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- Issue #682: TECO Targets Data Center Power Costs, Manatees Make Rare Inland Journey, Century-Old Davis Islands Landmark Threatened, Top-Seed Rays Draw Yankees
Issue #682: TECO Targets Data Center Power Costs, Manatees Make Rare Inland Journey, Century-Old Davis Islands Landmark Threatened, Top-Seed Rays Draw Yankees
10/2/2026
Ted Grellner
02 Oct
In partnership with
GOOD MORNING
“Love the new Tampa Events edition!! (A note from one of our newsletter subscribers)
Hi Ted - The new events edition is a fantastic idea! Andrew and I are finding things to do this weekend already.” (Thank you!)
I’m providing the first few issues at no cost to all subscribers of the NTWCLP newsletter to try out - mailed to your box on Wed’s at noon.
Dr Ted
USAF Retired
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In this issue of NewTampa | WesleyChapel Local Pulse
Local News
— TECO Moves to Shield Tampa Bay Customers From Data Center Power Costs
Of Interest
— Manatees Are Swimming 50 Miles Inland to Visit Myakka River State Park
OMG!
— 100-Year-Old Davis Islands Building Could Disappear After Preservation Plan Stalls
Sports
— Rays-Yankees ALDS Pits Tampa Bay’s Top Seed Against Surging New York
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TECO Moves to Shield Tampa Bay Customers From Data Center Power Costs
Tampa Electric is proposing new safeguards designed to ensure future data centers and other massive power users pay the full cost of serving them rather than shifting expenses to existing customers.
Under a filing with the Florida Public Service Commission, new customers requiring 50 megawatts or more would be classified as “large load customers.” They could be responsible for new generation, transmission upgrades, energy storage, distribution improvements and other infrastructure required for their operations.
TECO would also require contracts lasting at least 20 years, with penalties for early termination and three years’ notice before ending service. Depending on financial risk, companies could face security requirements of up to $2 million per megawatt.
The initial program would be capped at 1 gigawatt of combined demand. No major data center is currently proposed in Hillsborough County. State regulators must approve TECO’s proposal before it can take effect.
Manatees Are Swimming 50 Miles Inland to Visit Myakka River State Park
Visitors to Myakka River State Park are being asked to help track some surprising seasonal guests: manatees traveling more than 50 miles inland from Charlotte Harbor into the park’s waterways.
The 37,000-acre park spanning Sarasota and Manatee counties is known for abundant wildlife, but manatees are an unusual attraction so far from Florida’s coast. As rainfall raises water levels in late summer and early fall, the marine mammals can journey upstream along the Myakka River, sometimes appearing beneath floating vegetation as they feed.
Park rangers documented their first manatee sighting in October 2008, and the animals have returned to the park every year since 2012.
Rangers are now encouraging visitors to report and document sightings, helping officials better understand when and where the animals appear. The information collected is shared with conservation partners, including the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, to help monitor these remarkable inland visitors.
100-Year-Old Davis Islands Building Could Disappear After Preservation Plan Stalls
A century-old Davis Islands landmark could soon disappear. Owners Frank and Lindsey Carriera are seeking a demolition permit for the Mirasol, the seven-story building at 84 Davis Blvd., months after Tampa City Council rejected their redevelopment proposal.
Built as a hotel in the 1920s and later converted to apartments, the Mirasol currently contains 58 residential units. The Carrieras had proposed restoring it as a hotel with up to 118 rooms, 12 condominiums, a restaurant, pool and other amenities. (Editor’s Note: It seems a shame to demolish this 100 yr. old landmark. Restoring it as a hotel would seem like an ideal way to preserve another piece of the area’s history.)
In January, council members voted 5-2 against a land-use change needed for the project after more than 250 residents opposed it, citing concerns about traffic, parking and neighborhood impacts.
The owners have said maintaining and restoring the aging building under its current residential use is financially unworkable. The demolition application is now awaiting city review, leaving the Mirasol’s future uncertain.
Rays-Yankees ALDS Pits Tampa Bay’s Top Seed Against Surging New York
The top-seeded Tampa Bay Rays will host the New York Yankees Saturday at Tropicana Field in Game 1 of a best-of-five American League Division Series between familiar AL East rivals.
Tampa Bay enters with a contact-heavy lineup that was among baseball’s toughest to strike out. Yandy Díaz led the AL with 180 hits, Chandler Simpson hit above .300 with 46 stolen bases and no home runs, while All-Star Junior Caminero supplied the power with 42 homers.
The Rays also bring a deep pitching staff led by Game 1 starter Drew Rasmussen, with Nick Martinez and trade acquisition Freddy Peralta expected to play major roles.
New York advanced by sweeping Boston in the Wild Card Series behind strong starting pitching and timely offense. Yankees star Aaron Judge’s availability remains uncertain because of a quad strain.
Game 1 coverage begins Saturday at 6:30 p.m. ET.
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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