/arc-anglerfish-arc2-prod-tbt.s3.amazonaws.com/public/WC5BPAWGBUI6TCHRIBWI6S7HAY.jpg "Tim Torneo, 20, of Tampa checks out one of the Donald Trump masks on display at Halloween Megastore on Hillsborough Avenue in Tampa on Monday. Torneo said he didn't know what costume, if any, he'd be wearing for Halloween, but said that Trump was a possibility.")
Here's a look at what's going on around the bay area this morning.
YOUR IDEA FOR AN AWESOME HALLOWEEN COSTUME MIGHT NOT BE SO ORIGINAL
Costume shops and other retailers are bracing themselves for what likely will be a record-setting season by stocking up not only on witches and super hero costumes, but on Trump and Clinton masks and outfits. "This year is different," said Erika Taylor, general manager of the Halloween Megastore on West Hillsborough Avenue in Tampa. She said sales have "tripled or quadrupled" for the candidate masks.Costume shops and other retailers are bracing themselves for what likely will be a record-setting season by stocking up not only on witches and super hero costumes, but on Trump and Clinton masks and outfits. "This year is different," said Erika Taylor, general manager of the Halloween Megastore on West Hillsborough Avenue in Tampa. She said sales have "tripled or quadrupled" for the candidate masks.
ON A RELATED NOTE, DON'T DRESS UP AS A CLOWN
While many of the scary clown sightings around Florida were deemed jokes, Goodwill isn't laughing. Goodwill-Suncoast released a statement on Monday that it's pulling clown costumes and accessories from shelves in its 18 stores. Way to go, creepy clowns. You've ruined thrift store Halloween shopping for everyone.While many of the scary clown sightings around Florida were deemed jokes, Goodwill isn't laughing. Goodwill-Suncoast released a statement on Monday that it's pulling clown costumes and accessories from shelves in its 18 stores. Way to go, creepy clowns. You've ruined thrift store Halloween shopping for everyone.
TALK LIGHTNING HOCKEY WITH JOE SMITH
After falling a goal short of returning to the Stanley Cup final last season, is the Lightning ready for another run at at the Cup? Will this be the season Steven Stamkos, Ben Bishop, Victor Hedman and Co. finally win it all? The season opener is just a day away, so there is no better time to talk Lightning hockey. Times beat reporter Joe Smith will answer your questions during a Facebook Live today at 10:30 a.m. at facebook.com/TampaBayTimesSports.After falling a goal short of returning to the Stanley Cup final last season, is the Lightning ready for another run at at the Cup? Will this be the season Steven Stamkos, Ben Bishop, Victor Hedman and Co. finally win it all? The season opener is just a day away, so there is no better time to talk Lightning hockey. Times beat reporter Joe Smith will answer your questions during a Facebook Live today at 10:30 a.m. at facebook.com/TampaBayTimesSports.
UNITY ON THE LINE'S NO PROBLEM FOR EAST LAKE'S ALLASTER BROTHERS
The East Lake Eagles annually produce one of the best offensive lines in Pinellas County. The key is building chemistry. Unlike players at the skill positions, linemen literally move as one, which is why continuity is vital. That's not a problem for Chris and Joe Allaster.The East Lake Eagles annually produce one of the best offensive lines in Pinellas County. The key is building chemistry. Unlike players at the skill positions, linemen literally move as one, which is why continuity is vital. That's not a problem for Chris and Joe Allaster.
SCOTT KEELER | Times
The 1920s-era Pheil Hotel, dubbed the "cheese grater" after its metal facade added in the 1960s, is scheduled for demolition on Central Avenue in St. Petersburg.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/UD4IDQTGHFFUZM43GMJ7RO2ZFE.JPG "Keep up with Tampa Bay’s top headlines")
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Explore all your optionsSCOTT KEELER | Times
The 1920s-era Pheil Hotel, dubbed the "cheese grater" after its metal facade added in the 1960s, is scheduled for demolition on Central Avenue in St. Petersburg.
THE WRECKING BALL IS SET TO SWING ON DOWNTOWN ST. PETERSBURG'S OLD PHEIL HOTEL
The final stages of demolition of the historic Pheil Hotel and bank are about to begin. Workers moved into place a lattice crane, which at 9 a.m. today is scheduled to hoist a 6,500 pound wrecking ball several feet above the 11-story hotel on the 400 block of Central Avenue. The massive hole created as the ball plunges through the center of the building will become a repository for pieces of the hotel as it is demolished over the next two weeks. Crews will also use the wrecking ball to smash apart the smaller bank building next door.The final stages of demolition of the historic Pheil Hotel and bank are about to begin. Workers moved into place a lattice crane, which at 9 a.m. today is scheduled to hoist a 6,500 pound wrecking ball several feet above the 11-story hotel on the 400 block of Central Avenue. The massive hole created as the ball plunges through the center of the building will become a repository for pieces of the hotel as it is demolished over the next two weeks. Crews will also use the wrecking ball to smash apart the smaller bank building next door.
Courtesy of University of Tampa
The coaching DNA runs in the family of University of Tampa assistant volleyball coach Kaylee Koetter, who learned from her father, Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Dirk Koetter.
Courtesy of University of Tampa
The coaching DNA runs in the family of University of Tampa assistant volleyball coach Kaylee Koetter, who learned from her father, Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Dirk Koetter.
DON'T LET THE NAME FOOL YOU: UT'S KAYLEE KOETTER FORGES OWN PATH
Her name immediately catches your eye when glancing at the University of Tampa's volleyball staff. Kaylee Koetter. Sure enough, she's the daughter of Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Dirk Koetter. But it doesn't take long to realize that Koetter, in her second season as a UT assistant coach, already has made a name for herself.Her name immediately catches your eye when glancing at the University of Tampa's volleyball staff. Kaylee Koetter. Sure enough, she's the daughter of Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Dirk Koetter. But it doesn't take long to realize that Koetter, in her second season as a UT assistant coach, already has made a name for herself.
MOVIES: 'THE ACCOUNTANT' EXPLOITS AUTISM AND TAKES DUMB TURNS
Ben Affleck is Agent Double-OCD in The Accountant, an effortlessly dumb thriller barely more entertaining than an audit. Whatever perverse goodwill director Gavin O'Connor's movie builds, says our critic Steve Persall, is wasted by a finale playing like a saccharine apology after violently exploiting autism for two hours.Ben Affleck is Agent Double-OCD in The Accountant, an effortlessly dumb thriller barely more entertaining than an audit. Whatever perverse goodwill director Gavin O'Connor's movie builds, says our critic Steve Persall, is wasted by a finale playing like a saccharine apology after violently exploiting autism for two hours.
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