Monster Python, $43 Million Given Away, Drinking Water Toxins: 2016’s Top Stories

Patch operates 24 daily news sites in the Tampa Bay area and surrounding counties. The following are some of the top stories from 2016:

Monster Python Bagged In Florida

As hunters converge on South Florida to help rid the state of invasive Burmese pythons that have taken up residence in its wetlands, one of the biggest catches so far doesn’t count toward the $5,000 grand prize.

Florida Woman Gives Away $43 Million Lotto Jackpot

Six lucky numbers made a 90-year-old Largo woman one of Florida’s newest millionaires, but the status just wasn’t meant to last.

Watch: Disney's Snow White Steals Autistic Boy's Heart

A mom visiting Disney World with her 2-year-old son recently found out for herself just why the attraction is affectionately dubbed the “Magic Kingdom.”

28 Tampa Bay Area Communities Have Drinking Water Toxin Made Famous By Erin Brockovich

At least 28 communities in the Tampa Bay area have the cancer-causing toxin in their drinking water that was cast in the national spotlight by the 2000 Julia Roberts movie “Erin Brockovich,” according to a study published Tuesday by the Environmental Working Group.

Watch: Woman Pulls Over Cop For Speeding

A Miami Dade Police officer with an alleged need for speed found the tables turned on him recently when a fellow motorist pulled him over for driving too fast.

Pro-Gun Mom Shot By Son Must Take Gun Safety Class

The pro-gun Florida mom who was accidentally shot in the back by her 4-year-old son in March will not face criminal charges in the case, but she has been ordered to take a gun safety class as part of a deferred prosecution agreement struck earlier this week.

Hulk Hogan’s Bandana Raising Eyebrows In Sex Tape Trial

As the third day of testimony in Hulk Hogan’s $100 million invasion of privacy lawsuit trial against Gawker Media continued Wednesday, chatter about the former professional wrestler’s attire continued to dominate social media.

Newborn Killed: Mom Featured In ‘I’m Pregnant And 55 Years Old’

Kathleen Steele had it all. A great job, a devoted husband, a beach house and even a sailboat. The only thing missing from her life was children.

Flamingo’s Death At Busch Gardens Leads To Arrest

A 45-year-old Orlando man faces felony animal cruelty charges after Tampa Police say he grabbed Pinky, Busch Gardens' dancing flamingo, and threw her to the ground. The flamingo suffered serious injuries and had to be euthanized by park officials, police say.

Waterskiing Baby Glides Across Florida Lake

Zyla St. Onge can’t walk just yet at 6 months of age, but she can water ski. So well, in fact, the baby may have broken a world record by skiing nearly 700 feet on Lake Grew in Polk City.

Photo courtesy of Busch Gardens Tampa Bay