Gator Rescued In Philly, Manatee Center Breaks Ground: FL Good News

FLORIDA — Some of the good news that happened this week includes booksellers ready for Independent Bookstore Day, 1971 Beetle takes cross-country trip, 68 veterans take Honor Flight to Washington, D.C., “The Bluest Eye” returns to Pinellas County high school library shelves.

See these good news stories and more on this week's Florida Patch sites.

Drop Off Boxes Of Cereal For Sheriff's Cereal For Summer Campaign

Polk Sheriff Grady Judd is determined to collect more boxes of cereal than any other organization in Tampa Bay for Feeding Tampa Bay.

Lime Electric Bike Share Program Launches In Downtown St. Pete

A fleet of 260 Gen4 e-bikes from Lime debuted across downtown St. Petersburg on Wednesday. Riders can access the e-bikes via an app.

$1M Scratch-Off Prize Claimed By Sarasota Woman: FL Lottery

A Sarasota woman claimed a $1 million top prize playing the 50X the Cash scratch-off game, Florida Lottery said.

Cross-Country Trek In '71 VW Beetle With 1M Miles Starts In Clearwater

A Clearwater woman's VW Beetle is nearing 1 million miles, making it one of the top engines with the most original miles in the world.

Sarasota Doctor’s Alter Ego Performs Magic After Hours

Magician Howard Stevens will perform an intimate, sleight-of-hand magic show Saturday night at CMX CineBistro Siesta Key.

Big Mack The Gator Removed From Philly Home, Heads To FL Sanctuary

An 8-foot pet alligator was removed from a Philadelphia basement after its owners divorced. Now, he's heading to a South FL gator sanctuary.

Pets Rescued During Broward County Flooding Find Shelter In Tampa

Among the pets brought to Tampa is Butterfly, who was found dog paddling in Broward floodwaters, desperate to find dry land.

Superintendent Of Year Honors Awarded To Pasco's Kurt Browning

Pasco Schools Superintendent Kurt Browning has been named Superintendent of the Year by Magnet Schools of America, a national honor.

Marauders Welcome 1 Millionth Fan At Bradenton’s LECOM Park

The Bradenton Marauders, the Pittsburgh Pirates’ Minor League Baseball team, welcomed their 1 millionth fan at LECOM Park on Sunday.

Celebrate Tampa Bay Bookstores Saturday On Independent Bookstore Day

Bookstores are rebounding across the country, in the Tampa Bay area. Some local booksellers shared what they think is behind the resurgence.

Clearwater Manatee Center Called Historic Step To Fight Extinction

Construction of a critical care center for manatees at the Clearwater aquarium is in response to an unprecedented number of manatee deaths.

Chabad Center For Jewish Life Breaks Ground In Downtown St. Petersburg

The community celebrated the groundbreaking for the new Chabad Center for Jewish Life at 533 4th Street N. in St. Pete on Sunday.

Single Mom With 2 Daughters Get 1st Home With Help Of MaintenX

MaintenX has started construction of its sixth Habitat for Humanity house to provide a new home to an economically disadvantaged family.

68 Tampa Bay Veterans Treated To Honor Flight, Tour Of DC Monuments

This was the 43rd flight of Tampa area military veterans to Washington, D.C., organized by Honor Flight

'The Bluest Eye' Restored To Pinellas High School Library Shelves

Following requests that the Pinellas School District follow its procedures and review the book "The Bluest Eye," it is back in libraries.

Local cities recognized:

• Dunedin Is Made In Shade After Being Named Tree City USA For 34th Year
• St. Pete Among U.S. Cities Most Obsessed With Pickleball: List
• Ringling Trail Complete Street Named FL ‘Project Of The Year’: City
• Temple Terrace Named Among 15 Most Eco-Forward Cities In U.S.
• Clearwater Beach Finalist In USA Today's 10Best Readers' Choice Awards