Pasco County holding waste collection event
NEW PORT RICHEY – Pasco County will host a free Household Hazardous Waste and Electronics Collection event from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Dec. 6 at the West Pasco Government Center.
Residents may dispose of old cleaners, pesticides, chemicals and unwanted electronics.
Fees are $5 for TVs, monitors, towers and laptops; $10 for TVs 36 inches or larger; and $3 for propane tanks.
Commercial waste is not accepted. A full list of accepted items is available at mypas.co/hazardouswaste.
Water district officials declare shortage
TAMPA – The Southwest Florida Water Management District has declared a Phase I Water Shortage from Dec. 1, 2025 through July 1, 2026, affecting all or parts of 16 counties, including Pasco and Hillsborough.
The district received lower than normal rainfall during its summer rainy season and currently has a 13-inch regional rainfall deficit, as of Nov. 18, compared to the average 12-month total. In addition, water levels in the District’s water resources, such as aquifers, rivers and lakes, are declining. Public water supplies remain in relatively good shape.
While watering schedules do not change, wasteful water use is prohibited.
Residents should follow local schedules, inspect irrigation systems, fix leaks and ensure timers and rain sensors work properly. Outdoor irrigation accounts for more than half of household water use.
On the web: watermatters.org/restrictions
Church welcomes visitors during festival
ZEPHYRHILLS – First Methodist Church of Zephyrhills will open its decorated sanctuary during the city’s Festival of Lights. The community can enjoy holiday songs and carols during the open house.
The Festival of Lights takes place from 4 to 9 p.m. Dec. 6 along 5th Avenue.
Salvation’s Rock, the church’s contemporary praise band, will perform throughout the event.
Guests can take in the historic church’s architecture, stained glass and Christmas tree photo spot while enjoying fellowship. The youth ministry will sell seasonal food and beverages from pop-up tents.
Church members will be available to share information about ministries including the Community Food Pantry and Thrift Shops. The event takes place at The Big White Church on 5th Avenue.
Mike Alstott Foundation donates meals
TAMPA – Former Tampa Bay Buccaneers great Mike Alstott was preparing to deliver Thanksgiving groceries Nov. 24 to Hillsborough County Fire Rescue crews and Emergency Dispatch staff.
The Mike Alstott Family Foundation planned to provide full Thanksgiving meals for all 47 fire stations and emergency dispatch for the seventh consecutive year.
The donation ensures firefighters and dispatchers working the holiday can prepare a festive meal together while away from their families.
Crisis center sending emergency vehicles to Ukraine
TAMPA – The Crisis Center of Tampa Bay is donating two retired emergency vehicles to US Ambulances for Ukraine, an Illinois-based nonprofit supplying used American emergency vehicles to Ukrainian first responders.
The vehicles will be shipped via Miami and put back into service abroad.
“These vehicles have served our community for over 10 years,” said Clara Reynolds, president & CEO of the Crisis Center of Tampa Bay. “They have helped thousands of people in our community who have experienced a medical or behavioral health crisis. We are so honored to be able to donate these vehicles so they can continue to save lives and replace emergency vehicles that have been destroyed during this devastating war.”
The organization expects to deliver 108 vehicles by mid-January 2026.
Hagan continues leading Hillsborough commissioners
TAMPA – The Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners has voted to keep Ken Hagan as chair and Christine Miller as vice chair, with Gwen Myers continuing as chaplain.
Chair Hagan, District 2, has served as a commissioner since 2002. This marks the ninth time he has been selected to serve as board chair. Hagan has served as the Board of County Commissioners’ representative on key economic development boards including Visit Tampa Bay, Tampa/Hillsborough Expressway Authority, and the Tampa Sports Authority, as well as the Florida Association of Counties and the Hospital Authority.
HART wins $32M transit grant
TAMPA – The Hillsborough Transit Authority has received $32 million through the Federal Transit Administration’s FY 2025-26 Low or No Emission and Bus & Bus Facilities Program.
The funding will allow HART to replace 33 aging diesel buses with low-emission Compressed Natural Gas vehicles and expand vocational and apprenticeship training for fleet technicians.
The investment supports federal goals to modernize transit fleets, improve reliability, reduce emissions, strengthen workforce development and expand access to equitable mobility.
“With the addition of 33 new CNG buses, HART will be able to improve reliability, lower operating costs, and better serve the riders who depend on these routes every day,” U.S. Rep. Laurel Lee said.
B2K & Bow Wow join forces
TAMPA – B2K is reuniting for the Boys 4 Life Tour, co-headlined by Bow Wow, marking the group’s 25th anniversary and more than 20 years since they last toured together.
The 28-city tour stops at Tampa’s Benchmark International Arena on April 12 at 7 p.m.
The lineup includes Jeremih, Waka Flocka, Amerie, Yung Joc, Crime Mob, Dem Franchize Boyz and Pretty Ricky. Tickets went on sale Nov. 21. Both B2K and Bow Wow will release new albums in February.
Kings of Leon bringing arena tour
TAMPA – Benchmark International Arena will host Grammy Award–winning rock band Kings of Leon for a one-night show on Jan. 31 at 8 p.m.
The concert is part of a major weekend of events that includes Bert Kreischer and the 2026 NHL Stadium Series.
Kings of Leon, known for global tours, chart-topping albums and multiple Grammy wins, recently released “Can We Please Have Fun” and “EP #2.”
Tickets went on sale Nov. 21.
Larry Fleet to perform at Tampa Theatre
TAMPA – Tampa Theatre and AEG Presents will welcome country artist Larry Fleet with special guest Dasher on Feb. 28 at 8 p.m. as part of Fleet’s Another Year Older Tour.
Fleet is known for albums such as “Workin’ Hard,” “Stack of Records,” “Earned It” and “Hard Work & Holy Water.”
Tickets range from $29.50–$69.50.
On the web: TampaTheatre.org.
