🌱 Early Voting Begins + Tarpon Springs House On The Hill Returns

Hello all. It's me, Carlos Hernandez, your host of the Tampa Daily — back in your inbox with everything that's fit to print about what's happening in town these days. Including updates on:

• 🗳️ Early voting kicks off today, Oct. 24, in the Tampa Bay area for the Nov. 8 general election.
• 🚓 A 20-year-old man is dead after a shooting in Ybor City's nightlife district early Sunday morning.
• 🧟 House on the Hill is back in Tarpon Springs for those seeking a spooky fright.

Are you ready to vote? Vote Hillsborough has all the info you need from the Hillsborough County Supervisor of Elections in Tampa.

But first, today's weather:

Mostly sunny and humid. High: 85 Low: 64.

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Here are the top stories in Tampa today:

1. Early voting starts today, Oct. 24, for the Nov. 8 general election in counties across the Tampa Bay area for those registered by Oct. 11. Voters in Hillsborough, Pinellas, Polk, Sarasota, Manatee, and DeSoto counties will be able to cast their ballot today at various early voting locations. (WUSF)

2. Protesters gathered near Curtis Hixon Park in downtown Tampa as part of a freedom rally for Iran on Saturday afternoon. The worldwide protests began in response to the tragic death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini after her arrest for allegedly violating the Islamic Republic’s dress code. (ABC Action News)

3. A shooting early Sunday morning in Ybor City's nightlife district left a 20-year-old man dead. A fight broke out at the intersection at E. Seventh Avenue and N 16th Street at around 2:50 a.m. in front of Centro Ybor and Ybor's 7-11 convenience store, according to police. A suspect allegedly involved in the shooting is in police custody. (Subscription: Tampa Bay Times, Free: WFLA)

4. Tarpon Springs opened its annual House on the Hill haunted trail this past weekend. The annual event will return this weekend on Oct. 28 and 29 from 7:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Tickets cost $10 and can only be purchased on-site in cash. (Creative Loafing Tampa)

5. Six puppies were found crammed inside a luggage near a vacation rental home by Tampa police officers on patrol Wednesday off Spruce Street and Dale Mabry Highway. The Humane Society reported that the mother and all seven of her puppies found are doing well after posting outrage. (Tampa Patch)

Today in Tampa:

• Cuban Pathways at Tampa Bay History Center. (1:30 p.m.)
• Vinik Sports Group Job Fair at Amalie Arena. (4 p.m.)
• Game Night at Bryan Glazer Family JCC. (6 p.m.)
• Movie On The Lawn - Hocus Pocus at Armature Works. (7 p.m.)
• Tampa News Force Live - Free Comedy Show at Cafe Hey. (7 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Hillsborough County SOE shared: "Hillsborough County - due to a facilities issue, there has been a change of location for our Early Voting site at University of South Florida. The new site is located at the USF Training Center (PTB-Training Room) at 13309 USF Plum Drive, Tampa..." (Craig Latimer via Twitter)
• Tampa Museum of Art, Inc. shared "Take the Tampa Museum of Art Studio Programs Community Interest Survey for a chance to win a free studio art class at TMA! Your answers will help TMA offer studio classes and workshops that align with community interest." (Tampa Museum of Art, Inc. via Facebook)
• Clearwater Marine Aquarium sadly announced the death of its eldest bottlenose dolphin, PJ, on Sunday morning. PJ is estimated to have lived around 51 years, a long life, and was originally brought to the aquarium as a rescue. (WTSP)

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Events:

• 'The Confucian Analects' - A Fresh Look at A Classic from Ancient China (October 27)
• Arts in Motion: ISOLATION by Hueman (October 27)
• Scary Stories around a Campfire (October 27)
• 11th Annual Halloween Dog Costume Paw-Ty (October 29)
• Tacos & Tequila on the Pier (October 29)
• The Apple Truck is coming to Tampa, Oct. 30th (12:30-2:00 PM) (October 30)
• Taxes in Retirement Seminar (November 1)
• Add your event

You're all caught up for today. I'll be in your inbox tomorrow morning with 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.

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Tampa Daily? Contact me at SouthTampa@Patch.com