Rebuilding for Tomorrow call center to aid storm-damaged homeowners<\/p>\n
Hillsborough County has opened a call center for income-eligible residents interested in applying for more than $200 million in relief funds as part of the county\u2019s Rebuilding for Tomorrow program.<\/p>\n
The call center opened April 20 to help residents get a head start on applications, which can be submitted beginning May 1. Residents can call\u202f813-540-7767 Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. In May, the\u202fhours will\u202fexpand\u202fto\u202fMonday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.\u202f<\/p>\n
Hillsborough County was awarded $709 million by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to\u202fassist\u202fwith recovery and mitigation efforts related to\u202fhurricanes Helene and Milton in\u202f2024.\u202fAbout $211 million of that amount will be dedicated to the Homeowner Repair and Reconstruction\u202fProgram.<\/p>\n
Eligible residents can qualify for up to $350,000 to replace or\u202frebuild\u202fstorm-damaged housing; $10,000 – $50,000\u202fin eligible reimbursement costs for\u202fpermitted\u202fwork already completed by the homeowner; or\u202fup to $150,000 in repairs that have not been covered under other programs.\u202f\u202fThe program is for residents earning up to 120% of Area Median Income, with priority given to those earning 80% or less of Area Median Income. Residents can live anywhere in Hillsborough County, including in the city of Tampa, Temple Terrace, or Plant City.<\/p>\n
In addition, Hillsborough has created a website \u2014\u202fRebuildingForTomorrow.HCFL.gov<\/a>\u202f\u2014 and will open\u202fan assistance\u202fcenter on May 1 for in-person help. The program will remain open until all funding is\u202fobligated.\u202fThe program will serve households that meet income eligibility\u202fguidelines in addition to home ownership, occupancy, etc.\u202f<\/p>\n Some of the grant money will go toward\u202fprojects\u202fto repair damage the storms caused to roads, canals, culverts, pump stations, wastewater lift stations, and other infrastructure, and for projects that will improve the area\u2019s resilience for future storms.\u202f<\/p>\n Mobile office to bring tax services to neighborhoods<\/p>\n TAMPA \u2014 Hillsborough County Tax Collector Nancy Millan has launched a mobile service center to bring key tax collector services directly into neighborhoods.<\/p>\n The mobile vehicle, a converted bus, is called MILES, an acronym for the types of services available there: \u201cMobile IDs, Licenses and Essential Services.\u201d Those services include property tax payments, renewing vehicle registrations, handicap placards and vehicle titles.<\/p>\n \u201cMILES is about accessibility and convenience. Not everyone can get to an office, so we\u2019re bringing the office to them.\u201d Said Millan. \u201cWhether you\u2019re a senior, a small business owner, or a family juggling a busy schedule, MILES makes it easier to stay up to date on registrations, renewals, and essential services. We\u2019re committed to ensuring no community is left behind.\u201d<\/p>\n The bus features an ADA-compliant ramp, a widened entry and lower counters.<\/p>\n MILES will begin a scheduled rotation of senior centers, rural communities, libraries, and major neighborhood events. Residents can learn more about MILES at www.MilesBusHCTC.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n School Board member honored as distinguished leader<\/p>\n TAMPA \u2014 Hillsborough County School Board Member Patti Rendon has received the Distinguished Leader Award from the Florida School Boards Association, in recognition of her outstanding leadership and a commitment to effective school board governance that supports student success.<\/p>\n \u201cWe are incredibly proud of School Board Member Rendon for earning the Distinguished Leader Award,\u201d said Superintendent Van Ayres. “Her dedication to learning, leadership, and serving students shows in everything she does. This honor is well deserved, and our district and community are better because of her commitment to service.\u201d<\/p>\n The Distinguished Leader Award recognizes board members who demonstrate dedication to professional learning, leadership development, and governance excellence. Recipients must first earn both the Certified Board Member (CBM) and Advanced Certified Board Member (ACBM) designations through FSBA.<\/p>\n \u201cSchool board members who earn this award go above and beyond in their commitment to effective governance and public service,\u201d said Tina Pinkoson, Director of Leadership Services for the Florida School Boards Association. \u201cBy earning the Distinguished Leader Award, Member Rendon demonstrates outstanding leadership, a commitment to continuous learning, and a lasting positive impact on students, schools, and their community.\u201d<\/p>\n Students recognized for award-winning stickers<\/p>\n Three Hillsborough high schools students have been recognized by Hillsborough County Supervisor of Elections Craig Latimer for their designs of a new \u201cI Voted\u201d sticker.<\/p>\n The winning entries in the annual VoteHillsborough Art Contest were chosen from more than 300 entries, Latimer said in announcing the students at the April 21 School Board meeting.<\/p>\n The first place sticker will be handed out to voters during this year\u2019s midterm election.<\/p>\n The winners were:<\/p>\n First Place: Angelica Pertab, Durant High<\/p>\n Second Place: Juniper Worthington, Blake High<\/p>\n Third Place: Simran Wadhera, Wharton High<\/p>\n The three winners also received prizes from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Busch Gardens and The Florida Aquarium.<\/p>\n First Paige store in Florida opens in Hyde Park Village<\/p>\n TAMPA \u2014 Paige, an international fashion brand for men and women, has opened its newest retail location at Hyde Park Village.<\/p>\n The 1,800-square-foot boutique offers a comprehensive selection of clothing, including denim, knits, wovens, outerwear, leather goods and accessories.<\/p>\n \u201cThe opening of this store marks an exciting expansion as our first location in Florida, and we couldn\u2019t think of a better place to begin this chapter,\u201d said Paige Adams-Geller, the company\u2019s co-founder and creative director. \u201cWe\u2019re eager to bring our comfortable, timeless, and flattering pieces to this vibrant community and are honored to be joining Tampa\u2019s beloved landmark, Hyde Park Village.\u201d<\/p>\n Founded in 2004, Paige is an international apparel brand for men and women. Today Paige is sold in over 80 countries by more than 1,000 retailers.<\/p>\n Tampa officer lauded by AG for services to crime victims<\/p>\n TALLAHASSEE \u2014 Corporal Amanda Baranowski of the Tampa Police Department is among 10 officers and victims advocates from across the state who have been awarded the Distinguished Victim Services Award by Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier.<\/p>\n Every year, during National Crime Victims Week, the Attorney General\u2019s Office honors victim advocates and law enforcement officers who go above and beyond the call of duty to assist crime victims.<\/p>\n \u201cThese law enforcement officers and victim advocates meet victims on the worst days of their lives and make the choice to fight for them every day,\u201d Uthmeier said during the April 22 ceremony in the Florida Cabinet Meeting Room. \u201cIt is an honor to recognize them for their service to our great state. We will stand together to ensure victims\u2019 rights come first.\u201d<\/p>\n Other law enforcement officers who received the award were from Palm Beach, Green Cove Springs and Miami-Dade. Victim advocates honored were from the Tallahassee Police Department, Manatee County Sheriff\u2019s Office and the Pembroke Pines Police Department.<\/p>\n ZooTampa awarded $300,000 grant for animal behavior pilot study<\/p>\n TAMPA \u2014 ZooTampa at Lowry Park has been awarded a $295,322 grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) under the 21st Century Museum Professionals Program. The funding will support the zoo’s new Virtual Internship Program for Animal Behavioral Monitoring.<\/p>\n The pilot program will train 96 students over three years from eight partner universities, including Eckerd College, Florida Southern College, Florida Technical College, and the University of South Florida. Participants will analyze video footage from 23 cameras installed across eight species habitats, receiving structured training in behavioral husbandry and research methods.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re proud to see this program recognized for expanding access to zoo behavioral training in a meaningful way,\u201d said Sue Pasquine, director of behavioral husbandry. \u201cBy engaging students in the collection and application of behavioral data, this program not only builds essential, real-world skills, but also directly contributes to improving animal wellbeing. By removing barriers like relocation and travel, it opens the door for aspiring professionals to gain meaningful experience while making a tangible impact on the animals in our care.\u201d<\/p>\n ZooTampa was one of only eight recipients of the award nationwide. The zoo is also one of only a few zoos to receive this prestigious grant over the past 20 years, joining the ranks of the Phoenix Zoo, Bronx Zoo, Brookfield Zoo, and Oglebay Good Zoo.<\/p>\n The Institute of Museum and Library Services is the primary source of federal support for the nation’s libraries and museums.<\/p>\n Hillsborough College honors alumna for leadership<\/p>\n Nancy Watkins, a Tampa accountant, has been honored by Hillsborough College as the recipient of the 2026 Distinguished Alumni Award for her professional achievements and leadership.<\/p>\n Watkins graduated from Hillsborough College in 1980. She is a certified public accountant with the firm Robert Watkins & Company and an active member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Florida Institute of Public Accountants.<\/p>\n Watkins earned her bachelor\u2019s degree in accounting from University of South Florida and has demonstrated a lifelong commitment to civic and educational leadership throughout her career, HC said in a press release. She served on the Hillsborough College District Board of Trustees from May 1999 to May 2013 and again from December 2020 to January 2026. Her continued service includes her current role on the Southwest Florida Water Management District Governing Board and the USF Board of Trustees.<\/p>\n \u201cI am honored to present Nancy Watkins with the 2026 Distinguished Alumni Award,\u201d Hillsborough College President Dr. Ken Atwater said. \u201cAs a proud alumna of the College, Nancy has demonstrated unwavering devotion to serving her community. Her leadership embodies the best of what our alumni represent, and we are thrilled to celebrate her accomplishments.\u201d<\/p>\n Ex-USF president, spouse gift $3M for neurosurgery chair at USF Health<\/p>\n TAMPA \u2014 USF President Emerita Judy Genshaft and her husband, Steve Greenbaum, have given $3 million to benefit the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine Department of Neurosurgery, Brain and Spine.<\/p>\n Their gift establishes the Genshaft and Greenbaum Endowed Chair in Neurosurgery and will support current chair Dr. Harry van Loveren \u2014 as well as future department chairs \u2014 in keeping USF at the forefront of neurosurgical care, discovery and training, the university said in a press release.<\/p>\n \u201cWe invest in excellence, and we have complete confidence that Dr. van Loveren will steward this gift in the best possible way, not only as an exceptional clinician, but also as a champion for the continued advancement of the Morsani College of Medicine and USF,\u201d Genshaft said.<\/p>\n Van Loveren has served as chair of the Department of Neurosurgery, Brain and Spine for the past 23 years. Under his leadership, the department has expanded the faculty to 27 neurosurgeons and strengthened residency training. He also helped grow the medical school and relocate it to downtown Tampa and briefly served as the interim dean of the Morsani College of Medicine, an opportunity championed by Genshaft.<\/p>\n Van Loveren plans to use the endowed funds to support initiatives that often lack early\u2011stage backing, including grants, pilot studies, creative projects, exclusive equipment and specialized resident training rotations that can influence long\u2011term careers.<\/p>\n Blake High performing, visual arts students earn $1.4M in scholarships<\/p>\n TAMPA \u2014 Students from Blake High School are celebrating extraordinary college scholarship achievements in the performing and visual arts, earning more than $1.4 million in scholarship awards to date from colleges and universities across the nation and abroad.<\/p>\n Blake recently hosted its first-ever Magnet Signing Day, a milestone event that mirrors the recognition often given to student-athletes, while intentionally placing a spotlight on students whose artistic talent, discipline, and dedication have shaped their high school experience over the past four years.<\/p>\n Collectively, Blake students have committed to a wide range of prestigious institutions, including Berklee College of Music, the University of Miami, University of Florida, Fordham University, SCAD, Clark Atlanta University, Florida A&M University, and the Joffrey Ballet. Students will pursue studies in chorus, band, orchestra, theatre, dance, visual arts, costume design, and mass communications.<\/p>\n Several students earned major awards, including full-tuition offers and six\u2011figure scholarship packages.<\/p>\n \u201cAs our premiere Performing Arts school, Blake High School\u2019s programs continue to stand as a model of excellence,\u201d said Superintendent Van Ayres. \u201cThe success of these students shows that when we invest in the arts, we open doors, create opportunity, and change lives in powerful and lasting ways.\u201d<\/p>\n New Tampa performing arts center sets summer camp<\/p>\n HILLSBOROUGH \u2014 New Tampa Performing Arts Center is accepting applications for its Encore! summer camp.<\/p>\n Campers will attend classes in acting, dancing, singing, and even stage makeup. Campers also will collaborate with guest artists and instructors, gaining hands-on experience across multiple disciplines in the performing arts.<\/p>\n Campers ages 7 to 13 will get backstage access at the New Tampa Performing Arts Center, where they will get a firsthand look at what goes on behind the curtain.<\/p>\n Campers must bring their own lunch. Food deliveries from services like DoorDash or Uber Eats are not allowed.<\/p>\n Camps are $240 per session and will be held in four sessions:<\/p>\n \u2022 Session 1: Monday, June 8-Thursday, June 18<\/p>\n \u2022 Session 2: Monday, June 22-Thursday, July 2<\/p>\n \u2022 Session 3: Monday, July 13-Friday, July 24<\/p>\n \u2022 Session 4: Monday, July 27-Friday, Aug. 7<\/p>\n Space is limited. Enroll at NewTampaArtsCenter.org\/Camps<\/a>. Parents with questions about camps can contact the education team at eduNTPAC@HCFL.gov<\/a> or 813- 829-2760.<\/p>\n Commissioners seek applicants for citizen boards, committees<\/p>\n Hillsborough County Commissioners are seeking residents to serve on several county citizen advisory boards and committees. Residents interested in seeking appointment must reside in and be registered voters in Hillsborough County.<\/p>\n These are voluntary positions and members serve without compensation. Applicants may apply to more than one board but may only serve on one board at a time unless specifically approved by the BOCC.<\/p>\n Citizens interested in being considered for appointment must submit a complete Application\/Questionnaire and a Standards of Conduct Form. This can be submitted using the Online Application and Standards of Conduct Form.<\/p>\n A step by step video guide is available at https:\/\/tinyurl.com\/5f5rj7xs<\/a><\/p>\n All forms must be signed and dated, and all questions must be answered in entirety to be eligible. Incomplete applications will not be considered.<\/p>\n Forms can be:<\/p>\n \u2022 Completed Online: Online Application and Standards of Conduct Form<\/p>\n