‘Hit List,’ 320 Arson Fires, Free Breakfast For Mom

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 day:

Officer In Tarpon Springs Shooting Identified

As the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and Pinellas County State Attorney’s Office continue to investigate a fatal officer-involved shooting in Tarpon Springs, officials have made a plea to the public to stop spreading misinformation about the case. The officer who fired the shot that killed Nicholas A. Provenza, 25, of Palm Harbor, was also identified during a Tuesday media conference.

Pasco Wildfire 70 Percent Contained As Park Closing Continues

With a 2,275-acre wildfire still burning in the Jay B. Starkey Wilderness Park, Pasco County officials announced the facility would remain closed through Sunday, May 14 at least. As of Tuesday, the blaze, known as the Anclote Branch fire, was deemed 70 percent contained.

4 Tampa Bay Area Companies Rank Among America’s Best Employers: Forbes

Forbes has once again named the company that ranks at America’s best employer. The selection may surprise some. The winner isn’t Google, which earned second-place honors.

‘Iowa Hit List’ Lands Florida Man In Jail

An email threatening the life of Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad and other high-profile state officials landed a 59-year-old Port Richey, Florida, man in hot water Monday. The email was allegedly sent to the governor’s office and also posted to a Facebook page operated by the Iowa Family Preservation Project. The threats reportedly came on the heels of the state of Iowa’s decision to strip the accused man’s daughter of parental rights over her children.

‘Doctor Who’ Fan Art Wanted

Hillsborough County artists with a passion for Time Lords are being asked to help with a special project. It seems the Tampa-Hillsborough County Public Library system hopes to kick off its summer reading program with an exhibit of locally produced “Doctor Who” fan art.

McDonald’s Breakfasts Free For Moms On Mother’s Day

McDonald’s locations throughout the Tampa Bay area are rolling out the red carpet to recognize local moms this Sunday. In honor of Mother’s Day 2017, the restaurant is offering moms who stop by a free breakfast sandwich or entrée along with a small orange juice, coffee or soft drink.

Arson Blamed In 320 Of Florida’s Wildfires

As more than 125 wildfires burned across Florida on Tuesday, state officials were working to raise awareness about arson. Since the year began, arson has been blamed in an estimated 320 of the blazes that have helped make 2017 one of the worst wildfire seasons in years.

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