S.R. 54/56 Toll Road Proposal Officially Axed

A concerned Pasco resident expresses opposition to the proposed S.R. 54/56 elevated toll road during a public meeting at Sunlake High School in March.
A concerned Pasco resident expresses opposition to the crowd and Pasco Administrator Michele Baker (left) about the proposed S.R. 54/56 elevated toll road during a public meeting at Sunlake High School in March.

By Matt Wiley

After months of speculation, negotiation and apparent opposition throughout Pasco County, the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) officially has pulled the plug on the proposed S.R. 54/S.R. 56 (54/56) elevated toll road plan that would have linked U.S. 301 in Zephyrhills to U.S. 19 in New Port Richey along the 54/56 corridor (just a few miles north of New Tampa).Continue reading

Tampa Palms CDD To Replace Vegetation On Yardley Way

Tree stumps, like the one pictured above, are all that remain of many trees that used to provide shade over a walking path near Yardley Way in The Enclave community of Tampa Palms.
Tree stumps, like the one pictured above, are all that remain of many trees that used to provide shade over a walking path near Yardley Way in The Enclave community of Tampa Palms.

By Matt Wiley

Drivers and residents who live along Yardley Way in Tampa Palms can breathe a sigh of relief, as the Tampa Palms Community Development District (CDD) has voted to replace some of the vegetation that recently was removed along the power transmission line corridor that cuts through much of the Tampa Palms community.Continue reading

Wharton Hosts Successful First Food Truck Rally

Hungry New Tampa residents eye the options from Nicoโ€™s Arepas Grill, one of the four food trucks that took part in Wharton Highโ€™s inaugural food truck rally on April 13.
Hungry New Tampa residents eye the options from Nicoโ€™s Arepas Grill, one of the four food trucks that took part in Wharton Highโ€™s inaugural food truck rally on April 13.

By Matt Wiley

Smoke rises along Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd. in New Tampa from the Paul R. Wharton High parking lot. The haze floats above the area, carrying with it scents not usually associated with a fire. In fact, they smell downright delicious. The source? Whartonโ€™s first food truck rally, โ€œFood Trucks Fighting Hunger,โ€ which was held on April 13.Continue reading

Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn Talks New Tampa & More At Chamber Luncheon

Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn captivated the room at Hunterโ€™s Green Country Club during the New Tampa Chamber of Commerce luncheon on April 8 with stories of his 30-year career in the City of Tampa and his 20-year friendship with a certain local editor. Photo: Wiley
Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn captivated the room at Hunterโ€™s Green Country Club during the New Tampa Chamber of Commerce luncheon on April 8 with stories of his 30-year career in the City of Tampa and his 20-year friendship with a certain local editor. Photo: Wiley

By Gary Nager

I can honestly say that I am proud to have been able to call Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn my friend and colleague since not long after I purchased the Neighborhood News in early 1994, when Buckhorn was the special assistant to then-Mayor Sandy Freedman.Continue reading