A July 4 traffic stop on Otter Pond Road ended with deputies seizing roughly 300 grams of meth and a revolver; a 43‑year‑old man now faces trafficking and weapons charges.

A 3-year-old boy drowned at SunWest Park during Pasco County’s Scallop & Music Festival; visitors returned the next day to mourn as officials work to clarify details.

A 36‑year‑old woman reported missing earlier this week was found dead inside a car in a north Tampa McDonald’s parking lot. Detectives say the investigation is active and the cause of death has not been released.

A 68-year-old New York man wanted on a child-sex warrant was arrested Friday in Davenport after a tip led deputies to Sunlake Terrace Estates. He’s being held pending extradition to New York.

Heat index near 103°F today with scattered afternoon storms. City cooling stations are open this week.

Publix and a Chilean supplier are recalling a lot of GreenWise frozen blueberries after 12 E. coli infections were linked to the product. Customers should check packages and return affected bags for a refund.

Mythos Greek Bistro has opened a Santorini-tinged patio on Central Avenue, serving flaming saganaki, charcoal-grilled meats and seafood with live-music nights planned.

An overnight shooting in Tampa left one person wounded and hospitalized. Hillsborough County investigators are asking witnesses to come forward with tips or footage.

An early‑morning ambush near W. Waters Avenue left one man dead; investigators say the shooter claims self‑defense and detectives are seeking witnesses.

A fisherman found a missing scuba diver off Treasure Island Beach on July 5, ending a weekend search; the Pinellas medical examiner will perform an autopsy.

An ultralight clipped power lines and made a hard landing on SR‑60 in Mulberry; two people were taken to hospital and westbound lanes were shut while crews cleared wreckage.

A North Fort Myers fisherman says he fought off an alligator by jabbing its eyes with a fishing pole; state trappers are searching the canal.

A Pasco County educator has been charged with second-degree murder after she allegedly strangled her 6-year-old nonverbal son. New body‑cam footage and reports of Mark O’Mara joining the defense have renewed scrutiny.