Observer News

10/30/2025

By LOIS KINDLE After last year’s cancellation caused by Hurricane Milton, the 7th Annual Treasure Hunt at the Little Manatee River State Park is back and better than ever. Join…

10/30/2025

By LINDA CHION KENNEY In a story of new beginnings, a chapter most definitely could be set aside for Terry Malo, who with her husband, Aaron, helped grow a 23-year-old…

10/30/2025

By LOIS KINDLE The Pelican Players will bring Neil Simon’s The Odd Couple: Female Version to life at the Kings Point Veterans Theater, Nov. 14–16.   Featuring lots of one-liners,…

10/30/2025

By FRANCIS FEDOR The Bulls went into enemy territory on Saturday, Oct. 25, to play the Memphis Tigers and lost a heart-breaker, 34-31. The loss dropped USF from the AP…

10/30/2025

By FRANCIS FEDOR The Stingrays captured the 7A District 7 title on Senior Night at the Tank with their 42-7 win over the Alonso Ravens. Sumner finishes the regular season…

10/30/2025

By FRANCIS FEDOR The Longhorns returned home and struggled to get their offense going in a 31-6 loss to the Palmetto Tigers. The Tigers carried the momentum of a five-game…

10/30/2025

10/29/2025

On Sunday, Nov. 2, Elmira’s Wildlife Sanctuary in Wimauma will host another Discount Tour Day.
Tours will be 25% off all day:adult and senior tours will be $15, kids 4 to 12 will be $7.50, and children 3 and younger, free.

Earlier this year, Elmira’s welcomed three lions, four wolf dogs, four red foxes, a serval and a bobcat. The sanctuary’s new residents have all settled in and are enjoying the fall weather. Come join them. Visit old friends like Stanley the grizzly bear and Lucy the leopard, as well as new ones like lions Ariel and Safari, our serval Akira, wolf dog Phoenix, red foxes Kit and Kat and many more.

Tours will start at 11 a.m. and run until 4 p.m. Skip the wait and book your tour online at www.elmiraswildlife.org/visit and select Nov. 2.
Walk ins are welcome but there may be a wait. Transportation around the sanctuary is available for the mobility-impaired. If you need transportation, please make a note when booking.

10/29/2025

The Hillsborough County Parks and Recreation Department, in collaboration with the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, Boys & Girls Club of Tampa Bay, and Discover Wimauma Inc., is proud to invite the public to the Wimauma’s Heart of Hillsborough Community Festival & Resource Fair on Saturday, November 15, 2025, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Bethune Park Boys and Girls Club, 5809 Edina Street, Wimauma, FL 33598.
This free, family-friendly event will celebrate Wimauma’s vibrant culture, rich history, and promising future. Residents, community leaders, and local organizations will come together for a day filled with connection, learning, and fun.
Festival highlights include:
• Opportunities to connect with neighbors, local leaders, and community organizations
• Access to valuable community resources and information
• Live entertainment, interactive games, and family activities
• Free health screenings and wellness information
• A celebration of Wimauma’s growth, diversity, and community spirit
“This event is a reflection of Wimauma’s heart—its people,” said a spokesperson for Hillsborough County Parks & Recreation. “It’s about celebrating how far we’ve come and looking forward to an even brighter future together.”
All residents and visitors are encouraged to attend and take part in this exciting day of unity and celebration.
For more information, contact the Hillsborough County Parks and Recreation Department or email [email protected]/.

10/29/2025

Our Lady’s Pantry has reached capacity of registered recipients due to increasing numbers (serving over 300 each week), as well as a decrease in incoming donations. As a result, and regretfully, we will not be taking new registrations until further notice. Please continue to visit this site as we will post when new registration recommences, at the soonest possible time. Based on our analysis, the projected time would be around January.
Please know this decision was made under careful consideration with the best interest of our Patrons and Volunteers in mind. We appreciate your understanding and look forward to serving you soon.
If you need more food for your families, consider one of the other pantries located in South Hillsborough County. Hopefully, one or more may be of help. Some of these pantries can only serve residents of certain towns, however, so check their boundaries before you go. Also, check when they are open, as these days and times change from time to time.
Calvary’s Angel’s Attic Community Cupboard; 1424 E. College Av., Ruskin – (813) 641-7790. Must live in Ruskin or Apollo Beach.
Beth-el Mission, 18240 Highway 301 South, Wimauma. Must live in South Hillsborough County.
Resurrection Catholic Church; 6819 Krycul Av., Riverview; (813) 677-2175. Must live in Brandon, Gibsonton, or Riverview.
The Lord’s Lighthouse Ministry, 5801 Hickman St.,Wimauma; (508) 320-5520;
The Lord’s Lighthouse Ministry, 815 E. College Av., Ruskin; (813) 641-7100.
Nativity Catholic Church, 705 E. Brandon Blvd., Brandon; (813) 681-4608. Must live in zip codes 33510, 33511, 33594.
St. Stephen’s Catholic Church, 5049 Bell Shoals Rd., Valrico; (813) 325-6440; (813) 689-4900. Must live in South Brandon, South Valrico, Gibsonton, or Riverview.
St. Anne’s Catholic Church; 106th 11th Ave. NE, Ruskin; (813) 645-1714. No boundaries.
Or check out Feeding Tampa Bay at: https://feedingtampabay.org/findfood for additional sources of food for yourself and your loved ones.

We have a variety of food assistance options available across our 10-county region, like mobile grocery locations, food pantries, benefits assistance, and a job training program. Click through the sections below to help determine which service is right for you. If you still have questions, check our...

10/28/2025

Local food-bank/pantry options

• St. Anne Food Pantry distributes food every Saturday from 9 to 11:30 a.m.
Address: 106 11th Avenue Northeast in Ruskin
• Our Lady Of Guadalupe Food Pantry
Address: 16650 US-301, Wimauma, FL 33598
Phone: 1-813-741-2000
Hours/Info: Saturday mornings (approx. 7:30 a.m.) for food distribution. Registration, valid ID & proof of address required. --- This food pantry has refrigeration and welcomes donations of frozen meats, such as chicken and hamburger.
• ECHO – Emergency Care Help Organization (Riverview)
Location: 10509 Riverview Dr, Riverview, FL 33578.
Service area: Riverview area including Gibsonton, Lithia, Valrico, Apollo Beach, Sun City Center and East Tampa.
Details:They provide temporary nutritious food, clothing, job-coaching and other support for those in crisis.
•. St. Anthony’s Food Pantry – Resurrection Catholic Church
Location: 6819 Krycul Avenue, Riverview, FL 33578.
Hours/Info: Distribution every Wednesday beginning at 8 am; volunteer opportunities on Mondays & certain Thursdays.
• Blessing House Food Pantry – River of Life Christian Center
Location: 6605 Krycul Ave, Riverview, FL 33578.
Details: Welcomes anyone in need, regardless of religion/income/employment. Distribution: 1st, 3rd & 4th Monday monthly from 9:30 a.m. to noon; 2nd Monday monthly 4 to 6 p.m.
• Beth‑El Farmworker Ministry Food Pantry
Location: 18240 US-301, Wimauma, FL 33598.
Service Info: Provides food, paper goods, personal hygiene kits, clothing to farm workers. Distribution: Tuesdays 7:30 to 11:30 a.m., Wednesdays 4 to 6 p.m.

10/28/2025

Join fellow Veteran women on the last Friday of the month at Mission BBQ, located at 10440 Sterling Drive in Riverview, for a new monthly meet-up. Join fellow Vets for lunch, laughter and connection starting at 11:30 a.m.