Kimberly Fleer (27, Seffner) has pleaded guilty to distributing fentanyl to an individual, causing that individual’s death. Fleer faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 20 years, and up to life, in federal prison. A sentencing hearing has not yet been scheduled. According to the plea agreement, on November 2, 2019,Continue Reading
U.S. District Judge Marcia Morales Howard has sentenced Gregory Thomas Garcia (35, Orange Park) to 16 years in federal prison for child sex trafficking. The court also ordered Garcia to forfeit a 2015 Ford Focus vehicle that he had used in committing the offense. After serving his term of imprisonment,Continue Reading
U.S. District Judge Roy B. Dalton has sentenced Lascelles Peter Francis, III (30, Daytona) to 15 years and 10 months in federal prison for possessing methamphetamine with the intent to distribute it and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. Francis had pleaded guilty on MarchContinue Reading
Adding politics to the perennial PBS favorite show Arthur may have contributed to its end as the show’s executive producer confirmed the show will end with the 25th seasson. “In the winter of 2022, the 25th and final season of Arthur will debut,” EP Carol Greenwald tells IGN via email. “Arthur will continue to beContinue Reading
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell warned unvaccinated Americans that the entire country could be locked down again as early as this fall if they don’t get their COVID vaccine. “These shots need to get in everybody’s arm as rapidly as possible, or we’re going to be back in a situationContinue Reading
Today, Governor Ron DeSantis joined the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) to survey the impacts of the red tide bloom affecting southwest Florida and the Tampa Bay area. Governor DeSantis also provided an update on the state’s response efforts whichContinue Reading
Last week, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis sent a letter to President Biden requesting federal assistance to provide Internet access to the people of Cuba standing up against communist oppression and demanding a voice after decades of suffering under the yoke of a cruel dictatorship: Dear Mr. President: I write toContinue Reading
The team at Fo’Cheezy Twisted Meltz, the grilled-cheese themed restaurant operated by Celebrity Chef Robert Hesse and restaurateur Chef Craig Munroe announced Thursday that they’re scheduled to host a job fair at their newest location in downtown St. Petersburg next week. The event is scheduled to be held on Thursday, JulyContinue Reading
In a follow-up on an earlier report on the assassination of Haitian President Jovenel Moïse, Director General of the National Police of Haiti (PNH) says the engaged in battle with the mercenaries (suspects) and four were killed and another two were detained. Three police officers, previously held hostage, have beenContinue Reading
Haitian President Jovenel Moïse was assassinated at his home this morning by a commando formed by foreign elements, according to acting President Claude Joseph. In addition, the President’s wife, First Lady Martine Moïse was injured in the attack and hospitalized. According to an official press release today: “Around one (1) o’clockContinue Reading
43-year-old Tampa man, Lewis Matthews, was sentenced to life in prison by Circuit Court Judge Kimberly Fernandez today for sexually battering and molesting his girlfriend’s 10-year-old daughter—then pouring bleach onto her genitals to try to destroy evidence of the crime. Matthews was found guilty on June 4 following a three-dayContinue Reading
On Friday, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis announced that state law enforcement officers have deployed to Texas to provide additional support in response to the security crisis at the southern border. “When the Governors of Texas and Arizona reached out for help, Florida answered the call,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “We areContinue Reading
Health officials in Hillsborough County is notifying the public of red tide blooms within Tampa Bay with health alerts being issued for Picnic Island and Davis Islands beaches. Caution signs have been placed at Ben T. Davis and Cypress Point due to the presence of red tide in the TampaContinue Reading
On Friday, Barbara Tripp, a 23-year fire rescue veteran, was sworn in as the 22nd Fire Chief in Tampa history. The Oath of Office City was administered by Clerk Shirley Foxx-Knowles at Tampa Fire Rescue Station #5, 3900 North Central Avenue. The Tampa native is the first-ever female Fire ChiefContinue Reading
On Tuesday, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed HB 5, SB 1108 and HB 233 that will collectively strengthen civics instruction and civics literacy education in Florida’s kindergarten through postsecondary public schools. “I’m proud to sign three bills today that prioritize civics education in our schools,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “The sadContinue Reading
Philippines populist President, Rodrigo Duterte is making headlines again with his iron fist statements and declarations. With increasing vaccine hesitancy on the archipelago, Duterte outrageously said yesterday, “To protect the people, I have to sequester you in jail. Now choose — get vaccinated, or I’ll lock you up in aContinue Reading
Opponents have been quick to sue and attack the Florida voting law. Below is the full press release from the SPLC as we highlight and fact check some points. FACT: Florida Senate Bill 90 limits use of drop boxes to a county’s early voting hours of operation, requires drop boxesContinue Reading
On Friday, Governor Ron DeSantis signed SB 76, which builds on Governor DeSantis’ commitment to insurance reform in Florida. This bill protects Florida families by restructuring litigation rules for disputed insurance claims; expressly disallows contractors, public adjusters, and companies from using prohibited advertisements that encourage Floridians to make an insuranceContinue Reading
Gov. DeSantis signed House Bill 1475, making participation in school sports contingent on determining a student’s “biological sex,” which refers to a persons’ sex assigned at birth. “The ‘Fairness in Women’s Sports Act’ signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis is entirely unfair to transgender and cisgender women and girls, as itContinue Reading
On Tuesday, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed SB 1028 creating the “Fairness in Women’s Sports Act” and preserving fair opportunities for female athletes to demonstrate their strength, skills, and abilities in athletic competition. The bill specifies that an athletic team or sport that is designated for females, women, or girls mayContinue Reading
Last week, the U.S. Senate passed U.S. Senator Rand Paul’s amendment that would permanently ban all funding of gain-of-function research in China. This is following much back-and-forth with Dr. Fauci, and continually defending against the use of American taxpayer dollars in funding gain-of-function research, which aims to enhance the infectiousnessContinue Reading
