Community Corner
Son Kills Mother + Escaped Teen Inmate + Trader Joe's Opening: FL News
Movie Exec Dies In Plane Crash | Animal Cruelty Case | Biden Pardons | Savage Coffee Opens In U.S. | Dengue Fever | Postal Worker Mail Thief
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.
Tampa Teen. 17, Killed In Pasco County Crash: FL Highway Patrol
A teenage driver was killed and his passenger, a 16-year-old boy, was seriously injured in a Thursday night crash in Pasco, FHP said.
Find out what's happening in Tampafor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Biden Pardons FL Man In Largest-Ever Clemency
A FL man who served in the U.S. Navy and pleaded guilty to a non-violent offense 25+ years ago is among those pardoned by President Biden.
Find out what's happening in Tampafor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Trooper Rear-Ends Truck In Sarasota Area: FHP
A state trooper failed to stop for traffic and rear-ended the truck in front of it in Sarasota, Florida Highway Patrol said.
Dog Missing After Car Stolen In Port Richey: Pasco Sheriff's Office
A dog that was in a car when it was stolen from outside a Port Richey home early Dec. 6 is still missing, the Pasco Sheriff’s Office said.
Knife-Wielding Man Shot, Tased By Pasco Deputies
Pasco County authorities say they tried to de-escalate a situation before shooting a man accused of aiming to break into a gun store.
$1M Scratch-Off Prize Claimed By Clearwater Woman: FL Lottery
A Clearwater woman claimed a $1 million prize playing the $5,000,000 Crossword Cash scratch-off game, Florida Lottery said.
A woman wanted for animal cruelty charges in Illinois was arrested in Tampa and will be extradited to Chicago, the sheriff’s office said.
Armed Suspect Stole Gun From Bradenton Shop: Watch
Investigators are looking for an armed man who stole a gun from High Noon Guns in Bradenton Saturday afternoon, police said.
Tyler Perry Studios President Dies In FL Plane Crash: Reports
Steve Mensch, president of Atlanta’s Tyler Perry Studios, died after crashing his single-engine plane in FL on Friday night, reports said.
2 Human Dengue Fever Cases Reported In Tampa Bay Area: Report
So far this year, Florida has seen 74 locally acquired human dengue fever cases reported across the state, data from health officials shows.
Escaped Teen Inmate To Face New Charges: Tampa Police
A teen charged with murder, who escaped from a juvenile detention facility on Sunday, will face new charges, Tampa police said.
Luxury Realtor Opens 18th Office In Sarasota, Bradenton Area
Michael Saunders & Company will open its 18th office on Florida’s Gulf Coast with a new satellite office at Longboat Key condo tower.
Tampa-Area Man Attacked Officers During 2021 U.S. Capitol Riot: DOJ
A Brandon man faces multiple felony charges for being part of the mob that breached the U.S. Capitol building on Jan. 6, 2021, US DOJ said.
U.S. Postal Worker Stole Credit Card From Mail: DOJ
A postal worker from St. Pete pleaded guilty to stealing mail, including credit cards, from his route, the U.S. Department of Justice said.
Allegiant Pilots To Picket Over Wages At Sarasota Bradenton Airport
Allegiant Air Teamsters Pilots will picket over wages and working conditions outside Sarasota Bradenton International Airport.
Son Charged In Mother’s Murder In Tampa: Hillsborough County Sheriff
A Tampa man was charged with first-degree murder in the death of his mother, the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office said.
Tampa Lawmaker's Switch To GOP Creates Supermajority In FL House
With Susan Valdés dumping the Democrats to join the GOP, FL Republicans have their largest-ever majority in the state House, reports said.
Teen Shot Flare Onto School Soccer Field Mid-Game: Bradenton Police
The teenager shot the flare gun onto the soccer field at a private school after being asked to leave a game, Bradenton police said.
Tampa Area Holiday Scene Uses Godzilla To Highlight Milton Damage
When decorating their Lakeland home for the holidays, a couple decided to highlight damage caused by Hurricane Milton.
17 FL Maternity Hospitals Among Best Places To Have A Baby: U.S. News
In Florida, 17 maternity are among the highest performing in the U.S., according to a new list from U.S. News.
Panamanian Coffee Brand To Open First U.S. Cafe, Shop In St. Pete
Savage Coffee, based in Panama, will open its first U.S. cafe in the ground-level retail space of The Nolen in St. Petersburg.
New Clearwater-Area Trader Joe’s Grocery Store Sets Opening Date
The long awaited new Trader Joe’s grocery store in Palm Harbor plans to open its door to the public for the first time soon.
FL Shooting Suspect Arrested At GA Amtrak Train Station: Sheriff
A FL man who shot 5 people outside a Bradenton bar last month was taken into custody at an Amtrak train station in Savannah, GA, MCSO said.
‘You People Are Next’: Lakeland Woman Threatens Health Insurance Co.
A Lakeland woman was arrested for threatening a Blue Cross Blue Shield health insurance rep, saying, “delay, deny, depose,” reports said.
Hundreds Of Gallons Of Cooking Oil Spill Across I-75 In Sarasota: FHP
Only one lane of I-75 in Sarasota Friday morning after a semi-truck crash spilled cooking oil across multiple lanes, FL Highway Patrol said.
Man, Bichon Dog Missing In Manatee County: Sheriff’s Office
An 87-year-old man and Sassy, his Bichon dog, were last seen Tuesday at their Ellenton home, the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office said.
The roommate was brought to a St. Pete hospital in critical condition after the shooting, reports said.
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