Manatee Super Bowl Picks, UFO Sightings, Trump Animatronic: Weird Florida

Patch operates 24 daily news sites in the Tampa Bay area and surrounding counties. The following are some of the more unusual, wacky, wonderful or just plain weird stories from the past few weeks:

Florida Manatees Make Super Bowl 2017 Picks

Not sure who to back in this Sunday’s Super Bowl? The manatees at Sarasota’s Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium might be able to lend a hand, or flipper.

Impaired Woman Slammed Into Cruiser, Fled: Deputies

A 44-year-old New Port Richey woman is in hot water after Pinellas County deputies say she slammed into one of their cruisers early Friday morning and then tried to flee the scene.

Sad, Silent Trump Requested for Disney’s Hall of Presidents

As America’s 45th president, Donald Trump has earned rights to more than the Oval Office. If tradition holds, he's also scored a place in Walt Disney World’s storied Hall of Presidents. Some people, however, are bucking for the Magic Kingdom to create Trump’s forthcoming animatronic replica without one feature: a voice box.

Unprovoked Shark Attacks: Florida No. 1 … Again

The folks at the University of Florida's International Shark Attack File have crunched the numbers related to shark attack reports made in 2016. The good news is that the total number of unprovoked shark attacks across the globe dropped year over year. The bad news is that the number of people in Florida who’ve managed to have run-ins with the toothy creatures tops the list nationally and internationally.

Man Accused Of Stealing Valor A ‘Disgrace,’ Sheriff Says

A Lakeland man is in hot water after a tip to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office uncovered his alleged attempts to solicit money by impersonating a military officer. Kyle Christopher Barwan’s arrest on a charge of stolen valor was announced by the Polk County Sheriff’s Office Thursday.

Florida UFO Sightings Reported In 2016: Check Out The Full List

There were 23 UFO sightings reported across the Sunshine State in December 2016. More than 100 other sightings were reported in communities all across Florida throughout the past year, according to the National UFO Reporting Center.

Snow In Florida: Do You Remember?

Snowfall in the Tampa Bay area might seem impossible considering our recent stretch of sunny days and highs in the 80s. But, it happened ... one January long ago.

Discovery Of Torpedo Prompted Florida Evacuations

A contractor working on the foundation for a new home in Indian River County’s Ocean Ridge subdivision got more than he bargained for Tuesday. After digging about 3 feet down, the man came across an obstruction in the soil.

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