🌱 Tropical Storm Nicole Updates + Hillsborough County Board Flips Red

Good morning, everybody. It's me, Carlos Hernandez, your host of the Tampa Daily — back in your inbox with everything that's fit to print about what's happening in town these days. In today's issue, you'll find these stories and more:

• 🗳️ Republicans have taken control of the Hillsborough County Commission after losses from Mariella Smith and former chair Kim Overman.
• 🌀 Hillsborough County has opened an emergency storm shelter as Tropical Storm Nicole approaches.
• 🏫 Several school districts in the Tampa Bay area will be closed ahead of the arrival of Tropical Storm Nicole.

Today is Area Code Day. Who remembers when "813" was the only area code in Tampa?

Note: Patch readers are strongly encouraged to use caution and follow safety protocol when choosing to attend an event as Tropical Storm Nicole approaches. These events are accurate as of the newsletter's writing, please check with the event organizer for the most recent status update.

But first, today's weather:

Tropical storm. High: 76 Low: 72.

Here are the top stories in Tampa today:

1. Hillsborough County has opened an emergency storm shelter at Erwin Technical College for residents who are concerned for their safety as Tropical Storm Nicole approaches the area. Residents are asked to be prepared before the storm brings heavy wind and rain to the area. No evacuations have been ordered as of Wednesday evening in Hillsborough County. (Tampa Patch)

2. Hillsborough County's Commision flipped red on Election Day with voters throwing out Democratic incumbents. Mariella Smith and former chair Kim Overman suffered upsets with the county now 4-3. Democrats outnumber Republicans in the county by 52,530 voters and were still defeated. (Florida Politics)

3. School districts across the Tampa area announced closures ahead of the arrival of Tropical Storm Nicole. Hillsborough County Public Schools will be closed Thursday due to impacts from the storm. More updates are expected as the storm approaches. (WFLA)

4. AdventHealth has donated $1.7 million to the Polk State College Foundation in an effort to boost the school's nursing program. The donation comes amid a massive nursing shortage in Florida after COVID-19. (Subscription: Tampa Bay Business Journal)

5. Baby boomer sensation Foreigner is coming to Tampa's Hard Rock Event Center on Tuesday, Nov. 15. The band is no stranger to the Tampa area and has made numerous stops over the last few years including at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay. (Creative Loafing Tampa)

Today in Tampa:

• Lutz Coffee Connections — Working Women of Tampa Bay at Harper Therapy. (9 a.m.)
• Alternative Products Expo Tampa at Tampa Convention Center. (11 a.m.)
• Art On The House at Tampa Museum of Art. (3 p.m.)
• 6th Annual Faces of Philanthropy Gala at Epicurean Hotel. (7 p.m.)
• Charity Cocktail Dinner Benefiting Feeding Tampa Bay at Theatre Armature Works. (7 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• City of Tampa shared: "NICOLE UPDATE: City offices will be closed today (Nov. 10) due to expected impacts of Tropical Storm Nicole. Watch live for more storm updates." (City of Tampa via Facebook)
• Busch Gardens Tampa Bay shared: "UPDATE: Busch Gardens will be closed Thursday, Nov. 10. For additional details, please visit: bit.ly/3CbdL8u" (Busch Gardens Tampa Bay via Facebook)
• Tampa Police Department posted: "Chief O’Connor shares more information at press conference in reference to Nov. 6 homicide." (Tampa Police Department via Facebook)
• Tampa International Airport shared: "TROPICAL STORM NICOLE UPDATE: TPA PLANS TO REMAIN OPEN ✅ ⛈️: We anticipate no significant impacts from the storm ✈️: Please check with your airline for flight updates." (Tampa International Airport via Facebook)

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Events:

• Alternative Products Expo takes over Tampa! — Get your free ticket now!! (November 10)
• Breast Ultrasound Screening Coming Direct to You! (November 11)
• TAMPA GET YOUR FREE TICKETS NOW! 👋🏻 Find cool products & live a better life with AltProExpo! (November 11)
• 🏃🏻‍♀️Hurry up! GET YOUR FREE TICKET! I bet you didn’t know about Alternative Products Expo! 👀 (November 12)
• Breast Ultrasound Screening Coming Direct to You! (November 15)
• Taxes in Retirement Seminar at HCC Ybor City Campus (November 15)
• Add your event

You're all caught up for today. 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 Daily? Contact me at SouthTampa@Patch.com