Tag Archives: Featured

Current Gazette

Hillsborough County to Host Hands-On Disaster and Recovery Community Expo

Family-friendly events help residents strengthen storm preparedness with expert guidance, interactive displays, and much more

Prepare today and recover faster by knowing how to keep your family safe before and after a hurricane. Hillsborough County is ready to help residents to do just that.

Residents are invited to take part in a hands-on, family friendly Disaster and Recovery Community Expo, 9 a.m. – noon Saturday, June 13, 2026, at Feeding Tampa Bay, 3624 Causeway Blvd., Tampa, FL 33619.

The expo is designed to help attendees strengthen their disaster readiness and accelerate post storm recovery. County departments and community partners will provide an interactive learning experience suitable for all ages.

Attendees will receive:

  • Up-close views of County emergency vehicles and disaster response equipment
  • One-on-one conversations with the Office of Emergency Management and other County departments
  • Guidance on what to include in a hurricane preparedness kit
  • Informative breakout sessions on El Niño, rapid storm intensification, and new flood insurance updates
  • Step-by-step information on applying for the County’s Rebuilding for Tomorrow federal funding for housing recovery
  • Opportunities to connect with community partners
  • Engaging learning experience for children and adults through touch-a-truck tours
  • Hurricane supplies giveaways

For more information on disaster preparedness, HCFL.gov/StaySafe.

 
Current Gazette

Everyone Plays a Role in Mosquito Education and Control

Residents can help eliminate pests by spreading the word of best practices

Got mosquitoes again? They’re buzzing the family on the front porch and biting the chef at the grill? Believe it or not, there’s a good chance those mosquitoes are homegrown, whether in your gutter, a potted plant, or even a tarp that’s collected just a little rainwater.

The rainy season has returned and that means mosquitoes are back. Mosquitoes are a major nuisance and real health threat. To battle the dangerous and annoying insects, Hillsborough County’s Public Works team uses a three-pronged approach to keeping residents safe.

  1. Killing mosquito larvae before they can fly
  2. Killing adult mosquitoes
  3. Public Education to help residents eliminate mosquito breeding areas
Mosquito Lab

Hillsborough’s Mosquito Management Services staff uses a helicopter and a fleet of trucks to target known breeding grounds and eliminate larvae and treat for adults.

But the secret weapon of mosquito management is effective, easy-to-understand public education. Hillsborough’s mosquito management team is always working on public education to help residents learn how they can protect themselves.

Where does the mosquito safety education team go to teach Hillsborough residents about protecting themselves? Literally all over the county.

  1. At the parks, teaching kids at summer camp about how to protect themselves
  2. In neighborhoods, working with HOAs to teach residents (request the public education team to visit your neighborhood)
  3. On the road in their popular public education trailer at mosquitofish giveaways or other public events
  4. In the schools, talking to late elementary and middle school students about how they can interrupt a mosquito’s life cycle and protect students’ family and neighbors
  5. At the State Fair (or any number of other fairs and festivals that go on throughout the year where the team can share information)
Mosquito presentation

The most important takeaway for residents, educators say, is to empty out all of the standing water on your property and cover or remove items that collect rainwater.

This simple activity will wipe out most of the mosquito threat on your property before they get big enough to fly and bite.

A great way to keep safe this summer is to spread the word to family, friends, and neighbors about how they can protect themselves from dangerous mosquitoes.

Current Gazette

Residents, Developer Differ on Proposed Hawk Springs Trail and Emergency Access Connection

A proposed pedestrian trail and emergency access connection associated with the Hawk Springs development has generated discussion among nearby residents, developers and community stakeholders as Hillsborough County reviews plans for the project.

The proposal is part of the Hawk Springs rezoning application, which would allow the construction of 55 single-family homes on approximately 15 acres south of Bloomingdale. As part of the plan, developers are seeking approval for a gated emergency access route and pedestrian trail that would connect the new neighborhood to Erindale Drive through county-owned property. According to project representatives, the route would serve primarily as a pedestrian pathway while remaining accessible to emergency responders when needed.

Some homeowners in the neighboring community have voiced opposition to the proposal. In a letter distributed to residents, homeowners stated that their neighborhood was developed in 1974 as a collection of one- and two-acre homesites intended to support a rural lifestyle. Residents argue that the proposed connection is not compatible with the area’s long-established semi-rural character.

Homeowners emphasized that they are not opposed to development of the property itself. They noted that in 2021, county officials approved plans allowing development of the parcel and said residents worked with both the county and the developer to find solutions that balanced development rights with neighborhood compatibility. However, they remain concerned about the project’s density and the proposed emergency access and pedestrian connection between neighborhoods.

Residents also expressed concerns about long-term maintenance responsibilities. According to the homeowners’ letter, they were informed that maintenance costs for the emergency access route and pathway could ultimately be shared by homeowners associations within both communities.

Developers, however, describe the trail and emergency access route as a public-safety improvement designed to benefit both existing and future residents. According to project materials, the trail would provide an additional evacuation and emergency access option during severe weather events, flooding, roadway closures or other emergencies. Project representatives point to challenges experienced during Hurricane Milton, when some residents reportedly relied on access through Cimino Elementary School while surrounding roads were impacted.

Supporters of the proposal also cite pedestrian safety and school access as potential benefits. According to project representatives, the trail would create an additional walking route to Cimino Elementary School for students living in both the proposed development and surrounding neighborhoods. School representatives have reportedly expressed support for efforts that improve safe pedestrian access to the campus, particularly as the area continues to grow. The developer’s proposal notes that the connection could provide families with an alternative route to school while improving overall walkability in the community.

Project representatives maintain that the connection would not function as a through road. Plans call for the route to remain gated, limiting daily use to pedestrians while restricting regular vehicular traffic. Emergency personnel would be able to access the route through a secured emergency access system.

The proposal remains under review by Hillsborough County. Residents on both sides of the issue are expected to have opportunities to provide input during the public review process before any final decision is made.

The Zoning Hearing Master is currently scheduled to consider the Hawk Springs rezoning application later this month. County officials will ultimately determine whether the requested approvals and variances meet local planning requirements and community needs.

Current Gazette

Why Aren’t Crews Working During the Day on Boyette Road?

Residents on social media and in contact with the project team are asking why lanes on Boyette Road are closed if crews are not yet working. There are several reasons, but the most important reason is safety. 

Crews are working at night for several nights to close the westbound lanes of Boyette Road in phases to keep motorists and workers safe while traffic signals are moved, installed or retimed. They are also restriping travel lanes and placing barricades and barrels for the new traffic pattern. Closing the lanes in phases allows Hillsborough County and the project team to monitor the new traffic pattern and make adjustments before construction begins.  

While it may look like nothing is happening during the day right now, residents should know that the project team has carefully planned each segment of construction to ensure a safe traffic plan and a safe construction zone.  

Site preparation is an important part of that plan. Once the westbound lanes are fully closed, crews will: 

  • Trim or remove trees from the right-of-way or construction easements 
  • Deliver 25-foot segments of 4.5-foot-diameter pipe to the area 
  • Deliver heavy machinery to the area, including excavators, dump trucks, trench boxes and more 
  • Excavate small areas to confirm the locations of utilities beneath the roadway before major excavation occurs 
  • Install dewatering systems 
  • Remove asphalt and install the new pipeline 

Once pipeline installation begins, the contractor will work in a rolling operation with three sections: 

  • The forward section will provide space for materials and safety 
  • The middle section will be active construction 
  • The trailing section will be restored with a temporary drivable surface 

We know construction is disruptive and are working as fast as possible to install this pipeline to serve Hillsborough County’s needs by the end of 2028. For more information, visit SouthHillsboroughPipeline.com. 

Archived Gazettes

BNA Celebrates Senior Landon Holschauer with BJ Stelter Award

Bloomingdale High School senior Landon Holschauer has been named the recipient of the B.J. Stelter Scholarship from the Bloomingdale Neighborhood Association, recognizing his leadership, service and commitment to making a difference in his community.

Throughout high school, Holschauer has been heavily involved in community service efforts both on and off campus. His work with the Bloomingdale IncrediBULLS Games, a student-led event supporting the Special Olympics, became one of the defining experiences of his high school career.

“Being part of the planning team showed me that service is not just about volunteering hours, it’s about creating environments where people feel valued and included,” Holschauer wrote in his scholarship essay.

In addition to his work with the IncrediBULLS Games, Holschauer contributed to Relay for Life fundraising efforts, student government initiatives and community events such as Cimino Paint Night. Through those experiences, he said he learned the importance of perseverance, teamwork and servant leadership.

“Leadership is not about recognition, but it is about making sure others feel seen and supported,” Holschauer wrote.

The scholarship recognizes students who demonstrate strong character and dedication to serving their community, qualities Holschauer consistently displayed throughout his time at Bloomingdale.

As he looks toward the future, Holschauer said community service has changed the way he defines success. Rather than focusing solely on personal achievement, he hopes to continue creating positive opportunities for others through leadership and service.

“The most fulfilling moments of my high school career have not been personal achievements, but the times I helped create opportunities for others,” Holschauer wrote.

Holschauer said the lessons he learned through community involvement — empathy, humility and leadership — are experiences he plans to carry with him long after graduation.

 
Archived Gazettes

Bloomingdale Artist’s Work to be Hung in the Capitol

Sophomore artist Ireland Cates is taking Bloomingdale talent all the way to Washington, D.C., after winning the 16th Congressional District Art Competition. Her artwork will be displayed in the United States Capitol for the next year as part of the nationwide Congressional Art Competition, a program that recognizes high school artists from across the country.

Sophomore Ireland Cates.

Cates’ win continues a growing tradition for Bloomingdale High School artists. This marks the second consecutive year that Bloomingdale students have entered and won the prestigious competition, further cementing the school’s reputation for artistic excellence.

As part of the honor, Cates will receive a trip to Washington, D.C., where winning students from across the nation are recognized for their work. According to the Congressional Institute, the winning artwork from each district is displayed in the U.S. Capitol for approximately one year, where it is viewed by lawmakers, staff members and millions of visitors.

The Congressional Art Competition, sponsored annually by members of the U.S. House of Representatives, was created to encourage and recognize artistic talent among high school students nationwide. Since its launch in 1982, hundreds of thousands of students have participated in the program.

Archived Gazettes

Electric Road Safety for All Neighbors

As electric scooters, mini bikes and small motorized vehicles become increasingly common in neighborhoods across Bloomingdale, residents are raising concerns about safety on local roads and sidewalks.

Many community members say they have noticed an increase in reckless riding, especially in residential areas where children walk, bike and play outdoors. Concerns include speeding through neighborhoods, weaving between cars and riding motorized vehicles on sidewalks not designed for high-speed traffic.

According to Deputy Clifford Fletcher of the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, many riders may not realize that certain vehicles are not legally permitted on sidewalks or roads.

Electric scooters.

“Any scooter over 55cc or goes more than 20 mph is not allowed on road or sidewalk,” Fletcher said. “Electric peddle bike can be on sidewalk or roadway.”

With schools set to release for summer within the next month, residents say the issue becomes even more urgent. Warmer weather and increased free time often lead to more young riders using electric scooters, mini 4-wheelers and other small motorized vehicles throughout neighborhoods.

Safety officials warn that reckless riding can increase the risk of accidents involving pedestrians, cyclists and drivers. Sidewalks are designed to protect walkers from traffic, but high-speed motorized vehicles can create dangerous situations, especially in crowded neighborhoods or near parks and schools.

Residents are encouraging riders and parents to become familiar with Hillsborough County regulations and to prioritize safe, responsible riding practices as summer approaches.