🌱 Tampa City Council 'Ban The Box' Push + Ukraine Refugee Aid

Hello, neighbors! Carlos Hernandez here with your fresh copy of the Tampa Daily, full of all the local information you need to know right now. Here's a quick look at what's happening:

• 📝 Tampa City Council voted Thursday to support a "ban the box" initiative for city contractors.
• 🌻 Hundreds of people visited Tarpon Springs for a fundraiser for Ukraine refugees as the war continues.
• ⚖️ The family of a woman who died at a Palm Harbor Circle K last year has filed suit against the business.

Today is National Red Wine Day. Where do you get your favorite glass in town? I recommend Ybor City Wine Bar for a local taste.

First, today's weather:

A shower and thunderstorm. High: 89 Low: 76.

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Here are the top five stories today in Tampa:

1. Tampa City Council voted Thursday to incentivize contractors to help those who served time get back on the feet, also known as "ban the box" around the nation. The city is asking contractors to remove pre-hiring questions about crimes, criminal background checks and other questions that could prevent someone from finding employment. (Subscription: Tampa Bay Times, Free: Creative Loafing Tampa)

2. Hundreds of people in Tarpon Springs gathered Friday to raise money for local Ukrainian refugees. Organizers said they need a bigger venue to meet demand. The event proceeds will go to the Epiphany of Our Lord Ukrainian Catholic Church in St. Petersburg, which is helping 19 refugee families. (WTSP)

3. A 34-year-old Tampa man was indicted for traveling to Orlando in an attempt to entice a minor for sex. The accused, Tulio Ivan Figueroa-Carrion, is facing life in prison if convicted. The case is being investigated by the FBI. (Tampa Patch)

4. Family members have filed suit over the tragic death of 46-year-old Sheryll Caballes at a Palm Harbor Circle K in December 2021. The lawyer of the victim's family alleges that Circle K and its contractors destroyed evidence by discarding the shear valve that would have stopped the fire. (WFLA)

5. Shumaker has signed one of the biggest office deals in the area at downtown Tampa's Bank of America building with three full floors through 2037. The company says it shows it "commitment to the growth of Tampa Bay." (Florida Politics)

Today in Tampa:

• Sunshine Sunday at Glazer Children's Museum. (10 a.m.)
• Yoga In The Park at Julian B. Lane Riverfront Park. (10:30 a.m.)
• Haya Pool Sundays Hosted By PTL Ybor at Hotel Haya. (noon)
• Splash Sundays at Epicurean Hotel Tampa. (noon)
• Madeline Martin | The Librarian Spy at Oxford Exchange. (3:30 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• The Straz has released a list of September performances that will be held on their Riverwalk Stage and free to the public. Performers will include Kasondra Rose, Noan Partly, and Julie Black & Her Band. (Tampa Bay Newswire)
• Fortu Asian fusion is opening in the historic Ponce de Leon hotel in downtown St. Petersburg. The restaurant will be run by Benson Hospitality Group. (Creative Loafing Tampa)
• Dr. Dana Thompson-Dorsey, an associate professor of educational leadership and policy studies at the University of South Florida (USF), says partisan school boards tent to harm students. (WUSF)
• Humane Society of Tampa Bay (HSTB) has taken in 15 beagles rescued from a breeding facility in Virginia due to animal welfare concerns. Nearly 4,000 beagles were taken from the facility in total. (ABC Action News)

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That's it for today. I'll see you 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 Daily? Contact me at SouthTampa@Patch.com