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The Crown Jewel of Florida

The Tampa Bay area is often referred to as the "Crown Jewel of Florida" because of it's beautiful beaches, scenic rivers and rich history.

Nearly 2.5 Million people call Tampa Bay their home. There are three counties that surround Tampa Bay that have been settled by diverse groups of peoples from every state and most countries of the world.

This web site is dedicated to those that live here as well as the millions who visit while vacationing or on business. Welcome All!

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While this site is very young, we intend on constantly growing and adding to the contents. We invite you to contribute to our online community. If you have Interesting or humorous stories about the area, or want to announce an event or other news worthy item that would be of interest to the Tampa Bay area, please contact us!

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Joint Investigation Dismantles Major Cell of "Draks" Gang 9 Members Facing Life in Prison for Organized Property Crime Ring

» Thu, 2 Jul 2009 11:01:00 EST
City of Tampa
Joint Investigation Dismantles Major Cell of "Draks" Gang
9 Members Facing Life in Prison for Organized Property Crime Ring

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City of Tampa to Hold EEO Training - Register by July 15 to attend free seminar

» Thu, 2 Jul 2009 10:00:00 EST
City of Tampa
The City of Tampa Division of Community Affairs and the U. S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission will present an Equal Employment Opportunity Seminar on Thursday, July 23, 2009.

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Tampa Police Department Cuts 2010 Budget by $1.85 Million

» Thu, 2 Jul 2009 08:17:00 EST
City of Tampa
Tampa Police Department Cuts 2010 Budget by $1.85 Million

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Tampa's Seminole Heights is This Old House's pick for Best Old House Neighborhood in Florida

» Wed, 1 Jul 2009 14:23:00 EST
City of Tampa
Tampa's Seminole Heights is This Old House's pick for Best Old House Neighborhood in Florida. more...

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Use Water Wisely "Tip of the Week" #34

» Wed, 1 Jul 2009 14:00:00 EST
City of Tampa
Each week the Tampa Water Department posts a different water conservation "Tip of the Week" to help you reduce your water use and conserve our limited water resources.

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Law allows all residents to install Florida-friendly landscaping

» Wed, 1 Jul 2009 11:30:00 EST
City of Tampa
A new law signed by Gov. Charlie Crist promotes the installation of Florida-friendly landscaping. The law states that homeowners associations (HOAs) may not prohibit a homeowner from applying Florida-friendly landscaping to their property or create any requirement or limitation in conflict with state law.

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Tampa Parks and Recreation July 4 Holiday Weekend Hours

» Tue, 30 Jun 2009 14:06:00 EST
City of Tampa
The City of Tampa Parks and Recreation Department invites you to come out to the parks and enjoy the Fourth of July holiday. City parks and beaches will be open normal operating hours this Independence Day, however, some staffed facilities may have holiday hours or may be closed.

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South Ybor City Residential Parking Permits

» Tue, 30 Jun 2009 12:39:00 EST
City of Tampa
On July 15, 2009, current South Ybor City Residential Parking Permits will expire at 11:59 PM. In an effort to provide renewal opportunities, the City of Tampa Parking Division will be distributing new permits to qualified residents and business owners. As has been the case during past residential parking permit renewal periods, please visit the Centro Ybor administrative office located on the 16th Street side of the garage, just south of the railroad tracks

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Treasure Tampa's Beaches - Volunteers Needed to Clean Beaches

» Tue, 30 Jun 2009 08:18:00 EST
City of Tampa
National Clean Beaches Week is July 1-7, 2008 and the City of Tampa is encouraging residents to get involved to help keep our beaches clean and healthy. The public is invited to join the City of Tampa Parks and Recreation Department and the Mayor’s Beautification Program for beach clean-up projects at Ben T. Davis Beach and Picnic Island Beach on Sunday, July 5, from 8:30 – 10:30 a.m.

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GTCERT Volunteers Needed for Hurricane Preparedness Exercise

» Tue, 30 Jun 2009 07:21:00 EST
City of Tampa
GT CERT members are needed for two different assignments at the Hurricane Preparedness Exercise being held at various locations throughout the City on Friday July 17, 2009 from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.

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Family Releases Statement Regarding Billy Mays' Death

» Mon, 29 Jun 2009 16:30:00 EST
City of Tampa
Family Releases Statement Regarding Billy Mays' Death

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Billy Mays 911 Call

» Mon, 29 Jun 2009 11:28:00 EST
City of Tampa
Billy Mays 911 Call

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July Proclaimed National Parks and Recreation Month

» Mon, 29 Jun 2009 09:43:00 EST
City of Tampa
Get outside, pack a picnic, play on a playground, compete in a sport and enjoy the sunshine, Governor Charlie Crist signed a proclamation for "all to observe July 2009 as Parks and Recreation Month."

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Solid Waste Pickup Schedule for Independence Day Holiday

» Mon, 29 Jun 2009 09:05:00 EST
City of Tampa
There will be no residential solid waste pick up on Friday, July 3, 2009.

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TV Pitchman Dies in Home

» Mon, 29 Jun 2009 08:39:00 EST
City of Tampa
TV Pitchman Dies in Home

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Tampa Police Searching for Circle K Armed Robbers

» Mon, 29 Jun 2009 08:32:00 EST
City of Tampa
Tampa Police Searching for Circle K Armed Robbers

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Hillsborough County/City of Tampa Employees MLK Scholarship Recipients for 2009

» Mon, 29 Jun 2009 07:57:00 EST
City of Tampa
Since 1988, over 400 deserving students have received more than $550,000 in scholarship monies provided through voluntary payroll deductions and fundraisers by Hillsborough Conunty and City of Tampa employees. The awards are based on academic achievement, financial need and community service.

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City of Tampa Offices will be Closed on Independence Day

» Sat, 27 Jun 2009 06:00:00 EST
City of Tampa
City of Tampa offices will be closed Friday, July 3rd in observance of Independence Day.

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Media Advisory - Photo Opportunity: Riverwall Mural Installation on the Tampa Riverwalk

» Thu, 25 Jun 2009 16:25:00 EST
City of Tampa
Riverwall Mural Installation on the Tampa Riverwalk

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Audit Report 08-12, McKay Bay Refuse To Energy Facility, Released

» Thu, 25 Jun 2009 09:00:00 EST
City of Tampa
The Internal Audit Department released their audit report of McKay Bay Refuse To Energy Facility.

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GTCERT Volunteers Needed for 4th of July Festivities in Temple Terrace

» Thu, 25 Jun 2009 07:55:00 EST
City of Tampa
The Temple Terrace CERT Team is in need of volunteers (at least 12) to help with the July 4th parade and festivities in Temple Terrace. Any members who are available should contact the Temple Terrace Team Leader, Allison Livingston at countrygal03@msn.com.

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Use Water Wisely

» Wed, 24 Jun 2009 14:00:00 EST
City of Tampa
Each week the Tampa Water Department posts a different water conservation "Tip of the Week" to help you reduce your water use and conserve our limited water resources.

Link to full article

GTCERT Montly Training for July 2009 Cancelled

» Tue, 23 Jun 2009 20:06:00 EST
City of Tampa
The GTCERT monthly training meeting scheduled for Thursday, July 9, 2009, has been cancelled. Meetings will resume in August with the mandatory meeting, topic and location to be determined.

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Official statement by Mayor Pam Iorio on the Death of the Supervisor of Elections Phyllis Busansky

» Tue, 23 Jun 2009 11:44:00 EST
City of Tampa
Death of the Supervisor of Elections Phyllis Busansky

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Water restrictions remain in place

» Tue, 23 Jun 2009 11:35:00 EST
City of Tampa
The Southwest Florida Water Management District's Governing Board voted to continue the Modified Phase IV (or Critical) Water Shortage restrictions for potable water use in the Tampa Bay Water service area until July 31, 2009.

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Neighborhood Parking Dispute Turns Violent

» Tue, 23 Jun 2009 08:42:00 EST
City of Tampa
Neighborhood Parking Dispute Turns Violent

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Hillsborough House of Hope Opens 2nd Home

» Tue, 23 Jun 2009 08:31:00 EST
City of Tampa
Hillsborough House of Hope Opens 2nd Home

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“Mayor’s Book Talk” Welcomes Author and Medical Examiner Dr. Jan Garavaglia - TV’s Forensic Expert Shares Lessons on Staying Safer and Living Longer

» Tue, 23 Jun 2009 08:23:00 EST
City of Tampa
Mayor Pam Iorio’s guest on the July episode of “Mayor’s Book Talk” will be Dr. Jan Garavaglia, author and host of Discovery Health’s Dr. G: Medical Examiner. The two will discuss Dr. Garavaglia’s book "How Not to Die: Surprising Lessons on Living Longer, Safer, and Healthier from America's Favorite Medical Examiner."

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Tampa Police Investigate Fatal Crash Involving A Pedestrian

» Mon, 22 Jun 2009 09:24:00 EST
City of Tampa
Tampa Police Investigate Fatal Crash Involving A Pedestrian

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MacDill Avenue Closed South of Napolean Avenue Beginning June 22

» Fri, 19 Jun 2009 15:05:00 EST
City of Tampa
South MacDill Avenue between Napolean Avenue and the MacDill Air Force Base gate will be closed to through traffic beginning June 22 for the installation of a new twelve-inch water main by the Tampa Water Department.

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Superior moves into Tampa with bank deal

Sunday, September 03, 2006 - Superior Bancorp has completed its acquisition of Kensington Bankshares Inc. in a deal valued at $72.6 million. The merger, approved by shareholders of both banks on Aug. 23, creates a banking franchise totaling $1.8 billion in assets that serves customers through 38 offices from Huntsville, Ala. to Tampa. Tampa is now the largest metropolitan market served by Superior, according to a release from the bank. The existing Kensington locations will continue to operate under the 1st Kensington Bank name for the near future. Gerald Archibald, Kensington chairman, will continue to serve as Superior's Tampa Bay chairman.

Road agency under fire again

Sunday, September 03, 2006 - TAMPA - Scrutiny of the Tampa-Hillsborough Expressway Authority intensified Friday with state Sen. Victor Crist calling for a legislative inquiry into possible improprieties at the agency. Gov. Jeb Bush on Thursday ordered an investigation of the authority amid accusations that it violated ethics policies and the state's Sunshine Law in awarding a lucrative contract for legal services. Crist said he's glad that Bush is looking at the agency, but the Legislature might provide a more objective examination because the governor appoints four members to the authority board. "It may be better from a public perspective to have a third party conduct the review in the Legislature," Crist said.

Many Tampa tollbooths to lose human collectors

Sunday, September 03, 2006 - TAMPA -- Beginning today, drivers on Tampa-area toll roads may find their commutes a bit less convenient.The Florida Turnpike Authority will remove toll collectors from seven ramps on the Veterans Expressway, the Lee Roy Selmon Crosstown Expressway and the Polk Parkway, meaning motorists must have exact change or a SunPass transponder.Gates will be open, but drivers without coins will be asked to mail payment to the Turnpike Authority, said Joanne Hurley, a spokeswoman for the authority.Using license-plate cameras in the toll lanes, authorities identify nonpaying vehicles and send letters to the owners, who then have 30 days to pay the toll or face a $100 penalty.Additionally, the authority plans to reduce, but not eliminate, the staff at many toll plazas along those highways.The changes eventually will save the Turnpike Authority about $500,000 a year, Hurley said.Still, the plan has left some toll collectors feeling uncertain about their futures and anxious about possible cutbacks in

Nashville company acquires Tampa private school

Monday, August 28, 2006 - The Bishop-Eton School in Tampa has new ownership. Educational Services of America has acquired the school, which provides a nondenominational curriculum for up to 100 students with specific learning disabilities. With the addition to Bishop-Eton, Nashville-based ESA operates six schools in the region, including a new school opening this fall, Broach Zephyrhills. ESA operates a total of 26 campuses in Florida under the names of Atlantis Academy, Broach Schools, Crossroads Schools and others. The school's seven faculty and staff members have all been invited to remain with the organization, which will be led by School Director Greg VanPelt, the company said.

Tampa Bay emergency personnel pay close attention to Ernesto

Monday, August 28, 2006 - Late Monday morning, the City of Tampa announced three sand bag locations would be up and running for residents. You must show proof that you live in the city. And while many say they probably won't need them, they'd rather be safe than sorry.