🌱 Downtown Tampa Hotel Named On World's Best List + Tampa Oath Keeper

Hey, Tampa! I'm back with your fresh edition of the Tampa Patch newsletter. Follow along to find out everything you need to know about what's happening in town these days. Today you'll read about:

• Republican Florida Sen. Jay Collins from Hillsborough County played a major role in crafting the gun relaxation laws that passed this week.
• A downtown Tampa hotel has been named one of the top hotels in the world.
• The U.S. Coast Guard saved a man allegedly shot with a speargun this week near John's Pass.

But first, today's weather: Very warm. High: 88 Low: 70.

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Here are the top stories today in Tampa:

1. A retired Green Beret and Former Oath Keeper from the Tampa area was sentenced to seven years in prison in connection to his alleged role in the Jan. 6 Insurrection on Captiol Hill. The alleged suspect was found guilty of five felonies and one misdemeanor involving two illegal guns and two hand grenades, as well as the possession of a classified document. (WFLA)
2. Republican Florida Sen. Jay Collins from Hillsborough County played a major role in the new relaxed gun laws passed by the Florida legislature and signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis. The law allows gun owners to carry a concealed firearm without a license or safety training. Critics say the law is "reckless and extreme." (Fox 13 Tampa)
3. U.S. Coast Guard rescue crews helped save a man who was reportedly shot with a speargun 20 miles off John’s Pass in Pinellas County on Thursday afternoon. Crews from USCG Air Station Clearwater and Station Sand Key transported the man, according to the Coast Guard. Video footage of the rescue was posted to social media. (WFLA)
4. The Tampa EDITION hotel has been named to the Travel + Leisure "Best Hotels in the World" list. It is the first 5-star hotel in Tampa. The Tampa location is one of the few EDITION hotels in the world and features a number of restaurants and bars. (Subscription: Tampa Bay Business Journal)
5. Adventure Island, located across the street from Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, has been named on a list of top water parks in the nation by U.S. News & World Report. The list ranked the top 36 water parks for 2023 and included an number of water theme parks around Florida. (Tampa Patch)

Today in Tampa:

• Downtown Tampa's Largest Egg Hunt at Julian B. Lane Riverfront Park. (9 a.m.)
• 7th Annual Incredible Duck Race at Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park. (10 a.m.)
• Friends Of The John F. Germany Public Library Book Sale. (10 a.m.)
• Saturday Stitch at Temple Terrace Leisure Services. (2 p.m.)
• Red Bull Dance Your Style Competition at Sparkman Wharf. (7 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Tampa Bay Rays shared: "Let's keep the good times rolling this weekend 🍻 GET TICKETS: mlb.com/rays/tickets/single-game-tickets." (Tampa Bay Rays via Facebook)
• Tampa Bay Buccaneers shared: "Ryan Neal is officially a Buccaneer ✍️" (Tampa Bay Buccaneers via Facebook)
• City of Tampa shared: "Applications are open for the eBike voucher program! Tampa residents age 18+ can apply by April 14 for a chance to receive up to $2,000 off the purchase of a new eBike." (City of Tampa via Facebook)
• City of Tampa shared: "Hop into the holiday weekend with the Tampa's Downtown Eggsploration event this Saturday at Julian B. Lane Riverfront Park! Learn more: tampasdowntownegghunt.com." (City of Tampa via Facebook)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Featured events:

• Poetic Portals: Art & Poetry Showcase at Wayworld (April 8)
• JOB LINK 2023 Job Fair — Get Hired on Thursday! Click Here! (April 13)
• "Accentuate the Positive" this spring (April 16)
• Uptown Music Festival (May 6)
• 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 Patch newsletter? Contact me at SouthTampa@Patch.com