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- Issue #461: ZooTampa Shines at Wildlife Summit | Rays Honor Sternberg | USF-UCF Hockey Rivalry | CBP Investigates Shocking Find
Issue #461: ZooTampa Shines at Wildlife Summit | Rays Honor Sternberg | USF-UCF Hockey Rivalry | CBP Investigates Shocking Find
9/22/2025
Ted Grellner
22 Sep
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In this issue of NewTampa | WesleyChapel
Local Pulse
Our Event Calendar —> Feel free to post events of interest to our community; its quite easy to do.
Local News
— ZooTampa Opens Doors, Minds at International Wildlife Summit
— Final Home Stretch: Rays Celebrate Legacy of Stuart Sternberg Amid Loss
OMG!
— Disturbing Discovery: CBP Finds Apparent Human Remains in Luggage
Sports
— USF Hosts UCF in Electrifying Hockey Rivalry Match
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ZooTampa Opens Doors, Minds at International Wildlife Summit
ZooTampa welcomed thousands of professionals from across the globe during the 2025 Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) Annual Conference, co-hosted by The Florida Aquarium and Busch Gardens.
On Thursday, attendees were treated to exclusive behind-the-scenes access, exploring exhibits, animal care areas, and food offerings. According to Arinn Bolin, Director of Guest Engagement, the visit was designed to highlight ZooTampa’s commitment to guest experience and animal welfare.
Guests also received a preview of the upcoming “Manatee Rescue” exhibit, set to open in Spring 2026. The exhibit will feature manatees, otters, and moon jellyfish in a more naturalistic setting, moving away from artificial décor.
Experts like Windy Arey Kent from AZA SAFE Sharks and Rays and Paul Cox from Shark Trust emphasized the importance of collaboration and education in conservation work, with over 3,000 participants networking and sharing ideas throughout the week.
Final Home Stretch: Rays Celebrate Legacy of Stuart Sternberg Amid Loss
Stuart Sternberg, the outgoing principal owner of the Tampa Bay Rays, was honored Saturday night in a moving in-game tribute at Steinbrenner Field.
As the first inning ended, a surprise video montage played, highlighting Sternberg’s 20-year tenure with the team, set to Bruce Springsteen’s “No Surrender” and “Born to Run.” Coaches, players, and staff joined in a coordinated moment, tipping special-edition caps emblazoned with “Stu” in retro font and the team’s sunburst logo.
Sternberg teared up, later calling the tribute “an 11 out of 10” and “life-changing.” He was surrounded by his family, including his wife and four children, as he hugged longtime colleagues Matt Silverman and Brian Auld.
While the tribute was heartfelt, the game ended in disappointment. A ninth-inning rally by the Red Sox off reliever Jesse Scholtens led to a 6–3 loss.
The Rays, now 75–80, must win out to finish above .500, but the night belonged to Sternberg and his legacy.
Disturbing Discovery: CBP Finds Apparent Human Remains in Luggage
U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at Tampa International Airport made a disturbing discovery this week: what appeared to be human remains inside a passenger’s luggage.
The traveler had declared only 10 cigars, but during inspection, CBP officials uncovered several undeclared and prohibited items, including plants, cigars, and a foil-wrapped duffel bag containing skeletal remains — including part of a skull.
According to CBP Director of Field Operations Carlos C. Martel, the traveler claimed the items were intended for ritual use. Due to health concerns, all materials were seized and destroyed.
Martel emphasized the agency’s vigilance with a dark pun in his statement: “At CBP, we never know what baggage may hold, but smugglers should know we’ll always have a bone to pick.”
The investigation into the incident is ongoing.
USF Hosts UCF in Electrifying Hockey Rivalry Match
The War on I-4 returns to the rink as the USF Ice Bulls take on the UCF Knights in one of Florida’s fiercest college hockey rivalries. The matchup takes place Saturday, October 4 at 7:30 PM at AdventHealth Center Ice in Wesley Chapel.
Admission is free and open to the public, making it a perfect night out for students, alumni, and Tampa Bay hockey fans alike.
The Ice Bulls are eager to defend their home ice and build momentum early in the season. Fans are encouraged to wear green, bring energy, and pack the stands for what promises to be a high-intensity, physical game.
Puck drops at 7:30 PM, and with pride, bragging rights, and rivalry on the line, this edition of the War on I-4 is shaping up to be one for the book
Top Things to do in Tampa Bay |
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Useful Arts & Entertainment Event Links
The Arts
- USF College of the Arts
- USF Steinway Piano Concert Series
Theater
-NTPAC - New Tampa Performing Arts Center
- New Tampa Players
- USF School of Theatre & Dance
- Wesley Chapel Theater Group
- Carrollwood Players Theatre
Misc
For Kids
- Fun4TampaKids
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