🌱 Tampa Police Union Wades Into City Council Fight + Ybor Speaks

Hello there, Tampa. I'm here in your inbox this morning to get you caught up on everything you need to know about what's going on in town, including updates on:

• Tampa Police Department, through its police union, has refused to support four Tampa City Council incumbents amid city tensions with City of Tampa Mayor Jane Castor, who is also running for re-election.
• A public art project focused on Ybor City's immigrant history is being located at Centennial Park for visitors to enjoy.
• The Publix Gasparilla Distance Classic is coming to Tampa with thousands of runners at the end of the month.

But first, today's weather:

A shower and thunderstorm. High: 74 Low: 51.

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Here are the top stories today in Tampa:

1. Ybor Speaks is a new public art project at Centennial Park in Historic Ybor City that offers visitors a look into the immigrant history of the former cigar town in Tampa that dates back over 100 years. The soundscape at the exhibit plays at the top of each hour from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day except Saturday and during special events. An online component is also available on YouTube to experience. (Tampa Patch)
2. Tampa Police Department (TPD), through its Police Benevolent Association, has refused to support the re-election of four of seven Tampa City Council incumbents, amid tensions between the council and City of Tampa Mayor Jane Castor. Tensions include a controversy where the mayor's office failed to disclose to the council an investigation by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) into the Tampa Police Department and a long-running battle over who runs the Tampa Police Department. Castor is running for re-election in March and is a former Chief of Police. (Subscription: Tampa Bay Times, Free: WFLA)
3. Gasparilla season is in full swing. The Publix Gasparilla Distance Classic will return on Feb. 25 and 26. The race is expected to bring thousands of people to the area. Registration is available through Feb. 19. The race is offering special challenges for runners to take as well. (That's So Tampa)
4. Tex-Mex chain Torchy’s Tacos has now opened across the bridge in St. Petersburg at 2314 Tyrone Blvd. North next to Portillo's, according to CL Tampa Bay. More locations are planned in Tampa Bay in the future. Pick-up and delivery are both available through their website. (Creative Loafing Tampa)
5. Streamsong Resort in South Polk County has been sold to Lone Windmill LLC by Mosaic Company for $160 million, according to Fox 13. Lone Windmill is a subsidiary of KemperSports. Expansion plans are now in the works. (Fox 13 Tampa)

Today in Tampa:

• Mardi Gras at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay. (10 a.m.)
• First Friday Organ Recital Series at The University of Tampa College of Arts and Letters. (noon)
• Cuban Pathways at Tampa Bay History Center. (1:30 p.m.)
• Gala To Benefit Glazer Children's Museum at Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park. (7 p.m.)
• Tampa Roller Derby Draft Party at New World Brewery. (8 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Tampa Bay Buccaneers shared: "You'll always be Tampa Tommy to us! 📸: bccn.rs/3wMfPjD" (Tampa Bay Buccaneers via Facebook)
• Tampa Bay Lightning shared: "Mosaic Florida Operations is donating $500 for every goal and $5,000 for every hat trick we score at home this season as part of our Goals for Food initiative. With 23 goals in January, we added another $11,500 to our season total." (Tampa Bay Lightning via Facebook)
• Tampa International Airport shared: "A PLANESPOTTER'S DREAM: A small group of aviation enthusiasts from our Facebook group The Plane Spot joined us today for an up-close tour of TPA. The group is home to thousands of people from all over the world who document their travel experiences and share photos of various aircrafts." (Tampa International Airport via Facebook)
• Tampa General Hospital shared: "A huge congratulations to John D. Couris, our president & CEO, on once again being named to the Tampa Bay Business Journal's Power 100 list! The list recognizes the most influential business leaders in our region." (Tampa General Hospital via Facebook)
• City of Tampa shared: "This Saturday, Feb. 4, join Keep Tampa Bay Beautiful for a Tampa Riverwalk cleanup from 8-11 a.m. Get involved: tampa.gov/KeepItClean." (City of Tampa via Facebook)

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Events:

• Taxes in Retirement Webinar (February 6)
• Taxes in Retirement Seminar at John F. Germany Library on Feb. 7 & 8 (February 7)
• Hope Spot Festival (February 11)
• Valentine's Day Dance Party| Live Music (February 14)
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Housing:

• Senior Independent living, assisted living, and memory care listings! NEW LISTINGS (Details)
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Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Friday off right. See you all tomorrow morning for another 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.

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