Tampa Pastor Arrested For Holding Services Despite Order

We’ve all been told it’s ‘safer at home’, but a pastor from Tampa continued to hold Sunday services in the face of coronavirus. He was later taken into custody by Hillsborough County deputies.

The county’s “safer-at-home” order told us that we need to stay home.

The River at Tampa Bay Church decided to host services anyway.

Pastor Dr. Rodney Howard-Browne was charged with “unlawful assembly” and “violation of a public health emergency order”.

Click here for details from ABC Action News.

It’s not going to church, but here are other things you can do…

 

• Go to the drive-in!

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  Funlan Swap Shop & Drive In in Tampa this weekend is playing Shrek at 8, Shaun of the Dead at 9:50!

• Go fishing.

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  Unfortunately you can't go fishing on the Skyway, but there are plenty of other spots to fish. Skyway may not be the best fishing anyway. As you see in this pic, you never know what you'll catch... maybe even another fish lure like I did.

• Get the bike out and hit the Pinellas Trail.

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  We're so lucky to live near the Pinellas Trail. If you've never used it, get the bike out this weekend. Fill up the tires. Or if your bike is too out of shape, rent one. My favorite part of the trail to ride is from Clearwater to Tarpon Springs. When you reach the Sponge Docks, take a walk around and smell the smells. It's the safest way to bike around here. You will cross a few streets along the route, but it's better than biking in the roadways of Tampa Bay. Plus doctors are saying sleep and exercise is a good way to keep your immune system strong.
• Walk the River Walk.

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  Not a bicylist? Just put some sneakers on and head to Bayshore and stroll around the city. The weather this weekend will be warm, but it isn't brutally hot and muggy... yet. Take advantage! Both the River Walk and Bayshore are open this weekend for some exercise.

• Foster a homeless dog for a couple nights.

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  I love this idea. You sign up to have a two night “pawjama party” with a dog from Friends of Strays Animal Shelter in St. Pete. No commitment beyond those two nights. Just give a homeless pup a loving home, food and water for 2 nights. You’ll actually be part of a study… they’ll ask you how it went, how the dog behaved, etc. Their research tells them that even just a couple nights away from the shelter helps not only the dog, but shelter staff and volunteers. For a homeless dog, they get some love, peace and quiet. They found that fostered dogs become less likely to be returned once adopted. You pick a date and time that works for you to host a homeless dog for a two nights.

• Eat.

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  The cancellation of all these events is going to hit businesses hard, especially those small family-owned restaurants. Visit Yelp and pick a less-crowded part of town you don't visit often and try a new Cuban. Or have you ever had the BLT at Wright's Gourmet in Tampa? Or how about the pizza at Cristino's in Clearwater? You'll have to do take-out, but do it!
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• Play a round of golf.

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  People fly from all over the world this time of year to visit our golf courses. There will probably be plenty of availability now since folks aren't traveling. Or if you're not a golfer, look for a mini-golf spot and hit the ball through the clown's mouth!

• Volunteer.

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• Go back in time and buy a record.

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  Want to escape the stress of 2020? Go back to the vinyl years. Even if you don't have a turntable there are lots of cool record shops around here. I love Banana Records in St. Pete. Plus right next door is Mazzaro's. Go buy a CD and cannoli and your mood will be lifted guaranteed.

• Watch a Florida sunset.

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  Watch a Florida sunset! They don't get any better than where we are on Florida's west coast.