- NewTampa | WesleyChapel Local Pulse
- Posts
- Issue #627: USF Helps Crack Artifact Mystery, Cross Creek Unveils Gym And Playground, Florida Campuses Rise Globally, Tampa Bay Fraud Bust
Issue #627: USF Helps Crack Artifact Mystery, Cross Creek Unveils Gym And Playground, Florida Campuses Rise Globally, Tampa Bay Fraud Bust
6/30/2026
Ted Grellner
30 Jun
Sponsored by
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
— USF Experts Help Authenticate Massive Cache of Smuggled Mediterranean Artifacts
— New Community Gym, Playground and Green Space Debut at Cross Creek Park
Of Interest
— USF, UF and FSU Among Florida Schools Recognized as Global Academic Leaders
Crime
— Tampa Bay Residents Charged in Massive Medicare Fraud Crackdown
I'm 63 With $1.5M. Can I Spend $10K a Month?
You’ve saved $1.5 million. Now comes the real test.
Can it produce $10,000 a month, or will that pace drain your portfolio?
Most retirees do not get a clear answer until it is too late.
The issue is not just how much you have. It is whether your portfolio was built to pay you, not just grow.
That difference can determine whether your money lasts decades or starts breaking down early.
Sequence of returns, taxes on withdrawals, healthcare costs, and whether the 4% rule still applies all play a role.
Fiduciary advisors created a breakdown showing what drives sustainable income and why the same $1.5M can produce very different outcomes.
If you have $1M or more invested, do not guess.
USF Experts Help Authenticate Massive Cache of Smuggled Mediterranean Artifacts
Federal agents in Tampa are processing more than 12,000 ancient artifacts believed to have been smuggled into the United States, marking one of the largest antiquities seizures in the history of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).
The collection includes coins, pottery, bowls, vases and artifacts bearing ancient inscriptions, with some items estimated to be up to 5,000 years old. Among the discoveries is an object featuring cuneiform, one of humanity’s earliest writing systems.
Experts from the University of South Florida and the University of Pennsylvania are assisting investigators in authenticating the artifacts and determining their origins. Authorities believe the items were illegally removed from the Eastern Mediterranean region before entering the U.S.
Investigators say illicit antiquities trafficking has sometimes been linked to funding extremist groups, although no such connection has been established in this case.
Once the criminal investigation concludes, officials plan to return the artifacts to their countries of origin, where they can be preserved and displayed legally.
New Community Gym, Playground and Green Space Debut at Cross Creek Park
After nearly a decade of planning and construction, Cross Creek Park officially opened in New Tampa, bringing an $8.6 million recreation center and 15-acre community park to local families.
The new facility features a 16,000-square-foot recreation center with a gymnasium, fitness room and multipurpose classrooms. Outdoor amenities include a renovated playground, basketball courts, picnic shelter and additional green space.
County leaders called the park a major investment in the community, providing a place for youth activities, recreation and neighborhood gatherings. Residents said the finished project exceeded expectations and fills a long-standing need for programs closer to home.
The opening also highlighted the efforts of Bellamy and Sloane Dera, two local sisters who helped protect osprey nests at the park site. The park now includes two osprey nesting poles, with one featuring a plaque recognizing their conservation work.
USF, UF and FSU Among Florida Schools Recognized as Global Academic Leaders
Florida’s higher education system is gaining worldwide recognition, with 11 Florida universities earning spots in the 2026-27 U.S. News & World Report Best Global Universities rankings.
The rankings evaluated more than 2,250 institutions across over 100 countries, measuring academic research performance, scholarly impact and global reputation. The United States placed second overall with 275 ranked universities, trailing only China.
Among Florida schools, the University of Florida ranked No. 105 globally, making it the state’s highest-ranked institution. The University of Miami (No. 233), Florida State University (No. 314) and the University of South Florida (No. 362) also earned strong placements. USF’s ranking highlights the university’s growing research influence and international reputation.
Other Florida schools recognized include UCF, FIU, FAU, Nova Southeastern, Florida Tech, Florida A&M and UNF.
The global top five featured Harvard, MIT, Stanford, Oxford and Cambridge, underscoring the intense international competition among leading universities.
Tampa Bay Residents Charged in Massive Medicare Fraud Crackdown
Federal prosecutors have charged several Tampa Bay residents as part of a nationwide crackdown on health care fraud targeting Medicare abuse and taxpayer losses.
The largest local case involves Leigh Tesar, Walter Presha and Koby Evans, who are accused of operating a wound care scheme that allegedly billed Medicare more than $118 million over 18 months. Prosecutors claim some costly skin grafts were never applied, medically unnecessary, or used on patients unlikely to benefit from treatment.
Authorities say Medicare paid approximately $61 million on the claims and have already seized about $11.8 million in assets tied to the investigation.
Additional local defendants face allegations involving COVID-19 testing, genetic testing, durable medical equipment claims and illegal Medicare kickbacks.
Tampa Bay Area Best Live Music Events this week | Things to Do in Tampa Bay this W/E | TB Weekend Entertainment Guide |
|---|---|---|
June 25- July 9 | June 19-21 | May |
Source: cltampa.com | Source: |
Top Events | |
|
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
“Always informative and interesting!”
“I always enjoy reading your updates. Thanks so much!”
“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? |
—> Comments are welcomed after voting
1
2
3