Issue #320: Storm Aid Questions, Homegrown Eggs & USF Women’s Golf Success

In this issue of NewTampa | WesleyChapel
Local Pulse

Our Event Calendar

WEATHER

Local News

— Millions Pledged for Tampa’s Storm Resilience—But Will It Help?

Of Interest

— Middle Schoolers Take on Egg Shortage with Homegrown Solution

Medical News

— Sardinia’s Longevity Secret: Could LDL Cholesterol Be Protective?

Sports

— USF Women’s Golf Continues to Impress with Second-Best Score of Season

🎵 Useful Arts & Entertainment Event Links

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Millions Pledged for Tampa’s Storm Resilience—But Will It Help?

With hurricane season less than 100 days away, Tampa residents are worried about flooding and infrastructure readiness after last year’s devastation from Hurricane Milton. Felix Figuerelo’s parents remain displaced, months after being rescued by the National Guard.

Concerns grow as even low-risk flood zones suffered severe damage in recent storms. An independent investigation is underway to assess potential failures in Hillsborough County's storm preparedness. In response, Tampa’s city council has allocated $3.2 million for flood relief and is considering over $10 million for backup generators.

Officials assure residents that short-term measures are in place for this year’s storms, but many fear it won’t be enough. County leaders hope to complete their investigation before the June 1 hurricane season start, but for families still displaced, the uncertainty lingers.

Read More: wtsp.com

Middle Schoolers Take on Egg Shortage with Homegrown Solution

With egg prices soaring by 96% due to the ongoing bird flu outbreak, grocery store shelves are often empty—but not in Fish Hawk, Florida. Randall Middle School’s agriculture students are ensuring their community has access to affordable, fresh eggs.

Each morning, students care for chickens, goats, pigs, and sheep in the school’s Land Lab. They collect, wash, and package eggs, selling them for just $4 a dozen to teachers and parents. Every dollar goes back into the program, funding feed and supplies.

For many students, caring for livestock is more than a school project—it’s a motivating force. Some parents say their children look forward to school just to tend to their animals. The program also teaches responsibility, leadership, and teamwork while fostering a love for agriculture.

Thanks to this initiative, Randall Middle School has become a local hero in the face of rising food costs.

Read More: abcnactionnews.com

Sardinia’s Longevity Secret: Could LDL Cholesterol Be Protective?

A new study from Sardinia’s Blue Zone suggests that moderate levels of LDL cholesterol (≥130 mg/dL) may contribute to longer lifespans in elderly individuals, challenging conventional medical wisdom. Published in Nutrients, the research followed 168 nonagenarians over six years, finding that those with moderately high LDL cholesterol lived longer than those with lower levels. However, very high cholesterol, especially in women, was linked to shorter survival.

Researchers considered factors such as diet, physical activity, and genetic resilience. Sardinia’s elderly, known for active lifestyles and Mediterranean diets, showed a 40% lower mortality risk with moderate hypercholesterolemia. Some scientists believe cholesterol may aid immune function and cellular repair in aging populations.

The study’s findings raise questions about statin use in seniors, suggesting that cholesterol-lowering treatments may not always be beneficial in the very old. While further research is needed, these results highlight the need for personalized medical approaches for aging individuals.

Read More: news-medical.net — another very interesting article

An astonishing fact about cholesterol is that your brain is the most cholesterol-rich organ in your body, containing about 25% of your total cholesterol—even though it makes up only about 2% of your body’s weight.

Cholesterol is essential for brain function, as it helps form synapses (connections between nerve cells), which are crucial for learning and memory.

In fact, low cholesterol levels have been linked to an increased risk of depression, anxiety, and even neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s. While high cholesterol in the blood can be harmful, cholesterol itself is not inherently bad—your body carefully regulates it for vital functions.

USF Women’s Golf Continues to Impress with Second-Best Score of Season

The USF Bulls wrapped up the Westbrook Invitational in Arizona with their second-best team score of the season (867), placing 11th out of 14 teams.

Senior Leo Medeiros led the charge, finishing tied for 11th after shooting six-under (210) across three rounds, marking her second-lowest score of the season. Freshman Cherry Marley impressed once again, posting scores of 69-70-72, maintaining par or better in all three rounds.

Other key contributors included Emma Kim (222), Valentina Bosselman (224), and Alice Webb (239).

USF will head to Gainesville, FL, on March 7 for the Gator Invitational, looking to build on this momentum. Under Head Coach AJ Newell, the Bulls have been on a historic rise, securing three wins in the 2023-24 season and back-to-back NCAA Regional appearances for the first time since 2002.

Read More: gousfbulls.com

Reader Comments

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Top Things to do Around Tampa & WC
2/20 - 2/26
Source: tampabeacon.com

Things to Do Brought to You By:
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Useful Arts & Entertainment Event Links

The Arts
- USF College of the Arts
- USF Steinway Piano Concert Series

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

For Kids
- Fun4TampaKids

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