🌱 Gasparilla Freeze + Tampa Police Chief Candidate Controversy + David's Bridal Lawsuit

Morning, people of Tampa! Happy Gasparilla to all who celebrate. It's me again, Carlos Hernandez, your host of the Tampa Daily.

First, today's weather:

Mostly sunny; winds subsiding. High: 53 Low: 32.

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Here are the top five stories in Tampa today:

1. Thousands will head to Dade City today from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. for its annual Kumquat Festival and enjoy various kumquat foods from pies to ice cream. Admission is free for everyone and there will be free parking available in Downtown Dade City. (Creative Loafing Tampa)

2. An arctic cold front bringing choppy waters to Tampa Bay could freeze out a major tradition at Saturday's Gasparilla festivities. The U.S. Coast Guard and Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office and Tampa Police marine units are advising boaters not to take part in the flotilla behind the Jose Gasparilla pirate ship. The conditions could be disastrous for the hundreds of small boats that traditionally join the pirate flotilla. (Tampa Patch)

3. An elementary school principal at Dawson Elementary School in Riverview, 41-year-old Derrick McLaughlin was arrested on Thursday after police say he sent sexually explicit texts to undercover detectives that were posing as a 15-year-old boy. He was arrested on charges of transmission of harmful material to a minor, unlawful use of a two-way communications device, and use of computer services or devices to solicit certain illegal acts. (ABC Action News)

4. One of City of Tampa Mayor Jane Castor's three finalists for police chief was once charged with battery on a Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office Deputy, along with obstruction and disorderly intoxication during another officer's DUI arrest. Police Chief Candidate Mary O'Connor, formerly known as Mary E. Minter, did not respond to media requests for comment about the arrest. The selection of the a new police chief has been unique due to a lack of public involvement in the process. (Creative Loafing Tampa)

5. A lawsuit has been filed against David’s Bridal after a Tampa Bay area woman began receiving a number of automatic texts from the business, even though she says she has never shopped there before. The lawsuit claims that she received around 50 messages from the wedding attire company from April to September of 2021 and continued receiving messages despite requests for them to stop. (myq105.com)

Today in Tampa:

• 2022 Gasparilla Pirate Fest. (8:00 AM)
• Gasparilla Invasion Brunch Party at American Social Tampa. (10:00 AM)
• 2022 Gasparilla Pirate Invasion & Parade at The Sail Plaza. (10:00 AM)
• 12th Annual Gasparilla Extravaganza at The Westin Tampa Waterside. (10:00 AM)
• 5th Annual Gasparilla Bar Crawl, Brunch & VIP at The Patio Tampa. (5:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• Be sure to visit the Humane Society of Tampa Bay beer tent at Gasparilla, located on Bayshore Blvd under the Davis Island Bridge, where all proceeds will benefit homeless animals in need. (Facebook)
• The National Weather Service has issued a Small Craft Advisory for Tampa Bay in effect from 10 p.m. Friday evening through 7 p.m. Saturday evening. Conditions will be hazardous to small crafts. (Facebook)
• SHIVER ME TIMBERS. Expect high winds and cold temperatures at Gasparilla. Wear your warmest pirate garb if attending the festivities. Boaters are encourage to watch the parade from land. (Facebook)
• Reminder: Traffic is expected to be very heavy around Bayshore Boulevard and Tampa's Downtown due to the Gasparilla Pirate Fest. Barricades and signs will be in the area to assist with traffic flow. (Facebook)
• The detail that South Tampa Trading Co. puts into its Gasparilla costumes is top notch. Read all about the store and its talented seamstresses in Tampa Downtown Magazine's story. (Instagram)

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Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Saturday! I'll see you around.

— 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.