Latest news with #JaneCastor
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
City of Tampa holds hurricane prep briefing
TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — The city of Tampa is holding a hurricane readiness briefing Friday afternoon. Tampa was one of many Florida cities that suffered heavily from a series of hurricanes in 2024, including Hurricanes Helene and Milton. Keep yourself ready with the WFLA 2025 Hurricane Guide Several areas saw unprecedented flooding and outages that lasted days after Milton blew through Tampa Bay. Mayor Jane Castor said the city's stormwater teams have already removed 500 tons of debris from drains and other waterways, which helps keep stormwater from collecting and flooding neighborhoods. The city has urged residents to take steps to make sure they're prepared in case of emergency. These include: Making an evacuation plan Having an emergency kit ready Trimming trees when necessary Collecting gasoline for generators Keeping yourself informed Tampa residents can text TampaReady to 888-777 for updates. Spanish speakers can text TampaLista to the same number for Spanish updates. A Hurricane Prep Expo will be held at the Barksdale Senior Center on 1801 North Lincoln Avenue from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
'Tampa Bay Connections' aimed at combating loneliness
The Brief The Tampa Bay Connections campaign is getting support from Tampa Mayor Jane Castor, St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch and Clearwater Mayor Bruce Rector. It's led by Tampa Bay Thrives, a coalition that works to improve mental health. The campaign is aimed at reducing loneliness, something organizers call a "growing public health crisis." TAMPA, Fla. - Three Tampa Bay area mayors are coming together in support of a new initiative aimed at reducing loneliness – something organizers call a "growing public health crisis." Big picture view The Tampa Bay Connections campaign is led by Tampa Bay Thrives, a coalition that works to improve mental health and community unity throughout the region. It aims to map existing resources to help connect people in different work settings and demographics through experiences like volunteering. The initiative will also advocate for increased funding for mental health programs across the Bay Area. Is your therapist AI? ChatGPT goes viral on social media for its role as Gen Z's new therapist By the numbers A recent study by Mental Health America took a deeper dive into the issue of loneliness, finding that nearly one in five adults feel lonely every day. Researchers say the consequences of frequent isolation are as dangerous as smoking 15 cigarettes per day. The study also focused on individual states, reporting that nearly 3 million adults in Florida have a mental illness – and more than half are not receiving treatment due to factors like cost and lack of access. READ: Brandon family turns tragedy into purpose during Mental Health Awareness Month What they're saying "I think we're more aware of mental illness now, but we still have a long way to go. We need to still have, you now, a lot more in terms of just screening for mental illnesses and the medical offices. We need have more availability to mental health facilities and counselors, psychiatrists. You know it's a very big burden," Kimberly Channels, physician's assistant at Optum WellMed in New Tampa, said. What's next Tampa Mayor Jane Castor, St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch and Clearwater Mayor Bruce Rector plan to discuss their support of Tampa Bay Connections at a 2 p.m. event on Wednesday. Beyond Wednesday's event, an advisory committee will be formed by representatives from each of the three cities, serving as the community voices for mental health needs in their areas. Follow FOX 13 on YouTube The Source Information for this story was gathered by FOX 13's Regina Gonzalez. STAY CONNECTED WITH FOX 13 TAMPA: Download the FOX Local app for your smart TV Download FOX Local mobile app: Apple | Android Download the FOX 13 News app for breaking news alerts, latest headlines Download the SkyTower Radar app Sign up for FOX 13's daily newsletter
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Tampa leaders announce construction of 22-mile pedestrian path connecting several neighborhoods
The Brief Tampa city leaders announced the construction of a 22-mile pedestrian path connecting several neighborhoods. The project includes almost 4,000 feet of new and widened sidewalks, paving projects, lower speed limits, solar-powered flashing crosswalk beacons, improved roadway markings and signage. City leaders hope the first two segments of the Green Artery will be finished by mid-August. TAMPA - Construction on a 22-mile path connecting the city of Tampa is underway after leaders announced the construction of its Green Artery on Tuesday. It is a long-term mobility project aimed at connecting different neighborhoods throughout the city by way of a pedestrian path. "This Green Artery is going to connect people to the things that they need," Mayor Jane Castor said. The city says residents will be able to walk or bike throughout the city much more easily. What they're saying "Encircling Tampa's urban core and linking more than 20 neighborhoods, parks, schools, supermarkets and jobs," Castor said. City leaders say the loop will connect to the future West Riverwalk, a five-mile expansion project that the city is expected to break ground on soon. "Residents in this area will be able to hop onto the Green Artery and take it all the way to West Tampa's Rome Avenue, and then get to the Riverwalk," Castor said. READ: Clearwater condo residents return days after structural crack forced evacuation The project includes almost 4,000 feet of new and widened sidewalks, paving projects, lower speed limits, solar-powered flashing crosswalk beacons, improved roadway markings and signage. As the city continues to spread out and development grows in certain areas, leaders say the Green Artery is supposed to serve as a lifeline for walking and biking around the city. "It's not just in one particular area, but everything that is taking place that brings our community together," Tampa City Councilor Gwendolyn Henderson said. Construction on the first two segments of the Green Artery is underway. The first two segments stretch about 1.4 miles in Old Seminole Heights and 1.1 miles in Lowry Park Central. "To access those services, whether it's your pharmacy, whether it's your barber, or it's your supermarket with walking and biking," Mobility Director Vik Bhide said. The Green Artery joins the city's Green Spine, which runs from West Tampa to Ybor City, up the Nuccio Parkway to Cuscaden Park. "I've heard some criticism and naysayers about building this Green Spine and providing bicycle lanes and things and saying, 'Well, people aren't using them'," Castor said. "People will use them when they feel safe." READ: Get an up-close view of Tampa's highly anticipated Gasworx project The city hopes these projects will increase accessibility and improve safety on the roads. What's next City leaders hope the first two segments of the Green Artery will be finished by mid-August. The Green Artery is expected to be finished within five years. The combined cost of the first two segments is about $1.7 million. The city says more than half the funding for this portion comes from FDOT grants. CLICK HERE:>>>Follow FOX 13 on YouTube The Source Information for this story was gathered by FOX 13's Kylie Jones. STAY CONNECTED WITH FOX 13 TAMPA: Download the FOX Local app for your smart TV Download FOX Local mobile app: Apple | Android Download the FOX 13 News app for breaking news alerts, latest headlines Download the SkyTower Radar app Sign up for FOX 13's daily newsletter
Yahoo
02-05-2025
- Yahoo
Tampa Police Department holds 2025 Memorial Ceremony to honor fallen officers
TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — The Tampa Police Department held the annual Tampa Police Memorial Ceremony Thursday to commemorate the sacrifices of its fallen members. Mayor Jane Castor, along with Chief Lee Bercaw, led a tribute to the 32 officers of the department who have sacrificed themselves to serve our community and all officers across the nation who risk their lives in the line of duty every day. The ceremony also featured the Tampa Police Honor Guard, a traditional 21-Gun Salute, a flyover by the Tampa Police Aviation Unity, a symbolic Riderless Horse, and the St. Andrew's Pipes and Drums of Tampa Bay. The memorial began at 7 p.m. in front of the Monument to Fallen Officers at One Police Center. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
30-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Tampa leaders announce major project to redevelop downtown's north end
The Brief Tampa leaders announced a major project to redevelop the north end of downtown. They want to transform the area into an urban housing district. City leaders have viewed this part of downtown as a barrier to connecting Tampa's developing areas. TAMPA, Fla. - Tampa leaders announced a major project on Tuesday to redevelop the north end of downtown, eventually transforming it into an urban housing district. The area is the northern section of Tampa's Central Business District, between N. Tampa Street and E. Ashley Drive. The plan is to redevelop three or four blocks that are currently home to the old Army-Navy Surplus Market and three parking lots. What they're saying "The ability to really transform this area is just staring us in the face," Mayor Jane Castor said during a news conference. Castor said the goal is to use this land for mixed-use development, with at least 50% of it earmarked for affordable housing. CLICK HERE:>>>Follow FOX 13 on YouTube Many city leaders have long viewed this part of downtown as a barrier to fully connecting the city's developing areas. The plan is to fix that by finally connecting several roads currently cut off by the I-275 on-ramp. "We're not just putting a building up here and there, we're creating entire neighborhoods," Castor said. "This is just one project that's going to be a catalyst for redevelopment across this entire north end of downtown, continuing beyond the interstate," added Tampa City Councilman Alan Clendenin. Big picture view According to the mayor, the city will simultaneously extend the Tampa Streetcar, while connecting the northern downtown area to other new developments, including the Riverwalk extension, the Encore and Gasworx districts, Tampa Heights and other parts of downtown. RELATED: Get an up-close view of Tampa's highly anticipated Gasworx project Click here to watch a video the city released showing the plan for this project. The Source FOX 13's Aaron Mesmer collected the information in this story. WATCH FOX 13 NEWS LIVE: STAY CONNECTED WITH FOX 13 TAMPA: Download the FOX Local app for your smart TV Download FOX Local mobile app: Apple | Android Download the FOX 13 News app for breaking news alerts, latest headlines Download the SkyTower Radar app Sign up for FOX 13's daily newsletter
