Grand Prix, Great White Sharks, Freak Accident

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

Tanya Tucker Cancels Strawberry Festival Appearance

Tanya Tucker fans won’t get to catch the singer live on stage at the Florida Strawberry Festival this Friday, March 11. Tucker has had to back out of her engagement, festival officials announced Thursday afternoon.

Tampa Spaghetti Warehouse Staying Put

Vocal fans of the Spaghetti Warehouse’s Ybor City location are getting the credit for saving the eatery from the chopping block. Thanks to hundreds of emails and an “overwhelming response” the restaurant is staying open.

Rescuers Tried To Save Man Killed In Freak Accident

Two men in Indian Shores wasted no time trying to rescue a man who became trapped under his own car Wednesday afternoon, but their efforts were to no avail.

Taylor Hicks Kicks Off Spring Music Festival Friday

Local music lovers might want to buckle up for a big weekend in entertainment. The Land O’ Lakes Spring Music Festival & Expo is set to kick off Friday, March 11 with a headline performance by “American Idol” winner Taylor Hicks.

Great White Shark Expedition Planned Off Florida Coast

Ocearch, the nonprofit scientific organization dedicated to studying all things shark, is planning to hit the open water again next week with researchers from Mote Marine along to lend a hand.

Firestone Grand Prix: What To Know Before You Go

Racing fans don’t have to leave the Tampa Bay area to enjoy high-speed action. The Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg rolls in Friday and will stick around through Sunday.

Tampa 6th Best Place To Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day: Survey

ampa is one of the best places in the country for St. Patrick’s Day celebrations, according the website WalletHub. It ranked sixth-place, in fact, coming in behind such communities as Boston, Buffalo and Omaha.

Photo courtesy of the city of St. Petersburg Facebook page