Tropical Disturbance, Medical Marijuana, $18 Million Lottery Win

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 week:

St. Pete Crossing Guard’s Death Prompts Benefit’s Launch

David Roundtree was setting up his safety zone near Mount Vernon Elementary School before Tuesday afternoon’s dismissal; a task he’d performed many times in the past. It was around 2:35 p.m. when the unthinkable happened.

Florida Zika Virus Cases Edge Past 1,150

Summer might be over, but that doesn’t mean Florida’s mosquitoes have stopped biting. Case in point, the total number of Zika virus reports across the state rose to 1,1,58 on Friday.

Pam Bondi Named To Donald Trump’s Transition Team: Reports

As Donald Trump prepares to move into his new role as president, he’ll reportedly have at least one Floridian by his side. Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi has been named to the president-elect’s transition team, according to several media outlets.

Florida’s Medical Marijuana Amendment: What Happens Next?

Floridians eager to be able to use medical marijuana to treat debilitating health conditions won big victory at the polls Tuesday, but that doesn’t mean doctors will start writing prescriptions any time soon.

Lakeland Woman Scores $18 Million Florida Lotto Win

A Lakeland woman is several million dollars richer after managing to pick the correct numbers in the Nov. 2 Florida Lotto drawing. The jackpot was worth $18 million.

Southwest Soars with 1st Miami-Fort Lauderdale Area to Cuba Flight

Just weeks before Southwest Airlines will begin offering nonstop flights from Tampa to Havana, the first flight from the Miami-Fort Lauderdale area went off without a hitch.

Monday’s Super Supermoon: Will Tampa Bay Area Skies Cooperate?

Tampa Bay area stargazers may be in for a treat Monday night. Scientists say those who peer into the night sky Nov. 14 will get the opportunity to see the biggest “supermoon” on record in the past 70 years or so.

Tropical Disturbance Brewing South of Florida

The 2016 Atlantic Hurricane Season is coming to a close, but it’s not over just yet. A new storm developing in the southwestern Caribbean Sea is showing strong signs of developing further over the next few days.

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