Dangerous Joyride, Unlicensed Practice, Seawater Bacteria

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:

Florida Seawater Bacteria Case Count Rises

The state of Florida has confirmed two new Vibrio vulnificus-related infections, bringing the total number of cases up to 12 in 2017 so far. The new cases reported by the Florida Department of Health on Friday occurred in Escambia and Lee counties.

Prostate Cancer Doc Practiced Without License: Cops

A Sarasota doctor whose license was revoked by the state in April faces criminal charges after police say he kept seeing patients. The arrest of Ronald Wheeler, 70, was announced Friday.

Davis Islands Estate Has ‘Zen-Like’ Feel

House hunters looking for their own waterfront retreat may find this home on Tampa’s Davis Islands hard to pass by. Featuring more than 7,000 square feet of living space and an open floor plan, the home serves as its own private sanctuary from the outside world.

Tampa Bay Weekend Weather: Umbrellas Might Be Needed

Tampa Bay area residents and visitors with big outdoor plans over the weekend are likely to find the next few days won’t be a total washout, but daily rain is a strong possibility. Just when storms will move in, however, depends on where in the region a person happens to be, forecasters at the National Weather Service say.

World’s Oldest Manatee Turns 69

Snooty, Florida’s resident celebrity manatee, officially turned 69 years old on Friday, once again breaking the world record he set back in 2015. The plucky critter is the “world’s oldest-known manatee,” according to the Guinness World Records.

Ex-Kathleen Middle School Principal Arrested

A 46-year-old Lakeland woman faces more criminal charges after Polk County deputies looked into her alleged activities at Kathleen Middle School. Authorities announced the second recent arrest of Ginger Collins, the school’s former principal, on Friday.

Charges Mounting For Florida Beach Joyrider (Video)

The 27-year-old Pinellas Park man arrested Thursday afternoon after allegedly driving a black Jeep Cherokee across Clearwater Beach and onto Caladesi Island faces a growing list of criminal charges for the stunt that was live streamed on Facebook. Clearwater Police announced a lengthy list of charges late Thursday night and said other law enforcement agencies involved may add more for the “jaunt onto Caladesi Island.”

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