An unfortunate record for manatee deaths last year. Florida Fish and Wildlife’s final mortality report for 2021 had a record-breaking 1,101 deaths since Jan. 1, 2021, In 2020, 636 manatees died. The highest number of deaths are due to lack of food, resulting in emaciated manatees, with a lack of the seagrass and macroalgae they depend on. Remember, if you spot a dead, sick, or injured manatee, contact the FWC’s Wildlife Alert Hotline at 1-888-404-3922 or by dialing #FWC on a cellphone.

The Florida Department of Health has adjusted their testing guidelines. They now say is you’re asymptomatic, you do not need to be tested for COVID-19 but if you’re in a high-risk group with possible symptoms, you should be tested. You can take a look at the new guidelines here. COVID-19 has been detected at ZooTampa, with two Malayan tigers testing positive with mild symptoms. Both were vaccinated so Dr. Cynthia Stringfield, senior vice president of animal health, conservation and education said they’re not sure how they caught it.

The city of Tampa has opened a second COVID-19 test site at Al Barnes Park. That location is just to the north of Interstate 4 in Ybor City, and will be open 7 a.m.- 7 p.m., seven days a week. Due to the heavy demand for COVID-19 testing, both Hillsborough and Pinellas County have added sites. Hillsborough County already has test site at Al Lopez Park open in West Tampa. Plans are to have it open seven days a week from 7 am to 7 pm, with both the PCR and the Rapid Antigen tests. By the way, this is for testing only. For the vaccine, go to the West Tampa Community Resource Center on 2103 N. Rome Ave., in Tampa. An additional will also be open Progress Village Park at 8701 Progress Blvd., Tampa, FL 33619 from 9 am to 5 pm seven days a week for residents.

For Pinellas County a new site is open at 7150 114th Ave. in Largo and will be open from 9-5 pm seven days a week. Another site is also open at the Center for Health Equity in St. Petersburg. Tests will be offered Monday through Friday from 9- 4:30 pm. For additional information on COVID-19, please check the Dove page here.The Tampa Bay Bucs and Antonio Brown have officially parted ways. A statement from the team said Brown was cleared to play despite a previous ankle injury. Brown’s lawyer disagreed. The NFL players union said they have not heard from him. The Bucs regular season finale against the Carolina Panthers Sunday has been moved from 1 pm to 4 pm. A win would make the Bucs second seed in the overall conference playoff standings.

Sixteen year old Alexander Makris retrieved the cross from Spring Bayou as part of yesterday’s Feast of the Epiphany Celebration in Tarpon Springs. It was the 116th anniversary of the feast day in the city, with the celebration going back to 1906.

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