Local News

 

Center honors ‘climate champions’

SARASOTA – Community leaders, scientists, business executives and public officials gathered March 11 at Michael’s On East for the fourth annual Climate Champions Awards.

The Climate Adaptation Center honored three regional leaders helping Southwest Florida prepare for stronger storms, rising seas and other climate impacts. 

The Beacon Award, the CAC’s highest honor for climate adaptation leadership, was presented to Sara Kane, sustainability and resilience manager for Sarasota County; Charlie Hunsicker, director of natural resources for Manatee County; and John LaCivita, president and CEO of Willis Smith Construction.

“This year’s Climate Champions represent exactly the kind of leadership our region needs,” said Bob Bunting, CEO of the Climate Adaptation Center. “They are turning climate risk into action and helping ensure the Suncoast remains a safe, thriving place to live and work.”

 

North Tampa Chamber names Leadership Fellows

WESLEY CHAPEL – The North Tampa Bay Chamber has announced its inaugural Leadership Fellows cohort.

The following leaders will participate in the eight-month leadership development program beginning April 2: 

• Mariana Alvarez, Controller Works.
• Ryan Ward, Florida Blue.
• Natasha Faith Beckel, BayCare Hospital Wesley Chapel.
• Tracy Burke, Inside Out Aesthetics and Wellness.
• Cassandra Garvey, CareerSource Pasco Hernando.
• Dustin Gothard, FiCare Federal Credit Union.
• Heather Hughes, Optimum Health & Wellness.
• Michael Berthelette, Platinum Salon.
• Don Copeland, The Copeland Team.
• Mae McKinney, Tampa Early College Academy.
• Natalie Oulton, McFarland, Gould, Lyons, Sullivan & Hogan, P.A.
• Casey Sumner, Orlando Health.

 

Companies support chamber golf tourney

WESLEY CHAPEL – AdventHealth Wesley Chapel has been named the presenting sponsor of the North Tampa Bay Chamber Foundation Scholarship Golf Tournament.

Additional sponsors include contest sponsors Slater | Grant Personal Injury + Trial Firm, Paul Davis Restoration, The Clubhouse and PopStroke; tee sponsors Boardwalk Wealth Solutions and Diamond Dogs Smart Vending; and beverage sponsors Pepin Distributors and Good Boy Vodka.

Proceeds from the tournament will support scholarships.

Organizers say additional sponsorship opportunities remain available. 

Visit northtampabaychamber.com for details.

 

St. Petersburg Distillery names master distiller

1. PETERSBURG – St. Petersburg Distillery has named Clara Robbins as its new master distiller.

Robbins, who made history in 2022 as the first woman in Florida to hold the title, will oversee all aspects of production, including ingredient selection, distillation and blending, while guiding the future of the brand’s spirits.

She previously spent four years with the distillery as a gin distiller and quality manager, contributing to products such as Tropical Gin.

“We are thrilled to welcome Clara back home to St. Petersburg Distillery as our master distiller,” said CEO Evan Brownstein. “Her creativity, combined with her strong scientific background and deep understanding of the craft, makes her an extraordinary talent.”

Robbins most recently led Good Liquid Distilling Company and has also appeared on the Discovery Channel series “Moonshiners: Master Distiller.”

 

Coastal Construction names new VP 

TAMPA – Coastal Construction Group promoted Phillip Duame to vice president of field operations as the company expands across Tampa Bay and into North Florida.

Duame has spent 15 years with Coastal Construction, advancing from project engineer to project executive. 

“Phillip has consistently stood out as a leader who works extremely hard to deliver best-in-class service and quality,” said Sean Murphy, co-president of Coastal Construction. “He embodies the integrity, transparency and disciplined execution that define Coastal.”

Duame has worked on major Tampa Bay projects including Heron at Water Street Tampa and the Ritz-Carlton Residences phases one and two on Bayshore Boulevard.

 

Tax collector goes through FBI training

TAMPA – Hillsborough County Tax Collector Nancy Millan has graduated from the FBI Tampa Field Office’s Citizens Academy.

The seven-week program is designed to strengthen relationships between the FBI and community leaders.

The program provided an inside look at FBI operations, including efforts to combat violent crime, cybercrime, terrorism and white-collar crime. Participants engaged in hands-on exercises such as mock investigations and evidence collection, along with demonstrations by firearms and SWAT teams.

“Completing the FBI Citizens Academy has been one of the most eye-opening and meaningful professional experiences of my career,” Millan said. “The men and women of the FBI are extraordinary public servants.”

The Tax Collector’s Office partners with law enforcement agencies to address fraud, identity theft and other crimes affecting residents.

 

Greenlee earns post with The Florida Bar

TAMPA – Tampa attorney Paige A. Greenlee has been elected president-elect designate of The Florida Bar.

Greenlee will be sworn in as president-elect June 19 at the Annual Florida Bar Convention, when current President-elect Michael Fox Orr becomes president. Greenlee will serve as president for the 2027-28 Bar year.

Greenlee defeated Jeffrey Rynor with 7,244 votes to 4,583.

A sole practitioner with Greenlee Law PLLC, Greenlee has more than 20 years of professional service, including roles as president of the Bar’s Young Lawyers Division and the Hillsborough County Bar Association.

Her platform focuses on access to justice, court efficiency, professionalism, technology and support for small firms.

 

Groundbreaking marks start of apartment build

TAMPA – Hillsborough County and Blue Sky Communities celebrated the groundbreaking March 12 for Rio Palma Apartments, a 90-unit affordable housing community that will include nine apartments reserved for formerly homeless residents.

Half of the units will be rented at below-market rates for households earning 60% to 80% of the area median income, with the remaining units for those earning 30% to 50%.

The development, located at 7200 Causeway Blvd., will include 16 one-bedroom, 50 two-bedroom and 24 three-bedroom apartments. Five units will be fully accessible for people with disabilities. Amenities will include an exercise room, community center, playground and energy-efficient features.

 

North Tampa Bay events

LAND O’ LAKES – The North Tampa Bay Chamber will host Q1 Economic Development Briefing, Final Friday and a ribbon cutting. 

• JD Porter, developer of Wiregrass Ranch, discusses ongoing development during the Q1 Economic Development Briefing from 9 to 10:30 a.m. March 26 at Fairfield Inn & Suites Tampa Wesley Chapel, 2650 Lajuana Blvd., Wesley Chapel. Members pay $20. Others pay $30. Register in advance.
• Members celebrate the opening of PureVida Primary Care & Wellness with a ribbon cutting from 4 to 6 p.m. March 26 at 2404 Creel Lane, Suite 102, Wesley Chapel. Register in advance.
• Members network during Final Friday from 4 to 6 p.m. March 27 at Top Shelf Sports Lounge, 3173 Cypress Ridge Blvd., Wesley Chapel. Register in advance.

Visit northtampabaychamber.com for details about the chamber and events.

 

Greater Pasco events

NEW PORT RICHEY – The Greater Pasco Chamber will host the New Port Richey Business Exchange and Coffee Connections.

• Members trade company literature during the New Port Richey Business Exchange from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. March 26 at Seafire Grill, 4927 U.S. 19, New Port Richey. Register in advance. 
• The Young Professionals Group networks during Coffee Connections from 9:30 to 11 a.m. March 27 at Starkey Market, 3460 Starkey Blvd., Trinity. 

Visit greaterpasco.com for details about the chamber and events. 

 

East Pasco events

DADE CITY – The East Pasco Chamber will host Coffee & Networking.

• Members network during Coffee & Networking from 8 to 9 a.m. March 27 at the Zephyrhills office (38550 5th Ave.) and from 8 to 9 a.m. March 31 at the Dade City office (14112 8th St.). Register in advance.

Visit eastpascochamber.org for details about the chamber and events. 

 

 

PGA TOUR players meet future Habitat homeowner

CLEARWATER –  PGA TOUR players Patrick Fishburn and Hank Lebioda joined Habitat for Humanity Tampa Bay Gulfside on March 18 in Holiday for a meet‑and‑greet with future homeowner Sherkela Hatcher and her son. 

Sherkela, a nursing assistant with Suncoast PACE, is building her future through Habitat’s affordable homeownership program while continuing to provide care to seniors in the community.

Both players are competing in this year’s Valspar Championship. After meeting the family and touring the home, the players had the opportunity to learn more about Habitat’s affordable homeownership program. 

Afterwards, the players and the family marked the completion of the construction process by installing the home’s new address numbers.

“Seeing the excitement of the little boy and his mom was really cool,” Fishburn said. “Great experience to actually see that and see the people that the tournament (Valspar Championship) and everyone involved are helping is really cool to see.”

 

Lee introduces Safe Cloud Storage Act 

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Laurel Lee (R–FL) and others introduced the Safe Cloud Storage Act to help law enforcement agencies modernize how they securely store and process digital evidence related to child sexual exploitation investigations.

Law enforcement agencies across the country are facing increasing challenges in storing, transferring and analyzing this highly sensitive evidence. Many investigators are still forced to rely on outdated physical storage tools, which are costly, limited in capacity and slow down investigations.

The Safe Cloud Storage Act builds on the framework established by the REPORT Act, which provided limited liability protections for vendors contracted by the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children to store and transfer evidence for investigative purposes. Lee’s legislation extends similar protections to other vetted, law enforcement–approved third-party vendors who assist investigators in securely handling digital evidence.

“Identifying victims and bringing predators to justice requires modern investigative tools,” Lee said. “The Safe Cloud Storage Act updates how law enforcement securely handles digital evidence, allowing investigators to partner with trusted technology providers while maintaining strong safeguards and accountability.”

 

Women’s club honors veterans

LAND O’ LAKES – The GFWC Lutz-Land O’ Lakes Woman’s Club celebrated two of its own members, Lois Cohen and Bernice Wilson, who were honored on the Women of Honor Flight to Washington, D.C. on March 11. 

Two additional club members, Karla WIlson and Shirley Willhite, served as guardians on this special all-women flight, supporting the veterans throughout this meaningful journey to visit the nation’s memorials. 

The club is proud to recognize and honor the courage and service of all female veterans. 

 

Tampa Museum of Art to use search firm

TAMPA – The Tampa Museum of Art will use Russell Reynolds Associates to lead the search for a new executive director.

The search comes as Michael Tomor prepares to retire at the end of March after over a decade in the role. 

“Our committee is conducting a thorough global search for a successor who can build on this strong foundation, inspire our community and continue elevating Tampa’s cultural landscape,” said Ron Christaldi, chair of the Tampa Museum of Art board of trustees and who is chairing the executive search committee. “This partnership with Russell Reynolds will aid us in identifying a dynamic leader who can guide the museum through its next century of growth and impact.”  

The search will be led by Russell Reynolds’ arts and culture practice leaders Katherine Armstrong and Olivia Stam. The museum welcomes applications from a wide array of candidates. Nominations, applications or any other inquiries should be emailed to .

 

Quick Hits

• Milahnie Perry, of Wesley Chapel, became the all-time leading scorer in Air Force women’s basketball history. Perry broke the 30-year career scoring record March 3.

 

WESLEY CHAPEL – AdventHealth Wesley Chapel recognized three Pasco County EMS team members March 19 for their quick action and teamwork that helped save a patient’s life during a cardiac emergency late last year.

Ashley Puller, Brittney Giordano and Juan Romero were honored during a special ceremony on campus for their role in responding to a cardiac arrest on Dec. 5, 2025.

The patient suddenly lost consciousness at a restaurant due to ventricular fibrillation, a life-threatening heart rhythm. Bystanders immediately began CPR before first responders arrived.

EMS quickly took over care, delivering a shock to restore the patient’s heart rhythm, providing breathing support and continuing high-quality CPR. 

Their coordinated efforts led to the patient regaining a pulse. The patient regained consciousness and was able to speak while being transported to the hospital. 

The patient left the hospital without neurological deficits, an outcome that is uncommon in cardiac arrest cases.

“This moment is an important reminder of how critical every second is during a cardiac emergency,” said Stormy Dulovich, chief nursing officer at AdventHealth Wesley Chapel. “Because of the actions of this EMS team, this patient has another chance at life.”

AdventHealth Wesley Chapel regularly partners with local first responders to recognize exceptional care and strengthen the connection between pre-hospital teams and hospital care.

PLANT CITY – Outside a local PetSmart store, an orange DoorDash bag was left next to the front door. Inside of this bag were 10 kittens, left alone and defenseless for an unknown amount of time. With temperatures in the 40s that night, this could have ended in tragedy.

“We are committed to providing the kittens with full veterinary care, including vaccinations and spay/neuter, and will ensure they are placed in safe, loving homes,” said Tara Pisano, one of the directors of Rescue Pets of Florida.

This isn’t the first time that Rescue Pets of Florida has taken in abandoned animals. 

A few weeks ago, a litter of puppies were abandoned and left in a storage tote, with no protection. The puppies were placed in loving foster homes and are all doing well. They’re expected to go up for adoption after they’re vaccinated and spayed/neutered.

With the warming temperatures, the community is entering into what rescuers call, “Kitten Season,” which is when many animals, including cats and dogs start to give birth. It can be an overwhelming time for shelters, rescues and even neighbors who may find kittens or puppies and feel a need to help get them to safety.

But abandoning them in totes or bags outside of shelters, stores or rescues can do more harm than good. Rescue Pets of Florida recommends reaching out to a humane society, shelter or rescue group. 

Many rescues, including Rescue Pets of Florida, work with county shelters and take in animals to help prevent overcrowding.

To prevent unwanted kittens, Rescue Pets of Florida spays/neuters 90 to 120 cats at each of their pop-ups, which occur on three Sundays every month. 

These pop-ups focus on spay/neuter of cats within the rescue as well as TVNR (trap, vaccinate, neuter, return) animals from the community. This is in addition to the low-cost spay/neuter clinics available throughout the area.

Rescue Pets of Florida has about 230 cats/kittens and 70 dogs/puppies in its care. Visit Rescuepetsofflorida.org/ to learn more about fostering animals, volunteering and donating.

ZEPHYRHILLS – Initial conceptual renderings for Zephyrhills Main Street’s Home Theatre Renewal were unveiled March 9 during a Zephyrhills Community Redevelopment Agency meeting.

Home Theatre, located at 38521 5th Ave., was built by lumber magnate and former mayor I.A. Krusen. It opened in 1948 and was billed as one of the most modern movie theaters in the South. The theater closed in 2007.

The presentation highlighted early architectural design concepts aimed at revitalizing the historic theater property in downtown Zephyrhills. Concepts include a renovated performance venue, modern gathering spaces and rooftop event areas designed to enhance downtown activity and support community events.

Main Street Zephyrhills presented the conceptual vision and discussed how this landmark project could help strengthen the downtown Zephyrhills historic district as a destination for arts, entertainment and community gatherings.

Once completed, the Home Theatre will serve as the East Pasco Cultural Arts Center, providing a dedicated space for performances, cultural programming and community events.

The renderings represent the early stages of the project’s planning and design. 

Main Street Zephyrhills will soon launch a fundraising campaign to support the project and engage community partners in bringing the vision to life.