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
Days after the Tampa Bay Buccaneers get their 2020 NFL schedule, Pro Bowl wide receiver Mike Evans praised incoming superstar quarterback as a “franchise changer.” During a video chat on Instagram with former Bucs receiver Louis Murphy, Evans praised former quarterback Jameis Winston, who landed a role as the NewContinue 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
The Florida Department of Health (DOH) now reports 40,001 confirmed COVID-19 cases, including 1715 deaths through today. On Friday, Governor Ron DeSantis issued Executive Order 20-114 to extend Florida’s state of emergency for 60 days. In addition, following consultation with Mayor Dave Kerner and local officials, the Governor has permittedContinue 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 Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services reports a premises in Hernando County has been placed under quarantine after a single horse tested posted for Strangles. The confirmed case was a 2-year-old gelding Miniature Horse that presented with nasal discharge. The two other horses on the property are asymptomaticContinue Reading
Today, the Florida Department of Health reported 497 new positive COVID-19 cases (483 Florida residents and 14 non-Florida residents) and fifty deaths related to COVID-19. This brings the state total to 33,690 cases with 1,268 deaths related to COVID-19. The fifty people that died who tested positive for COVID-19 wereContinue Reading
COVID-19 testing Hillsborough County Emergency Management Director Tim Dudley announced Monday that the county is expanding its point-in-time testing for COVID-19 coronavirus in order to get a clearer picture of how many residents may currently have the virus. Previously, pre-screening was required of persons wishing to be tested at oneContinue Reading
The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) reported today that a deputy was injured and transported to the hospital early Sunday morning following a crash on I-275. At approximately 2:10 a.m., the deputy was sitting inside a marked Ford Explorer blocking a lane of traffic on I-275 South, just before E Floribraska AvenueContinue Reading
On Friday, March 27, 2020, President Donald Trump signed into law H.R. 748, the “Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act” or the “CARES Act,” which provides emergency assistance and health care response for individuals, families and businesses affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, and provide emergency appropriations to support Executive BranchContinue Reading
The Florida Department of Health (DOH) reported today that there are currently 303 long-term care facilities in the state with positive cases of COVID-19, including four in Hillsborough County. The facilities in Hillsborough County include Freedom Plaza in Sun City Center, Inspired Living At Tampa, Promise Pointe At Tampa OaksContinue Reading
The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services reported a confirmed Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) case in a one-year-old Quarter horse in Polk County. The horse, which was vaccinated 1 year prior to the illness, died. EEE is a mosquito-transmitted disease that is much more severe than West Nile VirusContinue Reading
In Hillsborough County, Florida, officials reported and additional three deaths in residents who tested positive for COVID-19. This brings the number of deaths to twelve. The fatalities occurred in people in ages ranging from 55 to 92 years. The county has seen 813 total cases through Monday. Statewide, the FloridaContinue Reading
On March 30, a 92-year-old female Hillsborough County resident diagnosed with COVID-19 passed away. This is the third person to die in the county while diagnosed with COVID-19. To date, Florida has reports 85 COVID-19 deaths with Palm Beach County (14) and Broward County (12) reporting the most. Statewide, theContinue 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
Hillsborough County issued a Safer-at-Home Order to help prevent the further spread of COVID-19. This applies to all residents within Hillsborough County including the cities of Plant City, Tampa,and Temple Terrace, effective as of 10:00 p.m. on March 27, 2020. Residents do not require a pass or a letter toContinue Reading
On Thursday, officials with Tampa General Hospital (TGH) reported four employees tested positive for the coronavirus that causes COVID-19. A statement from TGH said the team members were exposed to COVID-19 either through community spread or travel — and because the employees are members of the community, they are “no exception.”Continue Reading
Hillsborough County Administrator Mike Merrill issued a new Administrator Order 20-06 Tuesday afternoon confirming that no stay-at-home order has been directed. Here is the provision contained in this order: Pursuant to the discussions which took place at the Emergency Policy Group meeting of March 23, 2020 the vote by theContinue Reading
