Museum Day 2021 + TikTok Challenge Arrests + Tampa Riverwalk Expansion

Good Morning, people of Tampa! Carlos Hernandez here with today's copy of the Tampa Daily. Let's get this Saturday started.

Today is Smithsonian Magazine's Museum Day. You can enjoy free admission at several museums around town today. Don't miss out.

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First, today's weather:

Possible light rain in the afternoon and evening. High: 87 Low: 76.

Here are the top stories in Tampa today:

1. Fauci critic and Hillsborough County GOP accountant Gregg Prentice, 61, of Riverview died last Saturday at Tampa General Hospital after contracting COVID-19. Fellow Hillsborough GOP member Jason Kimball blamed Tampa General Hospital for Prentice's death, leading to a pushback from Tampa city council members. The sudden death of Prentice has left the Hillsborough GOP unable to access its donation accounts and submit disclosures. (Tampa Patch)

2. A new solution? Tampa Water Department is looking at alternative solutions for liquid oxygen in water treatment as the shortage continues. Currently the city is using chlorine to treat water as a stand-in, but if the shortage of liquid oxygen falls enough the city could be put in a sticky situation. (WUSF)

3. 8 news organizations have joined Central Florida Rep. Carlos Smith’s lawsuit against Florida Department of Health and outgoing Florida Surgeon General Scott Rivkees for access to previously public COVID-19 data. The organizations include The Associated Press, Gannett Co., The McClatchy Company, The New York Times, Scripps Media, Sun-Sentinel Company, Times Publishing Co., and WP Company. Judge John Cooper of the 2nd Judicial Circuit, who recently struck down a mask ban by Governor DeSantis, is assigned to the case. (Creative Loafing Tampa)

4. Polk County Sheriff's Office has arrested three minors from two high schools on petty theft and criminal mischief charges related to a stolen soap dispenser as well as a damaged sink. The charges stem from a TikTok challenge. Incidents have also occurred at almost every middle and high school in Seminole County, according to officials. (WFLA)

5. Tampa's Riverwalk is expanding. The Hillsborough Transportation Planning Board approved spending $24 million in federal funds for a Tampa Riverwalk expansion that will create a 12-mile loop on both sides of the river and in some west river neighborhoods. The completion date is currently not known, but work should get started next summer. (Fox 13 Tampa)

Today in Tampa:

• Hillsborough River & Coastal Cleanup. (8:00 AM)
• Downtown Clearwater Art Walk. (10:30 AM)
• Tampa Pride On The River Festival. (1:00 PM)
• Tampa Bay Stanley Cup Champions Film Premiere at Tampa Theatre. (7:00 PM)
• Outdoor Screening Of "Star Wars: A New Hope" At Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park. (8:00 PM)

Tampa Patch Notebook

• Here is a list of museums you can visit for free today for Museum Day 2021.
• Tampa Bay History Center: "#TBT to the streetcar on Bayshore Boulevard in 1927. While the routes for the streetcar are a bit different today, passengers used to travel between Ballast Point, DeSoto Park, Ybor City, and West Tampa." (Instagram)
• Henry Plant Museum: "Look closely at the veranda peeking out through the plants in this photo, and you'll see the double row of gingerbread woodworking! Today only one row of these decorations remains. On the left edge of the image part of the fountain "Transportation" is visible, helping us date the image as early 1900s." (Facebook)
• Tampa Museum of Art: "Happy Hispanic Heritage Month! Pictured here is Libbi Ponce's "Theresa’s Plane," a whimsical sculpture that brings classic Ecuadorian textile patterns to the 21st century. On view now through 10/10!" (Twitter)
• Hillsborough County: "Are you in need of some fresh fruits and veggies? Our Healthy Living Program team is hosting a free event for residents to receive groceries at our Lee Davis Community Resource Center." (Twitter)

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Events:

• FemAle Brew Fest (September 18)
• Semi-Annual Plant Sale 9/18/21 - 9-1pm (September 18)
• Greektoberfest! Fort Myers - Friday, Saturday, Sunday! Greek Food, Drink, Music! (October 17)
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Announcements:

• St. Andrew's UMC seeking Vendors for Fall Craft Fair (Details)
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Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Saturday off right! I'll be back in your inbox tomorrow morning with your next update. If you're loving 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? I'm all ears. You can email me at carlosreportsnews@gmail.com.