Community Corner

Mosquitos and Cotteeman Triathlon: This Week in New Port Richey

A look ahead at the events and water-cooler topics that New Port Richey might be talking about the week of Aug. 5.

Mosquito-borne Disease Hits Pasco and Hillsborough County

Two horses in Pasco and Hillsborough county has been found to have been infected with Eastern Equine Encephalitis, according to Bay News 9. Illness symptoms include headaches, fever, fatigue, loss of appetite, vomiting, diarrhea and can lead to coma and death. If you think you may have been exposed should contact their physician.

Cotteeman Triathlon Running Down Main Street

Find out what's happening in New Port Richeyfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

The streets of New Port Richey are going to fill with runners, bikers and athletes as the Cotteeman Triathlon starts on Saturday, August 10. Are you participating or planning to watch?

A Battle is Brewing in Tampa Bay?

Find out what's happening in New Port Richeyfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Activists on both sides of the Obamacare issue have staked out Tampa Bay as a battleground in their fight over the legislation.

Supporters of President Barack Obama’s plan intend to host demonstrations and other events in Florida to “hold Republicans accountable” for wanting to defund the measure, according to TBO.comAs the conservative Heritage Action for America group announced plans for an Aug. 21 stop in Tampa on its “Defund Obamacare Town Hall Tour,” the pro-Obamacare folks made a promise to appear, as well.

"If they come to Tampa, you will see us there," said Jackie Lee, who’s heading the pro-Obamacare movement in Florida. "We want to make sure people getting benefits from the act will go and ask these guys why they want to take them away."

Your thoughts on the kerfuffle?

Back-To-School Countdown is On

Today, Aug. 5, marks the start of the last two full weeks of summer for most Tampa Bay area students. With those first bells ringing around the Bay the week of Aug. 19, the scramble to get ready is on.

Are your kids ready to go back? Are you ready to send them?

Post Office Going Alcohol Friendly?

Try to ship a bottle of fine wine to a friend right now and the U.S. Postal Service is going to give you a big “no.” Shipping alcohol is restricted by law, but the rules could be changing, according to the Tampa Bay Times.

Postmaster General Patrick Donahoe says allowing alcohol shipments could raise about $50 million a year for his financially strapped agency.

Good idea?

Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.