🌱 Fly-Covered Car Leads To Investigation + African Snail Warning

Hey, friends! It's me, Carlos Hernandez, your host of the Tampa Daily — back in your inbox with all the most important things happening in the community today. Follow along for the latest.

First, today's weather:

A p.m. t-storm in spots. High: 91 Low: 79.

Check out what our local sponsors can do for you:

• Ready to take the next step in the Real Estate market? Seleka Kerr of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Florida Properties Group has over 20 years of experience and knowledge in the Tampa Bay market and takes pride in the deep roots she has in our Sunshine State. Seleka works with buyers, sellers, and investors and is known for her quality service, stellar reputation, and always striving to exceed customer expectations. If a move is something your family is considering, visit Seleka here.

• Are you prepared for fire season and the rolling blackouts that come with it? Inergy’s portable solar power stations allow you to power essentials like your fridge, freezer, lights and phones during a power outage. When you add their compact solar panels, you can capture free energy from the sun while you power your life. Inergy’s flexible systems bring you peace of mind when the power goes out. To learn more, visit Inergy here. Tampa readers, save up to $170 using the code Patch at checkout.

Click here to get your business featured in this spot.

Here are the top five stories today in Tampa:

1. An investigation is underway for a possible homicide after Tampa police received a call reporting a parked car surrounded by flies in the area of North Elmore Avenue and East Adalee Street. The identity of the body found is not known at this time. (Tampa Patch)

2. Tampa Bay poet George Williams II of Triple "R" Street ministries recently gave out $2,000 in gas in partnership with a local WaWa gas station, a project Williams and his wife worked on for a year. Next the ministry is planning to partner with a restaurant by USF to give free meals to families during the Thanksgiving holiday. (WFLA)

3. The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) is warning Pasco County residents to beware of the giant African land snail that can carry a rare rat lungworm called Angiostrongylus cantonensis, which could cause meningitis in humans, according to the state’s recent "Pest Alert." (Fox 13)

4. The Backfin Blue Café in Gulfport permanently closed on 4th of July after 25 years in operation due to pandemic difficulties. It was well-known for its seafood dishes including its jumbo lump crab cakes, corn crab chowder and more. The owner is considering opening a food truck or a local catering business instead. (Creative Loafing Tampa)

5. PGIM Inc., the global investment arm of Prudential Financial, announced Wednesday that it is signing an office lease at Midtown West, the first main office building at the $1 billion development located at North Dale Mabry Highway and I-275. The new office will bring 150 jobs to the area. (Subscription: Tampa Bay Times)

Today in Tampa:

• Summer Movie: "Shang-Chi And The Legend Of The Ten Rings" at Thonotosassa Library. (2:30 p.m.)
• Plant’s Follies: The Casino And Tampa’s Civic Identity at Henry B. Plant Museum. (3 p.m.)
• Watercolor Painting at TRIBE Seminole Heights. (3:30 p.m.)
• Rock The Park at Curtis Hixon Park. (5:30 p.m.)
• Tampa Tarpons Vs. Ft. Myers Mighty Mussels at George Steinbrenner Field. (7:30 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Tampa General Hospital and University of South Florida are working together on a 3D printing technique for heart surgery. It the next step in their work using 3D technology in medicine. (Tampa Bay INNO)
• The Tampa Bay Lightning will start hockey season in Madison Square Garden on October 11. (Twitter)
• In 2021, more than 800 people were killed in the greater Tampa Bay region of traffic deaths, according to data by Signal Four Analytics. Hillsborough County traffic deaths increased by 28%. (WUSF)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Events:

• Estate Planning Webinar (July 12)
• Breast Ultrasound Screening Coming Direct to You! (July 13)
• Add your event

Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Thursday! I'll be back in your inbox tomorrow with a new 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