🌱 Tampa Ranked Top City For Dogs + Tampa Ex-Felon Voter Convicted

Hello, friends! I'm back with your new copy of the Tampa Patch newsletter, fresh off the presses. Let's get this Friday started off right, with a quick review of everything you need to know about what's happening around town. Today you'll find news about...

• Tampa is ranked as one of the U.S.A.'s top pet-friendly cities.
• A Florida State Attorney has secured the conviction of a Tampa man in a controversial voter fraud case launched by a task force created by Gov. Ron DeSantis.
• Watson Clinic in Lakeland is planning to host a fundraiser for March of Dimes and its annual March for Babies campaign.

But first, today's weather: Plenty of sun. High: 87 Low: 68.

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Here are the top stories in Tampa today:

1. City of Tampa is now ranked as one of the United States' top pet-friendly cities. Tampa now boasts 17 public dog parks after the recent opening of 4th and Angel Dog Park located at 1802 E. 4th Ave. in Ybor City. Those interested in supporting the park can donate online. (Tampa Patch)
2. A Florida State Attorney has secured the conviction of a Tampa man in the controversial voter fraud cases Gov. Ron DeSantis launched through a task force after the 2020 election. Byron Leonard Smith has entered a guilty plea for unlawfully casting a vote and will go on probation for six months and pay $560 in court fees. Critics described the cases as entrapment by Florida officials, who approved voting applications for ex-felons and then proceeded to send law enforcement to arrest them. (Florida Politics)
3. "Disney on Ice: Road Trip Adventures" is now live at Amalie Arena in downtown Tampa through March 26. One attendee shared of the experience, "So much fun. Lots of kids singing and dancing everywhere. Will go again." Tickets are available online. (ABC Action News)
4. Watson Clinic in Lakeland is planning to host a fundraising event in support of the March of Dimes and their annual March for Babies campaign. The fundraiser will happen on April 21 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the parking lot of Watson Clinic Main located at 1600 Lakeland Hills Blvd. It will be a kick-off for the March for Babies walk which is happening April 29. (Tampa Bay Newswire)
5. The Pasco County Sheriff’s Office said it will change its controversial intelligence-led policing (ILP) program, which has been the subject of multiple lawsuits in court, according to documents. The program was running for over 10 years and allegedly led to discrimination and harassment from the sheriff's office against residents in the area. Critics said the sheriff's office compiled a list of people they allege will commit crimes in the future and used the list to surveillance residents. (WFLA)

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Today in Tampa:

• Cafe Con Tampa at Willa's. (8 a.m.)
• Vintage Roost Market. (9 a.m.)
• Haya Night Mercado! at Hotel Haya. (6 p.m.)
• Parents Night Out at The Humane Society Of Tampa Bay. (6 p.m.)
• Silent Disco Pride Celebration at Water Street Tampa. (8 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Tampa Bay Buccaneers shared: "Welcome to Tampa, Greg Gaines 👋 📰: bccn.rs/3lEcIbK" (Tampa Bay Buccaneers via Facebook)
• City of Tampa shared: "This Saturday! Join the celebration of love, diversity, and inclusion at the Tampa Pride Parade. 🏳️‍🌈 The parade starts at 4 p.m. on 7th Ave in Ybor. We hope to see you there! ❤️🧡💛💚💙💜🖤🤎🤍. Event info: tampapride.org/parade-2/" (City of Tampa via Facebook)
• Hillsborough County Public Schools shared: "Congratulations to all of our students who were selected as winners of the 2023 Hillsborough County, Florida Government Drop Savers Water Conservation Poster Contest. " (Hillsborough County Public Schools via Facebook)
• City of Tampa shared: "SUBCONTRACTORS 👷 Want to learn how you can get involved with City of Tampa projects? Registration is open for our upcoming Bridges to Business Subcontractor Outreach and Networking Event. Learn more and register: tampa.gov/BTBTour." (City of Tampa via Facebook)

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Featured events:

• TerraNova Grand Prix Brunch (March 25)
• Tour de Kerouac - Guided Bike Ride (March 26)
• Westchase Egg Hunt (April 2)
• Jazz at the Ballroom Presents "Accentuate the Positive" (April 16)
• Add your event

Now you're in the loop and ready to head out the door on this Friday. See you all tomorrow 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.

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Tampa Patch newsletter? Contact me at SouthTampa@Patch.com