Tampa Today News: Chillura Passes At Age 84 + Gulf Islands Ferry Adds New Stop
Tampa Today News: Chillura Passes At Age 84 + Gulf Islands Ferry Adds New Stop
Everything to know happening in town.
Welcome back to Tampa Today News. I’m Carlos Hernandez, your host explaining all things about what’s happening in the Tampa area including local news, events, and more.
Today’s weather: High 67 and low 47. Sunny.
Featured business: Due Amici & Geo’s Fine Wine & Champagne
Due Amici is a family-run pizza and pasta bar restaurant located in Ybor City at 1724 E 7th Ave. The restaurant takes pride in their gourmet food, handcrafting sauces to compliment the flavors in each dish. Pizza dough is made in-house, hand-spun, topped with the freshest ingredients, and carried to the oven with love.
Geo’s Fine Wine & Champagne Bar is the latest hotspot in Ybor City right next door to Due Amici. The bar has a selection of fine wines and champagnes to choose from as well as charcuterie boards and live music and events regularly. The bar has also recently added cocktails and a full selection of spirits.
Featured business: The Left Bank Bistro
The Left Bank Bistro is wonderful French restaurant and gathering place for friends and meeting new ones, for sipping coffee and cocktails on the patio while enjoying great conversations; or dining in the house on one of their chef's delicious creations. The restaurant is located at 1225 Dr M.L.K. Jr St N, St. Petersburg, FL 33701. Call to make reservations at (727) 256-1691.
Visit them online at theleftbankbistro.com.
Are you interested in sponsoring Tampa Today News and promoting your business, events, or products? Reach out at carlosreportsnews@gmail.com and I will be happy to discuss rates.
Top local stories:
Influential local Tampa politician Joe Chillura Jr. passes away at age 84: Former Hillsborough County Commissioner and architect Joe Chillura Jr. has passed away at age 84. Family said he died of natural causes. Chillura grew up in Tampa and graduated from the University of Florida with an architecture degree. He was first elected to Tampa City Council in 1970 and later the Hillsborough County Commission in the 1990s. Chillura led the passage of a controversial Community Investment Tax that helped fund Raymond James Stadium against the opposition of taxpayers. The tax is expiring soon and the county is considering renewing it. (tampabay.com, aol.com)
ZooTampa has two manatees from Miami Seaquarium in care: ZooTampa is currently rehabilitating two manatees from Miami's Seaquarium, after a USDA inspection report last year found repeat violations in South Florida. The two manatees are called "Romeo” and “Juliet.” The manatees are over 65 years old and were at the Miami Seaquarium since the 1950s. The aquarium in South Florida has been under scrutiny for years. (abcactionnews.com)
Memorial held in Tampa for 100+ unhoused residents who passed in 2023: An annual memorial was held at the Portico in downtown Tampa for the 110 unhoused people who died on Tampa's streets last year amid an affordable housing crisis. Community members named those who died out loud during the event. The event was led by Hyde Park United Methodist Church Minister Rev. Justin LaRosa. (fox13news.com)
Manatee County ferry adds new stop this weekend: The Gulf Islands Ferry is adding a new stop at the Bridge Street Pier in Bradenton Beach starting Friday, Feb. 9. Ferry service is available Fridays through Sundays from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. with departures every hour. (wfla.com)
Liam Coen named Bucs offensive coordinator: Liam Coen has been named the new offensive coordinator for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He is replacing Dave Canales, who is headed to the Carolina Panthers. Coen has spent the last three seasons between the University of Kentucky and the Los Angeles Rams. Coen previously played quarterback for UMass and set a number of career passing records there. (buccaneers.com)
Top local events:
Brandon Paint and Sip – Be My Valentine at Romi's Tacos. (6 p.m.)
Mr. Jimmy from Around the Way | Jeffrey Blount at Oxford Exchange. (6:30 p.m.)
Family Paint Event at Pinot's Palette Wesley Chapel. (7 p.m.)
Aaron Lewis: The American Patriot Tour at Seminole Hard Rock Tampa Event Center. (8 p.m.)
The $5 Comedy Show at St. Pete Brewing Company. (8 p.m.)
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Send news tips: carlosreportsnews@gmail.com.
That’s all I have for today. See you tomorrow!
-Carlos Hernandez