🌱 Bank Of America Supports Tampa Non-profits + Tampa Box Cutter

Welcome back, Tampa! I'm here in your inbox today to get you up to speed on everything you need to know about what's going on in town. Today you'll read about...

• 💵 Bank of America has announced support for two Tampa Bay non-profits.
• ⛱️ Red Tide is heading north to Tampa from Sarasota and expected to impact beachgoers.
• 🚓 Duke's East Clearwater is among the locations facing threats from attackers.

But first, today's weather:

Sunny to partly cloudy. High: 81 Low: 62.

Here are the top stories today in Tampa:

1. Financial giant Bank of America has announced that University Area Community Development Corp. and St. Pete Free Clinic are the 2022 Bank of America Neighborhood Builders awardees for "their work in the community to remove economic barriers and advance economic opportunity." The two groups will receive $200,000 over four years. (Tampa Patch)

2. Threats to Duke's East Clearwater substation in Pinellas County are becoming more common including six recent threats. Duke said in a statement, "We can’t comment on any ongoing legal proceedings or investigations. However, given the nature and scale of our operations, we – alongside federal, state and local law enforcement and security officials and industry partners – are continuously assessing and evolving our measures to protect our critical infrastructure. That partnership includes helping bring anyone, who damages our system, to justice. " (WFLA)

3. Moderate to high risk of respiratory infection is likely in the next several days in Sarasota County due to Red Tide, yet so far tourism has not been impacted. The toxic red tide bloom has unfortunately expanded north to Tampa and has recently been detected in both Hillsborough and Pinellas counties. (WTSP)

4. Former Senator Jack Latvala will have a hearing before an administrative law judge in a case regarding allegations of sexual misconduct. The new development comes after a commission found "probable cause" that Latvala violated ethics laws. The case is assigned to Judge Hetal Desai. (Creative Loafing Tampa)

5. An Ohio man who was accused of bringing a box cutter aboard a Tampa-bound flight and threatening to stab someone was indicted in federal court Thursday, according to the Department of Justice (DOJ). The man was headed to Tampa from Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport. (Tampa Patch)

Today in Tampa:

• Café Con Tampa at Oxford Exchange. (8 a.m.)
• XO Factor's 8th Annual Adopt-A-Family Celebration at Children's Board Of Hillsborough County. (10 a.m.)
• Wine Night At Our House at Publix GreenWise Market Water Street Tampa. (5 p.m.)
• Swiftiemas at The Orpheum. (8 p.m.)
• Ugly Sweater Charity Party at LIT Cigar & Martini Lounge. (10 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Tampa Bay Buccaneers shared: "Lavonte David has been named a finalist for the Art Rooney Sportsmanship Award, recognizing players who demonstrate the qualities of on-field sportsmanship." (Tampa Bay Buccaneers via Facebook)
• Kiera | Tampa Food Blogger shared: "✨GIVEAWAY✨ The inaugural Tampa Bay Wine & Food Festival is taking place Apr. 12 -15 and I've teamed up with them to kick off their announcement and give one lucky winner a three night hotel stay at the JW Marriott and 2 tickets." (Kiera | Tampa Food Blogger via Instagram)
• Busch Gardens Tampa Bay shared: "What they really want for Christmas. 😏🎢👇 There's still time to save up to 40 percent off on tickets and Passes with our Holiday Sale." (Busch Gardens Tampa Bay via Facebook)

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Events:

• Christmas in the Country (December 10)
• Holiday Cosplay Tampa Bay (December 10)
• The Florida Wind Band "Tis The Season!" (December 10)
• Breast Ultrasound Screening Coming Direct to You! (December 17)
• Breast Ultrasound Screening Coming Direct to You! (December 17)
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Announcements:

• Travel Agency - M and D Travel-Dream Vacations, Disney Cruise Giveaway! (Details)
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That's it for today! I'll see you soon.

— 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 Daily? Contact me at SouthTampa@Patch.com