Blue Alert Issued

The Blue Alert you may have received on your phone overnight is for 33 year old Gregory Miedema who is a registered sex offender and is considered a threat to the public. He was last seen in Perry, Florida and was seen driving a 2000 gold Chrysler Sebring with Florida tag Y78TKU. If you think you’ve spotted him, don’t approach Miedema and instead call 911 or the Taylor County Sheriff’s Office at 850-584-2429.

Renting in Tampa is on the rise, to the point that the rent is taking around 42% out of paychecks. That number comes from a new report from Online Mortgage Advisor. That same report said the Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater metro now has the second-highest median rent increase in the U.S. with the median rent at $2,038.

The Hillsborough County Environmental Protection Commission (EPC) has issued a first-ever air pollution advisory for residents near the battery recycling plant, Gopher Resource, due to lead exposure. The EPC is asking you to limit how much time you spend outside, and they’re working with Gopher Resource to work on lowering those levels.

A bunch of abandoned boats are finally being cleared out around Dunedin. Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri and Dunedin Mayor Julie Bujalski held a press conference Monday, and said that around 17 of those boats who’s owners for the most part can’t be found will be removed this week. It costs $5,000 to remove each boat and comes out of the county’s general fund.

If you take the Selmon Expressway, The Tampa Hillsborough Expressway Authority will be closing some ramps overnight for what they call routine maintenance. The Plant Avenue ramp will be closed on Thursday the 24th overnight, and will be affected in both directions. Please check here for specific details.

There’s still no resolution to the MLB lockout that’s put a hold on Spring Training, canceling the first week of games. Pitchers and catchers were supposed to report this week, with games for Cactus and Grapefruit League scheduled to start next week on February 26th, and Opening Day on March 31st. That looks like it will have to be pushed back now, and many cities that host Spring Training will feel the economic pinch as well.

You might feel a little more comfortable on your cruise now that the CDC has lowered the risk level from “very high” to “high.” It’s still recommended that anyone traveling be vaccinated. For more from the CDC take a look at the most recent changes here.

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