Hillsborough County has extended its state of local emergency over dengue fever through October 29, as health and mosquito-control officials continue working to limit the spread of the mosquito-borne disease.

County Administrator Bonnie Wise signed the extension on October 22. The emergency declaration allows county officials to respond more quickly to public health concerns and provides a way to seek reimbursement for certain emergency expenses.

What is happening locally?

County mosquito surveillance has detected dengue virus activity in mosquitoes across multiple neighborhoods. In response, Hillsborough County Mosquito Management has increased aerial and ground treatments.

Recent treatment operations have included Brandon, Riverview, Bloomingdale, Boyette, and Fish Hawk, among other communities. Residents can check the county's online mosquito operations page for treatment updates and notification options.

What residents should know about dengue

Dengue spreads primarily through the bite of an infected mosquito. Symptoms can include fever, headache, muscle and joint pain, nausea, vomiting, and a rash.

The Florida Department of Health advises anyone experiencing possible dengue symptoms following mosquito exposure to seek medical attention. Severe abdominal pain, repeated vomiting, or unusual bleeding can indicate a medical emergency.

Three steps to protect your household

Hillsborough County recommends the 3 Ds:

• Dress: Wear light-colored, long-sleeved clothing when possible.

• Defend: Use an appropriate mosquito repellent, such as one containing DEET or picaridin, according to label directions.

• Dump: Empty or cover standing water in flowerpots, buckets, tires, toys, and other containers.

Even as cooler, drier weather approaches, mosquito prevention remains important. Florida's mild climate allows some mosquitoes to remain active during the cooler months.

Where to get local updates

Residents can check Hillsborough County's official mosquito operations website for treatment information, sign up for localized notifications, and report mosquito concerns.

Official resources:

• Hillsborough County Mosquito Operations

• County emergency extension announcement

• Mosquito Management Services: (813) 635-5400

For Brandon-area families, the message is straightforward: stay informed, prevent mosquito bites, and eliminate standing water around the home.

With Election Day approaching on Tuesday, November 3, Hillsborough County residents have just a few days remaining to take advantage of early voting.

Whether you live in Brandon, Valrico, Riverview, or Fish Hawk, knowing where to go and what to bring can make voting easier.

Early voting: Important dates

Registered Hillsborough County voters may cast their ballots at any of the county's 27 early voting locations, regardless of their assigned Election Day precinct.

Convenient locations for our readers

Here are several official early voting locations serving the eastern and southern portions of Hillsborough County:

These locations appear on the Supervisor of Elections' official 2026 list.

What should you bring?

Florida voters must present current identification containing both a photograph and a signature.

Acceptable examples include a Florida driver's license, Florida identification card, U.S. passport, military ID, and certain other approved IDs.

If your photo ID doesn't contain your signature, bring a second accepted form of identification showing your signature. Voters without the required identification may cast a provisional ballot, subject to eligibility review.

Voting by mail? Don't miss the deadline

The deadline to request a mail ballot for this election was October 22.

Voters who already have a mail ballot may return it through a secure ballot intake station inside an early voting location during voting hours.

Completed mail ballots must reach the Supervisor of Elections by 7 p.m. on November 3. Mail ballots cannot be dropped off at Election Day polling places.

Check before you go

The Supervisor of Elections recommends reviewing your sample ballot in advance. Voters can also check early voting wait times online to choose a convenient location.

Visit VoteHillsborough.gov/EarlyVoting for locations, identification requirements, and wait times.

Remember that Election Day voting is different: on November 3, you must vote at your assigned precinct polling place.

The bottom line: A few minutes of preparation can help make your voting experience smoother. Review your ballot, bring the proper identification, and choose the voting option that works best for you.

Sometimes, making a neighborhood better doesn't require a major construction project or a large budget.

It simply takes neighbors willing to roll up their sleeves and help.

That's exactly what happened in Valrico's Buckhorn Groves community, where a volunteer improvement project has earned recognition from Hillsborough County.

The Buckhorn Groves Homeowners Association received the county's 2026 Safe Neighborhood Award, recognizing efforts to make shared neighborhood spaces more comfortable, welcoming, and enjoyable for residents.

Fifteen volunteers, one community goal

With the help of 15 volunteers, the association made several improvements around its neighborhood play areas.

The project included adding benches, a table, and additional seating so parents could comfortably supervise their children while enjoying time outdoors.

Volunteers also replaced deteriorated boards on existing benches, improving a gathering space used by older children.

A new garbage can was installed near the play area entrance to encourage visitors to help keep the grounds clean.

Each improvement was relatively simple, but together they helped make the neighborhood's shared spaces more inviting.

Recognition from Hillsborough County

The Safe Neighborhood Award is part of Hillsborough County's annual Neighborhood Awards program, which recognizes neighborhood organizations for projects that promote healthier, safer, and more engaged communities.

This year's awards recognized projects completed between July 2025 and June 2026.

Buckhorn Groves was honored alongside other neighborhood organizations whose projects included community cleanups and environmental improvements.

A lesson in community involvement

The Buckhorn Groves project offers a reminder that neighborhood improvements don't always have to be complicated.

A few benches, a repaired seating area, and a cleaner playground entrance might seem like small changes. But they can make a meaningful difference to the families who use those spaces.

More importantly, the project demonstrates what residents can accomplish when they work together toward a common goal.

For Buckhorn Groves, that commitment has now earned countywide recognition.

And for neighborhoods throughout Brandon, Valrico, Riverview, and Fish Hawk, it's an encouraging example of community involvement in action.

Tucked along Oakfield Drive in Brandon is a restaurant that offers something a little different from the familiar chain dining experience.

Allegria Italiana is a family-run Italian restaurant specializing in traditional dishes, from familiar pasta favorites to seafood and veal specialties.

For Brandon-area residents looking to explore Italian cuisine without traveling far from home, the restaurant offers a locally operated dining option.

A menu rooted in Italian tradition

Italian cooking has long been associated with meals that bring people together, and Allegria Italiana builds its menu around many of those traditions.

Pasta selections include classics such as penne alla vodka and gnocchi. Diners looking for something beyond pasta can explore veal preparations, seafood entrées, and other Italian specialties.

The restaurant also offers familiar Italian desserts, including tiramisu and cannoli.

Together, these choices provide a menu suited to both someone exploring Italian cuisine for the first time and diners returning to familiar favorites.

A neighborhood dining experience

Unlike large restaurant chains, Allegria Italiana operates on a smaller scale, with a dining room designed around sit-down evening meals.

Its setting makes it an option for couples planning a dinner out, families gathering for a meal, or friends looking for a place to spend an evening together.

The restaurant also offers catering services for gatherings and special occasions.

Keeping local dining interesting

One of the pleasures of living in the Brandon area is discovering the variety of independent restaurants tucked into its shopping centers and neighborhood streets.

Restaurants such as Allegria Italiana contribute to that variety by offering a distinct menu and dining experience.

Whether you're interested in a traditional pasta dish, a seafood entrée, or simply trying a restaurant you haven't visited before, Allegria Italiana is another local option worth knowing about.

Before you go

Halloween is usually about costumes, candy, and spooky decorations. But this year, one Riverview animal sanctuary is adding something especially meaningful to the celebration: an opportunity to help rescued animals find loving homes.

On Saturday, October 31, First Ladies Farm and Sanctuary is scheduled to host its Howl-O-Ween Fall Market and Pet Adoptions, combining Halloween activities with an opportunity to meet animals in need of permanent homes.

The family-friendly event is advertised for 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the sanctuary's Riverview property.

Halloween fun with a purpose

Organizers have advertised approximately 20 vendors, each doubling as a trick-or-treat station where children can collect Halloween treats.

Visitors can also expect a market featuring farm-fresh eggs, baked goods, locally grown produce, and homemade canned goods. Lunch and cold refreshments are planned for the main tent.

For families interested in learning more about the sanctuary, the event listing also describes farm tours where guests can see goats, chickens, ducks, and livestock guardian dogs.

Helping rescued animals find homes

At the heart of the celebration is the sanctuary's animal adoption mission.

First Ladies Farm and Sanctuary rescues abandoned, abused, and neglected animals, including cats, dogs, domestic poultry, and small farm animals.

Some rescued animals are eventually adopted into permanent homes. Others, particularly those with significant medical needs or disabilities, remain at the sanctuary for long-term care.

The organization also operates specialized programs, including Street Strife to Farm Life, which places working cats with farms and businesses, and Senior Cats for Senior Laps, which helps older adults adopt senior cats.

The Halloween event is expected to offer visitors an opportunity to meet kittens and puppies available for adoption at that time. Specific animals will depend on availability.

A community-supported mission

First Ladies Farm and Sanctuary is a woman- and veteran-owned nonprofit organization that relies on community support.

Donations, volunteers, and proceeds from farm markets help provide food, shelter, veterinary treatment, and other care for rescued animals.

Events like Howl-O-Ween offer residents an opportunity to learn about the organization's work, whether or not they are ready to adopt a pet.

Planning your visit

Families interested in attending should confirm the event details with the sanctuary before making plans.

For anyone considering pet adoption, the event could be an opportunity to meet a future companion while supporting a local organization dedicated to giving animals a second chance.

Thousands of motorists travel along Brandon Boulevard every day, passing businesses, restaurants, and shopping centers without giving much thought to what stood there generations ago.

But at 401 West Brandon Boulevard, one building offers a remarkable connection to the community's earliest years.

Today, it is known as Stowers Funeral Home. Long before it became a place where local families gathered to remember loved ones, however, it was a private residence belonging to a member of the family that gave Brandon its name.

The story begins in 1876, when James Brandon, son of community founder John Brandon, had a two-story frame home built on the property.

A home from Brandon's earliest days

To appreciate the home's significance, it's worth remembering how different Brandon was during the 1870s.

John Brandon had arrived in the Tampa Bay area in 1857 and acquired land in what became the Brandon community the following year.

The settlement grew around families, farms, churches, and the beginnings of local commerce. This was decades before Brandon Boulevard became the busy commercial corridor residents recognize today.

When James Brandon's home was constructed in 1876, the railroad had not yet arrived in Brandon.

That would come in 1890, helping connect the developing settlement to surrounding communities and markets.

The house therefore represents a period when Brandon was still a small rural settlement rather than the suburban community it would eventually become.

From private residence to funeral home

As Brandon expanded through the twentieth century, many of its early homes and buildings disappeared or were replaced.

The James Brandon residence followed a different path.

The property eventually became home to Stowers Funeral Home, preserving a physical connection to the community's founding family while taking on a new purpose.

By 1961, Stowers Funeral Home was already an established local gathering place. In February of that year, a group of 17 men met there in the early organizational stages of what became Bell Shoals Baptist Church.

That detail provides an interesting glimpse into how the building's role extended beyond its original residential purpose.

A landmark surrounded by change

Consider the transformation of the neighborhood around the property.

The original rural roads became major thoroughfares.

Small farms and family homesteads gave way to subdivisions, shopping centers, and commercial development.

Brandon Boulevard, once known as Hopewell Road, became one of eastern Hillsborough County's busiest transportation corridors.

Yet the former Brandon family residence remained part of the landscape.

A historical account of the neighborhood identifies the Stowers building as the two-story frame home constructed for James Brandon in 1876, directly across Brandon Boulevard from North Knights Avenue.

Its survival gives present-day residents a tangible connection to an era that otherwise exists largely in photographs, documents, and family histories.

The family home that became a community institution

The building's history is more than a story of architecture. It is also a story of the families who lived there and the people who helped preserve it.

According to the historical marker on the property,

James Brandon and his wife, Johanna, raised seven children in the large Folk Victorian home. The family was known for entertaining guests there.

In 1901, William and Doc Estelle Brandon Varnedoe purchased the residence. Edward Linsley became its owner around 1912, and the Walter Clayton family occupied the home from 1946 to 1955.

The building's most significant transformation came in 1960.

With financial support from John “Rudy” Williams, local businessman Richard “Dick” Stowers purchased the historic property and began converting it into a funeral home.

Stowers took care to preserve important features of the original house, including its woodwork, heart-of-pine flooring, and decorative molding. He also furnished the building with Victorian-era pieces and artifacts connected to Brandon's past.

Stowers Funeral Home opened in 1961, beginning a new chapter in the building's history.

Preserving a piece of Brandon's past

One of the most remarkable details about the Brandon Homestead is how much of its original structure has survived.

According to Stowers Funeral Home's official history, the home's exterior appearance and basic L-shaped floor plan have been preserved.

In 1990, a historical marker was dedicated at the property in honor of Brandon's centennial, with the marker donated by the Dick Stowers family.

The building is also a reminder of Dick Stowers' broader contributions to the community. Beyond his funeral business, he supported numerous civic organizations, schools, and charitable efforts. A local elementary school was eventually named in his honor.

Then and now: 150 years of Brandon history

For 150 years, the Brandon Homestead has stood through the community's transformation from a rural settlement into one of Hillsborough County's largest suburban areas.

Its purpose has changed, but its connection to Brandon's history remains.

The next time you travel along West Brandon Boulevard, take a moment to remember that the historic white building near Knights Avenue was once home to a family whose name is still found throughout the community.

Sometimes, the most interesting pieces of local history are hiding in plain sight.

Brandon-area residents can expect another warm week, with daytime temperatures reaching the mid-80s and a mixture of sunshine, clouds, and occasional rain.

The week begins with generally favorable weather for outdoor activities. However, showers become more likely as the weekend approaches, making it important to keep an eye on the forecast—especially for Halloween celebrations and other outdoor events.

A breezy start to the week

Tuesday, October 27, and Wednesday, October 28, should offer a good amount of sunshine, although breezy conditions are expected.

Afternoon temperatures will reach approximately 84–85°F, while overnight lows will settle near 70°F.

These should be among the better days for walking, jogging, yard work, and other outdoor activities.

Showers become possible later in the week

Thursday and Friday will remain warm, with highs in the mid-80s.

A few passing showers may develop, particularly during the afternoon. Although much of each day could remain dry, residents should be prepared for changing conditions.

The possibility of thunderstorms also increases heading into the weekend.

Halloween weekend: Keep an eye on the sky

Saturday, October 31, is Halloween, and the current outlook suggests warm, partly sunny conditions with a chance of isolated thunderstorms.

Temperatures should climb into the mid-80s before cooling during the evening.

Families planning trick-or-treating, festivals, or other outdoor activities should check the latest forecast before heading out.

Sunday, November 1, could bring additional showers or thunderstorms, although periods of sunshine remain possible.

Remember that Daylight Saving Time ends Sunday,

November 1, at 2 a.m. Clocks move back one hour, meaning sunset will arrive earlier by the clock.

Looking ahead to Monday

Monday, November 2, is expected to remain warm, with a high near 85°F and a low around 66°F. The preliminary outlook indicates a chance of showers, but confidence is lower this far in advance.

Residents should check updated forecasts as the new week approaches.

Weather Watch: What residents should know

The main weather concerns this week are gusty northeast winds early in the week and isolated showers or thunderstorms later on.

The National Weather Service forecasts wind gusts approaching 30 mph on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Residents should secure lightweight outdoor decorations, particularly those being installed ahead of Halloween.

For outdoor gatherings, remember that Florida thunderstorms can develop quickly. If thunder is heard, move indoors until conditions improve.

Overall, Brandon, Valrico, Riverview, and Fish Hawk can expect a warm late-October week with plenty of opportunities to enjoy the outdoors—provided residents stay alert to changing conditions.

Forecast information: National Weather Service, Tampa Bay Area, updated October 26, 2026. Check the latest Brandon forecast