🌱 Carole Baskin Closing Big Cat Rescue + Crisp & Green Opening

Hi all. It's me, Carlos Hernandez, your host of the Tampa Patch newsletter — back in your inbox with all the most important things happening in town. Including news about:

• Carole Baskin is closing Big Cat Rescue after 30 years.
• Crisp & Green is opening this month in Water Street Tampa.
• TPD is offering free steering wheel locks to certain owners of Hyundai and Kia vehicles.

But first, today's weather: Hot. High: 93 Low: 70.

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Here are the top stories in Tampa today:

1. Carole Baskin, best known for the popular Netflix "Tiger King" series, will close her 30-year-old wildlife sanctuary called Big Cat Rescue and send the tigers and other big cats to Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge. The cats will continue to be cared for. Carole and Howard Baskin told Patch it's always been their goal to “put ourselves out of business." (Tampa Patch)
2. Tampa Police Department (TPD) has partnered with Hyundai and Kia and is offering free steering wheel locks to certain vehicle owners. Theft has been on the rise of the brands without engine immobilizers and police are hoping to lower incidents. The locks are being offered at all three of TPD's district offices and their downtown headquarters. (Fox 13 Tampa)
3. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is urging the Florida Supreme Court to toss out an attempt by suspended Hillsborough County State Attorney Andrew Warren to get reinstated, in court filings made Monday. The battle between DeSantis and Warren has raged for months. The move by Warren comes after another judge found that DeSantis improperly removed Warren from office but lacked the power to restore to office. (Subscription: Tampa Bay Business Journal, Free: Florida Politics)
4. A Polk County Walmart employee was arrested last month and accused of stealing from the store 37 times, according to police. A store loss prevention officer claims they saw the accused employee using the self-checkout line and only scanning one of three items in their possession. The total of the goods allegedly stolen is $387.49. (WFLA)
5. Crisp & Green will open in Water Street Tampa on Friday, April 14 at Via Corazon located at 1055 E. Cumberland Ave. Discounts and specials will be held in celebration. On Opening Day, diners can enjoy 50 percent off online orders with code TAMPA50 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. only. On Saturday, April 15 diners can enjoy 1 signature salad or grain bowl for free. (That's So Tampa)

Today in Tampa:

• Cafecito Con Conexiones at Ginger Beard Coffee. (10 a.m.)
• Tai Chi-Yoga & Meditation at Hillsborough County Public Library Cooperative. (noon)
• Tech Help at North Tampa Branch Library. (2 p.m.)
• After School Art at Temple Terrace Leisure Services. (3:30 p.m.)
• Run Club at Armature Works. (6 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Clearwater officials in Pinellas County have voted to appoint former Mayor Brian Aungst, Sr. to fill out the remaining time in Frank Hibbard’s term after the mayor abruptly resigned recently. The resignation came amid a vote on a $90 million plan for Clearwater City Hall. (Florida Politics)
• Tampa Bay Lightning shared: "What a day on the bay! 🐠 Coop's Catch for Kids raised over $150,000 for pediatric cancer research and patient services." (Tampa Bay Lightning via Facebook)
• Tampa Bay Lightning shared: "Here's your chance, Bolts fans! Download our official Lightning App to enter to win a signed game-worn jersey, a one-night stay at the Tampa Edition, and so much more: 👇 ➡️ tbl.co/TBLapp4-4." (Tampa Bay Lightning via Facebook)
• Moms Demand Action, a nonprofit pushing gun safety regulations, held a rally on Tuesday at Curtis Hixon Park in Tampa against gun violence. The rally comes amid a relaxing in gun regulations in Florida by the state legislature and Gov. Ron DeSantis. (Creative Loafing Tampa)

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You're all caught up for today. See you all tomorrow for 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