Hot Car Death, 7 Waterfront Homes, St. Pete Pier

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:

Stray Kitten Steals Cops' Hearts

A plucky little kitten found all alone on a Lakeland street corner over the weekend has a new home thanks to her ability to steal hearts. While stealing from police officers generally isn’t advised, the two Lakeland cops who managed to get wrapped around the critter’s tiny paw don’t seem to mind.

7 Waterfront Homes Under $250,000

Tampa Bay area house hunters in the market for waterfront properties will find they don’t necessarily have to make a seven-figure investment to realize their dreams. The region has lots of waterfront options available for $250,000 or less.

Dog’s Hot Car Death Leads To Arrest

A former employee of Manatee County Animal Services faces cruelty charges following the completion of an investigation into a dog’s May death.

Tampa To San Diego Nonstop Flights Set By Southwest

Flying to San Diego out of Tampa International Airport is about to become much more convenient for travelers. Southwest Airlines announced plans to launch a new nonstop route early next year. To sweeten the prospect for passengers, it’s also offering $99 one-way fares for a limited time.

St. Pete Pier Groundbreaking Set

St. Petersburg residents and visitors eager to see a replacement for the pier put in place don’t have to wait too much longer for work to get under way. The city has announced plans for a groundbreaking next week.

USA Flea Market, Pasco County Reach Agreement

Pasco County has announced it has reached an agreement with the USA Flea Market following the discovery of hundreds of code violations earlier this month. While the deal calls for the demolition of most buildings on the Port Richey property, it does leave the door open for a possible reopening sometime down the road.

51 Loggerhead Hatchlings Released On Turtle Beach

Fifty-one loggerhead hatchlings are back in their natural environment after the folks at Mote Marine Laboratory swooped in over the weekend to make a save.

Former Buc Warren Sapp To Donate Brain To Science

Former Tampa Bay Buccaneer Warren Sapp is best known for dishing out some heavy hits on the gridiron, but he could also take them. Those hits took their toll though, which is why the seven-time Pro Bowler announced on Tuesday plans to donate his brain to science.

Photo courtesy of the Lakeland Police Department