More than 25 years from now, Hillsborough County (especially New Tampa) could be hardly recognizable. With abundant growth projected for the region’s future, anything can happen. However, the groups in charge of setting plans in motion to shape the area’s future want to know what you want to see when the calendar reads January 1, 2040. By just filling out an online survey between now and Sunday, October 20, Hillsborough County residents can weigh in on how they want the county to grow.
Above are artists’ renderings of how the three different Imagine 2040 scenarios (l.-r., “Suburban Dream,” “Bustling Metro” and “New Corporate Centers”) could appear, although the actual growth of the county would likely be some combination of the plans.
A man is in critical condition, following a shooting at a home in Wesley Chapel.
According to the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO), around 9:20 p.m. on October 9, a 22-year-old man, whose identity has not yet been released, was shot at his home on Eastport Dr. in Wesley Chapel by an unknown suspect.
Two Wesley Chapel residents have been charged with first-degree murder in the shooting of a third Wesley Chapel man.
Matthew Brian Tillman
According to the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO), Matthew Brian Tillman, 25, and Joseph James Berenguer, 27, both of 6300 Tulip Dr. in Angus Valley, were arrested on October 14 on first-degree murder charges for the Oct. 9 shooting of 31-year-old Timothy Leigh Skowronski at a home at 30122 Eastport Dr. in Wesley Chapel. Skowronski died of a gunshot wound to the head on Oct. 11.
PCSO reports that at around 9:20 p.m. on Oct. 9, Tillman and Berenguer traveled to the Eastport Dr. home in a red Toyota Camry with two other unidentified witnesses (who ended up reporting the crime), to rob the victim. Tillman and Berenguer knocked on the rear door of the residence and identified themselves as “Nick.”
When Skowronski opened the door, Tillman had a semi-automatic pistol aimed at him. The victim reportedly went for the gun, but was shot in the head and Tillman and Berenguer fled in the Camry.
Joseph James Berenguer
Tobin says that the victim died of his injuries on Oct. 11 at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Tampa. Four people were home at the time of the shooting, the report states.
In addition to first-degree murder, Tillman and Berenguer were each charged with six counts of auto burglary, one count of armed burglary and one count of burglary of an occupied dwelling; Tillman also was charged with one count of grand theft, although details about the additional charges were not available at our press time, as the case was still under investigation.
Tillman and Berenguer remained in custody at the Land O’Lakes Detention Center at our press time.
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and, as always, there are several local events that help raise money that goes toward the research for a cure for the disease that has killed millions. One of the biggest of these events across the nation each year is the American Cancer Society (ACS)’s “Making Strides Against Breast Cancer” 5K walk, which will again be held locally on Saturday, October 19, at the Shops at Wiregrass mall.
The varsity Wharton Wildcats celebrate after their victory over Newsome. Photo: Benjamin Carter
By Benjamin Carter
Past the halfway point and looking down the stretch, the Wildcats of Paul R. Wharton High find themselves in a dogfight for a District title.
After a hard-fought, impressive 21-20 victory over the Newsome High Wolves (at Newsome) on Oct. 4, the Wildcats moved into a first place tie with Plant High in the State Class 8A, District 6 standings, with an overall record of 4-1, including 2-0 in the District.
