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- Issue #607: Hillsborough Expands Evacuation Zones, Congress Approves Shark Alert System, UCF Offers USF Matchup, NFL Champ Inspires Tampa Students
Issue #607: Hillsborough Expands Evacuation Zones, Congress Approves Shark Alert System, UCF Offers USF Matchup, NFL Champ Inspires Tampa Students
5/22/2026
Ted Grellner
22 May
Sponsored by
GOOD MORNING
Dr Ted
USAF Retired
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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
— Hillsborough Expands Hurricane Evacuation Zones Ahead of 2026 Season
Of Interest
— Congress Approves Shark Alert System Inspired by Alabama Survivor
Sports
— UCF Offers USF New Football Matchup — But With One Condition
— Two-Time Super Bowl Champion Uses NFL Success to Inspire Tampa Students
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Hillsborough Expands Hurricane Evacuation Zones Ahead of 2026 Season
Hillsborough County has updated and expanded its hurricane evacuation zones ahead of the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season, which officially begins June 1.
County officials say some areas previously outside evacuation zones are now included, while portions of Zone A — the first zone called for evacuations — have expanded farther inland, especially in coastal communities like Apollo Beach.
The changes are based on updated federal storm surge data combined with local elevation, tide levels, and development patterns. Officials stressed the updates are not directly tied to Hurricanes Helene or Milton, though last year’s storms reinforced the importance of preparation.
Emergency managers are urging residents to review both their evacuation and flood zones before storm season intensifies. Officials emphasized that evacuating often means moving only far enough inland to stay safe from storm surge — not necessarily leaving the region entirely.
Congress Approves Shark Alert System Inspired by Alabama Survivor
Beachgoers could soon receive emergency alerts about shark attacks and dangerous water conditions directly on their phones under new federal legislation known as “Lulu’s Law.”
The bill, now headed to President Donald Trump’s desk, was inspired by Lulu Gribbin, an Alabama teenager severely injured in a shark attack in June 2024. Another shark attack involving a different victim had occurred nearby just 90 minutes earlier, prompting calls for a faster public warning system.
Under the legislation, the Federal Communications Commission would have 180 days to create rules allowing shark attacks to trigger emergency phone alerts similar to weather warnings.
Lulu’s parents said they believe the second attack could potentially have been prevented with a stronger alert system in place.
According to the Florida Museum of Natural History’s International Shark Attack File, there were 25 confirmed shark attacks in the United States during 2025, keeping beach safety a growing concern for coastal communities heading into summer.
UCF Offers USF New Football Matchup — But With One Condition
The long-running War on I-4 rivalry between UCF and USF could return to the football field after several years apart, according to comments from UCF athletic director Terry Mohajir.
Mohajir said UCF has offered future games against USF, but only if the matchup is played in Orlando as a home game for the Knights. He cited the importance of home revenue, fan attendance, and the financial realities of the modern college sports landscape, including NIL and conference scheduling demands.
The rivalry paused after the 2022 season when UCF moved to the Big 12 Conference while USF remained outside the Power Four level. Despite the separation, both schools’ administrators have publicly expressed interest in bringing the series back.
The two Florida programs have met 14 times, with UCF holding an 8-6 edge. One of the rivalry’s most memorable games came in 2017 when unbeaten UCF defeated USF 49-42 in a nationally watched showdown in Orlando.
Two-Time Super Bowl Champion Uses NFL Success to Inspire Tampa Students
Two-time Super Bowl champion and former USF Bulls standout Marquez Valdes-Scantling is continuing to make an impact off the field through his growing community foundation in Tampa Bay.
The St. Petersburg native recently awarded the first-ever Humble Beginnings Scholarship to University of Tampa student Nick Picard, recognizing his dedication and work ethic through the foundation’s Luxe Fashion Fest events.
Valdes-Scantling said the inspiration to give back began during his final college season after his father asked him a simple but powerful question: “What do you think your purpose is in life?”
What started as a social media effort to collect backpacks and clothing for homeless residents eventually evolved into the Humble Beginnings Foundation.
Now entering his ninth NFL season as a member of the Dallas Cowboys, Valdes-Scantling said helping others has become one of his proudest accomplishments alongside winning two Super Bowls.
Tampa Bay’s Best Live Music | Things to Do in Tampa Bay this W/E | TB Weekend Entertainment Guide |
|---|---|---|
May | May 22 - 24 | May |
Source: cltampa.com | Source: wusf.org | Source: wmnf.org |
What to Do | |
|
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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