School Recess, Heroic Save, Frugal Cities

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

Tampa, Orlando Among America’s Most Frugal Cities

When it comes to pinching pennies, Orlando and Tampa Bay area residents are among the nation’s best. That’s according to Coupons.com, which named the two cities to its Top 10 list of the country's most frugal.

Scorpions, Megadeth Ready To Rock Tampa Bay

Like your music loud and proud? Get ready to be rocked like a hurricane. The Scorpions have announced a Tampa stop on the upcoming Crazy World Tour with thrash metal favorites Megadeth along the for the ride.

Video: Man Jailed After ‘Violent Attack’ On Cop

What appeared to be a routine burglary arrest took a violent turn Sunday early morning, sending a Bradenton police officer to the hospital and a 23-year-old man to jail.

Trio Of Auto Burglars Taken Down After Hit-And-Run

A trio of accused auto burglars from Fort Lauderdale found themselves behind bars Monday after they allegedly ransacked a vehicle in Lutz before getting into a crash on Collier Parkway in Land O’ Lakes. While all three are accused of bailing out after the collision, Pasco County deputies made short work of bringing them into custody.

Anti-Death Penalty Prosecutor’s Suspension Being Touted

Aramis Ayala made history when she won election to become Florida’s first black state attorney. She may soon go down in the record books yet again if some lawmakers get their request for her suspension granted.

Heroes Save Man Who Plunged Into Lake Silver

A decision made by two men to dive into Lake Silver's waters to rescue a man trapped in a car stands a proof that good still exists in the world. That’s according to Winter Haven Police Chief Charlie Bird following a harrowing rescue made on Monday by two witnesses to a single-vehicle crash.

School Recess Bill Clears Florida Senate

Florida elementary school kids will get 20 minutes of recess time daily under a bill that cleared the Senate Tuesday. A slightly different version of the measure moving through the House, however, could prevent the proposal from reaching Gov. Rick Scott’s desk anytime soon.

Tampa Payless Store On Closing List

Shoppers accustomed to visiting the Payless Shoesource at 8201 N. Dale Mabry Highway will have to visit nearby locations to get their fix of discount footwear from now on. The Carrollwood area store was one of about 400 slated for “immediate closing” in an announcement made by the company Tuesday.

Paul O’Neill, Trans-Siberian Orchestra Founder, Dead At 61

Paul O'Neill, the 61-year-old founder of the Trans-Siberian Orchestra, was found dead in a Tampa hotel room on Wednesday.

Red Tide Fish Kills Reported Along Central Gulf Coast

As a persistent Florida red tide bloom continues to plague the central Gulf Coast region of Florida, reports of fish kills and people experiencing respiratory irritations have come in from multiple beaches. The bloom that stretches from Pinellas County south to Lee has been an ongoing concern for several months.

Photo courtesy of the Manatee County Public Safety Department