Hillsborough County Burn Ban Declared
Hillsborough County issued an emergency burn ban November 24 on all outdoor open burning in all areas of the county. Warm temperatures and dry conditions have combined to increase the danger of wildfires in Hillsborough County.
The only exceptions are a constantly attended barbecue grill for outdoor cooking, certain agricultural enterprises in eastern and southern Hillsborough County that can dispose of agricultural plastic through controlled burns, and burning that has been specifically allowed by the Florida Forest Service.
By law, the order can be in effect for no more than seven days. If conditions persist, the order can be extended. Residents can register for HCFL Alert, Hillsborough County’s official public notification system, to receive text or email updates related to the burn ban. To sign up, visit HCFL.gov/HCFLAlert.
BOCC VOTES FOR MILLER FOR VICE CHAIR
The Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) voted to keep Commissioner Ken Hagan as chair and Commissioner Christine Miller as vice chair during the board’s annual organizational meeting. Miller, a Plant City resident, will also serve with the Hillsborough Transit Authority (HART), the Port Authority, and the Transportation Planning Organization.
TIGER BAY CLUB OF TAMPA TO HONOR RICK LOTT
The Tiger Bay Club of Tampa is proud to announce that former Plant City Mayor Rick Lott and former Tampa Mayor Pam Iorio will be honored with the club’s prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award at their 9th annual event on Friday, December 12. The award recognizes exceptional leadership, integrity, and long-standing dedication to public service in the Tampa Bay area community. Lott and Iorio—both widely respected for their decades of civic contributions—embody the values at the heart of Tiger Bay’s mission.
“Mayor Lott and Mayor Iorio have each led with vision and purpose, and their leadership has left an indelible mark on the region,” said Debra Bellanti, President of the Tiger Bay Club of Tampa. “We are proud to honor them for their lifetime of service and commitment to our communities. They will join a list of impactful leaders who have earned this honor.”
Mark your calendars for the 9th Annual Awards Luncheon, presented by Suncoast Tampa Association of Realtors, which will take place at the Hilton Downtown Tampa. Attendees will enjoy a celebratory lunch program featuring community leaders, past award honorees, and members of the Tiger Bay Club.
For more on this year’s honors, see: https://tigerbayclub.com/about-our-honorees
To learn more about the Lifetime Achievement Awards or to purchase tickets or sponsorships, visit https://tigerbayclub.com/laaevent/.
A portion of the proceeds from the event will support the club’s newly launched Tiger Bay College Scholarship Program, which will be awarded each year to two college students who attend school in Florida and are registered to vote in Hillsborough County who demonstrate civic engagement, leadership, and a passion for public service.
SR 39 Reopens
Good news! State Road 39 north of State Road 60 is now open to traffic. According to the Florida Department of Transportation, motorists should remain alert to changing driving conditions, construction workers, and pedestrians as this intersection is still an active work zone.
Trash and Recycling Holiday Schedule
There will be no collection of trash or recycling on Thursday, November 27. Residents normally serviced on Thursday will receive collection on Friday, November 28. Residents normally serviced on Friday will receive collection on Saturday, November 29.
