? Riverview High Little Mermaid Concert + TPD Chief Vote Coming

Happy Wednesday, neighbors! Here's everything you need to know going on in town today.

First, today's weather:

A shower and thunderstorm. High: 77 Low: 65.

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Here are the top five stories today in Tampa:

1. The Tampa Water Department will temporarily change its water disinfection process to chlorine between March 14 and April 4. The routine switch protects the quality of drinking water by preventing bacteria from occurring in the water mains and service lines. Customers who are sensitive to chlorine may notice a stronger smell or taste of chlorine during this switchover period. (Tampa Patch)

2. Country singer Sam Hunt surprised fans at the Florida Strawberry Festival on Sunday night in Plant City when he brought former Buccaneers end Rob Gronkowski on stage during his performance. This happened hours after quarterback Tom Brady announced plans to return to the Buccaneers for the 2022 season. The Bucs are hoping to re-sign Gronkowski now that Brady is back. (WFLA)

3. The state of emergency in Hillsborough County, in effect since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, has now ended. The county is closing its COVID-19 test and vaccine site. As of March 10, the COVID-19 positivity rate in Hillsborough County is 2.9%, according to the county health department. (Fox 13 Tampa)

4. The Tampa City Council is set to vote Thursday on controversial nominee Mary O?Connor for police chief, according to a meeting agenda. Only 6 members will be voting due to the recent resignation of Council member John Dingfelder. (Tampa Bay Times)

5. Riverview High School Theatre program is hosting a showing of Disney's ?The Little Mermaid? from Friday, April 7 to Sunday, April 9. The show's scenery consists of over 10,000 reused plastic bottles, cans and food containers as part of its environmental messaging. Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for children and free to all Hillsborough County School District Employees. (Osprey Observer)

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Today in Tampa:

• City of Tampa Public Art Committee Monthly Meeting at Tampa Municipal Office Building. (12:00 PM)
• Busch Gardens Food and Wine Festival. (12:00 PM)
• Run Club at Armature Works. (6:00 PM)
• Reggae Rise Up Pre-Party With Steel Pulse at Jannus Live. (7:00 PM)
• Dream Theater With Special Guest: Arch Echo at Duke Energy Center For The Arts - Mahaffey Theater. (7:30 PM)

From my notebook:

• Local residents and Hillsborough County transportation leaders are hopeful that the federal government can deliver on a noise barrier to a busy portion of I-275 where there isn't one currently. The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) says that because there is no expansion work happening on the span of I-275 where a wall is absent, FDOT can't technically add, or retrofit, the area with noise barriers despite complaints. (ABC Action News)
• The Salty Nun at 2501 Central Avenue is now in soft opening. It is collaboration between Stella's and recently closed Salty's. (Creative Loafing Tampa)
• The Tampa Bay Buccaneers and cornerback Carlton Davis have agreed to terms on a new contract, according to a report from NFL Network's Ian Rapaport. (Tampa Patch)
• A Pasco man has died after a collision with a dairy truck, according to Florida Highway Patrol. (Fox 13 Tampa)

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Events:

• Breast Ultrasound Screening Coming Direct to You! (March 21)
• Social Security Seminar 3/22 & 3/23 (March 22)
• American Diabetes Association Diabetes Alert Day: Understand Your Risk (March 22)
• Creating Income in a Low Interest Rate Environment (March 29)
• Add your event

For sale:

• Buy 2nd Amendment Decals On Etsy - Riverview Area Seller (Details)
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Housing:

• Rare St Pete Beach Lot: Open House (Details)
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Now you're in the loop and ready to head out the door on this Wednesday! I'll see you soon.

? Carlos Hernandez

About me: Hello my name is Carlos Hernandez and I am a food writer with over 10 years of experience in the industry. I write the food blog Carlos Eats (http://www.carloseats.com) and also contribute to several newspapers and magazines with food-related blogs and articles.