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- Issue #329: SWAT Standoff at USF Housing | Raymond James Hosts Golf Event | Child Fentanyl Poisonings Surge
Issue #329: SWAT Standoff at USF Housing | Raymond James Hosts Golf Event | Child Fentanyl Poisonings Surge
3/11/2025
Ted Grellner
11 Mar
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In this issue of NewTampa | WesleyChapel
Local Pulse
Our Event Calendar
Local News
— SWAT Standoff at USF Student Housing After Gunfire Incident
— Raymond James Stadium to Transform into a Golf Course for Two Days
Medical News
— Fentanyl Poisonings in Children Surge Over Eight Years, Study Finds
Of Interest
— Denied Life-Saving Care: How One Patient Fought Back & Won
🎵 Useful Arts & Entertainment Event Links
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SWAT Standoff at USF Student Housing After Gunfire Incident
A SWAT team was deployed to a University of South Florida (USF) student housing complex after a man fired multiple shots into an apartment unit, according to the Temple Terrace Police Department (TTPD).
The suspect, 34-year-old Joshua Rocamora, was seen yelling in the parking lot before opening fire on a unit. After the shooting, he barricaded himself inside his apartment, prompting an hours-long standoff.
Authorities utilized specialized tactical resources, including robotic technology from the Tampa Police Department, to manage the situation. Fortunately, no injuries were reported.
After a prolonged negotiation, Rocamora was taken into custody and now faces multiple charges, including shooting into an occupied dwelling, discharging a firearm in a residential area, and resisting arrest without violence.
Raymond James Stadium to Transform into a Golf Course for Two Days
For two days this March, Raymond James Stadium will become an exclusive golf course as Upper Deck Golf brings its unique golfing experience to Tampa on March 21-22.
Golfers will have the rare opportunity to tee off from the upper deck of the Buccaneers’ stadium, aiming for custom greens set up on the field below. Hole distances will range from 75 to 150 yards, with adjusted slope distances provided at each station.
Beyond the course, attendees can enjoy a clubhouse festival featuring live music, food, drinks, and interactive golf challenges such as a putting contest and driving challenge using simulators.
Tickets start at $89 per person, and reservations can be made online. Whether you're a seasoned golfer or just looking for a fun weekend activity, this event offers a one-of-a-kind way to experience Raymond James Stadium.
One astonishing and lesser-known fact about stadiums is that some have been temporarily transformed into farms and gardens to promote sustainability.
For example, The Johan Cruijff Arena in Amsterdam became the first stadium in the world to use circular urban farming on its grounds. The stadium integrated hydroponic systems and vertical farming inside unused areas to grow fresh produce for stadium restaurants, reducing food waste and transportation emissions.
Additionally, after the 2012 London Olympics, the Olympic Stadium’s grounds were repurposed into a massive urban garden, featuring beehives and pollinator-friendly plants.
This trend reflects a growing movement to make stadiums more than just sports venues, turning them into eco-friendly hubs that contribute to food production and environmental awareness.
Fentanyl Poisonings in Children Surge Over Eight Years, Study Finds
A new study reveals a sharp increase in fentanyl poisonings among children in the U.S. from 2015 to 2023, with cases becoming more frequent and severe.
The research, published in The American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse, analyzed 3,009 fentanyl-related pediatric exposures reported to poison centers across 49 states. In 2023 alone, 44.6% of cases were life-threatening, a dramatic rise from 15.9% in 2015.
Key findings:
Ages 0-12: 81.7% of exposures were accidental.
Ages 13-19: 65.7% of cases were intentional, nonmedical use.
Cases increased 924.3% for children (0-12) and 1,506% for teens (13-19).
Experts stress the need for increased prevention, education, and access to naloxone. Parents are urged to secure medications and recognize overdose signs.
This alarming trend comes as counterfeit fentanyl-laced pills flood illicit markets, underscoring the ongoing opioid crisis.
Denied Life-Saving Care: How One Patient
Fought Back & Won
When Linda Brown’s health insurance denied her critical blood transfusions, she was left fighting for her life—both medically and financially. Brown, who has the rare genetic blood disorder alpha thalassemia, requires frequent transfusions to prevent organ failure.
Despite faithfully paying for her insurance, she was told her policy would only cover one transfusion per year, even though she needed multiple transfusions a month. As a result, her doctors stopped treating her due to unpaid bills, forcing her to go to the ER for life-saving care—even as her medical debt soared to $300,000.
Her breakthrough came when a peer-to-peer review—a process where a treating specialist directly advocates to an insurance company's doctor—led to her coverage being reinstated. Brown credits her team of hematologists and cardiologists for saving her life.
Now, with a new job, new insurance, and improved treatments, she’s sharing her story to help others fight insurance denials.
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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:
NewTampa | WesleyChapel Local Pulse
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
What Did You Think of This Issue? |
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