Decriminalizing Pot, Boycotting Beyonce, Burglar Crashes

Patch operates 23 daily news sites in Florida. The following are some of the top headlines from the past day:

Tampa Police Not Shirking Beyonce Duty

While the Miami Police union is calling for cops to boycott Beyonce’s Marlin Park show, Tampa Police officers are signing up to work extra duty during the performer’s April 29 Raymond James Stadium stop.

Lowry Park Zoo’s Penguins Getting Better Digs

Visitors to Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo will soon find a few familiar faces off display, but there’s no cause for concern. The African penguins are simply being relocated to an area off exhibition for a time to make way for construction of a brand new penguin care facility.

Florida’s Zika Cases Rise Again

The total number of confirmed Zika virus cases in Florida has climbed to 24. State Surgeon General and Secretary of Health Dr. John Armstrong reported two new cases in the Miami-Dade County area Thursday.

Burglar’s Crash Through Ceiling Caught On Video

Jacksonville burglary suspect found out the hard way recently that what goes up must inevitably come down.

Cop’s Artistic Proposal Scores A Yes

When a Gainesville Police Officer decided it was high time to ask his girlfriend for her hand in marriage, he used a local landmark to help him get the job done. With a can of red spray paint in hand, Officer Hickey added his own mark to the famous 34th Street Wall.

U.S. Humane Society Scores Florida’s Representatives

The U.S. Humane Society has released its annual scorecard showing which Congressional leaders stand out on animal rights issues and which ones fall short of the mark.

Tampa Moves To Decriminalize Marijuana

Tampa residents will soon have the opportunity to voice their opinions on a prosed local law that would decriminalize possession of small amounts of marijuana.

Pasco Deputy Targeted In Arson Attack, Sheriff Says

The Pasco County Sheriff’s Office has arrested a person in connection with an arson attack on the home of own of its own. According to the agency, the person specifically targeted the home of a deputy and his family.

Photo courtesy of Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo/Dave Parkinson