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Cop Poisoned Girlfriend’s Dog | 140 MPH Speeder | Columbine-Style School Threat: FL News
Pit Bull Saved On I-275 | School District To Work With ICE | Boat Captain Sells Drugs Found At Sea | Cat Dies In House Fire | $380M Scheme
On the weekend, we present a week in review of the top stories and headlines from across Florida. Here's a roundup of some of the biggest and quirkiest stories across the state. You can also find your local Patch and catch up on those stories by clicking here.
‘Columbine Part Two’ Threatened By High School Student: Sheriff
A 15-year-old Hillsborough County high student was arrested after posting a threatening message on social media, the sheriff said.
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‘Super Speeder’ Caught Going 140 MPH On I-4: FL Troopers
A Plant City man was arrested under FL’s “super speeder” law for going more than 140 mph on Interstate 4, troopers said.
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Cop Poisoned, Killed Girlfriend’s Dog: Sheriff
A police officer was charged with aggravated animal cruelty for poisoning and killing his girlfriend’s dog, the Hillsborough sheriff said.
Pit Bull Found Stranded On I-275 Median In Hillsborough County: FL Highway Patrol
A Florida state trooper helped Hillsborough County Animal Control rescue a pit bull wandering the median of Interstate 275.
476 Grams Of Cocaine Seized From Sarasota Home: Police
A man was arrested on drug charges after a raid on a Sarasota home, police said.
Motorcyclist Killed In Dump Truck Crash In Manatee County
A motorcyclist died after a crash with a dump truck in Parrish, the Florida Highway Patrol said.
A teen who failed to stop for a stop sign hit an SUV at a Pasco County intersection, FHP said. A Dade City woman died in the crash.
FL Financial Advisor Pleads Guilty In $380M GA Ponzi Scheme
A financial advisor from St. Petersburg pleaded guilty to masterminding a $380M Ponzi scheme in GA, the largest in state history, DOJ said.
Off-Duty Deputy Accused Of Driving Under The Influence In Crash
An off-duty corrections deputy was arrested for a DUI after a crash in Parrish, the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office said.
Cat Killed In Tampa-Area House Fire, 5 Other Pets Rescued: Watch
A cat died in a Tampa-area house fire and five other family pets were rescued from the blaze, Hillsborough County firefighters said.
FL Man Guilty Of COVID Fraud Scheme Using Dead Business Partner’s Name: U.S. DOJ
A Belleair man was found guilty of charges related to using his dead former business partner’s name in a COVID loan fraud scheme, DOJ said.
FL Charter Boat Captain Sold Cocaine He Found At Sea, Sheriff Says
A charter boat captain in the FL Keys was arrested on drug charges after selling cocaine he said he found at sea, authorities said.
Massive Cruise Ship Port Proposed Near Sunshine Skyway Bridge
Developers have filed plans with Manatee County to build a cruise ship port near the Sunshine Skyway Bridge, reports said.
2 Injured In Clearwater Shooting, Police Say
Clearwater police are investigating a shooting that injured two 19-year-old men, one critically.
Child Porn Charges Land Bradenton Doctor In Prison: U.S. Dept. Of Justice
A Bradenton doctor who practiced medicine in Sarasota posed as a teenager online to ask a minor for nude photos, reports said.
1 Dead, 1 Injured In 3-Vehicle Crash In Hillsborough County: FL Troopers
A 19-year-old Plant City man was killed in a three-vehicle crash on State Road 39, the Florida Highway Patrol said.
Pedestrian Dies After Being Hit By Truck In Zephyrhills: State Police
A 73-year-old man died after being hit by a truck while crossing a highway in Zephyrhills, the Florida Highway Patrol said.
Make-A-Wish Southern FL Fundraiser Hopes To Raise $1M For Sick Children
Cooking for Wishes is a four-course, interactive dinner in Sarasota that serves as a signature event for Make-a-Wish Southern Florida.
16-Year-Old Killed, Another Teen Critically Hurt In Motorcycle Crash: Troopers
A 17-year-old motorcyclist is in critical condition and his passenger, 16, was killed in a Bradenton crash, FL Highway Patrol said.
Fake Tow Truck Driver Stole SUV After Tampa Crash On I-275: State Police
A fake tow truck driver was arrested for stealing an SUV after a crash on I-275 in Tampa, FL Highway Patrol said.
St. Pete Crime Rates Declined In 2025: Police
In 2025, St. Petersburg saw the lowest number of homicides since 1967, police said.
FL College Student One Of 2 Found Dead In Car At OH University
A 20-year-old Indian Shores man and his girlfriend, a 20-year-old PA woman, were found dead in a car parked at an OH university.
Homeowner Fatally Shot Man On New Year’s Day In Self-Defense: Manatee Sheriff
A Bradenton homeowner was justified in shooting a man who tried to abduct his wife on Jan. 1, the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office said.
Sarasota County School Board Votes To Reaffirm Cooperation With ICE
150 people showed up to speak out against a Sarasota County School Board resolution reaffirming the district’s cooperation with ICE.
Group Home, Daycare Employee Faces Child Abuse Charge: Pinellas Sheriff
Surveillance footage showed the employee hitting a non-verbal autistic child and throwing them into furniture, the Pinellas sheriff said.
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