🌱 New Puerto Rico Route Coming To TPA + DoorDash Suspect Arrested

Hey, Tampa. I'm Carlos Hernandez, here in your inbox today to get you up to speed on everything you need to know about what's going on in town. In today's issue, you'll find news about:

• Tampa Police have made an arrest in the case of a DoorDash driver being kidnapped and sexually battered.
• Tampa City Council is concerned about food deserts in the city that lack access to groceries.
• A new route to Aguadilla, Puerto Rico is coming to TPA.

But first, today's weather:

Very warm. High: 92 Low: 69.

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Here are the top stories today in Tampa:

1. Tampa Police have apprehended a suspect allegedly involved in the kidnapping and sexual battery of a DoorDash driver in Tampa. Authorities said the suspect is charged with armed kidnapping, robbery with a firearm, armed sexual battery, and aggravated battery with a weapon. (Tampa Patch, WFLA)
2. Tampa City Council discussed access to grocery store and supermarkets in their meeting on Thursday, April 20. Harvest Hope Park is one place seeking to address the needs for food access with free fruits and vegetables for residents. The city is hoping they can create more community gardens to help solve the problem. (ABC Action News)
3. A new route between Aguadilla, Puerto Rico and Tampa International Airport (TPA) will open this summer on JetBlue. There will be up to five daily departures available. The new location will being travelers closer to iconic beaches on the other side of the island. (That's So Tampa)
4. Manga Tea Shop will finally open in Carrollwood on April 29. The operation is being run by entrepreneur Matt Pengtakoon. The shop will sell a variety of bubble tea drinks and mochi ice cream and the owner wants the place to be hangout spot for anime and manga fans. (Fox 13)
5. A new coffee shop has opened in downtown Tampa called Little Tina, from the same team behind Urban Cantina. The new shop features Cuban-style drinks as well as a vareity of breakfast items and healthy foods. A cocktail menu is also in the works. (Creative Loafing Tampa)

Today in Tampa:

• PetCo Outreach Day at The Humane Society Of Tampa Bay (9 a.m.)
• Pups, Brunch And Bottomless Mimosas at Two Shepherds Taproom. (11 a.m.)
• Sunday Morning Market at Westshore Marina. (11 a.m.)
• Inaugural Midtown Tampa Wedding Show. (noon)
• Tiki Tonk at Shuffle. (6 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Tampa Bay Rays shared: "If you've got 20 seconds, here's our record-tying 20 homers from our first 20 games" (Tampa Bay Rays via Facebook)
• Tampa Bay Rays shared: "Honored to be joined for today's first pitches by St. Pete native and Emmy-nominated film producer Will Packer and the oldest living descendant of the Historic Gas Plant District, Mordecai Walker." (Tampa Bay Rays via Facebook)
• Tampa Bay Buccaneers shared: "Congrats to Tarpon Springs High School's Jason Ranze for winning Girls Flag Football Coach of the Week. 🏈 Winners receive a $2,000 grant from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Foundation to help maintain & upgrade their football program." (Tampa Bay Buccaneers via Facebook)

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Featured events:

• Breast Ultrasound Screening Coming Direct to You! (April 27)
• Rum and Food Experience at The Boozy Pig (April 27)
• Uptown Music Festival (May 6)
• Add your event

You're all caught up for today! I'll see you soon.

— 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