Gasparilla 2022 +USF President Steps Down+ Tampa Bay Rent Rising

Good morning, people of Tampa! It's me again, Carlos Hernandez, your host of the Tampa Daily.

In this issue, you'll learn the latest on gas prices in Florida, a Tampa man sentenced for his participation in the Capitol Hill riots, Gasparilla 2022, a change in leadership at the University of South Florida, and more. Now, let's get started.

First, today's weather: Humid and partly cloudy throughout the day. High: 91 Low: 79.

Here are the top stories in Tampa today:

1. Florida drivers have seen an 82 cent increase at the gas pump this year. A recent agreement between OPEC (Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries) and its oil producing allies to increase production this year has caused gasoline prices to slightly decrease as of July 19 to just under $3 a gallon. (Patch)

2. A Tampa man who participated in the Capitol Hill riot on January 6th was sentenced to 8 months in prison on Monday. He became famous for flying a Trump flag in the Senate chamber. He pleaded guilty last month to one count of obstruction of an official proceeding. (WFLA)

3. Tickets for Gasparilla 2022 go on-sale this week. The annual pirate festival was canceled this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Tickets for the 2022 Children's Gasparilla parade, the Seminole Hard Rock Gasparilla Pirate Fest, Gasparilla Invasion Brunch and Gasparilla Parade of Pirates are all set to go on sale at 9 a.m. Friday. (Fox 13 Tampa Bay)

4. University of South Florida Present Steven Currall will be stepping down effective August 2nd. He says he is retiring after two years in the position in order to “preserve” his health. He said the last year was a "challenging and intensive journey" due to the adjustments USF had to make due to the COVID-19 pandemic. (WUSF)

5. Tampa Bay rent is rising faster than any other metro and rose 15.6% in the first half of 2021, according to data from CoStar Group. CoStar says "record price growth and record low inventory" is causing the surge. (Tampa Bay Times)

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Today in Tampa

• Baby Music & Movement at Community Roots Collective. (9:30 AM)
• Kids Creative Summer Workshop at The Pottery Patch. (10:30 AM)
• We Got the Beat: Drumming Circle at TRIBE Seminole Heights. (2:00 PM)
• Paws for Literacy at Humane Society of Tampa Bay. (2:45 PM)
• Ybor Community Advisory Committee/Ybor City Development Corporation Meeting at Ybor City Hillsborough Community College Campus - Ybor Room. (3:30 PM)
• Keith James at Flute & Dram. (5:00 PM)
• Tampa Heights Community Redevelopment Area (CRA) Community Advisory Committee Meeting. (6:00 PM)
• Tampa Help People With Health & Wealth Webinar & Free Samples. (6:00 PM)
• Tuesday Night Trivia at Keel Farms. (6:30 PM)
• A Night in Capri at Cooper's Hawk Winery & Restaurant. (7:00 PM)
• Roadrunner: A Film About Anthony Bourdain (2021) at Tampa Theatre. (7:30 PM)

Tampa Patch Notebook

• Tampa Bay is seeing an increase in COVID-19 hospitalizations of children.
• Canada will open to fully vaccinated U.S. citizens August 9th.

From our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Events:

• Tampa Asphalt Kings: A LOCAL ASPHALT PAVING COMPANY THAT YOU CAN TRUST. (July 20)

Housing:

• 4-bed/3-bath Beach House for sale in Madeira Beach (Details)

Now you're in the loop and ready to head out the door on this Tuesday. I'll be back in your inbox tomorrow morning with your next update! If you're loving these newsletters, consider inviting some of your friends and neighbors to follow along. You can send them this link to subscribe.

— 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? Email me at SouthTampa@Patch.com.