Issue #297: Snow in Florida, New Tampa Park Opens & Manatee Recovery at ZooTampa

1/24/2025

Author

Ted Grellner
24 Jan

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In this issue of NewTampa | WesleyChapel
Local Pulse

Our Event Calendar

Local News

— Branchton Park Opens: A New 40-Acre Destination for New Tampa

— Tampa Lands Cutting-Edge Lithium Battery Manufacturing Center

Of Interest

— Snow in the South: Rare Winter Storm Hits Florida, Gulf Coast

— Manatee Rescued from Freezing Waters in St. Pete Recovering at ZooTampa

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Branchton Park Opens: A New 40-Acre Destination for New Tampa

Hillsborough County has officially opened the first phase of Branchton Park, a 40-acre recreation area in New Tampa. The park features a state-of-the-art playground, splash pad, and walking trail, with plans for further amenities like pickleball courts, a dog park, and an extended walking trail in the upcoming second phase. The $6.7 million project has been 10 years in the making, spearheaded by Commissioner Ken Hagan, who envisioned transforming the area into a community destination.

Jason Mackenzie, the county's park planner, highlighted the goal of making the park a place where visitors can escape daily stress and create memories. The design takes inspiration from Carrollwood Village Park, offering family-friendly amenities meant to attract visitors from across the region. With 45,000 residents living within 10 minutes of Branchton Park, it is expected to serve as a central hub for relaxation and recreation for years to come.

Tampa Lands Cutting-Edge Lithium Battery Manufacturing Center

Lithium Battery Company has announced a $4 million expansion in Tampa, unveiling a state-of-the-art 60,000 sq. ft. automated manufacturing facility set to open in Spring 2025. The facility will feature five specialized assembly lines, including automated systems for prismatic and cylindrical battery packs, designed to support defense contracts, AI data centers, and renewable energy projects. Advanced capabilities include clean rooms, climate-controlled storage, and a testing lab.

Mayor Jane Castor praised the investment, highlighting its potential for sustainability and local economic growth. CEO Nathan Staron emphasized the facility's role in producing high-quality energy storage solutions while positioning Florida as a leader in advanced battery manufacturing.

The plant will manufacture batteries ranging from small packs to 1MWh systems, supporting military-grade technology, utility-scale energy storage, and scalable AI infrastructure. Founded in 2014, Lithium Battery Company is committed to accelerating the global transition to sustainable energy.

Snow in the South: Rare Winter Storm Hits Florida, Gulf Coast

A rare winter storm swept through the southern U.S. this week, blanketing parts of Texas, Louisiana, Georgia, Florida, and the Carolinas with snow, sleet, and freezing rain. Snowfall records were shattered, including 10 inches in New Orleans, doubling Anchorage, Alaska’s total for the season. The unusual weather caused widespread travel chaos, with over 2,000 flights canceled and significant highway closures, including stretches of I-10. Power outages affected 100,000+ homes, and three fatalities were reported due to cold exposure.

Residents improvised, sledding with boogie boards and laundry baskets, while others turned snowy bridges and beaches into winter playgrounds. Notably, the storm’s impacts included sports cancellations, like the Bucks-Pelicans NBA game.

Scientists link these events to shifts in the polar vortex and jet stream, which may be influenced by climate change. Despite the storm, global warming continues, with 2025 seeing record heat levels.

Read More: flcourier.com

Manatee Rescued from Freezing Waters in St. Pete Recovering at ZooTampa

A one-year-old manatee rescued from cold waters in Bayboro Harbor, St. Petersburg, is recovering at ZooTampa. Found alone with white scars from cold stress, the 270-pound manatee was discovered in water below 40°F—far below the 68°F manatees prefer. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) brought the manatee to the zoo, where he is receiving antibiotics and care in a heated medical pool.

Cold stress causes blood flow restriction, leading to whitening around the flippers, muzzle, and tail, according to Lisa Smith, ZooTampa’s animal care supervisor. The zoo will monitor the manatee for about a year before returning him to the wild. Sadly, rescues like this are common, especially during winter months.

Officials urge the public to report lethargic manatees with white scars to the FWC.

Here's an astonishing fact: During rare snowstorms in the deep South, snow can actually freeze and kill invasive fire ants by penetrating their underground colonies. 

Fire ants, which are a significant ecological and agricultural nuisance in the region, build their mounds with tunnels that trap warmth. However, when extreme cold and snow reach their colonies, it can disrupt their survival mechanisms, reducing their numbers in affected areas. This natural phenomenon is a hidden upside to these unusual weather events!

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