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- Issue #403: Identity Theft Ring Busted in Wesley Chapel | FL Bans Weather Engineering | New St. Pete Distillery Tours | Egbuka Impresses in NFL Debut
Issue #403: Identity Theft Ring Busted in Wesley Chapel | FL Bans Weather Engineering | New St. Pete Distillery Tours | Egbuka Impresses in NFL Debut
6/23/2025
Ted Grellner
23 Jun
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Dr Ted
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In this issue of NewTampa | WesleyChapel
Local Pulse
Our Event Calendar - FIXED
Local News
— Wesley Chapel Identity Theft Ring: $2M in Unemployment Funds Spent Illicitly
— “Chemtrail” Concerns Prompt New FL Ban on Weather Engineering
Of Interest
— Sip & See: Inside St. Pete Distillery’s New Behind‑the‑Scenes Tours
Sports
—Emeka Egbuka’s NFL Debut Already Turning Heads in Tampa
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Wesley Chapel Identity Theft Ring: $2M in Unemployment Funds Spent Illicitly
A federal jury has found 58‑year‑old Maria Morales of Wesley Chapel guilty of trafficking in unauthorized devices and aggravated identity theft, the U.S. Department of Justice announced.
Morales is accused of using more than 100 debit cards, each tied to unwitting individuals across the U.S., to fraudulently withdraw nearly $2 million in Nevada unemployment benefits during the COVID‑19 pandemic.
The cards, mailed in envelopes bearing victims’ names, were used at ATMs throughout West and Central Florida.
Originally indicted last September, Morales now faces up to 10 years in federal prison, with sentencing set for September 19. The DOJ emphasized the large‑scale nature of the scheme, which preyed on pandemic relief efforts and exploited the identities of over 100 victims.
“Chemtrail” Concerns Prompt New FL Ban on Weather Engineering
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has signed Senate Bill 56, officially banning weather modification in the state.
The new law, championed by Sen. Ileana Garcia (R-Miami), repeals an older statute that allowed the state’s environmental agency to issue permits for artificial weather changes—a practice that, officials say, no one has ever attempted in Florida. Under the law, violating the ban could result in a third-degree felony, up to five years in prison, and a $100,000 fine.
It also requires publicly owned airports to report planes with weather-altering equipment and sets up a public portal for reporting claims of such activities. The bill emerged amid public concern over so-called “chemtrails,” a conspiracy theory tied to geoengineering.
DeSantis defended the legislation, rejecting climate manipulation efforts and affirming, “We’re not playing that game in Florida.”
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Sip & See: Inside St. Pete Distillery’s New Behind‑the‑Scenes Tours
St. Pete Distillery, a Florida-based craft spirits maker founded in 2014, now offers behind‑the‑scenes tours of its tasty operation in St. Petersburg.
The guided experience, available Wednesdays through Fridays, begins at silos filled with Florida-grown raw materials and moves through century-old copper stills from Boston alongside modern mashers, fermenters, and experimental wine barrel aging rooms.
Visitors get an insider’s peek at the lab where delicate distillations occur, complete with spinning glass bulbs and coiling condensers. The tour concludes in the tasting room with a flight of spirits—including whiskey, bourbon, vodka, gin and rum—straight from the distillery.
St. Pete Distillery hopes that showing the craftsmanship behind each batch—and offering a sip or two—will convert tours into lasting customers.
Emeka Egbuka’s NFL Debut Already Turning Heads in Tampa
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ first-round pick, Emeka Egbuka, is already making waves ahead of his rookie season. The former Ohio State standout, who helped secure a national title, has drawn early praise during offseason workouts for his versatility, sharp football IQ, and elite route-running.
Quarterback Baker Mayfield called him a “plug-and-play” asset, capable of lining up anywhere in the offense. With veteran Chris Godwin easing back from injury, Egbuka may see significant reps opposite Mike Evans.
Veterans and coaches alike have highlighted his team-first mentality, honed by sharing targets with other stars at Ohio State. Egbuka’s ability to make tough catches and quickly grasp the playbook has turned heads across the organization.
He’s not under pressure to dominate right away, which could make his transition smoother. Egbuka reports to training camp July 21, one day before the veterans arrive.
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