🌱 Tampa Police Chief On Leave Amid Investigation + Roast Deli Coming

Hey, everybody! I'm back with your new copy of the Tampa Daily. Keep reading to find out the most important things happening in town these days, including updates on:

• 🚓 Tampa Police Chief Mary O' Connor is in hot water for her attempt to avoid repercussions to break the law once again.
• 🥪 Roast Deli and Social Bar is coming to historic Ybor City from 7th + Grove.
• 🏗️ Plans are moving along for the redevelopment of Tropicana Field with the Tampa Bay Rays potentially at the center.

But first, today's weather:

Sunny to partly cloudy. High: 83 Low: 62.

Here are the top stories today in Tampa:

1. Tampa Police Chief Mary O'Connor is now on administrative leave pending an investigation into a recent traffic stop, according to CL. The leave comes amid the revelation that the police chief used her position of power to avoid a traffic citation. The appointment was already controversial due to her 1995 felony arrest for assault on a Hillsborough County Sheriff's Deputy. (Creative Loafing Tampa, Tampa Patch)

2. A former Hillsborough County school teacher was sentenced on Thursday for child porn and animal crush video charges. The teacher was sentenced to nine years in prison followed by 15 years of supervision, must register as a sex offender, and will not be allowed near a school ever again. (WTSP)

3. 7th + Grove is planning to open a new Roast Deli and Social Bar in historic Ybor City. The new food spot will replace Sundays Deli, which closed due to pressure from inflation and the pandemic. The space will become Madame Fortune’s Speakeasy at nighttime, according to Creative Loafing Tampa. (That's So Tampa, Creative Loafing Tampa)

4. Plans are pushing along for the redevelopment of Tropicana Field with the Tampa Bay Rays potentially at the center. City of St. Petersburg received four proposals for an 86-acre portion of the Historic Gas Plant District that is now home to Tropicana Field, according to a news release. (St. Pete Patch)

5. There are currently 50,561 jobs in tourism in Hillsborough County, which makes up 7 percent of the county according to Visit Tampa Bay. The tourism bureau said the area saw 24.6 million day and overnight visitors in 2022, and that it expects to see higher numbers in 2023. (Bay News 9)

Today in Tampa:

• St. John's Santa Run at Gasden Park. (7:45 a.m.)
• Christmas Kids Crafts In The Park by Citrus Grove Church. (9 a.m.)
• World Cup Brunch at WOB Bar & Kitchen. (9:30 a.m.)
• Tampa Bay Wellness Festival 2022 at Water Works Park. (11 a.m.)
• The Heights District Fifth Holiday Tree Lighting at Armature Works. (5 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Tampa Bay Lightning shared: "Of the 7,497 players to play a game in the National Hockey League, only 95 of them have hit the 1,000-point mark. One of those 95 players is Tampa Bay Lightning captain Steven Stamkos." (Tampa Bay Lightning via Facebook)
• Busch Gardens Tampa Bay shared: "Merry Christmas, Pass Members! We have the most flamazing gift for you this holiday season — a free flamingo Christmas ornament. 🎄🎁" (Busch Gardens Tampa Bay via Facebook)
• Stuff to Do in Tampa Bay shared: "The Tampa Riverwalk Holiday Lighted Boat Parade is back on Dec. 17!🛥️ Gather around as decorated boats parade their way up and down the Hillsborough River in this festive competition🏆❄️ 👇" (Stuff to Do in Tampa Bay via Facebook)
• Max Chesnes of Tampa Bay Times shared: "Red tide blooms were found in 40 water samples this week: 31 in Sarasota County, 5 in/offshore of Lee, 2 in/offshore of Collier, 1 in Manatee, 1 in Charlotte." (Twitter)

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Now you're in the loop and ready to head out the door on this Saturday. 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 Daily? Contact me at SouthTampa@Patch.com