Water restrictions extended through Oct. 1
HILLSBOROUGH — One-day-a-week irrigation restrictions will remain in place through the summer, the region’s water authority has determined.
The Southwest Florida Water Management District announced June 30 that, despite scattered summer rains, the Tampa Bay area’s lawn watering restrictions will continue in place through Oct. 1
The one-day-per-week irrigation limits mean that residents can use outdoor irrigation between 12:01 a.m. and 4 a.m. or 8 p.m. and 11:59 p.m. one day per week. Properties less than 1 acre in size may only use one of these windows.
Lions to name ‘Person of Vision’ at gala
TAMPA — Advocate and volunteer Rita Lowman will be honored with the “Person of Vision” award for her commitment and passion in the field of vision at the annual Eye Ball Gala sponsored by the Lions World Vision Institute.
The Oct. 17 masquerade ball at Armature Works will feature a cocktail reception, a gourmet seated dinner, live and silent auctions, and entertainment from The Florida Orchestra.
In a press release announcing the award, LWVI calls Lowman a “trailblazing banking executive, respected community leader, philanthropist, author, and speaker,” who “has spent more than four decades breaking barriers and championing causes that strengthen our region.
“A passionate advocate for community impact, Rita has dedicated countless hours to organizations focused on health, education, and economic empowerment. Her commitment to service, paired with her unwavering support of Lions World Vision Institute, has helped advance the organization’s mission and expand access to sight-saving care for those who need it most.”
Most recently, Lowman was credited for her pivotal role in launching and leading LWVI’s Women of Vision Giving Circle, inspiring philanthropic investment and helping drive support for the new Vision Health Center, slated to open in April 2027.
Temple Terrace chamber opens school supplies drive
The Temple Terrace Uptown Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring a school supplies drive for teachers joining the school system this fall.
The wish list for supplies is topped by paper towel rolls, disinfectant wipes, hand sanitizer, tissues and liquid hand soap.
All materials should be dropped off by July 30 to 9385 N. 56th St., Temple Terrace.
Donations will be shared at the Aug. 5 New Teacher and Support Staff Social sponsored by LMCU.
Help name new Wimauma middle school
TAMPA — Hillsborough County Public Schools is seeking community input to help name the district’s new middle school in Wimauma.
The approximately $72 million project, scheduled to open in August 2027, will accommodate up to 1,600 students.
Located on an 87-acre site at 1712 West Lake Drive, the new middle school will be situated near Aquilla J. Morgan High School, which opened in August 2025, as well as a future elementary school.
The naming and renaming of all school sites and facilities must respect all races, cultures, and ethnic values. The School Board also prohibits any name that violates policy regarding nondiscrimination and access to equal educational opportunity.
School sites and facilities may be named for individuals who have rendered outstanding public service to public education, geographical locations, or groups and clubs, as outlined in board policy. Elementary, middle, and secondary schools may be named for U.S. presidents, school board members, educators, outstanding citizens, or geographic locations. An elected official must have been out of public office for at least five years before being considered, and no current candidate for public office may be considered.
Recommendations for the new middle school name can be submitted at Submit a name. Submissions will be accepted through 5 p.m. on July 31. All names will be presented to the Hillsborough County School Board for consideration. The board is scheduled to vote on a name at its Sept. 1 meeting.
Extension Service offers programs from backyard gardens to better budgets
Hillsborough County residents can improve their landscapes, strengthen financial wellness, explore healthy eating habits, and learn sustainable living practices this July through Hillsborough County Extension Service’s lineup of educational classes and workshops offered both in person and online.
From tree pruning and pollinator gardening to retirement savings education and water conservation programs, Extension experts continue to provide research-based programs designed to help residents save money, protect natural resources, and build practical life skills. Many programs are beginner-friendly and open to residents across the county.
Examples of the month’s available program include:
• Tree pruning basics• Water conservation and sustainable living
• Rainwater harvesting workshop
• Financial education.
Advance registration is required for most classes. For more information, call 813-744-5519 or visit the Extension Service Calendar of Events.
Tampa Bay Sun FC releases fall season schedule
TAMPA — The fall season schedule of Tampa Bay Sun FC will feature seven home matches at Suncoast Credit Union Field, the club has announced.
The fall season of the club’s Gainbridge Super League will serve as the league’s transition to a spring-to-fall schedule, which will begin in 2027.
The season will feature 14 total matches — seven home and seven away. The top four clubs in the final standings will advance to the playoffs, with the semifinals scheduled for Dec. 5 and the final set for Dec. 12.
The Sun will open their fall season on the road against Dallas Trinity FC on Aug. 15.They will return home on Sept. 12 to play Fort Lauderdale United FC.
View the complete 2026 fall season schedule and purchase season and single game tickets at tampabaysunfc.com.
43 HC Students named to FCSAA All-Academic Team
TAMPA — Hillsborough College has named 43 student-athletes to the Florida College System Activities Association (FCSAA) All-Academic Team.
The Hillsborough College students earning All-Academic recognition are:
BASEBALL
Nathan Aprile
Oliver Bandy
Jaron Baysinger
Cody Climer
Chase Conti
Justin Glassford
Daniel Herrera
Anthony Jacquez
Jaden Nazar
Nick Palmi
Cory Sheridan
Charles Stevens
MEN’S BASKETBALL
Niko Bavaro
Wylde Correa
Brian Estime
Manyaka Luma
SOFTBALL
Carlee Anselmo
Angelica Castro
Belen Gomez
Skyler Porter
Kaylee Poster
Sarrah Trocki
Volleyball
Ida Almkvist
Emilia Arvidson
Maleda Azunque
Kaja Debelak
Pamela De Jesus Tejedor
Aubree Hummel
Crystaliz Peral
Eva Rovella
Maria Watroba
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
Sharon Adejonwo
Nina Green
Zeynep Oturakci
Calise Smith
Malayna Stevenson
WOMEN’S TENNIS
Younsoo Cho
Naiomi Crowell
Mirthe De Bresser
Salomea Jasiczek
Emily Lederer
Noah Rojas
Aisulu Zholbolat
To qualify for the FCSAA All-Academic Team, students must have been an active member of the team and certified on this year’s National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) eligibility roster. Students also must have a cumulative GPA of a 3.3 or higher and must have completed a minimum of 18 semester hours during the academic year.
Airport registering for ‘Wings for Autism’ event
TAMPA — The Wings for Autism program is ready to take flight for its second year, this time with an emphasis on welcoming new families to experience the magic of a “practice flight” in a supportive and understanding environment.
Presented by The Arc Tampa Bay and The Arc Tampa Bay Foundation, this year’s Wings for Autism event will take place on Saturday, July 18, giving families the chance to rehearse every step of air travel, from check-in and security screening, to boarding a real plane that remains on the ground.
Registration for the 2026 Wings for Autism at TPA is underway. To ensure access for as many families as possible, registration this year will be limited to those who were not allocated a seat during last year’s program. Available spots will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis among eligible registrants until event capacity is reached, with additional families placed on a waitlist.
For more information or to sign up, visit The Arc Tampa Bay’s Wings for Autism page.
Temple Terrace PD plan to improve resident communication
The Temple Terrace Police Department is launching Versaterm CommunityConnect, a new automated communication system that will help keep residents informed after certain calls for police service and reported crimes.
CommunityConnect allows the department to send automated text messages and emails to 9-1-1 callers, reporting parties, and crime victims. These messages may acknowledge that a call for service was received, provide updates when an officer response is delayed, share certain case status information, and offer a short survey after the interaction.
When a resident calls for police service, they may receive an automated message confirming that the call was received. If an officer response is delayed because of another priority call, high call volume, or another operational need, the system may send a follow-up message with an update.
In certain cases, CommunityConnect may also provide crime victims and reporting parties with updates about the status of their case. The system can also send a mobile-friendly survey so residents can share feedback about their experience with the department.
The system does not replace 9-1-1, non-emergency phone service, officer follow-up, or direct communication with the police department. Residents should continue to call 9-1-1 for emergencies. For non-emergency police assistance, residents should contact the Temple Terrace Police Department through the normal non-emergency number.
Not every call for service will generate an automated message.