Dogecoin + Track Record + Gasparilla International Film Festival

Good Morning and Happy Sunday! My name is Carlos Hernandez and I am back to update you on the latest happening in the Tampa area with Patch News.

In this issue, you’ll learn about a running track record broken by a Tampa high school student, a fight against apartments in South Tampa, growth of a local meal prep company, and more. Now, let's get started.

Today’s weather: The high is 93 and the low is 75 with scattered thunderstorms. There is a 40% chance of rain.

Here are the top 5 stories happening around Tampa:

1. A Florida restaurant called Sus Hi Eatstation used dogecoin to draw in new applicants to their concept, which has 9 locations around Florida including a location on Fowler Avenue next to the University of South Florida Tampa campus. Pushing to a $15 an hour wage has also helped according to the owner. (WTSP)

2. Hillsborough High School student Erriyon Knighton broke a running track record set by Usain Bolt. Known as “the fastest man alive,” Bolt has won eight gold medals in the Olympics. (WFLA)

3. A controversial Tampa City Council meeting is causing a stir, including allegations that luxury apartments bring drug dealers and “undesirables” to town. Residents in South Tampa battle against planned apartment developments. (Tampa Bay Times)

4. Tampa-based meal prep company, Fitlife Foods, is now the second largest company of its type in the country. It started off with a single store and now sells more than 12,000 meals a day. They will begin delivering nationally this year. (Patch)

5. Gasparilla International Film Festival returns to Tampa theaters next week from June 10th to June 13th for the first time in 64 weeks after the pandemic hit and disrupted the annual event. It will be held at Tampa Theatre and AMC Westshore Theater. (Creative Loafing Tampa)

Today in Tampa:

• Goat Yoga with Dr. Tanya Gold at The Dancing Goat. (8:30 a.m.)
• 27th Annual St. Pete Beach Corey Avenue Craft Festival. (10 a.m.)
• Taps ‘N Scraps: Brunch for a Cause at Green Bench Brewing Company. (11 a.m.)
• Drawing and Pastels at Creative Junk Therapy. (3 p.m.)

Tampa Patch Notebook:

• Zoo Tampa has joined on with CEO Soak to support the ALS Association of Florida.
• Ybor City’s Ol’ Dirty Sundays patio party has reopened at Crowbar.
• A new documentary about the USF Forest Preserve debuts in Tampa next week.
• Sarasota will issue a proclamation recognizing June as Pride Month on Monday for the first time in the city’s over 100-year history.
• A Tampa-based tech company will join a $950 million defense contract, joining 22 other companies.

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That's all for today. I will be back tomorrow with the latest happening in Tampa. My inbox is open if you have any tips to send or want to reach out: tampadaily@patch.com

-Carlos Hernandez

About me: I have lived in Florida since 1999 and covered the Tampa area for nearly 10 years, mainly with a focus on food through my blog at CarlosEats.com.