USF Latinx students celebrate Hispanic pride with Noche Latina

USF is home to around more than 49,000 students. 20.35% of this population identifies as Latino. Noche Latina translates to Latin Night. The event gives Latinx students a chance to celebrate their diverse cultures, even when Hispanic Heritage Month ended on Oct. 15.

“This is just a big celebration of the Latinx community, where USF students can come to this event, dress all nice, and then experience Latin performances, Latin food…and then at the end of the night we crown a Mr. And Mrs. Latinx, … and then, in true Latino fashion, we end it with dancing,” said Bryan Marrerro, president of the Latin American Student Association.

USF has said it sees an opportunity for improving enrollment of the Latinx population as they move forward toward gaining federal designation as a Hispanic-Serving Institution. The U.S. Department of Education defines a Hispanic-Serving Institution as an eligible institution that has an undergrad full-time equivalent student population that is at least 25 percent Hispanic.

For more information about Latinx clubs and activities on campus, check out these Latinx organizations.

Hiker rescued from state park in Wimauma after becoming lost

A hiker on Wednesday called 911 from Little Manatee River State Park at approximately 2:30 P.M. reporting that he was lost and dehydrated.

Hillsborough County Fire Rescue and Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office aviation units were able to locate the man deep off a trail. The hiker was unable to walk out of the brush on his own. HCSO Air Service hoisted the hiker to safety. The man was treated on the scene for dehydration.

“We are grateful for the life-saving work done by the deputies, the HCSO Air Unit, and our partners at HCFR. We are fortunate to have the necessary tools and training that are crucial in keeping our communities safe. We hope the man rescued recovers quickly,” said Sheriff Chad Chronister in a news release.

Pedestrian killed on I-75, causing major traffic shutdowns

A pedestrian was struck and killed a little before 5 a.m. on Interstate 75 South.

The accident caused the southbound lanes to be closed. Traffic due to this closure resulted in another accident that shut down Interstate 275. Traffic was redirected onto State Road 56 resulting in major backups throughout Pasco County and Hillsborough County.