🌱 Easter Weekend Nets 29 DUI Arrests + Elev8 Entertainment Coming

Hello all! Carlos Hernandez here with your Friday edition of the Tampa Patch newsletter, filled with everything you need to know about what's happening in town. Today we'll cover:

• HCSO arrested 29 drivers in the Tampa area for DUI over Easter Weekend and handed out 241 warnings.
• Fresh Kitchen is opening in Lakeland on April 18.
• The Tampa Bay Rays were undefeated as of Wednesday after defeating the Boston Red Sox.

But first, today's weather: A morning thunderstorm; humid. High: 86 Low: 67.

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Here are the top stories today:

1. 29 people were arrested for driving under the influence (DUI) in Hillsborough County over Easter weekend, according to Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office's DUI Enforcement Squad. 241 warnings were given to drivers as well during the operation. (Tampa Patch)
2. Fresh Kitchen is opening in Lakeland on April 18 at 4520 Florida Ave. S. The concept will host a pre-opening event from April 16-17. It will be the brand's 14th restaurant in the Sunshine State. Ciccio Restaurant Group calls Fresh Kitchen its "100 percent gluten free re-imagined healthy fast food concept." (Creative Loafing Tampa)
3. The Tampa Bay Rays are having an excellent season and won its 12th straight game on Wednesday night against the Boston Red Sox. The Rays lead the majors with 30 home runs and have outscored opponents 92-27, according to WFLA. (WFLA)
4. Elev8 is a new entertainment center coming soon to Citrus Park. The venue will include a go-kart track, multiple arcade games, climbing walls and a glow in the dark mini golf. A hiring fair will be held from April 25-27 at the Courtyard by Marriott Tampa Northwest/Veterans Expressway. (That's So Tampa)
5. Tarpon Springs City Commissioner Mike Eisner has been accused of bullying. The city is expecting at least one lawsuit to be filed against the city or commissioners for defamation, according to the Tampa Bay Times. Commissioner Panagiotis Koulias said the behavior of Eisner is "the behavior of a self-fulfilling henchman or, even worse, a Russian Bolshevik Communist." (Subscription: Tampa Bay Times)

Today in Tampa:

• Tay-Gates Pre-Concert Parties at Two Shepherds Taproom. (1 p.m.)
• Tampa Bay Rodeo and Family Festival at Hillsborough County Fairgrounds. (4 p.m.)
• Tampa Bay Screams Horror Convention And Collectables at Holiday Inn Tampa Westshore. (5 p.m.)
• Etched Feathers: A History Of The Printed Bird at Tampa Bay History Center. (6:30 p.m.)
• Tampa Bay Wine & Food Festival: Friday's Chef Showdown at Curtis Hixon Park. (7 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Busch Gardens Tampa Bay shared: "Look who decided to drop on by. 👀 Falcon's Fury is officially back open and ready for the thrills!" (Busch Gardens Tampa Bay via Facebook)
• Visit Tampa Bay shared: "Why camp when you can glamp? Come check out Timberline Tampa at Hillsborough River State Park. Just minutes from downtown Tampa, Hillsborough River State Park offers seven miles of nature trails and wonderful wildlife viewing." (Visit Tampa Bay via Facebook)
• South Tampa Chamber shared: "Meet our 2023 board of directors. 😊 Today, we would like to introduce Shane Smith! ✅ My name is Shane Smith and I work for Jim Moran Institute for Global Entrepreneurship." (South Tampa Chamber via Facebook)
• Tampa Bay Buccaneers shared: "Senior writer/editor Scott Smith and team reporter Casey Phillips discuss topics leading up to the 2023 NFL Draft. This week the duo highlighted Tennessee offensive tackle Darnell Wright and Alabama safety Brian Branch." (Tampa Bay Buccaneers via Facebook)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Featured events:

• 3rd Annual Pasco Beer & Burger Festival (April 15)
• "Accentuate the Positive" this spring (April 16)
• Breast Ultrasound Screening Coming Direct to You! (April 17)
• Taxes in Retirement Webinar (April 17)
• Social Security and Retirement Taxation Workshop (April 17)
• Taxes in Retirement Seminar on April 18 and 20 at Hillsborough Community College (April 18)
• Uptown Music Festival (May 6)
• Add your event

That's it 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