🌱 Tampa Police Officer Placed On Leave After DUI + 'The Nutcracker'

Welcome back, Tampa. I'm here in your inbox this morning to get you up to speed on everything you need to know about what's going on in town. In today's issue of the Tampa Daily, we have these stories and more...

• A Tampa police office has been placed on leave following a DUI crash on Friday.
• Police have identified a dead body found floating off Egmont Key.
• "The Nutcracker" is back at the Straz Center for this weekend only.

But first, today's weather:

A passing afternoon shower. High: 74 Low: 56.

Here are the top stories in Tampa today:

1. Tampa Police Officer Rickado StFleur has been placed on administrative leave following a driving under the influence (DUI) arrest early Friday morning. The officer will remain on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation into this crash, according to the police report. (Tampa Patch)

2. City of Tampa has paid out around $2.3 million to qualifying applicants for rent assistance since October. The assistance comes amid an affordable housing crisis and a rise in homelessness in the area. "Once the funds do run out, we will have to close the program," said Kayon Henderson with Tampa's Housing and Community Development Division. (WTSP)

3. New Port Richey police chief Kim Bogart was summoned to the city council last month to explain an incident when Bogart allegedly prayed with a far-right extremist group and another incident involving an officer who made a Holocaust joke in a Jewish woman’s home. The police chief did not apologize for the incidents, but instead defended himself and the officers involved. (Creative Loafing Tampa)

4. A dead body found floating off Egmont Key last Saturday has been identified by the FBI as Heather Rose Strickland, of Pinellas County. Her body was found wrapped in bedding and a plastic trash bag, according to the FBI. (WFLA)

5. The Next Generation Ballet is back for this weekend only with "The Nutcracker" at the Straz Center in downtown Tampa this weekend. Tickets can be purchased online. The ages of cast members range from 6 to 20 years old. (Fox 13 Tampa)

Today in Tampa:

• Coffee Tasting & Roasting 101 at Felicitous. (10 a.m.)
• Ugly Sweater Bar Crawl — South Tampa at MacDinton's South Tampa. (4 p.m.)
• Frosted A Winter Wonderland Experience at The CURRENT Hotel. (5 p.m.)
• Holiday Lighted Boat Parade 2022 at American Victory Ship & Museum. (6 p.m.)
• Femmes & Follies: Tease the Season at La La's Sangria Bar. (7 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Humane Society of Tampa Bay shared: "BRING BIG LOVE HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS 🎄 We have a saying around HSTB, 'We like big mutts and we cannot lie,' and it's true! Add coming to meet one of our big, sweet dogs looking for their forever family on your to-do list this weekend." (Humane Society of Tampa Bay via Facebook)
• Tampa Bay Buccaneers shared: "We've ruled out four Bucs for Week 15." (Tampa Bay Buccaneers via Facebook)
• City of Tampa shared: "On Sunday, join us as we celebrate the start of Chanukah with a menorah lighting at City Hall. Chanukah in the City starts at 5 p.m. with family-friendly fun, music, food and other festivities." (City of Tampa via Facebook)
• Tampa Pride: "Get ready for Tampa Pride’s 3rd Ultimate Showdown Jan. 22, 2023, at Southern Nights Tampa. 15 contestants competing for the title plus $1,000.00 cash and bookings around the Tampa Bay area." (Tampa Pride via Facebook)

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You're officially in the loop for today! See you tomorrow for 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