Author: Jillian Rameau

The Florida State Fair, one of Tampa Bay’s most anticipated annual events, has been nominated as one of the best state fairs in America by USA Today’s 10Best Awards. The recognition puts Florida’s official state fair in competition with 19 other top fairs across the nation, with public voting determining the final rankings. What began as a modest gathering in South Florida in 1904 has evolved into a world-class attraction that draws visitors from across the globe. The fair achieved its official status in 1975 when Florida lawmakers designated it as the state’s official fair. After moving through various Tampa…

Local coffee roaster Kahwa Coffee will officially host its grand opening at its newest location in Oldsmar on Monday, July 8, marking another milestone for the Tampa Bay-based company founded by Raphael and Sarah Perrier. The new drive-thru location at 3502 Tampa Road will celebrate with free small drinks for all customers throughout the day, along with giveaways and the chance to win coffee for an entire year. The festivities begin at 9 a.m., with a ribbon-cutting ceremony scheduled for 10 a.m. featuring special guests. Kahwa Coffee has experienced significant growth in recent years, surpassing 20 locations as the local…

Swimming is once again safe at three popular Pinellas County beaches after health officials lifted bacterial contamination advisories on Friday, June 20th. . The Florida Department of Health in Pinellas County announced that recent water testing showed bacteria levels had dropped to acceptable standards at Clearwater Beach near Mandalay Park, Sand Key County Beach and Indian Rocks County Beach. The beaches had been under advisory since Thursday due to elevated enterococci bacteria levels in the water. Health officials initially issued the swimming advisory after water samples exceeded the established threshold for enterococci bacteria. The Environmental Protection Agency notes that while…

The Texas-based burger chain Whataburger has officially filed permits with Pasco County to open a new restaurant in Wesley Chapel, bringing the beloved brand back to the Tampa Bay region after years of anticipation. According to permit documents, the new location will occupy the former Aussie Grill building at 25340 Sierra Center Boulevard, near State Road 54 and Wesley Chapel Boulevard. The filing outlines renovation plans for both the interior and exterior of the space. The renovation will maintain the existing layout while implementing significant updates throughout the facility. Plans include new paint and wall finishes, refreshed restrooms, and upgrades…

Tampa residents and history enthusiasts can mark their calendars for a special week of events commemorating the city’s founding. From July 13-18, seven different events will showcase Tampa’s rich heritage through tours, dedications, and educational programs across the city. The festivities kick off Sunday, July 13 at 1:00 p.m. with a unique glimpse into the past at the Henry B. Plant Museum. Located at 401 W. Kennedy Boulevard, the museum will present an engaging session exploring potential “Employee of the Year” candidates from the Tampa Bay Hotel in 1925, drawing from original historical records. Visitors can also tour the museum’s…

The sudden collapse of Silver Airways on June 11, 2025, caught passengers and industry watchers off guard when the Fort Lauderdale carrier posted an abrupt message on its website telling customers they are immediately ceasing operations. The regional airline, which had connected Florida cities with Caribbean and Bahamian destinations for 14 years, could only continue to survive nearly six months after entering Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. Thousands of travelers discovered their summer vacation plans were in jeopardy when the airline posted its closure announcement Wednesday morning. Silver Airways had been operating routes to vacation hotspots including Nassau, Bimini, St. Kitts,…

A popular Westchase restaurant has officially closed its doors as of June 8th, 2025, leaving many in the community saddened by the news. The establishment, which has become a neighborhood fixture, shared the announcement on social media, prompting an outpouring of support from loyal customers. The restaurant’s management expressed mixed emotions about the closure in their announcement. “We are all sad with this news! We love being a part of the Westchase Community,” the owners stated in their Facebook post. Despite the disappointment, they struck an optimistic tone about the future, noting they “look forward to new adventures with the…

A dangerous invasive species is making headlines as they continue their spread across the United States, with experts issuing warnings about their potentially fatal stings. The small but deadly Asian needle ants have now established populations in more than a dozen states, stretching from Washington state all the way to Florida. University of Georgia entomologists who are monitoring the ants’ movement report that the species is expanding most rapidly throughout the southeastern region of the country. While these ants have actually been present in America since the 1930s, researchers say they have only recently begun causing significant ecological disruption by…

Tampa Bay Sun FC will host the inaugural USL Super League championship match on Saturday, June 14, following Fort Lauderdale United FC’s 2-1 extra-time upset victory over top-seeded Carolina Ascent on Sunday night. The Sun secured their spot in the final with a 2-1 comeback victory over Dallas Trinity FC on Saturday at Riverfront Stadium. After falling behind to a 17th-minute Hannah Davison header that goalkeeper Ashley Orkus misplayed, Tampa Bay rallied back with goals from Natasha Flint and Carlee Giammona. “There’s moments to serve, moments to keep the ball. Once we started driving a little bit more at them…

After a 16-year absence from the Bay Area, Metallica returned to Tampa last weekend with thunderous performances at Raymond James Stadium, marking the band’s first local appearance since 2009. The heavy metal icons kicked off their “No Repeat Weekend” format Friday night before an estimated crowd of more than 65,000 fans, with another massive audience on Sunday’s show. Each performance features completely different setlists and opening acts, giving devoted followers a unique experience both nights. “It shows that we are on the map to these traveling tour acts and they want to do Tampa because they do well here,” said…