All posts by Elise Cruz

Archived Gazettes

Early Voting Starts Monday in Hillsborough County

Hillsborough County, FL – Early Voting for the 2026 Primary Election starts Monday, August 3, in Hillsborough County and will be available every day through August 16, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Hillsborough County voters can choose to vote in any of 27 Early Voting locations during this period. This is different from Election Day, when voters must vote in the polling place assigned to their precinct.

One of Hillsborough County’s popular Early Vote sites, the SouthShore Regional Library, is not available this election because the library is undergoing renovations. A new site, the SouthShore Community Resource Center at 201 14th Ave SE in Ruskin, will be available for this election and the Southshore Regional Service Center is another convenient Early Vote site in that area of the county. The full list of sites can be found at VoteHillsborough.gov/EarlyVoting.

Along with in-person voting, each Early Voting location has a Secure Ballot Intake Station where voters can drop off their Vote By Mail ballots. Voters who still want to request a Vote By Mail ballot must make their request before 5 p.m. August 6. Voters can call (813) 612-4180 or visit VoteHillsborough.gov to request a ballot.

“We are a large county and I want our voters to have plenty of options to cast their ballot. I keep Early Voting open for the maximum number of days allowed by law, including two full weekends,” said Hillsborough County Supervisor of Elections Craig Latimer.

Voters should bring a Florida driver license or other acceptable photo and signature ID for voter check-in. The full list of acceptable IDs, along with a list of Early Voting locations and a video that shows what voters can expect when voting in person, can be found at VoteHillsborough.gov.

Archived Gazettes

BNA News

August 10 / HCPS Back in School / All local schools

August 25 / BNA Monthly Meeting / 7 p.m. / Bloomingdale Regional Library

September 13 / BNA Garage Sale / 9 a.m. / Bloomingdale Neighborhoods

September 22 / BNA Mon thly Meeting / 7 p.m. / Bloomingdale Regional Library

October 18 / Fall Food Truck Rally / 9 a.m to 1 p.m. / Campo Family YMCA

Archived Gazettes

Estoppel Requests in Bloomingdale: Know Who to Contact

For homeowners, real estate agents and title companies handling property sales within the Bloomingdale community, knowing where to send an estoppel request can help prevent unnecessary delays during the closing process.

The Bloomingdale community includes 32 individual neighborhoods, 16 of which have mandatory homeowners associations with active and enforceable deed restrictions. The Bloomingdale Neighborhood Association (BNA), however, is a voluntary communitywide organization and is separate from these individual mandatory HOAs.

Because of that distinction, the BNA does not prepare, process or issue estoppel certificates. Estoppel requests for properties located within a mandatory HOA should be directed to the appropriate HOA president or the association’s authorized representative.

Those requesting an estoppel should first determine whether the property is located within one of Bloomingdale’s mandatory HOA neighborhoods and then locate the appropriate HOA contact. A current list of Bloomingdale’s mandatory neighborhoods and representatives is available through the BNA Mandatory HOA Neighborhoods and Contact Information.

Requests should also be submitted with sufficient turnaround time before a scheduled closing. Under Florida law, an HOA generally has up to 10 business days after receiving a written or electronic request to issue an estoppel certificate. Waiting until immediately before closing may create avoidable timing issues.

For residents of Bloomingdale’s non-mandatory neighborhoods, there is no active mandatory HOA responsible for issuing an HOA estoppel. The BNA serves the broader Bloomingdale community but does not assume the responsibilities of an individual homeowners association.

Taking a few minutes to identify the correct neighborhood and HOA representative before submitting a request can help ensure estoppel inquiries reach the person authorized to handle them and keep the closing process moving efficiently.

Archived Gazettes

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/

Archived Gazettes

Work Begins on Balm Boyette Road South of Woodland Spur Drive Aug. 10

On Monday, Aug. 10, 2026, construction activity for the South Hillsborough Pipeline will begin on the east side of Balm Boyette Road, southwest of Woodland Spur Drive. Crews will first begin delivering heavy equipment and supplies to the temporary and permanent construction easements, then begin installing shoring for a tunnel beneath Balm Boyette Road.  

What to expect: 

  • Brief traffic delays during equipment and material deliveries and while trucks enter and exit the roadway; no long-term road closures are anticipated. 
  • Construction noise and activity from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday. 
  • Heavy equipment on site, including large cranes, excavators, control trailers and pipe materials. 
  • Shallow dewatering wells will be installed and will operate 24/7 using noise-minimizing diesel pumps.  

Crews are scheduled to mobilize to the west side of Balm Boyette Road in mid-August. For more information on the pipeline, visit SouthHillsboroughPipeline.com. 

Work begins on the east side of Balm Boyette Road, southwest of Woodland Spur Drive
Archived Gazettes

Annual BNA Community Garage Sale Returns Sept. 12

The Bloomingdale Neighborhood Association will host its annual communitywide garage sale on Saturday, Sept. 12, giving residents throughout Bloomingdale an opportunity to clear out unused items while neighbors shop sales across the community.

The garage sale will take place throughout BNA neighborhoods, with participating sellers hosting sales at their individual homes. A list of participating sellers and their addresses will be posted on the BNA Facebook page ahead of the event, allowing shoppers to plan their stops throughout the community.

To help bring shoppers into participating neighborhoods, the BNA will place a limited number of smaller directional signs near neighborhood entrances and surrounding areas. Residents who would like the BNA to place signage outside their neighborhood entrance should email their address to bl.neighbor1@gmail.com no later than Sept. 5.

The BNA-provided signs are intended to direct shoppers toward participating areas rather than individual homes. Sellers who would like additional or more prominent signage directing customers specifically to their sale are responsible for providing and placing their own signs.

The annual event provides an opportunity for residents to shop within their own community, meet neighbors and give unwanted household items a new home.

Archived Gazettes

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.

 
Archived Gazettes

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.

Archived Gazettes

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.