Confederate Memorial Topples, ‘Rape Fantasy,’ Deadly Fight

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

Man’s ‘Rape Fantasy’ Didn’t Pan Out: Cops

A 24-year-old Hudson man faces criminal charges after Largo Police say he traveled to their town with the intent to carry out a “rape fantasy” with a 14-year-old girl. What Michael Douglas Ludwig didn’t know prior to his arrest, however, was that the “teen” he was conversing with over social media and text was actually Det. Lance Moore.

Confederate Memorial Breaks During Removal (Video)

The decision to relocate Manatee County’s Confederate memorial in the interest of “public safety” turned out to be well-founded, the county announced Thursday afternoon. It seems the 8.5-ton granite monument’s spire was no longer securely affixed. It broke in two during the early morning move, a mishap that was caught on surveillance footage.

Classic Style Makes Brandon Estate Stand Out

House hunters looking for properties with classic style and convenient access to Interstate 75 might find this Brandon beauty turns their heads. With more than 5,000 square feet of living space and a custom design that is meant to impress, the home features five bedrooms and a “grand staircase.”

‘Sophisticated’ Grow House Shut Down In St. Pete

A Wednesday night warrant search at a St. Petersburg home led to an estimated $200,000 worth of marijuana being seized and the arrest of a Pinellas Park man.

Three $1 Million Powerball Tickets Sold In Florida: Check Your Numbers

While the $758.7 million Powerball jackpot prize went to a person who bought a ticket in Massachusetts for Wednesday night’s drawing, three tickets in Florida are worth $1 million, according to Florida Lottery officials.

Tractor Rollover Kills Man, 26, In Palm Harbor

The Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a work-related accident that claimed the life of a 26-year-old man in Palm Harbor Wednesday afternoon.

Wesley Chapel Home Invasion Suspect Sought

Pasco County Sheriff’s deputies are asking residents to keep a lookout for a man wanted in connection with a Wednesday afternoon armed home invasion in Wesley Chapel.

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