Charity Scam, Water Rescue, Red Tide Levels Low

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

Red Tide Levels Low As Weekend Temperatures Rise

With temperatures in the Tampa Bay area set to soar into the 90s over the weekend ahead, chances are more than a few folks have beaches on their mind. A patchy red tide bloom that’s plagued the region’s coastal areas with fish kills and reports of beachgoers suffering respiratory irritations for the past few months has dissipated somewhat in time for those temperature spikes.

Sesame Street Safari Of Fun Weekends Return

Tampa Bay area families with tiny tots who love Elmo, Cookie Monster and the rest of the Sesame Street gang may want to put Busch Gardens on their to-do lists over the next few weekends. The Tampa-based theme park has announced the return of Sesame Street Safari of Fun Kids’ Weekends.

Bird Parts, Beans, Shells Found In Suspicious Package

An eastbound State Road 54 lane in the New Port Richey area that was closed after the discovery of a suspicious package late Friday morning has reopened to traffic, authorities say.

Boy, 13, Dies After Former Cop Hits Group Of Kids

The Polk County Sheriff’s Office has announced that one of five children struck by an alleged drunk driver Thursday afternoon has died from his injuries. Jahiem Robertson, 13, died early Friday morning, the agency reported.

Veterans Charity Scam Leads To 2 Arrests

Pasco County Sheriff’s deputies say two men behind a charity scam meant to part victims from their money have been brought into custody. One of the two men is accused of recruiting others and driving them around to target victims.

K9 Helps Capture ‘Major Drug Trafficker’

A 28-year-old Bradenton man is facing a long list of felony charges while nursing a “minor dog bite,” according to the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office. Robert Harrell was brought into custody with help from a K9 Thursday.

Coast Guard Rescues Stranded Boater, Dog

A man and his dog are safely back on dry land after a disconcerting experience on Gulf of Mexico waters Thursday.

Photo courtesy of Busch Gardens Tampa Bay