Baby Dolphin, Piano Man, Massive Sinkhole

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

America’s Best-Run Cities: How Florida Towns Rank

When it comes to the effectiveness of local leadership, Florida’s biggest metro areas have room for improvement. That’s according to a new analysis that ranked 150 of America’s biggest cities based on the effectiveness of their leadership.

Piano Man Scammed Customers Out Of $253K: Cops

The owner of Randy’s Pianos faces criminal charges after Largo Police say he agreed to consign pianos for 24 different customers, but failed to pay them proceeds from the sales.

Unclaimed Property: $313 Million Returned To Floridians

Floridians looking for easy money may want to check out the state’s Division of Unclaimed Property. More than 513,000 people did last year, cashing in on an estimated $313 million they had coming to them.

Snooty’s 69th Birthday Bash: What You Need To Know

Snooty, the world-record-breaking manatee, turns 69 on July 21 and folks throughout the Tampa Bay area are invited to help him celebrate. Snooty’s big 69th birthday bash is set to take place at the South Florida Museum on Saturday, July 22.

New Dolphin Baby Swimming In Sarasota Bay

There’s a new baby dolphin swimming in Sarasota Bay, according to the folks at Mote Marine Laboratory. “Ginger,” a bottlenose dolphin rehabilitated at and later released by Mote, was spotted recently with a baby swimming by her side.

Florida School District Bans Homework

Elementary school students in Marion County might be the envy of others across the state when those first bells of the 2017-18 academic year ring in August. Superintendent Heidi Maier on Wednesday instituted a ban on homework at the 31 public elementary schools across the county.

MTV Releases ‘Siesta Key’ Trailer

As MTV prepares to put a spotlight on west central Florida with the latest title in its reality show stable, the network has released an official trailer. “Siesta Key” is being dubbed as the “ultimate summer series” by the people who brought “Laguna Beach” to life.

Watch: Sinkhole Swallows 2 Florida Homes

A sinkhole that opened up along Ocean Pines Drive in Land O’ Lakes has destroyed two homes and has forced the evacuation of others.

Photo courtesy of Mote Marine Laboratory