Tuesday, May 15, 2012
Educators have proposed reducing the FCAT writing passing score to increase passing rates. A discussion is scheduled for Tuesday morning.
Less than 30 percent of fourth graders in Florida passed the FCAT writing test this year, according to preliminary results released on Monday, as reported by the Tampa Bay Times today. That's a steep dip compared to last year when 81 percent scored a passing 4.0 or better. The plummeting scores have prompted extreme concern among educators and state officials. On Monday, Education Commissioner Gerard Robinson proposed reducing the FCAT writing passing score from 4.0 to 3.5. Under that standard, 48 percent of fourth-graders would have passed the test with a 3.5 or better, along with 52 percent of eighth-graders and 60 percent of 10th-graders, according to the Times story. Florida education officials will hold an emergency conference call …
Monday, May 14, 2012
The Westchase Area Business Association meets this week, and a special presentation of reptiles will take place at the library, plus more important events you won't want to miss.
Thursday, May 10, 2012
Residents can only water their lawns one day a week now.
The rules of the game have changed for customers of Hillsborough County Water Resource Services. Starting today lawns may only be watered one day a week. The action comes on the heels of the Southwest Florida Water Management District’s decision to declare a Modified Phase II Water Shortage for Tampa Bay. According to a media release, the new schedule for watering established lawns and landscaping throughout Hillsborough, including the cities of Tampa, Plant City and Temple Terrace, is: All watering must be done before 8 a.m. or after 6 p.m. The new, tighter rules apply to everyone – not just customers of the county’s water department - and most water sources. That includes private wells, and ponds or lakes that are used as alternate …
An identity thief who has stolen someone’s name and Social Security number will not be able to obtain new credit in that name as credit files are essentially locked.
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Thursday, May 10
From Hillsborough County Government Online: According to statistics from the Federal Trade Commission’s 2011 Consumer Sentinel, Florida had the highest per capita rate of reported identity theft complaints in the nation. Many Florida consumers are unaware of a valuable tool available since 2006 that allows them to freeze credit reports to combat identity theft and prevent financial loss. What you should know about a credit report security freeze: The cost to place a freeze on credit files: How to freeze a credit report: Log onto the County’s Consumer Protection Agency website and click on “Identity theft” to obtain a copy of Security Freeze Information, or call 813-903-3430.
Monday, May 7, 2012
A look at events you should know about in the week ahead.
Thursday, May 3, 2012
County Commissioner Ken Hagan said the county's current 65 percent euthanasia rate is unacceptable.
There's changes on the horizon for Hillsborough County Animal Services as a new director comes on board and the county studies ways to reduce the number of animals euthanized at the shelter at 440 N. Falkenburg Rd., Tampa. At the Hillsborough County Commission meeting May 2, County Administrator Mike Merrill said the county will release the name of the new director of the shelter. For the past several years, Animal Services has been overseen by interim directors, most recently Jack Carlisle. Merrill told commissioners that the chosen candidate was selected after a comprehensive review of candidates including members of the veterinary community and members of the Hillsborough County Animal Advisory Committee. "There were a lot of …
Wednesday, May 2, 2012
What should Hillsborough County do to reduce its animal euthanasia rate?
An estimated 14,500 animals are euthanized each year by Hillsborough County Animal Services. Those numbers, according to The Tampa Tribune, have at least one commissioner concerned. “I think we can do better,” Commissioner Ken Hagan told The Tampa Tribune. To that end, Hagan is expected to ask commissioners to look into studying the possibility of adopting a no-kill policy in Hillsborough. Under a no-kill policy, healthy animals that are deemed worthy of adoption are never euthanized to make room in a shelter. Other communities around the country, including Manatee County, have adopted no-kill policies with some success. Austin, Texas, for example, has a 90 percent save rate, the Tribune reports. (Read the Tribune’s full story by …
Friday, April 27, 2012
Westchase Patch is your place to connect with neighbors.
Westchase Patch is about more than local headlines. We’re also your connection to the community around you. On this site, you can talk to your neighbors, share your opinions, show off your photography skills and a whole lot more. While you might be familiar with the headlines, here are five things you may not have known you could do on Westchase Patch: Create an event – Want to let others know about a concert that’s coming up or a bake sale that needs customers, just post your event on Patch. Share your photos – Did you know you can add your photos to our stories and even help populate an ever-evolving neighborhood gallery? You can and it only takes a few moments to share your shots with everyone in Westchase. Voice Your Opinion – You’re…
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
This map shows how many accidents have happened at Westchase's most frequently traveled intersections.
A motorcyclist that collided with a car last Friday remains in a coma. The accident has sparked discussion among residents regarding the safety of intersections in the Westchase neighborhood. Patch took a look at the heaviest traveled intersections and determined how many accidents had occurred at these intersections since January 2010. The data shown in this map was collected from Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office Crime Mapping records. Westchase 5 most dangerous intersections based on the number of accidents since Jan. 2010 include: 1. Linebaugh Avenue and Sheldon Road = 118 accidents. 2. Linebaugh Avenue and Countryway Boulevard = 64 accidents. 3. Montague and Linebaugh Avenues = 47 accidents. 4. Racetrack Road and Countryway …
Monday, April 23, 2012
A look at the week ahead in our area.
There's still time to celebrate Earth Day. The Upper Tampa Bay Library will hold a birthday party for Earth with hands-on activiites, games and more on Monday, April 23, 2:30pm-3:30pm. Then head over to Austin Davis Library for stories about Earth during their celebration at 4:00pm-4:45pm. Both events are children and family friendly. It's FCAT time this week for Hillsborough County School third graders who will be taking reading and math FCATs this week. And fourth-tenth graders taking reading, math, science FCATs. Good luck students! Head over to Citrus Park Mall's Chick-fil-A where they'll host a "Mommy and Me" playdate on Wednesday, April 25 10am-11am. This event will include crafts, a visit from the Chick-fil-A cow, and enoy a sample …
chayask
4:53 pm on Wednesday, May 16, 2012
I have two comments that might make a point in how important grammar and punctuation are: Grammar is the difference between knowing your s&*t and knowing your s&*t. 'Let's eat Grandma!' or, 'Let's eat, Grandma!" These are two examples of what will not be caught by spell check and why we should not be relying on them. Students DO need to be taught grammer, punctuation, and spelling; they ARE … more ›