🌱 City Of Tampa Corruption Investigation + Sarasota Mote Manatee Dies

Hello, neighbors! I'm Carlos Hernandez here with your fresh copy of the Tampa Patch newsletter, filled with everything you need to know about what's happening in town. Today you'll read about...

• A recent sealed search warrant suggests there is potentially a public corruption investigation into the City of Tampa underway, according to the Times.
• A manatee at Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium in Sarasota has unexpectedly died.
• An Alabama man died on Saturday morning after crashing into the back of a tanker, seriously injuring the truck driver.

But first, today's weather: Times of clouds and sun. High: 90 Low: 67.

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Here are the top stories in Tampa today:

1. A manatee being cared for at Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium in Sarasota died unexpectedly on April 29, according to a social media post from the aquarium. Hugh the manatee was 38. The cause of death will be analyzed by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission’s Research Institute’s Marine Mammal Pathobiology Lab and could take eight weeks or more to complete. (Sarasota Patch)
2. City of Tampa officials have confirmed there is potentially a corruption investigation being led into the city by Tampa Police Department but will not provide details, according to the Times. State Attorney Susan Lopez sought to seal the search warrant for a recent member of city politics, citing that "potential evidence suggesting public corruption within the City of Tampa was located." (Subscription: Tampa Bay Times)
3. An Alabama man driving a sedan has died after crashing into the back of a gas tanker on US-41 on early Saturday morning, according to authorities. The crash caused an explosion and the sedan flipped multiple times after the impact. Troopers said the truck driver survived but has serious injuries. (WFLA)
4. People gathered at Ballast Point Park in Tampa on Saturday to remember the one-year anniversary of the shooting death of Nilexia Alexander. Participants sent purple balloons in the air in her honor. Her adoptive mother said the park was where she would meet Nilexia frequently to discuss what was on her mind. (WTSP)
5. The 7th Annual Adopt-A-Palooza will be held in Manatee County on Saturday, May 13, at the Bradenton Area Convention Center in Palmetto. The event will feature over 100 pets for adoption from Manatee County Animal Welfare (MCAW), as well as local shelters and animal rescues. (Tampa Bay Newswire)

Today in Tampa:

• Fresh Market at Hyde Park Village. (10 a.m.)
• Husky Meetup at Two Shepherds Taproom. (11 a.m.)
• May 7 | Ownboss | Pool Party at WTR. (noon)
• El Gran Combo at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay. (6 p.m.)
• Alestorm at Jannus Live. (6 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Tampa General Hospital shared: "2️⃣,0️⃣0️⃣0️⃣! Please join us in congratulating Dr. Lennox Hoyte, gynecological surgeon at Tampa General Hospital, for completing his 2,000th robotic surgery." (Tampa General Hospital via Facebook)
• Tampa Convention Center shared: "Drivers, please expect more traffic volume in the area of the Tampa Convention Center in downtown Tampa during SOF Week May 8-11. Please account for extra time in your commute." (Tampa Convention Center via Facebook)
• South Tampa Chamber shared: "Thank you to everyone who joined South Tampa Chamber President & CEO Kelly Flannery for Coffee With The CEO and to Kahwa Coffee for hosting. 😊☕" (South Tampa Chamber via Facebook)

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Featured events:

• Social Security Seminar at Hillsborough Community College Student Services Building Ybor City (May 9)
• Planning for Taxes in Retirement (May 10)
• 7th Annual Tampa International Fringe Festival (May 10)
• Breast Ultrasound Screening Coming Direct to You! (May 13)
• LEADS Mardi Gras Masquerade Brunch Fundraiser (May 20)
• Add your event

You're officially in the loop 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