Damaging Winds, Swimming Deer, Deadly Xanax Knockoff

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

80 Jobs: Skip Trace Investigator, Sous Chef, Data Scientist

Tampa Bay area jobseekers will find a number of employers are hiring.

Suspected Spice-Related Overdose Calls Climb In St. Pete

Following a rash of overdose calls related to what is believed to be synthetic marijuana, St. Petersburg Police Officers planned on hitting the streets Monday to warn of the dangers of the illegal substance.

Photos: Silly Florida Deer Discover Swimming Isn’t For Them

Two Florida deer found out the hard way recently that swimming isn’t necessarily a strong suit. Just what the pair were thinking when they ran directly into the waters off Panama City Beach on March 15 is unclear. What is clear is that the move nearly turned out to be a very bad idea for the two, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

Bob Buckhorn Signs Ordinance Decriminalizing Marijuana

With the stroke of a pen, Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn gave local law enforcement officers the ability to fine people caught with small amounts of marijuana instead of hauling them off to jail.

Phony Xanax Producing Deadly Results, Sheriff Says

Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri wants residents to “stop buying Xanax on the street.”

Busch Gardens’ Cobra’s Curse Begins Testing

Thrill seekers don’t have too much longer to wait to give Busch Garden’s new Cobra’s Curse a whirl. The Tampa theme park announced Tuesday that the final piece of track on the new spin coaster was bolted into place on Saturday.

Cuban Cruises Now On Carnival’s Itinerary

As President Barack Obama became the first sitting Commander in Chief since 1928 to visit Cuba, Carnival cruise lines was making a little history of its own. The cruise ship company has announced the launch of a new route that will take passengers from Miami to three ports of call in Cuba.

Innocence Lost: Reclaiming The Memory Of Elisa Nelson

Dr. Donna Donati-Waddell remembers Elisa Nelson as smart, athletic and funny. She was the kind of “kid who could do anything,” Donati-Waddell said, recalling her friend from decades ago.

Wind Damages 65 Homes In Pasco County

Sixty-five Pasco County homes suffered wind damage courtesy of storms that moved into the area early Friday morning. According to Pasco County spokesman Doug Tobin, the storms that came through around 12:30 a.m. tore through with flat-line winds of 40 to 60 mph.

Photo courtesy of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission/Bekah Nelson