Deputy Honored, Fatal Plane Crash, Gator Crashes School

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

Hillsborough Honors Fallen Deputy

As members of the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office said goodbye to one of their own Friday, law enforcement agencies from all over the country turned out to pay their respects to a deputy who is believed to have sacrificed his life to save another.

2 Confirmed Dead In Plane Crash At Peter O. Knight

Tampa International Airport has confirmed that a plane crash at Peter O. Knight Airport Friday morning claimed the lives of two people.

Watch: Massive Gator Crashes School’s Dismissal

Students at Geneva Classical Academy got a lesson Thursday that they’re not likely to forget. Instead of lining up for dismissal, they got to watch from afar as a trapper captured a near 10-foot alligator that crashed the campus.

Tampa Mayor’s River O’Green Set For Saturday

Tampa Bay area residents who didn’t get in enough celebrating on St. Patrick’s Day are invited downtown Saturday for the Mayor’s River O’Green Fest.

Pasco Deputy Accused In Child’s ‘Violent And Severe’ Beating

The Pasco County Sheriff’s Office has announced the arrest of one of its own after an investigation into a Sunday incident turned up evidence of a “violent and severe beating.” The sheriff’s office announced the arrest of corrections Deputy Ryan Robert Ferguson, 29, Friday morning, on a child abuse charge.

Tampa Bay Weekend Weather: Storms On The Way

Folks with big outdoor plans this weekend might not find the Tampa Bay area’s weather as cooperative as they’d like.

1 Dead In Clearwater Stabbing

The Clearwater Police Department is investigating a fight that turned deadly Friday morning.

Photo courtesy of the St. Petersburg Police Department