Top Stories: Worst State?; Airport Prank; Gasparilla Memories

Here are five of the week's top headlines on Tampa Bay Patches:

WORST STATE? Florida ranks as the worst state in the nation in a list of states compiled by the website Thrillist Travel. Michigan ranks as the best state in the country. Florida Ranks As Worst State In Country: Thrillist

DRIVER EDUCATION: Pinellas County deputies are targeting traffic violators along U.S. 19 from Pinellas Park to Tarpon Springs as part of a "traffic crash reduction initiative." U.S. 19 Drivers Beware: Deputies Start New Enforcement Operation

PORN CHARGES: A 21-year-old gymnastics coach was arrested on child porn charges, according to the Polk County Sheriff's Office. Alexander M. Katchalov of Lakeland was taken into custody after computer crimes detectives received a tip that he was uploading images and videos of child pornography online. Gymnastics Coach Arrested On Child Porn Charges: Sheriff

AIRPORT PRANK: Tampa police say a sophomoric prank at the Peter O. Knight Airport during Gasparilla festivities Saturday night landed a Panama City Beach man in jail. Man Arrested After Trying To Start 2 Planes, Crashing Fuel Truck

WATCH GASPARILLA: Thousands (more than 300,000 were expected) descended on downtown Tampa Saturday for the annual Gasparilla Pirate Fest, the city's community event held every year since 1904. The parade is the third largest in the country, ranking only behind the Rose Bowl parade and the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade. Gasparilla Pirate Fest Draws Thousands To Downtown Tampa: Watch

Patch file photo via Pixabay/Simon_Goede