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December 2025 Volume 24, Issue 12
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CELEBRATING 23 YE ARS OF PUBLISHING POSITIVE COMMUNITY NEWS
ADKINS, MOORE & GREENWOOD BUCS PLAYERS HELP BUILD HOPE AT SADDLE UP FOR TAMPA BAY RODEO’S HABITAT’S WINDHORST COMMONS By Brian Bokor PATRIOTIC BULL BASH IN 2026 who cannot afford
Staff Report
USA” and “Till My Last Day,” as well as platinum-certified albums and singles. The Valory Music Co. recording artist has earned multiple ACM, ACA, CMT, People’s Choice and ACC Award nominations, as well as an ACM Award win. In his storied career in country music, Trace Adkins has sold over 11 MILLION albums, charted 40 singles on Billboard’s Country Airplay chart, earned numerous awards, multiple Grammy nominations and garnered over 3.5 billion streams. A Grand Ole Opry member for two decades, the Louisiana native is known for his dynamic baritone, fiery live performance and notable roles as an actor in film and TV. Since his 1996 breakout debut album DREAMIN’ OUT LOUD delivered smashes “Every Light In The House,” which hit top five on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart, and No. 1 “This Ain’t (No Thinkin’ Thing),” Adkins has pioneered a mix of classic-country-minded traditionalism and adventurous, good-natured showmanship, breaking open new avenues in modern country through fun-filled hits like “Honky Tonk Badonkadonk” and “Hillbilly Bone” with Blake Shelton. Gates open at 4:30 p.m. so fans can enjoy delicious food, cold beer and test their skills on the mechanical bull before the action begins. Don’t miss Tampa Bay’s most popular mix of bull riding, country music legends, patriotic pride and a heartfelt salute to America’s heroes. Tickets are on sale now at the websitehttps://tamparodeo.com/.
Country music legends Trace Adkins and Justin Moore headline Tampa Bay Rodeo’s Bull Bash & Country Music Festival, storming into the Hillsborough County Fairgrounds for two unforgettable nights, January 16 and 17, 2026. With country music luminary Lee Greenwood performing as special guest each night, the event celebrates America’s 250th birthday and honors the brave men and women of the military who safeguard our freedom. Special recognition will also be given to the Wounded Warrior Project, which will be hosting members of their community at the event. The region’s top bull riders will battle it out in a single-event competition for cash prizes and bragging rights, followed by country music’s biggest names taking the spotlight. General admission tickets put fans right up close to the action when multiplatinum hitmaker Justin Moore performs on January 16, and multiplatinum country music icon Trace Adkins headlines on January 17. Patriotic legend Lee Greenwood delivers a special tribute performance each night. Moore’s deeply personal latest single, “This Is MY Dirt,” just earned him his 13th No. 1, and it follows the RIAA platinum-cer- RICK LOTT TECH COLLEGE....................PG 3 tified “You, Me, and Whiskey,” a smoldering RINGLING CIRCUS................. ...........PG 8 duet with Priscilla Block. Over his 10-plusMUSIC SHOWCASE............... .........PG 16 year career, Moore’s No. 1 hits have included “Point at You,” “Lettin’ The Night Roll,” “If SANTA LETTER DROP OFF.........PG 23 Heaven Wasn’t So Far Away,” “Small Town EYE ON BUSINESS...................PG 33-34
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critical repairs. “A new roof is $10,000 to $15,000, and for a low-income family, that is completely out of reach,” Forcier said. Forcier also highlighted Habitat’s homeownership model. Families complete sweat equity hours, financial preparedness steps and Volunteers, Players, and Community Members work together to build Habi- credit repair when tat for Humanity houses in Brandon. needed. Habitat Tampa Bay Buccaneers players, then underwrites staff and volunteers joined Habitat and provides the affor Humanity of Hillsborough Counfordable mortgage ty at Brandon’s new Windhorst directly. Commons community to help build “We act as the two Habitat homes for local famlender,” she said, ilies. This marks the third year of explaining that famthe partnership between the Bucilies pay no more caneers and Habitat, with players than 30 percent donating funds toward construcof their income for tion and the Glazer family matching principal, taxes and those contributions dollar for dollar. insurance, often less The collaboration reflects the organization’s than what they currently pay in rent. This ongoing commitment to supporting afford- structure, she emphasized, helps families able housing in the region. “build wealth for future generations” while Windhorst Commons is a 23-home Habi- remaining rooted in their communities. tat neighborhood scheduled for completion She highlighted the two families whose by December 2026. Families purchasing homes were under construction, a single homes complete 300 sweat equity hours, mother of three and Raul and Dionne Johnworking on their own homes and on their son, who were on-site during the build day. neighbors’, a requirement designed to build The Johnsons’ daughter and grandchildren confidence, skills and community before will also move into a Habitat home in the move in. same community, supporting long-term staTina Forcier, CEO of Habitat for Humanity bility. Raul said the opportunity has transof Hillsborough County, thanked the large formed their future. crowd and outlined the expanding scope of The Buccaneers’ involvement included Habitat’s work. She explained that in addi- players, staff members, season pass holders tion to new home construction, Habitat of- and the team’s 2025 rookie class volunteerfers financial coaching, credit repair and a ing throughout the day. Brian Ford, chief home preservation program that partners operating officer of the Tampa Bay Buccawith local code enforcement to help low-in- neers, thanked Habitat leadership and the come, elderly and disabled homeowners families for welcoming the team.
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