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Patrick Sidwell

Senior Product Editor

Patrick went to the University of South Florida before working in radio news for iHeartMedia. Now a resident of Portland, Maine, you’ll find him at live events with a plate of good food, browsing the exhibits at a local museum, or exploring New England with his dogs.

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A baby orangutan is being fed from a bottle. A blue-gloved, white-coated doctor is holding the animal in a blanket, and feeding it. Its dark eyes sit around orange-colored dark short hair.
Culture
Meet the Tampa Bay area’s new animal friends
Zoo Tampa and Busch Gardens have both got some new (and cute) faces.
April 15, 2024
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Patrick Sidwell
A black and white photo of Salvador Dalí. His mustache is curled up at the edges as he strikes his quintessential wide-eyed pose. He is holding a cat against his face and they are both staring at the lens close up.
Here’s your chance to speak to Salvador Dalí
The Dalí Museum has launched an artificial intelligence-driven way to speak with the legendary figure.
April 11, 2024
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Patrick Sidwell
A black and white photo of Franklin Street in Downtown Tampa taken around 1930. The Tampa Theater is visible in the background, while people walk about in fashion of the time, palm trees are visible, and streetcars make their way through streets. There are some cars around too, and shadows imply it is sunny.
History
Tampa Bay in the 1930s
Following the roaring progress of the 1920s, life in TBAY was not as rosy in the succeeding decade. We did some research.
April 11, 2024
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Patrick Sidwell
A rendering of the outside of Juno & the Peacock. There are red chairs under red and white umbrellas, with tables set for people to eat. The doors are open on the left to the inside of the restaurant, and there are lights + greenery around to create a calming atmosphere.
Food
Open for business: Check out these new Tampa Bay area foodie spots
It’s hard to keep up with all the food and restaurant news in our area. We’re here to help.
April 9, 2024
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Patrick Sidwell
A rendering of the USF football stadium. There are floodlights on and the image is staged at nighttime, with fans in the green stands, and Bulls logos sound the stadium. Campus is visible in the background as the shot is taken from high up.
Development
USF chooses construction manager for new football stadium
The Bulls are making progress in the ~$340 million project.
April 9, 2024
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Patrick Sidwell
Kids wearing white helmets line up smiling for a photo. They appear to be wearing harnesses too as they prepare for an activity. Adults are around and there is a white tend fiving shade, with cloudy blue skies above. Everyone is smiling.
Culture
Get ready for Hillsborough County’s traditional summer camps
The county is here to help you fill in that summer calendar.
April 5, 2024
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Patrick Sidwell
A photo of Mannatan Ave and Vasconia Street with flooding on the roads. The residential area has houses around and there are cars driving through the water nearby.
City
The City of Tampa is working to fix South Tampa’s flooding problem
The area’s roads are often covered in water after heavy rainfall.
April 3, 2024
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Patrick Sidwell
A dark blue sky with the moon mostly covering the sun behind, which is shining beyond the moon in a small crescent shape. There are some stars visible in the sky.
Culture
How to experience the solar eclipse in Tampa Bay
There won’t be another total eclipse in North America until 2033.
April 3, 2024
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Patrick Sidwell
Three eScooters are parked in downtown Tampa. There are cars riding next to them and tall buildings in the background. The scooters are orange with black handles.
City
The City of Tampa has new e-scooter rules
Not following the rules could result in fines, and a financial reward system is also in place.
April 1, 2024
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Patrick Sidwell
A photo of St. Pete City Hall up close. The angle is upward toward the historic building with palm trees flanking the yellow-brown structure. Blue skies are above with sun shining through the trees.
City
The latest updates on St. Pete’s economy
Mayor Ken Welch gave the Burg’s first “State of the Economy” presentation since 2021.
March 28, 2024
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Patrick Sidwell
A tank of coral at the Florida Aquarium's Coral Conservation and Research Center. There is blue fluorescent lighting above the tank and the coral sits in water.
Culture
Check out The Florida Aquarium’s latest conservation-minded expansion
The state-of-the-art facilities are set to help the aquarium’s conservation efforts.
March 28, 2024
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Patrick Sidwell
A shot of Swann Avenue's road sign in Hyde Park. The camera is facing up, and the sun shines through trees behind it in a clear blue sky. A historic marker sign is also in frame, with the history of Alfred Rueben Swann written out.
Culture
Three Tampa neighborhoods ranked among best places to live in the US
A trio of Cigar City areas featured on the list by Niche.
March 26, 2024
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Patrick Sidwell
Tampa's new wastewater facility sits under blue skies. The structure has three open stories with vehicles and pipes inside, and it is made of mostly metal and concrete.
City
Construction is complete on Tampa’s new wastewater facility
The new structure is designed to save money, help efficiency, improve sustainability, and enhance safety.
March 20, 2024
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Patrick Sidwell
A shot of Clearwater Beach, taken from the ocean back toward the sand. There are high rises jutting out, with condos and apartment complexes lining the beach. The ocean is turquoise, and the skies above are cloudless and pale blue.
Government
Find out what happened in the 2024 Pinellas County municipal elections
Voters decided on several key decisions this week, including a new mayor in Clearwater.
March 20, 2024
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Patrick Sidwell
Tampa's skyline from a distance. The Hillsborough River is in the foreground and the photo has been taken from high up. The sky is blue and a warm haze covers the city.
Culture
Suggestions for spending the Mega Millions jackpot in the Tampa Bay area
How would you spend $875 million?
March 18, 2024
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Patrick Sidwell
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Culture
Get ready for the 2024-25 theater season at the Straz
The venue has announced its theatrical lineup, which includes lions, superheroes, and the Grinch himself.
March 15, 2024
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Patrick Sidwell
The front of the Columbia Restaurant's iconic entryway. There are pillars under archways, with colorful tiles lining the wall next to wooden doors and window frames.
Food
Southern Living ranks two Tampa restaurants as the best in Florida
Check out these local spots, dubbed the best in Florida.
March 14, 2024
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Patrick Sidwell
The Hillsborough River is colored with green dye. A boat is driving through the water, flying an Irish flag. The Unviersity of Tampa is in the background, with its iconic silver minarets sitting beneath a cloudless blue sky.
Events
Prepare for Tampa’s annual River O’ Green event
The annual event returns this weekend, along with a host of other festive fun.
March 12, 2024
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Patrick Sidwell
The Parkcrest Harbour Island condo community sits in the sunshine. The building has a red roof, blue and grey walls, and roughly eight stories of windows. There are boats sat in the Hillsborough River in the foreground, and palm trees surround the building.
Real Estate
Hot homes: Condos + apartments for sale in the Tampa Bay area
Looking for a change of space, pace, or scenery? This could be the list for you.
March 12, 2024
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Patrick Sidwell
A panoramic photo of the City of Takamatsu, Japan. The city juts out from the left of the image, with ocean on the right, where islands stick out from the blue water. Moutnains are in the background, covered by a patch of grey cloud, but most of the sky is blue.
Culture
St. Pete’s sister city: Takamatsu, Japan
Learn more about the Japanese port city on the island of Shikoku, and some reasons to visit.
March 8, 2024
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Patrick Sidwell
A shot of Santoro's Pizza in Tampa. The building is a mix of green, white, and red — the colors of the Italian flag. There are some benches outside, and a parking lot out front, with blue skies up ahead.
Culture
Dave Portnoy’s Tampa Bay pizza tour
The Barstool Sports founder has been enjoying a slice of the Tampa Bay area’s pizza scene.
March 8, 2024
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Patrick Sidwell
The sun sets over Snell Isle. There is water in the foreground and land on either side, with dark trees, boats, and houses sitting in the shade. The sun is reflecting off the blueish water, and there are orange and yellow streaks in a partially cloudy sky as the sun gets lower.
Culture
Get ready for an extra hour of sunlight
Daylight saving time is on its way, meaning later sunsets, and more time for evening activities.
March 6, 2024
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Patrick Sidwell
A brindle puppy is yawning. It appears to be a labrador mix of some sort, and it is sitting on a lanai on a comfy white bed. The sun is shining and casting the puppy's shadow behind it.
Culture
Adopt a pet from these Tampa Bay area animal shelters
If you’re looking for a new furry friend, our area has shelters + rescues which can help out.
March 6, 2024
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Patrick Sidwell
A bungalow in Hyde Park. It is painted light green and there is a porch out front.
Real Estate
Projects to boost home value in the Tampa Bay area
Increasing the value of your home might be easier than you think.
March 4, 2024
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Patrick Sidwell
Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans and young fans at one of his foundation's Catch for Christmas events.
Sports
The Bucs and Mike Evans have reached a contract agreement
The two-year deal is worth up to $52 million.
March 4, 2024
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Patrick Sidwell
Several paper bowls filled with food sit atop a table. There are two different options, with one containing rice and salmon, and the other with chicken and green spaghetti.
Culture
Prepare your palate for these upcoming Tampa Bay area food festivals
Here are six events coming up for the culinarily curious.
February 29, 2024
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Patrick Sidwell
The Selmon Expressway viaduct sits above the Hillsborough River. Tampa's skyline is behind it, and there are blue skies overhead.
City
Plans to develop the Selmon Expressway have been tweaked
We rounded up some info on the ongoing plans to update the road.
February 29, 2024
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Patrick Sidwell
Kasean Pryor reaches for the ball. His arm is outstretched, as is the defender guarding him.
Sports
USF Bulls eyeing shot at basketball history
This ain’t the same old South Florida.
February 27, 2024
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Patrick Sidwell
A Sunset on St. Pete Beach. The sky is orange and yellow, with a dark beach before it in the shadows.
Live
Spring 2024 weather forecast for the Tampa Bay area
Prepare for spring weather in Tampa + the Burg with these seasonal temperature and precipitation outlooks.
February 27, 2024
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Sarah Leonhardt
The downtown Tampa skyline from Hyde Park. The sky is blue and high rises are in the distance.
City
Hillsborough County announces record-breaking tourism numbers
Here’s a quick breakdown of the numbers behind 2023’s new tourism heights.
February 21, 2024
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Patrick Sidwell
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