Three Hillsborough cheerleading teams named tops in U.S.

ORLANDO – Three Hillsborough County high school cheerleading teams have been named national champions at the 2026 UCA National High School Cheerleading Championship.

The competition was held Feb. 6-8 at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World Resort.

The winning teams are:

• Strawberry Crest High School – Co‑Ed Team and Game Day Team

• Plant City High School – All Girl Medium Team

• Bloomingdale High School – All Girl Large Team

“Achieving national titles at this level speaks volumes about the passion and perseverance of our student‑athletes and coaches,” said Superintendent Van Ayres. “Their commitment to excellence continues to elevate our district and inspire the entire HCPS community.”

Applications open for $2,500 scholarships

The Tampa Bay Business Coalition for the Arts is now accepting applications for $2,500 scholarships for Tampa Bay area high school juniors and seniors planning to seek higher education in the arts.

TBBCA awards six or more scholarships each year to area students with exceptional talent in instrumental and vocal music, theatre, dance, visual arts, and literary arts.

Eligible students in Hillsborough, Pinellas, Manatee, and Pasco counties may apply in one or multiple disciplines (separate online applications required for each). There is no application fee, and all materials must be submitted online. Applications close March 29.

To apply, visit https://www.tbbca.org/scholarships.

Contact Chase Andrews at chasea@elevanta.com with any questions.

To date, Tampa Bay BCA has awarded over $280,000 in tuition assistance to more than 102 students, the majority from public high schools across the Tampa Bay region.

County to connect with residents at Neighborhoods Expo

Hillsborough residents will have the opportunity to meet with members of the various county government departments Saturday, Feb. 28, at the 2026 Neighborhoods Expo.

This annual event will be held from 9 a.m. to noon at Feeding Tampa Bay, 3624 Causeway Blvd., Tampa.

It’s an opportunity for residents to meet staff and discover programs and services from numerous county departments. The event also gives residents and community leaders opportunities to explore exhibits, enjoy demonstrations, and learn about Hillsborough County government.

Exhibitors will include Fire Rescue, Pet Resource Center, Parks & Recreation, Code Enforcement, Solid Waste, Water Resources, and Homeless & Community Services, as well as the Neighborhood Relations team.

Registration prior to the free event is not required, but is encouraged by visiting the registration link on the 2026 Annual Neighborhoods Expo page, https://tinyurl.com/5btws47s

Hillsborough crime down for fourth year straight

TAMPA – For the fourth year in a row, crime in Hillsborough County is down, Sheriff Chad Chronister says.

According to 2025 data submitted through the FBI’s National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS), overall crime has declined 12.79% compared to the previous year, Chronister reported last week.

This is the largest single-year reduction during this four-year trend.

Since 2022, Hillsborough County has seen a consistent decrease in crime:

2022: Down 6.2%

2023: Down 8.23%

2024: Down 12.30%

2025: Down 12.79%

“These numbers aren’t just impressive, they’re historic,” said Chronister. “While communities across the country are experiencing turmoil and rising crime, we are not, because we won’t allow it here. People continue to move to Hillsborough County, and despite that growth, crime is going down. That doesn’t happen by chance. It happens because we are relentless about protecting this community and making sure Hillsborough County remains a safe place to live, visit, and raise a family.”

Significant reductions were seen in some of the most serious crime categories according to the FBI report.. Homicides, as categorized by NIBRS, dropped 55%, from 49 in 2024 to 22 in 2025. Firearm-related violent crime declined 10.55%, while overall violent crime fell 13.85%. Vehicle burglaries and property crimes were also reduced by 29% and more than 22% respectively, as compared to last year.

Hillsborough College gets $250,000 for AI center

Hillsborough College has been awarded $250,000 in federal funding to support the development of a new Artificial Intelligence Innovation Center, following passage and enactment of the federal appropriations package.

The funding was secured with the support of U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor, whose advocacy was instrumental in advancing the College’s request through the federal appropriations process, HC said in a press release.

The funds will provide new classroom resources and technology that support an advanced educational experience for students interested in applied artificial intelligence.

“This funding represents a significant investment in our students and educators as we expand our artificial intelligence education and workforce preparation through the implementation of the new Innovation Center,” said Dr. Ken Atwater, president of Hillsborough College.

County high schools named to Advanced Placement honor roll

TAMPA – Some 16 of Hillsborough County public high schools have been named to the 2025 Advanced Placement® Program (AP®) School Honor Roll, earning three platinum, four gold, two silver, and seven bronze distinctions.

The AP School Honor Roll recognizes schools whose AP programs “deliver results for students while broadening participation,” HCS said in a press release.

This annual recognition is based on criteria that reflect a commitment to increasing college-going culture, providing opportunities for students to earn college credit, and maximizing college readiness.

Platinum

• Durant High School

• Steinbrenner High School

• Plant High School

Gold

• Alonso High School

• Newsome High School

• Robinson High School

• Sickles High School

Silver

• Middleton High School

• Riverview High School

Bronze

• Bloomingdale High School

• Freedom High School

• Hillsborough High School

• King High School

• Leto High School

• Gaither High School

• Wharton High School

USF Health launches center for voice, hearing, swallowing care

TAMPA – The University of South Florida is celebrating the grand opening of the new USF Health Institute for Voice and Hearing Innovation, which the university is touting as a first-of-its-kind center that combines clinical research and comprehensive patient care for voice, hearing and swallowing disorders.

The new institute establishes USF as the first in the nation to bring together multidisciplinary patient care and clinical research for disorders of communication and swallowing in a single, fully integrated space, USF said in a press release.

Designed to accelerate discovery while improving patient outcomes, the institute will embed research directly into the clinical experience. Every patient seen at the institute becomes a research partner, helping drive innovations that can quickly move from the lab to real-world clinical practice.

“We created this institute because research and clinical care work better when they’re brought together,” said Yael Bensoussan, MD, director and co-founder of the USF Health Institute for Voice and Hearing Innovation and assistant professor of otolaryngology at the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine. “By housing everything in one shared space, we’ve created a model where discovery is part of everyday care. It allows us to move faster, work more collaboratively and develop new treatments that directly benefit patients.”

The institute features a large acoustics laboratory, a full simulation suite for clinical training and research, a wellness and movement studio, dedicated therapy spaces and advanced technologies for voice, speech, hearing and balance evaluation and treatment. The space also includes a grand piano and performance studio areas, along with 3D printing and virtual reality tools.