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WESLEY CHAPEL, FL — The beloved Tampa sports bar Tampa Joe's is back — and it's heading to Wesley Chapel. Plan review paperwork filed in March 2026 confirms a new Tampa Joe's location in the works at 26951 Halter Loop, right inside the Hub at Lexington Oaks development alongside Cinnaholic and The Clubhouse Golf Simulator. Tampa Bay Markets For Tampa Bay residents who remember the original, this is a welcome return. Tampa Joe's built a loyal following over the years as a neig

WESLEY CHAPEL, FL — The Big Red Bus is rolling into Avalon Park Wesley Chapel on Wednesday, May 27, from 2:00 PM to 5:30 PM — and this time, donating blood comes with a free wellness checkup and a $20 eGift card for every donor. OneBlood's Big Red Bus is one of the most convenient ways to donate blood in the community — no hospital visit, no complicated process. Just show up, schedule a time slot, and give back in a way that directly saves lives in the Tampa Bay area. What D

WESLEY CHAPEL, FL — Car and motorcycle lovers, this one is for you. Harley-Davidson of Wesley Chapel is hosting its Classic Cars and Vintage Bikes Show this Saturday, May 16, and whether you're bringing a showpiece or just coming to look, everyone is welcome. The show is now running from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM for the summer months — starting earlier to beat the Florida heat while keeping all the fun intact. Think rows of beautifully restored classics, gleaming vintage motorcycl

PASCO COUNTY, FL — The 2026 Atlantic hurricane season officially begins June 1, and Pasco County is making it easier than ever for residents to get prepared before the storms arrive. Pasco County Emergency Management recently hosted a free Disaster Preparedness Expo at Pasco Safety Town in Shady Hills, featuring first responder equipment displays, emergency vehicles, local emergency preparedness vendors, and a live appearance by renowned Tampa Bay meteorologist Denis Phillips

WESLEY CHAPEL, FL — If you're a fan of Bacon Boss at KRATE at The Grove, get ready. The same team is opening a brand-new restaurant right at KRATE called Chicken Boss — and the concept is exactly what it sounds like. The owners of Bacon Boss announced the news on social media: "We're so excited to announce that Bacon Boss is opening a second restaurant at the Krates. Introducing… The Chicken Boss. Our menu is going to be centered on hand breaded chicken tenders." What to Expe

WESLEY CHAPEL / PASCO COUNTY, FL — After nearly 15 years leading the Pasco County Sheriff's Office, Sheriff Chris Nocco announced Wednesday, May 13, that he will resign from office effective November 2026. For Wesley Chapel residents, this is one of the most significant local government changes in over a decade. Nocco said he is stepping down to run for the Florida State Senate District 21 seat being vacated by retiring state Sen. Ed Hooper. Nocco was re-elected without oppos

Most high school seniors are winding down as graduation approaches. Daniel Park, an 18-year-old finishing his final year at King High School in Tampa, is heading to a national science competition — after winning first place at the Florida Invention Convention for research that explores using artificial intelligence to engineer tarantula venom into a potential treatment for anxiety disorders. The concept is unconventional. The science behind it is serious. Starting With a Real

It's been a jarring week for some Pasco County residents. After Tuesday afternoon's severe thunderstorms swept through the region, neighborhoods near Hudson and Shady Hills reported significant wind damage — and now it's official. The National Weather Service has confirmed that two separate tornadoes touched down in Pasco County, leaving property damage behind and raising questions about storm preparedness heading into Florida's active weather season. What the NWS Survey Foun

WESLEY CHAPEL, FL — It's official. Hooters is coming to Wesley Chapel. The iconic restaurant — founded right here in the Tampa Bay area in Clearwater back in 1983 — has confirmed a new location at 25245 Wesley Chapel Blvd., next to the Harley-Davidson dealership, with an opening planned sometime in 2026. The 4,500-square-foot space will feature both indoor seating and an outdoor patio — a setup that plays perfectly into Florida's year-round outdoor weather. The Wesley Chapel

WESLEY CHAPEL, FL — Wesley Chapel finally has its own public library, and it's wasting no time getting to work. The new branch opened its doors in February 2026 and has already begun rolling out programming for all ages — with more on the way as the library settles into the community. Dozens of residents lined up outside the entrance on opening day, eager to be among the first through the doors. Since then, the library has been steadily expanding its calendar of events and se

WESLEY CHAPEL, FL — If you're a parent new to the area or just keeping tabs on how local schools are performing, GreatSchools.org has released its latest ratings for Wesley Chapel campuses — and several schools are scoring at the top of the scale. The ratings cover multiple categories including student progress, test scores, and college readiness for high schools. Here's where Wesley Chapel stands right now. The Current Ratings Dr. John Long Middle School — 9/10 Pinecrest Aca

WESLEY CHAPEL, FL — Help is about to get a lot closer. Pasco County Fire Rescue Station No. 2 — a brand-new, state-of-the-art facility on State Road 54 — is in its final construction phase and on track to open by winter 2026. The 13,840-square-foot, three-bay station is located at 32134 S.R. 54, less than a mile east of the AdventHealth Meadow Pointe Emergency Room. Groundbreaking was held on May 13, 2025, and the building structure is now fully complete. Crews are currently

WESLEY CHAPEL, FL — If you've ever wished you could order a decent salad as fast as a burger, Wesley Chapel just got your answer. Greenlane, Tampa Bay's homegrown drive-thru salad and wrap concept, opened its fifth location on Wednesday, February 25, right here in the Wesley Chapel area — and this one comes with a first for the brand. The new Cypress Creek location at 24801 State Road 54, just west of Tampa Premium Outlets, features the brand's first dedicated mobile-order dr

WESLEY CHAPEL, FL — Wesley Chapel's dining scene keeps leveling up. Tallo, the area's first-ever Caribbean-American fusion restaurant, is now open in the Avalon Park neighborhood — and if you haven't been yet, it should be near the top of your list. Located at 4424 Friendly Way, Suite 105, Tallo is owned by Puerto Rico native José Sato, who moved to Tampa in 2020 and worked at Boca in Sarasota before deciding that Wesley Chapel was exactly where he wanted to build something.

NEW TAMPA, FL — Get ready for a taste of the Middle East. Amo Sami's Shawarma, the self-proclaimed home of the 'OG crispy chicken shawarma,' has announced it will be opening its doors in New Tampa in early May 2026. Located at 6431 E County Line Rd, the new eatery promises authentic flavors built on family recipes and 'made with love.' The announcement has already sparked excitement among local foodies looking for high-quality, traditional shawarma options in the area. What t

WESLEY CHAPEL, FL — Two of America's most recognizable restaurant chains are heading to one of Wesley Chapel's busiest intersections, and construction is already underway. A new retail center known as Gateway Plaza is rising at the southwest corner of Wesley Chapel Boulevard (SR-54) and Gateway Drive, just west of Interstate 75. The project — filed under the entity Shoppes at Gateway, LLC — will be anchored by an Olive Garden, with Seasons 52 as the second restaurant and a He

WESLEY CHAPEL, FL — One of Wesley Chapel's most storied properties is in the middle of a full reset. Saddlebrook Resort — the 480-acre destination that put Wesley Chapel on the map for tennis and golf decades ago — has new ownership and a new vision, and the upgrades are underway. Saddlebrook has long been a fixture in the Wesley Chapel landscape, known for its championship tennis programs, two Arnold Palmer-designed golf courses, and as a destination resort that attracted pr

WESLEY CHAPEL, FL — Wesley Chapel's classrooms are bursting at the seams, and Pasco County Schools is moving fast to catch up. Two brand-new campuses are now in active planning — a medical magnet high school in Meadow Pointe and a K-8 campus near the Two Rivers development — both targeting a Fall 2028 opening. Wiregrass Ranch High School was operating at 143% capacity as of October 2025. Wesley Chapel High was at 134%. Those numbers pushed Superintendent John Legg to accelera

WESLEY CHAPEL, FL — Clear your Saturday, May 23. The Shops at Wiregrass is throwing a Great American Block Party in Center Court from 3:00 PM to 9:00 PM, and the lineup is stacked from start to finish. This is the kind of community event that has something for everyone — whether you're bringing the whole family, car enthusiasts in tow, or just looking for a great free afternoon out in Wesley Chapel. What's Happening Live entertainment all evening including Homegrown and The Z

PASCO COUNTY, FL — The future of grocery delivery is literally flying in. Walmart is moving closer to launching drone delivery at several Pasco County store locations through its partnership with Wing, a drone delivery company owned by Alphabet — Google's parent company. Walmart has been expanding its Wing drone delivery program across Florida, and Pasco County is now in the crosshairs for expansion. The service allows customers to place orders through the Walmart app and rec