HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY

De'Quan Wilson, a 4th grade teacher in Hillsborough County, shared details with Fox News Digital as his school evolves into a shelter due to Hurricane Ian — see the photos.

Video shows water receding from Tampa Bay along with low water level line with the Hillsborough River at top of Tampa Bay.

Evacuations for Hurricane Ian have been ordered in Florida for counties on the west coast. Here's what evacuees should be gathering and packing if they haven't already.

Hurricane Ian made landfall in western Cuba on Tuesday as forecasters warned it will intensify into a catastrophic Category 4 storm before it hits Florida's Gulf Coast, where hundreds of thousands of people have been ordered to evacuate. According to the National Hurricane Center, Ian made landfall southwest of the town of La Coloma, Cuba, as a Category 3 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 115 mph. “The NHC intensity forecast continues to call for an extremely dangerous hurricane landfall for southwestern Florida,” the hurricane center said in an advisory. In addition, the National Weather Service extended its tropical storm warning to Georgia, and a tropical watch to South Carolina. “In some areas there will be catastrophic flooding and life-threatening storm surge,” Florida Gov.

The hurricane’s biggest threat may be its storm surge, or a rise in ocean water over normally dry land that is caused by low air pressure and winds.

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.

A threat from Hurricane Ian to the Sunshine State means millions of residents could be asked by local governments to head to higher ground, but with a population of more than 22 million in the state, finding out who will need to seek shelter could be a complicated task.

A Florida sheriff has been ordered by a jury to pay $15 million to the parents of a teenager who died while trying to cross a highway after being kicked out of the state fair by deputies.

A federal judge in Florida has ruled that a state prosecutor suspended by Gov. Ron DeSantis will remain out of office while his court case against the Republican governor moves to trial.

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, Fla. — A federal judge on Monday refused to dismiss a lawsuit filed by suspended Hillsborough County state attorney Andrew Warren, who is hoping to get his job back. However, U.S. District Judge Robert Hinkle did reject Warren’s request to block his suspension by Gov. During an hourlong hearing, Hinkle questioned DeSantis’ attorney about whether the governor overstepped his authority by suspending Warren and whether Warren’s “protected” speech rights were violated. READ: Florida prosecutor Andrew Warren vows to fight suspension by Gov. Also, the governor targeted a statement Warren joined condemning the criminalization of transgender people and gender-affirming care.

A federal judge on Monday refused to dismiss a lawsuit filed by suspended Hillsborough County State Attorney Andrew Warren, who is hoping to get his job back.

TALLAHASSEE — A federal judge hearing the case of Hillsborough County’s ousted state attorney appears to favor a trial over immediately reinstating Andrew Warren to decide the issue “once and for all.” Warren was requesting a preliminary injunction to put him back to the office Gov. Ron removed him from last month. The twice-elected state attorney was escorted from his downtown Tampa offices ...

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.

Police say a Florida woman is facing child neglect charges after a 3-year-old found a gun in a home and shot an infant

Ron DeSantis wants a federal judge to throw out a free speech lawsuit filed by a Democratic prosecutor he suspended from office over statements about not pursuing criminal charges in abortion, transgender rights and certain low-level cases. Hinkle has scheduled a Sept. 19 hearing in Tallahassee to hear arguments in the Warren lawsuit. The case comes as DeSantis seeks re-election in November against Democrat Charlie Crist, who has made abortion rights a cornerstone of his campaign. When Warren was removed from office Aug. 4, DeSantis accused the prosecutor of incompetence and neglect of duty. DeSantis appointed former Hillsborough County Judge Susan Lopez to replace Warren as state attorney.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis wants a federal judge to throw out a free speech lawsuit filed by a Democratic prosecutor he suspended from office over statements about not pursuing criminal charges in abortion, transgender rights and certain low-level cases.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis wants a federal judge to throw out a free speech lawsuit filed by a Democratic prosecutor he suspended from office over statements about not pursuing criminal charges in abortion, transgender rights and certain low-level cases. The Republican governor told U.S. District Judge Robert Hinkle of Tallahassee in a filing late Friday that Andrew Warren — removed last month as elected state attorney in Hillsborough County, which includes Tampa — cannot claim First Amendment protection for his comments on how he would handle these hot-button political issues. “Mr. Warren had no First Amendment right, as a public official, to declare that he would not perform his duties under Florida law,” state Solicitor General Henry C. Whitaker wrote in the 39-page filing for DeSantis.

A 5-year-old girl was shot to death in Tampa, police say.

>> Read more trending newsThe Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office posted a video to its Facebook page showing the pursuit after deputies spotted a vehicle driving the wrong way in Oldsmar. In the video, a deputy can be heard yelling to the driver to “pull over” with no effect. The driver, identified as Virginia Smith, 78, continued driving eastbound in the westbound lanes despite the instruction, WFLA reported. Virginia Smith Deputies said the 78-year-old driver admitted to being under the influence after she was stopped. (Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office)In the video shared by the sheriff’s office, Sgt.

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, Fla. — The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office announced that its newly formed Human Trafficking Squad cut a couple’s honeymoon short after the husband was arrested in a prostitution bust. >> Read more trending newsIn a news release, the sheriff’s office said it arrested 176 men as part of a months-long investigation into prostitution and human trafficking. Investigators said most of the men were arrested for trying to solicit prostitutes. Paul Turovsky Hillsborough County sheriff's deputies said Turovsky left his new wife at a hotel room while on their honeymoon to solicit a prostitute. 176 people arrested in prostitution, human trafficking bust The new Human Trafficking Squad at the sheriff's office was credited with the arrests.

A Florida man who stole a box truck in Hillsborough County Tuesday morning managed to reach Alachua County before he was caught on camera, investigators said.

A Florida utility has been fined $500,000 and placed on three years’ probation for a 2017 deadly explosion at a coal-fired power plant that killed five workers.

Florida Education Commissioner Manny Diaz Jr. on Wednesday gave his staff the go-ahead to "pull" LGBTQ support documents at all school districts, after a State...

LGBTQ support documents were ordered out of school districts after a State Board of Education claimed they could violate a new law.

Warren was suspended for refusing to enforce the state's 15-week abortion ban.

The City of Winter Park is asking residents to recycle primary and midterm election signs once residents have finished with them.

Warren was suspended for refusing to enforce the state's 15-week abortion ban.

ST. PETERSURG, Fla. — (AP) — A Florida prosecutor vowed Sunday to fight his suspension from office by Gov. Ron DeSantis over his promise not to enforce the state’s 15-week abortion ban and support for gender transition treatments for minors. “I’m not going down without a fight,” Warren said on the video. “I don’t think the people of Hillsborough County want to have an agenda that is basically woke, where you’re deciding that your view of social justice means certain laws shouldn’t be enforced,” said the governor. DeSantis appointed Hillsborough County Judge Susan Lopez to serve in Warren’s place during his suspension.

ST. PETERSURG, Fla. — (AP) — A Florida prosecutor vowed Sunday to fight his suspension from office by Gov. Ron DeSantis over his promise not to enforce the state's 15-week abortion ban and support for gender transition treatments for minors. “I'm not going down without a fight,” Warren said on the video. Florida has not enacted laws criminalizing gender transition treatments for minors. DeSantis appointed Hillsborough County Judge Susan Lopez to serve in Warren’s place during his suspension.

A Florida prosecutor is vowing to fight his suspension from office by Gov. Ron DeSantis over his promise not to enforce the state’s 15-week abortion ban and support for gender transition treatments for minors.

Warren was elected in 2016 and then reelected by a large margin in November of 2020.

VIDEO: DeSantis suspends elected prosecutor over new abortion law DeSantis suspends elected prosecutor over new abortion lawTALLAHASSEE, Fla. — (AP) — Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis suspended the elected state prosecutor of Tampa on Thursday for pledging not to enforce the state’s new 15-week abortion ban and for supporting gender transition treatments for minors. The Republican governor announced the suspension of Hillsborough County State Attorney Andrew Warren at a news conference in the county’s sheriff’s office. It spits in the face of the voters of Hillsborough County who have twice elected me to serve them, not Ron DeSantis,” he said. Ron DeSantis announced a new opioid recovery program CORE during his Brevard County visit.

Prosecutor Suspended Florida Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis suspended the elected state prosecutor of Tampa on Thursday for pledging not to enforce the state's new 15-week abortion ban and for supporting gender transition treatments for minors. The Republican governor announced the suspension of Hillsborough County State Attorney Andrew Warren at a news conference in the county's sheriff's office. Warren, a Democrat, was elected as state attorney by Hillsborough County voters in 2016 and in 2020. It spits in the face of the voters of Hillsborough County who have twice elected me to serve them, not Ron DeSantis," he said.

In honor of National Roller Coaster Day on Aug. 16, Busch Gardens is giving its Tampa Bay guests an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of fan-favorite coasters.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has suspended the elected state prosecutor of Tampa for pledging not to enforce the state’s new 15-week abortion ban and for supporting gender transition treatments for minors.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Thursday announced the immediate suspension of Circuit 13 State Attorney Andrew Warren during a news conference at the District II Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office in Tampa.

Deputies fatally shot a man who they say grabbed a firearm early Sunday following a chase that started when they were called to a Florida apartment complex because the man had fired shots at a rival outside a party.

A striking video shows lightning hit a truck driving down Interstate 75 in Hillsborough County on July 1, the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office posted on Facebook.

Video: ‘It fried her work car!’: Incredible video shows lightning bolt strike Florida deputy’s cruiserHILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, Fla. — Some Hillsborough County motorists — including a sheriff’s deputy — recently got quite a scare while traveling on Interstate 75 during an afternoon thunderstorm. On July 1 around 4 p.m., the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office said one of its deputies was driving northbound on I-75 near Sun City Center when she heard a loud clap of thunder. READ: Gas prices in Florida fall for third straight weekAccording to the deputy, the dashboard lights illuminated before her cruiser shut down. She realized through another motorist’s cellphone video that the damage to her car was caused by an incredible lightning strike. LIGHTNING STRIKE CAUGHT ON VIDEO: On Friday, this lightning strike was so close to a #teamHCSO deputy driving on I-75, that it fried her work car!

Protect yourself from lightning (NCD)HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, Fla. — A lightning strike last Friday was caught on camera just before it struck a Florida deputy’s car. >> Read more trending newsAccording to WTXL, a dashcam video from inside a Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office car on July 1 caught the close call between the deputy’s car and a lightning strike. “As the deputy was driving through the rain, she heard a loud clap of thunder, her dashboard lights turned on, and then the entire car turned off. “At first, she thought her tire popped, but as she, and other nearby drivers, pulled over she saw this video and the nearby lightning strike and realized it was the lightning that damaged the car. The passenger in the vehicle behind her happened to be recording at the exact moment of the strike.”The deputy’s car was “fried” as a result of the lightning strike, HCSO told WTXL.

A child was critically injured after being struck by lightning in Florida, fire rescue said.

A few flights have already been delayed at Orlando International Airport on Friday morning. Be prepared if you’re flying out for the Fourth of July weekend, because you may run into a problem. READ: These laws go into effect in Florida on FridayWe’ve recently seen massive flight cancellations. LaLonde-Brewington’s connecting flight was delayed to Orlando. READ: AAA’s ‘Tow to Go’ returns Independence Day weekendA travel expert said it is best to pay extra for a direct flight.

2 struck by lightning while leaving NY Yankees spring training game in Tampa, police sayHILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, Fla. — A child was struck by lightning Thursday afternoon, according to the National Weather Service. It happened at the Williams Park Boat Ramp in Riverview in Hillsborough County, NWS said. READ: Grab your umbrella: Storms to move in this afternoon, eveningThe child was transported to the hospital. See a map of the scene below:Video: 7 rescued by Coast Guard after lightning strikes boat off Florida coast Video captured the moment lightning struck a boat off the coast of Florida, prompting a rescue by the U.S. Coast Guard. (WFTV)Click here to download the free WFTV news and weather apps, click here to download the WFTV Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.

11 people rescued from capsized boat in Florida Sheriff’s deputies in Florida said some good Samaritans are to thank for helping to rescue nearly a dozen people whose boat capsized. (Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office)HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, Fla. — Sheriff’s deputies in Florida said some good Samaritans are to thank for helping to rescue nearly a dozen people whose boat capsized. Video shared by the sheriff’s office on YouTube shows the good Samaritans pulling people in life jackets out of the water, while others cling to the upturned boat. When The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office Marine Unit arrived, deputies rescued the two men still hanging on to the upturned boat, deputies said in a news release. One of the men rescued said he had chest pains and shortness of breath and was taken to a hospital, WFTS reported.

When Candido Rodriguez received a Notice of Approval from the Department of Economic Opportunity in March, the Tampa construction worker was convinced his year-long wait for benefits was finally over.

Man arrested: Hillsborough County deputies arrested Christopher Laracuente Cotto, who was charged with transmission of harmful material to a minor and unlawful use of a two-way communications device. (Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office)TAMPA, Fla. — A Florida man is accused of sending explicit material, including photos and videos, to a teen who called the Crisis Center hotline where he worked, authorities said. According to the sheriff’s office, Laracuente Cotto later called the victim’s cellphone from the restricted number several times during the day, claiming he was “checking” on her. The next day, the victim reported what had happened to a school resource deputy, according to the Times. According to the sheriff’s office, Laracuente Cotto confessed after being questioned by detectives.

Busch Gardens Tampa Bay is planning a lineup of exciting activities for the Easter holiday weekend.

Busch Gardens Tampa Bay has given many of its popular attractions some new looks all ahead of the busy summer season.

Police said one male in his 60s and one female in her 20s were struck in parking lot No. 1 at Raymond James Stadium

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, Fla. — A Florida man died Thursday after he hit an alligator with his car. Hillsborough County deputies said John Hopkins, 59, was driving east on County Road 672 in Lithia when he hit an 11-foot alligator that was on the roadway. Deputies said his car veered off the road and overturned into a ditch. READ: Orlando man among 2 Floridians to claim $1 million prize from scratch-off gameInvestigators said Hopkins died on the scene, and the alligator was also killed in the crash. Photos: 10-foot alligator spotted in Florida state parkExpand Autoplay Image 1 of 5 Woman finds 10-foot alligator Robin Austin took pictures showing the 10-foot alligator with a fish in its mouth.

A man was killed while driving early Thursday morning in a crash with an 11-foot alligator, according to the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office.

The University of South Florida’s board of trustees has elevated the school’s interim president to the official position.

Alexander Delgado, 24, was arrested after punching a trooper, FHP says.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission announced Friday that Florida has passed the mark of 1 million registered recreational vessels.

Florida Highway Patrol trooper Toni Schuck’s job was to make sure no one got on to the Skyway Bridge during the Skyway 10K on Sunday as thousands of runners raced across it.

Unusual delivery: A Florida deputy completed a DoorDash delivery after the driver was arrested on two outstanding warrants. >> Read more trending newsA Hillsborough County deputy transitioned into a delivery man after arresting a DoorDash driver, WFLA-TV reported. Hillsborough County deputy delivers DoorDash order after arresting driver https://t.co/LxU8WpVE8f pic.twitter.com/v1rW4d6pAx — WFLA NEWS (@WFLA) March 6, 2022“District I deputies went above and beyond after arresting a DoorDash driver who was was in the process of delivering food,” the sheriff’s office wrote on TikTok. >> Cop delivers customer’s DoorDash order after driver arrestedIn January, a police officer in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, delivered an Arby’s lunch order through DoorDash to a surprised customer. The sheriff’s office in Florida did not indicate whether the customer tried to tip the deputy for his efforts.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis held a news conference Wednesday morning at the University of South Florida, announcing the disbursement of $20 million for the Florida Center for Cybersecurity, hosted by the university.

VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. — A Volusia County Council member says bats may be the solution to keeping the area’s mosquito population under control. READ: UCF campus home to thousands of batsThe county spends nearly $11 million a year on its mosquito control. - It is said that a single bat can eat 1000-1200... Posted by Danny Robins, Volusia County Council, District 3 on Tuesday, February 22, 2022A single box can cost approximately $35 and hold around 75 bats. He has also proposed using jail inmates or students to help build the bat boxes to cut down on the cost. Robins says Volusia County residents can also build them on their own.

A worker operating a street sweeper in the parking lot of a Florida supermarket has died after a crash sent him flying out of the sweeper truck and into its path as it kept moving forward, running over him.

FDLE issues AMBER Alert for missing 4-year-old from Tampa The child may be in the company of Kami George and Matthew Leighton. (WFTV)HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, Fla. — A Florida Amber Alert has been issued out of Hillsborough County for 4-year-old Terry Reed. FDLE said Reed was last seen in the area of 4100 North McDill Avenue in Tampa. A Florida AMBER Alert has been issued for 4-year-old Terry Reed, last seen in Tampa. He may be with Kami George and Matthew Leighton and may be traveling in a 2010, red Toyota Camry, FL tag number LBEZ01.

An Amber Alert has been issued for a missing 4-year-old boy from Hillsborough County, according to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.

The girl was taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, deputies said.

A woman who was convicted of killing her teenage children in 2011 while her husband was deployed overseas is seeking a new trial.

The Florida Highway Patrol says at least seven cars struck and killed a 48-year-old man as he walked across Interstate 4.

HILLBOROUGH COUNTY, Fla. — A 48-year-old Orlando man died Tuesday after troopers said he was struck by at least seven cars while walking across the lanes of Interstate 4 in Hillsborough County. Troopers said the man walked northbound across the eastbound lanes of the interstate for an unknown reason early Tuesday morning. None of the drivers involved in the crash were injured. Investigators said the crash closed the eastbound lanes of I-4 near mile marker 19 until 12:40 p.m.READ: I-4 express lanes in final stages of completion, awaiting opening dateClick here to download the free WFTV news and weather apps, click here to download the WFTV Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live. ©2022 Cox Media Group

As costs rise, some seniors have turned to gig driver apps like Uber or Lyft to afford life in Tampa Bay.

TAMPA, Fla. — A Florida man died early Saturday after exiting a moving vehicle, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. >> Read more trending newsThe 25-year-old man from Pinellas Park, whose name was not released, exited the vehicle on Interstate 275 in Hillsborough County near Tampa, WFLA-TV reported. According to the Florida Highway Patrol, Toshia Lizette Caldwell, 38, of Port Richey, was driving southbound on I-275 at around 2:23 a.m. EST, WTVT-TV reported. That was when the passenger exited her 2017 Hyundai Elantra at highway speed and fell onto the roadway. https://t.co/IATTaxO16g — FOX 13 Tampa Bay (@FOX13News) January 2, 2022The man fell onto the road, where he was struck several times by an unknown number of vehicles, the television station reported.

A Florida man has been charged with punching a teenage girl in the face after she cut him off in traffic.

Hillsborough County sheriff's deputy kills 88-year-old former police officer. Hillsborough County Sheriff's Deputy's body camera shows the moment she shot a man in his home. (Hillsborog)RIVERVIEW, Fla. — Body camera video from the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office shows the moments a deputy opened fire on a man in his Florida home, killing him. >> Read more trending newsThe deputy had been dispatched to the home of 88-year-old Ronald Ehrich, a former police officer, for a welfare check, WTSP reported. The body camera video shows the deputy announcing herself multiple times in the home, calling for Ehrich and checking rooms.

A body camera video shows that a Florida deputy who fatally shot an 88-year-old man while checking on his welfare repeatedly identified herself, telling him to put his gun down and firing only after he advanced on her and threatened to shoot her.

For Lou Brown, a Realtor with a firm in Midtown St. Petersburg, it used to be unusual to represent a prospective buyer who lost their desired house in a bidding war to an investor.

CLAIR-MEL, Fla. — Hillsborough County sheriff’s deputies are being credited with saving a small dog’s life. >> Read more trending newsA small chihuahua fell down a storm drain in Clair-Mel. Deputies rescue dog. Hillsborough County sheriff's deputies rescued a dog from a storm drain. (Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office)©2021 Cox Media Group

A South Daytona woman died Sunday after she was struck by a car as she attempted to cross a road in Hillsborough County, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

We should treat stories shared by the police with the same amount of skepticism we apply to children's Halloween candy. No cop has ever OD'd...

Florida authorities are looking for a man they say shot at another vehicle, striking a child in the leg.

SARASOTA, Fla. — A fifth Florida school district enacted a 90-day mask mandate for students, teachers and staff on Friday during a special board meeting. >> Read more trending newsThe Sarasota County School Board passed the mandate by a 3-2 vote, the Sarasota Herald-Tribune reported. The Sarasota County School Board enacted a district-wide mask mandate on Friday, during a special board meeting called to address an ever-increasing number of COID-19 cases within the district. https://t.co/iZ98wJixYm — Herald-Tribune (@HeraldTribune) August 21, 2021The move came after those counties defied Gov. As of Friday, the current positivity rate in Sarasota County is more than 23%, according to WFLA.

More than 10,000 students in Hillsborough County are stuck at home due to the virus.

More than 10,000 students in Hillsborough County are stuck at home due to the virus.

Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis has prohibited Florida public schools from requiring students and staff to wear masks.

Hospitals across Florida are now being pushed to the limit as the state fights one of the worst Covid-19 outbreaks in the nation, fueled by the delta variant.

More than 100 physicians from the Tampa area wrote to the Hillsborough County School Board asking for mask mandates for children.

Reptiles known to frequent local area

If you see something, say something. It’s a message that students across Florida and the nation are encouraged to follow when they learn about bullying or other misbehavior, by other students or adults. But what happens when they actually make a report. One Hillsborough County teen learned that the response isn’t always what you might expect. Read on for that story and more Florida education ...

2 dead, 1 missing after being swept up by strong currents off Florida coast A father and son died Friday and a stranger who dove into the water to rescue them from strong currents is still missing. (Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office/Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office)HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, Fla. — A father and son died Friday and a stranger who dived into the water to rescue them from strong currents is still missing. Search and rescue efforts are on underway as HCSO searches for a missing swimmer. pic.twitter.com/CqzztVCKzB — HCSO (@HCSOSheriff) June 12, 2021Murray jumped into the water in an attempt to save the father and son while his wife called 911. @BN9 pic.twitter.com/JGCQHGNGhn — Tim Wronka (@TimWronka) June 12, 2021The Coast Guard ended its search but other agencies including the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office continued looking for Kristoff, WFTS reported.

A motorcyclist was killed Wednesday afternoon in Hillsborough County after the driver of a car made a left turn in front of him, the Florida Highway Patrol reports. The crash occurred about 12:45 p.m. at U.S. 41 at Miller Mac Road in Apollo Beach. Troopers said the motorcyclist, a 44-year-old man from Ruskin, was driving south on U.S. 41 when a northbound driver made the turn in front of him. ...

Gov. Ron DeSantis will be holding a press conference in Temple Terrace Wednesday afternoon.

That roadside encounter, in November, was the exception rather than the rule when it comes to enforcing a new Florida law against texting and driving. AdBut the new law against texting is rarely enforced, according to official state figures. The report also contained at least one major error – discovered after the fact by a news reporter – that overcounted texting tickets by hundreds. AdIn Miami-Dade County, with an estimated 2 million drivers, police wrote 295 texting tickets, or about six each week. Those provisions make the texting law difficult to enforce, said Kinsey, the Alachua County sheriff’s sergeant.

A 1-year-old girl who was inside an SUV when it was stolen from a residential Hillsborough County neighborhood has been found, according to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. Hillsborough County deputies were searching for the stolen SUV they say was taken with a 1-year-old girl still inside the vehicle. An Amber Alert was issued for Tinnley Sage West shortly after. FDLE issued an Amber Alert for Tinnley shortly after the incident was report and then said the girl had been found less than an hour later. “The Florida AMBER Alert issued on 02/16/21 out of Hillsborough County for 1yo Tinnley West has been resolved.

Plant City Police are looking for the man who stole a car containing vials of a COVID-19 vaccine on Wednesday. The man was able to take the car because the keys were left in the ignition, records show. The vaccine was supposed to be distributed at the Plant City vaccination site, which is at the Strawberry Festival Grounds. Surveillance video shows person of interest in stolen vaccine case, police say (Copyright 2021 by WKMG ClickOrlando - All rights reserved.) A nationwide alert has been put out to help find the stolen car, according to the release.

This year, the Tampa Bay region probably won't generate even half that, said Sean Snaith, director of the University of Central Florida’s Institute for Economic Forecasting. “A lot of things you associate with a Super Bowl aren't going to happen,” Snaith said. AdRob Higgins, president and CEO of the Tampa Bay Super Bowl host committee, said the region is looking at the Super Bowl as an unparalleled marketing opportunity. Hotel occupancy in the Tampa area was about 53% during the first three weeks of January this year, said Visit Tampa Bay CEO Santiago Corrada. Same with baseball's Tampa Bay Rays, who lost the World Series to the Los Angeles Dodgers — in Arlington, Texas.

Ron DeSantis plans to bring a “vaccine pod” to Central Florida, targeting a retirement community in Polk County. “We’re almost (at) 23%.”The vaccine pod announcement comes as Central Florida continues to see high demand for the vaccine. They tell me vaccine site at Amazon facility Groveland will be open M-F until further notice. [READ YESTERDAY’S REPORT: Florida sees another 9,480 COVID-19 cases as president ups vaccine goal ]Below is a breakdown of Florida COVID-19 data reported by the state on Jan. 27CasesThe Florida Department of Health reported 8,281 new cases on Wednesday bringing the state’s overall total to 1,676,171 cases since the coronavirus pandemic began in March. VaccinationsThe Florida Department of Health recently began releasing a daily report on COVID-19 vaccines administered throughout the state.

A Hillsborough County lunch room worker holds up food while parents wait in a line Wednesday, April 15, 2020, at the Brandon High School in Brandon, Fla. Hillsborough County Schools have stopped daily breakfast and lunch pickups for students and are distributing a week's worth of food one day a week. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)OSCEOLA COUNTY, Fla. – Osceola County Public Schools announced Tuesday it’s consolidating its curbside meal program to fewer schools. The school district says it intends to provide free breakfast and lunch to virtual learning students through the rest of the semester but will be adjusting its curbside meal program next month. Elementary schools and Zenith Accelerated Learning Academy serving times are 9-9:30 a.m., middle school serving times are 10-10:30 a.m. and high school serving times are 3:30-4:30 p.m.District officials say Tuesday meals will be bundled with two breakfasts and two lunches per child. Current student ID card, birth certificate or any state-issued ID or passport are acceptable, OCPS officials said.

TAMPA, Fla. – A Florida sheriff’s deputy with one shift left before retirement was intentionally hit and killed by a man fleeing law enforcement, officials said. He was intentionally running that car into the corporal’s car.”Earlier Monday afternoon, deputies were called to Garrett’s apartment regarding erratic behavior. This time when deputies arrived, Garrett began attacking them, hitting Deputy Michael Durig, Jr. in the head multiple times, officials said. The sheriff said Garrett rammed through a back gate and crossed two lanes of traffic to intentionally hit LaVigne’s marked patrol car on the driver side with the front of his car, Chronister said. LaVigne is survived by his wife and two children, one of whom is also a deputy at the sheriff’s office.

TAMPA, Fla. – Detectives are reviewing home video as part of their investigation into the death of a Florida infant who drowned in a bathtub as his mother slept, sheriff’s officials said. Eight-month-old Mateo Montoya died Sept. 5 at a Plant City hospital, according to a search warrant affidavit filed in November by the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office. Detectives said in the search warrant affidavit that they're considering a possible charge of aggravated manslaughter. Detectives obtained a search warrant Nov. 1 to inspect recordings stored in a digital video box beneath a television at the home. “A review of the digitally stored material/surveillance contained within the DVR box would assist with developing evidence for the investigation,” the affidavit said.

TAMPA, Fla. – A Florida rapper spent an evening recording music in a makeshift studio and then fatally shot two men who were with him, authorities say. Adams, who records under the name Ace NH, was jailed in Tampa without bail Sunday. They were shot Thursday night in a backyard shed Adams regularly used as a recording studio in the suburb of Lutz, investigators said. “It is clear that this suspect had no regard for human life, and now he will face the consequences for his actions," the sheriff added. The Tampa Bay Times reports that Adams has recorded three albums, two EPs and several singles, most recently an album called “Life Goes On.”

Enrollment data from 78 of the largest school districts in the U.S. compiled by 60 Minutes this fall found at least 240,000 students were unaccounted for when school started – the first school year to begin in the pandemic. Tucker agreed to let Alfonsi and her team accompany her as she tracked down missing students. School districts told 60 Minutes many of the missing students are among the youngest, such as 6-year-old Joshua. They're homeschooling and they just haven't notified our homeschool office that that's what they've decided to do," she tells Alfonsi. The teachers are looking," Tucker says.

Republicans in both counties have a slight edge in the state’s in-person early voting, which began last Saturday, including when Trump voted in Palm Beach County. CasesThe Florida Department of Health reported 4,198 new cases on Thursday, bringing the state’s overall total to 794,624 cases since March. As of Thursday’s coronavirus report, a total of 16,854 deaths across the state have been related to the coronavirus, a number that includes 206 non-resident deaths in Florida. HospitalizationsCurrently, there are 2,343 people with the virus hospitalized in Florida, according to the state Agency for Health Care Administration. [SEE YESTERDAY’S REPORT: Florida health experts report 4,115 new COVID-19 cases, 66 deaths]If you are having trouble viewing the dashboard on mobile, click here.

click to enlarge AdobeWith dozens of additional deaths reported each day, more than 16,000 Florida residents have died of COVID-19, according to numbers released Monday by the state Department of Health.Florida reported 54 resident deaths Monday, bringing the total to 16,021. The state also reported 1,707 additional COVID-19 cases, bringing the total to 756,727.The largest numbers of resident deaths have occurred in Southeast Florida, where Miami-Dade County has had 3,547, Broward County has had 1,515, and Palm Beach County has had 1,497, the Department of Health numbers show. The next-highest numbers are in Pinellas County, with 801 resident deaths, and Hillsborough County, with 751.Also hard-hit have been nursing homes and assisted living facilities. As of Monday, the state reported 6,496 deaths involving long-term care residents and staff members.

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, Fla. A Florida man is in custody after a complaint indicated he attempted to supply the terrorist group ISIS with materials to carry out attacks as well as planned acts of terrorism locally, according to the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Muhammed Momtaz Al-Azhari, 23, of Tampa, was arrested by federal agents Sunday and faces up to 20 years in prison, should he be found guilty. FBI officials said Al-Azhari was an ISIS supporter who planned and attempted to carry out an attack on behalf of the terrorist organization. Officials also said Al-Azhari was in possession of weapons he intended to use in those attacks at the time of his arrest. FBI officials said Al-Azhari had even rehearsed the means in which he would conduct the acts of terrorism.

click to enlarge Photo of Florida beach campgrounds via Adobe StockFlorida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried announced that most of Floridas State Forest campgrounds , primitive campsites and trailheads will reopen Friday with limited capacity.The phased plan, however, keeps some recreation and day-use areas closed, as well as restrooms located outside open campgrounds.Our Florida State Forest recreation areas are some of Floridas greatest natural treasures, but in an abundance of caution, we are taking a cautious, measured approach to reopening these areas while continuing to follow CDC (federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) guidelines, said Fried in a statement.You can see a full list of areas that are open or closed here The announcement comes about a week after Gov. Ron DeSantis announced the reopening of roughly 80 Florida state parks with some restrictions.On Monday, the City of Tampa announced it was reopening all beaches and dog parks. Manatee, Hernando, Sarasota and Pinellas counties all voted to reopen their beaches, as well