Seminole Heights is becoming the new South Tampa

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When Wesley Burdette told people he was planning to move his family from Lutz to Seminole Heights, not everyone was enthused by the idea.

“They would say, ‘That might be aggressive,’ or ‘Good luck to you,’” Burdette, 46, said. “They would say it in a friendly way, but a lot of guys, they thought I was a little on the nutty side.”

Seminole Heights, advocates say, is the city’s next hottest neighborhood. It’s filled with historic bungalows, avant-garde restaurants and vintage… …read more

Executive files: Making transit options a huge partnership priority

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CHRISTINE BURDICK

Title & company: President and CEO of Tampa Downtown Partnership On her DVR: HGTV and the Cooking Channel Short-term TDP agenda: A fervent advocacy for short- and long-term transit solutions. “It’s almost the only thing Tampa is missing in our stride forward.” Chicago: A great place to grow up and a great place to learn city lessons Who plays her in the movie: Cameron Diaz Choice of Monopoly board piece: The Water tower

Why Christine is a big deal: The Tampa Downtown Partnership… …read more

Theft leads to prison sentence for former housing authority leader

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Wenston DeSue, former executive director of the Bradenton Housing Authority, was sentenced to a year in prison for theft of federal funds.

U.S. District Judge Susan Bucklew also entered a forfeiture money judgment of $276,300 against DeSue, which was the proceeds of his theft, and ordered him to pay the same amount in restitution to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

DeSue pleaded guilty in May. Prosecutors said he accepted his salary for time he was supposed to be working, but… …read more