Good morning from the ABC Action News team.
Are you planning on heading to any spring training games this weekend? The tradition, nicknamed the Grapefruit League in honor of Florida's citrus industry, has been going on as early as the 19th century. Florida Memory says the Washington Capitols were most likely the first professional ball club to do their spring training in the state, spending three weeks in Jacksonville in 1888 to practice for the upcoming season. Thus, a trend was born: the next year, the Philadelphia Phillies packed their bags and headed for sunshine, followed by even more teams. Who can blame them? Our early spring weather is unmatched.
News to Know
- An elderly veteran is billed $19k for a rehab stay: Roger Brown, 81, served our country before fighting to get customer service to combat a bill he was told Medicare would cover.
- Speed cameras get disabled in Manatee school zones: Manatee County commissioners voted to end the program, which was used to catch drivers going over the speed limit.
- A SpaceX test flight explodes in Florida: Residents of the state saw wreckage from the Starship rocket streaming from the skies on Thursday.
- A Clearwater condo for seniors runs into a big problem: On Top of the World Clearwater is going on seven weeks with no working elevator, leaving its most vulnerable residents struggling.
Today's Weather Outlook
Meteorologist Shay Ryan said we'll start our day off with cooler weather, with temperatures in the low-to-mid 40s and even 30s. It will be a dry day with no rainfall, and temperatures should eventually warm up to the mid-to-upper 70s.
Watch the Weather Forecast with Meteorologist Shay Ryan:
Susan Solves It
A new study found HOAs are getting more expensive and harder to avoid. We look at what you need to factor in when you're buying an HOA property.
Things to Do this Friday, March 7
- Enjoy some food, drinks, and beads at First Friday: Mardi Gras in Downtown Lakeland.
- When: 7 p.m.
- Where: North Kentucky Avenue, Lakeland
- Cost: Free
- Listen to live music by Chris Jones and the Night Drivers at Bok Tower.
- When: 7 p.m.
- Where: 1151 Tower Blvd, Lake Wales
- Cost: $45
- Eat delicious home-grown strawberries, carnival rides, live entertainment, and more at the Florida Strawberry Festival.
- When: 10 a.m.
- Where: 303 BerryFest Place, Plant City
- Cost: $15
Looking for more Things to Do? Check out our Things To Do section.