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- Issue #313: Selling Homes Faster, Protecting Citrus & What’s Next for the Rays
Issue #313: Selling Homes Faster, Protecting Citrus & What’s Next for the Rays
2/17/2025
Ted Grellner
17 Feb
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In this issue of NewTampa | WesleyChapel
Local Pulse
Our Event Calendar
Local News
— New Again Houses® Brings Rapid Home Selling & Renovation to Tampa
— 16 Months in Captivity: Sarasota Man Reunites with Family After Hamas Release
Of Interest
— Florida Citrus Growers Turn to High-Tech Screens to Save Crops
Sports
— Silverman: Rays Staying in Tampa, But “We Have Four Years to Figure It Out”As
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New Again Houses® Brings Rapid Home Selling & Renovation to Tampa
New Again Houses®, a company known for revitalizing old homes, has launched its 54th franchise location in Tampa, FL. Led by Oliver and Doris Cahueque, the new franchise will serve Pinellas and Hillsborough Counties, offering homeowners a fast and reliable way to sell their properties.
The company specializes in purchasing distressed homes, fully renovating them, and reselling them as move-in-ready properties. Founded by Matt Lavinder and Sam Ferguson, New Again Houses® focuses on innovation, ownership, and win-win relationships, helping franchisees overcome startup hurdles with well-established resources.
Oliver Cahueque shared, "It is quite satisfying to see the transformation of a distressed property into something desirable." Doris Cahueque added, "Turning our passion into a full-time business while benefiting the community is incredibly rewarding."
For more information about franchising or selling a home, visit New Again Houses® Tampa.
16 Months in Captivity: Sarasota Man Reunites with Family After Hamas Release
Sagui Dekel Chen, a 36-year-old father of three with family in Sarasota, was freed by Hamas early Saturday morning after being held captive since October 2023. His release comes as part of an ongoing ceasefire negotiation between Israel and Hamas.
Chen was among three hostages released and was immediately reunited with his wife and father in Israel. His family endured months of uncertainty, fearing for his fate. Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee CEO Shepard Englander shared, "We were so frightened because Hamas refused to say which hostages were dead or alive."
Despite being malnourished and suffering an arm injury, Chen is alive and recovering. His most emotional moment was meeting his youngest daughter for the first time, as she was born after he was taken hostage.
Englander emphasized the continued push for the release of all hostages, thanking the U.S. administration for its diplomatic efforts.
Florida Citrus Growers Turn to High-Tech Screens
to Save Crops
A groundbreaking method called Citrus Under Protective Screen (C.U.P.S.), developed by the University of Florida, is offering a promising solution to citrus greening disease, which has devastated Florida’s citrus industry.
The Dundee Citrus Growers Association began using C.U.P.S. commercially in 2017 and has since expanded its operations from 110 acres to nearly 1,000 acres. CEO Steven Callaham highlighted that citrus greening, spread by the Asian Citrus Psyllid, has slashed Florida’s citrus production from 300 million boxes to under 15 million.
By enclosing citrus trees in protective screen structures, growers can block the disease-carrying insect while allowing sunlight, wind, and rain to pass through. Though costly to implement, the system requires less land, water, and fertilizer, making it a sustainable alternative.
While not all growers may adopt this method, C.U.P.S. is proving to be a game-changer in revitalizing Florida’s citrus industry.
➡ Learn more at Dundee Citrus
Here’s an astonishing fact about Florida citrus that many people don’t know:
Before orange groves, Florida was famous for its bananas! 🍌🌴
In the early 1800s, before citrus became Florida’s signature crop, the state was actually a major banana-growing region. Spanish and Caribbean traders introduced banana plants, and they thrived in Florida’s warm climate. However, hurricanes, disease, and the rise of citrus farming led to bananas taking a backseat. Today, while Florida still grows some bananas, the citrus industry dominates—though it now faces its own challenges, like citrus greening disease.
Pretty wild, right? 🍊
Silverman: Rays Staying in Tampa, But “We Have Four Years to Figure It Out”
At Rays Fan Fest on Saturday, team president Matt Silverman assured fans that the team plans to stay in Tampa Bay, despite uncertainty over the new stadium deal. With the lease at Tropicana Field extended through 2028, Silverman emphasized that the team has four years to figure it out.
“We’ve always wanted to be here,” Silverman said, acknowledging that the organization is still weighing options as the March 31 deadline approaches. Discussions remain tense, with recent friction between the team and local officials.
Meanwhile, Fan Fest at St. Pete Pier saw around 20,000 fans enjoying player autographs, games, and waterfront views. Shane McClanahan was named Opening Day starter for the 2025 season after recovering from Tommy John surgery.
With spring training in full swing, the Rays are preparing for a temporary move to Steinbrenner Field while Tropicana Field undergoes repairs.
➡ More Rays updates at Rays MLB
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25 Biggest Music & Comedy Acts Coming to Tampa Bay
& Sarasota
Source: heraldtribune.com
Best Live Music in Tampa Bay this week
2/13 - 2/20
Source: cltampa.com
Top Things to do Around Tampa & WC
2/13 - 2/19
Source: tampabeacon.com
This Week in TB area: | This Weekend in TB area |
Guide to the Florida State Fair
See: tampabay.com — lots of good information
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