In the wake of Vice President Mike Pence’s visit across central Florida to meet with tourism officials Wednesday came a rebuke of reporters, journalists’ coverage of Florida’s response to the Wuhan Coronavirus and the false predictions in the media. “You’ve got a lot of people in your profession [journalists] whoContinue Reading
AAA predicted that fewer people are likely to take a trip this Memorial Day weekend due to the Chinese coronavirus pandemic, so for the first time in 20 years, the automotive club is not issuing a travel forecast. “Last year, 43 million Americans traveled for Memorial Day Weekend — theContinue Reading
Hillsborough County officials announced more parks and trails will be opening for residents to utilize at a time when more exercise is being encouraged. In early May, officials opened most nature preserves. Neighborhood parks reopened early this week. On May 26, the following conservation parks, trails and boat ramps willContinue Reading
The Hillsborough County Clerks Office says more than 180 filings have been set aside as foreclosures and evictions are being extended and delayed. Hillsborough County Judge Michael Baggé Hernandez told Fox that he had up to 10 eviction filings a day before the outbreak. “There has been a lot ofContinue Reading
Pinellas County detectives arrested and charged Zachary Hoyt yesterday for capital sexual battery on a child less than 12 years old. Hoyt, 31, confessed to the accusations that he placed his hand under the girl’s clothing and said it was possible his DNA would be found on the victim. AtContinue Reading
Hillsborough County is canceling its Parks & Recreation summer camps due to coronavirus concerns. The county claims the decision was made to protect the safety of the children, the families and those who teach and lead the camps. The closures also align with the with Hillsborough County Public Schools toContinue Reading
The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office arrested a former school bus driver named Hector Cabrera after he planned to meet with a young girl. Cabrera, 32, attempted to have sex with a detective posing as a 14-year-old girl, exchanging messages and agreed to meet at 1:00 p.m. yesterday afternoon. When CabreraContinue Reading
Hillsborough County Superintendent Addison Davis outlined a plan Tuesday to reduce management positions and centralize authority, eliminating 129 district jobs and trimming $7.5 million in payroll. Davis said he would create a “Transformational Network” to focus on improving 29 D and F-rated schools. The new grouping would replace the district’sContinue Reading
Florida Highway Patrol and the Plant City Police Department arrested Alex Antunez in connection to the fatally shooting of a man with a black AR-15 style rifle. Antunez, 26, reportedly was outside of his home in the 100 block of South Forest Street with the unidentified victim and witness. PoliceContinue Reading
The Hillsborough County Emergency Policy Group met yesterday as salons and barbershops reopened around the state and Hillsborough Commission Chairman Les Miller visited a grocery store and was “utterly shocked” at the lack of people wearing masks. “I was utterly shocked. I was probably among the 10 percent wearing masks, otherContinue Reading
The city of Naples closed its public beaches at 12:01 a.m. Sunday after massive crowds turned out and Councilman Gary Price released the photo below. Price said he received a text from a friend Saturday that the number of people on the beach looked like a problem. “I went toContinue Reading
Lakeland police report two brothers have been arrested after a man died from an apparent gunshot wound. Roberto Rodriguez, 31, and his younger brother, Reynaldo Rodriguez, 30, were arrested on Sunday in connection to the Friday evening murder near the 400 block of Cornelia Avenue. Officials explained that the pairContinue Reading
A 5-year-old boy died yesterday afternoon at All Children’s Hospital from a gunshot wound, according to St. Pete Police. Ja’cari Ellis, was found by officers at the 3738 18th Ter. S residence after responding to a 911 call in the afternoon, around 2:27 p.m. The boy had been shot andContinue Reading
For over 65 years, the Tampa-Hillsborough area has been synonymous with the 813 area code. That is about to change. On Thursday, the State of Florida Public Service Commission (PSC) announced a new area code for Hillsborough County: 656. The county’s new 656 area code overlaps with the same geographicContinue Reading
Barbershops and salons are allowed to reopen in most counties in Florida tomorrow, Monday, May 11, but getting a haircut will certainly be different than the last time you got a snip. Governor Ron DeSantis issued the following guidelines for those opening on Monday: -All customers will be by appointmentContinue Reading
Official explained firefighters in the Florida Panhandle have been battling wildfires that forced some 1,600 people to evacuate from their homes, and a stretch of Interstate 10 remained closed in both directions Thursday afternoon due to smoke. Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried said in a news conference Thursday afternoon that fireContinue Reading
The Hillsborough County commission voted on spending the $257 million received from the federal government in Cares Act coronavirus aid. Metropolitan Ministries, Feeding Tampa Bay and Career Source Tampa Bay top a list of wide-ranging assistance programs which will see money to help in the months ahead. Ron Barton, assistantContinue Reading
The COVID-19 death toll in Pinellas County is now at four after the Florida Department of Health released new data Saturday morning. The new deaths include an 83-year-old woman, a 64-year-old man and a 52-year-old man. Mayor Rick Kriseman tweeted Saturday that realtor Bob Barnum was among those who have died. “COVID-19 hitting closer and closer to home. BobContinue Reading
The Department of Solid Waste & Environmental Program Management is providing recycling tips this Holiday to its residential customers. Tampa residents are encouraged to be mindful of the significant increase in waste generated by the season. The regional, #RecycleTheHolidays, social media campaign collaboration between the City of Tampa, Hillsborough County,Continue Reading
Creating safe and comfortable trails and bicycle lanes that connect Tampa’s neighborhoods is a key part of Mayor Jane Castor’s Transforming Tampa’s Tomorrow (T3) initiative. “As a police officer, I saw firsthand a family’s devastation when I had to tell them their loved one passed away due to a distractedContinue Reading
One premises in Hillsborough County, Florida was placed under quarantine on Dec. 3 after 4 horses began displaying clinical signs of Strangles with two confirmed test results. There are 34 horses on the property, according to a Equine Disease Communication Center (EDCC) alert. The highly contagious upper respiratory disease of equids,Continue Reading
