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Featured Story

500+ Units Headed to a Corner Near You

You may have seen the posts about two new “affordable housing” apartment projects in Apollo Beach. A lot of folks are pointing at Florida’s Live Local Act, which lets developers get administrative approval for apartments on certain commercial sites when at least 40% of units are kept affordable for 30 years. Translation in plain English: fewer public hearings on the land use, more by-right reviews at the staff level. It does not wipe out building codes, stormwater rules, traffic and utility checks, or impact fees, but it does speed the path.

Whether the intent was noble or not, the end result can feel the same from a front porch. Projects get squeezed into busy corridors with little room for neighbor input, and residents are left wondering who invited all these new cars to the party.

People can oppose or support these projects for lots of reasons, but the pressure point everyone feels is infrastructure. Schools are already filled to the brim. Roads are crowded and full of patches that want to be potholes when they grow up. The power seems to take a nap if someone sneezes. Growth is not theoretical out here. It is Tuesday.

We will keep an eye on how these filings move through the county.

What you can do that actually helps
• Ask the county for the project case numbers and look them up on HillsGovHub.
• Send written comments to the assigned case planner during the active review.
• Be specific. Think turn lanes, sidewalks, drainage, school pickup stacking, and fire access.
• Talk to your state representatives if you want changes to the Live Local rules. That is where the lever is.
• Keep it neighborly. Clear, actionable feedback gets more traction than all caps.

We will follow the paper trail and translate it into plain English. If you spot a case number or a site sign, send it our way, and we will dig in.

Southshore Story Time

Where Did Boyette Go? A Riverview Story

Part 2: Work, Worship, and a Saturday Night

For years, Boyette thrived on simple rhythms. Weekdays meant groves, fields, timber, and the constant rattle of repairs that farm life demands. Saturdays could bring music at the dance hall and a supply run at the store. Industry threaded through the pines, too: turpentine and lumber outfits worked the woods across South Hillsborough, leaving behind stories, still sites, and a workforce that kept the local economy moving.

Things to do

What’s Washing Up on The Shore This Week

We Know a Guy…or Girl

Stellar Notary Services

Click here to check out our growing list of service pros.

“Keep it Local!”

Wastewater Spill!

This didn’t happen in Southshore, but close enough to make me say yuck!

Southshore file-under “things we did not ask for.” About 32 million gallons of partially treated wastewater spilled at Hillsborough County’s Falkenburg Road Advanced Water Treatment Plant over the weekend—roughly 48 Olympic pools worth. Officials say the plant is back online while they investigate.

County leaders are probing whether a dumped industrial chemical triggered the system to go offline and overflow. They’re reviewing security measures and looking for evidence of improper dumping. In short, cause and full impacts are still under review.

Translation in plain English: not the kind of pool day we had in mind. We’ll keep an eye on updates; in the meantime, common sense applies—avoid mystery standing water near facilities and canals, and wash up if you come into contact with any questionable runoff.

Southshore Spotlight

Veterans Helping Veterans

Veterans Helping Veterans USA is an Ocala-based 501(c)(3) that runs a one-stop resource center for veterans and their families, offering emergency financial help, counseling, housing and utility assistance, employment support, and a food pantry. The nonprofit is independent from the VA and relies on private donations and grants, and it currently holds a Four-Star rating from Charity Navigator.

Nominate your local hero by emailing us at [email protected]

Foodies Only

Roots Southern BBQ

South Carolina style, slow smoked, and served with love — that’s ROOTS Southern BBQ.

Check out where to find them below:

If you’ve got a restaurant, food truck, or even a lemonade stand, it could be featured here. Email us at [email protected]

Local Sports

Football

Lennard vs Gateway, Friday 9/12 @7:30 PM - Away

East Bay vs Bloomingdale, Friday 9/12 @ 7:30 PM - Away

Sumner vs Newsome, Friday 9/12 @7:30 PM - Away

Riverview vs Plant City, Friday 9/12, @ 7:30 PM - Home

Spoto vs King, Friday 9/12, @7:30 PM - Home

News or Events you’d like to share? Email us at: [email protected] 

Until next time,

Keep It Local.