C. T. Bowen

Aug 17, 2023 | tampabay.com | C. T. Bowen

The Temple Terrace Fire Department has been hit by the global data breach that also affected Hillsborough County. EMS Management and Consultants Inc., which handles billing for the department, uses the MOVEit transfer tool that Progress Software Corp. said had been compromised in May and June.

Aug 16, 2023 | tampabay.com | C. T. Bowen

The Hillsborough County Commission hit the brakes Wednesday on a proposal expediting a voter referendum to consider adding two commissioners to the seven-member board. Commissioner Michael Owen, who proposed trying to expand the commission to nine single-member districts in time for the 2024 general election, retreated from that timeline in the face of the cost estimates for a special election and opposition from much of the rest of the commission.

Aug 15, 2023 | tampabay.com | C. T. Bowen

Expanding the Hillsborough County Commission could come with a price. The cost of expediting a voter referendum could run as high as $2.5 million for a special election. Adding two seats to the seven-member commission also would be accompanied by $1 million annually in additional salary and benefits, plus a one-time expense of $200,000 to add office space. The price estimates are contained in a report to be presented to commissioners Wednesday.

Aug 11, 2023 | tampabay.com | C. T. Bowen |Colleen Wright

The city of Tampa is opening cooling centers at parks and recreation centers in response to the excessive heat warning and heat advisories. City employees, AmeriCorps service members and Red Cross volunteers will staff the centers, which open at 11 a.m. and close at 7 p.m. today through Sunday. The cooling centers, free of charge, are available to the public to ensure the safety of residents exposed to extreme heat conditions. Light snacks and water will be available. The locations are: David M.

Aug 10, 2023 | tampabay.com | C. T. Bowen

After a red-hot rebound in the post-COVID tourism market, the Tampa Bay region’s hospitality industry shows signs of cooling. Tourist tax collections are off, compared to a year ago, for consecutive months in both Hillsborough and Pinellas counties, and the monthly hotel occupancy rate has dipped more than 5% in Pasco County. Industry leaders, however, seem unfazed, attributing some of the declines to expanded options for travel as the rest of the world welcomed visitors after the pandemic.