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- Issue #058: Dave Bautista Champions Tampa Cause | Kidney Bond Powers Couple in 5K | Urgent Dunedin Paddleboarder Update | Sand Collapse Tragedy | USF Makes History!
Issue #058: Dave Bautista Champions Tampa Cause | Kidney Bond Powers Couple in 5K | Urgent Dunedin Paddleboarder Update | Sand Collapse Tragedy | USF Makes History!
022524
Ted Grellner
26 Feb
Keep your finger on the Pulse!
GOOD MORNING!
Well it appears that a “Floriduuh” story out of Tampa has made its way to Seattle. Thank God for a local hero who stepped up to help. See how in Local News.
Who’s ever thought of paddleboarding or digging a hole at the beach as high risk activities? More info on these mysteries in OMG!
I don’t know about you, but it certainly seems like USF Sports teams are having a banner year. Check out USF Track & Field results in today’s Sports News!
Just a reminder that we have a new custom short link to our subscribe page (and previous issues): https://pxl.to/NTWCLP
Dr. Ted
In this issue of
NewTampa | WesleyChapel Local Pulse
Local News
🐕Dave Bautista Rallies for Justice in Tampa Puppy-Throwing Incident
🏃♀️ 🏃♂️ A Race for Life: Wesley Chapel Couple's Kidney Transplant Bond Fuels Gasparilla 5k Success
OMG
🏄 Urgent Search Continues for Dunedin Paddleboarder After Coast Guard Halts Efforts
🏖️ Tragedy on Florida Beach: Young Girl's Life Cut Short in Sand Collapse
Sports
🏃♂️🏃♂️ A Historic Hurdle Overcome: USF Men's Track Team Wins First Conference Crown!
This Week’s Events in the NewTampa | Wesley Chapel FL Local Area
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February 26
February 27
February 28 — Wiregrass Weekly 3.1 Run Club,Irish 31 Pub House & Eatery, 28358 Willet Way, WC, 630pm
February 28 — Ghost Stories by the Fire (& S'mores)-only 10 tix available,12603 Corral Rd, Tampa 33626, 7-830pm
February 29 — Love Your Heart: Nurturing CV Wellness, AdventHealth WC, 630pm
March 1 — TBT Boat Show -- 3/1-3, Fls State Fairgrounds, 10am-5pm
March 2 — 54th Annual Gasparilla Festival of the Arts - 3/2-3. Julian B Lane Park, Tpa, 9am-5pm
March 2 — *Master Chorale of TB: Annelies, NTPAC, 8-10pm
Dave Bautista Rallies for Justice in Tampa Puppy-Throwing Incident
In a compassionate response to a distressing incident in Tampa, Florida, Marvel actor and former wrestler Dave Bautista has stepped up to assist in a case involving three puppies cruelly tossed from a vehicle.
The Humane Society of Tampa Bay, seeking justice for the puppies, initially offered a $10,000 reward for information. Bautista, a known animal advocate residing in Tampa, has pledged an additional $5,000 to this reward.
Tragically, one of the 8-week-old pointer/hound mix puppies was fatally struck by a car post-incident, while the other two, now named Luke and Leia, sustained broken bones but survived.
This isn't Bautista's first act of animal kindness; in 2021, he offered a $5,000 reward for information about the abuse of a puppy he later adopted.
The Humane Society urges anyone with details about the cruel act to contact them at 813-625-0910 or email [email protected].
A Race for Life: Wesley Chapel Couple's Kidney Transplant Bond Fuels Gasparilla 5k Success
(a representation of the couple)
Andrea and Aaron Barnes, a devoted couple from Wesley Chapel, recently ran the Gasparilla Distance Classic 5k in Tampa, marking more than just an athletic achievement. Their journey to the starting line was one of love, determination, and a miraculous health turnaround.
In 2022, Aaron faced a life-threatening challenge due to kidney failure. The search for a transplant donor revealed a heartwarming truth: his wife, Andrea, was a perfect match. Andrea, a fitness instructor, underwent surgery to donate her kidney to Aaron, profoundly improving his health.
This race was a celebration of Aaron's recovery and their deep bond. Less than a year after the transplant, they crossed the finish line together, symbolizing their resilience and unyielding support for each other. Their story continues to inspire as they prepare to open "Healthy Steps & Fitness" in Lutz, a fitness center aimed at assisting kidney dialysis patients in achieving transplant eligibility.
The Barnes' experience, from the operating room to the race track, embodies the extraordinary power of love and the strength of the human spirit.
Urgent Search Continues for Dunedin Paddleboarder After Coast Guard Halts Efforts
credit: US Coast Guard photo
In a concerning development, the U.S. Coast Guard has ceased its search for 49-year-old Ziad Abdeen, a paddleboarder last seen near Dunedin Marina. Abdeen's mysterious disappearance occurred on February 23, after embarking on a paddleboarding trip. His vehicle was later discovered at the Dunedin Boat Club's parking lot by family members, who had been scouring Pinellas County for any signs of him.
Responding to the situation, Pinellas County Sheriff's Office deputies arrived at the boat club around midnight Saturday. Notably, Abdeen was reportedly stranded on an island, according to a co-worker who spoke to him on Saturday, marking the last known communication with him. His paddleboard was subsequently found under a dock approximately three miles north of the boat club.
With the Coast Guard's search suspended, local authorities are set to resume the mission on Sunday. The public is urged to share any information regarding Abdeen's whereabouts.
Read More: WTSP.com
Tragedy on Florida Beach: Young Girl's Life Cut Short in Sand Collapse
An Indiana family's vacation in Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, Florida, turned tragic when their 7-year-old daughter, Sloan, died after being buried in a sand hole. The Mattingly family from Fort Wayne, including parents Jason and Therese and children Sloan and Maddox, were vacationing when the siblings began digging a hole near Anglin's Fishing Pier. Tragically, the sand collapsed, burying both children. Maddox survived, being buried only up to his chest, but Sloan was entirely submerged.
The emergency unfolded around 3 p.m. Tuesday, with frantic 911 calls capturing the chaos as bystanders and the parents attempted to rescue the children. The beach, lacking lifeguards, had no one to enforce rules against deep digging. This tragic incident highlights the lesser-known dangers of sand holes, which can be more lethal than shark attacks.
Sloan, a first-grader at Lafayette Meadows Elementary in Roanoke, Indiana, is remembered by her school principal as a bright and loving student. Her father, who runs D&S Interiors, shared family photos online, showcasing their beach moments. The family has set up a GoFundMe to cover funeral expenses and transport Sloan's body back to Indiana, raising close to $30,000.
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A Historic Hurdle Overcome: USF Men's Track Team Wins First Conference Crown!
The University of South Florida's men's track and field team made history by winning their first-ever conference title at the Indoor Championships in Birmingham, Alabama. Scoring a staggering 156 points, the team saw seven individual event victories. Markel Jones was a standout, earning the title of men's freshman of the year, while Jaleel Croal was named the most valuable performer.
Kobe Babin and Noah Bitter opened the Bulls' winning streak in the men's pole vault, with Babin taking the top spot. The women's team also shone, with Terren Peterson and Zahria Allers-Liburd leading in the 400m. Nathan Metelus set a new program record in the men's 400m, adding to the Bulls' impressive performance.
Notably, both the men's and women's 4x400 relay teams clinched first place, with the women's team setting a meet record. The event was also marked by record-breaking performances in various categories, showcasing the Bulls' overall athletic excellence. The team now sets its sights on the upcoming NCAA Indoor Championships in Boston.
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