Hurricane Matthew Recovery, Cheap Flights to Cuba, Abducted Child Returns Home

Patch operates 24 daily news sites in Florida. The following are some of the top stories from the past week:

Hurricane Matthew: How to Help Floridians Recover

People looking for a way to help Floridians in the wake of Hurricane Matthew’s destruction have an option courtesy of the state. Gov. Rick Scott announced the activation of the Florida Disaster Fund on Monday.

Rebecca Lewis, Parents Reunite

Rebecca Lewis flew into Lakeland Linder Airport Tuesday afternoon for a reunion with her parents following a Saturday abduction that ended with arrest of a family friend in Memphis, Tennessee.

Sesame Street Halloween Offers Kids Non-Spooky Fun at Busch Gardens

Families looking for Halloween fun that doesn’t include scary haunted houses filled with things that go bump in the night might want to put two upcoming weekends on their calendars. Busch Gardens Tampa Bay has announced upcoming theme events designed to be just right for the little ones.

Potentially Deadly Listeria Prompts Publix Ice Cream Recall

Fans of Publix Premium Chocolate Chip Cooke Dough Ice Cream might want to check their freezers. The grocery chain has announced a recall of the product after concerns about possible Listeria contamination arose from the third-party maker of the cookie dough pieces.

65-Year-Old Shot by Deputy Was On ‘Rampage,’ Sheriff

A 65-year-old man faces a long list of charges after Pinellas County Sheriff’s deputies say he went on a “rampage,” shooting several people in his neighborhood before being shot himself.

Southwest Airlines Announces Cheap, Nonstop Cuba Flights

As Southwest Airlines prepares to open its nonstop routes from two Florida cities to Cuba, the company has rolled out a fare offer that might make some travelers happy. The airline announced Thursday its flights from Tampa International Airport and Fort-Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport will have special “$59one-way” fares available.

Pink Floyd’s Roger Waters Announces Tampa Show

Tampa Bay area Pink Floyd fans will get the chance to hear legendary crooner Roger Waters live on the Amalie Arena stage next summer. Tickets for the stop on Water’s ‘Us + Them” tour go on sale next week.

Death Penalty Juries Must Be Unanimous: Florida Supreme Court

Months after the U.S. Supreme Court found Florida’s death penalty sentencing procedure unconstitutional, the Florida Supreme Court has weighed in with its own major change to the law. The state’s highest court says juries must now be unanimous when recommending death.

Spaghetti Warehouse Items On the Auction Block

Tampa’s Spaghetti Warehouse location is no more, but that doesn’t mean loyal patrons can’t bring some of their memories home. The eatery’s furniture, restaurant equipment and even décor are now being auctioned off to the highest bidder.

Photo courtesy of Busch Gardens Tampa Bay