For the first time ever due to high levels of lead pollution, The Hillsborough County Environmental Protection Commission (EPC) has issued an air pollution advisory for residents near the battery recycling plant, Gopher Resource. The EPC is asking you to limit how much time you spend outside, and they’re working with Gopher Resource to work on lowering those levels.
If you take the Selmon Expressway, The Tampa Hillsborough Expressway Authority will be closing some ramps overnight for what they call routine maintenance. The Willow Avenue will be closed tonight, and Plant Avenue ramp on the 24th, and will be affected in both directions. Please check here for specific details.
A bunch of abandoned boats are finally being cleared out around Dunedin. Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri and Dunedin Mayor Julie Bujalski held a press conference Monday, and said that around 17 of those boats who’s owners for the most part can’t be found will be removed this week. It costs $5,000 to remove each boat and comes out of the county’s general fund.
Renting in Tampa is on the rise, to the point that the rent is taking around 42% out of paychecks. That number comes from a new report from Online Mortgage Advisor. That same report said the Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater metro now has the second-highest median rent increase in the U.S. with the median rent at $2,038.
Protestors took their fight for affordable housing to the step of St Petersburg City Hall last week. The People’s Council of St. Petersburg expressed their frustration with residents unable to find safe and affordable housing in the city. St Pete’s Housing, Land Use and Transportation Committee tried to get a motion approved declaring a housing emergency but that motion failed.
There’s still no resolution to the MLB lockout that’s put a hold on Spring Training, canceling the first week of games. Pitchers and catchers were supposed to report this week, with games for Cactus and Grapefruit League scheduled to start next week on February 26th, and Opening Day on March 31st. That looks like it will have to be pushed back now, and many cities that host Spring Training will feel the economic pinch as well.
You might feel a little more comfortable on your cruise now that the CDC has lowered the risk level from “very high” to “high.” It’s still recommended that anyone traveling be vaccinated. For more from the CDC take a look at the most recent changes here.