Tropical Storm Isaac Forms, Bay Area Threat Unknown

The storm’s projected track has forecasters saying RNC planners and Bay area residents should keep their eyes and ears open.

Tropical Depression Nine is now Tropical Storm Isaac. While the storm is currently east of Puerto Rico, the five-day forecast puts it close enough to Florida that residents should be mindful of developments over the next few days, said Jennifer Colson, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service’s Ruskin office. “We’re going to be monitoring it,” she said. “It’s too early to say” where it will go. The storm’s general direction, however, is cause for Tampa Bay area residents to start getting ready – just in case. With the Republican National Convention starting on Sunday with a kick-off party at St. Petersburg's Tropicana Field, residents and convention goers need to be watching for updates. Residents should be “watching it, …

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Rob Fowler

6:27 am on Thursday, August 23, 2012

It IS a good idea. If you have never been without running water after a storm, you might not think about how important flushing a toilet may be after a day or so. I'd still have a couple 3 to 5 gallon bottles of drinking water around also. Instant coffee is important if you are a regular coffee drinker too.   more ›

Carrollwood, Northdale Gear Up for Primary Election

Here are some things you need to know to make the process go smoothly.

Today is primary day in Florida. That means Hillsborough County voters will be able to cast their ballots for the candidates in their own parties they want to move onto the final election in November. Since the presidential primaries were already held, today’s race will focus on other campaigns, including the U.S. House of Representatives, the Florida House and such local races as county commission and school board. The choices made today will narrow the field for the Nov. 6 general election. Here are some things voters need to know to make voting in the primary go smoothly: Polling Places in Carrollwood and Northdale If you don't know where to cast your votes, you can check with the Hillsborough County Supervisor of Elections Office …

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Are You Voting in Tuesday’s Primary?

Will you turn out to help narrow the field of candidates for the final election Nov. 6?

Primary Election Day is right around the corner. While the Aug. 14 election won’t necessarily decide who gets the political seats up for grabs, it will help narrow the field in many races to a single candidate from the major parties. Since the primary isn’t the end of the story, so to say, turnout is traditionally low. With heated races on the ballot in Hillsborough, however, we wanted to find out just how many of you plan to cast your ballots when the polls open at 7 a.m. Tuesday. Just click your choice in the poll below to help us gauge (in a totally unscientific way) how strong the turnout will be in Carrollwood and Northdale. See Also: Carrollwood, Northdale Gear Up for Tuesday's Primary

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A.T. Jones Academy’s Contract Officially Terminated

The Hillsborough County School Board voted unanimously to end the school’s charter contract.

Parents who were hoping for a last-minute save for A.T. Jones Math, Science and Technology Academy are out of luck. The Hillsborough County School Board voted on Monday to end the charter school’s contract. According to Linda Cobbe, Hillsborough County Public Schools spokeswoman, it was a unanimous 5-0 vote with board members April Griffin and Stacy White absent. The school’s namesake, the Rev. Arthur T. Jones, who is pastor of Bible-Based Fellowship Church next door to the school, submitted a letter to the board in advance of the special hearing that addressed some of the ongoing concerns. (See the attached PDF of Jones’ letter.) News of the academy’s pending closing broke over the last few weeks. The school is embroiled in a financial …

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Tampa Bay Foreclosure Rate Tops Other Major Metro Areas

Are north Hillsborough foreclosures affecting you?

While parts of the nation saw foreclosures drop in the first half of 2012, the Tampa Bay area wasn’t so lucky. According to The Tampa Tribune, foreclosure activity in the Tampa Bay area is on the rise. RealtyTrac, a company that monitors real estate activity nationwide, is reporting that Tampa Bay has seen its foreclosures rise by a higher percentage than many other major metro areas, including New York and Chicago. For example, New York’s filings, which include such things as default notices, auctions and bank repossessions, have increased by 26 percent, according to the Tribune. This is compared to Chicago’s 28 percent and Tampa’s 47 percent. Nearly 21,000 Tampa Bay area properties had foreclosure filings during the first half. That …

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Tampa Makes List of Top 10 Emptiest Cities

The ranking was created by CNBC.com

Tampa has made yet another national ranking. But this one isn't anything to brag about. According to CNBC.com, Tampa is No. 9 on the list of the Top 10 Emptiest cities, according to a story in the Tampa Bay Times. Data for the listing is from the U.S. Census Bureau, and was compiled using rental and homeowner vacancies, the story said. With Carrollwood dealing with its own foreclosure issue that has caused vacancies in neighborhoods throughout the area, what do you think about the CNBC.com ranking? Tell us in the comments.

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What's Tampa Bay Saying?

Is the High Court Right to Support ObamaCare?

In a 110-page decision Thursday, the Supreme Court affirmed its support for a major health reform that will transform how care is delivered. Was the court correct?

The Supreme Court, by a 5-4 vote, ruled in support of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act Thursday. The landmark decision is likely to affect every American for years to come. Most immediately, it will enable the health care reforms – passed by Congress and signed into law by President Obama – to take effect. They had been mired in lawsuits in lower courts. What do you think? Was it the right decision for you and your family? Voice your views in the comments section below. Dubbed ObamaCare, the reform package mandates that everyone pay into the health care coverage system. It requires individuals not covered by an employer or the government to buy health insurance. The ruling focused on the constitutionality of President Obama's…

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BlFalconskeep

11:33 pm on Wednesday, July 25, 2012

Im neither republican or democrat. I look at the issue, weigh it for what it says, look at what our constitution says, look at its impact on myself, my family, my community and my state and make an educated decision as to how to feel about it. This "law" or whatever they want to call it is bad for ourselves, our family, our communities, our state and our country. The problems it will cause …   more ›

Latest Updates on Debby's Impact on Carrollwood-Northdale

Here is what you need to know.

Tropical Storm Debby came roaring in this weekend, soaking the Bay Area and spoiling weekend plans. Here are the links to all of Patch's storm coverage: Let us know how you’re weathering the storm. Post your photos on Patch or add a comment to the comments section. Stay with Patch for updates on the storm.

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Debby Wreaks Havoc Across Bay Area

Reports of flooding, closings and wind damage from Tropical Storm Debby have come in from Sarasota all the way north to Pasco County.

As Tropical Storm Debby continues to keep Florida in her sights, stories are pouring in from all over the Tampa Bay area. Some stories have been lighthearted and heartwarming, others heartbreaking. Here is a look at some of the top headlines over the past two days that have appeared on Carrollwood-Northdale Patch and its 18 sister sites in the Tampa Bay area. Pinellas County: Sarasota/Manatee counties:  Hillsborough County:  Pasco County: Also, don't miss the latest updates in the Carrollwood and Northdale areas.  Stay safe out there!

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Tropical Storm Debby Causes Flooding in Carrollwood

Residents are cautious about today's weather, which promises more rain.

Hovering over the Gulf of Mexico, Tropical Storm Debby is making one thing clear: She's here to stay. On Sunday, the storm drenched Tampa Bay with rain, stalling cars, flooding residential streets and causing power outages. Meanwhile, forecasters say more rain is expected in the coming days. In Carrollwood and Northdale on Monday, where seven to 10 inches of rain fell since the storm began, county officials and residents prepared for the worst, encouraging residents to keep their personal property away from the water and to take advantage of sandbags that were made available. "The ground is just saturated," said Steve Valdez, county spokesman. "Normally, after a very heavy rainfall event, within an hour of so, the water subsides. In the …

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