Fiery Tesla Crash | Severed Cat Heads | Woman Bites Coworker: FL News

FLORIDA — On the weekend, we present a week in review of the top stories and headlines from across Florida. Here's a roundup of some of the biggest and quirkiest stories across the state. You can also find your local Patch and catch up on those stories by clicking here.

New Howard Frankland Bridge Span To Open To Drivers: FL Officials

The new southbound Howard Frankland Bridge from Tampa to St. Pete will open to commuters Tuesday after 4 years of construction, FDOT said.

Stolen Dump Trucks Worth $1.2M Found In Tampa: Hillsborough Sheriff

A man faces multiple charges in the theft of 8 dump trucks worth about $1.2M, the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office said.

Tesla SUV Catches Fire After U.S. 19 Crash In Pasco: FL Highway Patrol

The driver hit debris, lost control of her Tesla Model Y, which caught fire at the entrance of a car dealership in Pasco, FL troopers said.

Off-Duty K9 Fatally Shot After Attacking Alpaca: Hillsborough Sheriff

Brooks, with the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office, was let out for a bathroom break when he attacked an alpaca, officials said.

'Risk Of Collapse' Evaluation Ordered For 2 FL Bridges: Report

The National Transportation Safety Board said two FL bridges have "unknown levels of risk of collapse" from vessel collisions.

Estranged Husband Killed Self, Wife’s Boyfriend: Hillsborough Sheriff

A woman’s estranged husband fatally shot her new boyfriend, set himself on fire in a vehicle, the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office said.

FL Woman Drowned Dog At Airport After Boarding Problem: Police

A Florida woman was charged with aggravated animal abuse for drowning her dog in an Orlando airport bathroom before a flight, police said.

Scrap Metal Pile Caught Fire At Recycling Facility: Tampa Fire Rescue

Firefighters controlled a commercial trash fire Thursday at a recycled metals facility in Drew Park, Tampa Fire Rescue said.

Rare FL Panther Kittens Thrive: See Photos

Biologists recently found and assessed a rare litter of three newborn Florida panther kittens between 2 and 4 weeks old.

2 Dogs Hung From Tree; FL Owner Charged With Animal Cruelty

Florida authorities said a man hung his dogs after he tried to have them euthanized weeks earlier; he claimed they tried to kill him.

Woman Bit Coworker’s Cheek, Hit Him With Steel Bar On I75: FL Troopers

A Bradenton woman working in a construction zone on I-75 bit a coworker’s cheek, hit him with steel rebar during a fight, FL troopers said.

FL Has Gotten $28B In Disaster Aid Since 2003: What If FEMA Was Cut?

Florida, a hurricane-prone state, received more than $28 billion in federal disaster funding since 2003, a report said.

Missing FL Teen Paddleboarders Found ‘Cold But Healthy’: Sheriff

Two 16-year-old girls who went missing Monday while paddleboarding in FL near Cedar Key were found safe, the sheriff’s office said.

Burglars Used Saw To Break Into Tampa Store: Watch

Investigators are searching for four suspects who used a circular store to break into a Tampa store on March 1, police said.

Pedestrian Dies After Being Hit By 6 Vehicles: FL Highway Patrol

A woman crossing Dale Mabry Highway in Hillsborough County on Saturday night died after being hit by 6 vehicles, FL Highway Patrol said.

DUI Driver Killed Mother, Injured Kids Hours After Arrest: Sheriff

A man arrested for DUI in Pinellas County last month, killed a mother and injured 3 of her children hours later, Hillsborough sheriff said.

Severed Cat Heads Left On Mailbox By Suspect: FL Sheriff

A man was charged with animal cruelty and stalking after leaving two severed cat heads on a mailbox, the Lee County Sheriff’s Office said.

Body Found On Weedon Island Identified As Missing Teen: Police

A body found Friday at Weedon Island Preserve was identified as a missing teen, 17-year-old Allister Samer Nasr, St. Pete police said.

Man Charged With Murder Months After Violent Attack In Tampa: Sheriff

A woman died months after being “brutally attacked and robbed” in a Tampa park in December, the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office said.

2 Injured In Small Plane Crash: Manatee County Sheriff

A vintage single-engine plane crashed not long after taking off from Airport Manatee on Tuesday morning, the sheriff’s office said.