Tampa plans to extend the downtown riverwalk
Tampa’s downtown Riverwalk is getting $24 million in federal grants to extend the walkway onto the west side of the Hillsborough River.
Tampa Mayor Jane Castor said she expects this project to lead to significant investments in West Tampa and the West River, in a Sept. 10 written statement.
“Not only will the continuation of the Riverwalk on the West side of the river provide safe multimodal transportation choices for pedestrians and commuting cyclists, but it will create a world-class destination for the surrounding new and existing neighborhoods,” Castor said two weeks ago. On Monday, she and other officials held a news event to publicize the project.
Plans for the project on the west side of the river include a 12.2-mile walkway that will be separate from the road. It will connect three neighborhoods and take three-to-five years to complete.
Hillsborough schools prepare for extreme staffing, faculty cuts
The Hillsborough County school superintendent said on Monday that cuts could be coming to 250 schools across the county.
These cuts, caused by schools having fewer students and more costs, caused a swift response from the community.
Because of COVID 19, enrollment is down by 7,000 students, with $7 million going to protective equipment every month, Superintendent Addison Davis said this week. The cutbacks will be made over a two-year period, beginning with retirements and active vacancies.
One Hillsborough parent, Dr. Anne Lenz, has started a petition for more state funding and has gathered over 3,000 signatures on the first day. The district will meet with the the teachers’ union to talk about salaries and cuts, as well.
American Academy of Pediatrics announces new guidelines for youth sports
Any children exposed to COVID 19 should not participate in any public sports for a minimum of two weeks and must be cleared by a medical physician before returning, the leading medical establishment for children has said.
All athletes are to wear a face mask while on the sidelines and practice physical distancing when necessary, American Academy of Pediatrics.
The Academy said on its website, “The World Health Organization does not recommend use of a cloth face covering during vigorous exercise. When non-vigorous exercise is being performed and physical distancing is not possible, a cloth face mask should be worn.”
The doctors group warned parents to be aware of any symptoms such as chest pain, shortness of breath, fatigue and palpitations. Doctor should be screening for cardiac symptoms, as well.
Emergency crew from Tampa Bay return after saving 27 people from Hurricane Sally
Fire rescue teams from Tampa Bay have returned from searching the Panhandle for almost a week in the aftermath of Hurricane Sally.
The Task Force 3 Swift Water Rescue Teams are made up of Hillsborough, Tampa and St. Pete Fire Rescue departments. They took seven boats and 20 vehicles to assist people stranded by the high water from Hurricane Sally.
The storm caused power outages for 500,000 homes and businesses. Hillsborough County Fire Rescue posted on its Facebook page, “Our Swift Water Rescue teams, part of Task Force 3, spent this afternoon rescuing and evacuating dozens of residents flooded out of their homes along the Blackwater River in Milton, FL. “
In the past, Task Force 3 Swift Water Rescue Teams assisted with Harvey in Texas in 2017.
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