🌱 Hundreds Battle At Hernando School Board Meeting + Fatburger Tampa

Hi all. It's me, Carlos Hernandez, your host of the Patch newsletter. Let's get this Thursday started off right, with a quick guide to the most important things happening in town. In today's issue, we'll cover these stories and more...

• Fatburger is opening its first Tampa location in Riverview soon.
• Over 600 people showed up at a Hernando County School Board as the board attempted to remove the superintendent and dozens of teachers threatened to resign as the "Don't Say Gay" law controversy continues.
• Tampa residents near the university area are complaining of potential water contamination as brown water is found in their taps.

But first, today's weather: Showers and a heavier t-storm. High: 85 Low: 70.

Here are the top stories in Tampa today:

1. Lake Brandon Chick-Fil-A is celebrating 25 years in the neighborhood at 11325 Causeway Blvd. The location opened on June 18, 1998, and was only the second location in the Tampa Bay area at the time. Now the business employs over 80 people and has won a number of community awards. (Osprey Observer)
2. Over 600 people came out to the Hernando County school board meeting as 50 teachers plan to resign after an investigation was launched into a schoolteacher by the DeSantis Administration for showing a Disney movie that shows an LGBTQ+ character to students amid a crackdown by Florida's "Don't Say Gay" law. The threat of resignations come amid a hiring shortage for the school district with dozens of vacancies. Members of the controversial far-right groups, The Proud Boys and Moms for Liberty, attended the event. Many members of the community said they are tired of the divisions. Superintendent John Stratton survived an attempt to remove him from office. (Subscription: Tampa Bay Times, Free: WUSF)
3. Hundreds of people in Tampa are furious about potentially being exposed to contaminated water that many have shown to be a brown color. The complaints have been ongoing for years going all the way back to 2017. WTSP found evidence that the University of South Florida previously warned the county and city about the water quality. Septic tanks could be partially to blame. (WTSP)
4. Tampa's first Fatburger location will open soon in Riverview at 9950 Upper Alafia Court not far from I-75 and Gibsonton Drive. The restaurant will also feature a limited-menu from sister-brand Buffalo's Express. At least three more locations are planned over the next few years. (Creative Loafing Tampa)
5. A Lakeland man who said he was wrongfully stopped by police is speaking out, months after three officers were put on paid leave while an investigation is underway by state officials. The man said officers allegedly punched and tased him while he was trying to comply with their request in his driveway. Video footage captured the incident. The man and two family members were charged with resisting arrest by police. He is also facing charges of possession of marijuana and battery on an officer. The charges have not been dropped. (ABC Action News)

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Today in Tampa:

• Tampa/Westchase Real Estate Agent Collaboration & Networking Event at Raining Berries Westchase. (9 a.m.)
• Fun With Watercolor at Life Enrichment Center. (10 a.m.)
• Children’s Theatre: The Ugly Duckling at Lutz Recreation Center. (11 a.m.)
• Brain Freeze Skate Day at Skate World Tampa. (noon)
• Rock The Park at Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park. (6:30 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Visit Tampa Bay shared: "Shirley Steele and Tony Dague, in the Unlock Tampa Bay Visitors Center, are collecting their free T-shirts for visiting eight breweries in City of Tampa and Hillsborough County, as a part of the Visit Tampa Bay Crafted promotion." (Visit Tampa Bay via Facebook)
• City of Tampa shared: "Did you know you can get critical supplies tax free now through June 9? Get #TampaReady for hurricane season with savings." (City of Tampa via Facebook)
• South Tampa Chamber shared: "🎉 Congratulations to Melting Pot Social on their Grand Opening on Monday, May 22. We are thrilled we were able to be a part of the celebration. 😊👏 ✅" (South Tampa Chamber via Facebook)

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You're all caught up for today! See you tomorrow for 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