🌱 Ybor City's Gas Worx Groundbreaking Date + Shaka-Laka Shores Coming

Good morning, Tampa. I'm here in your inbox today to get you caught up on everything you need to know about what's going on around town. Today you'll read about...

• Tampa Riverwalk is now ranked No. 2 in the nation for Best Riverwalks in America
• A former Riverview martial arts instructor has been arrested by police after allegedly "inappropriately touching" his students, according to authorities
• Ybor City's Gas Worx will have its official groundbreaking on March 6

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Now, today's weather: Sunshine and not as warm. High: 74 Low: 58.

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Here are the top stories today in Tampa:

1. Tampa Riverwalk has ranked No. 2 in America’s Best Riverwalks in USA Today's 10 Best Reader’s Choice Travel Awards. Tampa came behind Detroit’s International Riverwalk. The ranking comes after 4 weeks of voting took place online. (Tampa Patch)
2. A Tampa area youth pastor and foster parent are being accused by police of sex trafficking minors, according to Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office (HCSO). The two suspects are accused of multiple crimes. Anyone with information is asked to call HCSO at 813-247-8200. (Fox 13 Tampa)
3. Ybor City's Gas Worx development project will hold an official groundbreaking on March 6. The 50-acre project will forever change the look of one of the most historic cities in the Tampa area. The new development will eventually have 5,000 residences, over 500,000-square-feet of office space, and nearly 140,000-square-feet of new retail. (That's So Tampa)
4. Adventure Island Water Park is opening Shaka-Laka Shores, which is a new splash and play zone for kids to enjoy that will feature interactive water activities. Adventure Island will open March 4 with the new zone planned for the end of March. (WFLA)
5. Riverview martial arts instructor Daniel Medina-Alvarez, of the now shuttered Medina Martial Arts Studio, is accused of "inappropriately touching" his students, according to HCSO. Medina-Alvarez was arrested by authorities at his Riverview home on Feb. 14. (WTSP)

Today in Tampa:

• Ybor City Saturday Market at Centennial Park. (9 a.m.)
• 9th Annual Beer, Bourbon & BBQ Festival at Curtis Hixon Park. (noon)
• 7th Annual Pasco Blues Festival at Land O' Lakes Heritage Park. (noon)
• Brunched at Tampa River Center At Julian B. Lane Park. (1 p.m.)
• Can Release Fundraiser For FEBR! at Two Shepherds Taproom. (4 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Tampa Bay Buccaneers shared: "Welcome to Tampa, Coach Canales! 🙌 📰: bccn.rs/Canales" (Tampa Bay Buccaneers via Facebook)
• Tampa Bay Lightning shared: "He does it all 🤩 With last night's game, Nick Paul has reached 300 career NHL games!" (Tampa Bay Lightning via Facebook)
• Tampa Bay Rays shared: "Be the first to get official 25th-anniversary merch available online and in-store this Saturday! RaysBaseball.com/FanFest" (Tampa Bay Rays via Facebook)
• Tampa General Hospital shared: "We're thrilled to announce that the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has officially presented the Patents for Humanity award to USF Health Morsani College of Medicine for their innovative, life-saving work in COVID-19 testing. 🎉" (Tampa General Hospital via Facebook)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Featured events:

• Walk'n with Rick for District 6 (February 18)
• Free Grief Seminar (February 21)
• Breast Ultrasound Screening Coming Direct to You! (February 22)
• Cirque Ma'Ceo is coming to Pinellas Park! (February 24)
• Add your event

Featured housing:

• Senior Independent living, assisted living, and memory care listings! NEW LISTINGS (Details)
• Add your listing

Alrighty, 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 Patch newsletter? Contact me at SouthTampa@Patch.com