Tampa Today News: Sausage King Now Open + Manatees Hit Apollo Beach
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 64 and low 46. Mostly cloudy skies.
A word from our sponsors:
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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.
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 stories in Tampa:
TECO Manatee Viewing Center seeing increased manatee presence: TECO’s Manatee Viewing Center in Apollo Beach is seeing more manatees thanks to cooler weather as winter settles in. The center is free to the public and open from Nov. 1 to Apr. 15. The center is located at 6990 Dickman Rd., Apollo Beach, FL 33572. (fox13news.com)
ReliaQuest Bowl hits lowest turnout ever outside of COVID era: The ReliaQuest Bowl had its lowest turnout ever for a non-COVID year this year with just 31,000 football fans attending the game. The bowl would draw over 60,000 visitors in the early 2000’s but has declined for years. The LSU Tigers won the game 35-31 against the Wisconsin Badgers. (abcactionnews.com)
New Rapid DNA testing draws accuracy concerns from ACLU: Hernando County Sheriff Office's new Rapid DNA testing during booking is drawing concerns about reliability. The new technology will lower DNA testing time by a few hours. The ACLU argues that even professionals get it wrong when it comes to DNA testing, leading to major issues with criminal justice. Currently the tests are being mailed for further analysis. (wmnf.org)
Sausage King now open at the KRATE Container Park: Sausage King has replaced TJ's Hot Dogs at the KRATE Container Park at 6105 Wesley Grove Blvd, Wesley Chapel, FL 33544. The business is being run by Christos Paradisis and Colleen Gallagher. Menu items include the Beef Keilbasa Hero, Italian Sausage Hero, Chili Cheese Fries, Corn Dogs and more. (neighborhoodnewsonline.net)
Free Life Story Writing class at Bloomingdale Library starting soon: The Bloomingdale Writers Connection is offering a 10-week Life Story Writing class at Bloomingdale Regional Library starting on Friday, Jan. 19 at 10:15 a.m. The class is funded by the Friends of the Bloomingdale Library and is free and open to the public. Participant will write a total of nine life stories over the program. Find more information by contacting Val Perry at lifewritersbloom@msn.com or by phone at 813-653-9591. (ospreyobserver.com)
Top events today in town:
Putt the Pier at St Pete Pier. (noon)
Affordable Family Skate at Skateworld of Tampa. (5 p.m.)
Happy Hour Yoga with Cocoon Yoga + Movement Studio at Armature Works. (5:30 p.m.)
Hillsborough County Esports - Video Game Open Play at Emanuel P. Johnson Recreation Center. (6:30 p.m.)
Who Got It? at King State. (7 p.m.)
What I’m eating:
Chef Jermaine Bass is the new chef over at The Left Bank Bistro in St. Petersburg. His background is in French cuisine and he has previously worked at The Tampa Club and Bern’s Steak House. You can learn more about him in this video. I tried some of his cooking and his food is beautifully plated and delicious. One of his favorite things to cook is pastries. I definitely am going back to visit again soon for more food.
Notes:
Suspended Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco has been arrested in the Dominican Republic. (espn.com)
Rock the Park is back in downtown Tampa this Thursday, Jan. 4, at 6:30 p.m. at Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park. (tampasdowntown.com)
Film Tampa Bay: “We are celebrating 10 years of the weird, whacky, and wonderful stories filmed in Tampa Bay. Keep an eye out as we look back on our accomplishments throughout 2024.” (x.com)
New York and California are the top states with residents relocating to Florida. (businessinsider.com)
Britt (@brittbolts): “Nobody can touch Thunderbugs outfit game.” (x.com)
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That’s all I have for today. See you tomorrow!
-Carlos Hernandez