Girl Scout cookie season is back
Original reporting by Ayla Yebba
A lot happens behind the scenes before classic cookies like Thin Mints and Samoas are ready for purchase.
Little Brownie Bakers is the licensed comapy that bakes and packages the cookies in their factories.
The boxes are then shipped to one of four Girl Scout warehouses in the West Central Area.
“This is the biggest sale for Girl Scouts, and we really appreciate people coming out to sell because it helps the girls to do activities and learn more life skills,” said senior Girl Scout Cecelia Simpkins.
The West Central Florida Cookie Program runs with the help of 800 Girl Scout troops and covers eight different counties.
Cookie booth profits stay local to support the interest of Girl Scouts in the community.
Chief Operating Officer of Girl Scouts of West Central Florida Christina Mitchell says their councils’ goal is to sell $1.7 million this season.
The girls have already sold more than 1.4 million boxes.
“It’s one thing to see it all on paper right, to know oh ok we have you know more than 6,000 girls doing the Girl Scout cookie program and to see ok we’re going to need a million plus cookies but then to see them in person is pretty overwhelming,” said Mitchell.
Girl Scouts also released a new cookie this season called the Exploremores, which is Rocky Road ice cream inspired.
All nine types of cookies are $6 a box and can be purchased through local girl scout, at a booth or online.
The cookie season ends on Sunday, Mar. 15, so make sure to stock up.
Tampa Police annual report
Original reporting by Hannah Lau Gleciano
Good news for Tampa residents, the Tampa Police Department had another strong year of fighting crime.
According to the Annual Tampa Police Report, the city saw a 21% decrease in crime last year.
Homicide, robbery, sexual and aggravated assault, rates all saw a decline.
Tampa Police Department also re-structured the Community Outreach Bureau un an effort to create a more coordinated approach to community-oriented policing.
Answering emergency calls also got easier with prepared 911, a system that features a live streaming option for callers to show Tampa Police Department their surroundings and allows for the call to be translated in multiple languages.
To learn more information visit tampa.gov/police.
Credits
Anchor: Emma Brisk
Teleprompter: Julia Soukar
Producer: Zoey Patrick
CG: Ayla Yebba
Floor Director: Joana Riva
Tech Director: Grace Senecal
Editor: Gio Chitto
Web: Maya Gluck
Social Media: Catarina Rocha Tapias
Social Reporter: Lydia Diehm
Audio: Zach Sherman
Camera: Hannah Lau Gleciano
Clock: Dr. Stephanie Elder
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Stephanie Elder
Graduate Assistant: Grace Ficara