5 Things to Know Today

1. The Bloomingdale High School's cheerleading team walked away with its third state championship at the FHSAA Competitive Cheerleading Championship Feb. 5 at Silver Spurs Arena in Kissimmee.

Bloomingdale won its third title Saturday to recapture its status as the state's best cheerleading team. The team previously won state titles in 2008 and 2009. Cheerleading officially recognized as a prep sport in Florida in 2008.

This year the Bloomingdale cheerleaders finished with a score of 88.28 after easing through some difficult stunts to beat Winter Park out of the title. Durant High School placed third.  

Last month, the Bloomingdale and Durant teams battled for the top spot in the Large Varsity Division at the Hillsborough County Western Conference Championships with Bloomingdale placing first and Durant second. 

Candice Teague is the coach of the Bloomingdale team.

2. The new Sam's Club at Big Bend Road and U.S. 301 in Riverview has hired more than 170 employees in anticipation of its March 10 opening and is continuing to take applications. Sam's Club began accepting job applications Dec. 9. Since than, more than 1,300 people have applied for jobs. Job seekers can apply at www.walmart.com/apply and choose Sam's Club #4801.

The store is also accepting membership applications. The store hopes to open with 15,000 members. Those purchasing a $40 membership are eligible to receive a $20 gift card. Would-be members can sign up at the hiring and membership center set up at 10275 Big Bend Road. 

The 135,000-square-foot store will anchor the Riverview Bell Plaza, which now contains Village Inn, Sonic Drive-In, Applebee’s, Burger King, Bealls, East Coast Pizza, Tuffy Auto Service Center and Walgreens.

The project is part of 53 acres that DeBartolo Development bought six years ago from the Archdiocese of St. Petersburg.

3. The former Hollywood Video Store on Bloomingdale Avenue has a new tenant. Firehouse Subs has relocated from the intersection of Bloomingdale and John Moore Road to the old Hollywood Video storefront at 1013 E. Bloomingdale Ave. 

The Bloomingdale location is among more than 400 Firehouse Subs around the country. Visit www.firehousesubs.com.

4. While Firehouse Subs moved into the strip center, Super Cuts, 1023 Bloomingdale Ave., Valrico, moved out. The hair salon, a mainstay of the center since it opened, closed its doors last month. The storefront remains empty.

5. Are you into nature photography? If so, you might want to enter the Tampa chapter of the Audubon Society's photo contest. The contest is open to Hillsborough County residents age 18 and older who are amateur photographers. Photos can be digital or print and must be submitted no later than Feb. 25. For information, contact Anne Hartzler at (813) 310-7676 or e-mail tampaaudubon@yahoo.com.