Issue #387: Dust Skies & Calmer Days, Tampa History Spotlight, New Gold Law, and a Canyon Cat’s Second Chance

5/30/2025

Author

Ted Grellner
30 May

Keep your finger on the Pulse!

GOOD MORNING

For those interested in the Tito Fuente’ Jr. performance at the Krates, the date provided by cltampa was Sat May 29 (yesterday was May 29). The Krates did not list his performance on their event calendar but I’m assuming it will be on Saturday which is listed as a Latin night performance.

Dr Ted
USAF Retired


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In this issue of NewTampa | WesleyChapel
Local Pulse

Our Event Calendar - FIXED

— Haze, Color, and Calm: What Saharan Dust Means for Tampa

Local News

— Living History: Rodney Kite-Powell’s Mission to Preserve Tampa’s Legacy

— New Florida Law Gives Financial Power in Precious Metals

OMG!

— Helicopter Pilot Adopts Cat That Survived 400-Foot Fall in Bryce Canyon

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Haze, Color, and Calm: What Saharan Dust Means for Tampa

A plume of Saharan dust is drifting into Florida, marking the return of the Saharan Air Layer (SAL) — a common summertime phenomenon. Carried by trade winds from Africa, this dry, dusty air mass travels over 5,000 miles and reaches heights of up to 15,000 feet, often blanketing the southeastern U.S.

In Tampa Bay, expect hazy skies, reduced visibility, and vivid orange-pink sunsets. However, air quality may dip, posing a risk for individuals with asthma or respiratory issues.

There’s an upside: iron-rich dust particles help fertilize ocean ecosystems, and the SAL’s dry air and wind shear can suppress hurricane formation.

Scientists are also studying whether the dust may carry microbes affecting health or the environment. The SAL typically lingers through mid-summer, with rains and weakening trade winds clearing it out by August.

So this week, look up—Florida’s skies may be hazy, but they’re painted with desert dust.

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Living History: Rodney Kite-Powell’s Mission to Preserve Tampa’s Legacy

Rodney Kite-Powell has dedicated nearly 30 years at the Tampa Bay History Center, transforming childhood curiosity into a lifelong mission. Growing up, Kite-Powell devoured history magazines and books, developing a love for real-life stories. Though he started as a finance major at UF, one transformative class redirected him toward history—and he never looked back.

After graduating in 1995, he began as a researcher, later earning a graduate degree at USF. Today, he is Hillsborough County's historian and a trusted voice on the region’s overlooked past.

Kite-Powell emphasizes Florida’s central role in U.S. history: “American history starts here in Florida—not in Jamestown or Plymouth.” From lectures to exhibits, his work continues to bridge the gap between past and present, making history accessible and engaging for all.

“I’m proud of how far we’ve come,” he reflects, “but we’ve still got a long way to go.”

New Florida Law Gives Financial Power in
Precious Metals

Florida has officially recognized gold and silver coins as legal tender, thanks to a new law signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis. Under House Bill 999, beginning July 1, 2026, individuals can use precious metals that meet strict purity standards—99.5% for gold and 99.9% for silver—for transactions. However, participation is voluntary.

The law also eliminates sales tax on gold and silver purchases. DeSantis described it as a constitutional move that grants Floridians financial freedom and protection against the declining value of the dollar.

The bill allows money services businesses to handle payments in these metals. Rep. Bill Bankson of Apopka, the bill’s sponsor, emphasized its role in providing fiscal stability and tax relief.

“This brings opportunity without obligation,” Bankson stated, calling it a step toward making Florida the gold standard for economic freedom.

Helicopter Pilot Adopts Cat That Survived 400-Foot Fall in Bryce Canyon

A cat named Mirage, who miraculously survived a nearly 400-foot fall that tragically killed her owners in Bryce Canyon National Park, has been adopted by the helicopter pilot who helped rescue her.

Chelsea Tugaw, the pilot, was called in during the recovery effort when a crew member unexpectedly discovered a cat carrier among the debris. Mirage was rescued with only minor injuries, including cracked ribs and broken teeth, and treated at Best Friends Animal Society in Kanab.

After a health scare involving fluid buildup in her lungs, Mirage was stabilized in Las Vegas. Deeply moved by the cat’s resilience and their shared experience, Tugaw offered her a forever home.

“There was a special connection,” Tugaw said. “I wanted to give her a good retirement home.”

Now comfortably settled in, Mirage is thriving—a survivor of tragedy who found love in the aftermath.

Here’s an astonishing and lesser-known fact about cats:

Cats have a special reflective layer behind their retinas called the tapetum lucidum, but what's remarkable is that some cats can see ultraviolet (UV) light—a spectrum invisible to humans.

This means cats might be able to detect patterns on flowers, urine trails left by animals, or markings on birds and insects that we can’t see at all. Scientists believe this ability could help them hunt more effectively or interpret environmental cues in ways we're only beginning to understand.

It's a reminder that cats perceive a much richer and more complex visual world than we do.

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This Weekend in TB:
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