North Tampa Behavioral Health Opens To Patients

By Matt Wiley,

As of October 1, North Tampa Behavioral Health (NTBH), the area’s newest medical facility, officially is open to patients.

The 53,000-sq.-ft., 75-bed facility, which is located on S.R. 56 about a half mile east of Mansfield Blvd. on an outparcel of the Wiregrass Ranch Development of Regional Impact (DRI), serves the mental health needs of the surrounding community, providing care for geriatric, general adult, and dual diagnosis patients who may check into the facility themselves, be checked in by family members or other providers for emotional or psychiatric concerns, or be transported to the facility under the Florida Mental Health Act, more commonly known as the “Baker” Act, which allows for a person to be involuntarily committed for up to 72 hours if there is evidence that the person is a danger to themselves or to others.

The facility also can receive Florida Substance Abuse & Impairment (aka, the “Marchman”) Act patients. Those who fall into the Marchman Act category are subject to the same treatment as Baker Act patients.

For more info, please visit NorthTampaBehavioralHealth.com

Wing-walker Dies After Chute Does Not Deploy

By Matt Wiley

An entertainer who regularly walked on the wings of airplanes, miles over the heads of spectators, has died following an accident during a local air show.

According to the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office, Mark Curto, 62, died after falling off the wing of a World War II-era biplane during a stunt, as part of the inaugural “Festival of Flight” at the Tampa North Aero Park, located off S.R. 54 in Lutz (just west of Wesley Chapel), on October 19.Continue reading

Festival Of Flight Photo Gallery

Balloons lift off just after dawn at the inaugural Festival of Flight at the Tampa North Aero Park on October 19.
Balloons lift off just after dawn at the inaugural Festival of Flight at the Tampa North Aero Park on October 19. Photos: Gary Nager

The inaugural “Festival of Flight” was held this past Saturday and Sunday at the Tampa North Aeropark in Lutz. Click through for the photo gallery and keep your eyes peeled for a recap in our next issue, due out on October 26!

Continue reading

Celebrating With Two Of My Most Politically Active Friends

Hillsborough County Commissioner Victor Crist recently attended Shawn Harrison’s campaign kickoff (left) & Joseph Caetano’s birthday party.
Hillsborough County Commissioner Victor Crist recently attended Joseph Caetano’s birthday party.

An editorial by Gary Nager

I’ve always said that the people in this community who get involved in causes — whether it’s to help their favorite nonprofit organization, serve as a volunteer Board member of a PTA or Chamber of Commerce or run for political office — are people I appreciate, even when/if I disagree with them. To me, being involved is better than sitting at home complaining about what is or isn’t happening in our community.

Continue reading

Cappy’s Pizza Opens In City Plaza

SeatingBy Gary Nager

For those of us who had already sampled any of the existing Cappy’s Pizza locations (the closest to New Tampa being the Seminole Heights location on N. Florida Ave.), the opening of the new Cappy’s in the City Plaza at Tampa Palms shopping center (in the original Ciccio & Tony’s space) was surely welcome.

Continue reading