Daily Archives: July 1, 2026

Current Gazette

Lane Diversions Extended to Fishhawk Boulevard on July 12

South Hillsborough Pipeline construction will extend eastward on Boyette Road to Fishhawk Boulevard beginning at 9 p.m. on Sunday, July 12, 2026. Crews will be working overnight to restripe the roadway and adjust traffic signals for a lane diversion that will be in place at 6 a.m. on Monday, July 13. 

All current lane closures and diversions on Boyette Road will remain in place. On Monday, July 13, the extended traffic pattern will:  

  • Reduce and divert the eastbound lanes of Boyette Road near Bell Creek Academy through the Bell Shoals Road intersection, until just east of River Springs Town Center. 
    • A dedicated left-hand turn lane will allow traffic to turn north on Bell Shoals Road from Boyette. 
  • Reduce and divert westbound lanes of Fishhawk Boulevard just east of River Springs Town Center through the Bell Shoals Road intersection.  
    • A dedicated left-hand turn lane will allow traffic to turn south on Boyette Road from Fishhawk. 

Access to 7-Eleven will be maintained via the River Springs Town Center entrance just east of 7-Eleven or from the entrances south of the intersection. All other business entrances will remain open. 

This traffic change is needed to allow crews to work on tunnel shafts required to install the pipeline beneath Bell Creek and Bell Shoals Road. This is the second phase of work that will affect the Boyette Road/Fishhawk Boulevard corridor for the next 12-16 months. 

Motorists are encouraged to plan alternative routes when possible. When driving through the area, please use caution, expect delays and plan additional drive time.  

Visit SouthHillsboroughPipeline.comfor more information on the project.

 
Current Gazette

Greater Brandon Fourth of July Parade Moves to Fairgrounds, Expands Into Community FunFest

The Greater Brandon Fourth of July Parade is taking on a new look this year as organizers relocate the annual celebration to the Hillsborough County Fairgrounds.

Construction and road closures along the parade’s traditional route made it impossible to safely host the event on Brandon roadways. Rather than cancel the celebration, organizers developed a new concept that combines the community’s patriotic parade with a family-friendly FunFest.

The event will commemorate the nation’s 250th anniversary with the parade followed by a full day of activities designed for all ages.

Guests can enjoy live music, a variety of food vendors, local businesses and community organizations, as well as a beer station for adults. Competitive events throughout the day will include a watermelon eating contest, chili cookoff and cherry pie eating contest, with prizes awarded to winners.

Families with children will also find plenty of activities, including a petting zoo, horse rides, dunk tanks and face painting.

Organizers say the new venue offers an opportunity to expand the celebration while providing a safe, centralized location despite ongoing construction affecting the area’s roadways. The Fairgrounds also allow attendees to spend the day enjoying entertainment and community activities after the parade concludes.

While longtime residents may miss the traditional parade route through Brandon, organizers hope the expanded festival atmosphere will create a new Independence Day tradition that brings together residents from across the Greater Brandon community.

Additional event details, including the parade schedule and participating vendors, are expected to be announced by organizers leading up to the celebration.

Current Gazette

A Cool New Way to Unwind, Right Around the Corner

Just in time for Independence Day, MilkShake Factory is serving up patriotic flavors and festive treats at its Brandon location on Causeway Boulevard.

Known for its handcrafted milkshakes, premium chocolates and specialty desserts, the shop is inviting families to stop by and celebrate the holiday with limited-time Fourth of July offerings featuring red, white and blue flavors and toppings.

Franchise owner Clark Evans said the store is excited to continue serving local residents while becoming an active part of the Brandon community.

“As Brandon-area residents ourselves, we’re excited to become part of the community here,” Evans said.

Since opening, MilkShake Factory has welcomed guests looking for everything from classic milkshakes to gourmet chocolates, with a focus on quality ingredients and handcrafted desserts. Evans said he and his team look forward to serving both longtime residents and first-time visitors throughout the summer and beyond.

Whether celebrating after a fireworks show, enjoying a family outing or simply looking to cool off from the Florida heat, guests can find a variety of frozen treats and seasonal specialties during the Fourth of July holiday.

MilkShake Factory is located on Causeway Boulevard in Brandon and is open daily. Community members are encouraged to stop in to enjoy the holiday menu and experience one of the area’s newest dessert destinations.

Current Gazette

Editor’s Take: Loss of HART Route Leaves Bloomingdale More Isolated

The recent loss of the HART bus route connecting the Bloomingdale area to MacDill Air Force Base represents more than the elimination of a transit line. It is the loss of an important connection for residents who rely on public transportation to reach work, school and opportunities throughout the Tampa Bay area.

The impact became especially clear during my recent commute to the AP Summer Institute at Robinson High School. Without a convenient transit option, the drive added nearly an extra hour to each morning. Beyond the time spent in traffic, the additional miles meant more fuel, more wear and tear on my vehicle and added stress before a full day of professional learning. While I was fortunate to have a car, not everyone has that option.

For many residents, public transportation is not simply a convenience. It is a lifeline. It connects people to jobs, education, medical appointments and community resources. For military personnel, civilian employees and families traveling to MacDill, reliable transit can make the difference between opportunity and hardship.

As our community continues to grow, transportation should expand with it. Instead, this route’s elimination leaves one more gap for residents to navigate on their own.

Communities are strongest when they are connected. At a time when people need to support one another more than ever, reducing transportation options does the opposite. It isolates neighborhoods, limits access and creates new barriers for those who already face enough challenges.

The loss of this route is not just Bloomingdale’s loss. It is a reminder that public transportation benefits everyone by creating a more connected, accessible and resilient community.

Current Gazette

Night Work at Lumsden and Parsons/John Moore

Beginning at 9 p.m. on Thursday, July 2, 2026, construction crews will work overnight at the intersection of Lumsden Road and South Parsons Avenue/John Moore Road to reopen the intersection. During this time, flaggers will be on site to direct traffic. Motorists are encouraged to use caution when traveling through the area. 

Crews will continue removing equipment and restoring the area. The intersection will be reopened with its normal traffic pattern as early as Friday, July 3, ahead of the Independence Day holiday.  

The project team understands the Brandon July 4th Parade has a new route. Click here for information on the parade and related festivities. On behalf of the project team, thank you for your patience during construction. We wish you a safe and happy holiday as our nation celebrates its 250th anniversary. 

For more information and project updates, visit SouthHillsboroughPipeline.com.

Current Gazette

BNA Briefs

Event Updates

With the new year in full swing, we’re looking to update how we get the word out about our increased visibility in the neighborhood. Check out the Events tab on the left hand side of the navigation to see our full roster of events, and come back often as we update regularly!

Service Hours for Students

If you’re looking for a little help within your organization and want to offer service hours, make sure to reach out to Mindy Edgeman at Bloomingdale High School. She can help navigate you through the process so our students get the hours they need for Florida Bright Futures, and you get the most assistance from our Bloomingdale students.

Make Your Voice Heard

It’s no secret there’s a lot of changes going on in our neck of the woods. Stay abreast of what’s happening through our monthly meetings, where we invite those in the community to hear proposed intiatives from guest speakers, find out new events, and talk to our BNA board. We’re here to serve, and would love to have you with us on this journey!

Road Closures? Know Before You Go

Keep tabs on which roads are open and closed as the county begins construction on the new water pipeline. You can find closure dates and more information at https://southhillsboroughpipeline.com/

Current Gazette

Community Members Lend a Helping Hand for the BNA Seeds of Hope Fundraiser

Community members are invited to test their knowledge while supporting local families during the Bloomingdale Neighborhood Association’s annual Trivia Night benefiting Seeds of Hope.

The fundraiser will take place on Monday, July 20, at JF Kicks, 3345 Lithia Pinecrest Road in Valrico. Trivia begins at 7 p.m., and organizers encourage guests to arrive early to enjoy dinner or appetizers before the competition begins.

In addition to the trivia competition, attendees will have opportunities to purchase raffle tickets, with proceeds benefiting Seeds of Hope, a local nonprofit that provides food assistance and other resources to families in need.

This year’s event will also serve as a collection drive for the organization’s annual Back-to-School Backpack Program. Organizers are accepting donations of backpacks, new school supplies and nonperishable food items to help local students and families prepare for the upcoming school year.

Community members who are unable to attend the event can still support the Back-to-School Drive by donating new backpacks, school supplies or nonperishable food items through Seeds of Hope. Donations help ensure students begin the school year with the supplies they need while also assisting families experiencing food insecurity.

Seeds of Hope serves families throughout the Brandon and Valrico communities through a variety of outreach programs, including food assistance and seasonal initiatives.

Trivia Night is open to the public, and organizers encourage residents to bring friends, form teams and enjoy an evening of friendly competition while supporting a local cause.

For more information about the event or to learn how to support the Back-to-School Drive, contact the Bloomingdale Neighborhood Association or Seeds of Hope.