Osprey Observer

5 days ago | ospreyobserver.com | Taylor Wells

Hillsborough County is asking residents to provide input on how more than $700 million in federal aid should be spent to help the community recover from four hurricanes in the last two years. Hillsborough County expects to receive $709,324,000 in Community Development Block Grant funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The money will help with recovery and mitigation efforts related to Hurricane Idalia in 2023 and Hurricanes Debby, Helene and Milton in 2024.

5 days ago | ospreyobserver.com | Taylor Wells

Valedictorian Marianne Custodio at Bell Creek Academy achieved a GPA of 8.96 and plans to attend Cornell University. Salutatorian Alyssa Lubinsky at Bell Creek Academy achieved a GPA of 8.32 and plans to attend Northeastern University. Valedictorian Calleigh Eakle at Bloomingdale High School achieved a GPA of 10.25 and plans to attend either the University of Florida or Georgia Institute of Technology.

5 days ago | ospreyobserver.com | Nick Nahas

Randall Middle School student Avery Coccia had her ultimate redemption at the Spartan Stadion Race at Raymond James Stadium in May. She took first place overall in the 14-17 female age group in the Obstacle Course Racing (OCR) series after finishing in last place the year before. Coccia was motivated by last year’s finish, 39th out of 39 in her age group and 1,179th out of 1,219 in her gender. While she was racing, she didn’t know what her time was or what place she was in.

6 days ago | ospreyobserver.com | Libby Hopkins

Canine Cabana has been a part of the Riverview community for 17 years, and it celebrated this milestone anniversary in May with a week filled with festivities that featured themed-dress up days for its furry clients. “We had a blast during our anniversary celebration,” said Canine Cabana co-owner Kendall Duncan. “We had themed day where our staff and dogs dressed up.” Canine Cabana’s owners, Duncan and Angie Pickren, meet at Busch Gardens as zookeepers.

6 days ago | ospreyobserver.com | Nick Nahas

Several local high school student athletes and teams were recognized by Hillsborough County and given awards for their outstanding performances this spring. Newsome baseball, Newsome boys track, Bloomingdale girls track, Lennard flag football and Newsome boys lacrosse were all recognized for their overall GPAs. Bloomingdale High School senior pitcher Natalie Cable won the Jack and Barbara Thompson Softball Player of the Year Award.