Top FL News: Taco War, Escape Artist Dog, Laundries In Court, $5M Win

FLORIDA — Top news stories this week in Florida included an escape artist St. Bernard sent home by police once again; a humorous sign war between taco restaurants; the state wants to fine the owners of the Orlando FreeFall ride $250,000 in the death of Tyre Sampson; and the latest legal maneuvers in the fight between the families of Gabby Petito and Brian Laundrie in a Florida courtroom.

Plus, a lack of ice has canceled a winter festival; a head-scratcher of a photo shows the aftermath of driver who drove up a car carrier; a Floridian won $5 million in the lottery; ways you can help the homeless in the Tampa area; and more in our roundup of top news stories from Florida's Patch sites this week.

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Here are some of this week's top news headlines:

Tyre Sampson Death: State Seeks $250K Fine Against Orlando Ride Owner

Eight months after 14-year-old Tyre Sampson fell to his death while riding the Orlando FreeFall, Florida officials filed an administrative complaint against the ride's owner, accusing the company of violating multiple state laws. Through the complaint, state officials want Orlando Eagle Drop Slingshot LLC to pay a $250,000 fine.

‘Master Escape Artist’ St. Bernard Has New Bradenton Adventure: Police

Months after rescuing a four-legged customer who escaped from his yard and wandered into a Dollar General, Bradenton police assisted with the “master escape artist” again.

New Del Taco Fires Back At Snarky Sign From Bradenton Taco Bell

Shots have been fired in Bradenton – in a good-natured way – as the Del Taco that recently opened and its nearby competitor, Taco Bell, launched a sign war, according to a Del Taco spokesperson.

Car Mistakenly Drives Up Car Carrier Parked In Venice, Gets Stuck: VFR

A driver mistakenly drove his car up the ramp of a parked car carrier making a delivery the night of Nov. 16, “leaving it hanging over the edge precariously close to falling off,” Venice Fire Rescue said.

Orlando Man Wins $5 Million On Florida Lottery Scratch-Off

An Orlando man is $5 million richer after winning big on a Florida Lottery scratch-off ticket, the organization said.

Homeless Residents Find Hope During Holidays At Tampa Shelter

A local athletics organization for kids served up a Thanksgiving feast to 100 residents at Tampa Hope, a temporary shelter in downtown Tampa for those experiencing homelessness. According to the Tampa Hillsborough Homeless Initiative, on any given night in the greater Tampa Bay area, there are several thousand homeless men, women and children. These people are sleeping on the streets, behind buildings, in encampments, in cars, emergency shelters and transitional housing.

Judge Denies Laundries' Request To Limit Deposition In Petito Lawsuit

A Sarasota County judge denied a request by the parents of Brian Laundrie to limit the scope of their depositions in a civil lawsuit filed against them by the parents of Gabby Petito. She was killed at the hands of Laundrie in August 2021 at a Wyoming campsite while they were on a cross-country trip. He later took his own life, shooting himself in the head in a Sarasota County park, in September of that year.

Also Worth a Look Today

• Winter Village Opens At Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park
• Lakeland Doctor Pleads Guilty To Accepting Kickbacks From Medical Firm
• Deputy Killed By Suspected Drunk Driver In Charlotte County: Sheriff
• Clearwater Firefighters Lauded After Rescuing Woman From Submerged Car
• Bradenton's Winter Wonderland Canceled Because Of Ice Shortage
• Unlicensed Teen Driver, Mother Charged In Fatal Crash: St. Pete Police
• Baseball Bat Beating Death Leads To Arrest On Murder Charge: Police
• Famous Toastery Targets Sunshine State For Franchise Growth
• Willie Nelson, Train, For King & Country To Headline Strawberry Fest
• Santa Visits Florida Aquarium For Photos With Kids, Pets
• Tampa Bay Woman's Story Leads To Determination To Share Sounds Of Joy
• World Cup 2022 Fever Takes Over St. Pete: Where To Watch
• Publix Opens Its Newest Store At Livingston Place Marketplace
• It's Definitely Looking A Lot Like Christmas At Busch Gardens
• Many Hurricane Ian Deaths Were Preventable, NBC Report Says

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