In Pasco, some parents drove away a nonbinary educator

Commissioners thinking about new land category for “Beer Can Island”; Chinese skewer bar wows food critic; and more

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View on the web Go to our home page Subscribe to the Times Thursday, September 15, 2022 Forward this to a friend Subscribe to more newsletters It’s Hispanic Heritage Month. Find celebrations planned around town. Today’s forecast: a high of 87 and low of 72, with clouds and storms in the mix.   Read up on why Hillsborough County commissioners are mulling a new land category for the 9 acres formerly known as Beer Can Island; the Chinese skewer bar that wowed our food critic with fiery flavors; and much more. [JEFFREY S. SOLOCHEK | Times] Pasco County teacher’s aide leaves their job amid strife over LGBTQ policies Valeria Saldivar said they had no agenda when they arrived for work as a kindergarten teacher’s aide at Trinity Elementary.   Some parents didn’t believe it after finding Saldivar’s social media, which espoused some progressive politics and showed Saldivar identifies as nonbinary queer. Saldivar didn’t last a day in the school district’s years-long battle over LGBTQ rights.   The district generally has supported the LGBTQ community, and many have acknowledged as much.   But some wonder whether that resolve has weakened.   More education coverage:   Evaluation scores released this week show all seven Hillsborough County School Board members are more satisfied with superintendent Addison Davis than they were a year ago.   Pinellas County’s school board has approved its $1.8 billion budget, which includes a lower property tax rate. AROUND THE BAY Redeveloping the Trop: Developers who want to win the bid to revamp the Historic Gas Plant District met with St. Pete officials Wednesday to get details about what the city wants for the 86 acres surrounding Tropicana Field.   Complex sells for top dollar: A Philadelphia real estate investment firm threw down nearly $100 million on this 348-unit apartment property in Riverview.   Seeking to stay afloat 🏝️: Pine Key Tampa Bay, formerly known as Beer Can Island, continues to hit rough water in a Hillsborough County zoning dispute.   Dredge in limbo: The project aimed at restoring the Weeki Wachee River has stalled. Environmental regulators say the company in charge of the work violated state and federal permits and failed to meet water quality standards.   Bumpy road ahead: In a Q&A, an environmental advocacy group's manager talks about the promise of electric vehicles in Florida and obstacles to adoption.   Health clinic and more: A religious nonprofit is touting free medical care at a Tampa Convention Center event. Controversial speakers will be there, too, including the founder of an organization that the Southern Poverty Law Center considers an anti-LGBTQ hate group.   Hateful acts rise across state: Florida saw a 50% increase in antisemitic incidents in 2021 compared to the year before, according to a new report.   Event security head grilled: An attorney for the parents of a 14-year-old boy killed along I-4 after being kicked out of the Florida State Fair in 2014 questioned the now-retired Hillsborough sergeant who oversaw security at the fair that night.   For the latest coronavirus news and updates, visit tampabay.com/coronavirus. BRIGHT SPOT [ALICE HERDEN | Special to the Times (2019)] Where to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month Tampa Bay can honor the history and traditions of Latino culture with exhibitions, live music, arts and more through Oct. 15. We compiled a list of local events. Need a mental break? Play a game! 👾 ARCADE SOLITAIRE SUDOKU SEE ALL POLITICS Successor OK'd: State Sen. Ray Rodrigues officially has been tapped to be the next chancellor of Florida's state university system. The Estero Republican replaces outgoing Chancellor Marshall Criser.   Challenging state complaint: A Miami bar, a performer and a patron are pushing back against the DeSantis administration in a legal fight that claims there was lewd and inappropriate conduct at the venue's drag show brunch.   Flown to Martha's Vineyard: DeSantis' office took credit for sending two planes with migrants to Martha's Vineyard as a "part of the state's relocation program."  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. OPINION AND COMMENTARY Fix for staff shortage? If we want educators to stay, keep culture-war politics out of schools and increase funding for all salaries, writes guest columnist and Florida Education Association President Andrew Spar. SPORTS Rays lose to Blue Jays: Quiet bats and Drew Rasmussen's worst start since June combined for a poor outing against Toronto as Tampa Bay lost for the fifth time in its past six games. Also, reliever Ryan Thompson is out for the rest of the season.    On Brooks Raley's absence: Columnist John Romano wonders, does the Rays reliever feel any guilt about skipping a critical five-game series against Toronto this week because he opted not to get a COVID-19 vaccine? The Tampa Bay bullpen could've used him.    Race drops restrictions: A negative COVID-19 test or proof of vaccination are no longer required for Publix Gasparilla Distance Classic registrants.   Hall of Famer in Belleair: Golf icon Annika Sorenstam will host the Pelican Women's Championship, Tampa Bay's signature LPGA Tour event, next year.   What's up with Bucs? Tampa Bay's regular-season rivalry with the Saints has been decidedly one-sided in recent years. The Bucs need "some give and take" to reignite it. Meanwhile, the home team's latest injury report is rife with relievers.    Gearing up for showcase: Up-and-coming players get a jumpstart on Lightning training camp, as the Bolts announce 30th anniversary events. TODAY'S TALKER 🍽️ [ANGELICA EDWARDS | Times] Tampa's Flaming Mountain brings the spice (and smoke). Can you handle it? Restaurant critic Helen Freund checked out the new Chinese restaurant and skewer bar and found plenty to love — from the generous use of Sichuan peppercorns to the delicious chargrilled meat, seafood and vegetable skewers. Read her full review. Today's DayStarter was compiled by Meaghan Habuda, Anila Lijo, Kelsey Harrell, Mari Faiello and Amy Gehrt. 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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