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  • Issue #671: Tampa Manufacturer Invests $58M, Driver Crashes Applying Deodorant, Macklemore Dropped From Tampa Concert, Four Fumbles Doom Buccaneers

Issue #671: Tampa Manufacturer Invests $58M, Driver Crashes Applying Deodorant, Macklemore Dropped From Tampa Concert, Four Fumbles Doom Buccaneers

9/15/2026

Author

Ted Grellner
15 Sep

In partnership with

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

— $58 Million Tampa Manufacturing Expansion to Add 50 High-Paying Jobs

OMG!

— Florida Driver Crashes on Polk Parkway While Applying Deodorant

Of Interest

— Macklemore Dropped From Ed Sheeran’s Tampa Concert After ‘Free Palestine’ Remarks

Sports

— Four Fumbles Doom Buccaneers in 33-27 Season-Opening Loss to Bengals

It's Here: Pique's New Caffeine-Free Afternoon Energy

I quit my afternoon coffee. Not because I wanted to — because I found something better.

You know that wall you hit every day around 2–3 PM? I used to just accept it as the cost of doing anything. Another coffee, a quick spike, then the crash — and somehow I'd still feel dehydrated by dinner.

Then I tried X·E Fountain, Pique's brand-new electrolyte energy drink, and I genuinely wasn't ready for how good "no crash" could feel.

No caffeine jitters. No 4 PM slump. Just clean, steady energy that actually hydrates me instead of draining me. It's built with a premium Vitamin B Complex for natural cellular energy, Magnesium Malate + Taurate for real focus, and a full electrolyte blend that makes it feel like a treat, not a chore.

The cucumber-celery-lime flavor is so crisp and refreshing — it's basically stolen my afternoon coffee slot completely.

$58 Million Tampa Manufacturing Expansion
to Add 50 High-Paying Jobs

Tampa Brass & Aluminum is planning a major expansion of its Hillsborough County headquarters, investing $58 million in new machinery and equipment and creating 50 jobs averaging $83,200 annually.

The Tampa-based defense manufacturer produces precision components for the U.S. Air Force and Navy, including parts used in missiles and submarines. New positions will include nondestructive testing technicians, quality-control and welding inspectors, supervisors and nuclear engineering technicians.

The company considered expanding in Amarillo, Texas, before choosing to remain in Tampa, citing the region’s skilled workforce, manufacturing base and quality of life.

The Tampa Bay Economic Development Council helped coordinate support for the project, including power upgrades, utility tax exemptions, workforce training grants and plans for an apprenticeship training center.

The expansion will increase the company’s capacity as it responds to growing demand from military customers and newly secured defense contracts.

Florida Driver Crashes on Polk Parkway
While Applying Deodorant

A 22-year-old Auburndale man escaped injury Monday morning after an unusual distracted-driving crash on the Polk Parkway — while he was applying deodorant behind the wheel, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

The man was driving a GMC Sierra westbound around 7 a.m. near mile marker 14 when he attempted to apply deodorant while navigating a curve. His pickup struck a crash attenuator before coming to rest on top of a concrete barrier wall.

The driver was not injured, and authorities did not immediately say whether he would receive a citation.

The incident prompted an unexpected follow-up from FHP after apparently receiving questions about one crucial detail. Troopers confirmed that the deodorant recovered at the crash scene was a stick — not a spray.

The peculiar clarification added a distinctly Florida twist to an otherwise serious reminder about the risks of distracted driving.

Macklemore Dropped From Ed Sheeran’s Tampa Concert After ‘Free Palestine’ Remarks

Macklemore will no longer perform with Ed Sheeran when the Loop Tour concludes Nov. 7 at Tampa’s Raymond James Stadium, following the rapper’s recent pro-Palestinian statements during concerts. The Tampa show itself remains scheduled.

Tour promoter Messina Touring Group said several upcoming venues indicated they would not host concerts with Macklemore on the lineup, potentially jeopardizing performances for hundreds of thousands of fans. The decision followed Macklemore’s recent MetLife Stadium appearances, where he called for a “Free Palestine” and expressed support for Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank.

Tampa Sports Authority confirmed to Creative Loafing that Macklemore will not appear at Raymond James Stadium, but did not publicly explain why the Tampa venue specifically rejected his participation.

Macklemore later alleged that New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft helped pressure stadium operators to oppose his appearances. Kraft has defended his involvement as part of his efforts to combat antisemitism.

Jimi Hendrix once opened for The Monkees — and the pairing became such a disaster that his team invented a fake scandal to get him off the tour.

In July 1967, just weeks after Hendrix’s breakthrough performance at Monterey Pop, The Monkees invited the Jimi Hendrix Experience to open several U.S. dates. The combination was bizarre: thousands of young Monkees fans routinely screamed “We want Davy!” while Hendrix played songs like “Purple Haze.”

Here’s the lesser-known twist: the widely reported story that the Daughters of the American Revolution had forced Hendrix off the tour because his performance was “too erotic” was apparently concocted by Hendrix’s own team. Hendrix wanted out because the pairing simply wasn’t working, and promoter Dick Clark and Hendrix manager Chas Chandler arranged his departure. The fabricated controversy provided a publicity-friendly explanation.

Even stranger, The Monkees themselves actually admired Hendrix and had helped get him the opening slot. The problem wasn’t the headliners — it was their audience.

Four Fumbles Doom Buccaneers in 33-27 Season-Opening Loss to Bengals

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers opened their 2026 season with a 33-27 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals, with turnovers proving decisive. Tampa Bay fumbled four times, allowing Cincinnati to score 24 points off the mistakes, including touchdowns following three fumbles.

Quarterback Baker Mayfield completed 23 of 28 passes for 216 yards without a touchdown or interception, but lost three fumbles. Coach Todd Bowles accepted responsibility, saying the team must improve its ball security and decision-making.

Tampa Bay’s defense also struggled to pressure Joe Burrow, hitting him only six times despite offseason additions intended to strengthen the pass rush.

One major bright spot was rookie linebacker Josiah Trotter, who recorded 10 tackles, a sack and a 38-yard interception return for a touchdown in his NFL debut.

The Bucs rallied after trailing 24-10, but their comeback ultimately fell short as Cincinnati capitalized on Tampa Bay’s costly mistakes.

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