Extension eyes December workshops, training

Hillsborough County Extension Service is closing out the year with a lineup of hands-on workshops, home-garden training, financial education opportunities, and programs for the whole family. From building healthier soil to attracting pollinators and managing water use, December’s classes offer both new and experienced learners a chance to dig into fresh skills before the new year.

The month kicked off with the Homegrown Hillsborough Annual Conference on Dec. 3–4, the first gathering of its kind bringing together local food system stakeholders to collaborate and exchange ideas. Other early-month offerings include several Vermicomposting Workshops on Dec. 3, 10, and 17, where residents learn how to turn kitchen scraps into nutrient-rich soil using worms.

Other scheduled workshops include:

• Dec. 3 – Vegetable Microirrigation Workshop

• Dec. 5 – Pollinator Gardening (Carrolwood Cultural Center)

Online

• Dec. 4 – Afternoon Arborist webinar

• Dec. 9 – Water Use Restrictions workshop

• Dec. 11 – Container Gardening for Every Space

• Dec. 10 – Student Loan Strategies webinar

On demand – Self-based and appointment Financial Building Blocks; 1-1 Financial Education programs

Youth and family programs return as well with the 4-H Family Night at Astro Skate on Dec. 3, offering families a fun evening of skating, games, and community.

For information, visit https://sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/events/?location=hillsborough or call 813-744-5519.

Fossil Valley Girl Scouts deliver more than cookies

LITHIA – The Fossil Valley Girl Scouts are sharing the inspirational results of their recent community service efforts as proof that its girls are so much more than cookies. From birthday celebrations for families in need to Thanksgiving meals and hands-on volunteerism, scouts learned what it means to lead with heart, work with purpose, and serve with joy.

This year, Brownie Troop 33502 led the charge on the 2025 Birthday Box Drive, an annual initiative that brings smiles to children served by the St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry. Thanks to the overwhelming generosity of families and neighbors, the troop collected and delivered 46 fully stocked birthday boxes—each one designed to help families celebrate their child’s special day with dignity and delight.

Each kit included essentials like cake mix, candles, and frosting, along with festive extras such as balloons, decorations, tableware, and small gifts. Volunteers labeled boxes by age and theme so the pantry could match them with families.

Junior Troop 33527 recently completed its Savvy Shopper Badge by budgeting for and assembling two full Thanksgiving meals for local families in need. During their delivery at St. Vincent de Paul, volunteers shared that the pantry had supported more than 130 families in a single day, leaving shelves almost empty.

HART scores historic $32 million federal transit award

TAMPA – The Hillsborough Transit Authority has been awarded $32 million from the Federal Transit Administration that will allow HART to replace 33 aging diesel buses with low emission Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) vehicles and expand training for fleet technicians.

It is the largest award of its kind in Florida and among the top transit awards nationwide.

“Today’s announcement represents a major step forward for reliable transit in Hillsborough County,” said HART CEO Scott Drainville. “This investment will help us improve service for riders, reduce costly breakdowns, strengthen our workforce pipeline, and continue transitioning our fleet to cleaner, low-emission technology.

The project will:

• Replace diesel buses averaging 688,000 miles

• Reduce annual maintenance spending by over $1 million

• Improve on-time performance and reduce service interruptions

• Reduce harmful emissions

• Expand training partnerships and apprenticeship programs to address the national technician shortage.

The project builds on HART’s long-standing Fleet Transition Plan, which began in 2014 and has already converted 75% of the fixed-route fleet to CNG.

Hillsborough public school celebrate Capstone diplomas

TAMPA – Some 175 students from last year’s graduating class have earned the AP Capstone DiplomaTM, Hillsborough County Public Schools have announced. Another 41 earned the AP Seminar and Research CertificateTM.

The AP Capstone Diploma program helps students develop critical thinking, research, collaboration, and presentation skills that are essential to academic and career success.

The number of AP Capstone Diploma Recipients awarded to high school are:

• Plant High School: 104

• Steinbrenner High School: 32

• Sickles High School: 18

• Durant High School: 11

• Riverview High School: 6

• Gaither High School: 2

• Bloomingdale High School: 1

• East Bay High School: 1

AP Seminar and Research Certificates awarded by high school are:

• Plant High School: 23

• Sickles High School: 6

• Steinbrenner High School: 4

• Riverview High School: 3

• Durant High School: 2

• Gaither High School: 2

• Bloomingdale High School: 1

AP Seminar and AP Research assessments are project-based and evaluate mastery through group projects, presentations, and individual essays completed throughout the year. Both courses are interdisciplinary, encouraging students to design research projects on topics of personal interest while developing critical thinking, collaboration, time management, and presentation skills.

To earn the AP Capstone Diploma, students must score 3 or higher in AP Seminar, AP Research, and on four additional Advanced Placement® Exams of their choice. Students who score 3 or higher in AP Seminar and AP Research earn the AP Seminar and Research Certificate

HC to host teens for Career Quest

TAMPA – Some 600 high school students from around Hillsborough County are expected at the Dale Mabry campus of Hillsborough College on Friday, Dec. 5, for the college’s annual Career Quest and a peek at the school’s programs, student life, and potential career paths.

The event provides a hands-on introduction to HC’s offerings with live demonstrations, such as simulations centered on the college’s welding and automotive workforce programs to EMS demonstrations. Activities and informational sessions focus on HC’s associate in science degree programs, health sciences and workforce training programs, as well as its Institute for Corporate & Continuing Education, which offers short-term training and personal interest courses.

Career Quest will happen between 9:30 a.m. to noon. For more information on the associate in science degrees and workforce programs offered at HC, visit hccfl.edu/getagreatjob.

Hillsborough passes emergency burn ban

Hillsborough County has approved a county-wide emergency ban on all outdoor open burning as a result of warm temperatures and dry conditions.

The only exceptions are a constantly attended barbecue grill for outdoor cooking, certain agricultural enterprises in eastern and southern Hillsborough County that can dispose of agricultural plastic through controlled burns, and burning that has been specifically allowed by the Florida Forest Service.‚

The order bans fireworks, sparklers, and fire pits.

Outdoor grilling is allowed, as long as the flames are contained within a grill, and the fire is constantly attended.

By law, the order can be in effect for no more than seven days. If conditions persist, the order can be extended.