🌱 Tampa Bay Rays Opening Day + New Air Traffic Control Tower At TPA

Hello, everybody. Carlos Hernandez here with your fresh copy of the Tampa Patch newsletter, full of all the things you need to know about what's happening in town. In this issue, you'll get updates on:

• Today is Opening Day for the Tampa Bay Rays. They will host the Detroit Tigers.
• A new air traffic control tower has been proposed at TPA.
• Free Cone Day is coming to Tampa Ben & Jerry's locations on April 8.

But first, today's weather: Mostly sunny and very warm. High: 89 Low: 65.

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Here are the top stories today in Tampa:

1. A new air traffic control tower has been proposed at Tampa International Airport (TPA). The tower first opened on July 15, 1972, and was the tallest tower at the time it was built. However, it is now one of the oldest towers in use around the country. (Tampa Patch)
2. Hillsborough County Special Magistrate James D. Stokes sided with Hillsborough County teachers nearly 8 months after talks broke down over teacher pay in the county. “While it is understandable that the district needs to be a good steward of public tax money and needs to make wise decisions in that regard; it is equally true that a public school district cannot serve its constituents properly without the dedicated and competent work of its employees," he wrote in his opinion. (Subscription: Tampa Bay Times)
3. Tampa Ben & Jerry's visitors will be able to enjoy a free scoop of ice cream in a cup or cone on April 8 from noon to 8 p.m. The freebie is a part of brand's Free Cone Day. There are two locations in the Tampa area at 1106 Gramercy Lane in Tampa and 409 Mandalay Ave. in Clearwater Beach. (WFLA)
4. Tampa Police captured a 9-foot, 4-inch alligator roaming around Howard Avenue early Wednesday. The massive gator was captured near Kathleen Street, north of Columbus Drive. Mating season is around the corner, according to Captain Phil Walters, so we could see more incidents soon. (Fox 13 Tampa)
5. The Tampa Bay Rays are hosting Opening Day for its 26th season today with the Detroit Tigers at Tropicana Field. The game is sold out. Tropicana is also launching a new fan experience this year including checkout-free concessions around the stadium, upgraded videoboards, and new food and beverage options for fans. (Bay News 9)

Today in Tampa:

• Art On The House at Tampa Museum Of Art. (4 p.m.)
• Women's History Month at The Cuban Club. (5:30 p.m.)
• WUSF's Longest Table 2023 at North Straub Park. (5:30 p.m.)
• Network After Work Tampa at WXYZ Bar — Aloft Tampa Downtown. (6 p.m.)
• Succulent Terrarium Workshop at C. 1949. (7 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Tampa Bay Lightning shared: "The Lightning delivered one of their best performances of the year as they shut out the Hurricanes, 4-0." Dave Mishkin on last night's shutout win over the Hurricanes." (Tampa Bay Lightning via Facebook)
• Tampa International Airport shared: "Howdy, Phoenix! 🌵 Our friends at Frontier Airlines are launching daily non-stop service from TPA soon. Book your next trip to Arizona today." (Tampa International Airport via Facebook)
• Tampa Police Department shared: "𝑰𝑵𝑪𝑹𝑬𝑫𝑰𝑩𝑳𝑬 footage of #YourTampaPD officers wrangling a gator 🐊 found roaming near West Kathleen Street and North Howard Avenue in Tampa this morning. No alligators (or officers) were injured in this "𝘫𝘢𝘸 𝘥𝘳𝘰𝘱𝘱𝘪𝘯𝘨" video. 😏" (Tampa Police Department via Facebook)
• The University of Tampa shared: "For three marine science and biology majors, their idol, primatologist Jane Goodall, is a dream come true. More: https://www.ut.edu/news-and-ut-life/marine-biology-students-get-the-chance-to-meet-idol-jane-goodall." (The University of Tampa via Facebook)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Featured events:

• Flea Market @ Clearwater Lodge (April 1)
• The Spring Event at TerraNova (April 1)
• STEM Adventures at Kiddie Academy of Westchase (April 1)
• Tour de Kerouac - Guided Bike Ride (April 2)
• 16th Annual Pinellas Pepper Fest (April 2)
• Westchase Egg Hunt (April 2)
• Breast Ultrasound Screening Coming Direct to You! (April 8)
• Jazz at the Ballroom Presents "Accentuate the Positive" (April 16)
• Add your event

Featured gigs & services:

• Curious how a Life Care Planner may help in a personal injury case in Florida? (Details)
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You're officially in the loop for today. I'll be back in your inbox tomorrow morning with your next 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 Patch newsletter? Contact me at SouthTampa@Patch.com