Tampa Postal Service employee honored for safe driving
TAMPA – Freddy Quiles, a tractor trailer operator in Tampa with 31 years of experience behind the wheel, believes focus, attentiveness and defensive driving are the keys to avoiding accidents.
Quiles has driven one million miles for the U.S. Postal Service without a single accident – enough distance to circle the earth 40 times. To honor this achievement, Quiles received a plaque from the National Safety Council and automatic lifetime membership in the Million Mile Club.
The award is presented to drivers who have either reached one million miles or have 30 years of driving experience without a preventable motor vehicle accident.
“It’s a significant achievement and a wonderful feeling to be recognized for hard work and efficiency,” Quiles said during a recent U.S. Postal Service Logistics Symposium. “When driving, always look at the big picture, keep your eyes moving, inspect your vehicle daily and treat others on the road with respect.”
Each year, the U.S. Postal Service processes and delivers more than 116 billion pieces of mail and packages, which translates to over 318 million pieces daily. Its fleet of more than 246,000 vehicles ensure deliveries reach every address.
Suncoast Credit Union donates $850,000 to hurricane relief
TAMPA – Suncoast Credit Union is donating $850,000 to support recovery efforts throughout the state. The funds will be distributed among 13 nonprofits that are providing critical services in the areas most affected by the storms, with a focus on hunger relief, crisis management and education.
Some of the allocations include:
- American Red Cross – $250,000
- United Way Suncoast – $75,000
- Feeding Tampa Bay – $75,000
- Hillsborough Education Foundation – $70,000
- Pasco Education Foundation – $50,000
- Pinellas Education Foundation – $50,000
“By working alongside these 13 organizations, we hope to help fill the gap to help support families, rebuild lives and ensure our schools and students have the resources they need to thrive,” said Kevin Johnson, president and CEO.
$40M grant to support new airport terminal
TAMPA – Tampa International Airport will receive $40,000,000 in federal grant funding through the Federal Aviation Administration’s Airport Terminal Program, according to U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (FL-14).
The funding will support the construction of a new 16-gate Airside D terminal to meet international and domestic passenger demands. It will consist of nine passenger boarding bridges and an automated people mover track connecting Airside D to the main terminal.
“Tampa Airport serves a growing and dynamic region including an estimated 25 million passengers a year, so it’s critical that the airport can modernize and meet the growing demand,” Castor said.
North Tampa Bay Chamber happenings
LAND O LAKES – The North Tampa Bay Chamber will celebrate two ribbon cuttings as well as hold a business breakfast and women’s networking event over the next week.
- Attorney Danya Shakfeh speaks at the next Leading Ladies Networking Event, themed “From Business Protection to Negotiation: How to do Business Like a Lawyer,” from 9 to 10:30 a.m. Nov. 1 at the chamber’s Wiregrass Office, 28210 Paseo Drive, Wesley Chapel. Register in advance. Admission costs $15 per person.
- The chamber celebrates the grand opening of Inside Out Aesthetics & Wellness with a ribbon cutting from noon to 3 p.m. Nov. 2 at 27613 Cashford Circle #101, Wesley Chapel. RSVP in advance.
- Erik Wangsness, president and CEO of AdventHealth Wesley Chapel, speaks at the chamber’s Business Breakfast from 9 to 10:30 a.m. Nov. 5 at Pasco Hernando State College’s Porter Campus. Register in advance. Admission costs $25 for members or $30 for others.
- The chamber celebrates the grand opening of Lightning Orthodontics with a ribbon cutting from 4 to 6 p.m. Nov. 7 at 24795 State Road 54, Lutz.
Visit northtampabaychamber.com for more information about these events and other chamber information.
Greater Pasco Chamber happenings
NEW PORT RICHEY – The Greater Pasco Chamber of Commerce digs into medical topics as well as what’s happening in New Port Richey over the next few days.
- Adam Shoemaker facilitates the Greater Pasco Medical Roundtable from 8 to 9 a.m. Nov. 7 at the Holiday Inn Express, 2125 Corporate Center Drive, Trinity. Register in advance.
- Debbie Manns, city manager for New Port Richey, speaks at the monthly membership breakfast from 8:30 to 10 a.m. Nov. 8 at Vesh Venue, 5811 Richey Drive, Port Richey.
Visit greaterpasco.com for registration information for these events and chamber information.
Statewide jobless rate bests national rate again
TALLAHASSEE – Florida’s statewide unemployment rate has remained lower than the national unemployment rate for 47 consecutive months, according to FloridaCommerce.
Florida’s statewide unemployment rate remains at 3.3%, and in September 2024, Florida added 175,600 private sector jobs over-the-year.
Local data on Pasco and Hillsborough counties is as follows:
- The unemployment rate in the CareerSource Pasco Hernando region was 4.2% in September 2024 (4% in Pasco County alone), up from 3.8% in September 2023. The labor force was 347,256, down 1,331 over the year. There were 14,532 unemployed residents in the region.
- The unemployment rate in the CareerSource Hillsborough-Pinellas region was 3.4% in September 2024 (3.5% in Hillsborough County alone), up from 3.1% in September 2023. The labor force was 1,355,001, down 8,776 over the year. There were 46,369 unemployed residents in the region.
