Adult Nightclub Shooting Suspects At Large

Authorities say a member of the Palm Harbor club's cleaning crew was shot during a robbery attempt over the weekend and they are looking for two suspects.

OMG PD: Ninjas, Bombs and a Samurai Sword

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

This Week: Crash Near School, Double-Shooting, Classroom Door Locks, Hundreds of Animals Seized From Home

In case you missed them, here's a look at recent top stories on East Lake Patch.

East Lake Community Emergency Response Team to Host Class

This course would be helpful for anyone interested in learning how to prepare for and respond to a disaster.

Crash Near Cypress Woods Elementary Prompts Email From School

If you received an email from Cypress Woods Elementary about a car crash in front of the school, you might be wondering what happened. We contacted the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) and got the details.

Vote to Change 911 Dispatch is Jan. 15

Under the proposed change, firefighters and paramedics, or "first responders" would no longer both be dispatched to minor 911 calls like calls about a fall or a sick person. East Lake Fire Chief Tom Jamison is against the change.

Nearly 300 Animals Seized From Home

Pinellas County Sheriff's Deputies say they discovered the animals when responding to a 911 call about a missing child.

Detectives: Teacher Downloaded Child Sex Videos

Undercover Pinellas County Sheriff's detectives say teacher John M. Kaneski, 42, who used to work at Curlew Creek Elementary School, downloaded child porn videos onto his home computer.

This Week: Vehicles Vandalized, Crazy Cats, the Best of 2012 and More

In case you missed them, here's a look at the top stories on East Lake Patch from Dec. 30 through Jan. 5.

OMG PD: Hate Crime, Falling Bullet, Big Cocaine Bust

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

Florida DUIs By the Numbers

Find out how prevalent DUIs are in the state.

DUI Patrols Heat Up for Holiday Weekend

East Lake residents can expect to see more law enforcement on the roads through New Year’s Day.

Crimes That Made Headlines on East Lake Patch in 2012

Patch has covered some major crimes in East Lake since our launch in August of 2012 including a resident accused of making more than a million bucks filing fake tax returns and a tragic deadly crash involving a stolen vehicle.

OMG PD: Polite Robber Knocks First, 93-Year-Old Hits Deputy, Fire Captain Arrested – Again

We compile the odd, weird and ‘oh my gosh’ police news from throughout the Tampa Bay region. In Florida, there's no shortage.

Fire Dangers Rise During Winter Season

The National Fire Sprinkler Association offers these tips for protecting your family.

Car Chase Leads to Arrest of Pharmacy Robbery Suspect

Did you see all the Pinellas County Sheriff's Deputy cruisers on a side road of U.S. 19 Thursday? It was a chase involving an armed robbery suspect. Here's what happened.

Police: Woman Found Stolen Gun Under Daughter's Mattress

A Largo mother's discovery in her daughter's bedroom led to the arrest of a Palm Harbor man, according to police.

Deadly Deer Encounters Traumatize East Lake Drivers

"There's a lot of blood on the road. You drive on the road and you see all the blood and it doesn't speak well for our community," said Barb Walker, an East Lake resident and mother of two children.

$300K Should Help Smooth Domestic Violence Court Process

A special domestic violence court looks to follow up on violators and streamline the handling of these types of cases.

OMG PD: Soldier Robbed, Water Tower Shot, Stolen Perfume

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

This Week: Toys for Tots Mixup, Stolen Car in Deadly Crash, Too Many Guns?

In case you missed them, here's a look at the top stories on East Lake Patch from December 9-15.

Two Injured in Crash on East Lake Rd.

One person was airlifted to Bayfront Medical Center after the crash late Friday afternoon. Another person was transported to St. Joseph's Hospital in Tampa, according to East Lake Fire Rescue.

BMW Involved in Deadly Crash Was Stolen, Police Say

Patch has learned that the BMW involved in a deadly crash on Curlew Rd. was stolen from a home in Clearwater the night before the crash.

Thief Stole Toys for Tots Donations, Fire Chief Says

"I think it's stooping pretty low to take toys that are donated and intended for less privileged children at Christmas. To do something like this is despicable," said East Lake Fire Rescue Chief Tom Jamison.

Man Killed in Crash at McMullen Booth and Curlew Roads

A BMW ran a red light at the intersection, killing a 54-year-old Holiday man in a pickup truck, investigators said Wednesday morning.

OMG PD: Kittens in Freezer, Pot in Underwear

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

Photos: Christmas Cheer Brightens Firehouse

We've all seen homes decorated for Christmas, but what if your home away from home is a firehouse?

Traffic Crashes Drop in Pinellas County

Pinellas County saw an decrease in collisions in 2011, and so did the rest of Florida, according to a new state report. We want to hear from you, East Lake, on what roads worry you the most.

Bank Robbery Suspect Caught Thanks to Patch Reader's Tip

A resident recognized a photo of the suspect that appeared in a Patch story and called deputies, according to the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office.

Bank Robbery Suspect on the Loose

Detectives say this man robbed a Bank of America in Palm Harbor on Wednesday morning, implying that he had a gun.

Deputies: Naked Man Assaulted Clerk, Hit Deputy Cruiser

Deputies say the man was wearing only construction boots when he was spotted near an area golf course.

East Lake Fire Commissioners Sworn In

Commissioner David Root was recently re-elected. He says it's important for citizens to become involved in the monthly meetings, so they can understand how their $5 million tax budget is being spent.

Police: Palm Harbor Motorcyclist Dies in U.S. 19 Crash

According to Pinellas Park Police, one man was killed in an early morning crash, which closed part of U.S. 19 near Bryan Dairy for several hours Thursday.

East Lake Adds More 'Deer Crossing' Signs to Local Roads

Audubon Society members and county officials hope the additional signs will help keep motorists and animals on East Lake Road safer.

Palm Harbor Man's Wild Ride Ends With Trip To Jail

Lucas Daniel Cowden, 18, and another man are charged with driving a pickup truck onto the Tarpon Springs Golf Course, spinning doughnuts into the grass and causing $15,000 to $30,000 in damage, the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Domestic Battery Arrest: Woman Accused of Hitting Ex-Husband

An arrest affidavit says Melissa Dawn Blankenbeckler, 37, of Palm Harbor, intentionally hit her ex-husband during an argument.

New Blue Alert System Helps Protect Police Officers

Citizens can now sign up to receive Blue Alerts, which are issued when a law enforcement officer is killed, assaulted, missing, or suffered serious injury, and the suspect is gone.

East Lake Man Accused in $1.3 Million Income Tax Fraud Case

Carlos Oscar Johnson, 23, of Palm Harbor, is accused of obtaining $1.3 million by filing 173 fraudulent online income tax returns.

Pawn Shop Visit Lands East Lake Man in Jail

Thomas Michael Bliss, 23, is accused of violating parole by leaving his home to go to a pawn shop. His actions at the pawn shop got him into even more trouble, according to an arrest affidavit.

Graffiti Cleanup Program Aims to Steer Kids in Right Direction

The Pinellas County Sheriff's Office Graffiti Response Program allows teens who are first-time offenders to work a certain amount of community service hours. When they complete the program, charges against them are not filed in the court system.