Up In Smoke, Bed Bugs, ATM Hauled Off: Weird Florida

Patch operates 24 daily news sites in the Tampa Bay area and surrounding counties. The following are some of the more unusual, wacky, wonderful or just plain weird stories that have had people talking over the last few weeks:

Bed Bug Infestations Earn Tampa National Ranking

Mosquitoes might not be the only nasty, pesky, biting bugs for folks in the Tampa Bay area to worry about. Terminix on Friday released its list of top 20 bed bug-infested cities across the country. Tampa was the only Florida town to earn the dubious placement.

McDonald’s ATM Hauled Off By 3 Masked Men

The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office is on the hunt for three men accused of forcing their way into a McDonald’s Wednesday morning and then helping themselves to the store’s ATM.

Eclipse Watchers’ Grow House Burns: Deputies

A Monday fire in Wesley Chapel’s Lexington Oaks subdivision sparked an investigation after “felony amounts of marijuana” were discovered by firefighters and deputies. The alleged owners of the illegal substance were reportedly out of town to watch the eclipse when the grow house went up in smoke, the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office reported Tuesday.

Mom, Daughter Prostitution, Massage Operation Shut Down: Cops

A call into Crime Stoppers about possible illegal activities occurring at a home on Sarasota’s Bay Street kicked off a month-long investigation that ultimately led to the arrest of a mother and her adult daughter.

Bus Driver Who Dropped Kids Off Blocks From School Under Investigation

The St. Petersburg Police Department says a Tuesday morning scare involving missing kids from Lealman Innovation Academy ended with all students accounted for. The school bus driver who allegedly dropped the kids off blocks from campus, however, is now under investigation by the school district.

As Florida’s Lyme Disease Cases Rise, Researchers Offer Slick Solution

While most Floridians prefer the backyard pool or beach this time of year, some are still taking time out to explore the Sunshine State’s more rugged, woodsy areas. Those who do may find nearly invisible ticks just waiting to make meals of out them. Lyme disease, one of the most common tick-borne illnesses, is on the rise — the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says there may be as many as 300,000 cases of the infection per year in the United States, though many of these could go undetected.

What Florida Singles Hate The Most: Deal Breaker Map

Florida singles on the hunt for romantic partners may find that working out is a turn on, but doing it together is not. While that might seem surprising in a state known for its near year-round beach weather – and the skimpy clothing that goes along with it – “workout couples” are the biggest turnoff for singles in the Sunshine State, according to an analysis from the creators of a dating app called HaterDater.

Polk County EMT Forged Promotion Paperwork: Sheriff

A 28-year-old Polk County Fire Rescue emergency medical technician is in hot water with the law and her employer after authorities say she forged documents to gain a promotion. Polk County deputies say the documents Kayla Anne Rivas Zehtab turned in to be eligible for a firefighter promotion – and a $11,123 a year raise – were phony.