Issue #541: New Move Over Law | Rays Stadium Deal Progresses | BBB Warns of Tax Scams | Bucs Land Steelers Coach

1/21/2026

Author

Ted Grellner
21 Jan

Keep your finger on the Pulse!

GOOD MORNING

Dr Ted
USAF Retired

 
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

— Expanded Move Over Law Now Covers All Disabled Vehicles

— Rays Stadium Talks Advance with Hillsborough College Deal

Of Interest

— $5.5B Lost to Tax Scams: BBB Urges Public to Stay Alert

Sports

— Bucs Nab Danny Smith, Steelers Lose Special Teams Star

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

Expanded Move Over Law Now Covers All
Disabled Vehicles

The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) has designated January as Move Over Month, reinforcing awareness of the law requiring drivers to move over or slow down when approaching emergency, service, utility, or disabled vehicles stopped roadside.

As of January 1, 2025, the law now includes any vehicle with hazard lights, emergency flares, or signage—offering broader protection for stranded drivers.

In 2024, Florida recorded 205 crashes and issued over 17,500 citations for Move Over violations.

Officials emphasize the law as common sense and common courtesy, noting its role in preventing 100% avoidable tragedies involving law enforcement, first responders, and everyday citizens.

Drivers aged 20–29 are statistically the most frequent violators, prompting enhanced education in driver handbooks and exams.

Violations carry fines, fees, and points on licenses. Authorities urge motorists: slow down, move over, and save lives.

Rays Stadium Talks Advance with Hillsborough College Deal

The Hillsborough College board of trustees has unanimously approved a non-binding agreement with the Tampa Bay Rays to explore building a stadium and mixed-use development on the college’s Dale Mabry campus in Tampa.

The project includes a new ballpark, retail and residential space, and upgraded college facilities. The school would lease the southeast corner to the team for at least 99 years, while maintaining oversight on campus aesthetics and design.

The college gains 600,000 square feet of new learning space, addressing $50 million in needed upgrades.

The agreement grants a 180-day exclusive negotiation window, as the team now seeks buy-in from city, county, and state officials. Public funding remains uncertain.

Governor Ron DeSantis expressed cautious support, noting the state won’t fund the stadium but could assist with infrastructure.

If successful, the Rays aim to open the stadium by April 2029.

An Astonishing, Little-Known Fact About Stadium Funding

In many publicly funded stadium deals, teams can keep revenue from property that taxpayers paid to build—without paying property taxes on it.

This happens through a common arrangement where the government technically owns the stadium or surrounding development due to public financing. However, the team leases it long-term, often for 99 years or more.

As a result:

  • The team doesn’t pay property taxes, even on highly profitable areas like restaurants, parking structures, or retail shops.

  • Local governments lose out on millions in annual tax revenue that would normally support schools, infrastructure, and services.

  • Teams often retain full revenue from naming rights, luxury suites, and even non-sports events held in the stadium.

This financial setup is typically buried in complex lease or bond agreements and rarely highlighted in public discussions—despite having major long-term fiscal impacts on cities and taxpayers.

$5.5B Lost to Tax Scams: BBB Urges Public
to Stay Alert

As tax season nears, the Better Business Bureau is warning Americans about a rise in scams targeting taxpayers of all ages. Fraudsters are using phone calls, texts, emails, and social media to impersonate the IRS or offer fake tax services.

Scam tactics vary by age group:

  • Young adults are targeted for personal info via social media.

  • Middle-aged adults face identity theft and back-tax threats.

  • Older adults are hit hardest by payment scams.

Common schemes include fake IRS calls, phishing emails, and “ghost” tax preparers who promise big refunds but disappear after filing.

The IRS never requests sensitive info or payment by phone or social media.

In 2023, tax scams cost Americans $5.5 billion.
Data shows 24% of Americans have been targeted—81% lost over $500, and 5% lost more than $10,000.

Experts urge vigilance and research before sharing info or hiring help.

Bucs Nab Danny Smith, Steelers Lose
Special Teams Star

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have hired Danny Smith, a Pittsburgh native and one of the NFL’s most respected special teams coaches, to address their ongoing struggles in that phase of the game.

In 2025, the Bucs' special teams were among the league's worst. The unit gave up three blocked kicks in the first four games and consistently faltered in kick coverage. By season’s end, kicker Chase McLaughlin was instructed to kick every ball into the end zone—sacrificing field position to avoid disastrous returns.

Smith spent over a decade leading Pittsburgh’s elite special teams unit, developing All-Pros like Chris Boswell, Miles Killebrew, and Ben Skowronek.

While Tampa looks forward to a fresh start, the Steelers face dual vacancies—needing a new special teams coordinator and a head coach. Interviews are underway with Mike McCarthy, Brian Flores, and Anthony Weaver.

All the Best Gasparilla Events of 2026
Source: cltampa.com

Top Events in Tampa Bay for week of January 19
Source: tampabay.com


Best Things to do Around Tampa Bay
1/15 - 1/22
Source: cltampa.com

Things to do Around
Tampa & WC:
1/15 - 1/21
Source: tampabeacon.com

Reader Comments

“My favorite morning coffee companion!”
“As always! Appreciate the positivity!! Best morning read.”
“I always enjoy these issues. Thanks so much!”
“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.”
“News is concise and no nonsense. I always appreciate it!”
“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?

Login or Subscribe to participate in polls.

—> Comments are welcomed after voting

If you enjoy starting your day with these short daily news summaries, please refer your friends:

1