Russian invasion has thrown this Tampa couple's life off course

Piney Point cleanup, closure might take years; Saddlebrook Resort in Wesley Chapel has a new owner; Hispanic COVID “long haulers” are struggling

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View on the web Go to our home page Subscribe to the Times Monday, March 7, 2022 Forward this to a friend Subscribe to more newsletters Welcome to a new week. Tampa Bay may see some scattered showers today, with a high of 87 and a low of 68. A new plan says the closure and cleanup of the old Piney Point fertilizer plant site could take years; a bill to name a new state dessert heads to DeSantis’ desk; what to know as a crowded spring break nears; and more in today's newsletter.  [DIRK SHADD | Times] International students found love in Tampa. Then Russia’s invasion started. Ivan from Kyiv, Ukraine, met Uliana from Moscow, Russia, while studying at USF.   The couple tied the knot at a Tampa courthouse weeks before Russian vehicles and tanks rolled into Ukraine.   But now, with their homelands at war, they face an uncertain future.   Neither knows when, or if, they ever can return home.   Related coverage:   More local landmarks are lighting up in support of Ukraine.   Scores of worshippers gathered at St. Petersburg’s Epiphany of Our Lord Ukrainian Catholic Church on Sunday to pray together in the face of war. Some brought donations for relief efforts. Others filed onto Fourth Street for a post-mass rally. Dive deeper into your favorite local subjects 📨 Our free email newsletters bring the best of the Tampa Bay Times to your inbox every week. Explore all of them here. AROUND THE BAY Wesley Chapel tennis mecca sold: A Miami real estate investor purchased Saddlebrook Resort. What does that mean for the 480-acre getaway?   $30 million for new City Hall: Clearwater hasn't had a dedicated government center since 2019. City officials are putting money toward a change.   Free groceries and a checkup: Feeding Tampa Bay and BayCare team up to open a health education center in the food bank's Tampa warehouse.   USF panel advances candidates: Jeffrey W. Talley and interim school leader Rhea Law are moving to the next phase of the search for USF's new president.   Tuition assistance: Amazon partnered with nine colleges around Florida — including UF Online and Hillsborough Community College — to offer free tuition for its employees. In related news, some out-of-state students with Florida grandparents could now receive in-state tuition.   Still no agreements: Pinellas and Pasco counties aren't making much progress on teacher pay deals. Here's where negotiations stand.   Charity head takes plea deal: Brian Anderson, co-founder of Pasco County's Veterans Alternative, has pleaded no contest to a felony drug possession charge. He was sentenced to 18 months probation.   Toddler death in Brandon: A 15-month-old girl died from fentanyl poisoning after she was found unresponsive in bed. Now, a sheriff's investigation is focusing on her parents' social media accounts.   Busch Gardens removes ride beams: The Tampa theme park took off two beams from Iron Gwazi after a guest reported hitting his hand on them while riding the roller coaster.   "Hamilton" and more: See the Broadway hits coming to Tampa's Straz Center. FEATURED [LUIS SANTANA | Times] Piney Point cleanup and closure isn't happening anytime soon The old Manatee County fertilizer plant site set off an environmental crisis last spring in Tampa Bay. Shutting it down could take until the end of 2024 or longer, a new plan shows. In the meantime, the property remains a lingering danger. CORONAVIRUS DEVELOPMENTS UPDATES AT TAMPABAY.COM/CORONAVIRUS "My family needs me": Research is underway on the demographics of people who suffer lingering COVID-19 effects. But it's already clear that Hispanics came down with the virus at a higher rate than the population as a whole. "Long haulers" in Tampa Bay's Hispanic communities share their stories.   Weekly update: Florida added 14,148 cases and 1,207 deaths in the past week. Positivity rate was down to 3.3 percent compared to last week's 5.6 percent rate.   Left behind: Pregnant people were excluded from clinical trials of coronavirus vaccinations. That fueled vaccine hesitancy among this vulnerable group, advocates say.   Viral exchange, fact-checked: Experts say face coverings can be effective at preventing COVID-19 transmission, especially in high-risk areas like the Tampa event where DeSantis scolded students for masking up. PolitiFact explains. POLITICS Addressing affordable housing: As rents are rising in Clearwater, six City Council candidates weigh in on whether they would declare a housing state of emergency if elected.    State Senate passes elections law: The bill would create a first-of-its-kind elections security office under the control of DeSantis. Sen. Jeff Brandes of St. Petersburg called it "almost comical" and "just ridiculous." The measure now heads to the House for a vote.   Florida's official dessert 🍰: Legislation to give strawberry shortcake that sweet title is on its way to the governor. But what about Key lime pie?   Bill to keep churches open: DeSantis' desk is also the next stop for a measure seeking to block government orders from closing religious institutions during emergencies. 🏈 Relive Tom Brady's Tampa tenure The Tampa Bay Times has a new 160-page hardcover book for your coffee table. Brady by the Bay commemorates the GOAT's legendary career and his heroics in a Bucs uniform. Preorder this keepsake today at a discount. OPINION AND COMMENTARY Be prepared: Things with masks were calming down, writes columnist Stephanie Hayes, but then DeSantis had to get all Animal House about it. Here are five ideas for teens the next time the governor makes fun of face coverings. SPORTS Not too shabby: Quite possibly the nation's most intriguing men's basketball conference tournament will be staged in Tampa starting Wednesday. Get a full rundown, and details on when Dick Vitale is set to attend.   Victory in Chicago: Tampa Bay scores six goals, including three in a 32-second span — the fastest three goals in team history — in a 6-3 win over the Blackhawks Sunday night.    Key off-ice work: Video sessions and meetings will have to replace practice time as the Lightning enter a busy stretch. Here's why that won't hurt the team at all.   Give Trask the job? The Bucs' best option at quarterback may just be turning over the offense to former Gator Kyle Trask.   Small towns lose out: MLB's lockout isn't just about luxury taxes and arbitration bonuses. It also affects communities and mom-and-pop businesses across Florida, sports columnist John Romano writes.   Top 100 prospect: Rays officials use lots of words to rave about how good pitcher Taj Bradley has become. Field coordinator Michael Johns can make it simple: "Taj Bradley is a stud." TODAY'S TALKER [CHRIS URSO | Times (2021)] Get ready for a crowded spring break, Tampa Bay Every local public school and USF have off for the occasion beginning Saturday through March 20. How many students will that put out into the world with free time on their hands? Oh, just more than a half a million. Today's DayStarter was compiled by Meaghan Habuda, Carly Thompson and Anila Lijo. Did someone forward this to you? Get DayStarter in your own inbox next time. It's free to subscribe. Sign up here. 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