Urban Explorer
Progress Energy plans nuclear power plant north of Tampa 12
Florida doesn't get much more rural than Levy County.
Situated 90 miles north of Tampa, between the Gulf of Mexico and Ocala, the area boasts no major cities or interstates. The entire county's population is less than Dunedin's. Much of the area is dotted with ranches and trailer parks. Unemployment runs high. Republican politicians run unopposed.
Urban Explorer
Environmental group Project 3.0 greens Ybor City
The former home of the Tampa Bay Brewing Company in Ybor City seems to be the antithesis of an environmentally sound building.
For one, the 2-story brick structure at 1812 N. 15th St. is old -- 103 years old. Two, the high ceilings make heating and cooling the building a massive energy drain. The tar on the top of the building doesn't help; the black surface can reach well above 100 degrees in the summer, heat that inevitably makes its way inside. Even the asphalt parking lot, like every other impermeable flat surface in Ybor City, contributes to massive rain runoff that empties into area waterways, with its oily polluting sheen.
Urban Explorer
Chris Ortiz and Brotherhood Ministries help the homeless
It's no secret that state and local governments have been reducing funds for nonprofits that service the disadvantaged. This year, for instance, the state of Florida cut the budget for drug treatment centers by an estimated $31 million.
Urban Explorer
Monofilament fishing line a danger to Tampa Bay's wildlife 2
Once Ann Hodgson brushes aside the leaves, the little white body isn't hard to see. There, hanging from a mangrove branch, is the dried-out, desiccated body of a snowy egret. Wrapped around its neck is a thin piece of fishing line.
Urban Explorer
A Tampa crabber fights to save Cockroach Bay 1
Before writing anything about Cockroach Bay, Gus Muench tells me, get one thing straight: Cockroach Bay is not named after Florida's notorious six-legged pest. As the story goes, early Spanish explorers came up with the moniker after observing numerous horseshoe crabs crawling along the bay's shallow sea floor.
Urban Explorer
Tampa Bay socialists have their presidential candidate: Brian Moore 3
Urban Explorer
Eden Tampa goes clothing-optional as residents wait for condo management to tell the naked truth 4
Urban Explorer
Hillsborough litterbugs beware 2
You're being watched. And now there's a hotline.
Urban Explorer
A transgender woman's difficult job search 7
Prejudices compound the struggle to find employment
Urban Explorer
Commuter transportation goes green 3
A Tampa company offers an electric alternative.
Urban Explorer
Not easy being zine 1
What killed Tampa Bay's zine scene?
Urban Explorer
Siphon stories 1
There's no gas theft epidemic in Tampa Bay — yet.
Urban Explorer
Hostel territory in Tampa Heights 6
Urban Explorer
Urban Explorer
Did you steal this painting? 2
Art theft goes local.
Urban Explorer
Who was Alex Pickett? 6
A eulogy for my namesake.
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