🌱 Cross-Bay Ferry Beats Ridership + FHP Arrest Investigation Launched

Good day, neighbors! Carlos Hernandez here with a fresh copy of the Tampa Daily.

First, today's weather:

Nice with plenty of sunshine. High: 83 Low: 64.

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Here are the top five stories in Tampa today:

1. The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating an arrest involving Tampa police in which a 41-year-old man died of a heart attack after being pursued and arrested. Police were called to the 700 block of East 113th Avenue at 9:52 p.m. on April 14 for a domestic disturbance and learned that Reinaldo Figueroa was trying to see his son when he became involved in a fight with the child's mother. According to police, Figueroa removed a gun from his car and pointed it at a neighbor who tried to step in to help. Figueroa then fled the scene and was then pursued and arrested before he died. (Tampa Patch)

2. Wu-Tang Clan announced that its surviving members will join Queens rapper Nas for a co-headlining "NY State of Mind" tour coming to Tampa in September 2022. Tickets for the concert Wednesday, September 21 at 8 p.m. go on sale Tuesday, April 26 at 10 a.m. (Creative Loafing Tampa)

3. A Port Richey woman was arrested after police said she made over $18,000 worth of purchases on her company’s credit card, including a wedding. Pinellas Park police said between January 8, 2020 and June 5, 2020, 43-year-old Sabrina Rajcok used a Mastercard given to her by the company she worked for, Critical System Solutions LLC, to make $18,505.05 worth of purchases. (WFLA)

4. A Tampa Bay Dollar General store manager named Mary Gundel went viral and was fired after posting TikTok videos meant to show how difficult it is to lead a store when hours and employees are limited. She said a walkout is being planned for early May, in hopes of demanding better pay and hours. (Fox 13)

5. The Cross-Bay Ferry is surpassing its own ridership expectations, officials announced that the ferry carries more than 53,500 passengers during the 2021-22 season. The vessel will officially end its service in the Tampa Bay region on May 1. (That's So Tampa)

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Today in Tampa:

• CAL-A-PALOOZA 2022 at The University of Tampa College of Arts and Letters (all day)
• Love INC. 101, A Fast-Paced & Engaging Monthly Informational Session at The Portico Cafe. (12:00 PM)
• Resume Workshop at Hillsborough County Public Library Cooperative. (3:00 PM)
• Neon 2022 Launch Party and Reading at The University Of Tampa College Of Arts And Letters (5:00 PM)
• Schramsberg Sparkling Tasting at The Cork Room. (6:30 PM)

From my notebook:

• City of Tampa is inviting you to a Community Conversation on transportation projects with the East Tampa Community. Attend virtually on April 21 at 5:30 p.m. More information and registration for the online meeting. (Twitter)
• Tampa Bay Buccaneers Coach Maral Javadifar has been promoted to Director of Rehabilitation and Performance. (Facebook)
• From April 20 to June 4, runway 1L/19R on the west side of the Tampa International Airport will close completely for 45 days as crews begin some important improvements required by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The work includes major regrading at the south end of the runway, along with drainage improvements to ensure water doesn’t pool on the runway during heavy rain. There will also be work done to some of the electrical outlet covers in the Runway Safety Area. (Facebook)
• Saturday don't miss Ecofest Earth Day Tampa Bay at MOSI. Celebrate Earth Day with local vendors, sustainability experts, green workshops, food trucks and more. City staff from the recycling team, water department and more will be participating. (Facebook)
• Work is underway for the Southeast Seminole Heights Stormwater Improvement project. This project will provide flooding relief to one of Tampa's oldest neighborhoods. (Facebook)

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Alrighty, you're all caught up for today. I'll see you around!

— 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.