Meet Tampa's new acting police chief

St. Pete releases Trop proposals; Tampa janitor shares her life on TikTok; rare tropical disturbance crops up

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View on the web Go to our home page Subscribe to the Times Tuesday, December 6, 2022 Forward this to a friend Subscribe to more newsletters Morning, y’all. How about that Bucs game? Temps should reach the 80s on this fine Tuesday. Enjoy the sunshine.   Below we examine the four proposals to reimagine the Trop and share the story of a Tampa janitor who’s making TikTok videos to inspire others. And just when you thought hurricane season had officially concluded, a rare tropical disturbance is now on meteorologists’ radars. [ANGELICA EDWARDS | Times] Mary O’Connor has resigned. Here’s who is leading the Tampa Police Department. The tenure of Tampa’s 43rd police chief ended as it began 10 months ago: amid controversy.   On Monday, Chief Mary O’Connor resigned her post effective immediately after an investigation into a Pinellas County traffic stop last month where she flashed her badge and asked to be let go.   Mayor Jane Castor said she requested and received the resignation after an internal review found O’Connor violated the department’s policies on “standard of conduct” and “abuse of position or identification.” O’Connor had been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation, and her departure doesn’t affect her nearly $80,000-a-year pension.   Following news of the resignation, Tampa City Council members both for and against Castor’s selection of O’Connor as police chief weren’t shy about voicing their disappointment in the traffic stop controversy.   Assistant Chief Lee Bercaw will remain as acting chief while Castor looks for a permanent replacement.   But who exactly is the man now in one of the region’s most high-profile law enforcement jobs? Does Bercaw want to be considered for the chief position?   Get to know him. AROUND THE BAY Kirstie Alley dies: The Clearwater resident, who won an Emmy for her role on “Cheers,” has died. She was 71. “We are grateful to the incredible team of doctors and nurses at the Moffitt Cancer Center for their care,” her children said on social media.   Trop proposals: St. Petersburg released the four competing plans to redevelop the 86-acre Tropicana Field site. Take a closer look.   HART CEO staying put: With the Hillsborough County transit agency’s board deadlocked, Adelee Le Grand will continue at the helm of HART amid an ongoing investigation.   Crash off the coast: A small plane leaving St. Petersburg crashed into the gulf on Saturday, with two people confirmed dead. Venice authorities were searching Monday for the pilot.   December rarity: On the heels of hurricane season’s official end, forecasters are eyeing a tropical disturbance that will likely dissipate later this week.   Grim milestone: State wildlife officials believe a vehicle collision killed a 2-year-old Florida panther in Hillsborough, marking the county’s first recorded panther death since 2003.   Facing murder charge: A grand jury has indicted a Clearwater man in the death of a 16-year-old girl whose body was found on the Duke Energy Trail last year, said Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri.   Public input postponed: Hillsborough County public schools pushed back its community meetings on new attendance boundaries to January.   School immunizations: Florida’s health department found the percentage of kindergarten students completing the shots required for the 2021-22 school year — designed to protect against diseases like tetanus and measles — is the lowest since 2010-11.   New drug shows promise: Lecanemab appears to slow cognitive decline in people with early Alzheimer’s. Here’s what Tampa Bay residents should know. BRIGHT SPOT [LUIS SANTANA | Times] Tampa janitor uses TikTok to share her life and promote positivity She doesn’t have millions of followers. But Paola Andrea Gutiérrez has enough to feel like she’s doing something valuable. Born without her right arm, the Colombia native posts videos on the social media platform to reshape perceptions and inspire others. Read her story. 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 Federal trial starts: Jeremy Brown’s defense told jurors the government planted the evidence it’s now using against him. Prosecutors say the retired Special Forces soldier had illegal weapons and classified military documents at his Tampa home.   Familiar pitch: Hillsborough County commissioners will again consider renaming a courthouse conference room for this former chief assistant state attorney.   Report raises questions: Government watchdog group Integrity Florida is voicing concerns about the use of so-called “ghost candidates” in elections and offering some policy suggestions.   More departures: As DeSantis moves into a second term, two additional state agency leaders are stepping down. 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 Lesson in golf cart saga: Columnist Stephanie Hayes calls the former Tampa police chief's apology classic passive voice, blaming others for their perception of reality. It's a teachable moment for us all as we head into the new year and dig deep to live with more integrity.   Redeveloping the Trop: In a guest column, Peter Kageyama, a team member of one of the groups vying to revamp Tropicana Field, breaks down what he thinks this project needs and why it will set the tone for St. Petersburg's future. SPORTS Comeback win: Tom Brady puts his trust in two rookies as the Bucs rally to beat the Saints on Monday night. The quarterback connected with nine different receivers, and he singled out nearly every one of them in his postgame address.   Epic tale of redemption: The Bucs did not just solidify their playoff hopes with their dramatic win against the Saints, writes columnist John Romano. A handful of players and coaches also delivered a blueprint in individual perseverance after what had started as a rough night.   Road to NFL: Gators quarterback Anthony Richardson is leaving the program early to enter the 2023 draft. It's a different story for Jordan Travis, FSU's QB.   Valuable presence: Anthony Cirelli's return from shoulder surgery will give the Lightning a much-needed spark. Here's how. TODAY'S TALKER [IVY CEBALLO | Times] Alex Golesh: The next Jim Leavitt or a repeat of Jeff Scott? At first glance, the new USF football coach's resume looks a lot like the one his predecessor had. Why do the Bulls think Golesh isn't Scott all over again? They outlined some key differences during and after Golesh's welcome ceremony Monday — ones that will be vital to unlocking this program's unrealized potential. Today's DayStarter was compiled by Meaghan Habuda, Anila Lijo, Alexandra Urban 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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