Local News

TAMPA – Hillsborough County extended an emergency burn ban March 12 on all outdoor open burning in all areas of the county for the ninth consecutive week.

The overall dry conditions continue to increase the danger of wildfires in Hillsborough County with drought conditions expected to remain high to very high in March. Since the beginning of January, 1,249 forest and brush fires throughout the state have burned over 77,162 acres.

The only exceptions to the emergency burn ban are a constantly attended barbecue grill for outdoor cooking, certain agricultural enterprises in eastern and southern Hillsborough County that can dispose of agricultural plastic through controlled burns and burning that has been specifically allowed by the Florida Forest Service.

County Administrator Bonnie Wise signed the Executive Order on March 12. Under the order:        

• A local state of emergency is declared.      
• All outdoor open burning is prohibited.        
• The order bans fireworks, sparklers and fire pits.         
• Outdoor grilling is allowed, as long as the flames are contained within a grill and the fire is constantly attended.    

By law, the order can be in effect for no more than seven days. If conditions persist, the order can be extended.  

Safety Tips  

Hillsborough County offers some safety tips to prevent fires: 

• Remove fuels that can lead flames to your home or that can be ignited by windblown embers.         
• Clear away dead grass, leaves, twigs and branches from structures, roofs, rain gutters, decks and walkways.         
• Store firewood at least 30 feet from occupied structures.         
• Plant landscaping that retains moisture and resists ignition, such as native, fire-resistant vegetation.         
• Help emergency responders find your home faster by making sure that street numbers are easy to read.         
• Know where the closest firefighting water source is to your home or building.         
• Dispose of cigarette butts properly.         
• Pick up light-refracting metal items, such as soda cans, that can spark a fire.         
• Don’t park vehicles over high grass that could come into contact with hot engines and other components.    

Burning Agricultural Plastic       

Agricultural plastic is used to suppress weed growth and help retain soil moisture.          

It is crucial for farming operations to dispose of the plastic from the most recent growing season to meet critical timeframes for the next season. Burning of agricultural plastic is the accepted means of disposal under state statute and is allowed on weekdays between 7:30 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. 

Farmers are required to always have a field supervisor on-site during the burning.

Burning agricultural plastic does not create embers that could ignite fires elsewhere. However, as a precaution, burning may take place only in open fields and not near any structures.

Stay updated

Visit HCFL.gov/HCFLAlert to sign up for Hillsborough County’s official public notification system to receive text or email updates related to the burn ban. 

TAMPA BAY – A new grant from PetSmart Charities will allow Rescue Pets of Florida to help more pets throughout the Tampa Bay area get healthy and adoption-ready.

The grant will support National Adoption Week events at local PetSmart stores taking place March 23 to 29.

Millions of pets find themselves in U.S. shelters each year, adding strain to many local shelters coping with strained resources. Funds from PetSmart Charities support Rescue Pets of Florida and the community by providing medical care in the form of spay/neuter, microchipping, vaccines and care of sick animals, as well as supplies, food and education to make in-home fostering more accessible for members of the community.

The grant also helps to fund Rescue Pets of Florida’s Trap-Neuter-Vaccinate-Return program, which provides medical care and sterilization to feral/community cats in the community. The program’s goal is to reduce the number of homeless pets, including kittens that are at a higher risk of disease and death when living outdoors.

“Our animal welfare partners in local communities are determined to keep pace with the need and deserve support,” said Aimee Gilbreath, president of PetSmart Charities. “We’re proud to work alongside Rescue Pets of Florida and appreciate the critical steps they take to advocate for the animals that come through their doors in need of love, safety, care and nutrition.”

PetSmart Charities National Adoption Week is a special time during the year. Stores will host adoptable pets to meet and cuddle in spacious areas. Staff and volunteers are ready to make introductions and answer questions. Potential pet parents can also learn about the products and services they’ll need for the best possible start with their new pets. 

Adoptable pets are available at the following times and PetSmart locations throughout the year, with National Adoption Week events occurring March 23 to 29:

• Spring Hill: 1345 Wendy Court | Saturday and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Valrico: 3313 Lithia Pinecrest Road | Saturday and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Wesley Chapel: 6001 Wesley Grove Blvd. | Saturday and Sunday, noon to 4 p.m.
• St. Petersburg: 7777 Doctor Martin Luther King Junior St. N. | Saturday and Sunday, noon to 4 p.m.
• Plant City: 211 W. Alexander St., Suite A | Saturday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Sunday, noon to 4 p.m.

On the web: rescuepetsofflorida.org

WESLEY CHAPEL – Hope Services is providing a prom-style celebration for young people with disabilities.

The fifth annual Dance Your Dream will allow guests 14 and older to enjoy a night of music, dancing and fun – complete with a raffle and silent auction to raise funding in support of the nonprofit’s mission.

The Land O’ Lakes nonprofit provides vocational training and job readiness for people with disabilities and others facing barriers to employment.

This year’s Dance Your Dream celebration will take place from 5 to 8 p.m. April 18 at Wesley Chapel District Park. Sponsorships are available, with proceeds benefiting Hope Services’ Life Skills and Vocational Training Center.

Hope Services is helping girls prepare for Dance Your Dream.

Girls ages 14 and older will have the opportunity to select a free dress of their choice to wear to Dance Your Dream during a Gowns for Girls pop-up event from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. March 14 at Wesley Chapel District Park. 

At the pop-up, attendees can browse more than 1,500 formal gowns and dresses in a variety of styles, colors and sizes. Each gown has been donated by members of the community and local partners.

“This is our first opportunity to offer Gowns for Girls in partnership with founder Stephanie Brown, and we are so excited to bring this special experience to our community,” said Cindy Bray, founder and CEO of Hope Services. “It is a wonderful opportunity for girls to walk away with a beautiful dress completely free. We cannot wait to see all the beautiful gowns and watch the red carpet at Dance Your Dream, filled with smiling faces and stunning dresses on that special night.”

Hope Services also plans to host a special event providing complimentary suits for men attending the dance. Those interested are encouraged to visit hopegetsjobs.org or follow Hope Services on social media for event updates.  

Visit hopegetsjobs.org to register, become a sponsor or learn more about Dance Your Dream. 

NEW PORT RICHEY – The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is investigating a fatal shooting on March 9 that led to the suspect exchanging gunfire with Pasco Sheriff’s Office deputies.

Pasco Sheriff Chris Nocco said a man and woman were clearing land around noon at the intersection of Davista Avenue and Sawtell Street when they were confronted by 32-year-old Aaron Rodriguez. The male victim called 911, telling dispatch they were being harassed by Rodriguez.

“While he’s on the phone with 911, the male victim is shot,” Nocco said. “He collapses at the intersection.”

Nocco said Rodriguez also shot the woman. She ran down the street to get away from him. 

Nocco described this as a horrific scene, not only for the victims but also for the dispatchers who heard everything unfold during the call. 

Deputies arrived at the scene and began rendering aid to the victims. The man was pronounced dead at the scene. 

Three deputies, including one with a canine partner, approached the suspect who was in a nearby garage.

“The suspect has a gun,” Nocco said. “They start ordering the suspect to drop the gun. He does not drop the gun. Shots start being fired.”

The canine handler was shot. The other two deputies continued moving toward the suspect. The suspect was hit in the exchange.

Nocco was proud of how the deputies handled themselves during the tense scene. 

“We tell people if you put your hand on something hot, like a boiling pot, your hand is going to burn,” Nocco said. “If you play with glass, it’s going to cut. If you point a gun at a Pasco deputy, you’re going to get shot. And that’s what happened today. There’s no apologies. There’s no sympathy. He got shot. I feel horrible for the victims.”

The deputy, woman and suspect were all taken to the hospital. The deputy did not have life-threatening injuries. His canine partner was also OK. Nocco said he wasn’t aware of the status of Rodriguez or the woman when he spoke to reporters about the incident. 

The FDLE investigation is standard protocol with deputy-involved shootings. The deputies who fired the shots have been placed on paid administrative leave, in keeping with policy. 

The sheriff’s office described the shooting as an isolated incident, assuring the public there was no safety threat. 

“It’s an absolute horrible incident that occurred,” Nocco said. “It all happened because the suspect did not, one, just be a normal person and allow people to go about their business and clean a lot – their own lot. Second, when you get orders to drop a gun from a Pasco deputy, you drop that gun. It’s that simple.”