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- Issue #417: No Go for Pebble Creek Rezoning | Ex-USF Player’s Turnaround Project | Best Breakfast in Florida? | Rays Shake Up Bullpen
Issue #417: No Go for Pebble Creek Rezoning | Ex-USF Player’s Turnaround Project | Best Breakfast in Florida? | Rays Shake Up Bullpen
7/14/2025
Ted Grellner
14 Jul
Keep your finger on the Pulse!
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Dr Ted
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In this issue of NewTampa | WesleyChapel
Local Pulse
Our Event Calendar — taking submissions w/o phone confirm required
Local News
— Court Blocks Pebble Creek Rezoning, Halts Housing Development
— Former USF Player Revives Troubled Tampa Apartment Complex
Food
— This Michelin-Honored Diner Serves Florida’s Best Morning Bite
Sports
— Rays Bullpen Gets Boost, More Moves on the Horizon
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Court Blocks Pebble Creek Rezoning, Halts Housing Development
Plans to rezone the shuttered Pebble Creek Golf Course for a 250-home development have been officially denied after a Florida appellate court reversed a prior ruling in favor of the developer.
The court found the lower court misinterpreted the county’s decision, effectively siding with Hillsborough County commissioners, who had rejected the rezoning request in 2023.
Local residents and activists with “Save Pebble Creek” celebrated the decision, citing concerns over increased traffic, environmental impact, and loss of community character.
“We’re relieved our hard work paid off,” said longtime resident Leslie Green, who hopes the golf course can be revived under new ownership.
The landowner and G.L. Acquisitions Corp., represented by attorney Jacob Cremer, are reviewing the ruling and weighing their next steps.
The course, closed since 2021, has been at the center of a battle between residents preserving green space and developers eyeing new growth.
Former USF Player Revives Troubled Tampa Apartment Complex
A once-troubled Tampa apartment complex is getting new life, thanks to Mark Oliver, a former USF football player and founder of the Specially Fit Foundation.
In June, Oliver purchased Holly Court Apartments for $3.6 million, quickly rebranding it as Olive Apartments and installing 36 security cameras, renovating interiors, and restoring a sense of safety and dignity.
The complex, once known for drug activity and mass evictions, had become a symbol of neglect in Tampa’s University Area.
“I just wanted to make it a safer place,” Oliver said. Tenants now report a dramatic improvement, crediting Oliver’s quick action and community-minded leadership.
Importantly, this isn’t a business venture — the apartments are owned by Oliver’s nonprofit, with proceeds funding programs that help people with developmental delays.
Rents will remain around $1,000, and Oliver hopes to fill all units by August, continuing his mission of revitalization through compassion.
This Michelin-Honored Diner Serves Florida’s Best Morning Bite
When it comes to Florida’s best breakfast sandwich, food site Chowhound has crowned Chug’s Diner in Miami as the standout.
EDITOR’S NOTE: Chowhound is a site well worth your checking out! AND if Chug’s had been open when I lived in Miami, I might never have moved away. TG
The restaurant’s signature Breakfast Sandwich features a sunny-side-up egg, salty Taylor ham, gooey American cheese, mayo, and crispy papitas, all nestled on soft Cuban bread—a nod to Miami’s cultural roots.
Chug’s is no stranger to praise, having earned four Michelin Bib Gourmand awards for its accessible yet high-quality menu.
To compile its rankings, Chowhound analyzed online reviews from Yelp, TripAdvisor, and Reddit, focusing on freshness, ingredient quality, and flavor. Only eateries with average ratings of 4.5 stars or higher were considered.
For those on the go, Chowhound also listed top fast-food breakfast sandwiches, including picks from McDonald’s, Chick-fil-A, and Panera.
Still, for a taste that’s both decadent and local, Chug’s handcrafted Cuban-inspired sandwich stands above the rest.
Rays Bullpen Gets Boost, More Moves on the Horizon
The Tampa Bay Rays acquired reliever Bryan Baker from the Orioles on Thursday, addressing what they called their "most acute need" ahead of the Trade Deadline. Though Baker surrendered a lead in a 4–3 loss to the Red Sox, the team remains confident in its playoff chances, now 50–44 and holding a Wild Card spot.
President Erik Neander indicated the Rays could explore additional moves, potentially trading from their pitching depth to fill other gaps. Their Deadline approach will depend on how they perform in the coming weeks.
Emerging contributors like All-Stars Jonathan Aranda and Junior Caminero, rookie Chandler Simpson, and standout Taj Bradley have helped spark the club. Shane McClanahan and Manuel Rodríguez are also nearing returns.
The front office believes the team is poised to contend down the stretch, and may continue to add pieces—if the wins keep coming.
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Biggest Concerts & Comedians in Tampa Bay, Sarasota
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