WEATHER ALERT
These Florida Publix stores are shutting down ahead of Hurricane Helene
With Hurricane Helene expected to make landfall in Florida on Thursday, Publix has announced that stores in Heleneโs expected path are set to close early ahead of the stormโs arrival.
DeSantis pledges solutions by 2025 as condo owners struggle with post-Surfside fees
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis held a roundtable to discuss possible solutions for condo owners being hit with huge assessments and fees following the collapse of Champlain Towers South in Surfside.
โProfessional burglars:โ Suspects in $1.7M theft ring came to US illegally, Florida sheriff says
Officials said all of the suspects were in the U.S. illegally, targeting homes that belonged to small business owners.
Could these 2 Florida counties predict the next president of the US?
While thereโs no way to guarantee which candidate will win, thereโs a select group of counties in the country that have managed to consistently pick the victor.
These are the โmost threatenedโ historic places in Florida. Hereโs where to find them
The โ11 to Saveโ sites are historic spots across Florida that are at risk of being shut down or destroyed.
Gov. DeSantis gives $7.2M to St. Petersburg College for new tech lab, gives remarks on VP Harris and Osceola sheriff
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis held a news conference in St. Petersburg.
โOperation Keep Our Streets:โ 32 arrested in Florida street racing crack down
State officials said that the operation comes after SB 1764 went into effect on Monday, cracking down on street racers across the state.
Florida man finds out heโs not a citizen after over 60 years living in the US
After applying for Social Security, Klass said he received a letter in 2020 claiming he hadnโt proven he was actually a citizen.
Florida teen accused of fatally shooting 11-year-old brother with stolen gun
Police said that the boy had been at home with his 14-year-old brother and 13-year-old sister because there was no school on Friday.
DeSantis signs hurricane resilience bills at news conference in Redington Shores
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed two bills to shore up โMy Safe Floridaโ programs meant to dole out hurricane mitigation grants for owners of eligible homes and condos, as well as condo associations, to boost storm resiliency.
Powerball ticket sold in Oregon nets $1.326B jackpot, Florida player gets $1M prize
A Powerball ticket sold in Oregon matched all six numbers in the delayed Saturday drawing to win the $1.326 billion jackpot as another sold in Pinellas County scored a second-tier prize.
Florida teen accused in her brotherโs death after โbotched robberyโ
Following an investigation, detectives said that the victim had been โhanging out with a group of juveniles,โ heading from an apartment complex toward a local trampoline park.
This Florida woman was reduced to ashes. How she died remains a mystery
An investigative report shows that Reeser smoked a cigarette, sitting in her easy chair before heading to bed. That was the last day Reeser was seen alive.
โUnexpected stowaway:โ Snake spotted on US Coast Guard helicopter in Florida
The U.S. Coast Guard Air Station in Clearwater had an uninvited guest when a snake slithered its way onto its helicopter.
Off-duty Orlando police officer accused of DUI in Pinellas County traffic stop
An Orlando police officer faces a charge of driving under the influence following his arrest early Sunday in Pinellas County, according to the sheriffโs office.
โJust nosey:โ Florida man arrested after crossing police tape at plane crash site
At the time, first responders were dealing with the plane wreckage, which had sparked fires nearby after crashing into a mobile home park.
86-year-old woman among 3 killed when plane crashes into Florida home, erupts in flames
A small plane crash in Clearwater left four mobile homes ablaze and killed 3 people, according to local officials.
โFamily spatโ: Florida teens arrested after sister murdered over Christmas gift argument
The three siblings went to their grandmotherโs home, which is where they got into an argument over Christmas gifts, the release shows.
2 dead when stolen Mustang crashes head-on into Uber on Skyway Bridge in Florida, troopers say
Two people are dead and four others are injured after a 22-year-old Hialeah man in a stolen Ford Mustang crashed head-on into an Uber while attempting to evade capture on the Skyway Bridge.
Your Florida Daily: Man charged with killing father with pickup truck, families sue developer over cemetery flooding
The investigation revealed that Thomas McKeown's son, Mark McKeown, was driving the truck.
Florida woman accused of digging fingernails into trooper after speeding 120 mph
According to troopers, Brittany Bianchi, 31, was caught speeding on the Gandy Bridge around 8:30 p.m. on Saturday, driving 120 mph in a 55 mph zone.
These 2 Florida spots among top places to visit nationwide. Have you been?
When it comes time to plan out vacations, Florida is an obvious pick for many people thanks to its sandy beaches, warm weather and variety of attractions.
โLove and miss her:โ Florida woman reflects after motherโs body found in gatorโs mouth
The daughter of the woman whose body was found in the mouth of an alligator in Pinellas County released a statement on Monday saying how hard the death has been on her family.
Nearly 14-foot-long gator found at Florida waterway where body was discovered, victim identified
The Pinellas County Sheriffโs Office identified the person whose body found in a waterway near a large alligator on Friday.
Florida high school football coach stops dad attacking teen son, police say
In a release, police said they responded to the school around 2:40 p.m. after receiving a report about โa possible assault in progressโ at the schoolโs football field.
Waterspout erupts at Clearwater Beach, hospitalizes beachgoers
Fire officials announced on social media that the waterspout popped up around 4 p.m., causing winds that blew several items along the beach flying into the air.
Father faces charges in sonโs death at Florida street racing event, police say
A 13-year-old boy was struck and killed by a motorcycle last month after being brought by his father to an illegal street racing event, according to the St. Petersburg Police Department.
Man arrested in Pinellas County linked to Melbourne gun shop break-in, police say
A man arrested in Pinellas County is the suspect linked to a break-in at a Melbourne gun store last week, according to police.
Florida woman accused of driving recklessly toward Turkey Trot racers while leaving scene of crash
A Florida woman was arrested on Thanksgiving after police said she drove recklessly toward a 5K Turkey Trot racecourse in St. Petersburg while leaving the scene of a crash.
Hundreds of thousands ordered to evacuate Tampa Bay as Hurricane Ian approaches
Drivers were busy filling up gasoline at the Turkey Lake rest stop along the Florida turnpike Monday. However, only a few of the drivers are heading from the Tampa Bay Area, to more inland locations near Orlando.
Vulnerable Tampa Bay braces for storm not seen in a century
Itโs been over a century since a major storm like Hurricane Ian has struck the Tampa Bay area, which blossomed from a few hundred thousand people in 1921 to more than 3 million today.
Escaped convict found asleep in car stolen from Orlando, troopers say
Troopers arrested an escaped criminal Monday after he was found in a asleep in a car that was reported stolen out of Orlando, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
Orange County rent control plan may face challenges, experts say
Many Floridians agree that affordable housing is a top issue, but what's difficult to agree on is how to address it. For example, in Orange County, the board voted Tuesday to put a rent control proposal in the hands of voters.
VIDEO: US Coast Guard rescues 7 after lightning strike disables vessel 100 miles offshore
Seven people were rescued by the U.S. Coast Guard on Saturday after their 39-foot vessel was disabled by a lightning strike 100 miles offshore of Clearwater, according to a news release.
Gov. DeSantis appoints retired Marine as director of Florida State Guard
Gov. Ron DeSantis on Wednesday discussed the renewed Florida State Guard at a news conference in Pinellas County, announcing retired U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Col. Chris Graham as its new director.
Man who died in Florida lake with gators missing 3 limbs, police say
Police say a man found dead in a Florida lake while searching for Frisbees and other flying discs was missing three limbs after a likely encounter with alligators.
Gov. DeSantis approves $14M in red tide research, mitigation funding for next state budget
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Wednesday announced he had approved $14 million in red tide research and mitigation efforts, earmarked for the 2022-23 state budget.
Florida hits boating benchmark with 1M registered vessels, FWC says
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission announced Friday that Florida has passed the mark of 1 million registered recreational vessels.
Picasso exhibit in St. Petersburg features art never shown in US
Crowds filed in to The Dalรญ Museum on a chilly Tuesday morning in February to see the exhibition of works by Spanish artist Pablo Picasso โ evidence that, after all these years, his work is still a draw.
Explosives found at Florida manโs home after arrest at rally
A Florida man has been charged after authorities say they found an active explosive in his bag after he was spotted running away from a Jan. 6 anniversary rally.
Florida man arrested after body found near Clearwater Beach
Police in Florida have arrested a 29-year-old man on manslaughter charges in connection to the death of an older man whose body was found floating offshore earlier this month in the Gulf of Mexico.
Gov. DeSantis, first lady announce $5M toward campaign educating Florida students on substance abuse
Gov. Ron DeSantis is holding a news conference in Pinellas County Friday morning.
Missing Marion man with dementia found safe, deputies say
A silver alert was issued Saturday for a missing man with dementia who was last seen leaving his home Saturday morning in Dunnellon, according to the Marion County Sheriffโs Office.
Florida woman accused of biting, choking Uber driver during unprovoked attack
A Florida woman lunged from the back seat and attacked her Uber driver, biting, choking and scratching the man, leaving him bloodied, according to the Pinellas County Sheriffโs Office.
Alligator interrupts Florida coupleโs poolside morning coffee and takes a swim
He said the alligator had gotten stuck under an end table right next to the pool. He told Fox 13, โHe must have went through it and it got stuck on him, and he wasnโt very happy,โ he says. Tim Kelly had quite the surprise Friday morning when he heard growling while getting his morning cup of coffee. As he and his wife waited for FWC to arrive, the alligator was able to free himself from the coffee table and splashed right into the pool. โWe were just sitting here having coffee, just watching him swim around in the pool,โ he told Fox 13.
Whales surface at Clearwater Marine Aquariumโs new exhibit
CLEARWATER, Fla. โ The Clearwater Marine Aquarium has opened its newest educational exhibit, Whales: Living With Giants. According to the aquariumโs website, guests will come head-to-head with whales through educational multi-media exhibits, an undersea virtual reality experience, walk-through life-size whale gallery and an interactive kidโs zone. Virtual Reality Dive at Whales: Living with Giants exhibit (Clearwater Marine Aquarium)The virtual reality experience, which requires an additional ticket add-on, was created by an Emmy Award-winning documentary team. The Clearwater Marine Aquarium is a non-profit organization that has a mission of preserving the environment while inspiring others through leadership in the rescue, rehabilitation, and release of marine life; environmental education; research; and conservation. Whales: Living with Giants will be open through Aug. 31.
Florida man accused of attacking officers with fire extinguisher during Capitol riots
A Pinellas County man is accused of using and throwing a fire extinguisher at officers at the Capitol Hill riots on June 6, according to the Department of Justice. A Pinellas County man is accused of using and throwing a fire extinguisher at officers at the Capitol Hill riots on Jan. 6, according to the Department of Justice. [RELATED: โInsurrection is coming:โ Lakeland woman posted video inside Capitol during riots, documents show]Palmer was caught on camera at the riots, according to prosecutors. Ad[RELATED: Brevard County man joins hundreds charged in Capitol riots]A Pinellas man is accused of using and throwing a fire extinguisher at officers at the Capitol Hill riots on June 6, according to the Department of Justice. [RELATED: Federal grand jury indicts Titusville man on charges related to Capitol siege]The FBI said anyone tips about anyone who incited or promoted violence at the Capitol Hill Riots is asked to call 1-800-225-5324.
WrestleMania: Tickets go on sale Friday for event in Tampa
TAMPA, Fla. โ The biggest show in professional wrestling is coming to Tampaโs Raymond James Stadium next month and tickets are set to go on sale Friday. The WWE announced on Wednesday that ticket sales will begin Friday at 10 a.m. for WrestleMania. AdThe event is set to take place over two nights, April 10 and 11. According to the WWE, ticket prices will range between $35 and $2,500 with capacity limits set to about 25,000 fans each night. Tickets on sale this Friday, March 19. https://t.co/CN4nRsGco8 โ WWE (@WWE) March 17, 2021Use the form below to sign up for the ClickOrlando.com 4pm Trending newsletter, sent every weekday.
Golfer drowns while searching for ball at Florida country club
PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. โ A 74-year-old man was found dead after police say he drowned while searching for his golf ball at a country club in Florida, News 6 partner WPLG reported. According to officials from the Pinellas County Sheriffโs Office, the tragedy took place at the East Lake Woodlands Country Club Sunday morning, where 74-year-old Hermilo Jazmines was playing golf with a friend. โJazmines โteed off near the third holeโ and โwas last seen looking for his ball near the green,โโ the sheriffโs office said. They later dispatched their dive team, which โlocated Jazmines submerged in the water near his putter.โJazmines was pronounced dead at the scene. In a press release released by the sheriffโs office, friends of the golfer say he enjoyed searching the golf course for lost balls.
Pinellas County Sheriffโs deputy killed trying to help stop drunken driver
A deputy with the Pinellas County Sheriffโs Office was killed in the line of duty on Wednesday afternoon, according to investigators. ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. โ A 30-year-old Pinellas County Sheriffโs deputy was killed while trying to help stop a drunken driver who was leading authorities on a high speed chase. โDeputy Magli was trying to protect people,โ Gualtieri said. Gualtieri told reporters he was going to visit the deputyโs family on Wednesday night. Holzaepfel told deputies he was transient and living out of his truck, the sheriff said.
Florida hack exposes vulnerability of cash-strapped US water plants
Authorities say a hacker gained access to Oldsmar's water treatment plant in an unsuccessful attempt to taint the water supply with a caustic chemical. A local sheriff's startling announcement Monday that the water supply of Oldsmar, population 15,000, was briefly in jeopardy last week exhibited uncharacteristic transparency. AdโI deal with a lot of municipal water utilities for small, medium and large-sized cities. The nation's 151,000 public water systems lack the financial fortification of the corporate owners of nuclear power plants and electrical utilities. Although such incidents have been relatively few, that does not mean the risk is low and that most water systems are secure.
Hack exposes vulnerability of cash-strapped US water plants
Authorities say a hacker gained access to Oldsmar's water treatment plant in an unsuccessful attempt to taint the water supply with a caustic chemical. A local sheriff's startling announcement Monday that the water supply of Oldsmar, population 15,000, was briefly in jeopardy last week exhibited uncharacteristic transparency. AdโI deal with a lot of municipal water utilities for small, medium and large-sized cities. The nation's 151,000 public water systems lack the financial fortification of the corporate owners of nuclear power plants and electrical utilities. Although such incidents have been relatively few that does not mean the risk is low and that most water systems are secure.
In Florida city, a hacker tried to poison the drinking water
In this screen shot from a YouTube video posted by the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office, Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri speaks during a news conference as Oldsmar, Fla., Mayor Eric Seidel, left, listens, Monday, Feb. 8, 2021, in Oldsmar, Fla. Authorities say a hacker gained access to Oldsmar's water treatment plant in an unsuccessful attempt to taint the water supply with a caustic chemical. Robert M. Lee, CEO of Dragos Security, and a specialist in industrial control system vulnerabilities, said remote access to industrial control systems such as those running water treatment plants has become increasingly common. AdIn May, Israelโs cyber chief s aid the country had thwarted a major cyber attack a month earlier against its water systems, an assault widely attributed to its archenemy Iran. The FBI, along with the Secret Service and the Pinellas County Sheriffโs Office are investigating the case.
Florida senior citizens camp out in frigid temperatures for COVID-19 vaccine
By 7:30 p.m. on Monday, senior citizens in 200 vehicles were on the property, set to brave overnight temperatures in the low 40s. A couple of hours north, in Clay County, a small, north Florida region, people booked appointments online and walked in for their scheduled vaccination. About 83% of those who have died from the disease in Florida have been older than 65. According to state health department statistics, nearly 1.4 million people have been diagnosed with COVID-19 and more than 22,000 people have died since the pandemic began. ___Associated Press journalists Tamara Lush in St. Petersburg, Florida, and Brendan Farrington in Tallahassee, Florida, contributed to this report.
Gov. DeSantis to hospitals: Use the COVID vaccine shots or lose them
Ron DeSantis warned hospitals against stockpiling vaccinations and urged them to work more quickly to administer vaccines to Floridians who are 65 and older. Meanwhile, the first five Florida hospitals to start inoculating their frontline workers three weeks ago began administering booster shots this week to those same employees. DeSantis has ordered hospitals to inform state officials how they plan to offer vaccinations to the public. Mary Mayhew, chief executive officer of the Florida Hospital Association, said the stateโs hospitals were โworking tirelesslyโ to serve the community and roll out the vaccinations. โWith this flawed vaccine rollout, Governor DeSantis has once again failed to rise to the occasion,โ said Florida Democratic Party Chair Terrie Rizzo.
2 tornadoes leave thousands without power in Florida
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. โ Two tornadoes damaged vehicles and buildings on Wednesday while leaving thousands without power in Floridaโs Tampa Bay area and Polk County, authorities said. Most of the damage was in Pinellas County, north of St. Petersburg, the Tampa Bay Times reported. The NWS later confirmed damages were caused by two tornadoes, an EF1 and stronger EF2, packing an estimated 125 mph wind speeds. The Tampa Bay area tornado path stretched across nearly 13 miles and started in Plant City before heading into Polk County. The tornado started in Pinellas Park and traveled east across the county, the Weather Service said.
Finned, furry, and human: Clearwater Marine Aquarium to celebrate rescue days
CLEARWATER, Fla. โ Clearwater Marine Aquarium is about to celebrate the rescue anniversaries of some of its most famous dolphins, Winter and Hope. [TRENDING: This woman received the first COVID-19 vaccine | Judge scolds theme park trespasser | Chuck Yeager dies at 97]To celebrate both rescue anniversaries, the aquarium is hosting an event called Rescue Days. Talk to members of the Clearwater Marine Aquarium rescue team and check out one of our rescue vehicles from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.Foster families can enjoy a socially distanced behind-the-scenes tour prior to the aquarium opening to guests. Meet with dogs from the SPCA Tampa Bay from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 12. (Clearwater Marine Aquarium)Click here to learn about the event and to learn more about the aquariums health and safety guidelines that are in place.
33 rescued as Tropical Storm Eta floods parts of Florida
PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. โ Boats and Humvees were used to rescue 33 people in Pinellas County as Tropical Storm Eta drenched Florida, sheriffโs officials said. Eta brought high winds, high tides and flooding across Pinellas County, especially in the Pass-a-Grille area in south St. Pete Beach and north to Madeira Beach. [TRENDING: Eta floods Florida | Romaine calm: Florida man arrested after lettuce tirade | DeSantis accused of wanting herd immunity]The Pinellas County Sheriffโs Office said Thursday that deputies rescued nearly three dozen people from homes and roadways. Sheriffโs officials also said deputies used chainsaws to remove fallen trees and branches from roads. Officials said Eta caused one death in Florida when a victim was electrocuted after water got into their Bradenton home.
UPDATE: 13-year-old Flagler County boy found safe in Pinellas County
FLAGLER COUNTY, Fla. โ Weeks after authorities announced he was missing, a 13-year-old Flagler County boy has been found safe, according to the Flagler County Sheriffโs Office. Deputies first said they were looking for the boy, who was missing from Palm Coast, on Oct. 23. He was reunited with his family after being located in Pinellas County, deputies said in an update on Monday. โWe are happy that he was returned home and is safe. Thank you to the community who helped share the message and kept a lookout for this boy," Flagler Sheriff Rick Staly said.
1 teen killed, 6 ejected when boat hits Florida channel marker
INDIAN SHORES, Fla. โ One teenager was killed and six others were ejected from a speeding boat that crashed into a channel marker in the Intracoastal Waterway while returning from a Halloween Party on Floridaโs Gulf Coast early Sunday, sheriffโs officials said. The group of teens, ages 16 and 17, left for the party on Saturday evening from the home of the boatโs driver. The boat hit the channel marker and everyone was ejected. The sheriff said the family had recently acquired the boat, which had not yet been registered with the state. He said detectives obtained a search warrant for the boat and hope to recover electronic data about the crash.
DeSantis urged to require masks as COVID-19 burdens some Florida hospitals
A new county order also closes casinos, strip clubs, movie theaters, the zoo and other entertainment venues a month after they were allowed to reopen. Florida reported 341 new hospital admissions of COVID-19 patients on Friday, the biggest daily jump since the pandemic began. The county's latest statistics showed more than 1,400 COVID patients in Miami hospitals, including 306 in intensive care, occupying about 73% of the ICU beds that would be otherwise available. Florida's health department releases a daily cumulative tally of new hospitalizations of people who test positive for the virus, but doesn't provide statewide numbers of COVID-19 patients currently in hospitals, ICU beds or on ventilators. Statewide, about 20% of ICU beds are currently available, though some hospitals have additional capacity that can be turned into ICU units if need be.
Space Force headquarters: Brevard, Orange, Seminole counties backed by DeSantis
Ron DeSantis has endorsed six Florida counties and three cities that hope to land the command headquarters of the U.S. Space Force. In a letter Monday to Air Force Assistant Secretary John Henderson, DeSantis supported the proposals by Jacksonville, Pensacola, Brevard County, Miami-Dade County, Orange County, Pinellas County, Seminole County and a joint proposal from Tampa and Hillsborough County. โOur state has a long history of support for our nationโs effort in space through the operations of the Kennedy Space Center, the 45th Space Wing at Patrick Air Force Base and Cape Canaveral Air Force Station,โ DeSantis wrote in the letter released late Wednesday by his office. President Donald Trump in December signed a law that created the Space Force as a separate branch of the military. The proposal also would repeal a requirement that Space Florida advise House and Senate leaders before presenting bond proposals to the governor and Cabinet.
Florida officials worried about spike in coronavirus cases
Pinellas County officials are scheduled to meet later this week to discuss further social distancing measures. But the rate of positive tests also has been ticking upward in recent days, raising alarm. As of Wednesday, Florida has reported 80,109 positive tests out of 1,460,309 tests conducted since the pandemic began, giving a positivity rate of 5.5%, according to the COVID Tracking Project. There is none.The increase in cases is a concern as central Florida theme parks either have reopened, or are days away from reopening. ___Associated Press writers Michael Schneider in Orlando, Florida, and Terry Spencer in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, contributed to this report.