Your top choice for compassionateIn-Home Care in Apollo Beach, FL

"What once was a picture perfect dream apartment has turned into a nightmare." That's what Gabriella Michaud wrote in an email to ABC Action News. She said she was excited when she moved into Ridley at Waterset Apartments in Apollo Beach. But that excitement wore off.

APOLLO BEACH, Fla. — "What once was a picture perfect dream apartment has turned into a nightmare."

That's what Gabriella Michaud wrote in an email to ABC Action News.

She said she was excited when she moved into Ridley at Waterset Apartments in Apollo Beach. But that excitement wore off.

"My apartment is infested with mold. I have been dealing with this situation for about a year. And my lease is technically not up until December 28. But I do have to leave early, which for lack of better terms, it sucks," she said.

ABC Action News reporter Jada Williams visited Michaud's apartment on her last day living there.

"It's expensive. And with inflation, everything is expensive right now, too. It's just having to take off of work and pack everything up and move again when I wasn't planning on it. I was initially planning to re-lease. But since they couldn't fix the problem, I can't re-lease," she explained.

Michaud said her problem began just weeks after moving into the luxury apartment.

"We moved on September 29. And the problem, it arrived on October 9 of 2022. And I did bring it to management's attention. They told me it was condensation and the AC was leaking. It's been leaking sense. And it took them until October 19 of this year to fix the leak," she said.

Michaud suspected mold, so she bought a do-it-yourself mold kit.

"My apartment complex doesn't accept them as legitimate," Michaud said.

We reached out to Willow Bridge, the property management company over the apartment complex. They're waiting for confirmation that what Michaud saw inside her apartment was actually unsafe mold. They referred us to multiple links warning against the legitimacy of those events.

One of those links points to the Florida Department of Health's guidance. It said,

The Florida Department of Health does not recommend mold testing or sampling to see if you have a mold problem, or to see what kind of mold might be growing. Sampling for mold in the air can be expensive and, if done, should only be done by experienced professionals.

FDoH

FDoH and EPA both advise hiring a professional. That's in order to make sure there's no contamination or defects.

Despite the questions surrounding the validity of Michaud's at-home test, she decided to move out of the apartment.

"It's frustrating. It's gotten to the point where I've woken up crying in the office. I'm upset, to say the least. It's a lot, and sorry. It's very frustrating," she said.

But before leaving, Michaud made a call to Hillsborough County Code Enforcement. She said they came and inspected her apartment, including the locked AC closet, which is only accessible by maintenance.

We reached out to Code Enforcement as well to get the results of the inspection.

In a statement, they told us,

"The apartment owner was cited last week for two violations: A hole in the ceiling that had been inadequately repaired, and an organic growth on the baseboards. The owner has the standard 10 days to correct the violations."

We also received those official citations. It directs the apartment complex to patch up a hole in the roof. Michaud tells us the hole was created when maintenance came in to fix the persisting leak. They later patched it with what Michaud said was cardboard and tape. When our cameras visited the apartment, it had been patched.

As for the organic growth, the citation read: "The interiors of all buildings and facilities shall be kept free of any visible or otherwise demonstrative growth of mold or mildew."

The county's report specifically states "organic material." When I asked the county if we could classify it as mold, they told us code enforcement doesn't test the substances because it's against code to have anything growing, whether it's mold, mildew, or simply organic growth.

Willow Bridge sent a statement reading:

We take residents' concerns seriously and pride ourselves in trying to remedy any issue as quickly as we can. When we learned of these concerns, we contracted with a Florida-licensed, third-party mold expert to inspect the unit. The resident is in the process of moving out, so we will address any recommended maintenance as soon as the unit is vacant.

Michaud said she's not taking any chances, and that's why she's letting go of her dream apartment. She said she's throwing out her couch, rug, and much of her artwork—her primary source of income.

"It didn't live up to the expectation," she said.

Copyright 2023 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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St. Joseph’s Hospital-South Earns Top Grade For Eighth Consecutive Time

St. Joseph’s Hospital-South has earned the top grade of ‘A’ eight consecutive times from The Leapfrog Group, a national organization that sets a standard for excellence in patient care and safety. The Riverview hospital received its latest A in the fall 2023 safety grades.

“This recognition shows a complete and thorough effort by each medical staff and team member to attain this lofty status. I’m confident that we will continue to achieve these results, as patient safety is inherent in everything we do at St. Joseph’s Hospital-South,” said Patrick Downes, St. Joseph’s Hospital-South president.

The Pavilis Center For Hope

The Pavilis Center for Hope is an adult day training center which provides support services to people who have developmental disabilities. It provides fun and creative indoor and outdoor activities, including Spanish class, employability skills, nature walks and a variety of arts and crafts. The Pavilis Center serves Tampa, Riverview, Brandon, Gibsonton, Ruskin and Wimauma areas, offering transportation to the center.

Cuenelli’s Rotisserie Chicken & Grill Opens Second Location In Riverview

Cuenelli’s Rotisserie Chicken & Grill is a family-owned restaurant specializing in Peruvian-style rotisserie chicken that has recently opened a second location at 3834 U.S. 301 in Riverview. Along with the delicious chicken, it also offers a variety of other dishes, including the Cuenelli’s special, a palomilla steak served with rice, beans, a fried egg, fried yucca, plantains, salad and a quarter of dark meat chicken. Homemade desserts are also available and include flan, tres leches, milhojas and alfajores.

Visit its website at www.cuenellis.com to view the menu. Take-out orders can be placed on its website, with free delivery for orders above $30 within a 5-mile radius.

Mira Med Spa Sip And Shop Event

Mira Med Spa, an upscale boutique medical spa based in Valrico, is hosting a holiday Sip and Shop event on Thursday, December 14 from 2-6 p.m. Stop by to win raffles and shop for skincare products at a 20 percent discount. Along with skincare products, Mira Med Spa also offers facials, massages, lash services, chemical peels and more. Its goal is to make you feel refreshed, confident and beautiful by providing the most advanced treatments and natural looking results.

Mira Med Spa is located at 1082 E. Bloomingdale Ave. in Valrico. For additional information on services offered, visit its website at www.miramedspa.com or call 813-654-6472.

Gun Craft Inc. Fulfills All Your Firearm Needs

Gun Craft Inc. has been family-owned and operated for over 30 years. It has a beautiful, multibay outdoor range in a park-like setting and is the only professional outdoor gun range in Hillsborough County. It also offers a retail shop with firearms, ammunition and accessories. Classes and private lessons are also available, and it hosts several types of competitive shooting clubs each month.

Gun Craft Inc. is located at 2102 24 St. SE in Ruskin. Additional information can be found on its website at https://guncraftinc.com/ or by calling 813-645-3828.

NBS Facial Suite

Tina Delgado, owner of NBS (New Beginnings Skincare) Facial Suite, is a Florida licensed facial specialist who specializes in pro-aging and rosacea. NBS Facial Suite offers facials utilizing professional products and equipment.

Each treatment is unique and customized to meet the client’s skin care needs and medical concerns on the day of the appointment. Each client must complete a thorough questionnaire, and a complimentary skin analysis is performed prior to treatment. Delgado accomplishes results by using professional products and offering services such as LED light therapy, peels, dermaplaning, facial massage, etc.

Following a fire at its previous location, NBS Facial Suite is now located at 10621 Tucker Jones Rd. in Riverview. Appointments can be made by calling 813-922-9327 or visiting its website at https://nbsfacialsuite.com/.

The GOAT Plumbing Company

According to Alex Harrison, owner of The GOAT Plumbing Company, his residential business is “the greatest plumbing company of all time serving Hillsborough County.” It prides itself on its service, honesty and reliability that sets it apart from the competition.

The company’s team of skilled professionals goes above and beyond to ensure that customers receive the highest quality plumbing solutions. Whether it’s a routine maintenance task or an emergency, The GOAT Plumbing Company is dedicated to providing exceptional service. It serves all of Hillsborough County.

Call 813-438-4628 or visit its website at www.thegoatplumbingcompany.com for more information.

The first services at First Baptist Church of Gibsonton were held in 1930 under a tent on land that was donated for the church. The first worship building was built nine years later. From the very beginning, the church focused on ministering to others while sharing the good news of the Bible. Ninety-three years later, First Baptist Church of Gibsonton has expanded its ministry beyond Hillsborough County through the online programming of its Christian station, Christian World TV.

Pastor Malcolm Clements has been pastor of First Baptist of Gibsonton for 48 years. He found that the COVID-19 pandemic challenged the church’s ability to reach members and stay in contact with them.

“I said, ‘What can we do?’ We had just finished a building program with remodeling here. I was by myself and the Lord spoke to me and said, ‘What is your next project?’ I hadn’t thought that far, but God was pushing me. Then, I had the vision of the TV station,” Clements said.

The church built a studio, hired and trained staff and invested in high-quality equipment, including Sony 4K cameras, a PreSonus sound board, MacBook Pros and Mac minis. Christian World TV launched in May of 2022.

Steve Brady is the internet director of Christian World TV.

“Services are livestreamed on Sunday morning, Sunday night and Wednesday night on Facebook. Christan World TV shares Christian programming, including preachers and teachers. We are going to launch kids programming, probably in January,” Brady said.

Clements shared that Christian World TV is a growing ministry. It has been watched in 119 cities in America and other countries. There are 291 YouTube subscribers, and streaming is watched in around 300 homes. There are regular listeners, and local viewers have started attending the church on-site.

“We are just starting. We are growing into this. But the potential of what we are doing is unlimited. For a midsize church in South Hillsborough County to be able to have a ministry that literally is not only touching all of America but the world — it’s amazing,” Clements said.

The mission statement of Christian World TV is: “To fulfill the great commission of reaching every person around the world with the gospel of Jesus Christ through social media and technology.”

For more information about Christian World TV, visit https://christianworldtv.com/. Christian World TV videos can be found on YouTube at www.youtube.com/@christianworldtvfbg. First Baptist Church of Gibsonton is located at 9912 Indiana St. in Gibsonton.

Angelo C. Barnello Sr. is among the 1 percent of Americans alive who served in World War II. Angelo served four years in the Marine Corps, from 1940-1944, all during WWII. Born on August 4, 1924, Angelo loves to share stories from his 99 years. He is legally blind, but he has a clear memory. Angelo readily recalls choosing to enlist in the Marines at 17 years old.

“You don’t want to go to school no more? Get a job or go into the service. So, I went into the service,” Angelo said.

Joining the Marines at 17 required the signatures of his parents, who were immigrants from Campobasso, Italy. His mom didn’t speak much English and he knew she didn’t understand what she was signing.

“I was in boot camp when the war broke out. It took them five minutes to ship me out. I will never forget. We had a formation, and the guy says, ‘We’re leaving for overseas. They just bombed Pearl Harbor.’ I says, ‘Who’s Pearl Harbor?’ That’s how young I was,” Angelo said.

Angelo has dedicated his life to his family and serving others. He is a lifetime member of American Legion Post #1650, where he was post commander several times. After the service, he held several jobs to support his family. He worked for a sign company hanging neon signs for 17 years and then worked as an electrician at a VA hospital in New York until he retired in 1983. If you ask Angelo the best thing he did in his life, he’s quick to answer: “Best thing I did? Got married!”

At 21, just after he got out of the service, Angelo married his high school sweetheart, Gloria. He recalls planning to run away to get married if Gloria’s dad didn’t give them his blessing. They were married from 1944 until Gloria passed away in 2012.

Angelo lived on his own until two years ago when he moved from New York to Florida to live with his daughter, Angela Barnello. Angela said her parents’ marriage and love of family is inspiring.

“They adored each other, and you could see it in their eyes,” Angela said.

Angelo and Gloria had six children, 15 grandchildren, 34 great grandchildren and three great grandchildren.

Angelo loves to spend time talking to people, and his granddaughter, Melanie deVilliers, said spending time with him is a true pleasure.

“We have looked to him for words of wisdom, guidance and for approval. His sacrifices and experiences are beyond incredible. He asks for very little and yet still appreciates routines. He is a simple man; kind, with strong values such as being on time, being present and for standing up for what he believes in,” deVilliers said.

“I led a good life. I like things that I did.” Angelo said. “I tell you the truth, I’d like to make it to 100. I don’t know if I will or not, but I hope so. I feel alright.”

Company celebrates grand opening, offers greater convenience to medical cannabis patients in Hillsborough and Manatee counties

TALLAHASSEE, Fla., Oct. 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Trulieve Cannabis Corp. (CSE: TRUL) (OTCQX: TCNNF) ("Trulieve" or "the Company"), a leading and top-performing cannabis company in the United States, today announced the opening of a new medical dispensary located at 6586 N U.S. Highway 41 in Apollo Beach, Florida.

Joining nearby Tampa Bay Trulieve locations in Tampa, St. Petersburg and Bradenton, the new Apollo Beach dispensary offers more convenience to patients along the Interstate-75 corridor in southern Hillsborough and northern Manatee counties.

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Trulieve will host a grand opening celebration at the new Apollo Beach location beginning at 9 a.m., Saturday, October 21, with partner giveaways, music, specials, discounts, and opportunities to register for upcoming patient education sessions.

"Every time we open a new dispensary we learn a tremendous amount about the patients and communities we serve," said Trulieve's Chief Executive Officer Kim Rivers. "Those authentic and reciprocal relationships inform how we carry out our mission to bring medical cannabis to more people through the exceptional customer service experience that Trulieve is known for."

Trulieve's retail professionals are trained to provide personalized, compassionate patient care at every stage throughout an individual's cannabis journey, helping patients choose from a wide selection of high-quality medical cannabis products including smokeable flower, concentrates, edibles, capsules, syringes, tinctures, topical creams, vaporizers, and more.

Designed to meet every customer's needs, Trulieve's portfolio of popular in-house brands includes Alchemy, Co2lors, Cultivar Collection, Modern Flower, Momenta, Muse, Roll One, Sweet Talk and Trekkers. Customers also have access to beloved partner brands such as Alien Labs, Binske, Black Tuna, Blue River, Connected Cannabis, DeLisioso, Khalifa Kush, Love's Oven, Miami Mango, O.pen, Seed Junky and Sunshine Cannabis, all available exclusively at Trulieve in Florida.

Trulieve offers statewide home delivery, convenient online ordering, and in-store pickup. Veterans receive 20% off every order when they show their military ID, and all first-time guests are eligible for a 60% new customer discount at any Florida Trulieve location.

The new Apollo Beach dispensary will be open 9 a.m. – 8:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 11 a.m. – 8 p.m. on Sundays. For more information, or to learn how to become a registered patient, please visit Trulieve.com and connect on Instagram or Facebook.

About TrulieveTrulieve is an industry leading, vertically integrated cannabis company and multi-state operator in the U.S., with established hubs in the Northeast, Southeast, and Southwest, anchored by leading market positions in Arizona, Florida, and Pennsylvania. Trulieve is poised for accelerated growth and expansion, building scale in retail and distribution in new and existing markets through its hub strategy. By providing innovative, high-quality products across its brand portfolio, Trulieve delivers optimal customer experiences and increases access to cannabis, helping patients and customers to live without limits. Trulieve is listed on the CSE under the symbol TRUL and trades on the OTCQX market under the symbol TCNNF. For more information, please visit Trulieve.com.

Facebook: @Trulieve Instagram: @Trulieve_ Twitter: @Trulieve

Investor ContactChristine Hersey, Vice President of Investor Relations+1 (424) 202-0210Christine.Hersey@Trulieve.com

Media ContactPhil Buck, APR, Corporate Communications Manager+1 (406) 370-6226Philip.Buck@Trulieve.com

SOURCE Trulieve Cannabis Corp.

Six siblings living in foster care were on the verge of being broken up forever until an LGBTQ couple living in Apollo Beach decided to open up their hearts and their home. One year later, they are now giving back to children who were just like them, in need of adoption. Everyone is a winner when the Johnson family has a game night. “Look at their faces; how do they not melt when you see these six little kiddos running around having fun,” said Dustin Johnson.

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, Fla. — Six siblings living in foster care were on the verge of being broken up forever until an LGBTQ couple living in Apollo Beach decided to open up their hearts and their home.

One year later, they are now giving back to children who were just like them, in need of adoption. Everyone is a winner when the Johnson family has a game night.

“Look at their faces; how do they not melt when you see these six little kiddos running around having fun,” said Dustin Johnson.

Johnson and his partner Daniel always wanted to adopt; they just didn’t realize it would be six children, all simultaneously.

“If we weren’t chosen, the six kids were actually going to be split up into five different homes, so they wouldn’t have been able to live under one roof as brothers and sisters, ” said Johnson. “So we knew we had a lot of love to give, and that was the route we wanted to go.”

Call them the Johnson Bunch, beginning with 11-year-old Reed, 10-year-old Amiyah, 9-year-old Isaiah, 7-year-old Kaelix, 6-year-old Cade, and don’t forget about 3-year-old Roslyn.

“I think the thing that surprised me the most was the kid's grit and determination; they all fought really hard to make this happen,” said Johnson.

As a new parent, one of the most challenging parts was making sure you have six of everything, like bicycles.

“The Costco bill alone gives me a heart attack every time,” said Johnson.

The kids are grateful for everything their parents have provided, but what they appreciate the most you can’t buy at a store.

“We just get a loving family, and we actually get to have somebody there for us and our needs,” said Amiyah.

“They actually cared for us, and they helped us through the hard stuff that we couldn’t get through,” said Isaiah.

These parents say they couldn’t have done it alone.

“We got backpacks last year from several different community organizations,” said Johnson.

So this summer, the Johnson kids are paying it forward, donating 200 backpacks filled with school supplies to children in foster care.

Johnson hopes his family inspires others.

“There are kids in our backyard that need loving homes,” said Johnson. “They give back to us in smiles and great memories.”

Copyright 2023 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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It's great news for two young that were nursed back to health. They were released into the wild this afternoon near .

"Just to see them when they come in, and they’re just so sick, and we’re not sure if they’re going to make it, so to see the other side of it never gets old," says Molly Lippincott, senior curator of Florida Animals at Zoo Tampa, where the released manatees were initially treated last year before being taken to the Georgia Aquarium for continued rehabilitation.

They’ll join a record-setting 1,100 manatees recently counted here at Tampa Electric’s Big Bend Power Plant, where manatees find the warm water they need to survive.

"That just tells us that the number of manatees in the State of Florida is definitely going up, which is what we’re looking for," says Lippincott.

Several years ago, federal officials took manatees off the Endangered Species list, although they’re still considered threatened and have special protection under federal law.

In the 1970s, the number of manatees was in the hundreds. Recent counts indicate that there are now more than 6,000. However, some experts believe manatees still face obstacles to the long-term survival of the species.

Recently, manatees in Florida's Indian River Lagoon faced starvation because of dwindling seagrass, their main food source. Studies show that Tampa Bay has also experienced a serious loss of seagrass in recent years.

Scientists believe the seagrass decline is caused by pollution, including fertilizer runoff from lawns. Pollution is also blamed for more serious outbreaks of Red Tide, which can also be deadly to manatees.

Some also believe that climate change and rising sea levels could negatively affect sea cows.

"Those are long-term impacts, not something that’s fixed overnight," says Lippincott. "We’re really happy the numbers are increasing, but we see these record numbers when it’s really cold for long periods."

The numbers she’s speaking of are manatees suffering from cold stress. Long periods in water below 68 degrees can kill manatees. The Manatee Critical Care Center at Zoo Tampa recently took in three manatees in one day, a new record for the facility.

"And this winter’s not over, and we don’t know what’s to come," says Lippincott.

The two manatees released today will soon find out as they rejoin what scientists hope is a growing number of manatees.