🌱 Temple Terrace Bribery Charges + Weekend Asian Farmers Market + DARE Program Expanded

Good day, neighbors! Carlos Hernandez here with the Tuesday issue of the Tampa Daily.

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First, today's weather:

Mostly sunny and nice. High: 72 Low: 55.

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Here are the top five stories in Tampa today:

1. Temple Terrace Community Development director Amir Anisi has been charged with two felonies for allegedly taking a bribe for a city contract following a 6-month investigation into a project to renovate the family recreational center. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) began the probe in August after an anonymous letter revealed allegations that an unlicensed contractor was hired to build a pickleball court. (WFLA)

2. U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor, D-Tampa, is leading the bipartisan Tampa Bay Congressional Delegation in urging the Federal Aviation Administration to replace Tampa International Airport's deteriorating air traffic control tower. President Biden's bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act could be used to make the repairs. (Tampa Patch)

3. The weekend Asian farmers market at England Brothers Park in Pinellas Park hosts vendors and produce providers for locals to enjoy. Many vendors used to sell at Wagon Wheel Flea market, but were left with nowhere to go when it closed. (WTSP)

4. Law enforcement officers at Saturday’s Gasparilla parade arrested five people during the pirate-themed festivities. Two of those arrested are facing felony charges for battery on a law enforcement officer. The other three were arrested on misdemeanor charges of disorderly conduct and trespassing. (Fox 13 Tampa)

5. Tampa Mayor Jane Castor announced on Monday that the city expanded the purchase limit for DARE, one of its most popular housing support programs. Castor said the city moved the DARE cap to $300,000 as rent and housing prices continue to climb. It’s just shy of the state-mandated $311,000 limit. DARE provides first-time buyers with fully forgivable down payment assistance loans. (Florida Politics)

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Today in Tampa:

• Free Tuesday at Glazer Children's Museum. (10:00 AM)
• Tampa General Hospital Job Fair at George M. Steinbrenner Field. (11:00 AM)
• Makerspace Showcase at Hillsborough County Public Library Cooperative (2:30 PM)
• Women's Tennis - State College of Florida vs. Tampa. (3:00 PM)
• Family Cheap Skate Night at United Skates of America. (6:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• The beads and parade festivities don’t have to come to an end, the fun continues at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay for Mardi Gras every weekend through March 6th. (Facebook)
• The Italy Expo is coming to Tampa Bay. Check out the Bay area’s largest Italian expo for food, fashion and all things Italy from February 4th to February 6th. (Facebook)
• If you're planning on registering for entertainment at Tampa Pride, do it today. Registration closes this week. (Facebook)
• Localtopia is showcasing 300+ independent businesses and community organizations on February 12th, 2022. (Twitter)
• Here’s a list of Walgreen locations that will distribute N95 masks once they have them: https://www.walgreens.com/imag...

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Events:

• St. Pete Food Tour (February 1)
• Hiring a Residential Asphalt Contractor (February 3)
• Taxes in Retirement Seminar (February 8)
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Alrighty, you're all caught up for today. I'll be back in your inbox tomorrow with 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.