🌱 Tampa Bay Pizza Owner Faces Drug Charges + Int'l Fringe Festival

Good morning, everybody! I'm here right on time with your fresh copy of the Tampa Daily, filled with all the community news you need to know right now.

First, today's weather:

A p.m. t-storm in spots. High: 93 Low: 79.

🏡 Attention, real estate pros in Tampa! We're now offering an exclusive sponsorship opportunity for an agent interested in attracting local clients and standing apart from the competition. Click here to learn more.

Here are the top five stories in Tampa today:

1. Tampa police department said an argument between roommates has left one man dead. Police say at 4:42 a.m. Friday, police received a call from one of the roommates living in the 8100 block of North 17th Street near Sitka Street. An investigation is underway. (Tampa Patch)

2. The Tampa International Fringe Festival will return from July 28 to August 7 in Ybor City and will include 22 shows. Approximately half of the 2022 participants in the festival are local. Planned performances include "Oh, Gasparella," a children's musical by St. Petersburg's Tom Sivak. (St. Pete Catalyst)

3. A Largo pizza shop owner, 49-year-old Blerim Ljena, from Brickhouse Pizza has been arrested on drug charges. Police say they found drugs at the business including hydrocodone, Xanax, morphine, dilaudid, methamphetamine, cocaine and GHB. (ABC Action News)

4. Indiana-based Sun King Brewery has opened in Sarasota, taking over the building that once housed JDub's Brewing Company. Florida currently has around 375 breweries generating more than $4 billion, according to the Brewer's Association. (WTSP)

5. A Tampa man is facing 40 counts of possessing child pornography after police said they recovered pornographic images during a search of his computers and cellular devices. Ruben Machado-Reyes, 55, of North Ojus Drive was arrested on Thursday. Police say he could face more charges. (Tampa Patch)

Today in Tampa:

• Premiere Of Documentary 'Home Waters' at ZooTampa. (8 a.m.)
• Back-2-School Health Clinics at Hillsborough County Schools. (9 a.m.)
• Fire Rescue Back 2 School Bash at Emanuel P. Johnson Recreation Center. (10 a.m.)
• Sunshine Market at Midtown Tampa. (10 a.m.)
• Makerspace Orientation at John F. Germany Public Library. (10:30 a.m.)

From my notebook:

• Florida's Primary Elections are coming soon on Tuesday, August 23. The deadline to register to vote for the primary elections in Hillsborough County is Monday, July 25. (Fox 13)
• Metropolitan Ministries is critically low on food supplies and asking for those able to help in the community to donate nonperishable food items. The most needed items are canned meat, peanut butter, boxed cereal, canned fruit and vegetables, rice, beans, pasta and sauce, soup, baby food and formula. (WFLA)
• Hillsborough County's Pet Resource Center's pet population has reached more than 500 percent of capacity this summer. Adoptions are currently being encouraged with free adoptions and foster care is also being sought. (Tampa Patch)
• Tampa General Hospital and USF Health contributed to the trials of the 4th COVID-19 vaccine from Novavax and the COVID-19 Vaccine Prevention Network. (WTSP)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Events:

• Taxes in Retirement Seminar (July 26)
• Add your event

Announcements:

• Public Adjuster in Ft. Myers, FL - LA Consulting & Services - Public Adjusters (Details)
• Add your announcement

For sale:

• Tarot Card Readings and Intuitive Consultations with Nicole! One on One and / or Parties! (Details)
• Moving Sale - Fri 7/22 & Sat 7/23 8am-6pm (Details)
• Add your item

Housing:

• 55+ Community Condo rental large 2 br 2 ba 1209 sq-$1900 mo (Details)
• Add your listing

You're officially in the loop for today. 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 Daily? Contact me at SouthTampa@Patch.com