March to Macy’s, 891 Suspected Heroin Overdoses, Poisonous Toads

Patch operates 24 daily news sites in Florida. The following are some of the top stories from the past day:

891 Heroin Overdoses, 60 Deaths: Manatee County’s Year So Far

The Manatee County Sheriff’s Office has fielded 891 suspected heroin overdose calls since 2016 began. Sixty of those calls resulted in deaths.

Newsome Band’s March to Macy’s Gets Boost from County

With just over a month to go before Newsome High School’s Wolfpack Marching Band and Colorguard makes Hillsborough County history by appearing in the 2016 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, fundraising crunch time has arrived.

Giant, Poisonous Toads Causing Problems for Tampa Bay Area Pets

A South Tampa schnauzer’s Monday run-in with a poisonous Bufo toad stands as a reminder that these critters pose a continual threat to pets in the Tampa Bay area. Although the non-native toads are generally most active in the summertime, the potential for encounters persists in the region no matter the season, veterinarians say.

Moffitt Cancer Center Unveils Mall Pop-Up Location

n between stops at restaurants and major retailers, University Mall shoppers will now be able to up their game in the cancer prevention department. Moffitt Cancer Center has announced the opening of a brand new pop-up location at the mall.

Arrest Made in Lakeland Hit-And-Run That Left Woman, 74, Dead

37-year-old Lakeland man has been charged in connection with an Oct. 6 hit-and-run crash that left a 74-year-old woman dead.

Halloween 2016: Do Sexual Predators Live in Your Tampa Bay Area Neighborhood?

As little ghosts and goblins prepare for their big night of trick-or-treating, parents may want to arm themselves with information on which houses to avoid while going door-to-door in the Tampa Bay area.

Reward Offered in 2015 Shooting of Riverview Mother of 4

A Riverview woman shot after answering her front door in the early morning hours of Aug. 29, 2015, has recovered from her injuries, but arrests in the case have never been made. As Hillsborough County Sheriff’s detectives continue to search for leads, Crime Stoppers of Tampa Bay is renewing its reward offer.

St. Pete Police Officer Charged in 2nd DUI

A 36-year-old St. Petersburg Police Officer faces DUI charges after a Pinellas County Sheriff’s deputy allegedly found him sleeping behind the wheel Monday night.

Photo courtesy of the Newsome High School Wolfpack