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Feature Story

Drinking Water Drama: Florida’s Fluoride Shake-Up

It’s not every day something in your water makes headlines—but here we are.

Florida lawmakers have passed Senate Bill 700, part of this year’s “Florida Farm Bill,” and while the name sounds agricultural, buried inside is a change that’s causing a stir: the likely end of fluoride in public drinking water. The bill doesn’t call out fluoride by name, but it bans certain additives—and fluoride fits the bill. Now it just awaits Governor Ron DeSantis’ signature to become law.

If approved, Florida would become only the second state in the country to drop water fluoridation, following Utah’s lead earlier this year.

Supporters of the move say it’s a step toward simplifying water systems and reducing unnecessary costs. They argue that fluoride, originally added to help prevent tooth decay, isn’t essential to water quality and should be a personal choice—not something automatically piped into every household.

Opponents, including many public health officials and dental associations, warn that the change could have unintended consequences—especially for families who rely on tap water as their primary source of dental protection. Fluoridation has long been endorsed by the CDC and the American Dental Association, particularly for its benefits in preventing cavities in children.

Closer to home, reactions across Brandon, Valrico, Lithia, and Fishhawk are mixed. Some residents welcome the idea of fewer chemicals in the water supply, while others are concerned about how the change might impact kids, seniors, and anyone without easy access to dental care.

Regardless of where you stand, one thing’s clear: this isn’t just about water—it’s about how we handle public health decisions in a growing state. As always, The Buzz will keep you posted.

For now, maybe don’t toss the toothpaste just yet.

Caught Between Bases: What’s Next for FishHawk Sports?

If your weekends involve folding chairs, concession stand hot dogs, and yelling “good eye!” at a 7-year-old who just watched three straight pitches go by, this one’s for you.

Hillsborough County is asking for resident input on the FishHawk Sports Complex—aka the place where half the neighborhood spends their evenings and Saturdays. The county has launched a new survey to help decide what’s next for baseball and softball in one of the busiest sports hubs in Southern Hillsborough.

Chris Kiddy, Hillsborough’s Parks & Rec athletics manager (and presumably a guy who owns a whistle), says the survey will help improve facilities, expand services, and keep up with the demand of a growing community. Translation: they want to fix stuff before we all start brawling over field space again.

Originally opened in 2008, the FishHawk Sports Complex has grown from a 12-field starter pack to a massive operation with turf fields, expanded parking, and a whole ecosystem of kids, coaches, cleats, and carpool logistics. It’s the only complex in the county where every sport falls under one roof—the FishHawk Youth Sports Association—which means baseball, football, lacrosse, soccer, cheerleading… and probably at least one dad with a megaphone.

Despite expansions in 2011, 2017, and again in 2022 (hello, synthetic turf!), over 2,000 athletes now use the complex every year, and it’s still bursting at the seams. The county says occasional field conflicts pop up between rec leagues, travel teams, private trainers, and that one family who sets up batting practice like it’s the MLB.

So now, the powers that be are asking for your help.

They want to know what’s working, what’s not, and what you’d like to see in the future. More shade? More snack shacks? Fewer pop flies to the windshield? Now’s your chance to speak up before the next $2 million upgrade rolls out without your input.

To pitch your opinion (see what we did there?), head to the Hillsborough County Engagement & Education Hub and search FishHawk Sports Complex Baseball Softball Survey.

Because if you don’t vote for more parking, you can’t complain when you’re parallel parking on a hill in the rain with four bags of gear and a screaming toddler.

Until next time,

“The Brandon Buzz, because nothing says news like a bee holding a paper.”