Inside a Tampa Bay emergency call center

Bucs defeat Saints in New Orleans; Andrew Warren is going to court today; and a new Asian-inspired restaurant is coming to St. Petersburg

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View on the web Go to our home page Subscribe to the Times Monday, September 19, 2022 Forward this to a friend Subscribe to more newsletters Ahoy, mateys! It’s International Talk Like a Pirate Day. Afternoon showers and thunderstorms are possible (high of 88, low of 73). What stories await below? A look at the Bucs' win over the Saints on Sunday; ousted Hillsborough prosecutor Andrew Warren is going to court today; and a new Asian steakhouse that's coming to St. Petersburg. [CHRIS URSO | Times] Answering the calls of chaos? This 911 dispatcher knows all about it. Brittany Swetson’s official title is Public Safety Telecommunicator. She calls herself a dispatcher.    Mostly, she’s the middleman.   She operates solely in the present, responding to people’s paranoia and panic, sending help to strangers who will never hear her voice.   During her eight-hour shift in the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office emergency call center, she’ll hear about a shooter, prowler, alligators — real and imagined. Trespassers, speeders, shoplifters.   So many calls, so many crises, and here — like in 911 call centers across the country — so much need for more dispatchers like her. AROUND THE BAY Size and style matter here: Transportation reporter Olivia George checked out the second annual Lifted Florida Truck Show in Plant City this weekend. Read how she saw people celebrating their rides amid calls for stricter safety regulations on large vehicles.    Witness testifies to jury: Corey Thornton was the last person to see Andrew Joseph III before his death in 2014. He sat on the witness stand in Tampa on Friday to talk about the night his friend died.   Clearwater officials clash: At a City Council meeting, one council member raised questions about a housing deal that fell through and the Church of Scientology’s involvement. Things got heated.   Council member resigns: St. Petersburg City Council’s Lisa Wheeler-Bowman stepped down after a former mayoral candidate accused her of not living in her district.   New upscale eatery: An Asian-inspired steakhouse called Fortu will open next year in downtown St. Petersburg, taking over the former Ceviche space.   Podcast proves innocence? Pulitzer-winning author Gilbert King says his show Bone Valley clears Leo Schofield in the 1987 Lakeland murder of his wife.   “Everyone loves a camera”: Gregory Bedore, a St. Petersburg gemologist and jeweler, has died at 70. He spent decades collecting rare Zeiss cameras and handmade guitars.   COVID-19 update: Florida reported 22,871 cases and 398 deaths this week.   For the latest coronavirus news and updates, visit tampabay.com/coronavirus. FEATURED [BERNAT ARMANGUE | Associated Press] Column: Queen Elizabeth II’s death marks the end of an era As a Brit living in the U.S., Times reporter Christopher O’Donnell often gets asked about the royal family. On the day of the state funeral for the UK’s longest-serving monarch, he shares his thoughts on her service to the nation and the role of the royals in his homeland. Your support makes a difference The Tampa Bay Times needs your help to keep delivering top-notch journalism. Please consider subscribing or making a tax-deductible donation to the Tampa Bay Times Journalism Fund. Donate Gain unlimited access POLITICS Big day ahead: As he prepares for a court battle today, Tampa’s ousted top prosecutor, Andrew Warren, recounts a whirlwind month.   Migrant relocation: DeSantis said Friday that none of the migrant men, women and kids sent to Martha’s Vineyard were from Florida. But the state may end up having to host them. Amid a firestorm of controversy over the flights, some migrants have said they were misled. Read up on what to know.   What does history tell us? In past midterm elections, the party that controls the White House has lost seats in Congress. PolitiFact looks at whether 2022 could be different. 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 Roll up your sleeve: You're not sacrificing any freedoms by getting the COVID-19 vaccine booster that targets omicron — and you can protect your health, the Times Editorial Board writes. SPORTS Bucs snap streak: Tampa Bay ended its seven-game regular-season losing streak to the Saints on Sunday in New Orleans with its second victory of the season.    Reading the QB: Defensive backs Mike Edwards and Jamel Dean made the most of Sunday's contest against their former quarterback Jameis Winston with a combined three interceptions.  Rays make playoff push: The final seven regular-season home games will prove a worthy challenge for Tampa Bay, which defeated the Rangers on Sunday.    Fifth time's a charm: Christian Bethancourt and Jose Siri hit back-to-back homers in Sunday's win, the fifth time the Rays have done so this season. It's no wonder they've emerged as key players in the team's postseason push.  FSU moves up: Colleges and recruiting reporter Matt Baker moved FSU ahead of Miami in his AP top 25 ballot this weekend, one of a few decisions he had to weigh after a weird Saturday in a wild, weird season. See his Sunday poll here.  TODAY'S TALKER 🏴‍☠️ [LUIS SANTANA | Times] Talk Like a Pirate Day is here, ye scurvy dogs Break out that Gasparilla costume! Tampa Bay spots are offering rum drink specials and even fish dinners today if you dress up or talk like Blackbeard. How did this goofy international holiday come about? Today's DayStarter was compiled by Meaghan Habuda, Anila Lijo, Kelsey Harrell, Alexandra Urban and Mari Faiello.  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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