High Wire Fall, Florida State Fair, Look Up On Friday

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:

5 Circus Sarasota Performers Injured In High Wire Fall: Reports

A Wednesday afternoon fall from a hire wire during a Circus Sarasota practice has sent five people to local hospitals, including several as trauma alerts.

Man Uttered ‘Allahu Akbar’ Before Fleeing Brandon Store, Deputies Say

A 23-year-old Sarasota man faces a list of criminal charges after his allegedly bizarre behavior captured the attention of employees at a Brandon Home Depot store. According to the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, Kenneth Iversen was spotted by employees at the 9941 Adamo Drive store on Feb. 5 attempting to select materials that would go into making a pipe bomb.

Eclipse, Full Moon, Comet All Coming To Friday Night’s Sky

Tampa Bay area residents looking for free entertainment this coming weekend need only look skyward for an unusual show. That’s the night the “snow” full moon, the comet 45P and a penumbral lunar eclipse are all expected to make appearances.

Rescued Loggerhead Back In The Water

There’s a new loggerhead sea turtle swimming in waters off Lido Beach courtesy of the folks at Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium. After spending nearly 100 days at the organization’s Sea Turtle Rehabilitation Hospital, Sea Salt was returned to the wild late last week.

Man Rescued From Tampa Garbage Truck

Tampa firefighters are called upon to rush into all sorts of unsavory places to rescue people from peril. Burning buildings, engulfed cars and even the occasional storm drain aren’t out of the question. It’s not every day though that they’re asked to breach a garbage truck to rescue a person trapped inside.

Man, 47, Charged In Sexual Battery On Teen

The Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office has announced the arrest of a 47-year-old Seminole man on sexual battery charges. According to the sheriff’s office, the investigation into William Jonathan Walls’ alleged actions began on Feb. 7 when the victim, who is now 19, told a school official she had inappropriate sexual contact with him starting around the age of 13.

Florida State Fair Opens Thursday

The Florida State Fairgrounds once again will come alive this week for its premiere event, bringing livestock shows, entertainment and more to the Tampa Bay area.

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