Dad’s Car Wrecked, Sandy Hook, Chess Player’s Murder

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:

Stolen Range Rover Slammed Into Parked SUV: Cops

A routine traffic stop in New Port Richey took a dangerous turn Tuesday night when police say the driver of a 2015 Range Rover attempted to flee.

Alleged Sandy Hook Truther Skips Court Appearance: Reports

A 57-year-old Brandon woman accused of threatening the parent of a boy who died during the Sandy Hook Elementary School massacre failed to make a court appearance in Fort Lauderdale Wednesday, several media outlets are reporting. A warrant has now reportedly been issued for her arrest.

Teens Took Dad’s Car, Wrecked It In Armed Robbery

Two 14-year-old boys face criminal charges after a Tuesday armed robbery in Lakeland resulted in a gunshot going off and a car belonging to one of the teen’s father’s getting smashed.

Active Shooter Mass Casualty Drill Set For Thursday

Hillsborough County residents may notice an uptick in “emergency” activity on Thursday. The county has announced plans to host a major mass casualty exercise on Thursday with mock active-shooter scenarios set to play out at two separation locations.

Reward Offered In Chess Player’s Murder

As the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office continues to search for leads in the recent shooting death of a man killed after a chess game, Crime Stoppers of Tampa Bay is offering a reward in the case.

Pesky Red Tide Bloom Persists Along Gulf Coast

A red tide bloom that’s caused problems along Florida’s central and south Gulf Coast for months remains a lingering concern. While no fish kills or reports of respiratory irritation were reported to the state over the past week, water samples taken from Pinellas County south to Collier showed evidence of the organism.

Horses Welcome At Private Land O’ Lakes Spread

Horse lovers who want to saddle up on their own private spread my find this custom-built home in Land O’ Lakes to their liking. Complete with two separate homes, the 4.5-acre property already has horse fencing in place, and reportedly boasts “so many upgrades you need to see to appreciate.”

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