Snakes, Insurance and a Sidewalk Sale: What's Up in Carrollwood

Attention Bargain Hunters: Westfiled Citrus Park is playing host to a sidewalk sale Tuesday, Aug. 20 starting at 10 a.m. Find out more on the mall's event listing!

Looking for a new friend: Check out the newest additions at the Hillsborough County Animal Services shelter courtesy of the friends group's latest blog on Patch!

Speak Out on Citizens Property Insurance’s Rate Hike: Tired of paying high rates for homeowners insurance? If you’re a customer of Citizens Property Insurance, you have a chance to speak out before they go up yet again. The state’s office of insurance regulation has set a public hearing to address the proposed rate hike asked for by Citizens Property Insurance. The hearing is set for Tuesday, Aug. 20 from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Tampa Convention Center, 333 S. Franklin St., Ballroom D in Tampa. If approved, Citizens’ customers statewide could see their rates go up by as much as 11.5 percent, according to the Tampa Bay Times.

Save the Snakes?: Three species of snake – the short-tailed, pine snake and hognose – once prevalent in Central Florida are now rather rare sightings. The state wants the federal government to add them to the endangered species list and it’s asking for residents’ help to make it so. Check out the story on TBO to find out how to report sightings of these rare, elusive and often unwelcomed critters.

Buses Back in Action: A brand new school year gets under way this week and that means an army of yellow buses will be hitting the streets of Tampa Bay. Keep an eye out for them and the precious cargo they’re trucking around. To all the kids out there: Have a great year!