Cruises Resume, Teen's Dream, Growing Businesses: News Nearby

Here are some of the share-worthy stories from Florida Patches to talk about tonight:

• 5 St. Petersburg Companies Make Fastest-Growing List: Inc.com
• 3 Brandon Area Companies Make Fastest-Growing List: Inc.com
• Your Drinking Water Might Have A Temporary Change In Taste

Winter Haven Man Never Made It To Hospital, Family Concerned

A 63-year-old Winter Haven man has been missing from his home since Aug. 11, Winter Haven Police said. Densley Brown told his daughter he was driving to the hospital for a medical examination, but he didn't arrive at the hospital he mentioned or at any other local hospital.

It's Smooth Sailing For Port Of Tampa As It Resumes Cruises

There's good news for residents who have been putting off their dream cruise during the coronavirus pandemic. Port Tampa Bay President and CEO Paul Anderson announced that cruise ships will resume setting sail from Port Tampa Bay as early as mid-October.

Lincoln Project Video On Masks, Vaccines Stars Sarasota Candidate

A Sarasota U.S. House of Representatives candidate is featured in a new video released by The Lincoln Project, a group of GOP leaders who object to the direction former President Donald Trump has taken the party.

Dream Comes True For 18-Year-Old Battling Serious Illness

As 18-year-old Victor Voras went through grueling treatments after being diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma, there was one thought that sustained him. Voras' mind would drift to thoughts of a perfect day spent bass fishing on a pristine lake surrounded by nature.

Gunman High On Mushrooms Kills South Beach Diner: Report

A young father visiting from Colorado was shot and killed at random while eating dinner with his family in the outdoor section of a South Beach café Tuesday evening.

Modeling Websites Sexually Exploited Kids: FL Officials

A series of charges and convictions have been announced in connection with an international enterprise based in Florida that operated subscription-based sexually exploitive "child modeling" websites.

FL Doctor Fired For Selling $50 Mask Exemption Letters: Report

An emergency room physician in Tallahassee has been let go after hospital officials learned he was offering to sign mask exemption letters for students attending Leon County Schools for a fee. For $50, Dr. Brian Warden would schedule a screening with families who don't want their children wearing masks at school and sign a medical opt-out letter for them.

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Also Worth a Look Today

• Interim Police Chief Named As City Looks To Fill Role Permanently
• Garbage Collection Changes Extended Due To Driver Shortage
• Woman Wanted For Taking Prescription Pills From Victim: Police
• New COVID-19 Testing Site Opens At Ed Smith Stadium

Across America

• Mask Mandate, Teacher Vaccine Requirement Expected In IL: Reports
• Gov. Wolf Asks Legislature To Mandate Masks In Schools
• LI's Anastasia Pagonis Takes Home Gold In Tokyo Paralympics
• 13-Year-Old Begins Georgia Tech Aerospace Engineering Program
• Black Bear Turns Porch Pirate, Saunters Away With Amazon Package

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