Vet Scam, False Killer Whale Deaths, Braves Coming To Sarasota

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:

Woman Collecting Cash For Disabled Vet Duped Donors: Cops A 54-year-old Bradenton woman has been charged with scheming to defraud after police say she collected donations from about a dozen people to provide medical care for a disabled veteran she supposedly lived with.

Mom Faces More Charges In Sex Case Involving Teens

The number of teenage boys a Bradenton mother is accused of engaging in inappropriate sexual activity with has climbed to five. The Manatee County Sheriff’s Office announced three additional victims in the case against Jaimie Ayer, 40, on Friday.

Iron Maiden Announces Tampa Tour Stop

Tampa Bay Iron Maiden fans won’t have to run to the hills to catch the band in action. Amalie Arena has announced it’s one of the upcoming stops on the “The Book of Souls” tour.

Tampa Bay Wow Houses Deliver Waterfront Views

Tampa Bay area house hunters will find no shortage of waterfront properties on the market. From riverfront homes in the New Port Richey area to sprawling Lakewood Ranch estates, the region has more than a few eye-popping homes up for grabs.

Child Killed By Train: Babysitter Charged With Neglect

A 26-year-old Zephyrhills woman has been charged in connection with the death of a toddler in December. The woman faces neglect charges after the 2-year-old boy she was watching was struck and killed by a train on Dec. 12.

St. Pete Pelican Deaths: Mystery Continues

As the city of St. Petersburg works with other agencies to unravel the mystery behind a rash of recent pelican deaths, initial water tests from the two affected areas have shown no abnormalities, officials report.

82 False Killer Whales Die After Mass Stranding Off Florida Coast

What prompted 95 false killer whales to strand themselves off Monroe County’s coastline Saturday remains under investigation. Sarasota’s Mote Marine Laboratory is working with other agencies to better understand the unusual occurrence that ultimately led to the deaths of 82 whales.

Atlanta Braves Plan To Make North Port Spring Training Home

Atlanta Braves fans likely won’t have to drive to Orlando to watch their team in spring training action much longer. The organization announced Tuesday that North Port is its location of choice for creating a spring training center to move to after the team’s lease ends with Disney’s Wide World of Sports.

Photo courtesy of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission