Issue #678: Hillsborough And Pasco Face Dengue Emergency, Warren Sapp Takes Tampa To Court, Dunkin’ Heads To TPA, PickleRage Expands Tampa Pickleball

In this issue of NewTampa | WesleyChapel Local Pulse

WEATHER 

Local News

— Tampa Bay Dengue Outbreak Grows as Hillsborough and Pasco Declare Emergencies

— Hall of Famer Warren Sapp Takes Tampa to Court After City Hall Confrontation

Food

— Tampa International Airport to Welcome Its First-Ever Dunkin’

Sports

— New PickleRage Club Will Bring Indoor Courts, Leagues and Tournaments to Tampa

Tampa Bay Dengue Outbreak Grows as Hillsborough and Pasco Declare Emergencies

Florida health officials have confirmed 190 locally acquired dengue fever cases in 2026, with the vast majority concentrated in the Tampa Bay area. Hillsborough County leads with 170 confirmed cases, followed by Pinellas with seven and Pasco with two. Polk County has separately reported one case and issued a mosquito-borne illness advisory.

The surge prompted Hillsborough and Pasco counties to declare local states of emergency, coming one week after Florida confirmed its first dengue-related death of the year in Hillsborough. Statewide, 38 new cases were confirmed during the week ending Sept. 19.

Clearwater plans to release 10,000 eastern mosquitofish into four lakes to help reduce mosquito populations.

Dengue spreads primarily through infected Aedes mosquitoes. Health officials recommend using insect repellent, wearing protective clothing and eliminating standing water around homes to reduce breeding sites and lower the risk of infection.

Read More: wtsp.com

Hall of Famer Warren Sapp Takes Tampa to Court After City Hall Confrontation

Buccaneers legend and Pro Football Hall of Famer Warren Sapp has filed a federal civil rights lawsuit against the city of Tampa, alleging officials violated his First Amendment rights during a City Council meeting Sept. 17.

Police said Sapp disrupted the meeting after entering an adjoining office. Council Chair Alan Clendenin ordered him to leave, and the council requested a trespass warning for the day. Sapp was not arrested. Sapp’s lawsuit says he entered City Hall to obtain paperwork and argues officials improperly interfered with his ability to access and petition local government.

Video of the encounter shows Sapp repeatedly asking what crime he had committed while refusing Clendenin’s order to leave.

The lawsuit alleges the city’s actions caused humiliation, reputational harm and emotional distress, among other damages. Sapp is seeking nominal damages. A city spokesperson declined to comment, citing the pending litigation.

Read More: tampabay.com

Tampa International Airport to Welcome Its
First-Ever Dunkin’

Tampa International Airport is adding a familiar name to its concessions lineup, with TPA’s first-ever Dunkin’ scheduled to open later in October.

The new location will be on the south end of the Rental Car Center near Remote Bag Check, making it convenient for travelers picking up or returning rental vehicles as well as passengers checking luggage before heading to the terminal.

Dunkin’ will serve its signature coffee and donuts, while an extension of The Beach Market nearby will offer additional grab-and-go choices, including sandwiches and salads.

TPA Director of Airport Concessions Stacey Nance said Dunkin’ has been a high-demand national brand requested by travelers, making the location a response to passenger preferences.

The addition gives travelers another quick food and beverage option as Tampa International continues expanding and updating its concessions offerings throughout the airport, particularly for passengers moving through the busy Rental Car Center.

Read More: news.tampaairport.com

Astonishing fact: In the earliest days of commercial aviation, many airports had virtually no food concessions at all—passengers were lucky to find a cup of coffee. Airlines sometimes solved the problem themselves: American carriers handed passengers boxed fried-chicken lunches, while copilots could end up serving cold sandwiches and lukewarm coffee in flight. SFO Museum

Even more remarkable, airport dining quickly became an attraction in its own right. When Pan Am opened a restaurant atop its new Miami Dinner Key terminal in 1934, it became a fashionable destination for people who weren't necessarily flying. During its first month, it reportedly served 100–150 diners a night, with guests ranging from celebrities and diplomats to European royalty.

New PickleRage Club Will Bring Indoor Courts, Leagues and Tournaments to Tampa

Tampa’s rapidly growing pickleball scene is getting another indoor option as PickleRage plans to open a new club in the city, marking the expanding franchise’s third Florida location.

Eric and Grania Garnighian will own and operate the Tampa franchise, which is expected to feature PickleRage’s CushionX courts along with leagues, tournaments, clinics, lessons and open play for beginners and experienced players. The clubs also include gathering areas where players can socialize before and after matches.

The company says Tampa’s enthusiastic pickleball community makes the area an attractive market for its year-round indoor concept.

Several important details remain under wraps. PickleRage has not yet announced the Tampa location, opening date, club size, number of courts or expected investment.

The Tampa announcement comes as PickleRage continues its national expansion, including a newly announced Bakersfield club that will become the franchise’s first location in California.

Read More: tbbwmag.com

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

—> Comments are welcomed after voting

If you enjoy starting your day with these short daily news summaries, please refer your friends:

Reader Comments

“As always, great read with valuable information. Thanks Dr. Ted!”
“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