Snow Day, Explosive Situation, Jurassic Gator: 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 past few weeks:

Snow In Florida: Do You Remember?

Snowfall in the Tampa Bay area might seem impossible considering our recent stretch of sunny days and highs in the 80s. But, it happened ... one January long ago.

Discovery Of Torpedo Prompted Florida Evacuations

A contractor working on the foundation for a new home in Indian River County’s Ocean Ridge subdivision got more than he bargained for Tuesday. After digging about 3 feet down, the man came across an obstruction in the soil.

Watch: Jurassic Gator Creates Stir At Florida Nature Preserve

Alligator sightings in Florida are about as common as sunny days. But getting up close and personal with a gator that looks more like a Steven Spielberg creation than an actual living being isn’t exactly ordinary.

Pasco Man Shot Wife’s Laptop: Deputies Say

A 49-year-old Dade City man faces criminal charges after Pasco County sheriff’s deputies say he opened fire on his wife’s laptop.

Sarasota Baby Born In McDonald’s Bathroom: Report

Parker Jordan is going to have one whopper of a story to tell his own kids when he grows up. While more than a few babies are born on roadsides, in taxis and other unusual locations each year, Parker’s arrival may one-up them all.

Little Daredevil Rescued From Clearwater Chimney

An 8-year-old Clearwater girl with a nose for adventure found herself stuck in a tight spot Monday night, prompting the need for an unusual rescue. According to Clearwater Fire Rescue officials, Isabella Cooke managed to get herself trapped inside a chimney with no way to get out.

Gastric Band Tampering: St. Pete Man Enters Guilty Plea

A 45-year-old St. Petersburg man faces up to 20 years in prison after entering a guilty plea in a wire fraud case. Federal prosecutors had accused Gregory Charles Grimm of working with an accomplice to purchase, alter and resell expired LAP-BAND Adjustable Gastric Banding Systems. Seven of those systems reportedly ended up being implanted into patients in the Sunshine State.

Photo courtesy of Indian River County Emergency Management Services