Gas Pump Skimmers, 42,000 Jobs, Heroes Help Cop

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:

Tampa Area Adds 42,000 Jobs In A Year: Gov. Scott

There’s good news for the Tampa Bay area on the jobs front. According to Gov. Rick Scott’s office, the area has seen thousands of new jobs added over the past year while its unemployment rate fell to 4.1 percent as of March 2017.

Skimmers Found On 2 Pinellas Gas Pumps

Motorists are once again being warned to check their credit and debit card accounts for fraudulent charges after Pinellas County Sheriff’s deputies found skimmers at two gas stations. The illegal devices were found on pumps in Palm Harbor and unincorporated Seminole.

Attack On Tampa Cop: 3rd ‘Hero’ Named (Video)

The Tampa Police Department has released the name of the third person who took action to help Officer Michael Collins during a violent struggle with a burglary suspect on Wednesday. The agency has also released surveillance video captured by a camera at Raymond James Stadium just moments before the altercation occurred.

Busch Gardens BOGO Pass Offer Ends Soon

Tampa Bay area families looking to line up summertime activities for less may want to act fast if Busch Gardens and Adventure Island factor into their plans. The theme park has announced its BOGO Fun Card deal is coming to an end soon.

Florida Wildfire Damage Up Significantly Over Last Year

As Florida remains under a wildfire-related state of emergency, the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services is reporting a significant uptick in acres burned over last year's Jan. 1 through April figures. With nearly 80,000 acres of land within the state's fire jurisdiction burned so far in 2017, Commissioner Adam Putnam announced Wednesday the current number represents more than a fourfold spike over damage reported during the first few months of 2016.

Florida Medical Marijuana Scams Prompt Warning

A new scam cropping up in the Sunshine State is meant to part those in need of medical marijuana from their money. Reports of its existence have prompted a plea for caution from the Florida Department of Health.

129 Tampa Bay Area Runners Finish Boston Marathon

As thousands of runners from across the country and globe converged on Massachusetts Monday for the 2017 Boston Marathon, more than 100 Tampa Bay area athletes counted themselves among the participants. While none of Tampa Bay's runners were at the head of the pack, many did well in their divisions. For example, St. Petersburg's Albert Wieringa, 70, was first in his division and 6,963 overall with an official finish time of 3:29:38.

Val Kilmer Joins Tampa Bay Comic Con Lineup

Val Kilmer has added his name to the list of celebrities set to make appearances at this summers’ Tampa Bay Comic Con. Event organizers announced his addition to the lineup Tuesday morning.

New Body Armor Hits St. Pete Streets

Thanks in part to a donation from slain police Officer Jeffrey Yaslowitz’s widow, cops in St. Petersburg now have a new defensive tool to use in the war on crime. The agency rolled out its new custom body armor on Tuesday.

Photo courtesy of the St. Petersburg Police Department