Tampa Man Insurrection + Polk Rental Assistance + Rainy Season

Good Morning and Happy Sunday! My name is Carlos Hernandez and I am back to update you on the latest happening in the Tampa area with Patch News.

In this issue, find out the latest about a Tampa man who took a selfie in the Capitol Hill insurrection, a local food truck back in business after theft, a rental assistance program coming to Polk County, and more.

Today’s weather: The high is 90 and the low is 68 with partly cloudy skies. There is a 20% chance of rain.

Here are the top 5 stories happening around Tampa:

1. A Tampa man who took a selfie in the U.S. Senate chamber during the Capitol Hill riot is set to enter a plea deal. He is one of the first out of more than 450 defendants arrested by the U.S. government. (WFLA)

2. A 26-year-old man was arrested following a fatal shooting at a Tampa hotel. Warrants were already out for the man’s arrest and the Sheriff’s Office added charges of first-degree murder while engaged in a carjacking, carjacking with a firearm, and felon in possession of a firearm. (Patch)

3. A local Tampa food truck called Pizzeataly is back in business after theft thanks to donations from the West Tampa community. (ABC Action News)

4. Polk County has a $17 million rental assistance program launching on Tuesday, June 1st. Renters can receive up to $12,000 in financial aid. (ABC Action News)

5. Florida's rainy season will finally begin next week so get your umbrellas ready for daily showers. (WUSF)

Today in Tampa:

• Corey Avenue Sunday Market. 60+ local vendors. Family and pet-friendly. (10 a.m.)
• Yoga in the Park at Julian B. Lane Park. (10:30 a.m.)
• Pool Party Sunday with Irie and Kayla Collins at WTR Godfrey Tampa. (12 p.m.)
• Philadelphia Phillies vs. Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. (1:10 p.m.)
• Sunday Jazz Project featuring James Suggs & Friends at Independent Bar St. Petersburg. (3 p.m.)
• Sunday Family Funday at Bayscape at Heritage Isles. (4 p.m.)

Tampa Patch Notebook:

• Florida toll roads are now accepting EZ-Pass statewide.
• In a last-minute development, Manatee Government and Manatee Schools struck a temporary deal allowing beach visitors to park at Anna Maria Elementary over Memorial Day Weekend.
• The Office of Inspector General said Rebekah Jones has been upgraded to whistleblower status under Florida law. Jones questioned the response to COVID-19 by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis.
• 1.96M passed through TSA checkpoints on Friday, setting a new pandemic air travel record.

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Featured Events: Memorial Day Ceremony, $23 Million Mansion Online Downsizing Auction, Veterans Race on the River, Hillsborough Library Kicks Off Summer Reading Program

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That's all for today. I will be back tomorrow with the latest happening in Tampa. My inbox is open if you have any tips to send or want to reach out: tampadaily@patch.com

-Carlos Hernandez

About me: I have lived in Florida since 1999 and covered the Tampa area for nearly 10 years, mainly with a focus on food through my blog at CarlosEats.com.