🌱 Tampa Bay Bucs See Value Soar 14 Percent + TGH Donates $25 Million

Hello all. I'm here with your Saturday edition of the Tampa Patch newsletter, full of all the local information you need to know right now. Including updates on:

• Authorities are searching for a suspect who dumped 55-gallon drums of suspected petroleum in Hillsborough County.
• The Bucs increased its valuation by 14 percent in 2022.
• Hillsborough County Public Schools and the Hillsborough School Employees Federation have reached a tentative agreement.

But first, today's weather: A t-storm around in the p.m. High: 89 Low: 75.

Here are the top stories in Tampa today:

1. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers saw its valuation increase 14 percent to $4.2 billion in 2022, according to a report. The average NFL team is worth $5.1 billion for comparison. The Bucs rank 24th in NFL team value. (Tampa Patch)
2. Authorities are searching for a suspect who they said dumped eight 55-gallon drums of suspected petroleum on a roadside in Hillsborough County. The incident happened along Port Sutton Road off U.S. Highway 41. A reward of up to $5,000 is being offered for any information leading to an arrest. (WFLA)
3. A tentative agreement has been reached between Hillsborough School Employees Federation (HSEF) and the Hillsborough County Public Schools (HCPS) after long negotiations for better pay and benefits. Two positions will see wages rise by 16 percent. Bus drivers and security personnel will see a bump in a pay. (ABC Action News)
4. Tampa General Hospital is donating $25 million to the University of South Florida to USF Athletics to help support the upcoming $340 million stadium project. The funds will go to name USF's future Center for Athletic Excellence. The Florida Board of Governors approved the stadium plan on Friday. (WUSF, WTSP)
5. The Tampa Water Department said the agency had to buy water from another agency to keep up with demand as the area grows. The agency said a lack of rainfall and imposed limits on water withdrawals from the Hillsborough River Reservoir led to the purchase. Some customers might notice a change in odor and taste in their water. (ABC Action News)

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Today in Tampa:

Saturday, September 9

• Ybor City Walking Tour. (10 a.m.)
• Makerspace Orientation at John F. Germany Public Library (10:30 a.m.)
• Corsa Car Rally at Midtown Tampa. (11 a.m.)
• Sept. 9 | Sunnery James x Ryan Marciano | Pool Party at WTR Grill. (noon)
• Busch Gardens' Spooktacular. (noon)

From my notebook:

• Tampa Bay Buccaneers shared: "Kicking it off in white & pewter. 🔥" (Tampa Bay Buccaneers via Facebook)
• Hillsborough County Public Schools shared: "Seniors... Here you go! This afternoon, the School Board approved the Graduation dates for the Class of '24. Mark your calendars. 🎓" (Hillsborough County Public Schools via Facebook)
• Tampa International Airport shared: "Want to work at TPA? Now's your chance! Join us for our Hiring Day event on Sept. 14 from 9 a.m. to noon in the Main Terminal. More than 400 jobs are up for grabs with many employers hiring on the spot. No RSVP is required." (Tampa International Airport via Facebook)

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Featured events:

• The Rare Plant Network PLANT SALE (September 9)
• 9/11 Memorial Lights (September 9)
• 9/11 Memorial Ceremony (September 11)
• Add your event

You're officially in the loop for today. 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 Patch newsletter? Contact me at SouthTampa@Patch.com