🌱 Tampa Snake On A Plane + Hillsborough County Fair Returns Nov.

Good morning, everybody! It's Thursday in Tampa and I'm back in your inbox with everything you need to know about what's happening in town. Today we'll cover...

• 🐍 A snake which snuck on a flight from Tampa International Airport to Newark Liberty International Airport on Monday.
• 🚓 Tampa Police are investigating the shooting death of a juvenile at a Tampa McDonald's.
• 🎡 The Hillsborough County Fair is returning next month with plenty of activities to enjoy.

Today is National Conflict Resolution Day. It's a great day to seek resolution in any conflict in your life whether related to work, family, or relationships.

But first, today's weather:

Nice with plenty of sunshine. High: 74 Low: 54.

🏡 Attention, real estate pros in Tampa! We're now offering an exclusive sponsorship opportunity for an agent interested in attracting local clients and standing apart from the competition. Click here to learn more.

Here are the top stories today in Tampa:

1. Tampa Police are investigating the shooting death of a juvenile on Tuesday night at McDonald's located at 4009 N Armenue Ave. Officers said the juvenile was shot once in the chest and pronounced dead at the scene. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Tampa Police Department. (Tampa Patch)

2. A Florida snake snuck on a United Airlines flight Monday from Tampa International Airport to Newark Liberty International Airport. The snake was a harmless garter snake and discovered when the plane was taxiing on the runway, causing some passengers to scream in fear. (WTSP)

3. A 16-year-old has been arrested in relation to a shooting at a South Tampa apartment complex last week on Oct. 14, according to Tampa Police. Police said the suspect is related to another girl involved in the shooting and was wearing a mask during the incident, but has since confessed to police. (ABC Action News)

4. The DoubleTree Hotel on West Cypress St. will permanently close its doors on or around Dec. 19 to make way for an expansion of I-275. 74 employees will be impacted by the closure, according to a notice made to the state. (Subscription: Tampa Bay Business Journal)

5. Hillsborough County Fair is returning to the Hillsborough County Fairgrounds in Dover from Nov. 3 to Nov. 13. The theme this year is "Homegrown Fun!" and will feature rides, food, entertainment, and exhibits. Parking will be free and admission will be $10 for adults with a number of deals throughout the fair. (Creative Loafing Tampa)

Today in Tampa:

• Free Fall Festival at Watermelon Swim South Tampa. (8 a.m.)
• Bearss Groves Pumpkin Patch. (9 a.m.)
• Friends Of The Riverview Public Library Monthly Meeting. (1 p.m.)
• Tampa City Ballet To Present 'Souls Of Paradise.' (5 p.m.)
• I Want Your Midnights at The Orpheum. (10 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Famed opera singer Andrea Bocelli is headed to Tampa for a Valentine's Day concert on Feb. 16, 2023, at 8 p.m. at Amalie Arena. Tickets will go on-sale Oct. 31 at 10 a.m. (WFLA)
• Tampa Solid Waste Department has opened two drop-off sites for storm-related debris including tree branches, tree trunks and other leafy material. Hours of operation will be 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Saturday until further notice. (Tampa Patch)
• Billionaire philanthropist MacKenzie Scott has donated $2 million to The Girl Scouts of West Central Florida. The chapter is based in Tampa Bay and includes 8 counties in the region. (St. Pete Catalyst)
• Dollar General is facing an additional $1.68 million in fines after government safety inspectors from OSHA found violations at four locations including at a Dollar General in Tampa. The violations focus on the store putting worker safety at risk, fire hazards, and more. (WLRN)
• Tampa Bay Rays shared: "Don’t forget to make a plan to vote! The last day to vote in the Midterm Elections is Nov. 8. Resources at raysbaseball.com/elections." (Tampa Bay Rays via Facebook)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Featured businesses:

• ClearUp Digital Marketing: Tampa Web Design — (Visit website)
• Add your business here

Events:

• Dreaming in Premodern China (October 20)
• Tall Tales of Old Florida (October 22)
• Florida Orlando Jerk Festival Set for Sunday, October 23rd. (October 23)
• Breast Ultrasound Screening Coming Direct to You! (October 24)
• 'The Confucian Analects' - A Fresh Look at A Classic from Ancient China (October 27)
• Sounding Joy “Hearos” Golf Tournament (November 12)
• Add your event

Announcements:

• Travel Agency in Cape Coral, FL - M and D Travel-Dream Vacations, Virgin Voyages Valiant Miami MerMa (Details)
• Add your announcement

Alrighty, you're all good for today! I'll see you soon.

— 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