In this issue of

NewTampa | WesleyChapel Local Pulse

This Week’s Events

WEATHER

Local News

🎢Universal Orlando's Epic Universe: A New Realm of Adventure Awaits!

🐕 Paws and Prejudice: Survey Reveals Florida's Most Doubted Dog Owners

Crime

👮‍♂️ Operation Clean Sweep: Pasco Sheriff’s Office Targets 13-Member Drug Syndicate

Medical News

🩸 Blood Tells the Tale: New Insights into Long Covid Causes

Science News

🌒 2024 in Space: From Lunar Landings to Jupiter Journeys

Sports

🎟️Super Bowl Ticket Shock: Prices Hit Record High, Costing Fans a Small Fortune

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

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January 31

February 1 — Sunset Market (1st Thurs of each month), Midtown Tpa: 3659 Midtown Dr, Tpa 33607, 6-10pm

February 2 — SLICK, MUSIC, AND MOVEMENT, USF Barness Recital Hall / College of the Arts, 6/7pm

February 2 — Jazz with Jim present Ballads, Carrollwood Cultural Cntr, 730-9pm

February 3 — TB Whiskey Riot - A Festival of Whiskeys, The Coliseum, St Pete, 3pm

February 4

February 5

Universal Orlando's Epic Universe: A New Realm of Adventure Awaits!

Epic Universe: A New World of Adventure at Universal Orlando

Universal Orlando Resort is set to open Epic Universe in 2025, a new theme park offering a galaxy of adventures. The park, located near Universal's main campus in Orlando, features five immersive worlds with over 50 attractions, dining, and shopping experiences. 

The heart of Epic Universe is Celestial Park, an astronomy and mythology-inspired realm with attractions like the Constellation Carousel and Starfall Racers, a dual-launch racing coaster.

It also houses themed dining spots like The Blue Dragon Pan-Asian Restaurant and Moonshine Chocolates & Celestial Sweets. The park's themed lands include Super Nintendo World, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter—Ministry of Magic, How to Train Your Dragon—Isle of Berk, and Dark Universe. Additionally, three in-park hotels, including the Universal Helios Grand Hotel, offer exclusive access to the park. This latest addition to Universal Orlando promises an unprecedented adventure for visitors.

Click HERE for more details

Paws and Prejudice: Survey Reveals Florida's Most Doubted Dog Owners

 In Florida, a recent survey has cast a spotlight on public trust towards dog breed owners, revealing intriguing perceptions. Pit Bull owners top the list, battling a stigma linked to their breed's controversial image, despite advocates insisting on their loving nature. Wolf-hybrid owners follow, facing skepticism about their pets' domestication, a dilemma between wild roots and nurturing. Rottweiler owners, known for their pets' loyalty, also encounter wariness due to the breed's formidable presence.

The survey, conducted by Brian Chase of Bisnar Chase, also mentions other breeds facing mixed perceptions: German Shepherds, Doberman Pinschers, Siberian Huskies, Bullmastiffs, Alaskan Malamutes, Boxers, and Akitas, each with unique traits influencing public opinion.

Chase highlights the legal responsibilities of dog ownership, stressing the importance of responsible care to prevent incidents and uphold community safety. The study ultimately underscores the significance of understanding the bond between dogs and their owners, moving beyond breed stereotypes.

Click HERE for more information

Operation Clean Sweep: Pasco Sheriff’s Office Targets 13-Member Drug Syndicate

In a significant crackdown on drug-related crime, the Pasco Sheriff’s Office, in a joint effort with the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, has successfully apprehended and charged a 13-member drug trafficking organization. The announcement, made during a recent news conference, highlighted the collaborative efforts of various law enforcement agencies, including the FBI and the United States Postal Inspection Service.

This operation, a result of inter-agency cooperation, particularly across the Tampa Bay Area, has disrupted a major channel for the distribution of illegal drugs. Colonel Jeff Harrington emphasized the crucial role of this partnership in making the community safer. The arrests mark a substantial blow to the drug trafficking network in the area.

Details of the case, still under investigation, are available through the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida. The community can take solace in the knowledge that the efforts of these agencies have hindered illegal drug activities, contributing to public safety.

I

Blood Tells the Tale: New Insights into Long Covid Causes

 Groundbreaking research has identified that changes in blood proteins, caused by our immune system's overactivity, likely lead to long Covid. This discovery, revealing the key role of the "complement system" in the immune response, paves the way for simple blood tests to diagnose this condition.

Long Covid, affecting an estimated 1.9 million people in the UK, presents symptoms like chronic fatigue and 'brain fog' which significantly impact daily life. The study, published in Science, analyzed blood samples from Covid-19 patients, finding notable differences in those with long Covid, particularly in proteins related to blood clotting and inflammation. 

This research not only aids in diagnosing long Covid but also in developing future treatments, utilizing existing blood tests to identify inflammation markers related to the condition.

Click HERE for more information

2024 in Space: From Lunar Landings to Jupiter Journeys

2024: A Pivotal Year in Space Exploration

The year 2024 heralds a new era in space exploration with several landmark missions. The Commercial Lunar Payload Service (CLPS) program, rebounding from the Peregrine Lander's failure, is set to send a Falcon 9 rocket carrying the first radio astronomy telescope to the moon's South Pole in February. This mission marks the first NASA-funded lunar payload in over five decades, with significant scientific and commercial potential.

NASA's VIPER rover is also on the docket, embarking on a 100-day journey to map water ice on the moon's South Pole, a key step in future Mars missions. Beyond NASA, private companies and countries like Japan and China are showing increased interest in lunar exploration for potential mining.

In another ambitious endeavor, NASA's Europa Clipper Mission, launching in October, aims to probe Jupiter's moon Europa for conditions suitable for life. Concurrently, the European Space Agency's Hera Mission targets asteroid defense, examining the aftermath of NASA's DART mission on the Dimorphos asteroid.

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Super Bowl Ticket Shock: Prices Hit Record High, Costing Fans a Small Fortune

Super Bowl tickets, notoriously expensive, have reached new heights this year. Currently, the most affordable ticket on StubHub is priced at $6,400, but with added fees and taxes, this jumps to a staggering $8,601. Those seeking seats in the stadium’s lower bowl face prices nearing $11,000 after fees. These resale tickets, notably not sourced directly from the NFL, are hitting record highs, eclipsing even the pandemic-affected sales of 2021.

The NFL's official fan experience packages, which include guaranteed game tickets, are selling for at least $8,500 before fees, reaching over $10,000 with additional costs. These packages also offer live entertainment and other exclusive perks.

For fans still considering attendance, patience might pay off. TicketiQ suggests that the cheapest tickets generally appear about a week before the game. However, prices often escalate in the final days as ticket availability decreases.

Reflecting on the past, last year's entry price was a relative bargain at $5,500. This pales in comparison to the inaugural Super Bowl, where $10 granted access – a figure that would equate to around $93 today, adjusted for inflation.

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