Hot Restaurants, Accused Cop Killer’s Case, Easter Bunny

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 day:

Seffner Mom Arrested After 2 Kids Found Roaming

A 34-year-old Seffner woman faces several criminal charges after reports of two small children wandering on Clewis Avenue came into the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office on Wednesday.

3 Tampa Bay Eateries Named Among America’s Hottest

Tampa Bay area residents who want to check out some of America’s hottest restaurants won't have to drive far to do so. Three eateries in the region have been named among OpenTable’s “Top 100 Hot Spots” in the country for 2017.

Prosecutor Pulled In Accused Cop Killer Case

Gov. Rick Scott has pulled Orange-Osceola State Attorney Aramis Ayala from the Markeith Loyd first-degree murder case. Ayala announced on Thursday she would not seek the death penalty for the man accused of killing his pregnant girlfriend and Orlando Police Lt. Debra Clayton. The announcement sparked immediate and harsh criticism, including Scott's demand she recuse herself.

DUI Wolf Pack Set For St. Patrick’s Day

Motorists with St. Patrick’s Day party plans in the St. Petersburg area will want to designate a driver before indulging in too much green beer. The St. Petersburg Police Department is teaming up with the Florida Highway Patrol to conduct a crackdown on impaired drivers this Friday.

Arrest Made In SunTrust Bank Robbery

The Manatee County Sheriff’s Office has announced an arrest in connection with a Wednesday afternoon bank robbery at a Bradenton SunTrust.

Easter Bunny Coming To 3 Westfield Malls

Tampa Bay area residents eager for spring’s arrival are invited to hop on down to a Westfield mall locations for face-to-face meetings with the Easter Bunny himself. Westfield has announced the Easter Bunny plans to make local appearances starting next week in Clearwater, Brandon and Citrus Park.

DUI Wolf Pack Set To Prowl Sarasota, Manatee Counties

Folks with big St. Patrick’s Day 2017 party plans may want to think twice before getting behind the wheel. The Florida Highway Patrol has announced its intention to conduct a DUI Wolf Pack Operation this weekend.

Bayshore Views, Historic Style Make Home 'Grand'

Located within walking distance of Hyde Park Village and downtown Tampa’s Riverwalk, this Bayshore Boulevard estate might be ideal for those who love being in the thick of it all. With four bedrooms, 5,600 square feet and its own detached carriage house apartment, this property isn’t for those light in the wallet though.

Marlins Pitcher Was Piloting Boat Before Crash

Florida investigators have determined that Marlins ace José Fernández was captaining the 32-foot Sea Vee when it crashed into a South Beach jetty at a high rate of speed on Sept. 25, 2016, killing himself and two others on board.

Photo courtesy of the Florida Highway Patrol