BRANDON, Fla. – The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office has arrested the final suspect involved in a 2022 homicide case. Tony Shepard Jr., 16, has been arrested for his role in a homicide that occurred on November 23, 2022, on Lake Chapman Drive in Brandon during…
Latest News
Pasco Deputies Searching For 2 Teens Missing Out Of Land O’ Lakes
PASCO COUNTY, Fla. – Pasco Sheriff’s deputies are currently searching for Taina Padilla, a missing/runaway 17-year-old, and Nevaeh Scott-Whyte, a missing runaway 14-year-old. Padilla is 5’5”, around 240 lbs., with brown/blonde hair and brown eyes. Padilla was last seen on June 3, around 12:45 a.m.,…
Ex-Judge In Florida Appeals Candidacy Ruling
A former Northeast Florida circuit judge is appealing a decision that blocked him from running this year for a judicial seat because of a past suspension from practicing law. An attorney for Scott DuPont filed a notice of appeal last week after Leon County Circuit…
Florida Gov. DeSantis Steers State Money To Dock Work
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Tuesday directed $7.5 million from the state’s Job Growth Grant Fund to help redevelop a shrimp dock in Lee County. DeSantis said the work will expand the facility at San Carlos Maritime Park — damaged by Hurricane Ian in 2022…
News Scroll
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Fourth And Final Suspect In 2022 Murder Of Teen In Brandon Arrested
BRANDON, Fla. – The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office has arrested the final suspect involved in a 2022 homicide case. Tony Shepard Jr., 16, has been arrested for his role in a homicide that occurred on November 23, 2022, on Lake Chapman Drive in Brandon during…
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Pasco Deputies Searching For 2 Teens Missing Out Of Land O’ Lakes
PASCO COUNTY, Fla. – Pasco Sheriff’s deputies are currently searching for Taina Padilla, a missing/runaway 17-year-old, and Nevaeh Scott-Whyte, a missing runaway 14-year-old. Padilla is 5’5”, around 240 lbs., with brown/blonde hair and brown eyes. Padilla was last seen on June 3, around 12:45 a.m.,…
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Ex-Judge In Florida Appeals Candidacy Ruling
A former Northeast Florida circuit judge is appealing a decision that blocked him from running this year for a judicial seat because of a past suspension from practicing law. An attorney for Scott DuPont filed a notice of appeal last week after Leon County Circuit…
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Florida Gov. DeSantis Steers State Money To Dock Work
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Tuesday directed $7.5 million from the state’s Job Growth Grant Fund to help redevelop a shrimp dock in Lee County. DeSantis said the work will expand the facility at San Carlos Maritime Park — damaged by Hurricane Ian in 2022…
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Baker Mayfield ‘It’s Expected To Underestimate The Bucs’
TAMPA, Fla. – Most so-called NFL media experts are predicting the Bucs to fall short of winning the NFC South. Some even have the Bucs finishing 3rd behind the Falcons and Panthers. Bucs QB Baker Mayfield doesn’t seem surprised and, in fact, welcomes it. “It doesn’t matter,”…
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Financial Regulator’s Report Highlights Mounting Risks In The Banking Sector: FDIC
The banking industry has faced a tumultuous start to 2024, with the latest quarterly performance report from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) painting a complex picture of the sector’s resilience and emerging challenges. While the industry has demonstrated its ability to bounce back from…
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Citrus County Duo Get 20 Years On Narcotics Charges
CITRUS COUNTY, Fla. – In a case handled by the Fifth Judicial Circuit State Attorney’s Office, 32-year-old Tyler David Cote was sentenced to 20 years in the Florida Department of Corrections (FDOC) after pleading guilty to two counts of Trafficking Fentanyl, two counts of Possession…
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U.S. Senate Committee To Probe Into Florida Citizens Property Insurance
The U.S. Senate Budget Committee, which in the past several months has raised questions about Florida’s Citizens Property Insurance Corp.’s finances, will hold a Wednesday hearing about how climate change affects insurance markets. The hearing will be held in Washington, D.C., titled “Riskier Business: How…
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Florida Gov. DeSantis Says Budget Decisions Coming Soon
With the state’s 2024-2025 fiscal year starting July 1, Gov. Ron DeSantis said Tuesday he will “bring (the budget) in for landing very soon.” During an event in Fort Myers, DeSantis said many lawmakers aren’t “going to be happy with everything,” as his office considers…
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New York Children With Special Needs Receive Dreams Through Sunshine Foundation
The Sunshine Foundation is thrilled to announce that Nia Lawton and Moshe Kraus have recently been granted their dreams, bringing joy and hope to their lives and the lives of their families. Nia, a bright and spirited child who is legally blind and has a…
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Tampa Man Gets More Than 24 Years For Possession, Distribution Of Meth
TAMPA, Fla. – Christian Perez-Seda, 38, Tampa, was sentenced to 24 years and 4 months in federal prison for distributing and possessing with the intent to distribute methamphetamine. Perez-Seda pleaded guilty in March 2024. According to court documents, on July 24, 2021, Perez Seda distributed…
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Campfires Banned On Florida District Conservation Lands Due To Dry Conditions
The Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) is prohibiting campfires and other sources of open flames on District conservation lands in conjunction with numerous county burn bans and dry conditions. The lack of rainfall this spring has made grasses and other light vegetation extremely dry…
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Florida License-Free Freshwater Fishing Weekend Is June 8 And 9
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is hosting another license-free freshwater fishing weekend on June 8 and 9. Freshwater fishing is a fun activity for all ages to enjoy, and there are many great locations across Florida that you can explore. Florida residents…
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St. Pete Police Chief Issues Warning On ‘Gel Pellet Guns’ After Patrol Horse Shot, 3 Arrested
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – Chief of St. Petersburg Police Anthony Holloway issued a warning Tuesday about the irresponsible use of pellet guns downtown. This past weekend, more than 200 teens gathered downtown, and several of them were firing gel pellet guns in and at the…
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Fiery Clash Between Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz, AG Garland Over DOJ’s Alleged Collusion In Trump Prosecutions
In a dramatic congressional hearing, Florida Representative Matt Gaetz took Attorney General Merrick Garland to task over the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) alleged involvement in the prosecutions of former President Donald Trump. Gaetz’s blistering line of questioning challenged Garland’s claims that such allegations were mere…
Sports
Baker Mayfield ‘It’s Expected To Underestimate The Bucs’
TAMPA, Fla. – Most so-called NFL media experts are predicting the Bucs to fall short of winning the NFC South. Some even have the Bucs finishing 3rd behind the Falcons and Panthers. Bucs QB Baker Mayfield doesn’t seem surprised and, in fact, welcomes it. “It doesn’t matter,”…
Florida High School Athletic Association Approves Athlete-Pay Rules
The Florida High School Athletic Association on Tuesday opened the door for student-athletes to earn money from business agreements such as endorsement deals, with the organization’s president calling the move a “good starting point.” The FHSAA’s Board of Directors voted unanimously to approve a seismic…
New Study: Florida Named Top US State For Golfing Getaways
New data has pinpointed the best states for a golfing vacation, with Florida leading the rankings with a score of 64.42 out of 100. The study, carried out by relocation experts My Baggage, analyzed the distribution of golf courses, driving ranges, tournaments, and golf coaches…
NFL Renews Grant For The Gulf Coast JFCS And St. Petersburg Police Department CALL Program
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – As part of the NFL’s Inspire Change social justice initiative, Gulf Coast JFCS was one of 10 social justice programs nationwide awarded a grant renewal for its work to enact positive change in the community. The new two-year grant of $450,000…
Cops And Crime
Fourth And Final Suspect In 2022 Murder Of Teen In Brandon Arrested
BRANDON, Fla. – The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office has arrested the final suspect involved in a 2022 homicide case. Tony Shepard Jr., 16, has been arrested for his role in a homicide that occurred on November 23, 2022, on Lake Chapman Drive in Brandon during…
Tampa Man Gets More Than 24 Years For Possession, Distribution Of Meth
TAMPA, Fla. – Christian Perez-Seda, 38, Tampa, was sentenced to 24 years and 4 months in federal prison for distributing and possessing with the intent to distribute methamphetamine. Perez-Seda pleaded guilty in March 2024. According to court documents, on July 24, 2021, Perez Seda distributed…
Cold Case
Pasco Deputies Searching For 2 Teens Missing Out Of Land O’ Lakes
PASCO COUNTY, Fla. – Pasco Sheriff’s deputies are currently searching for Taina Padilla, a missing/runaway 17-year-old, and Nevaeh Scott-Whyte, a missing runaway 14-year-old. Padilla is 5’5”, around 240 lbs., with brown/blonde hair and brown eyes. Padilla was last seen on June 3, around 12:45 a.m.,…
14-Year-Old Zain Tamayo, Last Seen In New Port Richey, Located Safe
PASCO COUNTY, Fla. – Zain Tamayo has been located and is safe, according to the Pasco Sheriff’s Office. Pasco Sheriff’s deputies were searching for Zain Tamayo, a missing/runaway 14-year-old. Tamayo is 5’7”, around 120 lbs., with brown hair and brown eyes. Tamayo was last seen…
Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd Investigating Lakeland Missing Persons Case As Murder
POLK COUNTY, Fla. – Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd briefed the media and public this afternoon with an update on the investigation into a missing man, 21-year-old Ethan Fussell. Fussell went missing on May 7, 2024, from the Driggers Road Area of Lakeland. “This was…
Florida Agriculture
Campfires Banned On Florida District Conservation Lands Due To Dry Conditions
The Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) is prohibiting campfires and other sources of open flames on District conservation lands in conjunction with numerous county burn bans and dry conditions. The lack of rainfall this spring has made grasses and other light vegetation extremely dry…
Another Florida Family Farm Preserved Through Rural And Family Lands Protection Program
Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson announced Thursday the preservation of a Florida family farm through the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ Rural and Family Lands Protection Program. The Limestone Creek Ranch property, a more than 470-acre cattle operation in Hardee County, is…
Applications Open For Aquaculture Classroom Systems For Florida Educators
Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson announced Tuesday the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ (FDACS) Division of Aquaculture is now accepting applications from Florida educators for aquaculture classroom systems and supplementary materials. “From ornamental fish and aquatic plants to food fish and shellfish,…
Politics
Financial Regulator’s Report Highlights Mounting Risks In The Banking Sector: FDIC
The banking industry has faced a tumultuous start to 2024, with the latest quarterly performance report from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) painting a complex picture of the sector’s resilience and emerging challenges. While the industry has demonstrated its ability to bounce back from…
Florida Gov. DeSantis Says Budget Decisions Coming Soon
With the state’s 2024-2025 fiscal year starting July 1, Gov. Ron DeSantis said Tuesday he will “bring (the budget) in for landing very soon.” During an event in Fort Myers, DeSantis said many lawmakers aren’t “going to be happy with everything,” as his office considers…
Lottery
Florida Woman Wins $1 Million On $20 Cashword Scratch-Off Lottery Ticket
The Florida Lottery announced Friday that Anita Ervin, 61, of Tallahassee, claimed a $1 million prize from the $5,000,000 CASHWORD Scratch-Off game at Lottery’s Headquarters in Tallahassee. Ervin chose to receive her winnings as a one-time, lump-sum payment of $780,000.00. Ervin purchased her winning ticket…
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…
Winning $214 Million Powerball Ticket Sold In Florida
A lucky POWERBALL player in Florida won a whopping $214 million in the May 6 drawing! The winning ticket was purchased at Publix at 9050 Biscayne Boulevard in Miami Shores. The winning ticket was purchased at Publix, located at 9050 Biscayne Boulevard. The winning numbers…
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…
Job News
Pinellas County Government To Hold Career Fair On June 14
PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. – Pinellas County Government will hold a Career Fair on Friday, June 14, from 1 – 4 p.m. at Florida Botanical Gardens (Magnolia Room), 12520 Ulmerton Road, Largo. Hiring managers from Pinellas County Government, Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office, and Pinellas County Schools…
Tampa Ranks In The Top 15 Best Cities For Summer Jobs: WalletHub
TAMPA, Fla. – WalletHub issued its study on 2024’s Best Places for Summer Jobs on Wednesday. With summer quickly approaching, many businesses are ready to hire due to labor shortages. WalletHub compared more than 180 markets in the U.S. across 21 key metrics. The data…
Florida Jobless Claims Increase
The number of first-time unemployment claims filed in Florida last week was the highest total since January. On Thursday, the U.S. Department of Labor released a report that estimated 7,051 jobless claims were filed in the state during the week ending May 11, up from…
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…
Good Eats
Rick’s Coffee House: It’s A God Thing
LAND O’ LAKES, Fla. – Since the age of 14, Rick Smith has been a coffee enthusiast. About 30 years ago, his friend, for whom he’d created a successful marketing idea, bought Smith his first coffee maker, an Italian hand press. This marked the beginning…
Spread The Sunshine With Carolyn: Low-Carb Hot Dog Sauce Recipe
This is a recipe I experimented with this week. It was my Grandmother’s hotdog sauce recipe, but since I’m a type 1 diabetic, I tweaked it a little so it wouldn’t interfere with my blood sugar or my low-carb diet. I must admit it turned…
Spread The Sunshine With Carolyn: Strawberries And Cream Cake
Today is my sister and I’s birthday. We were born on the same day, three years apart. Growing up, we always hated having to share our birthdays. Since we are grown, I just wanted to tell her, “ Sister, you are the best birthday gift…
Spread The Sunshine With Carolyn: Old Fashion Potato Soup
This is a recipe I got from my grandmother. This was her ‘go-to’ recipe for years, especially when someone in the family was sick. It is delicious and very filling. She is no longer with us, but she would be so proud that I’m sharing…