Thanksgiving Travel, Strawberry Festival Headliners, National Anthem Sit In

Patch operates 24 daily news sites in the Tampa Bay area and surrounding counties. The following are some of the top headlines from the past week:

Florida Strawberry Festival 2017: Headline Entertainment Announced

What do Pattie LaBelle, 3 Doors Down and Rascal Flatts have in common? They’re all headline acts for the upcoming 2017 run of the Florida Strawberry Festival.

2.29 Million Floridians to Hit the Road for Thanksgiving 2016: AAA

Tampa Bay area residents with big plans to hit the road for Thanksgiving won’t be alone. AAA Auto Club South estimates a total of 2,293,620 Floridians plan to drive to their turkey dinner destinations this year. The national estimate of those traveling by vehicle is a whopping 43.5 million people.

Florida Juvenile Arrests Down to 40-Year Low, State Says

The number of kids running afoul of the law is down to a 40-year low across the state of Florida. That’s according to data released by the Department of Juvenile Justice, which indicates the number of arrests in the 2015-16 fiscal year dropped by 7 percent statewide.

Bucs’ Mike Evans Apologizes for National Anthem Sit-In

Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans intends to stand tall when the National Anthem plays during the team’s Nov. 20 match against the Kansas City Chiefs.

Armed Motorist Saves Deputy Under Attack, Called Out as Hero by Sheriff

A man’s decision to lend a hand to a Lee County Sheriff’s deputy who was under attack on Interstate 75 on Monday morning has drawn applause from Sheriff Mike Scott.

USF Student Lied About Robbery: Cops

One of four University of South Florida students who reported receiving threats in their residence hall rooms on Election Day now faces unrelated criminal charges. According to the USF Police Department, the girl made up a story about being robbed on campus.

Sweet! Sprinkles’ Cupcake ATM Opens for Business in Tampa

Tampa Bay area residents who have been patiently waiting for Sprinkles to roll out its signature “Cupcake ATM” have reason to celebrate. The Tampa location has officially unveiled the machine that will enable folks to get a sugar fix around the clock.

U.S. Volunteers Provide $184 Billion in Service; How Tampa Bay Stacks Up

Volunteers across the country provided an estimated $184 billion in service last year. Throughout the Tampa Bay area, folks also rolled up their sleeves to lend a helping hand, according to data released by the federal government Wednesday.

Rays, Yankees to Open 2017 Baseball Season

Major League Baseball announced that the Tampa Bay Rays will throw out the first pitch in the 2017 season. The Rays will open the 2017 season at home at Tropicana Field against the New York Yankees on Sunday, April 2 at 1:10 p.m. The game will be the first played on Opening Day and will be televised on ESPN.

Florida’s $150 Million Sale of Driving Records Under Fire

Florida’s $150 million windfall related to the sale of driving records to private companies doesn’t sit right with U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson. The Democrat from the Miami area on Friday called on the U.S. Department of Justice to launch an investigation into the practice’s legality.

Santa’s Workshop at MOSI Opens Soon

Tampa Bay area parents looking for some hands-on fun for their little ones as the holidays approach may want to set a course for Tampa’s Museum of Science & Industry. It seems that Santa Claus intends to set up shop, along with some of his elves, to help kids make their own toys.

Photo courtesy of MOSI