Gift drive brings cheer to children in foster care

TAMPA – Nonprofit One Hope United is still accepting gifts through Friday, Dec. 12, for children in foster care. Donations of new unwrapped toys, books, and games can be dropped off at One Hope’s office at 6800 N. Dale Mabry Hwy, Suite 164, between 8 am. and 5 p.m.

One Hope United, a nonprofit organization serving children and families across Florida and Illinois, is looking for gifts suitable for children ages 8 to 18.

For more information, or to make a monetary donation, visit https://onehopeunited.org/holiday-hope-express/.

Newsome High club sets drive for animal shelters

LITHIA – Members of the PAWS Club at Newsome High School are conducting a drive to collect items to support the Hillsborough County Pet Resource Center and partner rescue, A Kitten Place.

Through Wednesday, Dec. 17, the club is requesting donations of a variety of supplies, including:

• Fleece blankets, kitten formula, dog and cat toys, treats, puppy pads

• Clean towels (new or gently used), dog collars, cat catchers, leashes, dog harnesses, and wet and dry food for dogs, cats, puppies and kittens, and peanut butter, and unscented baby wipes.

Through Dec. 17, donations may be sent with Newsome students to Room 422.

Items can also be dropped at the porch of 15927 Persimmon Grove Drive.

County clerk honors USF Credit Union for $6M discovery

HILLSBOROUGH – USF Credit Union has been recognized by Hillsborough County Clerk Victor Crist with a 2025 Outstanding Service Award for helping uncover an estimated $6 million in taxpayer savings.

Earlier this year, Crist requested assistance from USF CU to help evaluate the county’s banking service agreement. A team of 10 USF CU employees used a secure AI platform to analyze more than 1,200 pages of documentation and produce a detailed 100-page review. The credit union emphasized that every AI-generated score, reference, and citation was carefully verified by USF CU staff.

Based on USF CU’s findings, Hillsborough County made a significant change in its banking relationships, resulting in an estimated $1 million in annual savings – or $6 million over six years.

To recognize the team’s contribution, Crist presented USF CU with a 2025 Outstanding Service Award and honored President & CEO Rick Skaggs along with the 10-member volunteer team at the credit union’s New Tampa branch.

HART seeks county residents for ADA committee

TAMPA – The Hillsborough Transit Authority (HART) is seeking Hillsborough County residents to join its ADA Accessibility Committee. This voluntary role assists HART in ensuring compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and improving accessibility for people with disabilities across Hillsborough County. Committee members serve without compensation.

Fillable application forms are available on the HART website at www.goHART.org/ADAcommittee. To be eligible, applications must be signed, dated, and fully completed. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Applications can be mailed or delivered to 1201 E. Seventh Ave., Tampa, or emailed to ChavarriaC@gohart.org

Submission deadline is close of business on Jan. 5, 2026.

FDOT lowers speed on I-275 construction zones

The Florida Department of Transportation has lowered the speed limit in two construction work zones: I-275 from 38th St. N. to Fourth St. N. and the Howard Frankland Bridge between Pinellas and Hillsborough counties.

The new speed limit will be 55 mph for both work zones.

The speed reduction will help ensure a consistent and clear speed for all drivers along the I-275 corridor throughout each project limits. FDOT encourages drivers to slow down, stay alert, and drive safely through work zones.

The work involves widening the interstate from north of 38th Avenue N to north of Fourth Street N., and adding a new southbound lane to the Howard Frankland Bridge.

T-Mobile, USF partner for scholarships, connectivity

TAMPA – The University of South Florida and T-Mobile have announced a new initiative aimed at providing scholarships for students, improving internet and cellular wireless network capabilities and enhancing public safety communications in high-traffic areas on the university’s Tampa campus.

Through this new program, T-Mobile will provide dedicated on-campus connectivity for USF with its portfolio of Advanced Network Solutions. T-Mobile will also support USF students with annual scholarships to benefit undergraduates pursuing degrees in cybersecurity and other disciplines, including those housed in USF’s new Bellini College of Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity and Computing. The multi-year agreement positions T-Mobile as USF’s main cellular wireless network provider.

T-Mobile’s ANS will enhance 5G coverage in and around the eastern part of the Tampa campus, which includes the future site of USF’s on-campus stadium, expected to open in fall 2027.

The company will also be deploying ANS for a dedicated public safety system across dozens of designated facilities on campus. T-Mobile will deliver enhanced 5G connections to buildings around the campus specifically designed to support public safety communication needs and ensure reliable coverage for emergency services with dedicated infrastructure tailored to support robust and uninterrupted communications for police, first responders and other emergency personnel.