Hello Hillsborough

Grace and Tyler embrace spooky season with a fun mix of book recommendations from the library and essential Halloween safety tips for families.

Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister joins the show to share safety tips, like costume guidelines and candy protocol, to help put parents’ minds at ease on Halloween night. He also explains the planning and preparation that happens within the Sheriff’s Office to ensure a safe and enjoyable trick-or-treating experience for all. Their goal is to help every family have a safe and great evening!

Chely Cantrell, director of Library Services, brings a lineup of October-themed books perfect for getting into the fall spirit. She also highlights the wide variety of activities and services available at the 27 library branches around the county. From free digital services to cooking and home-economics classes, there’s always something festive and fun to explore. Fall-themed story times and seasonal programs are also underway.

To sign up for a library card or learn more about festive events and activities near you, visit HCPLC.org.

Grace and Tyler sit down with Audrey Ziegler, director of Social Services, and Monica Pegeuro, a case manager with the Rebuilding for Tomorrow program. They share how the program works and how it will make a big difference for local community members.

Rebuilding for Tomorrow is funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) through the Community Development Block Grant - Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) program. Hillsborough County uses these funds to support long-term recovery from Hurricanes Helene and Milton. That includes repairing homes, rebuilding infrastructure, and supporting projects that protect communities from future storms. Funding is prioritized for the most impacted areas and low- and moderate-income households.

Ziegler and Pegeuro encourage anyone who thinks they might qualify to take the first step and reach out. They call it a life-changing program, and getting started is simpler than you think.

Learn more about Rebuilding for Tomorrow

• Visit: RebuildingforTomorrow.HCFL.gov
• Call: (813) 540-7767

Grace and Tyler sit down with Animal Control Supervisor Sgt. Kaylee Lannigan and Animal Control Officer Karen Coyne for an in-depth conversation about all things Animal Control. They're also joined by Tyler's 8-year-old beagle, Doc, an Animal Control rescue and success story from the Pet Resource Center. Animal Control Officers do so much more than the movies portray. They're not just out collecting strays; they're everyday heroes for animals in need. These officers step in to help injured pets, tackle all kinds of rescue situations, guide residents through County pet rules, and support investigations with patience and compassion, working hard to keep pets with their families whenever possible. Taking an animal into custody is always the very last resort.

Tampa Bay 28's Chief Meteorologist Denis Phillips and Katja Miller from Hillsborough County's Office of Emergency Management join Grace and Tyler for an in-depth conversation about what to expect this hurricane season, how Hillsborough County prepares year-round, and what residents can do now to stay ready.

Denis shares his expertise on hurricane behavior, how weather patterns can impact our area, and the fun backstory behind his trademark suspenders.

Whether you're a lifelong Floridian or preparing for your first hurricane season, this episode is packed with expert insights and tips to help keep you and your family safe.

When the school year wraps up, the summer heat moves in. Grace and Tyler sit down with Joe from Hillsborough County Code Enforcement and learn all about how to keep our pools and families safe this summer.

Joe shares the essential safety checklist every resident should know—from ensuring pool gates self-latch to spotting maintenance issues and potential electrical hazards. With lots of us headed to the water this summer, it's important to remember how to stay safe while staying cool.

Grace and Tyler explore how the Arts Council of Hillsborough County helps local artists grow, thrive, and keep the creative community vibrant. They sit down with Eileen Blake from the Arts Council and artist Caitlin Albritton to dive into the impact of arts funding and education across Tampa Bay.

Caitlin began her career as a painter before receiving Arts Council's Professional Development for Artists Grant. From that opportunity, she was able to expand her skills, eventually transitioning into fine art jewelry. Today, she combines her painting background with the techniques she learned after receiving the grant to create stunning, wearable works of art.

The Arts Council provides access to arts education, offers a variety of grant programs, and keeps the community informed about all things art. For more information visit https://hcfl.gov/ArtsCouncil.

Grace and Tyler get the full skate-park scoop from two experts who live and breathe the sport: Cian and Micah from Hillsborough County Parks & Recreation's Providence Skatepark.

Are you regular or goofy? Not sure? Then it's time to tune in and get the basics, plus some pro tips and behind-the-scenes insight into the county's thriving skate community.

From laid-back daily skate hours to big events like Go Skate Day, fingerboarding sessions and Skate Camp, Hillsborough County skate programs are for all ages and skill levels. Whether you're rolling in for the first time or already working on your next trick, Cian and Micah are stoked to see new faces and help you level up.

Grace and Tyler tackle some burning questions with Steve and Alison, two experts from the Conservation & Environmental Lands Management (CELM) department.

If terms like burn boss, vegetation response, fire bug, or fuel (meaning dead twigs, trees, and leaves) have you scratching your head, then this episode is for you.

Steve walks us through the ins and outs of performing a prescribed fire and explains why these burns are essential, not just for the land, but for community safety. You might be surprised to learn that good fires prevent bad fires by reducing wildfire risk and promoting healthy ecosystems.

Discover how Hillsborough County resources can help you achieve your 2026 goals!

From hitting the hiking trails or playing pickleball at the local courts, to diving into books at the library and making eco-friendly choices, there are so many ways to get involved and make this year rewarding. Grace and Tyler share their New Year’s resolutions, and revisit some of their favorite Hello Hillsborough moments for a few helpful tips.

Grace and Tyler chat with Chief Rob from Hillsborough Fire Rescue about the dos and don’ts of holiday fire safety, like how to properly fry a turkey without dangerous flare‑ups, and why the kitchen — what he calls the “epicenter of the holidays” — requires extra care and caution during this busy season.

Grace and Tyler sit down with Tom, Hillsborough’s budget expert, to explore how the County builds and manages its annual budget, and how you can apply those same principles to your own personal budget. From setting aside emergency reserves to prioritizing long-term investments over quick fixes, this episode shares how the County allocates budget dollars and practical tips you can apply to your own household budget.

Hilary and Tyler sit down with the team you’ve probably never seen but rely on every single day: Traffic Management. Rafael and Will stop by to share how their team manages the daily traffic patterns for commuters across Hillsborough County roads. From routine morning commutes to unexpected incidents, their job is to help get you through traffic safely and efficiently. They also share what we can do to help traffic flow better (hint: don’t try to fight signal timing!) and what’s next for traffic signal detection technology.

A quick Hello from Tyler about staying informed this storm season by signing up for HCFL Alert.

Always be the first to know what's happening in your community with HCFL Alert, Hillsborough County's official notification system. HCFL Alert is designed to keep you informed about local emergencies, everyday events, and county news that's important to you.

When you sign up, you can choose which updates you'd like to receive and how you'd like to receive them. Whether voice, text, or email, our alerts will reach you in real-time - straight from us to you.

Sign up today at hcfl.gov/alert

The New Tampa Performing Arts Center (NTPAC), one of the newest additions to Hillsborough County, is quickly becoming a go-to destination for entertainment. Hilary and Tyler sit down with Megan from NTPAC to learn how the center is fostering community through the performing arts. Find out how to get involved – from classes to concerts – and what to expect at NTPAC's Annual Arts Festival, a free event for all ages that uplifts the performing arts community and kicks off the center’s upcoming season.

Did you know you can create a stunning yard without breaking the bank? It can be eco-friendly and thrive in Florida’s climate, too. Hilary and Tyler talk to Lynn from Hillsborough County’s Extension Service office to break down the nine principles of “Florida-Friendly Landscaping.”

Hilary and Tyler get a firsthand look at the pickleball scene in Hillsborough County, the sport's origin, and Parks & Recreation’s plans to keep up with the pickleball craze. Plus, Coach Pat breaks down basic rules and terminology, and shares how to get started with free pickleball lessons.

Hilary and Tyler get the buzz on how to mitigate the mosquitoes that could be breeding in your own backyard, why some people are more prone to mosquito bites, and how the County’s Mosquito Management team monitors and prevents the spread of mosquito-borne illnesses.

Hilary and Tyler sit down with Anthony, a senior environmental scientist from the Water Resources department, to learn about sustainable water conservation practices. Tune in to hear how you can start "Florida-friendly" landscaping and the little daily habits that can save the environment and your wallet.

Hilary and Tyler sit down with Lynn from the Entrepreneur Collaborative Center to discover how its resources – from collaboration and mentorship to workforce programs for Veterans – can help turn your idea into a thriving business. Plus, Tyler puts his own business pitch to the test! Will it land? Tune in to find out.

For our first BONUS episode, Hilary and Tyler sit down with Stephanie from Neighborhood Relations. Stephanie tells us about the exciting improvements taking place in our neighborhoods, the resources and opportunities they provide, and how YOU can get involved. She also walks us through the Neighborhood Mini-Grant program, while Hilary and Tyler start getting excited for this year's Neighborhoods Expo.