The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida announced that a Port Richey man, Angelo David Salvarezza, has been sentenced to federal prison on charges of drug dealing and firearm possession. Salvarezza, 38, of Port Richey, was sentenced to 12 years in federal prison for possessing with theContinue Reading
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Friday signed a bill into law, which would allow college athletes in the state to earn money from endorsement deals. Effective in 2021, the restrictions on college athletes will be lifted to allow these student athletes to be paid for the use of their names, imagesContinue Reading
The Department of Housing and Human Services finalized a regulation Friday ending Obamacare rules opening up abortion access and broadening sex to mean gender; therefore, transgender rights. Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act prohibits covered health programs or activities from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin,Continue Reading
On Friday, Governor Ron DeSantis and Commissioner of Education Richard Corcoran announced 60 schools, representing 28 districts in Florida, were chosen to participate in the first phase of the Florida Civics and Debate Initiative (FCDI). On January 27, 2020, Governor Ron DeSantis announced a multiyear, $5 million grant from TheContinue Reading
The Florida Department of Health in Seminole County (DOH-Seminole) is issuing a rabies alert for neighborhoods surrounding Moss and Ranchlands Parks in Winter Springs. The alert is in response to a raccoon which tested positive for rabies in that area. Residents and visitors in the area bordered to the northContinue Reading
The Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office reports an outbreak of COVID-19 at the Pinellas County Jail. Within the last couple of days there have been 13 staff members and five inmates test positive for COVID-19. The staff members are predominately from Inmate Records and deputies working in North Division. All fiveContinue Reading
Former Florida House Rep. Larry Ahern filed to run against Pinellas County Commissioner Janet Long Wednesday for the at-large District 1 seat representing northeast and mid-Pinellas. Ahern brings name recognition to the race to challenge the incumbent Democrat, serving Florida’s 66th District in northwestern Pinellas County from 2012 to 2018. He also served in Florida’sContinue Reading
The U.S. Department of Justice filed an amicus brief to the U.S. Supreme Court in support of a Catholic foster care agency because it refuses to compromise its religious beliefs by placing children with same-sex couples. The Supreme Court agreed to review Sharonell Fulton, et al. v. City of Philadelphia and oral argument is expectedContinue Reading
Major League Soccer will be back on the field next month, announcing yesterday that a World Cup-style tournament featuring all 26 clubs will be played at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World. “The opportunity to have all 26 clubs in a controlled environment enables usContinue Reading
UPDATE: Busch Gardens and Adventure will open June 11. Guests will notice increased cleaning and safety protocols in addition to limits on the number of people who can be in the theme parks at once. A new online reservation system will help manage capacity. “Over the past two months, weContinue Reading
A Winter Haven man stabbed his mother at her home Wednesday morning, June 10, 2020, then shot at three Polk County Sheriff’s Office deputies, forcing the deputies to return fire. 36-year-old Phillip Dibenedetto died at the scene, and his 62-year-old mother was transported to Lakeland Regional Health Medical Center inContinue Reading
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ newest star, Rob Gronkowski, made a major announcement Tuesday, making a major impact on the Tampa community. Gronk, as he’s commonly known, posted Instagram video announcing he’d help Blake High School recover from a May 16 fire. “Hey everyone. Last week we heard about an unfortunateContinue Reading
The Florida Department of Health has reported more than 2,800 COVID-19 cases to date, including 91 deaths. As of last Friday, Gov. Ron DeSantis’ full Phase 1 and Phase 2 of the Safe. Smart. Step-by-Step Plan for Florida’s Recovery are in effect. Officials with the Hillsborough County Health Department urgeContinue Reading
The Tampa Police Department have arrested a woman, Erica Schmidt, charging her with assault, rioting, throwing rocks at police and handing them out to other rioters. Schmidt, 31, was arrested Saturday at an apartment located at 11727 12th Street and found a silver Hyundai Elantra, which matched the same carContinue Reading
In an era where the “Karen” nickname and stereotype is spreading, a Tampa Bay Times reporter, Stephanie Hayes, went full social justice warrior to pay homage to the woke movement. Hayes virtue signals to Black Lives Matter and the world that she’s so tolerant; hence, the ultimate version of aContinue Reading
While all attention has been on the COVID-19 pandemic this year, in which Florida has reported more than 61,000 cases and nearly 2700 deaths, the hepatitis A outbreak in the state that began in 2018 continues. Hepatitis A activity decreased from last month and was similar to the previous 5-year averageContinue Reading
Four Florida men were charged in an indictment unsealed Thursday for their alleged participation in a compound pharmacy kickback scheme. Assistant Attorney General Brian A. Benczkowski of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Maria Chapa Lopez of the Middle District of Florida, Special Agent in Charge Cyndy Bruce ofContinue Reading
The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office is seeking information about several people who burglarized a jewelry store in Tampa during the George Floyd protests on May 31. The burglary happened at International Diamond Center at 10330 N. Dale Mabry Highway, in Tampa, around 2:30 a.m., officials said. Surveillance video (as seenContinue Reading
Hillsborough Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) approved a $25 million-dollar agreement on Thursday, June 4, 2020 to assist residents experiencing employment or business interruptions due to COVID-19 related business closures. The funding comes from the federal Coronavirus Aid Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act. The agreement for this allotment willContinue Reading
The state of Florida, as well as the cities of Boynton Beach, Coral Gables, Fort Myers, Melbourne, Ocala, Tarpon Springs, and West Palm Beach, have issued proclamations celebrating men’s health and fatherhood in June, helping educate men, boys, and their families about disease prevention, timely screenings, healthy lifestyles, and positiveContinue Reading
Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center is announced it will be re-opening its doors to the public on Thursday, June 25th, 2020. The resort will offer leisure travelers a close summer escape featuring a sprawling outdoor water park, acres of airy indoor atrium gardens, and family-friendly activities. “The summer travel seasonContinue Reading
