Man who shot at deputies claims ‘Stand Your Ground’
The third day of a Stand Your Ground hearing wrapped up on Thursday in the case of Harold Lewis, the Tampa attorney accused of opening fire on Hillsborough County deputies during a welfare check at his home in April 2021. Aaron Mesmer reports.
Polk County elementary teacher accused of hitting student
BARTOW, Fla. - A Polk County elementary school teacher was arrested for hitting a student, according to officials with the school district. A spokesperson for Polk County Public Schools said Jane McGinn, a teacher at Floral Avenue Elementary School in Bartow, was arrested on a child abuse charge. The student...
SPCA of Tampa Bay pleads guilty to animal cruelty charges after Waddles the pig...
LARGO, Fla. - The SPCA of Tampa Bay has pleaded guilty to animal cruelty charges stemming from their treatment of a pig named "Waddles." In July, a TikTok video of Waddles went viral, racking up more than 2.5 million video views, because of his severely burned skin. Advocates accused the SPCA of leaving Waddles out...
Polk County Puts Lake Rules in Place After Viral Fight
On Tuesday, Polk County officials banned boats from parts of three Florida lakes and struck down noise exceptions. Lakes Winterset, Clinch, and Ariana now face strict limits. The changes mark off swim-only zones to stop wild parties and trespassing. Break these rules? You'll face steep costs: up to $500 in fines plus...
Driver left trailer on train tracks, then confronted conductor, Florida cops say
A Florida driver is facing felony charges after he left a trailer blocking the path of an oncoming CSX train, then tried to climb aboard to confront the conductor, according to investigators. The incident happened just after 10:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 30, in the Mulberry area, and the suspect, 38-year-old Josue...
Weekend Reckless Boating Incidents Lead To Arrests Of Winter Haven And Haines City Men
Two Men Charged with Reckless Boat Operation in Separate Incidents. A busy Sunday on the Chain of Lakes ended with two men being arrested for reckless boating behavior, the Polk County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO) reported. Both individuals were charged with reckless or careless operation of a vessel following separate...
10 arrested after stealing thousands worth of diesel fuel, selling it for $2 per...
The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office will discuss how it dismantled a large-scale diesel theft operation on Thursday morning.
FWC cracks down on speeders to protect wild animals on Honeymoon Island
DUNEDIN, Fla. (WFLA) — Officers from Hillsborough and Pinellas Counties with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission conducted a “Speed is a No-No” operation at Honeymoon Island State Park. Over the Labor Day weekend, officers focused on enforcing safe driving speeds, protecting park visitors, and...
New Cocktail Lounge Velvet Swan Coming to Lakeland
The Velvet Swan, a new cocktail lounge, will open on December 1st, 2025, at 125 S Kentucky Ave, Lakeland, FL 33801. According to owner Jeremiah Joaquim, who spoke with Business Debut, the lounge will offer a classy yet approachable nightlife experience for professionals, creatives, and mature audiences. Joaquim...
Guilty plea in animal cruelty of ‘Waddles’ the pig
The SPCA of Tampa Bay has pleaded guilty to animal cruelty charges stemming from their treatment of a pig named “Waddles."
