Bank Robber in Central Florida Arrested after Mom Contacts Law Enforcement
A bank robber in Central Florida was arrested after his mom contacted law enforcement and turned him in. The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office arrested the man for a bank robbery in Tampa. 33-year-old Aaron Spencer entered the Truist Bank on Memorial Highway at 1:10pm and demanded money from the...
Dozens of Tampa Bay area public schools targeted by ‘Hope’ charters. Here’s a list
Charter schools run by the for-profit company Academica want to set up inside dozens of Tampa Bay area public schools, and hundreds statewide, according to a slew of notices sent out the week of Nov. 10. The notices come under a new Florida statute expanded the scope of a program...
Tampa Bay food banks expect demand to linger past the shutdown
Food banks across the region saw a surge in demand during the government shutdown. While federal paychecks, food assistance and other benefits are on track to resume, many people have already made tough choices to get by since Oct. 1. “They may have taken on debt vehicles, they may have...
Manatee deaths for 2025 already exceeding numbers for last two years, data show
SARASOTA, Fla. (WWSB) - New data from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission show that as of Nov. 7, 587 manatee deaths have been documented in Florida this year. Deaths this year have already surpassed totals from 2024 (495 deaths) and 2023 (494 deaths). The deadliest year for manatees...
Convicted Murderer Arrested for September Tampa Shooting After Multi-Agency Manhunt
A convicted murderer with a long history of violent crime is back in custody after the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) and the U.S. Marshals Task Force arrested him in connection with a September shooting in Tampa. Jontavis Williams, 41, was taken into custody Thursday on an outstanding warrant...
Death Penalty for Illegal Immigrant in Brutal Stabbing Deaths of Girlfriend, 4-Year-Old
A jury recommended the death penalty for an illegal immigrant who was found guilty of murder in the brutal stabbing deaths of his girlfriend and her 4-year-old daughter in Central Florida. A Hillsborough County jury recommended the death penalty for Angel Gabriel Cuz Choc in the brutal stabbing deaths of...
Florida Strawberry Festival reveals 2026 lineup
The Florida Strawberry Festival just released its entertainment lineup for the 2026 event. The 11-day Plant City festival will run from Feb. 26-March 8. The celebration of eastern Hillsborough County’s strawberry harvest is expected to draw over 600,000 visitors and will feature vendors, youth livestock shows, music...
Central Florida Student Arrested for Bringing Gun to School
A Central Florida student was arrested for bringing a gun to school. The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office recently arrested the student from Spoto High School, in Riverview near Tampa, for bringing a firearm to school. School administrators and an HCSO School Resource Deputy made contact with 16-year-old Charles...
Pinellas County teens sleep outside to learn about homelessness
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — It’s a harsh reality, but several people in the Tampa Bay community are spending their night on the street. Nearly 2,000 people are experiencing homelessness in Pinellas County in a single night, according to the Pinellas County Point in Time Count. On Saturday night,...
Hillsborough County, FL, New China King restaurant cited for 24 violations, medicine near food
New China King at 10940 Cross Creek Boulevard in Tampa, Hillsborough County, Florida, received a warning from the Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulation after inspectors documented 24 violations during a November 12, 2025, inspection that requires a follow-up review. Several warnings were issued to...
