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- Issue #653: Tampa Bay’s Must-Visit Movie Theaters, Teddy Survives Storm Drain, Florida Man Stops Train Tragedy, 36 Border Collies Saved
Issue #653: Tampa Bay’s Must-Visit Movie Theaters, Teddy Survives Storm Drain, Florida Man Stops Train Tragedy, 36 Border Collies Saved
8/13/2026
Ted Grellner
13 Aug
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) - Sorry - Out of Order
Local News
— 7 Independent Tampa Bay Movie Theaters Worth a Visit in 2026
OMG!
— Missing Nearly a Month, Teddy the Maltipoo Found Alive in Storm Drain
— Florida Man Saves Woman From Oncoming Train With Seconds to Spare
— Rescuers Find 36 Border Collies in Conditions Shelter Calls Its Worst Ever
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7 Independent Tampa Bay Movie Theaters Worth a Visit in 2026
Moviegoing is enjoying a blockbuster year, and Tampa Bay offers plenty of alternatives to the traditional corporate multiplex, from historic movie palaces to drive-ins and intimate art-house cinemas.
Among the standouts is Tampa Theatre, approaching its 100th anniversary while undergoing a $30 million restoration, complete with its famous Mighty Wurlitzer organ. Sun-Ray Cinema at University Mall reportedly ranks as the country’s largest independently owned and operated movie theater.
Across the bay, Green Light Cinema in St. Petersburg has evolved into a nonprofit arts hub, while the 85-year-old Beach Theatre reopened in 2025 after sitting dark for 13 years.
Other distinctive choices include Plant City Premiere Lux 8 & Pizza Pub, Safety Harbor’s restaurant-and-movie destination Gigglewaters and Ruskin Family Drive-In, Tampa Bay’s only surviving drive-in theater.
Together, the venues offer local moviegoers everything from blockbusters and independent films to cult classics and nostalgic outdoor screenings.
Missing Nearly a Month, Teddy the Maltipoo Found Alive in Storm Drain
After nearly a month of searching, a California family has been reunited with its beloved dog after neighbors heard barking coming from a neighborhood storm drain.
Teddy, a 7-year-old maltipoo, disappeared July 23 when a side gate was accidentally left unlocked during repairs. Her family covered the area with posters but had begun losing hope.
On Monday, neighbors in Spring Valley alerted County Animal Services. Officers opened a manhole and discovered Teddy looking up from below. Officer Britney Myers was lowered into the drain while another officer held onto her safety vest. She coaxed Teddy closer with treats before lifting her to safety.
The emotional reunion came shortly afterward. Teddy was thin and had injuries to her paws, but her family said she was recovering and had already started wagging her tail again.
Remarkably, Teddy was discovered just blocks from home, though officials don’t know how long she spent underground.
Florida Man Saves Woman From Oncoming Train With Seconds to Spare
A terrifying close call at a Florida railroad crossing turned into a remarkable rescue when 23-year-old Josiah Baur raced onto the tracks to help a woman trapped in the path of an approaching train.
Dashcam video from Hobe Sound shows Debbie Spoelstra’s vehicle caught beneath a lowered crossing arm. Seeing the danger, Baur jumped from a nearby car, sprinted across the tracks and lifted the barrier with both arms, allowing Spoelstra enough clearance to reverse to safety.
Witness Lizzy Dominguez said the train was already braking, but believed Baur’s intervention provided the crucial extra seconds needed to prevent a potentially deadly collision.
The dramatic incident was recorded by local resident Jim Allen and later shared publicly. Baur and Spoelstra reunited at the railroad crossing several days after the rescue.
Officials have not explained why Spoelstra’s vehicle became stopped beneath the crossing gate.
Read More: fox13news.com — must see the video on this link!
Rescuers Find 36 Border Collies in Conditions Shelter Calls Its Worst Ever
A Florida woman faces 72 criminal charges after authorities rescued 36 Border Collies from a Palm City home in what the Humane Society of the Treasure Coast calls the worst animal hoarding case it has encountered.
Shelter workers said the dogs arrived with fur caked in feces and severe mats, some containing rusted metal and shards of glass. One puppy reportedly had three pounds of matted fur removed. Many dogs are suffering from eye and skin infections, while some remain withdrawn and barely moving.
Former owner Paige O’Donnell faces one felony animal torture charge and one misdemeanor confinement charge for each dog. She remains jailed on $270,000 bond.
Neighbors had reportedly raised concerns about the animals since at least 2020.
The Humane Society, which also received more than 100 animals from another alleged hoarding case in July, says the latest rescue is rapidly depleting its emergency medical fund.
Top Events in Tampa Bay this week of: | Best Things to Do in Tampa Bay this weekend | TB Weekend Entertainment Guide | |
|---|---|---|---|
July | August 13-20 | May | |
Source: | Source: | Source: |
Tampa Bay’s Best Live Music | |
|
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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