Ralph Acevedo
| Tue Nov. 10, 2026|Issue #15|Brandon, Florida |
Joke Of The Day |
An angry wife to her husband on phone: "Where the hell are you?" |
Interesting Facts |
Brandon, Florida looks like a city on a map, but the facts behind it tell a stranger story than most residents realize:
It has no mayor: Brandon is an unincorporated community, meaning it has never been officially chartered as a city or town. It is governed by Hillsborough County rather than its own municipal government, so there is no Brandon city hall, no city council, and no local elections for a mayor.
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Flu season is gaining momentum in the Brandon area, and local hospital officials are encouraging residents to take precautions before the holidays.
According to figures released by HCA Florida
Brandon Hospital on November 3, influenza cases in its emergency departments nearly tripled between September and October 2026.
October's flu cases were also nearly four times higher than during the same month last year.
The numbers reflect patients treated in the hospital's emergency departments, not all influenza cases throughout Hillsborough County. Doctors Urge Early Precautions
With Thanksgiving approaching, physicians are reminding families that influenza can spread quickly, particularly during indoor gatherings.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends annual flu vaccination for most people six months and older.
Although many people recover at home, influenza can cause serious complications, particularly among adults 65 and older, young children, pregnant women, and individuals with chronic conditions such as diabetes or heart disease. Know the Warning Signs
Flu symptoms often appear suddenly and may include fever, chills, coughing, sore throat, headaches, muscle aches, and unusual fatigue.
Not everyone with influenza develops a fever.
Residents experiencing symptoms should consider contacting their healthcare provider, particularly if they are at higher risk of complications.
Prescription antiviral medications may help reduce the severity or duration of illness, especially when treatment begins early.
Difficulty breathing, persistent chest pain, confusion, or other severe symptoms require immediate medical attention. Protecting Your Family
Health officials recommend several practical precautions:
These measures are particularly important when visiting older relatives or anyone with underlying health conditions. Looking Ahead to the Holidays
The increase in flu cases at Brandon Hospital comes as families throughout Brandon, Valrico, Riverview, and Fish Hawk prepare for Thanksgiving celebrations.
While the hospital has not released exact patient counts, the reported increase serves as an important reminder that influenza is already circulating in our community.
Residents who haven't received their seasonal flu vaccination still have an opportunity to speak with their healthcare provider before holiday gatherings begin.
The bottom line: A few simple precautions today can help protect your family and neighbors as the holiday season approaches. Read More... |
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This Wednesday, November 11, communities across Hillsborough County will pause to recognize the men and women who have served in the United States Armed Forces.
For Brandon-area residents looking for a meaningful way to observe Veterans Day, Hillsborough County's 62nd Annual Veterans Day Tribute offers an opportunity to honor local veterans and their families. A Community Tribute to Veterans
The ceremony begins at 10 a.m. Wednesday, November 11, at Veterans Memorial Park and Rear Admiral LeRoy Collins Jr. Veterans Museum, located at 3602 N. U.S. Highway 301 in Tampa.
Hosted by Hillsborough County Veteran Community Services and the Veterans Council of Hillsborough County, the celebration is free and open to the public.
This year's program includes a Junior ROTC color guard, Veterans Council awards, and a musical salute recognizing each branch of the military.
Special guests include retired U.S. Coast Guard Rear Admiral Steve Poulin and retired U.S. Army Colonel Roland Tiso.
Following the ceremony, attendees can enjoy refreshments and fellowship while connecting with organizations providing resources for veterans and military families. Explore the Memorial Park
Visitors are encouraged to explore the park's memorials honoring service members from conflicts throughout American history.
Among the monuments are memorials dedicated to World War II, Korea, Vietnam, Iraq, Afghanistan, and Gold Star families.
The park also features a Buffalo Soldiers Memorial recognizing the contributions of African American soldiers.
The grounds remain open until 5 p.m., allowing families additional time to visit and reflect. Veterans Day: What's Open and Closed?
Residents should also plan for several holiday schedule changes on Wednesday:
Plan Your Visit
Date: Wednesday, November 11, 2026
Veterans Day is more than a day off from work or school. It is an opportunity to recognize the service, sacrifice, and commitment of those who have worn our nation's uniform.
Whether attending Wednesday's ceremony, visiting a memorial, or simply thanking a veteran, Brandon-area residents have an opportunity to make the day meaningful.
Read More... |
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Brandon families have a new place to turn for parenting guidance, childhood development services, and community support.
The Katherine Essrig Children's Board Family Resource Center, located at 308 W. Robertson Street in Brandon, has opened in an expanded facility designed to help local families access essential services close to home.
The Children's Board of Hillsborough County will officially dedicate the center on Monday, November 16, honoring Judge Katherine G. Essrig and her decades of service to children and families. Honoring a Champion for Children
Judge Essrig, a Tampa native, has dedicated much of her professional life to improving the lives of children.
Throughout a judicial career spanning more than 30 years, she has advocated for stronger child welfare systems and better outcomes for families.
She also served more than two decades on the Children's Board of Hillsborough County Board of Directors, helping advance programs focused on children's health, safety, and development.
Naming the Brandon center in her honor recognizes that longstanding commitment. A Helping Hand for Brandon Families
The expanded facility brings several valuable services together under one roof.
Families can access developmental screenings, parenting assistance, family support programs, and referrals to other community resources.
These services help parents and caregivers identify developmental concerns, strengthen parenting skills, and connect with organizations that can provide additional assistance.
The center also offers opportunities for families to build relationships and establish support networks within their community.
Programs are free to Hillsborough County families. A Community Investment
The center is funded by the Children's Board of Hillsborough County and operated by Lutheran Services Florida.
It is part of a countywide network of Family Resource Centers working to help children grow up healthy, safe, and prepared for success in school.
In 2025, the Children's Board invested approximately $60 million in grants supporting more than 80 nonprofit organizations and 152 programs throughout Hillsborough County.
The expanded Brandon location makes those community-based services more accessible to families living in the area. How Families Can Get Involved
Parents, grandparents, and caregivers interested in learning more can contact or visit the center.
Location: 308 W. Robertson Street, Brandon, FL 33511
The November 16 dedication will celebrate both the expanded facility and Judge Essrig's lasting contributions to the community.
For Brandon families, the center represents something especially valuable: a welcoming place where help, guidance, and community connections are available close to home. Read More... |
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Long before Brandon became the bustling community we know today, a modest school on Knights Avenue served as the center of education and community life.
That school would eventually become Brandon's first high school, graduating its first four seniors in 1923.
Its story begins more than a century ago, when Brandon was still a small agricultural settlement surrounded by farms and citrus groves. A School Built for a Growing Community
In 1901, James H. Brandon donated land for a permanent school. As the community grew, residents recognized the need for larger facilities to replace the area's scattered one-room schoolhouses.
In 1914, the first of two distinctive sandstone-brick buildings was constructed at what is now 306 North Knights Avenue.
A second building followed in 1917, allowing Brandon School to expand its educational offerings through the 12th grade.
Together, the buildings became known as the Twin Towers.
In 1923, four students became the school's first graduating high school class, marking an important milestone in Brandon's educational history. More Than Just Classrooms
For decades, Brandon School was much more than a place where children learned reading, writing, and arithmetic.
Its auditorium hosted plays, movies, dances, and community gatherings.
Families came together for school activities, and the campus became a gathering place for residents of the growing town.
One of the school's most influential figures was E.F. “Mac” McLane, who became principal in 1930.
McLane served for approximately 34 years, guiding generations of Brandon students and earning a lasting place in the community's history. From Brandon High to McLane
As Brandon's population increased, the school system gradually reorganized.
Elementary students moved to other facilities during the 1950s, and junior high students were relocated in the early 1960s.
In 1972, Brandon High School moved to its present campus on Victoria Street.
The original Knights Avenue campus became McLane Junior High School in 1973, honoring its longtime principal. It later operated as McLane Middle School. A Landmark Worth Remembering
The historic Twin Towers survived decades of change, including earlier proposals to replace the aging buildings.
Their preservation reflects the importance of the school to generations of Brandon families.
Today, the former McLane campus remains part of ongoing discussions about the property's future.
Whatever changes may come, the history of Brandon's first high school deserves to be remembered.
Then: A small-town school that educated Brandon's first high school graduates.
Now: A historic campus representing more than a century of education, community gatherings, and local memories. Read More... |
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Some restaurants become more than places to eat.
They become part of a community's history.
For Brandon residents, Babe's Pizza is one of those familiar establishments.
Located at 107 N. Kings Avenue, just north of Brandon Boulevard, Babe's has been serving the community since 1978. Its colorful two-story building has become a recognizable landmark for generations of local families.
And while Brandon has changed considerably over the past 48 years, Babe's remains closely associated with one unusual creation: the Double-Decker Pizza. Two Layers of Pizza, One Brandon Tradition
The restaurant's signature Double-Decker isn't your typical pizza.
Instead of a single crust topped with cheese and sauce, the Double-Decker features two layers, creating a substantial pizza designed for hearty appetites and sharing.
Customers can choose from familiar combinations, including cheese, pepperoni, meat lovers, and Babe's Special, featuring pepperoni, onions, mushrooms, and green peppers.
For longtime customers, the Double-Decker has become a tradition passed from one generation to the next. A New Chapter for an Old Favorite
Babe's has experienced several ownership changes throughout its history.
In October 2025, the restaurant reopened following a temporary closure, beginning another chapter under owners Naitik and Shivangi Patel.
The couple took over from Craig and Sofia Patel, who had operated the business since 2019.
Despite the changes, the restaurant has continued emphasizing its signature pizza and familiar neighborhood atmosphere. More Than Just Pizza
Although the Double-Decker remains its calling card, Babe's offers an expanded Italian-American menu.
Customers can also order New York-style pizzas, baked pasta dishes, calzones, hot subs, salads, and appetizers.
The menu includes several locally inspired pizza names, including the Highway 60 and North Kings.
Inside, the casual dining room provides a setting for family dinners, celebrations, and gatherings with friends. A Familiar Part of Brandon
Brandon has welcomed countless new restaurants over the decades, but Babe's occupies a special place in the area's dining history.
For some residents, it brings back memories of childhood pizza nights. For others, it's an opportunity to introduce a new generation to a longtime neighborhood establishment.
Whether you're revisiting an old favorite or discovering the Double-Decker for the first time, Babe's offers a taste of Brandon's restaurant history.
Visit Babe's Pizza 107 N. Kings Avenue, Brandon, FL 33510 Website: babesdoubledecker.com
Dine-in, takeout, and delivery available. Check the restaurant's website for current hours before visiting. Read More... |
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Not every rescue story begins with a wagging tail or a friendly purr. Sometimes, it begins with a frightened kitten who doesn't know whom to trust.
That was the case for Sylvester, a young kitten discovered outside the PetSmart on West Brandon Boulevard with his siblings.
According to Full of Cattitude Cat Rescue, Sylvester was the shyest of the group. So frightened of people that rescuers had to use a humane trap to bring him to safety, he faced an uncertain beginning.
But with patience, care, and a little help from someone special, Sylvester's story has taken a hopeful turn. Learning to Trust
Once safely in rescue care, Sylvester gradually began discovering that people weren't necessarily something to fear.
The once-terrified kitten started playing with wand toys, spending more time out in the open, and showing the curious personality that had been hidden behind his fear.
His progress has been encouraging, but he hasn't made the journey alone. A Special Bond Between Siblings
Sylvester's closest companion is his sibling, Sgaeyl.
The two kittens share a strong bond, with Sgaeyl helping Sylvester feel more comfortable in unfamiliar situations.
When Sylvester becomes hesitant, he looks to his sibling for reassurance. Watching Sgaeyl explore and interact helps him build confidence.
Because that relationship has been so important to Sylvester's progress, Full of Cattitude hopes to find one loving home willing to adopt both kittens together.
For the right family, that means welcoming two companions who already know and trust each other. A Brandon Rescue Looking for a Happy Ending
Full of Cattitude Cat Rescue, a nonprofit organization serving the Tampa Bay area, works to give abandoned and homeless cats a second chance.
The rescue maintains an adoption location at the PetSmart on West Brandon Boulevard, where residents can learn about available cats and the adoption process.
Prospective adopters must complete an application and screening process. The rescue also provides veterinary care, vaccinations, and other preparation before adoption. How You Can Help
Residents interested in adopting Sylvester and Sgaeyl can contact Full of Cattitude through its website.
Adoption location: PetSmart, 1051 W. Brandon Boulevard, Brandon Official website: Full of Cattitude Cat Rescue Direct adoption information: Adoption Locations
Adoption availability should be confirmed before visiting.
Sylvester's transformation from a frightened stray into a playful kitten is a reminder of what patience and kindness can accomplish.
And with Sgaeyl by his side, his next chapter could be the happiest one yet. Read More... |
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Brandon residents can expect a noticeable change in the weather this week, with warm conditions early on giving way to cooler, more comfortable temperatures by Friday and Saturday.
Tuesday starts with a mixture of sunshine and clouds and a high near 83°F. Wednesday brings the week's first significant chance of thunderstorms, with a 55% probability of precipitation.
By Friday, temperatures should fall into the lower 70s, followed by a particularly cool Saturday with a high of just 65°F and an overnight low near 47°F.
Sunday looks pleasant and sunny, while showers may return Monday.
Weather Watch: Wednesday's thunderstorms and Monday's showers are the main concerns. Residents should monitor updated forecasts before outdoor activities.
Planning Ahead: Friday through Sunday should offer some of the best conditions for jogging, walking, and outdoor community events. Saturday morning will be especially cool, so a light jacket may come in handy. Read More... |