Top Colleges, Publix Eggs, Flights to Cuba

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

Record-Breaking Sea Turtle Nesting Season: Mote Reports

The Gulf Coast’s sea turtle nesting season is only two months in and scientists from Sarasota’s Mote Marine Laboratory are already reporting a record-breaking year.

Vampire Diaries’ Paul Wesley ‘Dismayed’ With Publix

As the ongoing dispute between animal rights activists and Publix Super Markets over the grocer’s sale of eggs from caged chickens continues, actor Paul Wesley has joined the chorus of those demanding a change.

Top Colleges in Florida, According to Forbes’ Latest Rankings

Several Florida schools made Forbes’ 2016 college rankings, but none scored especially high in the survey that put an emphasis on return on investment.

MacDill Air Force Base Commander Says His Goodbyes

After two years of heading up MacDill Air Force Base’s 6th Air Mobility Wing, Col. Daniel H. Tulley is preparing to say his goodbyes.

Tampa Man Faces 100 Counts of Child Pornography

A 45-year-old Tampa man faces 100 counts of possession of child pornography after Hillsborough County Sheriff’s deputies completed an investigation into his activities.

Tampa Selected For Scheduled Flights to Cuba

Tampa Bay area residents with Cuban roots or other government-approved reasons to travel to America’s island neighbor to the south will soon be able to hop on board scheduled, commercial flights to make the journey.

Deputies Were Waiting for 4 Charged in Shoplifting Spree

Four people pulled up to Bradenton’s Burlington Coat Factory Wednesday evening in a black Lexus. They left in sheriff’s office cruisers.

Photo courtesy of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission