🌱 Oysters Sold At Publix Linked To Outbreak + Jane Castor Re-Election

Hello all. It's me, Carlos Hernandez, your host of the Tampa Daily — here to tell you everything you need to know about what's happening in the community. In today's Daily, we'll cover these stories and more...

• City of Tampa Mayor Jane Castor has more than $230,000 on hand for her re-election bid.
• Oysters sold at Publix and other grocers have been linked to a nationwide norovirus.
• Walmart has launched delivery drones at five stores around the Tampa area.

But first, today's weather:

Times of clouds and sun. High: 68 Low: 45.

Here are the top stories today in Tampa:

1. Walmart has launched delivery drones at five of its stores around the Tampa Bay area. Orders cannot weigh more than 10 pounds, but there are no order minimums, according to Walmart. Customers will have to pay a $3.99 delivery fee for the drone deliveries. (WTSP)

2. Oysters sold at Publix and other stores in Florida have been linked to a nationwide norovirus outbreak. Norovirus symptoms include diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, and stomach pain. Symptoms can start within 12 to 48 hours of exposure to the virus. (WFLA)

3. City of Tampa Mayor Jane Castor has more than $230,000 on hand for her re-election bid, her campaign announced Friday. Mayor Castor launched her re-election campaign last week at Hotel Haya in Ybor City. More than 200 people attended the kickoff, according to the campaign. (Florida Politics)

4.Tampa's Martin Luther King, Jr. Parade Foundation will host a gala on Jan. 5 and a parade on Jan. 16 in 2023. The events wills including"Bethune-Cookman University Marching Wildcats" as well as Miles College Purple Marching Machine and the Edward Waters University Marching Band. (ABC Action News)

5. Manatee County businessman, attorney, and community leader Robert "Bob" Blalock will receive the 6th Annual Robert P. Bartz Award for Outstanding Leadership at the Manatee Chamber of Commerce's 60th Annual Dinner on Feb. 2, 2023 at the Bradenton Area Convention Center. Bob Bartz was president of the Manatee Chamber for almost 35 years until his passing in early 2017. (Tampa Bay Newswire)

Today in Tampa:

• Trans-Siberian Orchestra To Perform 'The Ghosts Of Christmas' at Amalie Arena. (1 p.m.)
• Classic Christmas Carols With The Florida Orchestra at Straz Center For The Performing Arts. (2 p.m.)
• 'Christmas Contigo' at Stageworks (3 p.m.)
• Grinchmas Comes To Town. (5 p.m.)
• Season's Greetings With The Carrollwood Winds at Carrollwood Cultural Center. (7 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• City of Tampa shared: "Aye, we're partnering with Keep Tampa Bay Beautiful for an After Gasparilla Clean Up on Jan. 29 to Keep It Clean Tampa and keep our paradise litter-free. 🌴 Teams will be stationed at Fred Ball Park, Bern's Park, Kate Jackson Park, and Bank of America." (City of Tampa via Facebook)
• Midtown Tampa shared: "Celebrate the miracles and blessings of the season, and gather with friends and family as we light the menorah on Dec. 20 at 5:30 p.m." (Midtown Tampa via Facebook)
• City of Tampa shared: "Sometimes getting to your destination isn't just a hop, skip and a jump. It might be a walk, bus and scooter. Have no fear -Moovit is here! With multimodal trip planning, real-time arrival info and live directions, Moovit is your guide." (Twitter)

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Alrighty, you're all good for today! See you 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 Daily? Contact me at SouthTampa@Patch.com