Issue #675: Port Tampa Bay Fire Releases Sulfur Gas, Wesley Chapel Break-Ins Hit 26 Cars, Oktoberfest Returns, Hicks Delivers For Rays

9/22/2026

Author

Ted Grellner
22 Sep

In partnership with

Elon's new company is private. These 3 tickers aren't.

The next Apple may already exist. Insider sources say Elon has spent two years building a secret device inside Tesla's facilities — one he claims will be "10x bigger than the largest product in history."

There's just one problem: the company is private, and unless you know Elon personally, you can't buy a single share. That was true until Guardian's research team found three public ticker symbols sitting in the launch supply chain.

Click here to see all 3 tickers, free of charge.

You won't hear these names on CNBC — Wall Street hasn't published a word on the connection. But when the launch hits September 21, that quiet ends.

Some are already calling this the biggest opportunity since AI. For anyone who missed Apple before the iPhone, this may be a second look at that kind of setup.

GOOD MORNING

Dr Ted
USAF Retired

 
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In this issue of NewTampa | WesleyChapel Local Pulse

Local News

— Port Tampa Bay Fire Released Nearly 1,000 Pounds of Sulfur Dioxide

— 26 Vehicles Hit in Break-In Spree Across Wesley Chapel, Lutz and Land O’ Lakes

Entertainment

— Tampa’s Biggest Oktoberfest Returns Downtown for Three-Day Celebration

Sports

— Trade Deadline Addition Liam Hicks Makes Immediate Impact for Rays

Port Tampa Bay Fire Released Nearly 1,000 Pounds of Sulfur Dioxide

A hazardous materials fire at Port Tampa Bay released 969 pounds of sulfur dioxide into the atmosphere, according to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. The incident began Friday evening during maintenance inside a sulfur storage tank operated by Gulf Sulphur Services.

The initial release occurred between 5:40 p.m. and 8 p.m. Friday, before the fire reignited from midnight until 8 a.m. Saturday. Residents in and around Harbour Island received a shelter-in-place alert, advising them to remain indoors and close windows and doors. The order was lifted at 9:12 p.m.

Sulfur dioxide is a colorless gas that can cause respiratory irritation, coughing and sneezing, particularly for people with asthma or lung disease. Sparkman Channel was temporarily closed to recreational vessels as a precaution and reopened Saturday morning. No injuries were reported, and officials continue reviewing the incident and environmental impacts.

26 Vehicles Hit in Break-In Spree Across Wesley Chapel, Lutz and Land O’ Lakes

Two suspects are in custody and authorities are searching for two others following a widespread vehicle break-in spree across Wesley Chapel, Land O’ Lakes and Lutz. According to the Pasco Sheriff’s Office, roughly 26 vehicles were targeted in several neighborhoods.

Break-ins were reported along Canopy Creek Way, Avalon Park Boulevard and Seaboard Circle in Wesley Chapel, along with Tapestry Park Drive in Land O’ Lakes and Players Circle in Lutz. Investigators made progress after stolen credit cards were used illegally, helping deputies identify two suspects. Authorities said stolen property was found when the pair was located and arrested.

Deputies are still working to locate two additional suspects and recover more stolen property connected to the case. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Pasco Sheriff’s Crime Tips Line at 1-800-706-2488 and reference case number 26033654.

Tampa’s Biggest Oktoberfest Returns Downtown for Three-Day Celebration

Tampa’s largest Oktoberfest celebration is returning downtown as the 17th annual Oktoberfest Tampa takes over Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park October 9–11. The three-day festival traditionally draws thousands of visitors to the Riverwalk for a celebration inspired by Munich’s famous event.

Guests can expect traditional German beer, Bavarian food and family-style seating beneath festival tents, along with live entertainment and plenty of opportunities to raise a stein.

Daily competitions add to the festivities, including stein hoisting, keg rolling, hammer swinging, grain bag tossing and a mustache contest. The event has grown popular enough to earn consideration for a USA Today readers’ award recognizing the nation’s top Oktoberfest celebrations.

General admission tickets start at $10, with VIP packages and private tables also available. Organizers aim to recreate an authentic Bavarian atmosphere while bringing one of Tampa’s biggest fall traditions back to the downtown waterfront.

Astonishing Fact: Long before Downtown Tampa launched its modern Oktoberfest in 2010, Tampa Bay already had an Oktoberfest tradition rooted in a German-American club founded by just 13 people in 1951. Today, the German-American Society in Pinellas Park still stages its celebration with imported German beer, traditional food, Schuhplattler folk dancing and ceremonial keg tapping — meaning Tampa Bay’s organized German festival culture predates the downtown Oktoberfest by nearly 60 years.

And one especially fun bit of Tampa Oktoberfest history: a competitor once held a full beer stein at arm’s length for 25 minutes and 5 seconds at the Curtis Hixon festival, breaking his own previous record by about two minutes.

Trade Deadline Addition Liam Hicks Makes Immediate Impact for Rays

Catcher Liam Hicks has quickly become a valuable addition for the Tampa Bay Rays since arriving from the Miami Marlins at the trade deadline, contributing as the team pushes for a division title.

Hicks joined Tampa Bay on Aug. 3 and hit a grand slam in his first game with the Rays. Through 36 games, he is batting .305 with four home runs and 19 RBIs, providing another productive bat alongside Junior Caminero, who leads the American League with 41 homers.

His impact extends behind the plate. Hicks has quickly developed confidence with Tampa Bay’s pitching staff, even occasionally shaking off pitch calls when he sees a better matchup. Pitcher Nick Martinez praised Hicks for immediately studying pitchers’ tendencies and participating in team meetings.

The smooth transition has given the Rays additional offense, catching versatility and a confident presence behind the plate during their stretch run.

Read More: tampabay28.com - see article for more accurate image of Liam

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