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 NewTampa | WesleyChapel Local Pulse

In this issue of

NewTampa | WesleyChapel Local Pulse

This Week’s Events

WEATHER

 Local News

🏊Florida Launches Free Swim Lesson Program for Kids Under 4

 Medical News

💊 Animal Sedative Linked to Rising Overdoses in U.S. Cities

🏥Florida Pioneers Out-of-Hospital C-Sections, Prompting Safety Concerns

Of Interest

🥃 Manhattanhenge Returns: Manhattan Cocktail Recipe

🎵  Useful Arts & Entertainment Event Links

Events Brought to You By:
 NewTampa | WesleyChapel Local Pulse

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

New Event Calendar:

Local News Brought to You By:
 NewTampa | WesleyChapel Local Pulse

Florida Launches Free Swim Lesson Program for Kids Under 4

With summer fast approaching and school out, it’s the perfect time for kids to dive into swimming lessons. In the Tampa Bay area, a new statewide program starting in July will provide free swim classes for children under 4 years old.

Ensuring your children know how to swim is particularly crucial in Florida, which unfortunately leads the nation in unintentional drownings. Children under 4 are especially at risk, with drowning being a leading cause of death for this age group.

To address this, earlier this year, Gov. Ron DeSantis signed legislation creating a program at the Florida Department of Health. Effective July 1, this new law mandates the health department to collaborate with vendors to offer a voucher program for free swimming lessons, targeting low-income families.

In the meantime, there are numerous resources available to find swimming lessons across the Tampa Bay area, many of which are low-cost or free.

*Read More: wtsp.com
AND check out county-specific programs

Future Business Directory:
(Logos of local businesses w/links to their websites)

Animal Sedative Linked to Rising Overdoses in U.S. Cities

A potent animal sedative, medetomidine, is being linked to a surge in overdoses in several U.S. cities, prompting a public alert from the Center for Forensic Science Research and Education (CFSRE). Medetomidine, commonly found in veterinary medicine and sometimes used in human medicine as dexmedetomidine, has been detected in street drugs alongside fentanyl, heroin, and xylazine. This combination has led to overdoses in Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and Chicago.

Ingesting toxic amounts of medetomidine can cause severe effects such as sedation, hypnotic effects, hypotension, and bradycardia, an abnormal heart rhythm. Initially found in Canada, the drug has been present in the U.S. since 2022, with increased occurrences recently. It first appeared in Maryland and later in Missouri, Colorado, Pennsylvania, and California.

In December 2023, the CFSRE issued a "toxic adulterant alert" about medetomidine's rising presence in recreational drugs. Due to the lack of medetomidine testing in most clinical labs, the CFSRE recommends additional analyses for suspected opioid-related deaths.

Read More: abcactionnews.com

Florida Pioneers Out-of-Hospital C-Sections, Prompting Safety Concerns

Florida has become the first state to allow C-sections outside hospitals, approving the procedure in 'advanced birth centers.' This new law aims to expand maternal care options, particularly for rural women who face significant travel times to hospitals with obstetric services. Proponents argue the law fosters innovation and reduces costs, but it has sparked significant safety concerns among medical professionals.

Critics, including Dr. Judette Louis from the University of South Florida, warn that these centers may lack the necessary resources to handle emergencies like unexpected hemorrhages. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) stresses that even low-risk pregnancies can quickly become high-risk, requiring immediate hospital-level care.

Advanced birth centers must have two medical directors and a transfer agreement with nearby hospitals. However, with Florida already having one of the highest C-section rates in the country, experts fear this law, influenced by private equity interests, could lead to an increase in unnecessary procedures, compromising patient safety.

Read More: fox13news.com

Brought to You By:
 NewTampa | WesleyChapel Local Pulse

Manhattanhenge Returns:

Manhattan Cocktail Recipe

EDITOR’S NOTE: Yesterday was “Manhattanhenge Returns”. Today it only seemed fitting to have a “Manhattan”:

BY THE BON APPÉTIT TEST KITCHEN

Total Time: 2 minutes

The Manhattan is a classic, no-nonsense cocktail made with whiskey, sweet vermouth, and bitters. While its origins date back to the 1880s with equal parts whiskey and vermouth, modern recipes typically use more whiskey.

Ingredients:

• 3 oz. rye whiskey

• 1½ oz. sweet vermouth

• 2 dashes Angostura bitters or orange bitters

• 1 maraschino cherry or a wide strip of orange peel (for garnish)

Preparation:

1. Combine the rye whiskey, sweet vermouth, and bitters in a mixing glass filled with ice.

2. Stir gently for about 30 seconds until chilled.

3. Strain into a coupe or martini glass.

4. Garnish with a maraschino cherry or an orange peel twist.

Feel free to adjust the whiskey-to-vermouth ratio to your taste. If your vermouth has been open in the fridge for more than a few months, it might be time to replace it. Enjoy your Manhattan with a high-quality cherry like Luxardo or an orange peel for a zesty finish.

Read More: bonappetit.com

Things to Do Brought to You By:
 NewTampa | WesleyChapel Local Pulse

Useful Arts & Entertainment Event Links

The Arts
- USF College of the Arts

Theater
- NTPAC - New Tampa Performing Arts Center
- New Tampa Players
- USF School of Theatre & Dance
- Wesley Chapel Theater Group
- Carrollwood Players Theatre

Misc

- The Krate, WC
- The Shops at Wiregrass, WC

Local High School Sports Scores
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