Dangerous Dumpster Diving, Airstream Ranch Farewell: 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 from the past few weeks:

Dover’s Airstream Ranch Is Coming Down

Motorists who travel Interstate 4 in the Dover area may soon notice a familiar sight is no more. Work crews have been busy this week tearing down the iconic “Airstream Ranch” display.

Florida UFO Sightings Reported In 2016: Check Out The Full List

There were 23 UFO sightings reported across the Sunshine State in December 2016. More than 100 other sightings were reported in communities all across Florida throughout the past year, according to the National UFO Reporting Center.

Unprovoked Shark Attacks: Florida No. 1 … Again

The folks at the University of Florida's International Shark Attack File have crunched the numbers related to shark attack reports made in 2016. The good news is that the total number of unprovoked shark attacks across the globe dropped year over year. The bad news is that the number of people in Florida who’ve managed to have run-ins with the toothy creatures tops the list nationally and internationally.

Man Needing ‘Space’ From Roommate Abused 911: Deputies

A 25-year-old New Port Richey man who reportedly wanted a break from his roommate got it courtesy of the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office. That agency says Anthony Jordan Molina pestered 911 call takers on Sunday night, prompting a deputy to pay a visit to his Westend Avenue home.

Man Rescued From Tampa Garbage Truck

Tampa firefighters are called upon to rush into all sorts of unsavory places to rescue people from peril. Burning buildings, engulfed cars and even the occasional storm drain aren’t out of the question. It’s not every day though that they’re asked to breach a garbage truck to rescue a person trapped inside.

Watch: ‘Doggy Door Burglars’ Sought By Deputies

A trio of men recently broke into a Valrico home using a backyard doggy door to gain entry. While the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office says its deputies have arrested one of the men accused, two suspects have eluded identification so far.

Deputy Attacked After Traffic Stop Makes Arrest Anyway

A 32-year-old Cape Coral man and a Pinellas County Sheriff’s deputy both took a trip to a local hospital after a Thursday night traffic stop took a violent turn.

Slain Tarpon Springs Doctor’s ‘Strange Life’ Focus Of ’48 Hours’ Investigation

Just what happened inside the Tarpon Springs mansion of prominent nephrologist Dr. Steven Schwarz on May 28, 2014? That’s the question “48 Hours” intends to delve into with Saturday’s release of “The Strange Life of Dr. Schwartz.”

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