Community News
Thursday, June 18, 2026 · Hillsborough County
Lake County cuts irrigation to one day per week as drought deepens
Lake County residents must cut landscape irrigation to one day per week under a new drought order from the St. Johns River Water Management District.
UF Professor Carves Wooden Comfort Symbols for Shands Cancer Patients
A UF professor carved over 200 wooden comfort symbols for cancer patients at Shands Hospital while recovering from long COVID. Students packaged the handcrafted carvings with encouragement messages for delivery to patients undergoing treatment.
Thursday, June 18, 2026
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Thursday, June 18, 2026
Two motorcyclists arrested after fleeing Brandon traffic stop
Deputies used helicopter surveillance to track two fleeing motorcyclists in Brandon on June 13. One suspect abandoned his bike; the other was stopped by an oncoming train.
Thursday, June 18, 2026
Tampa resident, 25, buys first home with city assistance
Adrianne Harden, 25, closed on her first home in Seminole Heights this February using $100,000 in city down payment assistance through the DARE to Own the Dream program.
Thursday, June 18, 2026
Tampa Police Officer Arrested on Child Sexual Abuse Charges
Tampa police arrested officer Jonathan Darling on June 15 on charges of sexual activity with a 16-year-old minor he met through a dating app. The department relieved him of duty immediately.
Thursday, June 18, 2026
Two motorcyclists arrested after fleeing Brandon traffic stop
Deputies arrested two motorcyclists in Brandon after they fled a traffic stop June 13. One suspect was stopped by a passing train.
Thursday, June 18, 2026
Two motorcyclists arrested after fleeing traffic stop in Brandon
Two motorcyclists arrested June 13 after fleeing a traffic stop in Brandon. The Sheriff's Office Aviation Unit tracked them from above as ground deputies closed in.
Thursday, June 18, 2026
Tampa General Marks 40 Years as Nation's Top Heart Transplant Center
Tampa General Hospital completed 54 heart transplants in 2024 and achieved three surgical firsts, cementing its position as the nation's largest transplant center by volume.
Thursday, June 18, 2026
Tampa General Opens Specialized Clinic for Aortic Dissection
Tampa General Hospital opened a specialized Aortic Dissection Clinic to provide comprehensive diagnosis and treatment of complex aortic disease in one location.
Thursday, June 18, 2026
Tampa General marks 40 years of midwifery services
Tampa General Hospital's midwifery program reached its 40th anniversary this month, marking four decades of maternity services that now collaborate with USF Health and have earned national recognition for obstetrics care.
Thursday, June 18, 2026
Tampa Man Arrested in Chihuahua's Death
Tampa Police arrested a 37-year-old man on charges of aggravated animal cruelty in the death of a family's Chihuahua. Investigators say Christopher Malone inflicted a fatal injury on the four-pound dog in early May.
Thursday, June 18, 2026
USF Theatre Presents '9 to 5 The Musical' in Final Show of Season
USF Theatre stages '9 to 5 The Musical' April 17-27, closing its season with Dolly Parton's Broadway musical about workplace rebellion.
Thursday, June 18, 2026
Tampa Convention Center Installs Three Public Art Pieces
The Tampa Convention Center installed three public artworks over 16 months, featuring sculptures and light installations that reference the city's waterways, tidal patterns and Gasparilla mythology.
Thursday, June 18, 2026
Tampa Police Officer Arrested for Speeding 100+ MPH on I-75
A Tampa Police officer arrested Sunday on I-75 was clocked driving more than 100 mph in his personal vehicle. He was already under investigation for an unrelated matter.
Thursday, June 18, 2026
Tampa Parks & Recreation Opens Summer Camps for 7,000 Youth
Tampa Parks & Recreation opened summer camps Tuesday for 7,000 youth, hiring 400 seasonal employees and operating the free Stay & Play teen program seven nights a week.
Thursday, June 18, 2026
Tampa Police Teach 100+ Kids to Fish at Annual Clinic
Over 100 Tampa children will learn fishing techniques and receive free equipment at the fifth annual Youth Fishing Clinic on Saturday at Picnic Island.
Thursday, June 18, 2026
Tampa Opens Microgrant Program for Small Businesses, Up to $15,000
Tampa launches a microgrant program Tuesday offering up to $15,000 to small businesses and startups. Applicants must have household incomes at or below 80 percent of the Area Median Income.
Thursday, June 18, 2026
Tampa Police Chief Lee Bercaw to Retire in August 2026
Tampa Police Chief Lee Bercaw will retire in August 2026 after 30 years with the department. He will join USF as a criminology professor.
Thursday, June 18, 2026
Tampa Building Official JC Hudgison Named 2026 State Award Winner
Tampa Chief Building Official JC Hudgison earned the Building Officials Association of Florida's 2026 Building Official of the Year award, recognized for introducing online permit tools and leading the city toward national accreditation.
Thursday, June 18, 2026
After Years of Struggle, Southwest Florida Mother Finds Tools Through LSF Program
A Southwest Florida mother found stability for her family through Lutheran Services Florida's SNAP program, which taught her daughter practical tools to manage behavioral challenges over 13 weeks.
Thursday, June 18, 2026
SNAP Program Helps Southwest Florida Mother, Daughter Turn Crisis Into Stability
After 13 weeks in Lutheran Services Florida's SNAP program, a Southwest Florida mother watched her daughter's behavioral crises transform into stability and hope.
Thursday, June 18, 2026
Tampa Convention Center Wins Smart Stars Award for Second Year
The Tampa Convention Center won the 2026 Smart Stars Award for the second straight year, voted by meeting professionals across North America.
Thursday, June 18, 2026
Temple Terrace Seeks Hurricane Equipment Funding in Tallahassee
Temple Terrace's top officials traveled to Tallahassee to seek state funding for hurricane equipment upgrades.
Thursday, June 18, 2026
Tampa to Raise Pride Flag at Old City Hall on June 1
Mayor Jane Castor will join Tampa's Pride Flag Raising Ceremony on June 1 at Old City Hall, marking the start of Pride Month.
Thursday, June 18, 2026
Tampa CRA Funds 22 Workforce Housing Units Downtown
The Tampa CRA invested $4 million to create 22 affordable apartments downtown, with rents starting at $1,606 for households earning 80% of area median income.
Thursday, June 18, 2026
Tampa Wins 2025 Tree City USA Recognition
Tampa earned 2025 Tree City USA recognition from the Arbor Day Foundation for its investment in urban forestry and tree management.
Thursday, June 18, 2026
Single Dad Finds Stability Through Metro Housing Program
A single father of three moved into Metro's Uplift Hall housing program in May after facing eviction. Today, Renaldo pursues his Auto Mechanic certification while his children attend school from a stable home.
Thursday, June 18, 2026
Plant City Releases Unofficial Runoff Election Results
Plant City's unofficial municipal runoff results are now public. The Canvassing Board certifies official results May 29.
Thursday, June 18, 2026
Gibsonton Voters Get New Districts in June 2026
Gibsonton voters will see new precincts and districts in June 2026 following congressional and local redistricting efforts.
Thursday, June 18, 2026