Back to School, Golf App, Citizens Insurance

Back to School

Buses Back in Action: A brand new school year gets under way this week and that means an army of yellow buses will be hitting the streets of Tampa Bay. Keep an eye out for them and the precious cargo they’re trucking around. To all the kids out there: Have a great year!

City, Mangrove Bay Launch Golf App

Golfers at St. Petersburg's Mangrove Bay Golf Course can now connect with their game via a free smart phone mobile app, according to a news release. The Mangrove Bay Golf app, available for iPhone and Android devices, lets golfers book tee times, keep score and figure yardages with GPS tracking, all at their fingertips. A live leader board feature also lets players follow their group along with other players on the course and share their scores on Facebook. 

Citizens Property Insurance

Speak Out on Citizens Property Insurance’s Rate Hike: Tired of paying high rates for homeowners insurance? If you’re a customer of Citizens Property Insurance, you have a chance to speak out before they go up yet again. The state’s office of insurance regulation has set a public hearing to address the proposed rate hike asked for by Citizens Property Insurance. The hearing is set for Tuesday, Aug. 20 from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Tampa Convention Center, 333 S. Franklin St., Ballroom D in Tampa. If approved, Citizens’ customers statewide could see their rates go up by as much as 11.5 percent, according to the Tampa Bay Times.

Saving Snakes?

Save the Snakes?: Three species of snake – the short-tailed, pine snake and hognose – once prevalent in Central Florida are now rather rare sightings. The state wants the federal government to add them to the endangered species list and it’s asking for residents’ help to make it so. Check out the story on TBO to find out how to report sightings of these rare, elusive and often unwelcomed critters.

OMG, Trader Joe's is Coming to Tampa

Trader Joe's has officially announced its arrival in Tampa.
Officials from the specialty grocery store chain signed their lease, and are scheduled to go before the city's variance review board today to increase the size of signs near the store, which will be located where Shapes is at 3808 W. Swann Avenue, according to the Tampa Bay Times.
The hype around this store is incredible. If you've shopped at a Trader Joe's before, tell us what all of the fuss is about.