The 48th annual Ruskin Veterans Day Parade steps off at 11 a.m. Saturday on U.S. 41 with six World War II veterans as grand marshals, while a free Concerts for a Cause show at Waterset collects food for The Community Cupboard.
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Community
How horseshoe crabs gave Cockroach Bay its name
Cockroach Bay Aquatic Preserve, a 4,871-acre protected estuary between Ruskin and the Little Manatee River, owes its name to horseshoe crabs that Spanish explorers mistook for cockroaches and its current health to a 20-year restoration that drew 2,500 volunteers.
Community
Ruskin nonprofit airlifts endangered coral from overheated Keys
Ruskin-based Reef Renewal USA flew endangered elkhorn coral from the Florida Keys to its local facility after water temperatures exceeded 88 degrees, racing to protect 20 years of genetic stock from a marine heatwave that a July report described as worse than the deadly 2023 event.
Community
Manatee Viewing Center earns travel recognition ahead of 40th season
National travel guide TripMemos has named Apollo Beach's Manatee Viewing Center one of Florida's top manatee-viewing spots, adding to the free attraction's accolades ahead of its 40th anniversary season opening Nov. 1.
Community
Wimauma researchers crack commercial artichoke growing for Florida
UF/IFAS researchers at the Gulf Coast Research and Education Center in Wimauma have developed a commercial artichoke production system yielding over 90% of California averages, with planting season opening in late August.
Community
Artisan Summer Market returns Aug. 29 as organizer's last event
The Artisan Summer Market South Shore returns Aug. 29 in Wimauma with 100-plus vendors and free admission, doubling as a fundraiser for cat rescue Kittie Corral and the final event for retiring organizer Jennifer McCafferty.
Community
Apollo Beach rehab center releases four turtles amid fundraising push
Four juvenile green sea turtles rehabilitated at the Florida Aquarium's Sea Turtle Rehabilitation Center in Apollo Beach were released into the Atlantic on Aug. 11, while a Sparkman Wharf Instagram fundraiser benefiting the facility runs through Aug. 16.
Community
Freedom Forever collapse strands South Shore solar customers
Freedom Forever's Chapter 7 liquidation leaves Hillsborough County homeowners, including those in the South Shore area served by the company's Sarasota branch, stuck with non-functional solar panels and lease payments coming due as TECO Energy says it will activate systems that have already passed local inspection.
Community
Ruskin's Firehouse Cultural Center sells out shows, adds classes
The Firehouse Cultural Center in downtown Ruskin is selling out shows and expanding its fall programming, with the nonprofit listing economic development along the US-41 corridor as a core mission goal.
Community
County clears Apollo Beach land, approves Waterset Publix plat
Hillsborough County commissioners approved three Apollo Beach and Waterset development items Aug. 11, vacating 11.30 acres for redevelopment, accepting Hammock Bay subdivision infrastructure and clearing the final plat for the Waterset Publix opening Thursday, Aug. 13.
Community
Reservoir remains 14.5 inches low; water purchases surge 16-fold
Despite recent rainfall, the C.W. Bill Young Reservoir remains 14.5 inches below last year's level and Tampa Bay's water purchasing has surged 16-fold, meaning Apollo Beach and Ruskin's one-day-a-week watering restrictions will stay in place through Oct. 1.
Community
Hillsborough homeowner remains under tarps while awaiting hurricane repairs
A 77-year-old Hillsborough County homeowner is still living under tarps months after applying for the county's $211 million Rebuilding for Tomorrow hurricane repair program, as officials say about 1,500 applications are in the queue and processing varies by complexity.
Community
AdventHealth Riverview adds 68 beds in $50 million expansion
AdventHealth Riverview, which opened in October 2024, is under construction on a $50 million expansion that will grow its bed capacity from 82 to 150 by December 2026, responding to rapid population growth in South Hillsborough County.
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