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October 2020 Volume 19, Issue 10 Ph: 657-2418 1 8
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HART Seeks Community Input On Upcoming Bus Schedule Changes
Osprey Observer Team Hosts Bullfrog Creek Bingo Fundraiser For Miles For Moffitt
Changes are routes in other coming to the parts of Hillsborough Area Hillsborough Regional Transit County are also (HART) bus servunder consideraice throughout its tion. countywide service Virtual town area and the public halls and transit is invited to provide center meetings input on the prohosted by HART posed route delestaff members tions and modificawere held in early tions. The changes September and are scheduled to input is now being take effect at the solicited online, beginning of 2021 Changes to HART bus schedules are coming with a public hearearly next year. Residents are being asked to and some routes in give input now on proposal route cuts and ing to be held in changes. the Bloomingdale October and a and FishHawk areas are being considfinal vote on the proposed changes ered for changes. anticipated to be held in November. According to HART, the changes are Carson Chambers is the director of being planned to better meet the areas’ communications for HART. In a videotransportation needs, improve efficiency recorded statement on HART’s website, and preserve funding. she said the goal is to ensure optimal Routes facing changes, such as service to HART riders. stop locations and frequency of service, “HART’s mission is to take people to include: 8 Progress Village/Brandon, the places that enhance their lives. As 24LX FishHawk/South Tampa, 25LX our community’s needs change, we’re Bloomingdale/South Tampa, 38 Mango, always reviewing service to meet those 46 Brandon Blvd., 360LX Brandon/South needs.” Chambers also encourages Tampa. people who use HART to express their Routes that would no longer be in opinions on the proposed changes. service include: 60LX Cross County, An online survey and message por75LX South County Shopper, HARTFlex tal are available for the public to make Brandon, HARTFlex South County. comments at hartserviceinput.com, As for HARTPlus, which connects where you can also find details about people with disabilities to the transit systhe proposed changes, including adjusttem, service would continue within ¾ of ed route maps and recordings of the a mile of the fixed route bus system, but previously held town halls (in English would no longer be available along parts and Spanish). HART can also be of Sun City Center Blvd. (former reached by phone at 254-4278. For HARTFlex South County) and Kings service-related information about HART, Ave. (former HARTFlex Brandon). including current schedules, maps and Service changes and cuts to HART fares, visit gohart.org.
The Osprey This is the Observer staff is third year the inviting residents to Osprey Observer’s have a good time MaKEITHappen for a great cause team is participatthis month—with ing in Moffitt’s COVID-19 restricannual walk and tions in place—on 5K run. Thursday, October Bullfrog Creek 15 at 7:30 p.m. Owner Jamie The Osprey Ratcliff is excited Observer’s Miles to be able to offer for Moffitt team, fundraising events MaKEITHappen, to the community For the second year in a row, the Osprey will host a bingo after COVID cloObserver’s MaKEITHappen Miles for Moffitt night at Bullfrog team is hosting a fundraising bingo night at sures and is doing Bullfrog Creek Brewing Co. on Thursday, Creek Brewing what he can to October 15. Co. in Valrico. make his patrons Tickets to the bingo night are $20 for safe, including offering indoor and outfive games and there will be a cash bar door seating and stringent cleaning. with food available to purchase from It is not too late to join a team for Rockstar Lobster’s food truck. The event Miles for Moffitt. To learn more, visit will also feature a raffle and silent auction, www.give.moffitt.org. with all proceeds going directly to Miles Doors will open for bingo night at for Moffitt, Moffitt Cancer Center’s annual 6:30 p.m. Email fundraiser. editor@ospreyobserver.com for reserved The Miles for Moffitt event, which seating details; otherwise, seating is genraised more than $1.3 million last year for eral admission. cancer research, will look a little different For more information, call 657-2418. this month than in the past. Rather that Bullfrog Creek Brewing Co. is located at the traditional 5K event, which usually 3632 Lithia Pinecrest Rd. in Valrico. takes place in downtown Tampa with racers starting at AMALIE Arena and walking a route that includes time on Bayshore In This Blvd., the race on Saturday, October 24 Issue will be virtual with participants creating their own socially distanced routes close RIVER HILLS UPDATE ..............PG 3 to home. Osprey Observer Billing Manager FL WILDLIFE WITH ALI..............PG 7 Terry Vassalotti has a personal reason for BUDGET BLINDS .....................PG 13 raising funds for Moffitt. Her husband, Keith, is receiving treatment at the Tampa LIVING IN COVID .............PGS 14-15 center for melanoma. HALLOWEEN EVENTS............PG 16 “I could never begin to thank Moffitt enough for all they have done and continEYE ON BUSINESS ........PGS 25-26 ue to do for Keith,” said Vassalotti. “His journey began over three years ago and CAMEL DRIVE THROUGH .....PG 28 every staff member and volunteer has RIVERVIEW LIBRARY UPDATEPG 40 gone out of their way to be compassionate and understanding. I pray that they READ MORE LOCAL NEWS will always be at the forefront of the ONLINE newest and best treatments, and that is www.ospreyobserver.com why fundraising is so very important.”
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By Brad Stager
Max Blumenfeld, Newsome’s ROTC battalion commander, won the prestigious Legion of Valor award, which recognizes achievement of scholastic excellence in military and academic subjects. The honor is given to only one out of every 4,000 cadets. Blumenfeld is the only cadet in the state of Florida to receive this year’s award. See full story on Page 11.
By Kate Quesada