In this issue of

NewTampa | WesleyChapel Local Pulse

This Week’s Events

WEATHER

Local News

🐕Mandy the Mangrove Miracle: Tampa's Resilient Pooch Ready for Adoption

🏈 NFC Playoff Picture: Buccaneers Claim No. 4 Seed in Stunning Upset

🐊 Paddleboarding for a Purpose: Duo Crosses Alligator-Infested Lake to Spotlight Florida Conservation

Business News

💵 Customers Could Receive $100 in Verizon Class Action Settlement

Medical News

🦴 Nature's Solution: Sesame Oil May Combat Postmenopausal Bone Loss

This Week’s Events in the NewTampa | Wesley Chapel FL Local Area

January 8

January 9

January 10

January 11

January 12

January 13 — Kids Film Series: Frozen, NTPAC,10am-1230pm

January 13 — Raising Cane & Moonshine Festival, 15602 Pioneer Museum Rd, Dade City, 10am-4pm,

January 13 — Charity Golf Tourn for former Buc Vincent Jackson, 1100 Tarpon Woods Blvd, Palm Harbor 34685, 7am regis/8am start

Mandy the Mangrove Miracle: Tampa's Resilient Pooch Ready for Adoption

In December 2022, the Pasco County Sheriff's Office Marine Unit in Tampa, Florida, rescued Mandy Mangrove, a 6-year-old American Staffordshire terrier, from a mangrove island in Oyster Creek. Found struggling and entangled, Mandy was emaciated and covered in sores.

After a period of recovery at Pasco County Animal Services, she moved to a foster home. Known for her affectionate nature, Mandy is a gentle companion to children and gets along well with other dogs. Despite her loving demeanor and media attention, she awaits adoption.

Recently, Mandy underwent successful medical treatment for a low-grade mast cell tumor, with clear chest radiographs and no additional health concerns.

Mandy's story is one of resilience and the unwavering spirit of animals, as she now looks forward to finding her forever home.

Click HERE for adoption information

NFC Playoff Picture: Buccaneers Claim No. 4 Seed in Stunning Upset

In a stunning reversal of preseason expectations, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers clinched the NFC South title, securing a playoff berth for the fourth consecutive year. Their season's success has been marked as one of the most unexpected in the league. With this victory, the Buccaneers are poised at the No. 4 seed in the NFC.

The playoff scenario is nearly set, with the Green Bay Packers likely to claim the last spot, though the Seattle Seahawks and New Orleans Saints remain contenders.

The NFC lineup is led by the San Francisco 49ers, followed by the Dallas Cowboys, Detroit Lions, Philadelphia Eagles, and Los Angeles Rams. The Buccaneers are set to host the NFC East's runner-up in the Wild Card round, potentially facing the Eagles in a highly anticipated matchup. This season's turnaround highlights the Buccaneers' resilience and capacity to defy odds.

Paddleboarding for a Purpose:

Duo Crosses Alligator-Infested Lake to Spotlight Florida Conservation

Mason Gravely and Jordon Wolfram embarked on a daring 34-mile paddleboard journey across Florida's Lake Okeechobee on New Year's Eve. Braving a lake teeming with an estimated 10,000 to 30,000 alligators, they aimed to raise awareness for environmental conservation.

Their voyage started at the Kissimmee River and concluded at the Miami Canal, highlighting the impact of Florida's changing landscapes due to development and population growth. This journey spotlighted the importance of conserving natural habitats like the Everglades and the Florida Wildlife Corridor.

The pair's adventure, amidst challenging conditions, underscored the urgent need to protect Florida's unique ecosystems and the water quality that sustains the state.

Customers Could Receive $100 in Verizon Class Action Settlement

Verizon has settled a class action lawsuit for $100 million, pertaining to charges of imposing undisclosed administrative fees on its customers. The lawsuit accused the company of unfair practices but was settled without an admission of guilt by Verizon.

Eligible customers, who had been charged these fees between January 2016 and November 2023, are entitled to up to $100 each.

Notifications will be sent to these customers, and claims must be filed by April 15, 2024, to receive the settlement.

Local High School Sports Scores

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Nature's Solution: Sesame Oil May Combat Postmenopausal Bone Loss

In a groundbreaking study published in "Scientific Reports," researchers have discovered that daily supplementation with sesame oil could be a key strategy in preventing postmenopausal osteoporosis. This innovative approach offers a potential alternative to hormone replacement therapy, commonly used for osteoporosis but associated with risks like breast cancer and irregular bleeding.

The study, conducted on female Sprague-Dawley rats, demonstrated that sesame oil significantly increased bone mineral density (BMD), serum osteocalcin, and improved bone structure in rats with induced osteoporosis. These benefits are attributed to the oil's ability to maintain essential hormone levels, including serum estradiol and aromatase.

With its phytoestrogenic compounds, sesame oil emerges as a promising, safer option for managing postmenopausal bone health, though further research is needed to fully understand its effects through specific signaling pathways.

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