The major projects underway at Tampa Bay schools

St. Pete's Dr. BBQ closes; top Tampa Bay stories to watch in 2023; man sues ex-Hillsborough deputy

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View on the web Go to our home page Subscribe to the Times Tuesday, January 3, 2023 Forward this to a friend Subscribe to more newsletters Welcome to 2023! We made it. This first Tuesday of the new year brings a high of 82 and a low of 67, alongside partly cloudy skies.   Gov. Ron DeSantis will take the oath of office today for his second term. Here’s everything to know. Also in the newsletter: Five big Tampa Bay court stories worth following in 2023, and a look inside the largest cruise ship in the world docking at Port Canaveral. [JEFFEREE WOO | Times] Tampa Bay schools bustle with construction while students take a break Students and staff might have taken time off from school for winter break. But the work hasn’t stopped in Tampa Bay area districts.   Construction crews are taking advantage of sites being largely vacant to make progress on new schools, wings and renovations. Many of the improvements are set to be completed later this year.   See the major projects underway at Hillsborough, Pinellas and Pasco schools.   School plan draws criticism: PTA leaders are raising concern about proposals to redraw Hillsborough County public school attendance boundaries, saying they lack transparency and public dialogue. 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 Dr. BBQ closes: The St. Petersburg restaurant from local pitmaster Ray Lampe and the owners of Datz has shuttered after four years in the EDGE District.   Practicing pet law 🐶: From her firm in Largo, attorney April Goodwin has represented clients in everything from pet custody disputes to dog bite cases. "Anything that you have for humans anymore, you have for pets," she said.   Man sues ex-deputy: The State Attorney's Office found insufficient evidence that a former Hillsborough County sheriff's sergeant committed a crime. But the man he helped arrest wants compensation, alleging assault and emotional distress.   Court stories to watch: The trial of the accused Seminole Heights serial killer, local Jan. 6 prosecutions and a Hillsborough County ice cream man's re-trial on murder charges are among the high-profile cases on the docket in 2023.   2022's top read: What local stories on tampabay.com did readers respond to most last year? We made a list.   Fire destroys family's home: Luis Acevedo and Brenda Flores left Chicago for Tampa with their children and pets to escape the cold. On Christmas Day, they lost their mobile home in a fire after they tried to stay warm.   $3.15 million in aid: Clearwater nonprofits and service providers can now apply for COVID-19 relief grants through Feb. 15.   Case of 2 Grace Elliotts: A San Francisco woman's hospital visit in Florida linked her to a Venice retiree she's never met. What gives? Read the story of this medical billing mystery. BRIGHT SPOT [Screenshot via Twitter] Hillsborough County educator's cafeteria dance battle goes viral A student challenged Yolanda Turner, 51, to a spontaneous dance-off at Sumner High School. The study skills teacher's moves have earned her millions of views on social media. POLITICS Preparing for DeSantis' inauguration: Ron DeSantis will take the oath of office today for his second term as Florida governor. He has positioned himself as a likely front-runner for the Republican nomination for president in 2024, but that requires him to launch a campaign for a new job while barely into a four-year term for his current one.    Top stories of 2023? Major news events are hard to predict. But let's try anyway as we kick off the new year. These stories could dominate Tampa Bay headlines.   New legal challenge: Elected officials in three Florida counties are seeking to block the state's new lobbying restrictions. They take effect in late January. 📹 Find us on YouTube The Tampa Bay Times video team produces special reports, sports coverage and more. Follow along with their work and subscribe to our YouTube channel. OPINION AND COMMENTARY Florida is growing: But at what cost? Our state needs to invest more in its future so that our aspirations match our growth, the Times Editorial Board writes. SPORTS He doesn't feel like a hero: If he had thought about it, Jake Camarda might have done something else. But when the punter fielded a one-hop snap at the Bucs 41-yard line with 42 seconds remaining against Carolina, there wasn't time to read the situation, just react. Trying to keep momentum: Bucs head coach Todd Bowles said Monday he isn't inclined to rest quarterback Tom Brady and other starters before Sunday's regular-season finale, despite already having the NFC South crown locked in.    Ignoring the nay-sayers: Tom Brady said he heard the critics who said he should have remained retired during his struggles on and off the field this season. But after leading the Bucs to defense of their NFC South title, the quarterback said he never questioned his decision to return to the league.   Honoring Mike Leach: The sound of cowbells and pirate-themed attire were some of the tributes to the Mississippi State head coach, who died last month, around Raymond James Stadium during the Bulldogs' victory over Illinois at the ReliaQuest Bowl Monday.    Lightning extend rookie: Defenseman Nick Perbix will remain in Tampa Bay through the 2024-25 season with a contract extension worth an annual average value of $1.125 million. TODAY'S TALKER 🛳️ [Royal Caribbean] We hopped aboard the world's largest cruise ship. What was it like? Royal Caribbean has docked its new ship at Port Canaveral, giving Tampa Bay cruisers easier access to what is essentially a city at sea.   With so many choices on the Wonder of the Seas, it can feel like you're sailing at an amusement park: three Vegas-style shows, an ice rink, waterslides, a surfing simulator, comedians, live music, rock climbing walls, ziplining. And that's not even the full lineup of things to do and see.   Sharon Kennedy Wynne dives into what vacationers can expect. Today's DayStarter was compiled by Meaghan Habuda and Kelsey Harrell. Did someone forward this to you? Get DayStarter in your own inbox next time. It's free to subscribe. Sign up here. Contact us Privacy policy Terms, conditions & copyright Standard of accuracy © 2023 • All Rights Reserved Tampa Bay Times • 490 First Avenue South • St. Petersburg, FL 33701 • 727-893-8111 To ensure this email is delivered to your inbox, add custserv@elist.tampabay.com to your address book. 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