🌱 Medicare Scam Upsets Seniors + Ousted State Attorney Warren Update

Hello all. It's me, Carlos Hernandez, your host of the Patch newsletter. Let's get this Wednesday started off right with a quick guide to everything you need to know about what's happening in town, including updates on...

• A Tampa area teenager has died after being shot last weekend in Orlando.
• Columbia has been named one of the top brunch restaurants in the United States by OpenTable.
• Ousted State Attorney Andrew Warren was heard by an appeals court on Tuesday over his removal from office by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis.

But first, today's weather: Pleasant with some sun. High: 83 Low: 64.

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Here are the top stories today in Tampa:

1. A 14-year-old boy from Hillsborough County has tragically died after being shot at Dezerland Park off International Drive in Orlando last weekend, according to authorities. Police are still investigating the shooting and have not released a suspect as of Tuesday evening. Anyone with information on the shooting is asked to call police or Crimeline. (Orlando Patch)
2. Columbia Restaurant has been named one of the best brunch restaurants in the United States by OpenTable in a new list. Columbia is one of the most popular restaurants in the Tampa area with over 14,000 reviews and a 4.5 rating. The historic restaurant is a slice of Ybor City history. (That's So Tampa)
3. A three-judge panel heard the appeal of ousted Hillsborough County State Attorney Andrew Warren on Tuesday. Warren was removed from office by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis last year and has been battling for some time to get his job back. A federal judge ruled previously that Warren was illegally removed from office, but said he lacked the jurisdiction to restore him. (Tampa Patch)
4. Senior citizens from Tampa are upset that Medicare is paying hundreds of dollars for COVID-19 tests that they did not request or receive. One woman from Clearwater said she received 30 boxes last year and had to call to stop the shipments but is now receiving the shipments yet again. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is warning seniors of a scheme to use senior citizens for reimbursements by companies selling COVID-19 tests. (WFLA)
5. Planet Fitness in Tampa is allowing teenagers to work out for free all summer long. Teens ages 14-19 can enjoy free access to any Planet Fitness location from May 15 to Aug. 31. Online registration is required beforehand. (99.5 QYK)

Today in Tampa:

• 1 Million Cups Tampa 2023 at Entrepreneur Collaborative Center. (9 a.m.)
• Check Out & Checkup Health Screening With BayCare at Bruton Memorial Library. (11 a.m.)
• Family Story Time at Hillsborough County Public Library Cooperative. (11:45 a.m.)
• Tai Chi - Yoga & Meditation at Hillsborough County Public Library Cooperative. (noon)
• Run Club at Armature Works. (6 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Tampa Bay Lightning shared: "We have signed forward Maxim Groshev to a three-year, entry-level contract." (Tampa Bay Lightning via Facebook)
• Tampa Bay Buccaneers shared: "Congrats to Weeki Wachee High School's Billy Hughes for winning Girls Flag Football Coach of the Week. 🏈 Vote for this week's nominees ➡️ bccn.rs/GirlsFlag." (Tampa Bay Buccaneers via Facebook)
• City of Tampa shared: "Thank you to everyone who joined us in person or tuned in live for the Oath of Office Ceremony. Tampa's future has never been brighter. In case you missed it, you can watch the live recording here: https://fb.watch/kfSK1t4qtF/?m.." (City of Tampa via Facebook)
• Busch Gardens Tampa Bay shared: "Turn up the flavor. Cinco de Mayo & Viva La Música are back. 🎵🌶 Get ready to experience iconic Latin dishes and live música from award-winning Latin artists starting May 5 - 21." (Busch Gardens Tampa Bay via Facebook)

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• AI Workshop: How Top-Producers and Non Techie Realtors Can Grow their Biz (May 5)
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• May Marché (May 6)
• Uptown Music Festival (May 6)
• “Voices of Resistance” Benefit Concert (May 6)
• Social Security Seminar at Hillsborough Community College Student Services Building Ybor City (May 9)
• LEADS Mardi Gras Masquerade Brunch Fundraiser (May 20)
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Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Wednesday off right. See you all tomorrow morning for another 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