🌱 HCSO Crime Fighting Robot Dog + Red Tide Returns To Sarasota Area

Hi all. Carlos Hernandez here with your Thursday edition of the Tampa Daily. Keep reading to find out all the most important things happening locally, including updates on:

• HCSO has a new robotic crime fighter joining the force.
• Sales of luxury homes are plummeting in the Tampa area.
• Red Tide has been detected around numerous beaches near Sarasota.

But first, today's weather:

Mostly sunny and pleasant. High: 78 Low: 62.

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Here are the top stories in Tampa today:

1. SPOT is the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office's newest robotic crime fighter. The robot can search for explosives with the help of human technicians who navigate the robot remotely, while remaining a safe distance from a potential blast site. (Tampa Patch)

2. Local police in the Tampa Bay area are warning residents about an increase in "car hopping" this holiday season. It is when organized criminals ransack cars in different neighborhoods. 195 vehicle burglaries were reported last month in Pinellas County, mainly in concentrated areas. (ABC Action News)

3. Sales of luxury homes in Tampa have dropped 44 percent, according to data from real estate company Redfin. Non-luxury home sales fell 32.3 percent in Tampa. The report blames "inflation, relatively high interest rates, a sagging stock market, and recession fears" for the drop. (WFLA)

4. Red Tide is being detected at various beaches around the Sarasota area, according to The Florida Department of Health in Sarasota County. Locations impacted include Longboat Key, Bird Key/Ringling Causeway, North Lido, South Lido, Siesta Key, Turtle and Nokomis. (WTSP)

5. Barnes & Noble plans is relocating to the Westshore district from Tampa, according to the Tampa Bay Business Journal. The Tampa location was originally built in 1994 and is located at 213 North Dale Mabry Hwy. It is expected to move locations in February 2023. (Subscription: Tampa Bay Business Journal)

Today in Tampa:

• Art On The House at The Tampa Museum Of Art. (4 p.m.)
• Tampa Bay's Festival Of Lights & Santa's Village at Greater Hillsborough County Fair. (6 p.m.)
• Tampa Bay Lightning Vs. New York Rangers at Amalie Arena. (7 p.m.)
• Magic City Hippies at The Orpheum. (8 p.m.)
• Mission Thursday: A Latin Music Canvas at Hooch And Hive. (9 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Tampa Bay Buccaneers shared: "C Ryan Jensen could be eligible to return to action soon after being designated to return from injured reserve, opening up a 21-day window in which he can practice." (Tampa Bay Buccaneers via Facebook)
• Humane Society of Tampa Bay shared: "Meet Chops, one of the big dogs looking for their forever homes! He is a 2.5-year-old terrier mix who LOVES toys and to play. He is heartworm positive and has bad skin allergies, so he will be a little more work, but he is 100% worth it!" (Humane Society of Tampa Bay via Facebook)
• ZooTampa at Lowry Park shared: "Join our Director of Marine Life and Animal Programs, Tiffany, on Nat Geo Wild for a Facebook Live today, Dec. 29 at 11 a.m. from our African Penguin habitat. Our penguins have their tuxedos ready for the New Year." (ZooTampa at Lowry Park via Facebook)
• Busch Gardens Tampa Bay shared: "Enjoy a burst of dazzling fireworks here at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, every night from now until Jan. 1! 🎆" (Busch Gardens Tampa Bay via Facebook)
• City of Tampa shared: "Gasparilla is just around the corner and we need your help to create sustainable traditions." (City of Tampa via Facebook)

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Alrighty, you're all good for today. See you all tomorrow morning for another 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