Data Breach, Hero Emerges, Racial Slur

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:

Krispy Kreme Glaze Mistaken For Meth: Man Arrested Sues Orlando

The Orlando man arrested on drug possession charges in 2015 when a police officer mistook a flake of Krispy Kreme doughnut glaze for methamphetamine vowed following his incarceration to sue. The 65-year-old has kept good on that promise and now has a case moving through the Orange County Court system.

Holiday Inn Data Breach: Tampa Bay Area Properties Affected

InterContinental Hotels Group, the company that owns such brands as Holiday Inn, Candlewood Suites and Crowne Plaza, has announced a major data breach potentially affecting more than 1,000 of its locations.

Red Tide Levels Improve In Tampa Bay Area

After weeks of tracking fish kills and reports of people experiencing respiratory irritation in waters along the Central Gulf Coast of Florida, state officials on Wednesday had improved news to share. For the first time in a while, the red tide organism was found only in background to very low levels in water samples collected from Pinellas County south to Lee.

Busch Gardens BOGO Pass Offer Ends Soon

Tampa Bay area families looking to line up summertime activities for less may want to act fast if Busch Gardens and Adventure Island factor into their plans. The theme park has announced its BOGO Fun Card deal is coming to an end soon.

Attack On Tampa Cop: 3rd ‘Hero’ Named (Video)

The Tampa Police Department has released the name of the third person who took action to help Officer Michael Collins during a violent struggle with a burglary suspect on Wednesday. The agency has also released surveillance video captured by a camera at Raymond James Stadium just moments before the altercation occurred.

Racial Slur-Dropping Senator Should Resign, Charlie Crist Says

Charlie Crist has joined the chorus of politicians calling for State Sen. Frank Artiles to resign after it came to light the Republican from Miami used a racial slur in private conversations with two other members of the legislative body. The former Florida governor and current U.S. Congressman fired off a statement Thursday calling for Artiles to step down.

Alligator Snarls Traffic On Florida Expressway

Pedestrians may not belong on Tampa’s Veterans Expressway, but that fact didn’t stop one from snarling morning rush hour traffic Wednesday. This particular interloper was a 9-foot gator who strolled onto southbound lanes near the Hutchison Road exit in the Carrollwood area around 6:30 a.m.

Lakeland Heroin Trafficking Investigation Nets 17 Arrests

Seventeen people face a long list of charges, including the potential for federal ones, following a three-month undercover operation conducted by the Polk County Sheriff’s Office in cooperation with Lakeland Police.

Photo courtesy of Busch Gardens Tampa Bay