In this issue of NewTampa | WesleyChapel
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WEATHER 

Local News

— Hillsborough Teen Uses 3D Tech to Fight Citrus Greening

— Tampa Rises to No. 22 on Nation’s ‘Rattiest Cities’ List

Of Interest

— 2024 Storms Spark Safety Upgrades Across Pinellas Homes

Sports

— Hall of Famer Derrick Brooks Joins USF Athletics Leadership

🎵 Useful Arts & Entertainment Event Links

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Hillsborough Teen Uses 3D Tech to Fight
Citrus Greening

Tanishka Aglave, a 16-year-old junior at Strawberry Crest High School, has been named a national winner of the President’s Environmental Youth Award by the EPA for her project, “Reviving Citrus, Reviving Florida.”

Aglave’s work targets citrus greening disease, a major threat to Florida’s citrus industry.

She created a sustainable treatment using curry leaf extract, and used 3D-printed injection syringes to deliver it directly into citrus trees—resulting in a 65% reduction in disease severity.

Beyond lab work, she launched a statewide effort that included:
– Planting 1,500+ citrus trees
– Distributing disease management kits
– Hosting educational workshops for farmers

Aglave is one of just a few winners nationwide and the only one from Florida. Her passion for biology and agriculture was shaped by growing up on a farm, and she hopes to pursue biological sciences in college.

“This could really help a lot of Florida growers,” she said.

Read More: tampabay28.com

Tampa Rises to No. 22 on Nation’s
‘Rattiest Cities’ List

Tampa has been ranked the 22nd “rattiest” city in the U.S., according to Orkin’s annual report based on rodent service requests over the past year.

This marks a significant 13-spot jump from 2024, placing Tampa alongside other major urban centers dealing with increased rodent activity.

Los Angeles topped the list for the first time, overtaking Chicago, which had held the No. 1 spot for over a decade. New York, San Francisco, and a surprising new entry, Hartford, CT, round out the top five.

Orkin attributes rising rat populations to urban density and warmer climates, which boost rat survivability. With Florida’s heat and expanding metro areas, cities like Tampa are now seeing more infestations near homes and businesses.

While the exact number of rats is unknown, estimates suggest 1–2 rats per person, making urban vigilance crucial.

Full rankings available on Orkin’s website.

Read More: wfla.com

Here's an astonishing and lesser-known fact about a student science project:

🔬 A 14-year-old student once invented a method to detect early-stage pancreatic cancer—and it’s 168 times faster and 26,000 times cheaper than current methods.

Who? Jack Andraka, a high school freshman from Maryland.

The project: Jack developed a simple paper strip test, similar to a diabetic test strip, using carbon nanotubes and antibodies that could detect a protein associated with pancreatic cancer. He created the test using resources from online science journals and $50 worth of lab supplies.

Why it’s amazing: At the time, pancreatic cancer had a 5-year survival rate of just 5%, largely due to late detection. Jack's test had the potential to change that—while being faster, cheaper, and less invasive than existing diagnostic methods.

Despite skepticism from 200 labs that rejected his request for access, he finally got lab time at Johns Hopkins University—and went on to win the 2012 Intel International Science and Engineering Fair.

A reminder: revolutionary ideas can come from curious minds, no matter the age.

2024 Storms Spark Safety Upgrades Across
Pinellas Homes

More than 46,000 homes in Pinellas County were damaged by Hurricanes Helene and Milton in 2024. Now, over a year later, residents like Linda Zolper are still rebuilding — and adapting.

Zolper marked a major milestone this week with the installation of over 40 hurricane impact windows, boosting safety ahead of future storms.

“We just wanted to make sure the family was safe,” she said, emphasizing protection from flying debris and high winds.

Contractors like TomCo Solutions report a surge in demand, installing twice as many impact windows this year compared to last.

But the rebuilding process has faced labor shortages, material delays, and permitting challenges.

TomCo VP Matt Klaus said expectations had to shift: “We’ve really had to change how we communicate — sending photos, setting up job site cameras.”

Homeowners are also investing in new protective features, like flood barriers. Zolper hopes to return home by December.

Read More: baynews9.com

Hall of Famer Derrick Brooks Joins
USF Athletics Leadership

Hall of Famer Derrick Brooks has been appointed Chief Operating Officer of USF Athletics, announced today by USF CEO of Athletics Rob Higgins.

A Super Bowl champion and former Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker, Brooks brings over 15 years of executive experience in sports and community leadership. Most recently, he served as EVP at Vinik Sports Group and co-founded Brooks-DeBartolo Collegiate High School.

At USF, Brooks will oversee community engagement, revenue generation, football and men’s basketball administration, and strengthen ties with Team Tampa Bay.

Brooks called the role “a special opportunity,” highlighting his support for his daughter DaNia, a USF softball player.

His resume includes 11 Pro Bowl selections, NFL Defensive Player of the Year (2002), and induction into both the Pro and College Football Hall of Fame.

“All Gas. No Brakes. No Regrets. No Excuses,” he added. “Go Bulls!”

Read More: gousfbulls.com

What’s New In Tampa Bay
Oct 2025
Source: tampamagazines.com

🎭 Tonight in Wesley Chapel & New Tampa (& TB): Entertainment Spotlight

Useful Arts & Entertainment Event Links

The Arts
- The Exhibiting Society of Artists (new)
- 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
- Carrollwood Center Events
- Craft Festivals (new)
- Fall (Farmer’s) Market Guide for Tampa Bay (new)
- The Krate, WC
- The Shops at Wiregrass, WC
- visitflorida.com

For Kids
- Fun4TampaKids

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