Author

Paul Catala

Paul Catala

Paul Catala is a freelance writer whose work has been published across Florida, the U.S., and internationally. He has more than 30 years of experience working at the Charlotte Sun-Herald, the Tampa Tribune, the Sarasota Herald-Tribune, the Provo (Utah) Daily-Herald, The (Lakeland) Ledger, and the Associated Press. He has a degree in broadcast telecommunication from the University of Florida and did post-graduate study in journalism at the University of South Carolina. Now living in Lakeland, Paul is an accomplished musician, playing keyboard and piano both solo and with bands around the Tampa Bay Area.
 

Paul Catala's Latest Articles

Joe Waggoner (pictured with his wife Ann) accepts the Tampa Downtown Partnership’s 2022 Urban Excellence Awards Christine Burdick Downtown “Person of The Year” award.
Urban Excellence award winners make Tampa a better place

The Tampa Downtown Partnership awards Urban Excellence honors to talented people, innovative businesses, and creative places that help the city thrive.

The new Adoption Center was named in honor of Rebecca and Stu Sjouwerman, owners of the Clearwater cyber security firm KnowBe4, who donated $4 million to build the new complex.
New pet adoption center in Clearwater to house up to 200 animals

New state-of-the-art Humane Society of Pinellas County animal adoption center aims for March 2023 opening thanks to donations.

USF has installed the Reverse Vending Machines on campuses in Tampa and St. Petersburg.
Coca-Cola, Florida universities recycle for good

The University of South Florida’s new Reverse Vending Machines help the environment and students in need.

Airplane passengers and commuters taking all three bridges across Tampa Bay can see the cranes lined up along the Howard Frankland Bridge as construction continues.
Cranes mark ongoing reconstruction of Howard Frankland Bridge connecting Tampa, St. Pete

A new design and additional lanes under construction on the Howard Frankland Bridge should make commuting across Tampa Bay easier, even for walkers and bicyclists.

Researchers are especially eager to recruit African Americans and Latinos who are under-represented in many studies.
NIH awards $44.4m grant to USF researchers to fund ongoing Alzheimer’s research

Want to help researchers figure out how to treat Alzheimer's and other brain disorders that sometimes come with aging? Volunteer to be part of ongoing studies at USF Health. Learn more.

A BRT would speed up and increase bus service between well-traveled routes in Lakeland in Polk County.
Polk County considers adding Bus Rapid Transit service

A proposed BRT (bus rapid transit) route in Polk County would connect to Lakeland’s medical district and Lakeland Square Mall, which may eventually spur transit-oriented development along U.S. 98 in central Florida.

Chris Vasilakis of Guided Virtual Tours
Tampa entrepreneur projects growth in guided virtual tours of property

The Founder of Tampa-based Guided Virtual Tours expects to attract 10,000 more online property buyers in the next 18 months because of advances in technology and safety concerns around COVID-19.

Tampa Bay Area real estate: Trending upward and onward

National ULI, PwC study ranks the Tampa Bay Area in top 10 regarding economy, social issues.

Cross Bay Ferry
Success of Cross Bay Ferry focuses on expansion

Among the ideas under consideration for expanding the Cross Bay Ferry is adding a commuter line connecting the Ruskin-Riverview-Apollo Beach area of south Hillsborough with MacDill Air Force Base to serve active duty personnel and civilians.

About 3,600 certified clients use the services of Flex and Para van services.
New HART vans help those with disabilities better utilize public transportation

HART, Hillsborough County's public transit authority, continues to expand services for people with special needs using smaller, more fuel-efficient vans on certain routes.

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