Flight From Cops, Rick Scott Sued, Wildfires

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:

Man’s Flight From Cops Leaves 2 People Injured

A 44-year-old Holiday man faces a long list of criminal charges after Tarpon Springs Police say a routine traffic stop Tuesday afternoon took a few wild turns. According to police, Christopher Charles Milland fled from officers, caused a crash that left two people injured and fled again before finally being brought into custody.

Florida Manatee Numbers Could Double: Study

Floridians concerned the state’s iconic manatee population might disappear entirely in the not so distant future can breathe a sigh of relief. That’s according to scientists from the U.S. Geological Survey and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Research Institute who on Tuesday released a study into the state’s manatee population.

Burn Ban Issued In Pasco County

Pasco County residents with plans to burn garbage or light up bonfires will have to change them. Commissioners voted on Wednesday to approve a countywide burn ban in light of wildfires that have cropped up in Pasco and across the Sunshine State in recent days.

Watch: Heroic Rescue From Burning Apartment

A 58-year-old Tampa woman is safe and sound thanks to three Hillsborough County deputies who rushed into her burning apartment building to rescue her Tuesday night.

DUI Wolfpack Set To Prowl Several Counties

Tampa Bay area residents with evening plans that call for a spirited drink or two will want to think twice before getting behind the wheel. The Florida Highway Patrol’s Land O’ Lakes Sub-District has announced plans to hit the road for a multi-county DUI Wolfpack operation.

Anti-Death Penalty Prosecutor Sues Gov. Rick Scott

Orange-Osceola State Attorney Aramis Ayala wants the right to prosecute the 23 murder cases Gov. Rick Scott recently pulled from her and she’s willing to sue to get them back. Ayala proved that point Tuesday by filing a complaint against Florida’s governor and Lake County State Attorney Brad King in federal court.

Florida On Fire: Blaze Locations, Burn Bans

A total of 105 active wildfires, spanning some 17,092 acres, were reported across the state of Florida Wednesday morning. Of those fires, 26 were considered major, covering more than 100 acres, according to the Florida Forest Service.

Photo courtesy of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission