In The News

Four New Hotels Planned In Downtown Tampa

The Tampa Tribune Tuesday, January 08, 2013

Plans call for one brand new hotel and three renovations of stately architecturally significant buildings into boutique hotels in downtown Tampa.

Demand is driving the interest in more hotel beds as conventions book and tourism increases.

Read the complete story.

Sierra Club: Pinellas Transit Plan Tops In Nation

The Tampa Tribune Tuesday, December 18, 2012

The Sierra Club lauds Pinellas County for one of the best transportation plans in the nation.

The plan calls for the expansion of the county's bus system and new light rail with 16 stations connecting Clearwater and St. Petersburg.

Read the complete story.

Florida's Kids Read, Test Best In World

The Miami Herald Tuesday, December 18, 2012

Florida's fourth- and eighth-graders read and compehend as well as any kids in the world, according to the latest global test scores.

Only Hong Kong kids scored slightly better, but the difference is statistically insignificant.

Read the complete story.

Editorial: Time For Transit Merger, Tampa Bay

Tampa Bay Times Tuesday, December 18, 2012

Hillsborough and Pinellas taxpayers and transit users stand to gain by combining public transportation systems in both west central Florida counties.

The Tampa Times editorializes for a merger.

Read the complete editorial.

Ringling Circus Moves To Ellenton, Manatee

The Tampa Tribune Tuesday, December 18, 2012

The Ringling Brothers Barnum & Bailey Circus is moving its winter home from the Florida State Fairgrounds east of Tampa to a new 47-acre site near Ellenton, best known for discount shopping east of Bradenton in Manatee County.

The move will allow better access to rail transportation and larger rehearsal space.

Read the complete story.

Beef "O'' Brady's Opens Restaurant In China

Tampa Bay Times Tuesday, December 18, 2012

The Tampa-based restaurant chain Beef "O'' Brady's, a favorite among Little League and other youth sports teams, is opening its first restaurant in China.

The new restaurant will be in Mongolia and offer much of the same fare, including hamburgers and chicken wings.

Read the complete story.

Plant City Bed And Breakfast Thrives On Guests

Tampa Bay Times Tuesday, December 11, 2012

Like bed and breakfast owners elsewhere, Brenda and Guy Ford are finding the lineup of guests visiting their abode make the work of having them worthwhile.

The Fords opened the Strawberry House three years ago in the historic district of Plant City and now host guests from all over the globe.

Read the complete story.

Manatee Proves No-Kill Animal Policy Works

Tampa Bay Times Tuesday, December 11, 2012

Hillsborough and other Florida counties are looking to model animal shelter programs after Manatee County's successful Save 90, a program that matches abandoned pets -- mostly dogs and cats -- with human families for adoption.

The program is approaching a 90 percent rate in adoptions with only 10 percent of those deemed not adoptable by disease or behavior.

Read the complete story.

New Express Buses Between TIA, Downtown Tampa?

Tampa Bay Times Tuesday, December 11, 2012

Why not create an express bus service connecting Tampa International Airport with downtown Tampa?

That's the question posed by TIA Executive Director Joe Lopano to HART's board recently.

Read the complete story.

TIA Looks To Expand, Add Global Airside

Tampa Bay Times Tuesday, December 11, 2012

Another airside and additional space would be built out at Tampa International Airport to meet growing demand, particularly as international flights are added, under the new master plan.

TIA, or TPA to travelers, is already considerd one of the most accessible, most convenient in the world.

Read the complete story.

Moving To Tampa Bay: Top Choice To Live, Work, Play

Forbes Tuesday, December 04, 2012

Only Dallas, Miami and Austin top Tampa Bay as the top destination for people on the move.

A Forbes report tracks where Americans are moving for jobs and opportunities.

Read the complete story.

Tampa Bay Lightning, MOSI Talk Science Behind Ice

Tampa Bay Times Tuesday, December 04, 2012

PNC Financial Services, the Tampa Bay Lightning and the Museum of Science & Industry Tampa have teamed up to create a new exhibit featuring the science of ice and all that surrounds it.

The exhibit is designed to attract children and families to learning about STEM subjects science, technology, engineering and math.

Read the complete story.

CAMLS Goes Global To Train Physicians

The Tampa Tribune Tuesday, December 04, 2012

The new Center for Advanced Medical Learning and Simulation (CAMLS) in downtown Tampa is designed to attract physicians and other medical personnel from across the globe for specialized training.

Rooms inside can simulate every condition from a baby's nursery to the front lines of war.

Read the complete story.

Florida Springs Suffer Despite Efforts To Save Them

Tampa Bay Times Tuesday, November 27, 2012

A program put in place by former Gov. Jeb Bush was designed to save Florida's freshwater springs, but Gov. Rick Scott disbanded the program.

The lack of effort has caused a regression that threatens many of the state's natural springs.

Read the complete story.

Baseball Task Force: Tampa Bay Can Afford New Stadium

The Tampa Tribune Tuesday, November 27, 2012

A combination of pubic and private dollars could make a new baseball stadium for the Tampa Bay Rays feasible and affordable.

A task force assigned to study the options returns with its report.

Read the complete story.