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THE DAILY PULSE
A Piece of Old Tampa Is Coming Down — Demolition Begins at Twiggs and Ashley as Downtown Continues Its Transformation
TAMPA, FL — Another chapter of old Tampa is closing. Demolition has officially begun at the corner of Twiggs Street and Ashley Drive in downtown Tampa, as a longtime building on the site makes way for whatever comes next in one of the city's most rapidly evolving corridors. The corner sits right in the heart of downtown Tampa, just steps from the Hillsborough River and the broader riverfront district that has seen wave after wave of redevelopment over the past decade. The dem
May 192 min read
Zephyrhills' Historic Home Theater Is Being Restored — and It Could Become Pasco County's Next Great Cultural Venue
ZEPHYRHILLS / PASCO COUNTY, FL — A beloved piece of Pasco County history is getting a second life. The historic Home Theater in downtown Zephyrhills has been purchased by Main Street Zephyrhills and is being refurbished for a new generation — with big plans to transform it into a cultural arts center for all of Pasco County. The theater has been a landmark in Zephyrhills for decades, drawing generations of residents through its doors. Now, with new ownership and a community-d
May 192 min read
Still Time to Join: Free Color Art Classes at Avalon Park Every Tuesday Through June 2
WESLEY CHAPEL, FL — If you've been meaning to try something creative this spring, there are still a few sessions left. Powercolor: Color Concepts for All Media is running every Tuesday through June 2, from 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM at Avalon Park Wesley Chapel, 4110 Avalon Park Blvd. Led by local artist Sally Yoder, the class is designed for beginners and experienced artists alike — no background required, just a willingness to experiment with color. All supplies are included, BYOB
May 191 min read
Paint-and-Sip Night Planned for May 28 at Tampa's Lala's Sangria Bar
TAMPA — A guided painting and wine event is scheduled for Wednesday, May 28, at Lala's Sangria Bar in downtown Tampa, giving Wesley Chapel and Pasco County residents a creative night out within easy driving distance. The Tampa Canvas and Wine — Sunset Palms session runs from 6:30 to 9:30 PM at 203 N. Meridian Ave. Tickets are priced between $35 and $39 and are available at wineandcanvas.com. Organizers note that seating is limited. How the Event Works The evening is organized
May 191 min read
Free Veterans Photography Exhibition Opens at USF Tampa This Week — Breaking Barriers: Gathering Light
USF Contemporary Art Museum Honors Military Veterans With Powerful Photography Show — Opening Reception Is This Friday Tampa — A photography exhibition created by U.S. military veterans and their family members opens this Friday at the University of South Florida Contemporary Art Museum, with admission free to the public. The show is the latest product of a quiet but meaningful program that has given veterans access to creative instruction, professional mentorship, and a genu
May 192 min read
Pasco County Schools Eye Outside Help for Struggling Gulf View Middle — But Superintendent Is Optimistic
State-Approved Turnaround Plan Gives Pasco District Options as Gulf View Middle Faces Critical Year For the third consecutive year, Gulf View Middle School in Pasco County has received a D letter grade from the state — and officials are now weighing some of the most significant intervention options the Florida education system allows. The State Board of Education has given the Pasco County School District formal approval to pursue an outside turnaround company if the school f
May 193 min read
Florida's Best Figure Skaters Are Competing Right Here in Wesley Chapel This Week — Come Cheer Them On
WESLEY CHAPEL, FL — Wesley Chapel is hosting one of Florida's most exciting Olympic-style sporting events this week, and it's completely open to the public. The Sunshine State Games Figure Skating Championships are gliding into AdventHealth Center Ice from Wednesday, May 14 through Saturday, May 17 — and the level of talent on the ice is worth seeing in person. The Sunshine State Games is Florida's official Olympic-style amateur sports competition, bringing together the state
May 181 min read
15 Years Later, Wesley Chapel's Promised Raymond James Campus Is Still an Empty Field — And Residents Want Answers
WESLEY CHAPEL, FL — It was supposed to be the deal that put Wesley Chapel on the map as more than just a bedroom community. Fifteen years after one of the biggest economic development deals in Wesley Chapel history was first announced, the promised Raymond James Financial campus near State Road 56 remains an empty 65-acre parcel — and residents are still waiting for answers. In September 2011, the Pasco County Commission voted unanimously to approve a package of financial inc
May 182 min read
Wesley Chapel Demographics in 2026 — Who Actually Lives Here and What the Numbers Say About Where We're Headed
WESLEY CHAPEL, FL — Wesley Chapel has been growing at a pace that turns heads statewide. But who exactly is moving here, and what does the community actually look like today? A detailed demographic breakdown published in 2026 paints a clear picture of one of Florida's most dynamic communities. The Population Wesley Chapel is home to approximately 104,000 residents as of 2026 — up from just 44,000 in 2010. That's a 136% increase in 15 years, making it one of the fastest-growi
May 182 min read
Great American Block Party at The Shops at Wiregrass: Wesley Chapel's Biggest Memorial Day Weekend Event
Wesley Chapel's go-to outdoor destination is hosting a full-day patriotic celebration this Memorial Day weekend — and it's bringing live music, family activities, and community spirit all under one roof. A Memorial Day Event With Real Meaning The Shops at Wiregrass is marking Memorial Day weekend with one of the most ambitious community events it has hosted this year. The Great American Block Party takes place on Saturday, May 23, and serves a dual purpose — honoring the men
May 182 min read
The Violet Stone Is Coming to Tampa: Beloved St. Pete Pizza and Cheesesteak Spot Announces Second Location
One of the most talked-about restaurants in the Tampa Bay area is expanding — and a new Tampa location puts this cult-favorite concept within closer reach for Wesley Chapel and East Tampa residents. From Food Truck to Tampa's Next Must-Visit Restaurant The Violet Stone, the St. Petersburg pizza and cheesesteak destination that built its reputation one crispy slice at a time, has officially announced plans to open a second location at 3634 W. Kennedy Blvd. in Tampa. The news i
May 182 min read
Balanced Aesthetics Opens in Land O' Lakes: Wesley Chapel Area Welcomes New Wellness Studio
A new locally owned aesthetics studio has officially joined the Land O' Lakes business community, and its grand opening event gave neighbors plenty of reasons to take notice. A New Wellness Space Arrives on Tabak Lane On May 17, Balanced Aesthetics opened its doors at 23049 Tabak Lane in Land O' Lakes, bringing a fresh, community-focused wellness experience to the Wesley Chapel corridor. The studio is owned and operated by a local entrepreneur named Mayah, who has spent month
May 182 min read
Tampa Joe's Is Making a Comeback — This Time It's Landing Right Here in Wesley Chapel
WESLEY CHAPEL, FL — The beloved Tampa sports bar Tampa Joe's is back — and it's heading to Wesley Chapel. Plan review paperwork filed in March 2026 confirms a new Tampa Joe's location in the works at 26951 Halter Loop, right inside the Hub at Lexington Oaks development alongside Cinnaholic and The Clubhouse Golf Simulator. Tampa Bay Markets For Tampa Bay residents who remember the original, this is a welcome return. Tampa Joe's built a loyal following over the years as a neig
May 152 min read
Give Blood, Get a $20 Gift Card — The Big Red Bus Is Coming to Avalon Park Wesley Chapel on May 27
WESLEY CHAPEL, FL — The Big Red Bus is rolling into Avalon Park Wesley Chapel on Wednesday, May 27, from 2:00 PM to 5:30 PM — and this time, donating blood comes with a free wellness checkup and a $20 eGift card for every donor. OneBlood's Big Red Bus is one of the most convenient ways to donate blood in the community — no hospital visit, no complicated process. Just show up, schedule a time slot, and give back in a way that directly saves lives in the Tampa Bay area. What D
May 151 min read
"Born to Be Wild" Classic Car and Vintage Bike Show Is at Harley-Davidson Wesley Chapel This Saturday — Free Entry, Free Food, All Are Welcome
WESLEY CHAPEL, FL — Car and motorcycle lovers, this one is for you. Harley-Davidson of Wesley Chapel is hosting its Classic Cars and Vintage Bikes Show this Saturday, May 16, and whether you're bringing a showpiece or just coming to look, everyone is welcome. The show is now running from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM for the summer months — starting earlier to beat the Florida heat while keeping all the fun intact. Think rows of beautifully restored classics, gleaming vintage motorcycl
May 151 min read
Hurricane Season Is Six Weeks Away — Here's How to Make Sure Your Family Is Ready in Wesley Chapel
PASCO COUNTY, FL — The 2026 Atlantic hurricane season officially begins June 1, and Pasco County is making it easier than ever for residents to get prepared before the storms arrive. Pasco County Emergency Management recently hosted a free Disaster Preparedness Expo at Pasco Safety Town in Shady Hills, featuring first responder equipment displays, emergency vehicles, local emergency preparedness vendors, and a live appearance by renowned Tampa Bay meteorologist Denis Phillips
May 141 min read
The Team Behind KRATE's Bacon Boss Is Opening a Second Restaurant — Meet Chicken Boss, Coming to Wesley Chapel
WESLEY CHAPEL, FL — If you're a fan of Bacon Boss at KRATE at The Grove, get ready. The same team is opening a brand-new restaurant right at KRATE called Chicken Boss — and the concept is exactly what it sounds like. The owners of Bacon Boss announced the news on social media: "We're so excited to announce that Bacon Boss is opening a second restaurant at the Krates. Introducing… The Chicken Boss. Our menu is going to be centered on hand breaded chicken tenders." What to Expe
May 141 min read
Pasco County Sheriff Chris Nocco Is Stepping Down in November — Here's What It Means for Wesley Chapel
WESLEY CHAPEL / PASCO COUNTY, FL — After nearly 15 years leading the Pasco County Sheriff's Office, Sheriff Chris Nocco announced Wednesday, May 13, that he will resign from office effective November 2026. For Wesley Chapel residents, this is one of the most significant local government changes in over a decade. Nocco said he is stepping down to run for the Florida State Senate District 21 seat being vacated by retiring state Sen. Ed Hooper. Nocco was re-elected without oppos
May 142 min read
Wesley Chapel-Area Teen Uses AI to Reimagine Tarantula Venom as an Anxiety Treatment — and Just Won the Florida Invention Convention
Most high school seniors are winding down as graduation approaches. Daniel Park, an 18-year-old finishing his final year at King High School in Tampa, is heading to a national science competition — after winning first place at the Florida Invention Convention for research that explores using artificial intelligence to engineer tarantula venom into a potential treatment for anxiety disorders. The concept is unconventional. The science behind it is serious. Starting With a Real
May 142 min read
Two Tornadoes Confirmed in Pasco County After Tuesday Storms — Here's What We Know
It's been a jarring week for some Pasco County residents. After Tuesday afternoon's severe thunderstorms swept through the region, neighborhoods near Hudson and Shady Hills reported significant wind damage — and now it's official. The National Weather Service has confirmed that two separate tornadoes touched down in Pasco County, leaving property damage behind and raising questions about storm preparedness heading into Florida's active weather season. What the NWS Survey Foun
May 142 min read
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