- NewTampa | WesleyChapel Local Pulse
- Posts
- Issue #499: Veterans Day Spotlight | Northern Lights in Florida? | Bucs Break Bad Record, USF QB Recognized
Issue #499: Veterans Day Spotlight | Northern Lights in Florida? | Bucs Break Bad Record, USF QB Recognized
11/13/2025
Ted Grellner
13 Nov
Keep your finger on the Pulse!
GOOD MORNING
Unfortunately, yesterday’s issue #498 never materialized as I was enjoying Grillsmith’s generous gift to military veterans of an entree of my choice last night. The delicious meal simply dissolved my energy to do last night’s issue! Many thanks to Grillsmith.
Dr Ted
USAF Retired
Tampa Bay Tidbits: Local and Beyond - new podcast episodes on Mondays
THIS WEEK: n/a
SUBSCRIBE (& Access Past Issues):
Share with your friends here —> https://www.NTWCLP.com
NOTE to New Subscribers:
— If Gmail cuts off your newsletter, click “Read Online” in UR corner
— Despite minimizing sources that require a 3rd party subscription to read, we’ll use stories from these sources that are very informative: ($) businessinsider.com, tampabay.com
In this issue of NewTampa | WesleyChapel
Local Pulse
Our Event Calendar
Please post events of interest to our NT|WC Live Events Calendar; its easy to do.
Local News
— Veterans Day Tribute Honors Service, Urges Engagement
— Tampa Ranked #2 in U.S. for Veteran Support
Of Interest
— Rare Aurora Reaches Florida: Locals Capture Stunning Views
Sports
— Bowles Pissed: Bucs’ Defense Sets Historic Low
— USF’s Byrum Brown Named Davey O’Brien Semifinalist
Our NT|WC Live Events Calendar:
https://pxl.to/NTWC-LIVE-event or click the image below:
Problems submitting? Email me by replying to your newsletter
Veterans Day Tribute Honors Service, Urges Engagement
The 61st annual Veterans Day Tribute at Hillsborough County’s Veterans Memorial Park celebrated military service while calling on veterans to shape the nation’s future.
Retired Brig. Gen. Remo Butler encouraged youth to explore military careers for the travel, training, and purpose it provides.
Army veteran Paul Huszar, former Dean of the U.S. Army Engineer School, reflected on how WWII veterans helped rebuild America and urged today’s vets to become entrepreneurs and community leaders.
While weather kept attendance smaller than usual, the spirit of service remained strong at the park’s ceremonial grounds and museum at 3602 U.S. 301 North, Tampa.
The public monuments and exhibits remain open, offering daily reminders of sacrifice and resilience.
Tampa Ranked #2 in U.S. for Veteran Support
Tampa is now ranked the second-best city in America for veterans, according to a national WalletHub study released on Veterans Day.
The report evaluated the 100 largest U.S. cities using 19 metrics — including housing affordability, job opportunities, income growth, healthcare access, and community support.
Tampa ranked:
#3 in VA health facilities per capita
#6 in VA benefits offices
#2 in quality of VA medical care
Veterans say the city delivers. From Bay Pines VA Hospital to community organizations, local services provide everything from healthcare to housing and mental health support.
The city also boasts a $53,000 median veteran income, growing over 6% annually.
“It’s just an amazing place,” said Happy Hill, a local veteran. “They’ve bent over backward for us.”
Rare Aurora Reaches Florida: Locals Capture Stunning Views
The northern lights made a rare appearance in parts of the Tampa Bay area Tuesday night, stunning locals with glowing pink, purple, and green skies.
The light show followed a G4 geomagnetic storm watch, triggered by a coronal mass ejection — a burst of solar particles and magnetic fields from the sun that struck Earth between Tuesday and Wednesday.
Residents in Spring Hill, Brooksville, Bayonet Point, and even Sumter County shared photos of the aurora, visible far beyond its usual northern range.
While the best viewing is typically in northern U.S. states, atmospheric conditions allowed this celestial phenomenon to stretch unusually far south.
Experts suggest heading to dark, open areas for the best view and using smartphone cameras, which often capture the aurora better than the naked eye.
For those hoping to catch more, check forecasts from NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center or aurora apps.
Bowles Pissed: Bucs’ Defense Sets Historic Low
After Sunday’s 28‑23 loss to the New England Patriots, Tampa Bay’s coach didn’t mince words: “We definitely didn’t coach it well enough — I definitely didn’t coach it well enough. It starts with me.”
Historically brutal defending: The Tampa Bay Buccaneers surrendered four plays of 50 + yards — a mark no team in the past 6,226 since 2000 had allowed.
Bowles pointed out fundamental breakdowns: “We weren’t in our gaps or where we’re supposed to be. That’s coaching, that’s playing.”
And he delivered a clear verdict on the team’s mindset: “I don’t think we’re great. … It’s just one or two guys that have a blank or a [mental error] here or there.”
As the Bucs head into road tests against the Buffalo Bills and Los Angeles Rams, Bowles emphasized the focus is on internal fixes, not external foes. It all begins with accountability.
USF’s Byrum Brown Named Davey O’Brien Semifinalist
USF quarterback Byrum Brown has been named a semifinalist for the prestigious 2025 Davey O’Brien National Quarterback Award, honoring the nation’s top college QB.
Brown is the only FBS player this season with over 2,000 passing and 700 rushing yards — and he’s posted three straight 100-yard rushing games.
He joins a semifinalist group whose teams boast a combined 154-31 record. Three finalists will be announced Nov. 25, with the winner revealed Dec. 12 on ESPN.
Fans can influence the vote by liking Brown’s post on the @daveyobrien social media accounts by Nov. 21.
Brown ranks Top 25 nationally in six categories, including:
#3 in points responsible for (18.7 ppg)
#4 in total offense (323.1 ypg)
#17 in passing TDs (19)
#25 in rushing TDs (9)
He’s on pace to become just the 12th player in FBS history to achieve a 3,000/1,000 season.
Top Things to do in Tampa Bay |
|
|
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
Reader Comments
“Best local newsletter!”
“Love seeing all the community events in one place. The calendar is getting crowded. ”“Always has good info and to the point.”
“Read this in the am. I like the new restaurants feature so I know when things will open. ”
“Keep up on the great information.”
“Good local coverage. Great job.”
“I’m not big on reading. But your news is short and right to the point! Very informative and quick and easy to read!”
“Good mix and balance of interesting, newsworthy and entertaining content.”
“Happy to read something other than politics. Great job.”
“This is my daily morning read. Great info. ”
“Love the attention grabbing topics that encompass what’s going on now as well as future implications. Great job. ”
“I get Information here that I might otherwise miss.”
“I love this newsletter, the type of information without the useless fillers.”
Any suggestions are always welcomed - Thanks
What Did You Think of This Issue? |
—> Comments are welcomed after voting