Gator Vs. Motorcycle, Wildfires, Florida's Top Baby Names

Patch operates 24 daily news sites in in the Tampa Bay area and surrounding counties. The following are some of the top stories from the past day:

Jay B. Starkey Wilderness Park Ready To Reopen

Tampa Bay area residents who have been missing the beauty of Pasco County’s Jay B. Starkey Wilderness Park can start visiting again on Saturday. Park goers, however, are being warned that the 2,275-acre Anclote Branch wildfire has forced limited access in some areas.

Florida Unemployment Rate Hits Near 10-Year Low

Florida’s unemployment rate fell to 4.5 percent during April 2017, the lowest it’s been in since September 2007. Gov. Rick Scott announced the figures Friday along with the jobs report for the Tampa Bay area.

Florida On Fire: 116 Wildfires, But Rain May Soon Provide Relief

For the first time in a long while, the forecast for the Tampa Bay area shows pretty decent rain chances. Those anticipated showers and storms over the next few days may provide much-needed relief for crews battling wildfires across the state.

David Gee, Hillsborough County Sheriff, Announces Retirement

There’s about to be a new sheriff in town. After nearly 13 years in the post, Hillsborough County Sheriff David Gee’s plans to retire later this year surfaced on Friday.

Florida’s Most Popular Baby Names For 2016 Are…

The Sunshine State might be known for marching to the beat of its own drum, but Floridians don’t seem to buck the system too much in the baby-naming department. Statewide data released by the Social Security Administration on Friday shows that the most popular baby names in Florida track pretty closely to those selected by parents across the country in 2016.

McDonald’s Hiring 1,000 Workers In Tampa Bay Area

Tampa Bay area residents in search of part- or full-time employment opportunities may want to check out their local McDonald’s. The fast-food chain has announced the kick off of a statewide hiring spree meant to add 5,000 people to its employee roster over the next month. About 1,000 of those jobs are in the Tampa Bay area, officials say.

Gator Dies After Crash With Motorcycle

A Friday morning crash involving a 27-year-old Wimauma man on a motorcycle and an alligator initially left both injured. The man was airlifted to a local hospital with serious injuries, while the Florida Highway Patrol reported the gator was in critical condition. That status changed, however, Friday afternoon.

Belleair Home Wows With Waterfall Spa, Backyard Views

Tampa Bay area house hunters in the market for boat-friendly properties with lots of room may find this Belleair estate to their liking. With more than 5,600 square feet of living space and five bedrooms, there’s plenty of room to roam.

Storms In Tampa Bay’s Weekend Forecast

Tampa Bay area residents and visitors may want to dust off their trusty umbrellas. The National Weather Service says the region may witness something it has seen in a while over the weekend: daily rain.

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