Mystery Monkey, Zombie Apocalypse, Fake Cop: Weird Florida

Patch operates 24 daily news sites in Florida. The following are some of the wackier, wonderful or just plain weird stories that have made headlines over the past few weeks:

Tampa Toast in Zombie Apocalypse, Study Says

Fans of “The Walking Dead” may recall what Atlanta looked on the little screen after the fictional zombie apocalypse took hold. That’s how the folks at Career Builder envision Tampa’s future should fantasy ever become reality … only worse.

Hudson Beach Rhesus Macaque Sightings Prompt Plea

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is asking folks to avoid any monkey business with a fugitive rhesus macaque that has been spotted in the Hudson Beach area. The agency is, however, asking anyone who spots the little runaway to contact it immediately.

Trespassing Call Led to Kitten’s Rescue

A routine trespassing call in New Port Richey took an unusual turn Thursday when two Pasco County deputies found themselves rescuing a kitten as a bonus.

Watch: Amy Schumer 'Apologizes' to Tampa Donald Trump Supporters

Comedian Amy Schumer took a few moments out of Tuesday night’s performance at Madison Square Garden in New York to issue an apology of sorts to fans in Tampa. It seems some audience members at the Amalie Arena show on Sunday walked out when Schumer went on a political diatribe, calling out Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump.

Man Repeatedly Rammed Ex’s Car to ‘Talk,’ Deputies Say

A 24-year-old Wesley Chapel man is in hot water after Pasco County deputies say he went too far in an attempt to get his ex to “talk.” According to the agency, the man used his Audi to ram the woman’s Honda Accord several times Tuesday afternoon while the two were driving on State Road 54.

Giant, Poisonous Toads Causing Problems for Tampa Bay Area Pets

A South Tampa schnauzer’s Monday run-in with a poisonous Bufo toad stands as a reminder that these critters pose a continual threat to pets in the Tampa Bay area. Although the non-native toads are generally most active in the summertime, the potential for encounters persists in the region no matter the season, veterinarians say.

Sleepy Burglar Helped Himself to Bologna, Nap: Deputies

A Zephyrhills man may have thought he’d been transported into a scene from “Goldilocks and the Three Bears” when he arrived home Wednesday morning. In this case, there was no gobbled up porridge or broken chair, but he did find a person sleeping in a bed.

Fake Narcotics Cop Caught with Drugs, Sheriff’s Office Says

People trying to talk their way out of traffic tickets or other trouble with law enforcement is nothing new. Having someone falsely claim to work for the same agency as an investigating deputy to avoid hot water isn’t quite an everyday occurrence though.

Photo courtesy of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission