Wine Fest, Publix Deli Hoopla, Hire Wire Fall

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:

Deputy Attacked After Traffic Stop Makes Arrest Anyway

A 32-year-old Cape Coral man and a Pinellas County Sheriff’s deputy both took a trip to a local hospital after a Thursday night traffic stop took a violent turn.

Busch Gardens Food & Wine Fest: Full Concert Lineup Set

Tampa Bay area residents and visitors eager for next month’s opening of Busch Gardens annual Food & Wine Fest may have a few more reasons to put a trip to the theme park on their agendas. The full lineup of free musical acts for the multi-weekend event has been announced. The Band Perry, Hunter Hayes and a few other names have been added to the schedule that already includes Daughtry, the Goo Goo Dolls and Lynyrd Skynyrd.

Publix: Free Deli Slices Still On The Menu

Floridians who find shopping at Publix is a pleasure partially due to the free samples offered can breathe a sigh of relief. The Lakeland-based grocery chain has not stopped offering free treats from its delis, but it has mixed things up a bit.

Rescued Loggerhead Back In The Water

There’s a new loggerhead sea turtle swimming in waters off Lido Beach courtesy of the folks at Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium. After spending nearly 100 days at the organization’s Sea Turtle Rehabilitation Hospital, Sea Salt was returned to the wild late last week.

Man Uttered ‘Allahu Akbar’ Before Fleeing Brandon Store, Deputies Say

A 23-year-old Sarasota man faces a list of criminal charges after his allegedly bizarre behavior captured the attention of employees at a Brandon Home Depot store. According to the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, Kenneth Iversen was spotted by employees at the 9941 Adamo Drive store on Feb. 5 attempting to select materials that would go into making a pipe bomb.

Aldi Announces Hiring Events Across Tampa Bay Area

Tampa Bay area residents hoping to break into the grocery industry may want to jot down a few upcoming dates. Aldi has announced a series of hiring events in February and March for positions at stores in Bradenton, Lakeland, Tampa and Sun City Center.

Restaurant Inspections: Roaches Raise Red Flags

The Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation ordered emergency closures at three area eateries last week when conditions inside didn’t meet state guidelines for health and safety.

5 Circus Sarasota Performers Injured In High Wire Fall: Reports

A Wednesday afternoon fall from a hire wire during a Circus Sarasota practice has sent five people to local hospitals, including several as trauma alerts.

2nd Sarasota Deputy Arrested In Attempted Murder Investigation

As one former Sarasota County Sheriff’s deputy stands accused of trying to kill a 79-year-old woman, another deputy now faces charges for allegedly covering up evidence related to the crime. The arrest of Deputy Carson Lee Plank, 23, was announced by the sheriff’s office Thursday.

Photo courtesy of Mote Marine Laboratory