Osprey Observer

Starting as early as Monday, July 20, crews will trim tree canopies and remove trees and shrubbery along the east side of Balm Boyette Road. Crews will be working north and south of the power line easement within the right of way, as well as within temporary or permanent construction easements. Tree work will take place from 7 a.m.-6 p.m. daily for approximately two weeks. During this time, crews will: Trim tree canopies under the guidance of a certified arborist to make space for heavy machinery.

D1 Training Opens In Brandon D1 Training is excited to bring a new approach to fitness and athletic development to the Brandon community. D1 combines the energy and coaching of Division I-style training with a welcoming environment for youth athletes, adults, and families.

Every parent wants to know their child is receiving the best education possible. For Brittany Lyssy, that belief is more than a campaign slogan—it’s personal. As she and her husband raise their three young sons in Hillsborough County, Lyssy is committed to helping every student have the opportunity to learn, grow, and succeed. A lifelong Floridian, Lyssy believes the decisions made today will shape the classrooms, opportunities and future of our students.

Trivia Night Benefiting Seeds Of Hope Join the Bloomingdale Neighborhood Association on Sunday, July 20, at 7 p.m. at JF Kicks, located at 3345 Lithia Pinecrest Rd. in Valrico, for a fun-filled Community Trivia Night benefiting Seeds of Hope. Enjoy trivia, raffle baskets, a 50/50 raffle, prizes for the top teams and help support local families through donations of food and school supplies for the Seeds of Hope Backpack Drive.

While students and families enjoy a well-earned summer break, Hillsborough County Public Schools (HCPS) is hard at work transforming campuses across the district. Funded through the voter-approved half-penny sales tax and state capital dollars, dozens of projects are underway to ensure students return to safe, modern and engaging learning environments this fall. Summer improvements include air-conditioning upgrades, drainage repairs and refreshed media centers.

Hillsborough County Public Schools (HCPS) is seeking community input to help name the district’s new middle school in the rapidly growing Wimauma community. The approximately $72 million project will accommodate up to 1,600 students and is scheduled to open in August 2027. The school will offer dynamic academic and enrichment opportunities designed to complement the academic excellence at nearby Aquilla J. Morgan High School.

By Chloe Wagner The Easterseals School for Limitless Learning is hosting its summer program designed for young neurodiverse learners and those with other disabilities in kindergarten through second grade. The hands-on experience provides interactive STEAM-related (science, technology, engineering, arts, mathematics) activities for children to learn and grow in an inclusive, supportive environment.

By Zofia Osterman More than 1,400 veterans from across the country recently traveled to the Tampa Bay area as the National Veterans Golden Age Games made their Tampa debut. Hosted by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), the 41st annual National Veterans Golden Age Games took place from June 27 through July 2, featuring five days of athletic competition, wellness activities and opportunities for veterans ages 55 and older to stay active while connecting with fellow service members.

Newsome High School FFA took home several awards from the FFA State Convention, including the Premier Chapter Award. Hillsborough County Public Schools (HCPS) students brought home an impressive collection of state championships, top five finishes and chapter recognitions from the 2026 Florida FFA State Convention, showcasing the district’s strength in agricultural education, leadership development and career readiness.

The University of South Florida (USF) recently announced a $1.5 million investment from ReliaQuest that will benefit students in the Bellini College of Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity and Computing. The gift expands AI cybersecurity programming, establishes the new college’s first-ever endowed professorship and creates a study track within the ReliaQuest Labs program focused on AI-supported software engineering.