2 Infant Deaths | School Gun Charges | Hurricane Aid, Looters: 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.

FL Special Needs School Damaged In Hurricane 1 Year After Opening

LiFT Academy in Clearwater, which serves neurodivergent children and adults, sustained more than $2M in damage during Hurricane Milton.

Lido Beach Remains Closed After Hurricane Damage: Sarasota Officials

After damage from back-to-back hurricanes, Helene and Milton, Lido Beach remains temporarily closed to the public, Sarasota officials said.

Girl, 17, Sought In Infant’s Death: Hillsborough County Sheriff

An infant’s caretaker, a 17-year-old girl, is wanted in connection with the child’s death, the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office said.

Pinellas County Rescue Group Forms In Wake Of 2 Hurricanes

Rescue Pinellas, which formed after Hurricanes Helene and Milton, made boat rescues from beach communities, continues to collect supplies.

Waterfront Restaurant Permanently Closed In Bradenton After Milton

Caddy’s Bradenton Riverwalk location has closed its doors for good after Hurricane Milton.

3 FL Breweries Win Big At Great American Beer Festival

The nation’s largest professional beer competition awarded 273 breweries and cideries with 325 medals. Here’s who took one home.

Midnight Pass, Reopened By Hurricanes, Should Be Restored: Rep. Steube

Rep. Steube is calling for the permanent restoration of Midnight Pass, which was reopened during Hurricanes Helene and Milton.

$1M Powerball Ticket Sold In FL; Jackpot Hits $478M

While nobody hit the jackpot in Monday night’s Powerball drawing, someone in FL is $1M richer. A $1M-winning ticket was also sold in TX.

Teen Killed Mother’s Boyfriend: Police

A 19-year-old was charged with first-degree murder for the death of his mother’s boyfriend, St. Petersburg police said.

Family, Dog Rescued From Chest-Level Floodwaters: Watch

Watch Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office deputies rescue a family and their dog from a flooded home near the Alafia River after hurricane.

Woman Who Drove Through Red Light Dies In Crash: FL Highway Patrol

A Bradenton woman died after running through a red light and hitting a pick-up truck Saturday night, Florida Highway Patrol said.

Mother Of Dead Infant Arrested In Mississippi: Tampa Police

The baby’s body was found at the University of Tampa in April. The 19-year-old mother was charged with manslaughter, police said.

School Gun Arrests Made At 2 Tampa-Area High Schools: Officials

A gym teacher and two students were arrested in gun-related incidents at two Tampa-area schools, law enforcement agencies said.

Motorcyclist Thrown Into Tampa Bay In Bridge Crash: FL Highway Patrol

The motorcyclist’s body was recovered from the water by Tampa police divers after the crash, Florida Highway Patrol said.

3 ‘Young Men’ Sought In Deadly Hit-And-Run: St. Pete Police

The suspects were driving a stolen Jeep when they hit and killed a 70-year-old man crossing 9th Avenue S., St. Pete police said.

Looters, Unlicensed Contractors Arrested After Hurricanes: FL Sheriff

Dozens of looters and unlicensed contractors were arrested in Pinellas County after Hurricanes Helene and Milton, the sheriff’s office said.

Suspects Sought In 49th Street S. Shooting: St. Pete Police

Detectives are looking for several men involved in an Oct. 19 shooting in a public parking lot on 49th Street S., St. Pete police said.

Hurricane Survivors In FL, NC, Cuba Find Help Through Mutual Aid Group

St. Pete Food Not Bombs continues to feed and collect resources for survivors of Hurricanes Helene, Milton and Oscar in FL, NC and Cuba.

Iconic Musician Patti Smith To Return To Selby Gardens

The Marie Selby Botanical Gardens hosts “An Evening with Patti Smith and her Book of Days” Nov. 14 at the Historic Spanish Point campus.

Suspect Charged In Woman’s Death Months After Slaying: St. Pete Police

A family acquaintance was charged with murder in the July death of 42-year-old Kelli Fisher, St. Petersburg police said.

FL Kmart Is Last Mainland U.S. Store Still Open
The Miami-area Kmart is the last remaining store in the mainland U.S. after the last full-size Bridgehampton, NY, location closed Sunday.

AI Tool Helps Send $1K To Some Hurricane Helene, Milton Victims
GiveDirectly will send $1,000 directly to some NC, FL households that were affected by Hurricanes Helene and Milton.

1 Dead In SoHo Crash: Tampa Police
A man died after being hit by a truck leaving a SoHo shopping center early Tuesday morning, Tampa police said.