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TAMPA, Fla. – Tampa is celebrating its annual “813 Day” on February 13th, with a city-wide array of events and specials recognizing the area code synonymous with the city. From fitness events to pet adoptions and live music, residents and visitors have numerous opportunities to participate in the festivities.
hyde park Village is a central hub for the celebrations, beginning with a complimentary community workout led by Barry’s and [solidcore] at 9 a.m., accompanied by donuts from The Salty Donut, located at 365 Bayshore Blvd.
The Humane Society of Tampa Bay will host a pet adoption event from 10 a.m. to noon during Storytime in the Snow Circle, offering potential pet owners a chance to find a new companion. The Humane Society is located at 3607 Armenia Ave.
Later in the day, the Bayshore Breakfast Club will organize a sunset walk and social for $20, with proceeds benefiting the Children’s Dream Fund. Concurrently, a school supply drive at the Capital One Café will collect donations for the Hillsborough Education foundation. Throughout the day, shoppers can enjoy live music, in-store discounts, and unexpected pop-up experiences.
For a complete schedule of events at Hyde Park Village, click here.
Beyond Hyde Park Village, 813 Day specials are available across Tampa. These include discounted admission to the Tampa Museum of Art, located at 120 Gasparilla Plaza, and special lagoon entry deals at Epperson, Mirada, and Southshore Bay – all part of the Crystal Lagoon network.
READ: Do you know the history of the 813 area code?
The History of 813
Rodney Kite-Powell, Director of the Touchton Map Library at the Tampa Bay History center, explains the significance of the 813 area code. “813 didn’t come around until 1950, when the area code for the entire state was 305, and that was established in 1947. But there were so many people moving to Florida, thay had to have a second area code – imagine that – and that second area code was set in on the west coast of Florida, and that is 813.”
CITY COUNCIL DEBATES CONTINGENCY PLANS AS SPORTS TEAM’S FUTURE REMAINS UNCERTAIN – The City Council of [City Name,State] is grappling with the potential economic fallout of a possible professional sports team departure,even as members disagree on the timing of planning for such a scenario. The debate unfolded during a recent council meeting, highlighting a split between proactive preparation and a reluctance to engage in discussions deemed premature.
councilmember Floyd, while opposing a new stadium for the [Team Name], emphasized his desire to retain the team within the city. He also stressed the need for a pre-emptive strategy should the team choose to relocate. “And I want us to have a plan if they do,” he stated.
Councilmember Givens echoed this sentiment, urging the city to assess the economic consequences of losing the team before a crisis arises. “There needs to be contingency plans in place now, not later,” Givens argued, warning against waiting “until the 11th hour” to address the potential impact.
Council Chair copley Gerdes indicated a preference for focusing discussions on contingency plans only after 2028, describing broader conversations as “not interested in opening the can of worms.” However, Givens later presented a conflicting perspective, citing immediate economic hardship for local businesses. He specifically mentioned Mark Ferg, owner of Ferry [Business Type – e.g., restaurant, transportation service] in [Neighborhood/Area of City], as currently experiencing difficulties and seeking immediate assistance. “And he is looking to us for help, solutions, now. Not in 2028,” Givens said.
The council unanimously approved a Committee of the Whole discussion to further explore the issue, though a specific date has not yet been set. Councilmember Lisset Hanewicz was absent from the meeting.
Background: The Stadium debate and Economic Impact
The current debate stems from ongoing discussions regarding a potential new stadium for the [Team name], a [Sport] franchise that has been a fixture in [City Name] since [Year established]. The team’s current lease at [Stadium Name] expires in [Year Lease Expires], adding urgency to the situation. A recent economic impact study, commissioned by the [City Economic Advancement Agency], estimated that the [team Name] generates approximately $[Dollar Amount] annually in local revenue through ticket sales, merchandise, tourism, and related spending. Losing the team could result in meaningful job losses and a decline in revenue for businesses in the [Downtown/Stadium District] area.
the [Team Name] is currently owned by [Owner’s Name/Ownership Group].The team’s potential relocation options reportedly include [Potential City 1] and [Potential City 2], both of which have expressed interest in attracting a professional sports franchise.The city’s current population is [City Population] and the metropolitan area’s population is [Metro Area Population].
new Florida Law Mandates Epinephrine Access in Schools Amid Rising Allergy Concerns
Clearwater, Florida – A new law in Florida is set to dramatically improve the safety of students with severe allergies. The legislation requires all K-8 public schools to proactively identify and respond to allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis, and mandates that school personnel are trained to administer epinephrine in emergency situations.
the push for this law gained momentum following incidents like that of Alicia Smith, a local teen who experienced a life-threatening allergic reaction to coconut during her freshman year.Smith had to self-administer her EpiPen to prevent a fatal outcome. “I have an allergy to coconut,” Alicia explained. “When I touch it, I break out in rashes and hives, but when I eat it, my throat starts to close up.”
For Alicia’s mother, Cynthia Smith, the new law offers a significant sense of relief. “It’s heart wrenching, especially when you get a call from a school saying she’s on her way to the E.R. as she had an allergic reaction and had to use her EpiPen,” Cynthia said. “I think it’s amazing the peace of mind.”
Medical experts emphasize the critical nature of swift intervention in anaphylactic reactions. Dr. Siddarth Goyal, an emergency room physician at Orlando Health Bayfront hospital, described anaphylaxis as a “true emergency.” Symptoms can escalate rapidly, including difficulty swallowing, breathing problems, swelling of the lips and tongue, stomach pain, vomiting, and a risky drop in blood pressure or a dangerously fast heart rate.
The new law addresses a significant public health need. According to the Florida Department of Health’s 2022-2023 Annual School Health Services Report, approximately 76,000 students in Florida have life-threatening allergies. Furthermore, an additional 112,680 students diagnosed with asthma are also at risk of severe allergic reactions when exposed to allergens.
Beyond immediate emergency response, the law also promotes preventative measures. Schools are now required to develop comprehensive allergy management plans, including procedures for identifying students with allergies, minimizing exposure to allergens, and educating staff and students about allergy awareness. This includes training on recognizing the signs of an allergic reaction and proper EpiPen administration techniques.
The legislation builds upon existing efforts to improve school health services in Florida. Prior to this law, many schools relied on volunteer nurses or limited staff training to address student allergies. This new mandate ensures a consistent and standardized approach to allergy management across the state’s public K-8 schools.
Dr. Goyal lauded the new law, stating, “I think it’s extremely important. I’m really glad they did this as,like I said,seconds matter in this kind of situation. And also you have a child who’s scared.”
Understanding Anaphylaxis: A Growing Concern
Anaphylaxis is a severe, potentially life-threatening allergic reaction that occurs rapidly and can affect multiple body systems. Common triggers include foods (like peanuts, tree nuts, milk, eggs, soy, wheat, fish, and shellfish), insect stings, medications, and latex. While anyone can experience anaphylaxis, individuals with a history of allergies are at higher risk.
Early recognition and treatment are crucial. Epinephrine is the first-line treatment for anaphylaxis,and prompt administration can definitely help reverse the symptoms and prevent a fatal outcome. Individuals with known allergies should carry an epinephrine auto-injector (EpiPen) and be trained on its proper use.
What does this mean for parents?
Parents of children with allergies should work closely with their school to develop an individualized allergy action plan. This plan should outline the child’s specific allergies, symptoms, emergency contact details, and instructions for administering epinephrine. It’s also essential to ensure that school staff are aware of the child’s allergies and trained to respond appropriately.
What are your thoughts on this new law? share your experiences and concerns in the comments below. Don’t forget to subscribe to world-today-news.com for the latest updates on health and safety news, and share this article with your network to raise awareness about allergy preparedness!
Florida Launches Free WeightWatchers Program for Residents in Select Counties
Tampa, FL – The Florida Department of Health is offering a complimentary one-year subscription too the WeightWatchers program for eligible residents in Leon, Hillsborough, and Palm Beach Counties. This initiative aims to combat chronic diseases associated with obesity and promote overall well-being by fostering long-lasting healthy habits.
Dr. Douglas Holt, director of the Florida Department of Health in Hillsborough County, emphasized that the program is designed for extensive wellness, extending beyond mere weight loss. “it will have effects such as reducing the risks of chronic diseases, but also improve the overall health of the individual,” Dr. Holt stated. He further elaborated that the program aims to prevent illnesses like heart disease, diabetes, stroke, and certain cancers, while together empowering individuals to cultivate enduring healthy lifestyle choices.
WeightWatchers is a well-established weight-loss and wellness program that provides a structured framework and supportive resources to assist individuals in improving their health and managing their weight. The program assigns points to various foods based on their nutritional content, enabling participants to effectively monitor their caloric intake.
The WeightWatchers offering includes customized food plans, access to workshops, consultations with registered dietitians and coaches, and, for those who qualify, prescriptions for weight-loss medications. Residents participating in this pilot program will gain access to basic WeightWatchers components,including the dietary plan,self-monitoring tools,round-the-clock coaching,a collection of recipes,activity trackers,and personalized food plans.Eligibility for the free WeightWatchers subscription is extended to Florida residents aged 18 and older residing in Leon, Hillsborough, and Palm Beach Counties who have a Body Mass index (BMI) of 25 or greater. The comprehensive membership encompasses all program elements,such as individualized plans,community support,coaching,user-kind tracking tools,and continuous 24/7 assistance.The complimentary membership is valid for one year. Participants who wish to continue their WeightWatchers journey beyond the initial year will need to opt for paid continuation.Individuals who are already enrolled in a paid WeightWatchers membership can transfer their existing account to be covered under this Florida Department of Health plan by contacting 866-204-2885.For more information about this program, interested individuals can visit
TAMPA, Fla. – Researchers are looking to use artificial intelligence to detect when a baby is in pain.
The backstory:
A baby’s cry is enough to alert anyone that something’s wrong. But for some of the most critical babies in hospital care, they can’t cry when they are hurting.
READ: FDA approves first AI tool to predict breast cancer risk
“As a bedside nurse, it is very hard. You are trying to read from the signals from the baby,” said Marcia Kneusel, a clinical research nurse with TGH and USF Muma NICU.
With more than 20 years working in the neonatal intensive care unit, Kneusel said nurses read vital signs and rely on their experience to care for the infants.
“However, it really, it’s not as clearly defined as if you had a machine that could do that for you,” she said.
MORE: USF doctor enters final year of research to see if AI can detect vocal diseases
Big picture view:
That’s where a study by the University of South Florida comes in. USF is working with TGH to develop artificial intelligence to detect a baby’s pain in real-time.
“We’re going to have a camera system basically facing the infant. And the camera system will be able to look at the facial expression, body motion, and hear the crying sound, and also getting the vital signal,” said Yu Sun, a robotics and AI professor at USF.
Yu heads up research on USF’s AI study, and he said it’s part of a two-year $1.2 million National Institutes of Health grant.
He said the study will capture data by recording video of the babies before a procedure for a baseline. Video will record the babies for 72 hours after the procedure, then be loaded into a computer to create the AI program. It will help tell the computer how to use the same basic signals a nurse looks at to pinpoint pain.
READ: These states are spending the most on health insurance, study shows
“Then there’s alarm will be sent to the nurse, the nurse will come and check the situation, decide how to treat the pain,” said Sun.
What they’re saying:
Kneusel said there’s been a lot of change over the years in the NICU world with how medical professionals handle infant pain.
“There was a time period we just gave lots of meds, and then we realized that that wasn’t a good thing. And so we switched to as many non-pharmacological agents as we could, but then, you know, our baby’s in pain. So, I’ve seen a lot of change,” said Kneusel.
Why you should care:
Nurses like Kneusel said the study could change their care for the better.
“I’ve been in this world for a long time, and these babies are dear to me. You really don’t want to see them in pain, and you don’t want to do anything that isn’t in their best interest,” said Kneusel.
MORE: California woman gets married after lifesaving surgery to remove 40-pound tumor
USF said there are 120 babies participating in the study, not just at TGH but also at Stanford University Hospital in California and Inova Hospital in Virginia.
What’s next:
Sun said the study is in the first phase of gathering the technological data and developing the AI model. The next phase will be clinical trials for real world testing in hospital settings, and it would be through a $4 million NIH grant, Sun said.
The Source: The information used in this story was gathered by FOX13’s Briona Arradondo from the University of South Florida and Tampa General Hospital.
Detroit Tigers Fall to Tampa Bay Rays After Costly First-Inning Error
Table of Contents
The Detroit Tigers suffered an 8-3 defeat against the Tampa Bay Rays,a game where a critical early error set the tone. A passed ball in the first inning proved costly, leading to four unearned runs and an uphill battle that the Tigers couldn’t overcome.
Did You Know? A passed ball is officially scored against the catcher and does not count as an earned run against the pitcher.
Early Miscue Costs Tigers
The game took a turn in the first inning when a passed ball allowed a Rays batter to reach first base despite striking out. This miscue extended the inning, and the Rays capitalized by stringing together five consecutive hits with two outs.
Jonathan Aranda started the rally with a double, followed by walks to Christopher Morel and Josh Lowe. José Caballero was then hit by a pitch, and Taylor Walls singled, driving in a total of four unearned runs against Tigers’ opener Brant Hurter.
Gipson-Long Absorbs Innings
The Tigers deployed a strategy using left-hander Brant Hurter as an opener before transitioning to right-hander Sawyer Gipson-Long.This approach aimed to neutralize the Rays’ lineup, which featured multiple left-handed hitters in prominent positions.
Gipson-Long pitched six innings, allowing four runs on six hits, including three solo home runs. Danny Jansen, Caminero, and Morel each went yard against Gipson-Long, contributing to the Rays’ lead.
Pro Tip: Pitchers frequently enough adjust their strategy based on the handedness of the batter, using different pitch types and locations to gain an advantage.
As returning from elbow and hip surgeries, Gipson-Long has posted a 4.58 ERA over 17 innings in four appearances, including one start.
Tigers’ Late Push Falls Short
Trailing 8-1, the Tigers mounted a late comeback attempt in the eighth inning.With runners on first and second, pinch-hitter Jahmai Jones delivered an RBI double after a 13-pitch at-bat against left-handed reliever Mason montgomery.
Following Jones’s double, Dillon Dingler, also pinch-hitting, contributed a sacrifice fly, trimming the deficit to 8-3.Though, Trey Sweeney struck out to end the inning, stranding a runner on second base.
| Team | Runs | Hits | Errors |
|---|---|---|---|
| Detroit Tigers | 3 | 6 | 1 |
| Tampa Bay Rays | 8 | 10 | 0 |
The Tigers’ loss underscores the importance of minimizing errors and capitalizing on opportunities.According to MLB statistics, teams that commit fewer errors have a higher winning percentage MLB.com.
Evergreen Insights
In baseball, the concept of “small ball” emphasizes minimizing errors and maximizing opportunities through strategic plays. A single error, like a passed ball, can disrupt the momentum and lead to notable scoring opportunities for the opposing team. Pitcher and catcher synergy is crucial to prevent passed balls. Catchers must have excellent receiving skills, rapid reflexes, and a strong understanding of the pitcher’s repertoire.
FAQ
- What is a passed ball in baseball?
- A passed ball is a pitch that the catcher fails to catch, allowing a runner to advance. It is indeed charged to the catcher and does not count as an earned run for the pitcher.
- How does a passed ball affect the game?
- A passed ball can extend an inning, allow runners to advance, and perhaps lead to unearned runs, shifting the momentum of the game.
- What is the significance of a pinch-hitter?
- A pinch-hitter is a substitute batter brought in to replace another player,often to gain a strategic advantage based on the opposing pitcher or game situation.
What adjustments should the Tigers make to minimize errors in future games? How can thay improve their offensive strategy to capitalize on scoring opportunities?
Stay tuned for more updates and analysis on the Detroit Tigers’ season.