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THE SKINNY

• Spring Bling Giveaway Reminder

• The Tallahassee Shuffle

• Florida’s Bigfoot?

• Swimming Through Synthetic Chemicals

Featured Story

Florida Wants to Cut Costs and Speed Up Growth

New tax proposals and housing plans could shape the future of Southshore in ways residents may start to feel soon

On the surface, it looks like Florida is trying to make life a little cheaper. Lower property taxes. More housing. A push toward affordability. But if you live in Southshore, you already know… it’s usually not that simple. It’s a delicate dance that usually ends with sore feet.

Over the past couple of weeks, state leaders have been working on two major things at the same time. One is a proposal to reduce property taxes, which could mean noticeable savings for homeowners if it passes. The other is a newly approved housing effort aimed at increasing development across the state, including areas like Southshore.

Individually, both sound like wins. Together, it starts to get a little more complex.

The property tax conversation is still ongoing. The House has moved forward with a proposal, but it’s now in discussions with the Senate and the Governor, so nothing is finalized yet. If changes do happen, they could reduce what homeowners pay each year, but those same taxes currently help fund things like road improvements, public safety, and infrastructure.

At the same time, the state is pushing to increase housing supply. That could mean more apartments, more communities, and more people moving into areas like Riverview, Apollo Beach, and Wimauma. And that’s where things start to connect.

More growth means more demand on roads, schools, and local services. Those are the same areas that rely, at least in part, on the funding currently being discussed. None of this changes anything overnight, but it does shape what the next few years could look like.

Southshore has already seen how quickly things can shift. Roads like 301 and Big Bend are still catching up to the growth that’s already here, and new developments continue to pop up across the area.

That doesn’t mean everything is doom and gloom. Tax relief could absolutely help homeowners, especially with rising insurance costs and overall cost of living. And more housing could help ease some of the pressure on prices over time.

But in Southshore, we’ve learned that growth isn’t just about more homes. It’s about everything that comes with it. More cars. More demand. More pressure on roads, schools, and services.

So while the headlines might focus on savings and affordability, the real story is what happens when you try to grow faster while spending less. Around here, we’re about to find out.

Southshore, Meet Florida’s Smelly Bigfoot

The Great Florida Bigfoot Conference returns to Ocala as legends of the Skunk Ape continue to grow across the state

 Ok, so this isn’t in Southshore, but it’s not that far and honestly, I was shocked to find out this is even a thing.

Apparently, thousands of people will be heading to Ocala this June for the Great Florida Bigfoot Conference, a full-day event dedicated to one of the most debated creatures in American folklore. And yes, we’re talking about Bigfoot… or as it’s known here in Florida, the Skunk Ape.

Now, if you’ve never heard of the Skunk Ape, don’t worry, you’re not alone. It’s basically Florida’s version of Bigfoot, said to roam the Everglades and swampy parts of the state. Witnesses describe it as a large, hairy, human-like creature standing anywhere from 5 to 7 feet tall, usually covered in reddish or dark fur, and apparently carrying a smell so bad it’s been compared to rotten eggs or something you definitely don’t want to run into on a hiking trail.

And the legend isn’t new. Stories of a “hairy, giant man” go back centuries, with some tracing it to early Native American folklore and reports dating back to the early 1800s.

Over the years, there have been sightings all over Florida, especially in the Everglades and central parts of the state. Some people claim it moves like an animal on all fours until it suddenly stands upright, looks around, and disappears back into the brush like it was never there in the first place.

Of course, not everyone’s convinced. Many experts say sightings are likely misidentified wildlife like black bears or, let’s be honest, someone’s friend in a very committed costume. But that hasn’t stopped the legend from growing or the fans from showing up.

The conference will feature speakers, presentations, and vendors, with people coming for everything from the science to the stories to the possibility that maybe, just maybe, Florida has something weird lurking in the swamps.

Whether you’re fully convinced, slightly curious, or just looking for something different to do, this might be one of the more… unique road trips you can take this summer. And hey, if you head out there and catch a whiff of something that smells like regret and bad decisions…you might be closer than you think.

Things to do

What’s Washing Up on The Shore This Week

Your Weekly What in the World

The Ocean Is Turning Into a Chemical Soup

When scientists went looking for pollution in the ocean, they expected to find some traces of modern life. What they didn’t expect was just how much.

A recent study has found that hundreds of human-made chemicals are now present throughout marine ecosystems across the world. Researchers analyzing ocean samples detected at least 248 different synthetic compounds, many of which come from everyday products like medications, pesticides, cleaning products, and cosmetics.

Most of these chemicals start their journey on land. They wash down drains, flow through wastewater systems, or run off roads and lawns during rainstorms. Eventually, they move through rivers and waterways until they reach the ocean. Once they get there, they don’t always disappear.

Scientists say many of these substances can build up in marine environments and in the animals that live there. Some compounds are known to accumulate in fish and other marine life over time, moving up the food chain as larger animals eat smaller ones.

That matters because oceans aren’t isolated ecosystems. What happens in the water eventually connects to coastal communities.

For places like ours, that connection runs straight through Tampa Bay and the Gulf of Mexico. Those waters support a wide range of marine life including fish, dolphins, sea turtles, and manatees. They also support recreational fishing, boating, tourism, and a big part of Florida’s coastal economy.

If synthetic chemicals continue building up in marine ecosystems, researchers say it could affect the health of marine species and potentially the seafood people rely on.

The findings don’t mean the ocean has suddenly become toxic overnight. But they do show that the chemical footprint of modern life is spreading farther than many people realized.

And for communities along the water, it serves as a reminder of something that’s easy to overlook. The ocean might feel vast and endless when you’re standing on the shore. But everything upstream eventually finds its way there.

A little hidden trivia. Good luck!

Almost a year ago to the day, we ran a story that had pretty big implications for Southshore, especially for Apollo Beach residents. It was the first story of that newsletter. And to date, nothing has actually changed. What was that news about?

Email your response to [email protected] along with your name before midnight tonight and win 25 points toward the Spring Bling Giveaway.

Southshore Spotlight

ECHO

For more than four decades, ECHO has focused on providing seeds, agricultural knowledge, and innovative growing methods to communities facing food insecurity. The event will give residents a chance to learn more about the organization’s work and how agriculture and education can play a role in building stronger, more resilient communities.

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

We Know a Guy…or Girl

Southshore Services

Need a painter? A plumber? Someone brave enough to tackle that lightbulb orbiting 30 feet above your living room? We’ve got you. And the best part, they’re all right here in our community.

Our new service catalog launches tomorrow! If you have a business and are interested in joining, there’s still time to get in. 🚀

Interested in joining the list? Shoot us an email to [email protected]

“Keep it Local!”

Foodies Only

Roots Southern BBQ

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

Our area high schools boast state champions and multiple division titleists. Come out and show your support for these teams and for our community.

Got news, events, or press releases that the Southshore needs to know about? Submit them here. (We’ll do our best to add press releases in our regular rotation.) If you’re looking to run an actual ad, go here instead.

Until next time,

Keep It Local.