🌱 The Current Hotel Acquired + Well-Known Black Activist Arrested At DeSantis Press Event

Good day, neighbors! Carlos Hernandez here with your Wednesday issue of the Tampa Daily.

First, today's weather:

Pleasant with some sun. High: 74 Low: 59.

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Here are the top stories today in Tampa:

1. A standoff with Tampa Police Monday ended with a man accused of killing another man dying by a self-inflicted gunshot. It happened at the 1500 block of 28th Avenue. Police found a man was shot to death and a woman who was taken to the hospital with gunshot wounds. (Tampa Patch)

2. Hospital data has become the latest battleground on a COVID-19 information war with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and Senator Marco Rubio attacking hospital data and downplaying increasing hospitalizations. Hospital leaders pushed back on the attempts to downplay the difficult situations they are facing as the omicron COVID-19 variant sets case records. (WFTV)

3. A well-known Black activist was arrested on Tuesday at a press conference held by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis in Jacksonville. Ben Frazier of the Northside Coalition of Jacksonville is charged with trespassing and will have to appear in court, according to a report obtained by Tampa Bay Times. Frazier said, "What about the voice of the people? The governor is afraid to meet with the people." (Creative Loafing Tampa / Tampa Bay Times)

4. The Current Hotel by Marriott has been acquired by The Caspers Co., which owns The Oxford Exchange, The Library, and The Stovall House, for $85 million, according to The Business Observer Florida. The 10-floor and 180-room hotel offers panoramic views of the Tampa Bay region. (That's So Tampa)

5. A Florida hospital has closed its maternity ward until further notice due to staff shortages related to recent outbreaks of COVID-19. Holy Cross Health in Fort Lauderdale said the hospital’s neonatal intensive care and post-partum units will remain open. (WSVN)

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Today in Tampa:

• Story Time at Jan Kaminis Platt Regional Library. (10:15 AM)
• West Tampa CRA Community Advisory Committee Special Workshop Meeting. Proposed development of Publix grocery store in the West River area. (5:30 PM)
• All-U-Can Eat Pizza Skate at United Skates of America. (6:00 PM)
• Girls Night Out - Wine & Wreath Making at Armature Works. (6:00 PM)
• New World BBQustic! Micah Madore at New World Biergarten. (6:30 PM)

From my notebook:

• Tampa Police Department announced the death of Officer Matthew David McNeal after a lengthy battle with brain cancer. Funeral arrangements are being made. (Facebook)
• Tom Brady became the second Quarterback ever to record consecutive seasons of 40-plus touchdown passes on Sunday. (Facebook)
• Florida reported 51,644 new COVID-19 cases to the CDC on Monday. 85,635 infections were added over the weekend. 5,299 people were admitted to hospitals with COVID in Florida on Monday, up from 4,485 on December 31st. (WPLG Local 10)
• There is a new mural on the side of a parking building in Water Street Tampa that utilizes augmented reality. Dutch artist, Leon Keer, painted a 1,500-square-foot mural inspired by diversity. (Facebook)
• Busch Gardens Tampa Bay is kicking off 2022 with the return of its Real Music Series. Concerts run every Tuesday to Sunday through February 27th. (Facebook)

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You're all caught up for today! See you tomorrow morning for your next 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.