🌱 Tampa Storage Facility Fire + Tampa Riverwalk Running For Top Award

Hello, neighbors. It's me, Carlos Hernandez, your host of the Tampa Daily — here to impart all the most important things happening in town. Including news on...

• City of Tampa Mayor Jane Castor has announced she will begin the search for a new Tampa police chief in April.
• Tampa Riverwalk is in the running for best riverwalk in America.
• Hillsborough County Fire Rescue saved a dog at Lucy Dell Park on Monday.

Now, today's weather:

Partly sunny, warm and humid. High: 81 Low: 64.

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Here are the top stories today in Tampa:

1. Hillsborough County Fire Rescue and animal control officers saved a dog on floating vegetation at Lucy Dell Park on Monday. A child who saw the dog notified school officials who then contacted Hillsborough County Pet Resource Center. The dog was nicknamed "Gil" in honor of his rescue hero. (Tampa Patch)
2. Tampa Riverwalk is the running to be the best riverwalk in America. As of Monday evening, the Tampa icon is trailing Detroit's International Riverwalk. The Tampa Riverwalk was first imagined by former City of Tampa Mayor Bill Poe in 1975. (WFLA)
3. City of Tampa Mayor Jane Castor will begin her hunt for a new Tampa police chief to replace disgraced former Tampa Police Chief Mary O'Connor in April after the city's municipal election. Castor is currently running for re-election on March 7. Tampa Police Assistant Chief Lee Bercaw is currently serving as interim police chief. (WTSP)
4. A fire broke out last Friday at a storage facility located at 5808 N 50th St. in Tampa, according to Hillsborough Fire Rescue. Firefighters reportedly received intel that people may be living in the storage facilities but could not find any evidence to support the claim. The cause of the fire is under investigation. (Tampa Patch)
5. The team behind Kōsen, an upcoming omakase restaurant in Tampa Heights, has made nominated for a James Beard Foundation Award, one of the most prestigious restaurant accolades attainable. Johnny and Jimmy Tung have been nominated for the foundation's Outstanding Restaurateur award and own numerous restaurants around Florida. The Tung's largest concept is Bento Asian Kitchen, which has at least three locations in Tampa Bay. (That's So Tampa)

Today in Tampa:

• School Board Workshop at Hillsborough County Schools. (10 a.m.)
• Crochet Buddies at Hillsborough County Public Library Cooperative. (3 p.m.)
• Wine Tasting With Robert Tomé Of Tomé Group Wine at Starkey Barn. (6 p.m.)
• Bi oke Night at Kickin Wingz. (6 p.m.)
• WhistlePig Cocktails & Gourmet Pairings — Burlesque Performance at Sonder Social Club. (6:30 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• City of Tampa shared: "Wondering what to do with your Gasparilla beads? Bring them to our bead collection sites starting Jan. 30 so they can be cleaned and reused. Info: tampa.gov/BeadFreeBay." (City of Tampa via Facebook)
• Tampa Theatre shared: "Join us with Mayor Jane Castor as she welcomes the crowd and officially kicks off our Black Love Classics Series with the showing of The Wiz on Sunday, Feb. 5." (Tampa Theatre via Facebook)
• City of Tampa shared: "Tampa residents! Are you registered to vote? The deadline to register to vote in the upcoming City of Tampa municipal election is Feb. 6, 2023. Register to vote or update your information at: votehillsborough.gov." (City of Tampa via Facebook)
• Lakeland Policed shared: "Officers and Detectives with the Lakeland Police Department are currently investigating a shooting investigation involving multiple victims. Chief Sam Taylor will be briefing the media at 7 p.m. at the Lakeland Police Department. The media update will be streamed live on our Facebook page." (Lakeland PD on Facebook)

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Thanks for following along and staying informed! 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.

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