Pickleball Problems Part Two

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Featured Story

Pickleball Might Be the Fastest-Growing Sport in America… But Not in Andalucia

Pickleball is sweeping the nation faster than a Costco sample line on a Saturday morning, but in one corner of Apollo Beach, the only thing growing is the frustration.

Hillsborough County commissioners are considering a timeout on building new pickleball courts too close to homes. Why? Because residents in Andalucia are in the middle of a full-blown legal volley with their HOA over plans to turn tennis courts into pickleball ones.

Commissioner Josh Wostal says the county should hit pause before taxpayers get dragged into lawsuits like the one that just landed here. His proposal would block courts within 250 feet of homes until staff figure out what a safe distance looks like.

Meanwhile, ten homeowners aren’t just serving complaints, they’re filing them in court. Their lawsuit argues the HOA went rogue, skipping a community vote to greenlight the conversion. They also claim pickleball is four times louder than tennis, with thousands of sharp “pops” an hour echoing through the neighborhood. One veteran living less than 100 feet away says the constant cracking could make his PTSD worse.

The plaintiffs want the project stopped and the tennis courts restored, accusing the HOA of an unlawful overreach.

County commissioners will debate Wostal’s moratorium proposal on Wednesday. If it passes, no new courts will move forward until the county finishes its review and decides just how far away the “pop, pop, pop” needs to be from your living room.

For now, the battle lines are drawn: tennis whites vs. pickleball paddles. Stay tuned, this one’s bound to get noisy.

Things to do

What’s Washing Up on The Shore This Week

Dengue Fever and Mo’ squitoes

Southshore residents don’t need a press release to tell them how bad the mosquitoes are out here. While most mosquitoes wait until dusk to attack, ours are the kind that throw on sunscreen and barbecue at 2 p.m. just waiting for the first bare arm to wander by.

Unfortunately, the Florida Department of Health has confirmed a locally-acquired case of dengue fever in Hillsborough County. The county’s Mosquito Control is already conducting aerial spraying, but health officials are reminding everyone that prevention starts at home.

Dengue can bring fever, headaches, eye pain, joint and muscle aches, and even bleeding, definitely not something you want to add to your to-do list as school rolls back around.

Stay Safe By:

• Draining standing water (yes, even that forgotten kiddie pool).

• Covering up when outside—even if it feels too hot for sleeves.

• Defending with insect repellent every time you step out.

Southshore summers already come with daily pop-up storms, traffic headaches, and suspiciously fearless seagulls. Let’s not add dengue to the list. Stay covered, stay safe, and give those mosquitoes fewer reasons to host pool parties in your backyard.

Southshore Spotlight

Providence House

Providence House, nestled in the heart of Brandon, is a licensed group home offering teenage girls more than shelter. It’s a sanctuary where healing, hope, and second chances are born. With personalized counseling and a nurturing environment, they empower these brave young women to reclaim their strength and shine.

AROUND TOWN

Local Sports

Spring sports are in session. Find times to your favorite games below.

Football

Lennard vs Paco, Friday 8/22 @7:30 PM - Home

East Bay vs Strawberry Crest, Friday 8/22 @ 7:30 PM - Home

Sumner vs Bartram Trail, Friday 8/22 @7:30 PM - Home

Riverview vs Hillsborough, Friday 8/22, @ 7:30 PM - Home

Spoto vs Davenport, Friday 8/22, @7:30 PM - Home

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Until next time,

Keep It Local.