Fatal Overdose Uncovers Multi-County Drug Trafficking Ring
A fatal overdose the day after Christmas in 2025 helped uncover a multi-county drug trafficking operation spanning Hernando, Pasco and Hillsborough counties. Sheriff Al Nienhuis held a press conference on Monday, March 16, to discuss the extensive joint investigation conducted with the Drug Enforcement Administration...
Tampa Highway Hire Who Fooled Feds With Fake ID Gets 3 Years
A 27-year-old Honduran national who twice slipped onto a Pinellas County highway project using stolen identities is headed to federal prison. On Wednesday, a judge sentenced Cristian Daniel Diaz-Garcia to three years and two months behind bars after a jury convicted him of aggravated identity theft, falsely...
Tampa Cops Snag Fleeing Driver With Grappler Gadget In High-Speed Chase
Hillsborough County deputies say a late-night pursuit through Tampa traffic ended when they broke out a high-tech tool designed for exactly this kind of headache: the Grappler Police Bumper. According to the agency, a noncompliant driver tried to take off from deputies on Tuesday night while weaving through traffic....
Champs Sports Muscles Into Foot Locker’s St. Pete HQ Turf
Champs Sports is moving its corporate operations into the third floor at 570 Carillon Parkway in St. Petersburg, taking roughly half of the office footprint once pegged for Foot Locker’s global headquarters. The move concentrates more brand-focused roles in north St. Pete and leaves a big chunk of the former HQ...
Kissing bunnies, dancing chickens: Webb’s City was St. Pete’s most unusual and intriguing drugstore
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Rui Farias says Webb’s City in St. Petersburg was his playground. Founded in 1926, Webb’s City was said to be the most “unusual drugstore,” a one-stop-shop department store with a mix of excitement and cheap deals. The executive director of the...
Indian Rocks Beach residents vote for change
INDIAN ROCKS BEACH — Former commissioner Lan Vaughan unseated incumbent Mayor Denise Houseberg on March 10, capturing 687 votes — 68% of the 1,008 ballots cast — according to the Pinellas County Supervisor of Elections website. In the race for two open commission seats, incumbent Janet Wilson...
2 arrested for shooting towards RV with people sleeping inside, HCSO says
RUSKIN, Fla. — Two men were arrested for shooting at an RV in Ruskin while people were sleeping inside, according to the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office. It happened around 2:15 a.m. Saturday near the Cockroach Bay Marine Preserve. The people in the RV called 911 to report that a...
Stetson Law School alumni say no to school donations after Bondi congressional hearing fallout
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — After members of the Stetson Law School alumni asked the school to denounce U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi, they are now calling on graduates to hold back donations to the school. What You Need To Know. Members of the Stetson Law School alumni called on...
Big Jim’s 2.0: Steaks, speakeasy and a second act
SEMINOLE — A possible rebranding. Jazz nights. A revitalized speakeasy with new flooring and decor. High-end cocktails alongside the traditional, signature cuts of beef. A total of 32 domestic and international beers. A pursuit of quality ribs. Jim Reeves, wife Denise and daughter Joanne Chiappone have been...
North Redington Beach bans e-bikes from sidewalks; incumbents sworn in
NORTH REDINGTON BEACH — The Town Commission voted unanimously March 12 to ban electric bicycles from sidewalks, passing an ordinance on first reading that could take effect after one more vote. The action came as state legislators weigh their own e-bike safety measures. Locally, Commissioner John Messmore said a...
