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 a Wiregrass Ranch Development of Regional Impact (DRI) outparcel, 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 Continue reading
By Matt Wiley
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.
By Matt Wiley,
Two Wesley Chapel residents have been charged with first-degree murder in the shooting of a third Wesley Chapel man.
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.
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.
By Matt Wiley,
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.
By Matt Wiley
Restaurants and other potential development are on the horizon in Tampa Palms Area 3, as several parcels are headed to a public hearing for rezoning approval.
If approved at the Thursday, October 10 public hearing before the Tampa City Council, the proposed zoning change hopefully will bring more restaurants and other potential commercial development to parcels in the are
a of the Market Square shopping plaza, located at Commerce Palms Dr. and Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd. and anchored by B.J.’s Wholesale Club and Bed, Bath & Beyond, as well as to two parcels adjacent to, and across the street from, the Chase Bank at BBD and Cypress Preserve Dr. and one just south of Lowe’s Home Improvement.Continue reading