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The Pinellas County school board race has intensified in the wake of a close primary election, with candidates Stacy Geier and Katie Blaxberg engaging in a heated exchange on social media. Geier accuses Blaxberg of fiscal irresponsibility, while Blaxberg labels Geier an extremist, highlighting the divisive nature of the campaign.
Two drivers lost their lives in a wrong-way crash on the Suncoast Parkway in Hernando County early Saturday morning, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. The collision involved a Volkswagen Jetta and a Honda Odyssey, resulting in both vehicles flipping over. Two passengers in the Honda sustained non-life-threatening injuries.
Forecasters from the National Hurricane Center are monitoring a weather system in the Gulf of Mexico that may develop into a tropical depression by mid-next week. As of Saturday afternoon, the likelihood of this system forming is estimated at 60%, with a focus on areas from Mexico's Yucatán Peninsula to near Louisiana.
An Orlando man, Jason Christopher Smalls, was arrested after fleeing a traffic stop and crashing into a Jeep Grand Cherokee while driving recklessly on I-275. Both occupants of the Jeep sustained minor injuries, and Smalls faces multiple charges, including reckless driving and leaving the scene of an accident.
South Armenia Avenue in Tampa is closed due to a water main break being repaired by the Tampa Water Department. All travel lanes were shut down on Saturday, with plans for normal traffic patterns to resume by Tuesday evening, although further work may be required later. Drivers are advised to exercise caution in the area.
Carnival Cruise Lines is celebrating 30 years of operations from Port Tampa Bay, significantly contributing to the local economy. The cruise industry generates around 20% of the port's annual revenue, impacting local hotels and restaurants. With an increasing number of passengers, Tampa Bay is becoming a popular cruise destination.
Concerns were raised by an ex-CIA officer from Tampa and others regarding Ryan Routh, a man allegedly plotting to assassinate Russian President Vladimir Putin. The article highlights the troubling behavior of Routh, who was in Ukraine during the early days of the war, and the actions taken by those who reported him to authorities.
A traffic stop in Polk County led to the arrest of Jerome Jermaine Fox, a 41-year-old man found driving erratically with a fictitious license plate. The Florida Highway Patrol discovered that Fox had a suspended driver's license and a history of felony convictions, along with a firearm in his possession.
In Pasco County, Florida, educators are innovatively integrating English and social studies to enhance learning, ensuring that essential subjects like civics and history receive the attention they deserve. This approach addresses previous concerns that these subjects were being overlooked in favor of mandatory reading instruction. The initiative is part of a broader effort to create a more holistic educational experience for students.
Tampa Police arrested 30-year-old Jerome Parker on murder charges following a shooting incident in Copeland Park last month. The shooting, which occurred on August 9, 2024, resulted in the death of a young male victim who succumbed to his injuries after being transported to a hospital.