What Happened This Week in Valrico

Here's your weekly check-in for everything going on in Valrico, Bloomingdale, and eastern Hillsborough County for the week of March 9-14, 2026.

The Rundown

• Homicide investigation in Brandon. On Sunday, March 9 at 5:43 p.m., HCSO deputies responded to a disturbance call on the 1800 block of Lake Chapman Drive in Brandon. They found 30-year-old Travon Jackson deceased with a gunshot wound. James Sidney Llanos, 47, and Lizeina Marie Cepeda, 39, were arrested and charged with first-degree murder while engaged in burglary and armed burglary of dwelling with assault or battery. The couple had been subleasing the apartment to the victim and were there to evict him when an altercation turned fatal.

• Bridgewater Landing 55+ grand opening. The Brandon Riverview Chamber of Commerce hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony on March 10 to celebrate the grand opening of Sunrise Homes' Bridgewater Landing, a new 55-plus active adult apartment community in Riverview. The community features attached homes and single-family options with clubhouse, pool, and walking paths.

• South Kings Avenue closed in Brandon. Starting Thursday, March 12, South Kings Avenue between Center Avenue and Bloomingdale Avenue is closed to through traffic for Tampa Bay Water's South Hillsborough Pipeline project. Bloomingdale Avenue is not accessible from S. Kings Ave during the closure. Use John Moore Road or Providence Road for north-south travel to avoid delays.

• Boyette Road night work begins. The South Hillsborough Pipeline contractor worked overnight on Thursday, March 12 (9 p.m. to 6 a.m.) to reduce traffic impacts on Boyette Road. Starting March 16, the contractor plans 24/7 construction on Boyette Road to take advantage of reduced traffic during spring break.

• Burn ban extended for ninth consecutive week. Hillsborough County renewed the emergency ban on open burning on March 12. Drought conditions remain high to very high. Statewide, 1,249 forest and brush fires have burned over 77,162 acres since January 1.

• HCA Florida Brandon Hospital earns patient safety award. Brandon Hospital received the 2026 Patient Safety Excellence Award from Healthgrades, placing it in the top 10% nationally for patient safety. The hospital was also named one of America's 250 Best Hospitals overall — top 5% in the country for clinical performance.

• Spring break starts Monday. Hillsborough County Public Schools are off March 16-20, with a non-student day on March 23. Expect lighter traffic on your morning commute but heavier traffic at parks, restaurants, and shopping areas during the day.

New Business Spotlight

SoFresh — Now Open in Valrico. The health-focused fast-casual restaurant officially opened its 35th location at 3482 Lithia Pinecrest Road in Valrico. The menu features customizable grain bowls, salads, wraps, and smoothies made with fresh, whole ingredients. It fills a gap for residents looking for quick but genuinely healthy lunch options along the Lithia Pinecrest corridor. Check them out at sofresh.com.

Weather Outlook

Highs climbing into the upper 70s this week with lows around 59-60. Continued dry conditions — no meaningful rain in the forecast. The drought is real and the once-a-week watering restriction under Tampa Bay Water's Stage 3 shortage remains in effect. Water your lawn on your assigned day only.

Community Question

With S. Kings Avenue closed and Boyette Road under construction, what alternate routes are you using to get around Brandon and Valrico? Share your tips so your neighbors can avoid the worst of the detours.

More on Valrico.blog

• SR 60 Brandon Boulevard Road Projects: What Drivers Need to Know
• Commuting from Valrico
• Valrico vs. Brandon: What's the Difference?