A closer look at a 'brutal history'

Pasco charity cuts senior aid; Killorn's future with Bolts uncertain; HART CEO departs after investigation

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View on the web Go to our homepage Subscribe to the Times Wednesday, May 3, 2023 Forward this to a friend Subscribe to more newsletters Read today's e-Newspaper Halfway to Friday! Cloudy skies are ahead today with a high of 83 and low of 61. Meet the people who protect the Howard Franklin Bridge from storms during construction; the Florida House passed a controversial immigration bill Tuesday that now heads to the governor's desk; and find restaurants and events to celebrate Cinco de Mayo around Tampa Bay. [IVY CEBALLO | Times] The history of slavery in Tampa Bay, as told by the numbers Little is known about the Tampa Bay area’s enslaved people.   Ahead of Tampa Emancipation Day on Saturday, Paul Guzzo combed through historic documents for statistics that tell the story of the inhumane treatment of those Floridians and the few Black residents who gained freedom prior to emancipation nationwide.   Here’s what he found. AROUND THE BAY Nonprofit under fire: For 50 years, Pasco County’s Community Aging and Retirement Services has provided essential resources to low-income seniors. Now questions are being raised over its financial decisions.   HART CEO steps down: The Hillsborough County transit agency’s board unanimously agreed to give Adelee Le Grand a $88,000 settlement deal plus two months of health insurance.   Check the weather religiously? Keith Anderson does, too, but for work. He and his colleagues are tasked with protecting the new, under-construction span of the Howard Frankland Bridge from storms. Here’s what goes into that.   Floridan to get new eatery: So long, Sapphire Lounge. A restaurant with a speakeasy vibe will open this month at the historic downtown Tampa hotel.   $21 million makeover: Tampa Theatre is set to undergo another renovation — this one bringing a second screen and a third-floor event space.   JoBros playing Tampa: Amalie Arena will be burnin’ up this fall when the Jonas Brothers perform five albums in one night. Learn how to get tickets.   Marquee message 💬: Allendale United Methodist Church in St. Petersburg has long proclaimed its political and social views on its signage. Did you see the house of worship's latest message?   Low pressure advisory: Amid an ongoing drought, St. Petersburg is decreasing its reclaimed water pressure flow during the hottest hours of the day.   "Hoax" calls: Law enforcement responded Tuesday to false active shooter reports at colleges across the state, including USF's Sarasota-Manatee campus. BRIGHT SPOT [DOUGLAS R. CLIFFORD | Times (2022)] Tampa Bay places to celebrate Cinco de Mayo Restaurants, bars and other businesses around town have special events and menu deals on tap for the occasion Friday. Check out their plans.   Riverfest returns: The two-day celebration includes live music, local eats and a lighted lantern parade on the Tampa Riverwalk. POLITICS Drone replacements: After DeSantis' administration banned local governments from using Chinese drones, the Florida Legislature is assigning $25 million to help police replace them. A key Republican senator called the plan a waste of taxpayer money.   Some paychecks saved: State lawmakers on Tuesday decided not to ban local "living wage" ordinances, which help Floridians make more than the minimum wage. Instead, they passed a bill allowing baseball players to earn less. Bill heads to DeSantis: Also on Tuesday, the Florida House gave final approval to a sweeping immigration measure pushed by the governor.   Seeking injunction: The state House sent subpoenas to the Florida chapters of two national medical groups, seeking details on how they came to recommend gender-affirming care for minors. One chapter says the move is a violation of the First Amendment.   $30,000 fine: Former U.S. Rep. Ross Spano of Dover violated campaign-finance laws in his 2018 campaign, an FEC investigation found. SPORTS Rays beat Pirates: Tampa Bay showcased its bullpen, fleetness and hitting in a series-opening win Tuesday against Pittsburgh.   "Better-balanced Brandon": No matter how Rays second baseman Brandon Lowe's day might go on the field, he knows he's both needed and appreciated by his teammates in the clubhouse and his family at home.   Family affair: His uncle was drafted in the same round by the Bucs 15 years ago. Now, it is Josh Hayes' turn to make a mark on Tampa Bay.   End-of-season question: This could be the end for Alex Killorn in Tampa Bay. Maybe Ian Cole, too. But, columnist John Romano asks, is it the end for the Lightning as Stanley Cup contenders?   More on Bolts: Goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy said Tuesday he pushed himself too hard this season and didn't pay enough attention to recovery. And according to center Brayden Point, the Game 3 play that resulted in damage to cartilage in his ribs was "not dirty." OPINION AND COMMENTARY Protect our schoolchildren: A Florida bill that would permit speed cameras in school zones is off to DeSantis' desk. The Times Editorial Board sounds off on why it should become law. TODAY'S TALKER [Times] Is this century-old Tampa Bay argument settled? The purpose of a local waterfront has been discussed for decades. The guy St. Petersburg's Straub Park is named after viewed it as a public amenity to be preserved as a park. In Tampa, the guy Plant High School is named after considered it an economic tool for shipping and commerce. We dive into the history and the result of that debate today. Today's DayStarter was compiled by Meaghan Habuda, Kelsey Harrell, 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. 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. You are receiving this email because you signed up for the "DayStarter" newsletter from the Tampa Bay Times. If you'd prefer not to receive updates, you can unsubscribe from this email.