Deputy’s Shot, Walmart Delivers, Veterinarian Arrested

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 week:

Walmart Grocery Delivery Expands To Tampa Bay Area

Tampa Bay area residents who prefer to do their grocery shopping at Walmart may not have to leave their homes any more to stock their pantries. The retail chain and Uber announced Monday that their grocery delivery pilot has expanded to select stores in Hillsborough and Pinellas counties.

Florida Community Colleges Among Best In U.S.: Study

Floridians considering the cost-saving benefits community colleges may offer have reason to celebrate. The Sunshine State’s two-year college system was recently named among the very best in the country.

Deputy’s Shot Saves Couple From Burning Car

An off-duty Manatee County Sheriff’s deputy is being called a hero after he stepped in to save a couple trapped in a burning car on Sunday.

Restaurant Inspections: 75-Plus Rodent Droppings, Bare Hands

The Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation ordered emergency closures at four area eateries last week when conditions inside didn’t meet state guidelines for health and safety.

Florida Veterinarian Arrested On Animal Cruelty Charges

A veterinarian from Lakeland and her husband face criminal charges after Polk County Sheriff’s deputies say they found 28 miniature horses, two full-sized horses, eight dogs and other animals at their home in poor condition. Gail Anne Nichols, 66, and her husband, Paul Craig Smith, 74, were brought into custody on Tuesday.

Hooter’s Manager Helps Take Down 'Violent' Suspect (Video)

A Brandon Hooter’s manager is receiving thanks after stepping in to help two Hillsborough County Sheriff’s deputies as they struggled with a man accused of creating a ruckus in the restaurant.

2017: Deadly Year For Florida Law Enforcement

As the Kissimmee Police Department prepares to pay final respects to two of its officers slain in the line of duty last week, the total number of law enforcement deaths in Florida has climbed to levels not witnessed since 2011.

Watch: African Penguins Meet For 1st Time

Valentine’s Day may still be months away, but that’s not stopping the folks at Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo and The Florida Aquarium from doing a little matchmaking. Officials are hoping that “Rocky” and “Thumbelina,” a pair of critically endangered African penguins, will hit it off.

Confederate Memorial Breaks During Removal (Video)

The decision to relocate Manatee County’s Confederate memorial in the interest of “public safety” turned out to be well-founded, the county announced Thursday afternoon. It seems the 8.5-ton granite monument’s spire was no longer securely affixed. It broke in two during the early morning move, a mishap that was caught on surveillance footage.

Photo courtesy of Lowry Park Zoo