Columbia Restaurant recognized as best Cuban Sandwich in Florida

Southern Living has recognized Columbia Restaurant as the best Cuban Sandwich in Florida in a recent article. 

The magazine released its South's Best awards, asking readers to rate their favorite eateries. The winner for the best Cuban Sandwich was Ybor City's own, Columbia Restaurant.

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Ybor City residents, workers weigh in on important issues as neighborhood looks to the future

Those answers, compiled in the new 2023 report, show some of the neighbor’s top concerns including cleanliness, affordable housing, and safety.

Safety is top of mind for many after last fall’s deadly mass shooting.

Video and Article HERE

AccuWeather: Texas, Florida, And The Carolinas At Elevated Risk For ‘Explosive’ 2024 Hurricane Season

The Atlantic hurricane season of 2024 is predicted to be one of the most active and intense in history, according to experts at AccuWeather.

With warmer-than-average sea-surface temperatures and a transition from El Niño to La Niña conditions, all signs point to a hyperactive season with a higher risk of direct impacts on the United States.

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PRESIDENT FOR LIFE? Biden warns of attempts to amend Constitution for Trump

On January 20th, 2025, barring unpredictable circumstances, either President Joe Biden will be sworn in for a second term, or Donald Trump will return to the White House. What happens, though, in the latter case on January 6th, 2029?

President Biden is warning the nation that if Trump is sworn in again, he won’t leave willingly, and he’s bringing receipts to prove the point — as if Trump’s attempt to stay in office after losing in 2020 isn’t sufficient. He’s pointing to open plans by the Trump-supporting right, and what they’re promising if they take control again.

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Tampa to enforce new electric scooter and bike rules

Electric scooter and bike riders must park their shared vehicles in docking stations or they will face fees.

Users won't be able to park anywhere anymore starting April 1, according to an X post by the City of Tampa.

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Israeli soldiers shoot and kill two unarmed Palestinian men in Gaza then try to bury the evidence

Israeli soldiers shot dead two unarmed Palestinian men in Gaza, their bodies buried in sand and rubbish by an army bulldozer, exclusive broadcast footage obtained by Al Jazeera has shown.

Video and story HERE

U.S. signs off on more bombs, warplanes for Israel

The Biden administration in recent days quietly authorized the transfer of billions of dollars in bombs and fighter jets to Israel despite Washington’s concerns about an anticipated military offensive in southern Gaza that could threaten the lives of hundreds of thousands of Palestinian civilians.....Read More

Sacramento declares itself a sanctuary city for transgender people

The Sacramento City Council voted unanimously Tuesday to approve a resolution declaring the California capital a sanctuary for transgender people.

The resolution, which went into effect immediately, guarantees that none of the city’s resources — including staff time — are used to enforce laws passed in other states that restrict access to gender-affirming health care for transgender minors or adults.

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Toxic toads that can kill pets in minutes are breeding in Florida; what to watch out for

Cane Toad

Thousands of highly toxic toads dangerous to pets are breeding in Florida. Your pet could die in as little as 15 minutes if it bites or swallows the invasive amphibians known as bufo toads, cane toads or giant marine toads.....Read More

Tampa Bay Wine and Food Festival

Tampa Bay Wine and Food Festival

Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park

600 North Ashley Drive, Tampa

April 9th, 7pm - April 13, 5pm

More info and schedule of events HERE

Tickets HERE

Warren, Sanders accuse Meta of blocking content related to Palestinians: ‘Deeply troubling’

Sens. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) on Tuesday accused Meta of suppressing Palestine-related content on its platforms, calling its actions “deeply troubling.”

Their letter, addressed to Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, is a follow-up to a December one Warren sent that was also about Instagram and Facebook suppressing Palestinian content.

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Delay Delay Delay: Trump gets surprise financial lifeline with $175M bond decision

Former President Trump won a surprise decision from a New York appeals court Monday that significantly lowered the cost of a bond he must pay while appealing a multimillion-dollar civil fraud judgment against him.....Read More

U.S. Supreme Court to hear oral arguments Tuesday on abortion pill limits

The same U.S. Supreme Court that overturned the constitutional right to an abortion will hear oral arguments Tuesday over access to mifepristone, a pharmaceutical used in both medication abortion and miscarriage care.....Read More

Israel Predicts End To War With Hamas. It’s Not Clear What Happens Next

More than six months in, Israel is seeking a quick end to the war with Hamas as the country navigates a series of complexities on the ground, including how exactly the conflict will end and what comes next, foreign policy and defense experts told the Daily Caller News Foundation.....Read More

Ybor Paparazzi

Eva and Bob

Frost Goes OFF: "This Is EXACTLY What Putin Wants"

Your internet bill may be going up soon: Here’s why

Millions of U.S. households have been receiving warnings for weeks that the discounted internet or telephone service they’ve had since the COVID-19 pandemic will soon come to an end. That end date is fast approaching, meaning those households will soon have to pay full price again for service.....Read More

Will homeless public sleeping ban have unintended consequences?

The City of St. Petersburg, like every other state municipality, must strictly enforce a public sleeping ban or face potential lawsuits from people, business owners and the attorney general.

That ensures local enforcement of House Bill 1365, which prohibits anyone with “personal belongings” from sleeping on an empty lot, sidewalks or a park bench. Governor Ron DeSantis signed the bill into law Wednesday.

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Doomed to Fail: Gov. DeSantis signs ban on public sleeping, forcing localities to pay to enforce anti-homeless measure

Gov. Ron DeSantis is signing legislation that creates a state framework to get unhoused people off the streets and out of sight, and compels local jurisdictions to foot the bill for what a sponsor called a “carrot and stick” approach and a “Florida model” for dealing with the problem.....Read More

2024 Local Candidates (Updated 3/20/2024)

Gathered here is a list of all the 2024 local candidates who have currently filed with the Hillsborough County Supervisor of Elections office as of 3/20/2024.

Candidate names link to that candidate's campaign website. Where a campaign website doesn't exist, the link is to the candidate's Facebook page.

Candidate names for Judicial seats link to their campaign website or to their official Hillsborough County Judicial website.

State Of Florida Adds $50 Million To Israel Bonds

Florida’s Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis announced Tuesday that the state has purchased an additional $50 million in bonds to assist Israel as it continues to wage war against Hamas in Gaza.....Read More

Ybor Life

7th Ave

The Florida GOP on Renaming Sanibel Causeway to Ron DeSantis Causeway

Ron DeSantis floats sending Haitian refugees to Martha’s Vineyard

The return of Air DeSantis may be imminent.

Gov. Ron DeSantis said some undocumented immigrants intercepted while attempting to land in Florida from Haiti may lead to a trip to New England for those refugees.

“We do have our transport program also that’s going to be operational,” DeSantis said. “So Haitians who land in the Florida Keys, their next stop very well may be Martha’s Vineyard.”

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Netanyahu says Rafah incursion inevitable despite US warnings

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday suggested the invasion of Rafah in Gaza will be unavoidable to eliminate Hamas forces, despite warnings from U.S. officials.....Read More

Hillsborough County 'Safe Place' program helps kids and teens in need

Whether they've had a fight with their parents or are fleeing domestic abuse in the home, kids and teens without a place to go can visit a "Safe Place" location in Hillsborough County to get assistance.

National Safe Place Week is happening now through March 23 to help raise awareness about the vital program that provides kids, ages 10-17, who are in crisis access to immediate support services.

More info HERE