Hillsborough teachers named quarterfinalists for Grammy award
TAMPA — Two Hillsborough educators have been named quarterfinalists for the 2027 Grammy Music Educator Award.
Ernesta Chicklowski of Roosevelt Elementary School in Tampa and Francisco Quixtan of Jule F. Sumner High School in Riverview are among just 202 educators selected nationwide from more than 2,100 nominations submitted across all 50 states.
The Grammy Music Educator Award, presented by the Recording Academy and Grammy Museum, recognizes current educators — kindergarten through college, in both public and private schools — who have made a significant and lasting contribution to the field of music education and who demonstrate a commitment to the broader cause of maintaining music education in schools.
Chicklowski has been Roosevelt Elementary School’s music teacher for 23 years. In 2023–24, she was recognized as the Florida Elementary Music Educator of the Year. This marks her fifth Grammy Music Educator Award nomination.
Quixtan has built Sumner High School’s orchestra into a program that includes a beginning orchestra, a chamber ensemble, and a full symphony orchestra. His selection as a Grammy Music Educator Award quarterfinalist reflects his dedication to building a thriving music program at a school still in its early years, the school district said in a press release.
CAVA opens in Lutz
LUTZ — CAVA, the fast-casual restaurant chain, has opened its latest store at 2227 Sun Vista Drive.
The restaurant opened its doors June 29 and is expected to employ about 25 to 40 local workers. It is open 10:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.
Each CAVA store accepts donations to support a local cause and matches those donations up to $1,000. The Lutz restaurant is raising funds for Feeding Tampa Bay.
County offers programs to control mosquitos
Hillsborough County Mosquito Management Services offers a number of programs to assist in mosquito population control, including free mosquitofish, free inspections, and targeted response efforts.
Every year during the spring and summer, Mosquito Management hosts free mosquitofish giveaway events for Hillsborough County residents. Mosquitofish are small, native freshwater fish that eat mosquito larvae. They require no feeding, and care is limited to protecting them from garden sprays, chlorine, or other chemicals used for cleaning. Mosquitofish do not lay eggs and require no special environment for breeding.
They will be available from 8 a.m. to noon on the following Saturdays:
• July 18 at Jan Kaminis Platt Regional Library, 3910 S. Manhattan Ave., Tampa
• Aug. 15 at Northdale Park & Recreation Center, 15510 Hooting Owls Pl., Tampa
Mosquitofish can also be picked up at the Mosquito Management Services office by calling 813- 635-5400, or visit Mosquito Management Services Request to set an appointment.
The county manages mosquito populations to protect public health and welfare, working to eliminate breeding habitat (areas of standing, stagnant water) and reduce mosquito development through larval control. County workers spray by ground and air to manage adult mosquito populations. Mosquito Management Services offers an email notification prior to most nighttime applications of adulticides. Sign up on the Mosquito Spray Notifications page to be notified when Mosquito Management is spraying in your area, particularly if you keep bees, to protect your hives. To report a mosquito issue and request an inspection of your property or neighborhood, visit the Report Mosquito Related Issues page.
Mosquito Management also will visit a community’s HOA meetings, school, or other event to give a presentation on effective mosquito prevention techniques.
Simple steps can be taken to slow the spread of mosquitoes and prevent them from laying and hatching eggs, including:
• Draining water from garbage cans, house gutters, buckets, pool covers, coolers, toys, flowerpots, or any other containers where sprinkler or rainwater has collected
• Discarding old tires, bottles, pots, broken appliances, and other items not being used
• Emptying and cleaning birdbaths and pet water bowls at least twice a week.
• Protecting boats and vehicles from rain with tarps that do not accumulate water.
• Maintaining swimming pools and keeping them chlorinated. Empty plastic swimming pools when not in use.
• Wearing protective clothing while outdoors.
• Ensuring window screens are in good repair to reduce the chance of mosquitoes indoors.
Avelo to open routes to North Carolina, Puerto Rico
TAMPA – Avelo Airlines has announced four new routes from Tampa International Airport and other Central Florida airports to Charlotte / Concord, North Carolina, and Aguadilla, Puerto Rico. Avelo says it is the only airline offering nonstop service on these routes.
Avelo will use Boeing Next-Generation 737 aircraft to fly the routes.
Avelo will begin flights from TPA to Charlotte/Concord beginning Nov. 20, with twice weekly service on Mondays and Friday.
Flights from Lakeland International Airport to Aguadilla, via Rafael Hernandez Airport, will begin Nov. 18, with twice weekly service on Wednesday and Saturdays.
Water-saving ideas offered as drought restrictions continue
The Tampa Water Department is offering irrigation evaluations to residents who want to cut down on outdoor water use, as regional watering restrictions are extended in the face of a months-long drought.
The Southwest Florida Water Management District on June 23 extended its “extreme” water shortage limitations on outdoor water usage.
Residents concerned about their landscape or who are looking for ways to reduce water use are encouraged to contact the Water Department’s conservation and efficiency team at SaveWater@tampa.gov. The team offers free resources and personalized assistance, including:
• One-on-one irrigation evaluations
• Guidance on Florida-Friendly Landscaping™
• Water-saving devices
• Information on identifying and repairing indoor leaks
Residents can also request irrigation evaluations or water-saving devices directly through tampaconnect.com.
The water department is hosting a compost giveaway on Friday, June 26, for Tampa Utilities customers. Compost helps improve soil quality and increase moisture retention during dry conditions. Customers can pre-register at tampa.gov/CompostGiveaway2026
Western retailer to open in September
BRANDON — Cavender’s Boot City says it will open its newest location in Brandon on Friday, Sept. 25.
The store, at 949 Brandon Town Center, will be the Texas-based company’s third in Florida.
Best known for its wide selection of handcrafted western boots, the 15,000 square-foot store will house Cavender’s full line of men’s, women’s, and children’s hats, shirts, jeans, dresses, belts, and western accent accessories, plus work boots and apparel, the company said in a press release.The new store will offer personalized services including boot fitting, hat shaping, boot stretching, and more.
Grant to fund auto, diesel tech training at Hillsborough College
TAMPA — The Hillsborough College Foundation has received a $120,000 donation from the Advance Auto Parts Foundation to support students in the college’s workforce programs, including the Automotive Service Technology and Diesel Systems Technician programs. The gift includes funding for industry-recognized certifications, specialty tools and instructional resources designed to help students build successful careers in the automotive repair and maintenance industry.
The gift also includes $40,000 to help students earn additional Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) certifications – a key credential for advancing toward master technician status. The Advance Auto Parts Foundation will also provide three top-performing students with professional-grade tool sets containing about 800 tools, valued at approximately $15,000.
In addition, a $60,000 specialty tool fund will provide approximately 80 students with advanced tools commonly used in today’s automotive and diesel repair facilities, and $5,000 in Advance Auto Parts gift cards will support the purchase of training materials and equipment.
County water quality reports now available
HILLSBOROUGH — Hillsborough County’s annual water quality reports are now available to the public.
The reports explain the quality and testing results of Hillsborough County’s drinking water, offer information on local water resources, and outline the County’s continued investment in the local water infrastructure.
Hillsborough County Water Resources operates 11 community public drinking water systems, and each system has its own report. Residents can visit HCFL.gov/WaterQualityReport to view the reports, which are based on 2025 water testing.
The website – HCFL.gov/WaterQualityReport – includes an interactive map that allows viewers to enter their address and locate the report that pertains to their residence or business. Printed copies of the reports may be obtained by calling 813-246-3146 or filling out an online form. All customers will receive notice of the available water quality reports through either their mailed bill or e-bill.
Hillsborough parks in running for best in U.S.
TAMPA — For the fourth time in five years, Hillsborough County has been honored as having one of the top parks and recreation programs in the country.
Hillsborough County Parks & Recreation is one of four national finalists in the Class 1 category for the 2026 National Gold Medal Award for Excellence in Park and Recreation Management, the American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration announced. Class 1 includes the nation’s largest parks and recreation departments, serving populations of more than 400,000.
Only one department will receive the highest award, the Grand Plaque, in October. Each finalist sends the judges a short video highlighting their department.
Achievements touted by the department include:
• Effectively manages 180 parks, 223 sports fields, 118 playgrounds, 54 recreation centers, 47 athletic complexes, 11 dog parks, nine splash pads, and four cultural/performing arts centers, spanning over 3,500 acres.
• Added 40 new pickleball courts and six new splash pads and fitness zones in underserved communities.
• The Adaptive Sports program has grown by more than 200% since 2021, expanding from 26 programs serving 300 athletes to 68 programs reaching 955 athletes.
• Collaborated with the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office to revitalize seven recreation centers through a $4.5 million investment.
• Launched the Swim Safe Initiative for children enrolled in Hillsborough County’s Head Start program.
• Hosted 336 performances last year at the New Tampa Performing Arts Center
• Partnered with the American Heart Association to expand emergency preparedness across the park system, securing $125,000 to purchase nearly 100 Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs).
Nearly 1,000 Hillsborough teachers credentialed for AI
TAMPA — Hillsborough County Public Schools recently brought together nearly 1,000 teachers and administrators for an AI Summit focused on credentialing staff in the responsible and effective use of artificial intelligence in education.
Over the course of the multi-day summit, educators developed four key competencies: responsible use, prompting for success, engaging instruction, and differentiating instruction. These focus areas strengthened teachers’ ability to use AI safely, craft effective prompts, design engaging lessons, and tailor instruction to meet diverse student needs.
“We are being very intentional about how we bring artificial intelligence into our classrooms,” said Superintendent Van Ayres. “This summit is about giving our educators the tools and credentials to use AI in ways that save time, strengthen instruction, and create more opportunities for meaningful connections with students. At the same time, we are putting the right guardrails in place to ensure this technology is used safely, responsibly, and always in service of learning.”
District leaders noted the event may place HCPS among the first school districts in the nation to host a comprehensive AI summit designed to credential both teachers and administrators.
Appraiser: are your hurricane repairs not completed?
TAMPA — Hillsborough County Property Appraiser Bob Henriquez is reminding property owners who previously received an adjustment to their property’s assessed value due to hurricane damage that it is important to notify the office if significant storm-related damage still exists.
Following recent hurricanes, the Property Appraiser’s Office conducted extensive outreach and inspections to identify affected properties and ensured eligible owners received appropriate assessment adjustments reflecting the condition of their property as of January 1. As part of the annual assessment process, the office has attempted to contact property owners who benefited from these adjustments to determine whether repairs have been completed or whether damage remains.
Property owners whose homes or businesses continue to experience substantial unrepaired hurricane damage are encouraged to contact the Property Appraiser’s Office as soon as possible. Updated information helps ensure that property assessments accurately reflect current conditions.
Property owners who do not respond to outreach efforts or otherwise provide information regarding the current condition of their property may see their assessment adjusted to reflect a fully repaired property.
Property owners with questions or who need to report ongoing damage should contact the Hillsborough County Property Appraiser’s Office 813-272-6332 or visit stormdamage@hcpafl.org.