🌱 O'Connor Body Camera Footage Leaked + Tampa's First Solar Sidewalk

Hello, everybody. It's Friday in Tampa and I'm back in your inbox with everything that's fit to print about what's happening in the community. In today's issue of the Daily, we'll cover these stories and more...

• Tampa Police is asking drivers to avoid the area of South Manhattan Avenue and West San Jose Street while road work is done after an early morning crash.
• City of Tampa has installed its first solar sidewalk in downtown Tampa.
• A new report from Creative Loafing claims that Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri leaked body camera footage to disgraced Tampa Police Chief Mary O’Connor a day ahead of a story that broke national headlines.

But first, today's weather:

Windy and not as warm. High: 68 Low: 31.

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Here are the top stories in Tampa today:

1. Tampa Police is asking drivers to avoid the area of South Manhattan Avenue and West San Jose Street Friday due to downed utility poles from a morning crash. The intersection will remain closed while repairs are completed. (Tampa Patch)

2. City of Tampa has installed its first solar sidewalk in dowwntown Tampa packed with 84 solar panels that can power a traffic signal for up to 3 days, accoridng to WUSF. Vancouver-based Solar Earth Solutions partnered with the city on the project. The idea to use solar energy for traffic signals has been a byproduct from Hurricane Irma and Hurricane Ian. (WUSF)

3. Tampa Police is asking the public for help with information on porch pirates hitting South Tampa that were recently captured on surveillance footage. One suspect is described as a white woman with long red hair and a man is also seen in footage at the 800 block of North Howard Avenue. Tampa is seeing a 35 percent increase in package thefts in 2022 compared to this time last year, according to authorities. (Tampa Patch)

4. A new report by Creative Loafing claims text message records show Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri leaked body camera video of a now infamous traffic stop of disgraced Tampa Police Chief Mary O’Connor to her while Creative Loafing Tampa was waiting for the clip as part of a public records request from PCSO. O'Connor did not respond to text messages of the video that was sent to her before the video went viral and was seen in headlines across the nation. (Creative Loafing Tampa)

5. Passengers are braving a busy and chaotic travel season airports to try and be home with loved ones for the holidays. Many airlines are waiving change fees and offering travelers the option of choosing new flights to avoid bad weather if possible this busy weekend where over 70,000 are expected to pass through at Tampa International Airport. (ABC Action News)

Today in Tampa:

• Sunshine Market at Midtown Tampa (10 a.m.)
• Christmas Adam Ugly Sweater Party! at MacDinton's Irish Pub. (4 p.m.)
• Streetcar Live Returns To Tampa at Centennial Park. (6 p.m.)
• 2022 Union Home Mortgage Gasparilla Bowl at Raymond James Stadium. (6:30 p.m.)
• Tampa Bay's Festival of Lights & Santa's Village at Greater Hillsborough County Fair. (7 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Kiera | Tampa Food Blogger shared: "I've been thinking about this Truffle Fettuccini special at Donatella since I had it last weekend 🤤 Definitely one of the best pasta dishes I've had in recent memory!" (Kiera | Tampa Food Blogger via Instagram)
• Tampa Bay Buccaneers shared: "With the 29th sack of his career, Lavonte David moved into 10th place in franchise history 💪" (Tampa Bay Buccaneers via Facebook)
• Tampa International Airport shared: "We’re BUSY getting everyone where they need to go this holiday season! ✈️ Here are a few tips to make your trip easier: ⏰ Arrive EARLY: 2 hours for domestic travel and 3 hours for international travel 🚗 Book parking in advance." (Tampa International Airport via Facebook)
• Tampa General Hospital shared: "💚❤️ THANK YOU! ❤️💚 Thanks to our incredible community partners, the TGH Children's Hospital has received overwhelming support for this year's Operation Santa campaign! With the help of these donors, Santa and his elves will be able to deliver THOUSANDS of toys to our young patients, in addition to nearly $10,000 that will be used throughout the year to help our patients feel more comfortable during their stays." (Tampa General Hospital via Facebook)

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Thanks for following along and staying informed. I'll see you around!

— 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