In this issue of

NewTampa | WesleyChapel Local Pulse

This Week’s Events

WEATHER

Local News

👸Petite Powerhouse: Aline Trifonov's Journey from Wesley Chapel to Florida Pageant Glory

🐟South Tampa's Bass Mystery Solved: Mating Fish, Not Alien Beats

Crime

⚖️ Voices for Change: Bay Area Survivors Rally for Justice in Tallahassee

🏎️ Speed Thrill Ends in Jail: Duo Caught Racing at 199 mph on Florida Turnpike

Sports

🚣Atlantic Achievement: USF Women Lead in World's Toughest Row

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

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January 24 — Broadway through the Decades: Dinner Theater, Lion's Club of Zephyrhills, 530 Dinner/7 Show

January 25

January 26 — NTBC-Final Friday Networking Event, Walk-On's Bistreaux, 25372 Sirra Cntr Blvd, #304, WC, 4-6pm

January 26 — Sangria Night at Keel Farms, Keel & Curley Winery, 5-10pm

January 27

January 28 — Tiesto, Seminole Hard Rock, 11am

January 29

Petite Powerhouse: Aline Trifonov's Journey from Wesley Chapel to Florida Pageant Glory

 Wesley Chapel's own Aline Giampietro Trifonov, a multifaceted music instructor, performer, and entrepreneur, is set to compete in the 2024 Florida Petite pageant on March 8-9. Standing at 5’2”, Aline embodies the spirit of the Petite USA Pageant, a unique platform for women 5’6” and under. This classical pianist and aerialist, originally from Brazil, has made her mark as the founder of Piano Performance Arts Academy, LLC.

Selected as a semi-finalist, Aline aims to represent the Wesley Chapel community, leveraging her extensive background in the performing arts and modeling. With her vice presidency in the Music Teachers National Association (MTNA) and her affiliation with the Aerial Dragons in Ybor City, Aline is a beacon of talent and dedication.

As she vies for the state title, her goals extend beyond personal achievement, focusing on empowering petite women and amplifying her voice in the performing arts and music education.

Read Gary Nager’s full article in Neighborhood News HERE

South Tampa's Bass Mystery Solved: Mating Fish, Not Alien Beats

In South Tampa, residents like Sara Healy have been puzzled by strange, bass-like sounds that feel more like vibrations than audible noises. The mystery, dating back to the 1970s and once dubbed the "Punta Gorda growl," has finally found a likely explanation thanks to Dr. James Locascio, a scientist at Mote Marine Laboratory.

Locascio, who studied the phenomenon nearly two decades ago, attributes these sounds to the mating calls of black drum fish. This theory is supported by recent observations, including a video from Captain Dustin Pack of Fly Tide Charters and drone footage from See Through Canoe, showcasing hundreds of these fish near Madeira Beach.

While theories ranged from parties with loud bass music to alien activities, Locascio's explanation of marine life sounds seems the most plausible. To further this research, Healy has initiated a GoFundMe campaign to fund underwater acoustic studies. This community-driven project aims not only to solve the mystery but also to contribute to scientific knowledge and environmental awareness.

Voices for Change: Bay Area Survivors Rally for Justice in Tallahassee

TAMPA, Fla. – In a powerful movement for justice, dozens of Bay Area crime survivors journeyed to Tallahassee on Tuesday, joining forces with others deeply affected by criminal acts. This significant trip, organized by the national network Crime Survivors for Safety and Justice (CSSJ), aims to influence lawmakers at the state capitol.

The group's primary goals are to advocate for policies that recognize and treat trauma, enhance victim support, and address the underlying causes of crime. Among the participants is Johnny Johnson, attending for the fifth time with CSSJ. Johnson, who tragically lost his teenage son Jayquon to gun violence in 2017, emphasizes the urgent need to confront and remedy the scourge of gun violence affecting youth and teens.

The rally also spotlights the controversial Stand Your Ground law, with Johnny Johnson calling for a critical reassessment of this legislation. He believes it currently allows perpetrators to evade justice too easily.

In addition to gun violence, the survivors are pushing for legislative attention on legal protections for crime victims, ensuring their job and housing security, and the establishment of specialized trauma recovery centers for violence victims.

Read Full article by Kellie Cowan of FOX 13 News HERE

Speed Thrill Ends in Jail: Duo Caught Racing at 199 mph on Florida Turnpike

In a startling incident on the Florida Turnpike, two young men were apprehended for racing at a jaw-dropping speed of 199 mph. The Orange County Sheriff’s Office reported that 20-year-old Luis Alejandro Lozano-Figueroa and his passenger, 19-year-old Mario Alberto Paz-Gil, were racing in a zone with a 70 mph limit near Moss Park Road at Central Florida Greenway. This dangerous escapade occurred around 3:20 a.m. on a Sunday.

Lozano-Figueroa and Paz-Gil were later detained and taken to the Osceola County Jail, facing multiple charges including racing on a highway. The Orange County Sheriff's Office used this incident to reiterate their zero-tolerance policy towards street racing, highlighting the perils and illegality of such actions.

In 2023 alone, the county made 157 street racing arrests, issued 1,290 citations, and seized 54 vehicles, showcasing their commitment to curbing this risky behavior.

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Atlantic Achievement: USF Women Lead in World's Toughest Row

In an inspiring display of strength and determination, the University of South Florida’s rowing team, "Salty Science," emerged victorious in the women's category of the World’s Toughest Row-Atlantic, an arduous 3,000-mile journey from the Canary Islands to Antigua and Barbuda. Competing against 38 other groups in this grueling annual event, the USF team faced numerous challenges, including formidable wave impacts that necessitated mid-ocean repairs.

USF biology professor and team leader Chantale Bégin described the harrowing conditions, with steep, closely spaced waves testing both their skill and their vessel. Despite these obstacles, the team's primary objectives were safety, enjoyment, and speed, rather than outright victory. Their triumph was a happy bonus.

Setting off on December 13, "Salty Science" had a mission beyond competition: raising awareness about marine conservation and supporting the training of future scientists dedicated to solving global oceanic issues. This dual purpose added depth to their achievement, which included a seventh-place overall finish and being the first North American team to top the women's class.

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