Local Athlete, Coach Selected to Attend Paralympic Academy in Beijing
Posted Jul 18, 2008 by Northeast News Staff
Updated Jul 18, 2008 at 10:16 AM
TAMPA – A Wharton High School student will join the coordinator of a local program for disabled athletes in attending the 2008 International Paralympic Academy in Beijing, according to a release from the Hillsborough County Parks, Recreation and Conservation Department.
U.S. Paralympics selected athlete Sarah Goldman and Blaze Sports coordinator Andy Chasanoff to attend the international event Sept. 5 through 11. They will have the opportunity to meet U.S. Paralympics team members and attend Paralympics ceremonies and competition.
Goldman, a 16 year-old student at Wharton, is one of 35 physically disabled student athletes nationwide selected by winning an essay contest that focused on how disabled sports activities impacted their lives. A wheelchair athlete, Goldman participates on the county’s Blaze Sports team in tennis, track and field, soccer and swimming.
Chasanoff, a coach and organizer of the local Blaze Sports program, was selected to attend the Paralympic Academy as a community program leader.
The Tampa Bay Blaze Sports program was founded in 2002 as one of the 10 charter clubs in the United States. More than 200 disabled athletes train and compete in Hillsborough County’s program.
Looking For A Bargain?
Posted Jul 16, 2008 by Northeast News Staff
Updated Jul 16, 2008 at 01:50 PM
TAMPA PALMS – Discount retailer Ross Dress for Less will open its newest Tampa store Friday in the Market Square shopping Center.
The California-based retailer has been expanding rapidly in Florida, where it has nearly 100 stores.
“We plan to continue to grow in Florida – we opened about 10 stores last year and plan a similar number of openings this year,” company spokeswoman Ginger Jeffers said. “We generally look for areas with demographics that are similar to our customer base.”
The 30,000-square-foot New Tampa store will create up to 45 new jobs.
The store is open from 9:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. every day except Sunday, when the hours are 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
The spring and summer have seen a succession of new stores opening at Market Square. The next major openings will be the PetsHotel at PetSmart and the Jo-Ann’s fabric and craft store.
Leadership Training Applications Being Accepted
Posted Jul 15, 2008 by Northeast News Staff
Updated Jul 15, 2008 at 02:03 PM
UNIVERSITY AREA - The University of South Florida Jim Walter Partnership Center is accepting applications for the University Area Grassroots Leadership Program.
The free course at the University Area Community Center, 14013 N. 22nd St., is on Saturdays from Aug. 16 through Sept. 20, except for Aug. 30, with a banquet Oct. 10.
It focuses on developing skills and making contacts to help improve the community west of the University of South Florida. Participants can propose service projects relating to housing, education, health, safety, recreation and other topics.
Aimee Johnson, the program coordinator, said the course, open to people 15 and older, has been expanded and will include grant writing, research and youth mentoring.
“We want youth to work with adults to institute projects to benefit youth, too,” Johnson said.
For a registration application or information, call Johnson at (813) 974-2027 or (813) 974-5709.
Free Health Screenings Offered Friday
Posted Jul 14, 2008 by Northeast News Staff
Updated Jul 14, 2008 at 10:21 AM
UNIVERSITY AREA - Free health screenings will be offered from noon to 4 p.m. Friday, July 18, at the Pepin Heart Hospital at University Community Hospital.
Screenings will take place in the Wallace Conference Room of the hospital at 3100 E. Fletcher Ave. Experts also will answer questions on health topics.
For details, call (813) 615-7300.
Changes In Education Coverage
Posted Jul 14, 2008 by Northeast News Staff
Updated Jul 14, 2008 at 09:39 AM
Michele Sager, the longtime education reporter for the Tribune’s Northeast bureau, has been transferred to our Northwest/Carrollwood office.
Education stories in New Tampa, Temple Terrace, Thonotosassa, North Tampa and the University Area will be assigned to our remaining Northeast bureau reporters and correspondents on a case-by-case basis.
If you have an education story idea, please e-mail it to John McCoy at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).
Baby Ban Overturned
Posted Jul 9, 2008 by Northeast News Staff
Updated Jul 9, 2008 at 01:30 PM
HERITAGE ISLES—Faced with roomful of crying babies and angry moms, the Community Development District board reneged its week-old baby ban Wednesday.
The parents cried foul when board supervisors voted to ban any child that wasn’t potty trained from using the community’s main pool. They were allowed in the kiddie pool, but only with swim diapers.
Several parents said the rule was unfair to young families and creates an unsafe environment because they wouldn’t be able to supervise their older children from kiddie pool. Board members agreed.
“So can we use the pool today?” resident Missy Hileman asked as she balanced a crying baby on her hip. “Good. Would you really want to be inside this one all day?”
City Council OKs Redevelopment Site Plan
Posted Jul 8, 2008 by Northeast News Staff
Updated Jul 8, 2008 at 03:06 PM
TEMPLE TERRACE - The city council has approved a final site plan for the redevelopment of Temple Terrace’s downtown core.
The city’s redevelopment partners, Ram Development Co. and Pinnacle Realty Advisors, have agreed to purchase 20.36 acres from the city at 56th Street and Bullard Parkway for $14.9 million.
Plans call for the area, site of two rundown shopping centers, to be transformed into a mix of office, restaurant, retail, residential and civic/cultural elements.
City leaders expect to close on the sale of the property in mid-September. A development agreement and an operating and easement agreement must be signed by the developers and city officials before the closing.
USF’s Genshaft, Husband To Be Ball’s Honorary Co-Chairmen
Posted Jul 7, 2008 by Northeast News Staff
Updated Jul 7, 2008 at 12:58 PM
University of South Florida President Judy Genshaft and her husband, Steve Greenbaum, who are Tampa Palms residents, will be honorary co-chairmen of the American Cancer Society’s Cattle Barons’ Ball for 2009.
To signify the transition, a mounted pair of shiny white bull’s horns was presented to Genshaft at a recent luncheon. The event was to recognize past honorary chairmen, including Rhea Law, Naida Ramil, also of Tampa Palms, Terri Ellison and Pam Muma. Event chairwoman Jeanne Marget and Ambassador Gloria Giunta also attended.
The horns are mounted on a base with the names of each past honorary chairman. The horns will be kept in Genshaft’s office during her and her husband’s term as honorary co-chairmen.
The Cattle Barons’ Ball will be in Tampa on March 7. For information, call (813) 319-5904.
Comments Welcome
Posted Jul 3, 2008 by Northeast News Staff
Updated Jul 3, 2008 at 04:38 PM
TAMPA PALMS - We discovered today that the comments part of our blog, Northeast Now, was not enabled. We believe the problem is fixed, so let us know what you think.
- John McCoy, Northeast team leader.
The Great Barber Debate
Posted Jul 3, 2008 by Northeast News Staff
Updated Jul 3, 2008 at 04:36 PM
TAMPA— On Sunday, July 6th, in partnership with WTMP AM 1150 & 96.1 FM, Supervisor of Elections Buddy Johnson is hosting the first of a two part contest entitled, “Vote for Tampa Bay’s 2008 Best Stylist and Barber ” at the Jerk Hut Island Grill (2101 E. Fowler Avenue, Tampa) from 4:00 pm until 9:00 pm. Participants at this Sunday’s “Independence Weekend Finale”event will be encouraged to nominate their favorite stylist or barber while listening to jazz music and enjoying refreshments.
Elections staff will be on-hand to register new voters and demonstrate Hillsborough County’s new optical scan voting machine.
July 28th is the last day for Hillsborough County residents to register to vote for the August 26th Primary Election.
Closures Scheduled At Bruce B. Downs/I-75 Interchange
Posted Jul 3, 2008 by Northeast News Staff
Updated Jul 3, 2008 at 04:21 PM
NEW TAMPA - Bruce B. Downs Boulevard will be closed under Interstate 75 from 9 p.m. Monday, July 7, to 5 a.m. Tuesday, July 8. Traffic will be detoured onto I-75.
- Both directions of I-75 will be closed over Bruce B. Downs Boulevard from 9 p.m. Tuesday, July 8, to 5 a.m. Wednesday, July 9. I-75 traffic will exit at Bruce B. Downs Boulevard (Exit 270), cross Bruce B. Downs Boulevard and re-enter the interstate using the entrance ramps.
- The Bruce B. Downs Boulevard entrance ramps to northbound I-75 will be closed from 9 p.m. Wednesday, July 9, to 5 a.m. Thursday, July 10. Traffic can access northbound I-75 from State Road 56 in Wesley Chapel.
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