Officer Mourned, Double Homicide, Wet Foot-Dry Foot Ends

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 or so:

Accused Cop Killer Remains At-Large As Final Respects Paid To Slain Officer

As law enforcement officers across the state of Florida continue efforts to track down an accused cop killer, Orlando is paying its final respects to Master Sgt. Debra Clayton.

Florida Newborn Kidnapped 18 Years Ago Found Alive, Well

The 18-year search for Jacksonville’s Kamiyah Mobley has come to an end. Stolen from her mother only hours after her birth by a woman posing as a health care worker, Kamiyah has been found alive and well, living in Walterboro, South Carolina.

America's ‘Wet Foot, Dry Foot’ Policy Ends For Cubans

President Barack Obama, in one of his last moves before leaving office, has put an end to a longstanding immigration policy that allowed some Cubans to stay in the United States without visas.

Tampa Bay Weekend Weather: Mostly Sunny With Chance For Sprinkles

Tampa Bay area residents and visitors prepping for the long Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day holiday weekend are likely to enjoy the forecast. Mostly sunny skies and highs into the low 80s are likely in most parts of the region each day, but that doesn’t mean a few drops of rain won’t fall.

Fatal Hit-And-Run Wasn’t A Hit-And-Run After All: Cops

A Monday crash that claimed the life of a pedestrian has been reclassified after a review of surveillance video didn’t back up a witness account. According to the St. Petersburg Police Department, the crash that claimed the life of Richard Allan Palmer, 56, didn’t involve a fleeing motorist.

Suspect Named In St. Pete Triple Shooting

The St. Petersburg Police Department is asking for help locating a man wanted in connection with a Jan. 4 triple shooting that resulted in one death. According to the agency, Saveon Diontre Barbery, 22, has a warrant out for his arrest as a principal to first-degree murder.

Eaglet Update: E9 Getting Bigger Every Day

E9, the eaglet who hatched into the world bright and early New Year's Eve morning, continues to thrive under the watchful eyes of its parents, Fort Myers' famous bald eagles Harriet and M15. Just 11 days old, the critter has stolen the show provided by the Southwest Florida Eagle Cam Foundation.

Bradenton Double Homicide: Suspect Information Released

The Manatee County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a double homicide that occurred in Bradenton Friday afternoon. According to the agency, deputies responded to a call from the 5200 block of 15th Street Court East around 1:20 p.m. Jan. 13. When they arrived, they found the bodies of man and woman outside the home.

Photo courtesy of the Orlando Police Department