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- Issue #325: New Rays Ballpark Plans + Hooters Expands + Measuring Plastic in Your Diet
Issue #325: New Rays Ballpark Plans + Hooters Expands + Measuring Plastic in Your Diet
3/5/2025
Ted Grellner
05 Mar
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In this issue of NewTampa | WesleyChapel
Local Pulse
Our Event Calendar
Local News
— Dog Abandoned in Hurricane Inspires Florida Bill to Criminalize Pet Neglect
— Hooters Expanding to Wesley Chapel Despite Franchise Bankruptcy Concerns
Of Interest
— New Tool Helps Measure Plastic in Your Diet
Sports
— Tampa Bay Rays Unveil Plans for $892M Ballpark in Ybor City
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Dog Abandoned in Hurricane Inspires Florida Bill to Criminalize Pet Neglect
A dog named Trooper, found tied up in floodwaters on I-75 during Hurricane Milton, has inspired a proposed Florida law that would make pet abandonment during natural disasters a third-degree felony.
Trooper’s story gained national attention when a Florida trooper rescued him from rising waters. He was later adopted by Frank Spina, who drove from South Florida to Tallahassee to bring him home. Despite past abuse, Trooper bonded immediately with Spina.
Veterinarians later found and removed over 100 pieces of trash from Trooper’s stomach, and he also had a cancerous tumor removed. Now, he is healthy and thriving.
The bill, backed by the Tampa Bay Humane Society, aims to hold negligent pet owners accountable. Trooper’s former owner faces animal cruelty charges. If passed, the law will take effect on October 1, 2025.
Hooters Expanding to Wesley Chapel Despite Franchise Bankruptcy Concerns
HMC Hospitality Group has reassured the public that plans for a new Hooters in Wesley Chapel remain on track, despite reports of Hooters of America, LLC potentially filing for bankruptcy. Unlike the franchisor, HMC operates independently and maintains a strong financial position, with expansion plans in Florida and Las Vegas.
The new Hooters location will be next to the Harley-Davidson dealership on Wesley Chapel Boulevard. HMC, led by the brand's original owners, also has 22 existing locations in Tampa Bay and Chicago and says it recorded strong sales in 2024.
Meanwhile, Portillo’s is also making its way to Wesley Chapel, filing plans to build a 6,275-square-foot restaurant on State Road 56, replacing Rock N’ Brews. The Chicago-based chain is known for its hot dogs and Italian beef sandwiches and will add to its Tampa-area locations in Lutz and Brandon.
New Tool Helps Measure Plastic in Your Diet
Scientists have developed a groundbreaking tool to measure how much plastic you unknowingly consume through food and drink. Published in Frontiers in Nutrition, the 24-hour dietary recall–plastic exposure (24DR-PE) tool evaluates dietary habits and assigns a Dietary Plastics Score to estimate exposure levels.
The study, involving 422 participants in Perth, Australia, found that high-risk plastic exposure behaviors include:
Microwaving food in plastic
Consuming individually wrapped items
Drinking from plastic bottles
Eating canned foods
Researchers validated the tool by analyzing urinary plastic metabolites, confirming its accuracy. Future studies may use stool samples to assess microplastic exposure.
This tool marks a major step in understanding dietary plastic consumption, with potential applications in public health policy and dietary recommendations. Scientists hope it will raise awareness and reduce plastic-related health risks, including metabolic disorders and cardiovascular disease.
One astonishing fact about plastic consumption is that humans unknowingly ingest about a credit card’s worth of plastic (roughly 5 grams) every week through food, water, and even the air.
A 2019 study by the University of Newcastle in Australia estimated that microplastics are present in nearly everything we consume, with bottled water containing up to 22 times more plastic particles than tap water. These microplastics have been found in human lungs, blood, and even the placenta, raising concerns about long-term health effects.
Even more shocking—scientists have recently detected microplastics in the human brain, suggesting these particles might cross the blood-brain barrier, potentially affecting cognitive function.
Tampa Bay Rays Unveil Plans for $892M Ballpark in Ybor City
The Tampa Bay Rays have announced plans for a new ballpark in Ybor City, just outside downtown Tampa. The proposed $892 million stadium will feature a fixed translucent roof and see-through sliding glass walls, creating a one-of-a-kind fan experience.
The stadium is designed to be integrated into the neighborhood, with picnic, patio, table, and fountain seating areas. It will have 28,216 seats, but with standing areas, the capacity could reach 30,842.
Rays executive Melanie Lenz described the ballpark as "an experience like no other," while principal owner Stuart Sternberg highlighted the innovative design and modern seating options.
While the team has shared its vision, financing details have yet to be announced. If completed, this ballpark could transform Ybor City into a premier sports and entertainment destination.
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25 Biggest Music & Comedy Acts Coming to Tampa Bay
& Sarasota thru March
Source: heraldtribune.com
Best Live Music in Tampa Bay
3/21 - 3/28
Source: cltampa.com
Top Things to do Around Tampa & WC
3/6 - 3/12
Source
This Weekend in TB: |
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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
For Kids
- Fun4TampaKids
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