Blue Turtle, Slides Pose Amputation Risk, Publix Pancake Mix Recall

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:

Florida Strawberry Festival 2017 Concert Tickets On Sale Now

Music lovers who want to make sure they have great seats for the 2017 Florida Strawberry Festival’s headline acts might want to act soon. Ticket sales for the March shows began bright and early Thursday morning.

Pinellas Park Christmas Parade 2017: Route, Road Closings

Tampa Bay area residents who want to get into the holiday spirit by taking in a parade will get their chance this weekend. The 44th annual Pinellas Park Christmas Parade is set to step off at 6 p.m. Dec. 10.

Finger Amputation Risk: Children’s Slides Recalled by Playworld Systems

Parents of kids with a passion for playground slides might want to think twice about letting them go down, especially if the equipment happens to be a stainless steel design distributed by Playworld Systems. The company has issued a recall of an estimated 1,300 slides following 13 reported incidents of broken welds, two of which resulted in children having their fingers amputated.

Woman Blew Nearly 5 Times Over Legal Limit: Deputies

A 36-year-old Brandon woman was nearly five times over the legal limit when she drove her Jeep Wrangler into another car Wednesday night, according to Hillsborough County deputies.

Deputy’s Cruiser Crashed Into: Woman Charged with DUI

A 45-year-old Palm Harbor woman faces DUI charges following a Wednesday morning crash in Oldsmar.

Salmonella Scare: Publix Recalls Premium Pancake, Waffle Mixes

Publix shoppers may want to check their pantries for the Lakeland-based grocery chain’s breakfast mixes. The company has issued a voluntary recall on its Publix Premium Pancake and Waffle Mixes after being informed by a supplier milk powder used in the products may be contaminated with salmonella.

‘Blue’ Gopher Tortoise No Laughing Matter: State Wildlife Officials

Electric blue might be all the rage for teenage girls’ hair, but it’s never, ever OK to paint a gopher tortoise that color or any other. That’s the message the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is trying to share following a recent incident in Martin County.

Florida's Rural Counties: An Endangered Species, Federal Data Shows

With its subdivisions, commercial centers, bustling downtown areas and tourist attractions, it probably comes as little surprise that Pinellas County is considered one of the most urban counties in the Sunshine State. What may surprise residents, however, is that Pinellas technically beats out Miami-Dade County for the percentage of its population living in urban settings, according to data released Thursday as part of the 2015 American Community Survey.

Loaded Gun At School: Bradenton Middle School Student Charged

A 13-year-old Harlee Middle School student faces a number of criminal charges after Manatee County deputies found a loaded gun in his backpack.

Photo courtesy of Publix