WEATHER ALERT
Hillsborough County residents head home after Hurricane Milton makes landfall on west coast
Read full article: Hillsborough County residents head home after Hurricane Milton makes landfall on west coastHurricane Milton evacuees were bracing for the worst Thursday morning as many across Hillsborough County returned home to assess the damage.
Tampa mayorโs sobering message to those who donโt evacuate: โyouโre gonna dieโ
Read full article: Tampa mayorโs sobering message to those who donโt evacuate: โyouโre gonna dieโResidents in the Tampa area have been packing up and leaving Hillsborough County as powerful Hurricane Milton continues to head their way.
Hurricane Helene debris litters Tampa streets ahead of Hurricane Milton
Read full article: Hurricane Helene debris litters Tampa streets ahead of Hurricane MiltonFlorida Gulf Coast residents were dealing with a nightmarish dรฉjร vu. They had less than two weeks to recover from Hurricane Helene when they learned they had to prepare for Hurricane Milton.
Hurricane Milton: Pinellas County to turn off barrier islandโs water service
Read full article: Hurricane Milton: Pinellas County to turn off barrier islandโs water serviceTo prepare for Hurricane Milton, the waterlines for St. Pete Beach, a resort city on a barrier island west of St. Petersburg, are set to turn off on Tuesday morning.
Florida Gulf Coast prepares for Hurricane Milton while still recovering from Hurricane Helene
Read full article: Florida Gulf Coast prepares for Hurricane Milton while still recovering from Hurricane HeleneFlorida Gulf Coast residents were dealing with a nightmarish dรฉjร vu. They had less than two weeks to recover from Hurricane Helene when they learned they had to prepare for Hurricane Milton.
Broward man uses social networking app to connect with teen he abducted, deputies report
Read full article: Broward man uses social networking app to connect with teen he abducted, deputies reportDiscord has marketed its app as โdesigned for gaming and great for just chilling with friends or building a community.โ On Friday, the App Store ranked it as the 7th top free social networking app and Google Play reported over 100 million downloads. Detectives reported Edward Rodriguez exploited it to commit a crime.
Deputies: Broward man, 38, brought 13-year-old Hillsborough girl he met online home
Read full article: Deputies: Broward man, 38, brought 13-year-old Hillsborough girl he met online homeDetectives reported finding a 13-year-old girl who had vanished in Hillsborough County with a Broward County man who she had met online
โVile and cruelโ: Florida woman sexually abuses minor at foster home, deputies say
Read full article: โVile and cruelโ: Florida woman sexually abuses minor at foster home, deputies say'VILE AND CRUEL': A 28-year-old Florida woman stands accused of using Snapchat to groom a foster child before the sexual abuse at a group home.
Florida fire rescue lieutenant, wife arrested for allegedly forcing teen into sexual acts
Read full article: Florida fire rescue lieutenant, wife arrested for allegedly forcing teen into sexual actsA married Florida couple is facing charges, after deputies said they engaged in sexual acts with a 16-year-old.
Gov. DeSantis, first lady award several churches through Hope Florida Initiative
Read full article: Gov. DeSantis, first lady award several churches through Hope Florida InitiativeFlorida Gov. Ron DeSantis and First Lady Casey DeSantis held a news conference at the Tampa History Center on Monday morning where they awarded several churches through the Hope Florida Initiative.
Most of Floridaโs registered sex predators on the run were last seen in Miami-Dade
Read full article: Most of Floridaโs registered sex predators on the run were last seen in Miami-DadeThe Florida Department of Law Enforcementโs public list of registered sex offenders on the run included seven predators as of Saturday.
Florida man claims big prize on Valentineโs Day after buying winning scratch-off ticket at Publix
Read full article: Florida man claims big prize on Valentineโs Day after buying winning scratch-off ticket at PublixA Florida man is spending his Valentineโs Day loving his odds after Lottery officials said he claimed a $1 million prize after purchasing a scratch-off ticket from Publix.
Sheriff's deputies corral wayward kangaroo near pool at Florida apartment complex
Read full article: Sheriff's deputies corral wayward kangaroo near pool at Florida apartment complexSheriff's deputies corralled a wayward kangaroo after it was spotted hopping around in the pool area at a Florida apartment complex.
Florida man wins $1 million playing Lottery scratch-off game at food mart
Read full article: Florida man wins $1 million playing Lottery scratch-off game at food martA lucky man won the $1 million prize in Florida after playing a lottery scratch-off game this week, Lottery officials announced Tuesday.
Two Florida deputies seriously injured after they were intentionally struck by a car, sheriff says
Read full article: Two Florida deputies seriously injured after they were intentionally struck by a car, sheriff saysA Florida man intentionally drove into two sheriffโs deputies on Thursday, badly injuring them before a third deputy arrested him, authorities said.
Freddy Ramirez to take advisor role as mayor names Daniels permanent MDPD director
Read full article: Freddy Ramirez to take advisor role as mayor names Daniels permanent MDPD directorFreddy Ramirez, whoโs been off the job as director of the Miami-Dade Police Department since he shot himself in Hillsborough County on July 23 following an argument with his wife, is moving to an advisory role within the department, a spokesperson for county Mayor Daniella Levine Cava announced Wednesday evening.
More records surface about Ramirezโs detention in Tampa before I-75 shooting
Read full article: More records surface about Ramirezโs detention in Tampa before I-75 shootingMore details surfaced on Wednesday about how Miami-Dade Police Director Alfredo โFreddyโ Ramirez III ended up hospitalized on July 23 in Hillsborough County after he traveled there for a Florida Sheriffโs Association conference.
Tampa police officers describe detaining Miami-Dade police director at hotel
Read full article: Tampa police officers describe detaining Miami-Dade police director at hotelMore details surfaced on Wednesday about how Miami-Dade Police Director Alfredo โFreddyโ Ramirez III ended up hospitalized on July 23 in Hillsborough County after he traveled there for a Florida Sheriffโs Association conference.
Police officers handcuffed Alfredo โFreddyโ Ramirez III at Tampa hotel before I-75 shooting, records show
Read full article: Police officers handcuffed Alfredo โFreddyโ Ramirez III at Tampa hotel before I-75 shooting, records showMore details surfaced on Wednesday about how Miami-Dade Police Director Alfredo โFreddyโ Ramirez III ended up hospitalized on July 23 in Hillsborough County after he traveled there for a Florida Sheriffโs Association conference.
Sources: Miami-Dade Police Director Freddy Ramirez has been speaking from hospital bed
Read full article: Sources: Miami-Dade Police Director Freddy Ramirez has been speaking from hospital bedMiami-Dade Police Director Alfredo โFreddyโ Ramirez is recovering in a Tampa hospital Tuesday, a day after undergoing two surgeries for a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head.
A Florida sinkhole that claimed a manโs life in 2013 reopens, this time harmlessly
Read full article: A Florida sinkhole that claimed a manโs life in 2013 reopens, this time harmlesslyA Florida sinkhole that in 2013 fatally swallowed a man sleeping in his own house has reopened for a third time, only now itโs behind chain-link fencing and doing no harm to people or property.
Florida court wonโt reinstate prosecutor removed by DeSantis for refusal to prosecute abortion cases
Read full article: Florida court wonโt reinstate prosecutor removed by DeSantis for refusal to prosecute abortion casesThe Florida Supreme Court has refused to reinstate a Florida prosecutor who was removed by Gov. Ron DeSantis after making comments opposing prosecutions for abortions or gender-affirming health care.
Check your tickets! Winning Fantasy 5 ticket purchased in Miami about to expire
Read full article: Check your tickets! Winning Fantasy 5 ticket purchased in Miami about to expireA winning Fantasy 5 ticket worth $89,368.66 that was purchased in Florida remains unclaimed and is about to expire, the Florida Lottery announced Friday.
Check your tickets! Winning Fantasy 5 ticket purchased in Florida about to expire
Read full article: Check your tickets! Winning Fantasy 5 ticket purchased in Florida about to expireA winning Fantasy 5 ticket worth $89,368.66 that was purchased in Florida remains unclaimed and is about to expire, the Florida Lottery announced Friday.
Florida Lottery: Woman wins $1 million Powerball prize after purchasing ticket at Publix
Read full article: Florida Lottery: Woman wins $1 million Powerball prize after purchasing ticket at PublixA 65-year-old woman is $1 million richer after claiming her prize last week from a Powerball drawing that was held in November, Florida Lottery officials confirmed.
Florida man pleads guilty to supporting IS extremist group
Read full article: Florida man pleads guilty to supporting IS extremist groupA Florida man accused in 2020 of plotting terror attacks in the U.S. has pleaded guilty to attempting to provide material support to the Islamic State extremist group.
Prosecutor suspended by DeSantis loses bid to get job back
Read full article: Prosecutor suspended by DeSantis loses bid to get job backA Florida prosecutor who Gov. Ron DeSantis had suspended will remain out of office since a federal judge on Friday ruled that he does not have the power to reinstate the prosecutor โ despite ruling that the removal violated the First Amendment and Florida Constitution.
Tampa Bay quarterback, brothers help save 4 people involved in helicopter crash
Read full article: Tampa Bay quarterback, brothers help save 4 people involved in helicopter crashA Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback became an unexpected hero Thursday when a helicopter crashed into Hillsborough Bay in Tampa.
Deputies: Man plays prank on friend; leads to friendโs arrest on child porn charges
Read full article: Deputies: Man plays prank on friend; leads to friendโs arrest on child porn chargesA Florida man is facing child pornography charges after deputies said one of his former co-workers saw obscene pictures of children on his cell phone.
Trial over DeSantis removal of prosecutor on abortion ends
Read full article: Trial over DeSantis removal of prosecutor on abortion endsAn attorney told a federal judge that Republican Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis wasnโt seeking political retaliation when he removed a prosecutor over abortion and transgender views, but simply wanted to ensure the state's laws would be enforced.
Trial begins as ousted state attorney sues DeSantis to get job back
Read full article: Trial begins as ousted state attorney sues DeSantis to get job backOusted Hillsborough County State Attorney Andrew Warren is seeking to get his job back nearly four months after the governor suspended him from his position.
Human traffickers force 8 Cuban migrants into prostitution, police say
Read full article: Human traffickers force 8 Cuban migrants into prostitution, police sayHuman traffickers coerced eight Cuban migrants into prostitution in Florida, so they could each pay their $60,000 debt to the smugglers who helped them to cross the U.S.-Mexico border, according to Hillsborough Sheriff Chad Chronister.
Prosecutor ousted by DeSantis to stay suspended during trial
Read full article: Prosecutor ousted by DeSantis to stay suspended during trialA federal judge in Florida has ruled that a state prosecutor suspended by Gov. Ron DeSantis will remain out of office while his court case against the Republican governor moves to trial.
DeSantis seeks dismissal of suit by suspended prosecutor
Read full article: DeSantis seeks dismissal of suit by suspended prosecutorFlorida Gov. Ron DeSantis wants a federal judge to throw out a free speech lawsuit filed by a Democratic prosecutor he suspended from office over statements about not pursuing criminal charges in abortion, transgender rights and certain low-level cases.
Florida prosecutor vows to fight Gov. DeSantis suspension
Read full article: Florida prosecutor vows to fight Gov. DeSantis suspensionA Florida prosecutor is vowing to fight his suspension from office by Gov. Ron DeSantis over his promise not to enforce the stateโs 15-week abortion ban and support for gender transition treatments for minors.
DeSantis suspends elected prosecutor over new abortion law
Read full article: DeSantis suspends elected prosecutor over new abortion lawFlorida Gov. Ron DeSantis has suspended the elected state prosecutor of Tampa for pledging not to enforce the stateโs new 15-week abortion ban and for supporting gender transition treatments for minors.
Florida man pleads guilty in fatal โnitrous oxideโ crash
Read full article: Florida man pleads guilty in fatal โnitrous oxideโ crashA 29-year-old Florida man suspected of inhaling nitrous oxide from a whipped cream dispenser before causing a fatal crash has pleaded guilty to vehicular homicide.
Deputies: Florida teen arrested after threatening to conduct school shooting
Read full article: Deputies: Florida teen arrested after threatening to conduct school shootingDetectives arrested an 18-year-old Florida man after receiving a tip that he threatened to conduct a mass shooting at a school in a social media post.
Florida high school football coach faces charges for allegedly molesting a student more than 50 times
Read full article: Florida high school football coach faces charges for allegedly molesting a student more than 50 timesHillsborough County Sheriffโs deputies arrested a high school football coach, after a student said he was molested by him more than 50 times.
Deputies: Florida principal arrested following explicit texts
Read full article: Deputies: Florida principal arrested following explicit textsA principal with the Hillsborough County School District faces multiple charges, after deputies say he sent sexually explicit texts to an undercover detective he assumed was a juvenile.
Tampa Bay makes best of Super Bowl week amid sour economy
Read full article: Tampa Bay makes best of Super Bowl week amid sour economyThis year, the Tampa Bay region probably won't generate even half that, said Sean Snaith, director of the University of Central Floridaโs Institute for Economic Forecasting. โA lot of things you associate with a Super Bowl aren't going to happen,โ Snaith said. AdRob Higgins, president and CEO of the Tampa Bay Super Bowl host committee, said the region is looking at the Super Bowl as an unparalleled marketing opportunity. Hotel occupancy in the Tampa area was about 53% during the first three weeks of January this year, said Visit Tampa Bay CEO Santiago Corrada. Same with baseball's Tampa Bay Rays, who lost the World Series to the Los Angeles Dodgers โ in Arlington, Texas.
Florida man arrested for tossing golf clubs into highway traffic, punching trooper
Read full article: Florida man arrested for tossing golf clubs into highway traffic, punching trooper(Hillsborough County Sheriff via AP)TAMPA, Fla. โ A Florida man was arrested after authorities said he tossed golf clubs into highway traffic and then slugged a trooper who pulled him over. The Florida Highway Patrol said they received a call Wednesday that a motorist was tossing golf clubs on Interstate 75 near Tampa out of his van, which had a โcherry pickerโ boom and basket attached to the top, according to the Tampa Bay Times. The trooper pulled over the van and its driver, Jonathan Day, confronted the trooper with a golf club, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. Online jail records showed Day was being held at the Hillsborough County Jail Thursday morning. There was no online court docket for Day yet, so it wasnโt known if he had an attorney.
Trump fights headwinds as he and Biden battle over Florida
Read full article: Trump fights headwinds as he and Biden battle over FloridaโSo glad this great GDP number came out before November 3rd,โ Trump tweeted, predicting a dire reversal if Biden is elected. Biden was forced to wrap his speech up early at a drive-in rally at the Florida State Fairgrounds In Tampa after a brief shower turned into a torrential downpour. Biden's campaign also announced he will visit Minnesota Friday, hours before Trump holds a rally in one of the few Clinton-voting states Trump is hoping to pick up this year. Associated Press writers Tamara Lush in Tampa, Florida, Michelle Price in Bullhead City, Kathleen Ronayne in Phoenix, and Will Weissert and Brian Slodysko in Washington contributed to this report. ___APโs Advance Voting guide brings you the facts about voting early, by mail or absentee from each state: https://interactives.ap.org/advance-voting-2020/.
DeSantis talks about reopening schools at Tampa area charter school
Read full article: DeSantis talks about reopening schools at Tampa area charter schoolRon DeSantis held a roundtable discussion on Monday at Winthrop College Prep Academy, a public charter school in Hillsborough County. DeSantis and his guests focused on the benefits of reopening schools. The school he chose is part of the Charter Schools USA network. The Fort Lauderdale-based for-profit management company runs more than 90 schools in five states. Some university campuses, including Stetson University and the University of Central Florida in Orlando, started classes.
The Latest: Warren won't prosecute peaceful protesters
Read full article: The Latest: Warren won't prosecute peaceful protestersHillsborough County State Attorney Andrew Warren, right, speaks during a news conference Monday, June 15, 2020, in Tampa, Fla. Warren announced his decision not to prosecute dozens of protesters arrested on charges of unlawful assembly during a Black Lives Matter march on June 2. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)TOP OF THE HOUR: Florida state attorney won't prosecute peaceful protesters. State Attorney Andrew Warren in Tampa said that his office wont be filing charges against 67 protesters who were arrested two weeks ago in downtown Tampa. The prosecutors office will also work to expunge the arrest records of the protesters who were taken into custody, he said. In these unlawful assembly cases, there is no value in filing charges, Warren said at a news conference.
Browardโs new COVID-19 patient recently traveled to Tampa, officials say
Read full article: Browardโs new COVID-19 patient recently traveled to Tampa, officials sayFORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. โ A 70-year-old man became the fifth COVID-19 patient in Broward County, the Florida Department of Health announced on Wednesday night. The man recently traveled to Tampa to attend a conference on emergency medical services. โHe is isolated and will continue to remain isolated until cleared by public health officials,โ the state agencyโs statement said. Public health officials also announced the positive COVID-19 cases in Florida surged to 31, including a new case in Miami-Dade County. The risk of infection did not faze spring breakers who invaded beaches and bars in Fort Lauderdale.
Officers find 3 at-risk girls from Hillsborough County in Alabama
Read full article: Officers find 3 at-risk girls from Hillsborough County in AlabamaMIAMI โ After Florida law enforcement officers issued a Missing Child Alert in the case of three girls who had vanished from Hillsborough County with their mother, authorities found them in Dothan, Alabama on Monday. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement issued the alert after their mother made threats to harm herself and her children when she left early Monday morning from her home in Seffner, a suburban area about 13 miles east of downtown Tampa, according to the Hillsborough County Sheriffโs Office. About 1 p.m., FDLE reported, โthe children are safe.โ The Hillsborough County Sheriffโs Office also reported their mother was safe. Hillsborough deputies and officers from the Dothan Police Department were still investigating the case on Monday afternoon.