🌱 Attorney Steven Cozzi Missing + Tampa Pride Parade Draws Thousands

Hey, friends! It's Sunday in Tampa and I'm back in your inbox with everything you need to know about what's happening in town. Today's briefing includes updates on...

• Tampa could elect its first openly gay city council member on April 25.
• A neighborhood in Tampa has been ranked one of the best towns to live in the U.S.A.
• The affordabe housing crisis is hitting Tampa's senior citizens hard as landlords seek more money from renters.

But first, today's weather:

Very warm and humid. High: 89 Low: 69.

Are you looking to set yourself apart from the crowd of average real estate agents? Our exclusive sponsorship showcases your expertise with targeted messaging that attracts new clients in Tampa. Click here to see how we can help you stand out in the market.

Here are the top stories today in Tampa:

1. Hyde Park-Spanishtown Creek in Tampa has ranked no. 4 on the best places to live in the U.S.A., according to Niche. Criteria that helped the area rank included the volume of bars and restaurants, access to quality public schools, and a powerful group of young professionals neighbors. (That's So Tampa)
2. Tampa's first openly gay city council member could be elected at the runoff municipal elections on April 25. Tampa City Council Candidate Alan Clendenin is facing Sonja Brookins in the runoffs. Brookins is one of the first Black women to reach the runoffs as well. (Subscription: Tampa Bay Times)
3. Tampa Bay-area attorney Steven Cozzi has been missing for days and Largo police say the lawyer disappeared under "suspicious circumstances." Anyone with information about the whereabouts of Steven Cozzi is asked to contact the Largo Police Department at 727-587-6730. (WTSP)
4. Thousands of people hit the streets of 7th Avenue in Ybor City on Saturday for the City of Tampa's Pride parade amid heightened tensions against the LGBTQ+ community in Florida by Florida elected officials. Four families recently filed a lawsuit in federal court against Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo and the Florida board of medicine for banning transgender therapy and surgery. (Fox 13)
5. The affordable housing crisis in Florida is hitting Hillsborough County senior citizens hard. Landlords are evicting the elderly into the streets and seeking higher paying renters. There are hundreds of people being evicted and many with nowhere to go, boosting homelessness in the area. (WFLA)

Today in Tampa:

• PetCo Outreach Day at The Humane Society Of Tampa Bay. (9 a.m.)
• Womens POP UP Market at Chill Cawfee. (9 a.m.)
• Sunshine Sunday at Glazer Children's Museum. (10 a.m.)
• Sunday Morning Market at Westshore Marina. (11 a.m.)
• Flo Rida at Busch Gardens Food & Wine Festival. (7 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• The Florida Holocaust Museum is inviting the the community to visit the Museum free of charge all day from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Tuesday, April 18, 2023, in observance of Yom HaShoah (Holocaust Remembrance Day). Tickets can be reserved online. The event will conclude with a commemoration service at 5:30 p.m. followed by Holocaust survivor, Roland Levi. (Tampa Bay Newswire)
• "Those who live, work, or play in Unincorporated Hillsborough County are warmly invited to provide their vision for the future in a brief survey. Public comments will be used to update the Future Land Use Section of the Unincorporated Hillsborough County Comprehensive Plan." The county expects an additional 350,000 people and 107,000 jobs by 2045. (Tampa Bay Newswire)
• City of Tampa shared: "Get the popcorn poppin' - it's Gasparilla International Film Festival weekend! 📽️🍿 The festival is Tampa Bay's largest celebration of independent film - featuring movie screenings, panels, parties, and more." (City of Tampa via Facebook)
• Humane Society of Tampa Bay shared: "EASTER EGGSTRAVAGANZA 🐣 Join us at the shelter on April 1 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. for our annual Easter event with Tampa's best Easter egg hunt for dogs." (Humane Society of Tampa Bay via Facebook)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Featured events:

• Tour de Kerouac - Guided Bike Ride (March 26)
• Flea Market @ Clearwater Lodge (April 1)
• The Spring Event at TerraNova (April 1)
• STEM Adventures at Kiddie Academy of Westchase (April 1)
• Westchase Egg Hunt (April 2)
• Jazz at the Ballroom Presents "Accentuate the Positive" (April 16)
• Add your event

Thanks for following along and staying informed! I'll be in your inbox tomorrow with another update.

— 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.

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Tampa Patch newsletter? Contact me at SouthTampa@Patch.com