Hillsborough County Fair + Carjacking Victims + Vaccine Mandate Ban Lawsuit

Rise and shine, Tampa! It's Friday, so let's get you started with everything you need to know going on today in Tampa.

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First, today's weather:

Humid and partly cloudy throughout the day. High: 88 Low: 73.

Here are the top stories today in Tampa:

1. A 17-year-old student at Palmetto High School in Manatee County lost her battle with COVID-19 after fighting the virus for several weeks. Her family says she had no pre-existing conditions. The Manatee County School District said, "Our prayers and thoughts are with the entire Santana family, their friends and loved ones, and with the students and staff at Palmetto High School." (WFLA)

2. The Hillsborough County Fair is now open in Dover through October 3rd. It is celebrating a return after a one-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Guests can enjoy carnival rides, county stages, and fair food. You can enjoy Dollar Days admission next Thursday for just one dollar. Regular admission at the fair is $10 on other days. (Bay News 9)

3. The Florida Highway Patrol is seeking information on the carjacking at gunpoint of two good Samaritans in Hernando County who pulled over on I-75 to help two men involved in a car accident. The men were released unharmed in Tampa after being forced to drive the wanted suspects to 138th Avenue and 19th Street. (Tampa Patch)

4. Fewer than 100 students in Florida have received school vouchers that Governor Ron DeSantis backed as a way for children to escape what the state said was "COVID-19 harassment" from mask mandates. Only two students used the vouchers to enroll in a private school. (Creative Loafing Tampa)

5. A Sarasota hobby and craft store, Bead Abode, Inc., has filed a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of a Florida law that prevents businesses from requiring customers to show proof of vaccination against COVID-19. It says the law violates First Amendment rights and it is seeking a temporary injunction. (Fox 13 Tampa Bay)

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Today in Tampa:

• Bier Fest Takes Place Each Weekend At Busch Gardens. (10:00 AM)
• Harvest Holler Corn Maze. (4:00 PM)
• Hillsborough County Fair. (5:00 PM)
• Maroon 5 On Stage At MidFlorida Credit Union Amphitheatre. (7:00 PM)
• National Hispanic Heritage Month At The Library. (6:30 PM)

Tampa Patch Notebook

• Tampa Bay Rays: "With a win today we clinch a postseason place and Meads has us off to a good start!" (Facebook)
• Tampa Bay Buccaneers: "We've added WR Antonio Brown to the reserve/COVID-19 list." (Facebook)
• Kiera | Tampa Bay Foodie: "Which @jenisicecreams flavor would you eat first?! ~ Wildberry Lavender ~ Cookies in Cream ~ Cream Puff ~ Boston Cream Pie ~ Salty Caramel ~ Brown Butter Almond Brittle ~ Darkest Chocolate ~ Mint Chip ~ Banana Cream Pudding (dair..." (Instagram)
• ZooTampa at Lowry Park: "It’s beginning to look a lot like Creatures of the Night! Manatee Tunnel has been transformed into an eerie undersea wonderland for Tampa Bay’s #1 family Halloween event. Tickets and reservations: zootampa.org/creatures-of-the-night" (Facebook)
• Tampa International Airport: "Second best in the nation? We’ll take it!" (Facebook)

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You're all caught up for today. See you all tomorrow morning for another update! If you're liking these newsletters, consider bringing some more friends and neighbors along for the ride. 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? Reach out anytime to carlosreportsnews@gmail.com.