Officials Offer Free Home Security Checks For Vacationers

Feel more secure when you leave town.

Teen Hides in Closet, Calls For Help During Home Burglary

An Arcadia Drive 13-year-old was unharmed, and "career criminal" William C. Wilson was caught, authorities say.

This Week: Tarpon Woods Attack, Flammable Sunscreen, What's a Herpetology Camp?

In case you missed them, here's a look at the top stories on East Lake Patch from June 30 through July 6.

Female Inmates Could Become Lingerie Makers

A St. Petersburg lingerie and a local nonprofit are teaming up to provide jobs for recently released Pinellas County Jail inmates.

Palm Harbor Residents Arrested

These Palm Harbor residents were arrested on a variety of charges from June 28-30, 2013.

Crime Follow-Up: No Arrests in Tarpon Woods Attack

Pinellas County Sheriff's Office Spokeswoman Cecilia Barreda said on Tuesday that there have been a few leads in the case.

East Lake Fire Rescue Releases Annual Report

"It's nice to look back in summary and see the things you accomplished as a department and keep focused on the good things that we do," said East Lake Fire Rescue Chief Tom Jamison.

OMG PD: Thieves Grab Lawnmowers, Golf Carts, Steak, Crane Parts

We compile the odd, unusual "oh my gosh" police items from throughout the Tampa Bay region.

This Week: Poop in Pools, Unlicensed Contracting Arrests, 13 Want Commission Job

In case you missed them, here's a look at the top stories on East Lake Patch from June 22-29, 2013.

Outgoing Fire Commissioner Honored, Selection Process Underway for Next Commissioner

Flo Galloway, who serves on seat 4 of the East Lake Fire Commission, says she will be moving to Ohio on July 14, 2013 so she can live closer to family members.

Tarpon Springs Man Killed in Forklift Accident

Eric Joseph Kanganis was crushed under a roll of steel while working at USP Structural Connectors.

Palm Harbor Residents Arrested

These Palm Harbor residents were arrested on a variety of charges from June 20-23, 2013.

13 Residents Apply for East Lake Fire Commission Seat

Nine Arrested for Unlicensed Contracting

A multi-agency sting nabbed nine individuals operating with a contractor's license in Pinellas County.

This Week: Library Director Fired, Boater Rescued, 911 Calls, Homes for Sale

In case you missed them, here's a look at the top stories on East Lake Patch from June 16-22, 2013.

Crowbar Threat at Five Guys Restaurant Led to Man's Arrest, Deputies Say

An arrest affidavit says jealousy prompted Ramy Deon Ramirez Jr., 19, to go to the Five Guys restaurant with a crowbar on June 14, 2013.

East Lake 911 Calls: June 14-19

Are you curious about police activity in your neighborhood?

East Lake Fire Commissioner Flo Galloway Moving Back to Ohio

East Lake Tarpon Special Fire Control District plans on appointing someone to fill Seat 4 for the remainder of Galloway's term. The deadline to apply is 4 p.m. on June 24, 2013.

Firefighter Reacts to Punch In Face

Palm Harbor driver Gary Steven Cook is accused of punching a Clearwater Fire and Rescue investigator. Ron Neuberger says he was trying to find out what went wrong with Cook's car after a crash in Clearwater Wednesday when he was punched.

Police: Palm Harbor Driver Punched Firefighter, Charged with Felony Battery and DUI

Clearwater Police say Gary Steven Cook, 63, of Palm Harbor punched a fire inspector when the inspector reached inside a truck to make sure the ignition was off after an accident.

Palm Harbor Man Questioned in Road Rage Incident

Gary Steven Cook of Palm Harbor, is being questioned for suspicion of DUI and battery on a firefighter. He is accused of punching a fire inspector at the scene of a three-vehicle wreck in Clearwater.

Flo Galloway Leaving East Lake Fire Rescue Commission

Details about the departure of longtime board member Flo Galloway have not been released. She is the widow of Jim Galloway, who served as a fire commissioner from 1998 until his death from lung cancer in 2005.

OMG PD: ‘Fugitive’ Kangaroo; Mother of the Year; Wife Hits Husband with SUV

We compile the odd, unusual "oh my gosh" police items from throughout the Tampa Bay region.

East Lake Man Accused of Breaking Into Mailboxes

Deputies say Charles William Bench, 35, pried open mailboxes in a mailbox kiosk at the Sabal Palm apartments where he lives.

Kangaroo Leads Deputies on Chase, Captured 1 Day Later

The Pasco County Sheriff's Office is looking for the owner of a 200-pound, 5-foot-tall kangaroo that led them on a chase over the weekend. The wandering kangaroo was caught near Dade City, which is where the Mystery Monkey of Tampa Bay now resides.

Firefighter Demoted After Investigation Into Text Messages, Racist Statements

An East Lake Fire Department investigation found that Lt. James Finley sent racist text messages and made racist statements against another firefighter, according to Chief Tom Jamison.

Florida Boaters Can Prep for Hurricane Season

Do you have a boat? Know what to do before and after a big storm.

OMG PD: Garden Gnome, Fillet Knife, Grill Scraper Used as Weapons

We compile the odd, unusual "oh my gosh" police items from throughout the Tampa Bay region.

Pinellas Sheriff's Office Releases Spice/K2 PSA

Sheriff Bob Gualtieri and mother Missy Peterson appear in a public service announcement talking about the dangers of Spice/K2.

Surveillance Video Shows Man Who Burglarized 8 Cars in East Lake

The Pinellas County Sheriff's Office released surveillance video of a man who broke into eight vehicles on Tuesday, May 7. Many of the cars were in the Ridgemoor subdivision.

OMG PD: Grease Theft, Mayor's Gun Stolen, Accidental Starbucks Shooting

We compile the odd, unusual "oh my gosh" police items from throughout the Tampa Bay region.

Deputies: Pair Drove from Miami to Rip Off Palm Harbor Ross Store

Deputies say they found $3,898 worth of stolen items and a "booster bag" in a vehicle driven by Alberto Alex Rojas, 56, of Palm Harbor. Rojas served as getaway driver during the theft from Ross, according to an arrest affidavit.

Car Slams Into Dillard's at Countryside Mall

The vehicle crashed through the wall at Dillard's, sparking a blaze on the building's east side.

Fire at Sponge Docks As Boat Goes Up in Flames

More than 5,000 gallons of fuel may be on board the vessel, according to media reports.

OMG PD: Marijuana Home Business; Gator Bites Fleeing Suspect

We compile the odd, unusual "oh my gosh" police items from throughout the Tampa Bay region.

East Lake 911 Calls: April 15 to May 6

Are you curious about police activity in your neighborhood? Here are the dates and times that Pinellas County Sheriff's Deputies were dispatched to East Lake neighborhoods from Monday, April 15, 2013 to Monday, May 6, 2013.

Palm Harbor Bank Robbery: Detectives Seek Help Finding Suspect

Look closely at the accompanying video. A surveillance camera recorded the suspect at 1:13 p.m. on Monday, May 6, 2013 as he robbed the BB&T Bank at 35098 U.S. 19. The bank is south of Alderman Road in Palm Harbor.

Racism Allegations: Demoted Firefighter's Case Appears Headed to Arbitration

Firefighter Bill Figueredo is accused of performing a Nazi salute to East Lake Fire Commission Chairman Mark Weinkrantz, who was not at Monday evening's special meeting.

Palm Harbor Residents Arrested: Charges Include Possession of Crack and Oxycodone, Burglary, Battery

These Palm Harbor residents were arrested on a variety of charges from May 3-5, 2013.

This Week: Wandering Gator, 4-Car Crash, Racism Claims, 50 Legs

In case you missed them, here's a look at the top stories on East Lake Patch from April 28 through May 4.