Tampa Today News: Tampa Union Station Ridership Increases + $500K Urban Food Park
Everything to know happening in Tampa.
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. Grab your coffee and let’s get started!
Today’s weather: High 66 and low 57. Light rain.
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Top local stories in Tampa:
Ridership jumps at Tampa Union Station as leaders seek to increase funding: Tampa Union Station, originally built in 1912, saw ridership increase 13 percent in Fiscal Year (FY) 2023 despite only servicing Tampa and Orlando, according to the nonprofit group Friends of Tampa Union Station. 129,036 passengers boarded and descended Amtrak trains at Tampa Union Station as well in FY 2023, according to Amtrak. “We’re really pleased to see the growing ridership at Tampa Union Station,” said Brandie Miklus, Friends of Tampa Union Station’s President and a volunteer. (bizjournals.com, tampaunionstation.com)
Hiring Day being held in early January at TPA: Tampa International Airport (TPA) will host a hiring day on Thursday, Jan. 18, 2024 from 9 a.m. to noon at the Main Terminal on Level 3. Hundreds of jobs need to be filled. The airport will validate parking in the Economy Parking Garage for those who attend the hiring fair. Companies hiring include Stellar Partners, AIRBORNE Tampa, Crisis Center of Tampa Bay/ TransCarre, Newslink, Stellar Partners and more. (thatssotampa.com)
$500K Urban Food Park planned for downtown St. Pete: 15th Street EcoFarm in downtown St. Petersburg is adding an Urban Food Park in a project that will cost $500,000, according to St. Pete Catalyst. Community dinners are planned for the space and it will also be used to allow chefs to grow vegetables and test recipes. (stpetecataylst.com)
Homeowner insurance rising drastically for Tampa Bay residents: Homeowner insurance rates are continuing to rise for those in the Tampa Bay area, especially on flood insurance rates. Hillsborough homeowners are paying $1,400 more a year on average when renewing their flood policies, while those in Pinellas averages $1,700 more. Rising costs may soon put homeowners in a bind. (fox13news.com)
Florida man makes “dirt snow angels” while fleeing police: A Florida man fleeing from police in Lutz on Christmas Day after a one-vehicle crash has made national headlines after being spotted making “dirt snow angels” and talking on the phone while hiding at a construction site, according to Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office. The suspect was later captured by three deputies and a K-9 dog, according to authorities and is facing multiple charges. (yahoo.com)
Top events in Tampa today:
Last Thursday of the Month Networking at Entrepreneur Collaborative Center. (8:30 a.m.)
Art on the House at Tampa Museum of Art. (4 p.m.)
Sweet and Savory Empanadas - Cooking Class by Classpop at BRU Florida Growler Bar. (7 p.m.)
LUXE: A Latin Night at Floridian Social. (7 p.m.)
Party on the Block Candle Making Class at Lüfka Refillables Zero Waste Store. (7 p.m.)
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Send news tip: carlosreportsnews@gmail.com.
That’s all I have for today. See you tomorrow.
-Carlos Hernandez