Transgender Sports Ban + Mr. Florida + Restaurant Fire

Good Morning and Happy Wednesday! My name is Carlos Hernandez and I am back to update you on the latest happening in the Tampa area with Patch News.

In this issue, you'll learn about Gov. DeSantis' new transgender sports ban, retirement of a long-running fire chief, a fire at a local restaurant, arrest of "Mr. Florida", and more.

Today’s weather: The high is 90 and the low is 73 with scattered thunderstorms.

Here are the top 5 stories happening around Tampa:

1. Governor Ron DeSantis signed a transgender sports ban on the first day of LGBTQ Pride month. This adds Florida to a list of states passing bans against transgender participation in sports and legal challenges are likely. (Tampa Bay Times)

2. Long-running Tampa Fire Chief Nick LoCicero retired after a six-month investigation cleared him of wrongdoing. The decision was made public by City of Tampa Mayor Jane Castor. (Tampa Bay Times)

3. A fire at Duffy’s Sports Grill in Tampa caused $85,000 in damages. The fire is believed to have been started by "improperly discarded smoking material". Nobody was hurt in the fire. (Patch)

4. A Zephyrhills man, also known as "Mr. Florida", was arrested by police for a slew of bizarre burglaries. Police say one of his strange thefts was $600 worth of White Claw from a restaurant freezer that he then dumped in a retention pond. (Patch)

5. A 67-year-old woman was arrested after a body was found in Carrollwood. She was charged with abuse of a human body, a second-degree felony. (WFLA)

Today in Tampa:

• ETCRP HESS (Health, Education & Social Services) Subcommittee Meeting at TPD District III Conference Room. (3:30 p.m.)
• Bourbon and Brains at Dark Door Spirits. (5:30 p.m.)
• Wellness at the Wharf presented by Sparkman Wharf and Bella Prana Yoga and Meditation. (6:30 p.m.)
• Family Craft Night at New Tampa Family YMCA. (6:30 p.m.)
• Tim Bae at Tampa Improv Comedy Theater. 21+ only (7 p.m.)
• Nights of Future Past: Retro Music Video Night at New World Brewery. (7 p.m.)

Tampa Patch Notebook:

• Philippe Park was closed Monday in Safety Harbor due a black bear sighting. Part of a string of recent observations in Pinellas County.
• Tampa International Airport saw about 236,000 passengers during Memorial Day Weekend.
• Florida Commissioner of Agriculture, Nikki Fried, has announced a run for Governor.
• Forbes is reporting that Governor Ron DeSantis is crafting a cruise line exemption for his “vaccine passport” ban.
• Pinellas County is reminding residents that a fertilizer ordinance prohibits the sale or application of fertilizers containing nitrogen and/or phosphorus between June 1st and September 30th.

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That's all for today. I will be back tomorrow with the latest happening in Tampa. My inbox is open if you have any tips to send or want to reach out: tampadaily@patch.com

-Carlos Hernandez

About me: I have lived in Florida since 1999 and covered the Tampa area for nearly 10 years, mainly with a focus on food through my blog at CarlosEats.com.