TAMPA, Fla. – The outside westbound and outside eastbound lanes on West MLK Jr. Boulevard between North Himes and North MacDill Avenues are closed while the Tampa Water Department conducts maintenance on the water distribution system. Barricades and signs will be located in the area…
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Search For Missing Swimmer To Resume In Sarasota, Turtle Beach
SARASOTA, Fla. – The Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO) and the Sarasota County Fire Department (SCFD) responded to swimmers in distress at Turtle Beach, 8918 Midnight Pass Road, Sarasota. SCFD personnel arrived first and observed two swimmers in distress. One swimmer was rescued; the other…
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Search Underway After Iran President Ebrahim Raisi’s Helicopter Experiences “Hard Landing”
A helicopter carrying Iran’s President Ebrahim Raisi and other high-ranking officials apparently encountered a harrowing incident in the rugged, mountainous regions of the country’s northwest. This unfolding saga has captivated the attention of the global community, raising questions about the safety and security of the…
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Biden’s Signature Bills Are Pumping Billions Into Arizona, Michigan, And Pennsylvania. Will It Make A Difference In November?
President Joe Biden’s signature pieces of legislation are routing billions of dollars into swing states, but pundits are not convinced that the money will make much difference in November’s elections. The bipartisan infrastructure law of 2021, the CHIPS Act and the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) have cumulatively routed billions of dollars…
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Tampa Man Dies In High-Speed Fiery Motorcycle Crash On The Gandy Bridge
PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. – A Tampa man was killed in a violent high-speed crash that happened Saturday at around 10:45 pm. According to Florida Highway Patrol, a motorcycle operated by a 33-year-old Tampa man was traveling eastbound on US-92 (Gandy Bridge), approaching the Hillsborough County…
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MacDill Air Force Base Contractor In Tampa, Florida, Arrested For Solicting Colorado Child For Sex
TAMPA, Fla. – The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) Thursday arrested James Robert Bechtold, 33, of Valrico, for soliciting a minor online for sex. Bechtold is an information technology security (IT) specialist defense contractor. The Colorado State Police and the Air Force Office of…
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Deputy Who Caught Serial Killer Aileen Wuornos Among 5 Five Florida LEOs Inducted Into Hall Of Fame
Five former law enforcement officers from throughout Florida were honored this morning at the Florida Law Enforcement Officers’ Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony held at Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE). FDLE Commissioner Mark Glass presided over the ceremony. The inductees were nominated by the…
Sports
FHSAA Considers Compensation For Florida High School Student Athletes
The governing body that oversees high school athletics in Florida could soon approve a proposal that would allow high school athletes to be paid through business agreements such as endorsement deals. The Florida High School Athletic Association held a discussion on Tuesday about a potential…
Latest News
Cops And Crime
MacDill Air Force Base Contractor In Tampa, Florida, Arrested For Solicting Colorado Child For Sex
TAMPA, Fla. – The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) Thursday arrested James Robert Bechtold, 33, of Valrico, for soliciting a minor online for sex. Bechtold is an information technology security (IT) specialist defense contractor. The Colorado State Police and the Air Force Office of…
Cold Case
Missing Brooksville Man Has Been Located And Is Safe
BROOKSVILLE, Fla. – Travis O’Neil has been located and is safe, according to the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office. The Hernando County Sheriff’s Office requested the community’s assistance in locating a missing man. Deputies say Travis O’Neil was reported missing on May 17, 2024, but was…
Missing, Endangered Man Last Seen In Zephyrhills, Located Safe
PASCO COUNTY, Fla. – George Chamberlain has been located and is safe, according to Pasco Sheriff’s Office. Pasco Sheriff’s deputies were searching for George Chamberlain, a missing/endangered 39-year-old. Chamberlain is 6’4″, around 350 lbs., with hazel eyes and bald. Chamberlain was last heard from on…
Florida Agriculture
U.S. Forest Service Grants Aim To Curb Florida Wildfire Threats
The U.S. Forest Service said this week that $250,000 in federal funding was given to each of Jacksonville and Sarasota County as part of efforts to protect homes, businesses, and infrastructure from wildfires. Under the federal Community Wildfire Defense Grant program, 158 local governments nationwide,…
UF Scientist, Veteran Wins National Award For Program Connecting Military Personnel To Ag Careers
A veteran himself, University of Florida plant pathologist Gary Vallad wanted to give back to his comrades-in-arms. So, he and Simon Bollin started the Veterans Florida Agriculture Program (VFAP), which helps train veterans for jobs in that field. In 2017, Bollin, agribusiness development manager for…
Lottery
Florida Man Wins $1 Million On $5 Lottery Scratch-Off From Publix In Winter Haven
The Florida Lottery announced Friday that Carlos Cole, Sr., 53, of Winter Haven, claimed a $1 million top prize from the SEVEN FIGURES Scratch-Off game at Lottery Headquarters in Tallahassee. Cole chose to receive his winnings as a one-time, lump-sum payment of $695,000.00. Cole purchased his…
Georgia Woman Wins Whopping $2 Million On Florida Lottery Monopoly Scratch-Off Game
The Florida Lottery announced Thursday that Lavoncis Armstrong, 64, of Riverdale, Georgia, claimed a $2 million top prize from the $10 MONOPOLY DOUBLER Scratch-Off game at Lottery Headquarters in Tallahassee. Armstrong chose to receive her winnings as a one-time, lump-sum payment of $1,597,848.00. Armstrong purchased…
Florida Lottery Announces New Lineup Of Games For Grouper And Grouper Super Sampler
The Florida Lottery revealed Tuesday an enhanced series of games accompanying every GROUPER® and GROUPER® Super Sampler package play purchase. With these new games, players now have increased opportunities to win big while spending less! Unlock incredible value with each GROUPER package play, receiving $6…
Job News
Polk County Sheriff’s Office Seeks Substitute School Crossing Guards Across Polk County
POLK COUNTY, Fla. – The Polk County Sheriff’s Office is seeking qualified men and women in Polk County who desire to work as substitute crossing guards this year. Substitute school crossing guards are needed in the following areas: Lakeland, Fort Meade, Bartow, Highland City, Lake Wales…
Florida Jobless Claims Decline
Florida last week saw a drop in first-time unemployment claims, though company notices filed with the state show some workers face layoffs. On Thursday, the U.S. Department of Labor released a report that estimated 5,680 unemployment applications were filed in Florida during the week ending…