Meetings to offer aid on home rehab
Hillsborough County will hold several community meetings to help residents applying for assistance to repair their homes under the Affordable Housing Services’ Owner-Occupied Rehabilitation Program.
The rehabilitation program is designed for low, very low, and moderate income Hillsborough County families. The countywide initiative utilizes State Housing Initiative Partnership (SHIP) funding to rehabilitate the homes of residents who live in unincorporated Hillsborough County, Plant City, and Temple Terrace.
The program provides financial assistance to homeowners who cannot afford to bring their homes into compliance with the Florida Building Code or make other necessary repairs affecting life, health, safety, and accessibility. There are income restrictions, and the program focuses on single-family homes that have been homesteaded as a primary residence for at least two years.
Hillsborough County Affordable Housing Services will hold five community meetings over the next several weeks. Residents are encouraged to bring their completed applications and supporting documents to the meetings. Staff will be on site to help identify any missing documents or accept applications as complete and place the applicants on the waiting list. Application forms are available online. Applications will be accepted through Feb. 2, 2026.
The meetings will be held at the following locations:
• Nov. 13, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. – C. Blythe Andrews Jr. Public Library, 2607 E. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Tampa
• Nov. 14, 1 to 5 p.m. – C. Blythe Andrews Jr. Public Library, 2607 E. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Tampa
• Nov. 24, 1 to 5 p.m. – Maureen B. Gauzza Public Library, 11211 Countryway Blvd., Tampa
• Dec. 3, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. – Jan Kaminis Platt Regional Library, 3910 S. Manhattan Ave., Tampa
• Dec. 8, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. – Emanuel P. Johnson Recreation Center, 5855 S. 78th St., Tampa
• Dec. 11, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. – Sayde Gibbs Martin Community Center, 302 S. Maryland Ave., Plant City
Food pantries offer free groceries
Hillsborough County’s Health Care Services will host events this month where residents can receive free groceries.
The food packages, provided in partnership with Feeding Tampa Bay, generally include fresh fruit and vegetables, meats, and other staples. There are no income restrictions to receive the food.
Hillsborough County residents can pick up free groceries at the following times and places in November:
• Nov. 13, 10-11:30 a.m., Lee Davis Community Resource Center, 3402 N. 22nd St., Tampa
• Nov. 14, 4-5:30 p.m., Plant City Community Resource Center, 307 N. Michigan Ave., Plant City.
For more information on the food giveaways, call Hillsborough County Health Care Services, 813-272-5040, Option 7.
Newcomers mark holidays with luncheon
TAMPA — Members of Newcomers of NW Hillsborough County opened their holiday season with a recent luncheon at the Columbia Restaurant.
Guest speaker was Tamara Green, who shared an uplifting holiday message centered on love and kindness. A 50/50 raffle benefited the group’s chosen charity, Autism Acceptance Center of Tampa.
The goal of the club is to provide opportunities for meeting friends. Its many activities include annual and holiday parties, formal and casual luncheons, book club, bridge, bunco, canasta and various other games, ladies night out, and nature walks.
To inquire about membership, contact Lori Rubin, 813-758-7238, or email membership2.newcomers@yahoo.com.
Another $2M available for hurricane repair
TAMPA — Beginning Monday, Nov. 17, more financial aid will be available for Tampa homeowners affected by hurricanes Helene and Milton.
The city of Tampa, with the support of the Tampa City Council, will be distributing $2 million to primary homesteaded and income eligible residents for repairs. The program, Homeowner Hurricane Assistance (HHA), will prioritize homeowners in the hardest hit zip-codes, including Forest Hills, Palmetto Beach and South of Gandy/Port Tampa.
To qualify, residents must be homeowners within Tampa’s city limits and earn up to 140 percent of the Area Median Income (approximately $160,000 for a family of four). The maximum award per household is $30,000.
Homeowners who received assistance from Tampa’s Homeowners Disaster Assistance Program (HDAP) earlier this year are not eligible for HHA.
The $2 million comes from the city’s General Fund.
Applications will be accepted Monday through Wednesday, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. until Dec. 12.
Homeowners may apply online or by calling the Housing Information Line Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 813-307-5555.
Tampa woman completes 100th Ironman
PANAMA CITY BEACH — Jill Walker of Tampa swam, biked and ran across Panama City Beach to realize a personal milestone: to complete her 100th full-distance IRONMAN triathlon.
The 57-year-old Walker competed in the Florida race Nov. 1 after finishing the Ironman World Championship in Kona, Hawaii, only three weeks earlier.
She crossed the finish line at the 2025 Visit Panama City Ironman Florida in a time of 14:32:17, followed closely by her husband, Dougin.
The couple has done every single available full-distance Ironman event in the world, even tying the knot mid-race on the bike course during Ironman Cozumel in 2022.
“I wake up excited for every single one. It never gets old and (the races) are all unique and special in their own way. Panama City Beach was my first Ironman in 2007,” Walker said at the finish line. “This was my 11th time racing Ironman Florida. I love this race! Today could not have been more perfect. Weather, fans, everything. There were 28 dogs, but I got a million hugs. I saw a lot of dogs that had the bandanas that I brought to put on them. It made me so happy.”
Walker stops to pet any dogs she spots along the course.
Reilly Walsh (M25-29 age group) from Staten Island, New York, took the overall win, finishing the course in 8:25:33, while Nataliia Matsupko (M40-44 age group) from Kiev, Ukraine, won the women’s race in a time of 9:15:31.
Hillsborough students take national honors at FFA convention
INDIANAPOLIS — Members of Hillsborough County chapters of the Future Farmers of America received top-tier awards and podium finishes at the 2025 National FFA Convention held here Oct. 29-Nov. 1.
HCPS FFA National Recognitions:
• Plant City FFA — Gold Emblem Award and ninth place overall in the National Agricultural Communications Career Development Events (CDE)
• Durant FFA and Randall Middle FFA both earned the Three-Star National Chapter Award
• Sickles FFA earned the Two-Star National Chapter Award
Extemporaneous Public Speaking:
• Cooper Davis, Durant FFA, won the Extemporaneous Public Speaking Leadership Development Events (LDE) Semi-Finalist and Gold Emblem Award
• Durant Senior FFA — Silver Emblem Award in the National Nursery Landscape (CDE)
• Strawberry Crest FFA — Gold Emblem Award and Reserve National Champion in the National Environmental Science (CDE)
• JF St. Martin, Durant FFA — Semi-Finalist in the National Conduct of Chapter Meetings (LDE)
• Jaden Ausburn, Strawberry Crest FFA (Class of 2025) — Ninth highest individual in the nation in the Environmental and Natural Resources (CDE)
• Imogen Lanzetta, Florida Virtual FFA — National Winner in the Small Animal Production & Care Proficiency Award category
“Our FFA students just proved on a national stage what focused instruction, dedicated advisors, and hands-on learning can do,” said Superintendent Van Ayres. “We are incredibly proud of these students and the educators who support them every day.”
Hillsborough waste reduction, recycling art contest begins
Hillsborough County Solid Waste’s Third Annual Waste Reduction and Recycling Art Contest is accepting submissions through Nov. 30. The theme of the contest is “Small Acts, Big Impact — Show how everyday choices help reduce waste at home and in your community.”
Students in third grade through 12th grade are encouraged to enter the contest. To be eligible, students must attend an elementary, middle, or high school or be home-schooled in Hillsborough County.
Deadline for submission is Nov. 30.
Students can submit a drawing using drawing tools, including programs such as Photoshop. They also can submit a collage using drawings, photographs, or other materials. Students cannot use artificial intelligence (AI) programs to create the art. The submitted artwork must be created solely by the student and be entirely original.
Three winners will be selected, one from each grade category: third grade through fifth grade; sixth grade through eighth grade; and ninth grade through 12th grade. Hillsborough County staff will judge the 2025 entries. Winners will be selected in January 2026 and receive countywide recognition and waste reduction-themed prizes. A recognition event will be held in February 2026.
Visit the Waste Reduction and Recycling Art Contest Form to review the rules and enter the contest. Email questions to the Hillsborough County Waste Reduction and Recycling Team at Recycling@HCFL.gov.
ZooTampa’s Christmas in the Wild to offer magical experiences
TAMPA — ZooTampa at Lowry Park is lighting up the night brighter than ever at Tampa’s family-favorite tradition, Christmas in the Wild. Nominated by USA Today 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards 2024 for Best Zoo Lights, this festive experience begins Nov. 28 and last for 17 select nights through Dec. 30.
This popular holiday tradition transforms the zoo into a glowing wonderland filled with over a million lights, larger-than-life illuminated animal sculptures, unforgettable entertainment, delicious seasonal food, and interactive experiences. The event blends the excitement of new adventures with the comfort of familiar favorites to create lasting memories for both first-time guests and returning families.
Guests can follow the GEICO Gecko Santa Blvd. to an expanded North Pole Lane, home to Santa, Mrs. Claus and their cheerful crew of elves for an unforgettable and magical experience.
Christmas in the Wild is free for members and Zoo Fun Ticket (Pay for a Day) holders. General admission tickets after 4 p.m. are $29.95.
Lightfoot Center to dedicate centennial mural
TEMPLE TERRACE — The city of Temple Terrace will host a dedication ceremony for its newest public mural, Views of the Terrace, on Saturday, Nov. 15, 10 a.m., at the Omar K. Lightfoot Recreation Center, 10901 N. 56th St.
Created by local artist Ameena Khan, the mural is roughly 6 feet tall and 80 feet long and celebrates the beauty, community, and history of Temple Terrace. It is one of five murals commissioned as part of the city’s Centennial Celebration, joining other installations at City Hall, the Family Recreation Complex, and Fire Station 1.
The project was completed Feb. 28 with the help of approximately 65 volunteers, ranging from preschoolers to senior residents, who painted alongside Khan during two community paint days on Feb. 22 and 23.
“It’s been incredible to see our community come together for this mural, from our youngest artists, just 3 years old, to participants in their nineties,” said Cori Collins, division director of Parks and Recreation. “This is not just a piece of art; it is a reflection of who we are as a community: connected, creative, and proud of our amazing city.”
The event is open to the public.