🌱 5 Tampa Bay Bucs Players Make Pro Bowl + 2 Wellness Retailers To Sparkman Wharf

Welcome back, Tampa! Merry Christmas Eve to all who celebrate. Let's get you started this Friday with everything you need to know going on in town today.

First, today's weather:

Pleasant with sunshine. High: 74 Low: 59.

Rent this space:

Are you a local business owner or marketer in Tampa? We want to start showcasing trusted businesses who can solve problems for our amazing local readers. Click here to learn more.

Here are the top five stories in Tampa today:

1. Florida grew by 211,196 residents from July 1st, 2020, to July 1st, 2021, to a population of 21,781,128, U.S. Census estimates show. The only state to grow by more people was Texas. Economists currently predict average growth of 309,867 new Florida residents per year through 2026. (Orlando Weekly)

2. A Palm Harbor woman is dead after a fire at a Circle K gas station on East Lake Road, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. The fire was caused by a 66-year-old woman backing into a gas pump, crushing another woman who was pumping gas and causing an explosion. The incident is under investigation. (WFLA)

3. A 25-year-old Apopka man was arrested when he showed up to retrieve his car abandoned after a fatal hit-and-run crash. Christopher Xavier Cardenas Alvelo has been charged with leaving the scene of a crash involving a death. (Tampa Patch)

4. The NFL announced five Tampa Bay Buccaneers players have been named to the 2022 Pro Bowl. The list includes linebacker Shaquil Barrett, center Ryan Jensen, guard Ali Marpet, tackle Tristan Wirfs and quarterback Tom Brady. (WTSP)

5. Two national wellness retailers have been announced by Strategic Property Partners for Sparkman Wharf in the growing Water Street Tampa neighborhood: BODYROK and The Covery. Both retailers are expected to open in 2022. (That's So Tampa)

Today's Tampa Daily is brought to you in part by our friends at Verizon. They're building the fastest 5G network in the country. To learn how 5G is going to change life for you and your community — and to get access to this amazing technology — click here. And thank you Verizon for sponsoring this community resource in Tampa!

Today in Tampa:

• Holiday Cookie Decorating at Sur La Table. (1:00 PM)
• Christmas Eve Dinner Cruise at Yacht StarShip. (5:00 PM)
• Christmas Lane at Florida Strawberry Festival Grounds. (6:00 PM)
• Meet Santa & The Grinch at Temple Terrace Light Show. (6:00 PM)
• Viernes De Parranda Navideña Y Reggaeton at Whiskey North. (9:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• Florida reported 26,811 new COVID-19 cases to the federal government on Wednesday, a new record. (WPLG Local 10)
• Plant City Farm & Flea Market has announced that it will offer free vending spots to all weekend vendors until February 2022. (Creative Loafing Tampa)
• City of Tampa's Fix it Fast program is monitored 24/7 to provide critical repairs within 72 hours, including pothole repairs. Report potholes by calling (813) 274-FAST (3278) or visiting tampa.gov/FIX. (Facebook)
• Looking for plans on NYE? The Outback Bowl New Year's Eve Parade is December 31st in Ybor City. The fun starts on 7th Ave at 5:30 pm. (Facebook)
• Cigar City Brewing has announced its 2022 version of Hunahpu’s Imperial Stout will be released at the Tampa brewery starting March 12, 2022. It is the 12th annual release of the popular locally brewed beer. (Cigar City Brewing)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Events:

• Save 15 Percent On FTD’s Christmas Collection (December 25)
• Marathon Mania (January 2)
• Add your event

For sale:

• Tarot Card Readings with Nicole, Private and/or Parties (Details)
• Add your item

Loving the Tampa Daily? Here are all the ways you can get more involved:

• Send a friend or neighbor this link so they can subscribe
• Become a supporter (there are perks!)
• Get your local business showcased in front of readers
• Send me a news tip or suggestion at carlosreportsnews@gmail.com

Now you're in the loop and ready to head out the door on this Friday! I'll see you around.

— Carlos Hernandez

About me: Hello my name is Carlos Hernandez and I am a food writer with over 10 years of experience in the industry. I write the food blog Carlos Eats (http://www.carloseats.com) and also contribute to several newspapers and magazines with food-related blogs and articles.