Eagle Takes Flight, Holiday Lights, Pit Bull Attack

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:

Troopers Double as Santa’s Helpers: Donations Needed

It’s no secret that the holidays are a busy time for Florida Highway Patrol troopers. After all, with all the festivities and seasonal cheer, keeping Tampa Bay area roads safe for motorists is serious business.

Red Tide Fish Kills, Respiratory Irritation Reported in Tampa Bay Area

Tampa Bay area residents and visitors with big beach plans over the weekend might want to check on local conditions before heading out. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission reports that a persistent red tide bloom in the region is continuing to cause problems.

5 Percent Wage Hike for State Cops Pitched by Gov. Rick Scott

Law enforcement officers on the State of Florida’s payroll might be getting a raise courtesy of a proposal floated by Gov. Rick Scott Thursday morning. Scott has included $11.7 million in his 2017-18 budget recommendations to cover a 5 percent pay raise for Florida’s nearly 4,000 state law enforcement officers.

2016 Holiday Lights: 9 Must-See Displays in Tampa Bay

The holiday season is officially here and communities across Tampa Bay are pulling out the stops to spread a little cheer. Folks who love elaborate light displays will find more than a few illuminating nights this December.

Diabetes in America: How Florida Communities Stack Up

As the incident rate of diabetes continues to climb across America, Gallup-Healthways has released a study that shows which states and communities have the highest number of cases. Florida ranks in the bottom half of the country with many communities in the Sunshine State also scoring poorly.

Neil Diamond Making Tampa Stop on World Tour

Tampa Bay area Neil Diamond fans might want to put a few dates on their calendars. The legendary crooner has announced a stop at Amalie Arena on his upcoming “50 Year Anniversary World Tour.”

NOAA Hurricane Hunters Moving to Lakeland

When the National Oceanic and Aeronautic Administration’s Hurricane Hunters fly into storms next year, they’ll take off from a new location. A move from Tampa’s MacDill Air Force Base to Lakeland Linder Regional Airport was announced Wednesday.

Clearwater’s Rescued Eagle Takes Flight Once More

A bald eagle that managed to stop traffic near Clearwater’s Westfield Countryside Mall back in October is back in the air following a team effort to rehabilitate her broken wing. The eagle was officially released back into the wild Tuesday after a several-week recovery period.

USF Bulls Make National Football Rankings

University of South Florida football fans have a reason to celebrate that goes beyond the Bulls’ Saturday victory in the annual War on I-4 rivalry game against the University of Central Florida Knights. It seems that 48-31 win also propelled USF into the national rankings for the first time in five years.

Florida Boy Calls 911 to Invite Deputies to Thanksgiving Dinner

A 5-year-old DeFuniak Springs boy’s Thanksgiving invitation was so sweet deputies at the Walton County Sheriff’s Office just couldn’t bring themselves to turn it down.

Deputy Shoots Her Finger, Kills Pit Bull Following Attack

A Pasco County deputy’s Saturday run-in with a pit bull took a deadly turn for the dog and a painful one for the law enforcement officer.

Photo courtesy of the Clearwater Police Department