🌱 Hillsborough Approves School Boundary Change + Cross Bay Ridership

Hey, everybody! I'm Carlos Hernandez back in your inbox this morning with your new copy of the Tampa Patch newsletter. Keep reading to find out everything you need to know about what's happening around town, including updates on...

• Hillsborough County's school board leaders approved changes to county boundaries, impacting thousands of students.
• Sprouts is opening a new grocery store later this summer by the University of South Florida with hiring now underway.
• Ridership is up on the Cross Bay Ferry with thousands taking the boat connecting Pinellas and Hillsborough counties.

But first, today's weather: A shower and thunderstorm. High: 92 Low: 76.

Here are the top stories today in Tampa:

1. Sprouts Farmers Market is opening a new location at 2150 E. Fowler Ave. in Uptown Tampa near the University of South Florida and will open later this summer on Friday, Aug. 25 at 7 a.m. The grocery store plans to hire about 95 employees. An in-person hiring event will take place on Tuesday, July 11 at the Hilton Garden Inn Tampa North at 13305 Tampa Oaks Blvd. from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Tampa Patch)
2. A controversial plan to change school boundaries in Hillsborough County has been approved in a narrow vote. School board members voted 4-3 to approve new school boundaries, impacting 15,000 students and hundreds of families in the county. Several members continued to voice complaints about the proposal but passed it anyway. The plan will take effect in the 2024-25 school year and save the school district $13 million. (WUSF)
3. Hillsborough County leaders are considering extending the Lee Roy Selmon Expressway deeper into Riverview amid record traffic in the area as more communities are built. Multiple plans are being proposed, but the county has not made a decision on what to pursue yet. Improving traffic in the area could cost taxpayers up to $1.8 billion dollars. (WFLA)
4. Tampa residents are currently spending on average about 24 percent of their income on rent, according to a new study. Tampa is now one of the most expensive cities to live in now with a 40 percent increase since 2009. Clever Real Estate expects the situation to get worse going forward for residents. (WMNF)
5. The Cross Bay Ferry continues to increase ridership with more than 72,000 passengers this season. The increase in ridership shows high demand in the Tampa area for more transit solutions. The system transported its 300,000th rider in April of this year. (That's So Tampa)

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Today in Tampa:

Friday, June 23

• Vintage Roost Market. (9 a.m.)
• Franklin Street Block Party at Tampa Theatre. (5 p.m.)
• Parents Night Out at Westchase Impact Martial Arts. (6 p.m.)
• Candle Making at The DIY Room. (7 p.m.)
• "The Great American Trailer Park Musical" at Stageworks Theatre. (8 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Tampa Bay Lightning shared: "We have re-signed forward Gabriel Fortier to a one-year, two-way contract." (Tampa Bay Lightning via Facebook)
• Tampa Bay Lightning shared: "Nothing is off the table as Braydon Coburn and Jassen Cullimore chat about winning a Stanley Cup, a parade on Bayshore, and settling in Tampa after hanging up the skates." (Tampa Bay Lightning via Facebook)
• City of Tampa shared: "Summer BreakSpot provides free, nutritious meals to kids and teens under 18 while schools are closed. Find a Summer BreakSpot near you by visiting: SummerBreakSpot.com." (City of Tampa via Facebook)

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• Murder Mystery & Casino Night! (June 24)
• Breast Ultrasound Screening Coming Direct to You! (July 1)
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• LOCAL TAMPA KIDS GET BOOK PUBLISHED - Journeys Through The Cord (Details)
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You're all caught up for today. I'll see you soon!

— 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