🌱 Colony Grill Opening At Midtown Tampa + Haunted Pirate Water Taxi

Hey, everybody! It's Saturday in Tampa and I'm back in your inbox to get you caught up on all the most important things happening in our community today. Here's a quick look at what's happening:

• 🍕 Colony Grill announced an opening date at Midtown Tampa.
• 👻 The haunted Water Pirate Taxi is coming back to Tampa just in time for spooky season.
• ⚖️ A hearing date is set in the lawsuit over the suspension of State Attorney Andrew Warren.

Today is National Petroleum Day. Gas prices continued their decline this week in Tampa and across the state of Florida.

📣 Our readers love to celebrate good news! You can now shout out your big announcement at the top of the Tampa Daily newsletter. Whether it's a grand opening, new product for sale, birthday, anniversary, engagement, wedding or new baby, let everyone celebrate alongside you! Submit your announcement here.

First, today's weather:

A thunderstorm in spots. High: 89 Low: 76.

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Here are the top five stories in Tampa today:

1. Oral arguments are set to take place before Judge Robert Hinkle on September 19 or 20 in the case over the suspension of State Attorney Andrew Warren by Governor Ron DeSantis. Warren is accusing DeSantis of violating Warren's First Amendment right of free speech and exceeding the authority provided under Florida law by removing him from office. (Tampa Patch)

2. Colony Grill, a New England-style "bar pie" concept, has announced its opening date for its new location at Midtown Tampa. The new location will open on Monday, August 29. It is best known for its hot oil pizza. (That's So Tampa)

3. The haunted Pirate Water Taxi will return to downtown Tampa this fall. The tour will feature haunted storytellers during a 45-minute ride along the river with evening cruises every hour from 7 to 9 p.m. Tickets can be purchased online in advance. (Creative Loafing Tampa)

4. The CEO of Embarc Collective, Lakshmi Shenoy, is working to grow innovation and help future business leaders. There are currently 125 companies at Embarc and over $173.8 million in capital has been raised so far by participating companies. Shenoy moved to Tampa from Chicago when Embarc was founded after being recruited by Tampa Bay Lightning owner Jeff Vinik. (Business Observer)

5. A man jumped into Little Manatee River from I-75 on Thursday night to avoid being hit by a car after he was ejected from his own car during a multi-car crash, Hillsborough County Fire Rescue said. The man then swam to safety at the riverbank and is in "stable condition." One other person involved was also taken to a local trauma center in "stable" condition. (WTSP)

Today in Tampa:

• Ybor City Saturday Market at Centennial Park. (9 a.m.)
• Independence Day Of Ukraine Celebration at Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park. (9:30 a.m.)
• A Conversation With Robert Mazur: The First Time The Former Agent Is Appearing In Public at Oxford Exchange. (2 p.m.)
• Summer Rum & Seafood Festival at Tampa Premium Outlets. (4 p.m.)
• Trick Daddy's 25th Anniversary Celebration at Yuengling Center. (7:30 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• City of Tampa Mayor Jane Castor wants everyone to know that businesses on Florida Avenue are OPEN and is encouraging everyone to stop by and support them during construction. (Twitter)
• The Official Ybor Ghost Tour has more tours available as fall approaches including a new ghost tour in downtown Tampa. (myq105.com)
• St. Petersburg's largest Halloween outdoor event, Halloween on Central, is returning this holiday season on Sunday, October 30. Guests will be able to use the new SunRunner in the St. Pete area to get to the event for free. (WTSP)
• Restaurants run by The Feinstein Group, including The Black Pearl and The Living Room, are receiving criticism for implementing commission-based pay for workers that pays $1 an hour plus commission. One server claims those who opposed the change were fired by the company. Some former workers plan to protest the change at the restaurants. (Creative Loafing Tampa)

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Events:

• Smooth Jazz Sunday w/Blake Aaron, Tom Braxton & Rob Zinn! (August 28)
• Breast Ultrasound Screening Coming Direct to You! (August 30)
• Add your event

You're all caught up 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