🌱 Patch AM: Is Brandon’s tap water really as safe as officials claim?

Coffee in hand, Brandon? We've got the latest town updates for you. Keep reading to stay in the loop. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

• Is Brandon’s tap water really as safe as officials claim?
• How one WWII hero helped build modern Brandon’s institutions
• How a Brandon athlete battled brain illness to reclaim his starting job

Today's riddle: My brother swallowed a box of firecrackers. - Is he all right now? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Thursday: Partly sunny, with a high of 82 and low of 68 degrees.
• Friday: Times of clouds and sun, temps: high: 80, low: 51.
• Saturday: Sunny; pleasant, less humid, with a high of 78 and low of 55 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

• County Campaign Highlights Safety Of County Drinking Water (ospreyobserver.com) — If you live in Brandon, your tap water comes from Hillsborough County’s south-central system, which is heavily tested and meets or exceeds state and federal standards. The county’s ‘Quality on Tap’ campaign explains the treatment process, ongoing pipeline construction affecting traffic, and how Brandon residents can look up their specific system and read the latest water quality reports.
   

• How A Decorated WWII Veteran Shaped Brandon's Early Growth: The Story Of Col. Friederich (ospreyobserver.com) — A decorated World War II veteran later became a driving force in Brandon, founding its first local insurance agency, serving as chamber president and even mayor, and helping establish Brandon Regional Hospital and local Rotary clubs. His daughter has now donated his wartime documents and memorabilia to the WWII Veterans History Project to ensure his story and impact on Brandon are preserved.
   

• Boston College's Bryce Steele named one of three college football comeback players of the year (bostonglobe.com) — A college football player from Brandon has been honored nationally as one of the sport’s top comeback stories after returning from a serious neurological illness to start all 12 games this season. Alongside two other inspiring athletes, his journey from hospitalization and temporary loss of mobility back to a key defensive role highlights remarkable resilience that local fans can be proud of.
   

📸 Around Brandon

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📣 Brandon Shout Outs!

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🗓 Events Nearby

Thursday December 18

• Field Trip: The Lemon Orchard Venue on the Lake — Temple Terrace Garden Club
  The Lemon orchard venue on the lake , 11291 Knights Griffin Rd , Thonotosassa
  9:30 am
• Book Discussion
  Seffner-Mango Branch Library , 410 N Kingsway Rd , Seffner
  11:00 am
• Matchmaking a Family Tree
  Thonotosassa Branch Library , 10715 Main St , Thonotosassa
  4:00 pm
• Merry Little Mat Pilates & Wine Tasting at The Osprey View
  The Osprey View , 11501 Thonotosassa Rd , Thonotosassa
  6:00 pm

Friday December 19

• Parent's Night Out - Gibsonton, FL 2025
  Spurlino Family YMCA at Big Bend Road , 9650 Old Big Bend Rd , Riverview
  6:00 pm
• Inclusive Dance Party at F.R.I.E.N.D.S. West Florida
  Greater Tampa Showmen's Association , 12350 N 56th St , Temple Terrace
  7:00 pm

Saturday December 20

• Winthrop Pop Up Market @ Winthrop Town Centre – December 20, 2025, Riverview, FL
  Winthrop Town Centre , 6108 Ave , Riverview
  9:00 am
• Beagle Meet Up @ Mango Dog Park – December 20, 2025, Seffner, FL
  Mango Dog Park , 11717 Clay Pit Rd , Seffner
  9:30 am
• STEAM Time: Snow Globe
  78th Street Community Library , 7625 Palm River Rd , Tampa
  1:00 pm
• Tampa, FL — TJ Comedy
  Side Splitters Comedy Club , 12938 N Dale Mabry Hwy , Tampa
  6:00 pm
• the freakin' hooligans
  The Talking Pint Bar & Bistro , 13418 Boyette Rd , Riverview
  8:00 pm

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

Thank you 👏👏👏 to the local businesses for making Brandon PatchAM possible:

• Athena’s Painting — (813) 424-6644
  $50. Off special on car garage doors painting

Click here to show your appreciation! 💚

Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• We have a stray who wants to make our backyard his home.
  We have enough cats, though. He is sweet and affectionate. Looks to be less than a year old. Anyway, if you want a super nice cat, he's available. (Nextdoor Providence Lakes)
• Handyman recommendation needed – closet repair
  Hi neighbors! I’m looking for a reliable handyman who can help repair a bedroom closet. The shelf and hanging rod pulled out of the wall and need to… (Nextdoor Bloomingdale West)

• Francesca's posted a job opening for Seasonal Retail Sales Associate in Brandon. Apply here.
• The Home Depot, Inc. posted a job opening for Lot Associate in Brandon. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Brandon here.

🗞 Nearby News

South Tampa

• AJR plays a free concert in Tampa tomorrow (cltampa.com)
• Holiday shipping deadlines loom, St. Pete apartment complex braces for rent hike and DeSantis suggests ending tolls for residents (baynews9.com)

Valrico

• Eye On Business — Brandon/Winthrop, December 2025 (ospreyobserver.com)
• Voodoo Brewing Co. Raises $10,000 For Small But Mighty Heroes (ospreyobserver.com)
• District Opens First Braille Collection At Mann Middle School (ospreyobserver.com)

Ok Brandon! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I don’t know. I haven’t heard the last report.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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