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Why Do They Call It That

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Why Do They Call It That?

Why do they call it that? A veteran's legacy of learning

8:38 AM, Nov 9, 2011

We'll honor our veterans this Friday. Here's the story of one of the thousands of World War II vets who built the Tampa Bay we love today.

Why do they call it that? Billy Graham's beginnings on a Tampa street

7:29 AM, Nov 2, 2011

Billy Graham, one of the world's most amazing people, celebrates his 93rd birthday this week. And the time he spent on Tampa's Franklin Street changed the world.

Why do they call it that? Halloween at the cemetery

10:53 AM, Oct 26, 2011

Halloween is almost here -- so come to Tampa's oldest public cemetery, where politicians and pirates rest side by side, and you won't believe where some of these folks are buried!

Why do they call that? Small street helps solve big mystery

6:54 AM, Oct 19, 2011

A history mystery that puzzled people for 150 years -- solved thanks to a connection to a humble Tampa street.

Why do they call it that? Tampa's first great ball player

6:45 AM, Oct 12, 2011

With Spring Training for dozens of teams in Tampa Bay, so many great players came through here. But Al Lopez came from here -- from a humble white wooden house in Ybor City.

Why do they call it that? Explorer or murderer?

6:25 AM, Oct 5, 2011

Was he a brave explorer or a murdering thief? Columbus Day is coming up next week, and a busy Tampa road has his name on it.

Why do they call it that? Climb inside UT's towers

8:10 AM, Sep 28, 2011

They're icons of Tampa Bay: The onion-shaped silver minarets at the top of the University of Tampa. We'll tell you the story behind them -- and we'll take up you inside one!

Why do they call it that? The old lady watching over Tampa

10:12 AM, Sep 22, 2011

She's seen just about everything; she's one old lady. But time has been mighty kind to her. Here's a look at the importance... of Hortense.

Why do they call it that? The Columbia Restaurant

8:38 AM, Sep 14, 2011

This place is more than a restaurant. It's a connection right back to the immigrants who first settled in Ybor City and Tampa. But how did the Columbia Restaurant get its famous name?

Why do they call it that? Lee Roy Selmon Expressway

10:10 AM, Sep 7, 2011

One of our favorite "Why do they call it that?" segments is the piece we did just over a year ago with Lee Roy Selmon. He met us at his restaurant and talked about how his name ended up on an expressway.

Why do they call it that: University of Tampa

11:42 AM, Aug 31, 2011

It's back to school this week for one of Florida's most respected and beautiful universities. But, get this, the University of Tampa got its start in the chemistry lab of a high school.

Why do they call it that? Back to school edition

10:55 AM, Aug 17, 2011

Just imagine, for five seconds, living in this state without air conditioning. Well -- thanks to this guy -- that sticky, sweaty nightmare is over.

Why do they call it that? Tiny town named for big-time guy

9:23 AM, Aug 10, 2011

It's a super-small town named for one big, courageous man. The story of this place will take you across Florida as you run for your life!

Why do they call it that? The school that wouldn't quit

8:58 AM, Aug 3, 2011

This school was burned to the ground just days after it opened. But the teachers wouldn't quit, and the rebuilt school has been running for more than 100 years.

Why do they call it that? Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park

8:16 AM, Jul 27, 2011

Ahh, summertime. It's a great time to go to the waterfront in downtown Tampa and relax. And one of the hot-weather hotspots honors a key person who made the city's riverfront romantic.

Why do they call it that? Palma Ceia

9:14 AM, Jul 20, 2011

It sounds peaceful. It sounds beautiful. But it's all a sham. There's a surprising story behind one of South Tampa's oldest neighborhoods.

Why do they call it that? Part of Tampa owned by Cuba

9:08 AM, Jul 13, 2011

Step under an arch, and walk into a different country. No, it's not Epcot -- it's Ybor City. Part of Tampa is owned by another country.

Why do they call it that? Space shuttle final flight edition

8:48 AM, Jul 6, 2011

It's hard to believe the final flight is Friday. America's space shuttles have inspired us for 30 years now. But their names go back much further than that.

Why do they call it that? Haines City

1:45 PM, Jun 29, 2011

The home of one of the Bay area's biggest Fourth of July displays almost fizzled out like a firework years ago.

Why do they call it that? Memorial Highway

8:20 AM, Jun 22, 2011

Here's an idea: Build a new road and then put a giant roadblock right in the middle! Well, it seemed like a good plan when they first built Memorial Highway.

Why do they call it that? Dundee

6:02 AM, Jun 15, 2011

One hundred years ago, a man from another part of the planet came to the Bay area and started naming stuff. Among them: the town of Dundee.

Crazy Super Bowl prop bets

It's the biggest betting event of the year and there are a number of bets you can make on the Super Bowl other than who will win or lose.

11:38 AM, Feb 3, 2012

Janus cat: Port Charlotte kitten born with two faces dies

A kitten born in Port Charlotte is turning heads.

7:57 PM, Feb 2, 2012

Legoland corrects nursing policy after breastfeeding complaints from mothers

"I've been nursing for 9 years I've never had someone try to make me move," said a local mother approached for breastfeeding at the family-friendly park.

9:42 AM, Feb 3, 2012

Polk County cattle owner glad for red light cameras

A cattle owner in Auburndale is very thankful for red light cameras in Polk County, especially since they helped catch the men accused of stealing some of his livestock.

9:47 AM, Feb 2, 2012

Deputy breaks video camera, arrests activist

A Pinellas Sheriff Corporal is under investigation after he broke a video camera and arrested the activist who was taping him.

9:17 AM, Feb 3, 2012

Demon behind the sofa picture scaring web users

A seemingly ordinary photo is spreading like wildfire, and scaring its way across the Internet.

5:29 PM, Feb 1, 2012

31 arrested in Polk online prostitution busts

Polk deputies say more than two dozen people were arrested as a result of an online prostitution sting operation.

3:29 PM, Dec 5, 2011

''The Daily Show'' correspondent Aasif Mandvi asks Gov. Rick Scott if he'll take drug test

As Gov. Rick Scott unveiled his 2012 budget proposal on Wednesday, he got an unusual request from a "reporter" in the audience.

8:41 PM, Dec 8, 2011

Apple iPad 3 rumors resurface, sources say March release

Waiting anxiously for a February iPad 3 release date? Don't hold your breath. Sources say we won't see an Apple iPad 3 event until March.

12:05 AM, Feb 3, 2012
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