🌱 Hills. School Board Vote Angers Black Community + EcoFest Coming

Hello again, everybody! It's Thursday in Tampa and I'm Carlos Hernandez, back in your inbox with everything you need to know about what's happening in town, including news on:

• Hillsborough County School Board has voted to close a troubled school against the objections of the Black community and NAACP.
• The 13th Annual EcoFest is coming to MOSI in Tampa this weekend.
• City of Tampa is planning to buy a historic West Tampa cemetery and prevent developers from building on the land.

But first, today's weather: Very warm. High: 90 Low: 64.

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Here are the top stories in Tampa today:

1. Procure by the Women’s Creative has opened a new location in South Tampa's Hyde Park Village. The store serves as a hub for dozens of female-owned businesses. The store features gifts, accessories, home goods and skin care products. (Tampa Patch)
2. Hillsborough County School Board has voted 4-3 to close Just Elementary School, enraging the Black community and groups that worry what will happens to kids in the area. Hillsborough County NAACP president Yvette Lewis lambasted the decision by the board. It was the only school to receive a “F” grade from Florida in 2022. (WFLA)
3. Road rage incidents are on the rise according to data from AAA. Numerous cases have sprung up in recent weeks in the Tampa area, including a shooting on Tuesday in Plant City. Tampa Police officer Roy Paz blames people being "stressed out" for the incidents and says people "aren't thinking clearly." (Fox 13)
4. The 13th Annual EcoFest is coming to MOSI on Saturday, April 22 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The free event will be family-friendly and open to all. The event will be held in partnership with City of Tampa and the University of South Florida. (Q105)
5. City of Tampa is planning to buy Marti-Colon Cemetery near the intersection of Columbus Drive and MacDill Avenue in West Tampa. Out-of-town buyers bought up the land previously and planned to build a housing development or a shopping center on the gravesite. The cemetery is historic and is the home of many immigrants who helped build Tampa's cigar city but fell into disrepair. (Fox 13)

Today in Tampa:

• Tampa Bay Taco Week. Various locations. (10 a.m.)
• Friends Of The Riverview Public Library Monthly Meeting. (1 p.m.)
• Third Thursdays at 7th + Grove. (5:30 p.m.)
• Third Thursday Street Food Fest at Grand Central at Kennedy. (6 p.m.)
• Bar Method Class at Armature Works. (6:30 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Tampa Bay Taco Week is returning starting today through April 30. Numerous local restaurants are participating in the promotions including Jimmy's Tacos, Miguel's, Zukku Sushi, Datz, and more. (CarlosEats.com)
• Hillsborough County Public Schools shared: "To celebrate Arbor Day and Earth Day, Walker Middle Magnet School and McKinstry held a tree-planting ceremony. 🌳 🌎 Students learned about the importance of conservation and protecting our planet." (Hillsborough County Public Schools via Facebook)
• South Tampa Chamber shared: "🌴 COMMUNITY NEWS: In Tampa, St. Pete and beyond, the space beneath overpasses is being used for cool neighborhood amenities including dog parks. 'It’ll be fantastic for the neighborhood,' said Kelly Flannery, president and CEO of the South Tampa Chamber." (South Tampa Chamber via Facebook)
• Tampa General Hospital: "We're going live today, April 20 at 3 p.m. Join us to hear from world-renowned parathyroid surgeons with the TGH Parathyroid & Thyroid Institute, Dr. Douglas Politz and Dr. José Lopez, as they answer your pre-submitted & live questions." (Tampa General Hospital via Facebook)

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Thanks for following along and staying informed! I'll catch up with you bright and early tomorrow morning with your next 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 Patch newsletter? Contact me at SouthTampa@Patch.com