Miami, FL|News|
Hurricane Rafael Could Grow To Major Category 3 Storm: FL Impact
With Hurricane Rafael expected to make landfall in Cuba, a tropical storm warning is in effect for the nearby Florida Keys, forecasters said

Born and raised in New York, I’ve been living in the Tampa Bay area for the past 10 years. I've spent the majority of my career in community journalism on Long Island and in Florida.
Prior to Patch, I worked as an editor for Tampa Bay Newspapers in Pinellas County for eight years. Locally, my work has also appeared in La Gaceta, Creative Loafing, Watermark, Creative Pinellas and The Tampa Free Press.
I’m also the founder and president of Wordier Than Thou, a literary arts nonprofit that creates fun, engaging events for Florida writers and readers.
As a field editor for Patch, I’ll be covering the St. Petersburg, Sarasota, Bradenton and Miami areas. If you have any questions, comments or concerns, feel free to connect with me at Tiffany.Razzano@patch.com or 516-906-2140.
With Hurricane Rafael expected to make landfall in Cuba, a tropical storm warning is in effect for the nearby Florida Keys, forecasters said

Sarasota City Commission incumbents Alpert, Battie, and challenger Ohlrich have the lead over their opponents, unofficial results show.
After polls closed at 7 p.m., two Manatee County School Board candidates, Felton and Kennedy, have taken the lead, unofficial results show.
Incumbent Lynn Gray had a slim lead over challenger Karen Bendorf in a Hillsborough School Board run-off race, unofficial results show.
Katie Blaxberg outpaced opponent Stacy Geier in the Pinellas County School Board District 5 run-off race, unofficial results show.
St. Petersburg voters had a say in three City Council races. Read about Tuesday's general election results.
A man hired to hang door notices about polling location changes after hurricanes threatened to blow up Dunedin City Hall, PCSO said.
A man was charged with battery after hitting U.S. Rep. Luna’s campaign manager with his shoulder outside early voting site, reports said.
More than 8.28 million Floridians cast their ballots early or by mail. Patch talked to a few voters on the way to the polls on Election Day.
In Florida, the Keys and Panhandle are likely to see the biggest impact from Hurricane Rafael after it enters the Gulf, forecasters said.
Hillsborough County voters will have a say in federal, state, county, city races. Here’s what to know about how to vote Nov. 5, candidates.
Manatee County voters will have a say in federal, state, county, city races. Here’s what you need to know about how to vote, candidates.
Sarasota County voters will have a say in federal, state, county, city races. Here’s what you need to know about how to vote, candidates.
Pinellas County voters will have a say in federal, state, county, city races. Here’s what you need to know about how to vote, candidates.
A 19-year-old man was stabbed to death early Sunday at a Tampa apartment complex, the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office said.
A mother who took her biological sons from their foster parents and fled Florida was found in Georgia, the Manatee County sheriff said.
A Monday morning crash involving an Azalea Middle School bus in St. Petersburg is under investigation, reports said.
A 17-year-old boy was killed in a shooting at Twin Lakes Park in Sarasota early Sunday, the sheriff’s office said.
FL is keeping a watchful eye on Tropical Storm Rafael, which will likely be a hurricane by Tuesday night near the Cayman Islands, NHC said.
A Pinellas County woman won $4 million in the June 11 Mega Million drawing, Florida Lottery said.