Tampa Bay, Florida news | Tampa Bay Times/St. Pete Times

79°F, Clear
Saturday, August 24, 2019

News
- - Regions
  - Tampa
  - St. Petersburg
  - Clearwater
  - Hillsborough
  - Pinellas
  - Pasco
  - Hernando
  - Nation & World
  - Topics
  - Politics
  - Buzz Blog
  - Education
  - Gradebook blog
  - Business
  - Health
  - Transportation
  - Environment
  - Politifact
  - Centro
  - Mugshots
Sports
- - Pro
  - Bucs
  - Rays
  - Lightning
  - Rowdies
  - Colleges
  - Bulls
  - Gators
  - Seminoles
- - Other
  - Outdoors
  - Auto racing
  - High schools
Opinion
- Letters to the editor
- Submit a letter
Arts & Entertainment
- - Arts
  - Music
  - Things To Do
  - Fun
  - Food
  - Games
Special Reports
Video
Photo
Obituaries
Classifieds
Best of the Best
e-Newspaper

Assistant State Attorney Scott Rosenwasser, left, hugs Michael McGlockton, right, soon after a jury handed down a guilty verdict in the 2018 shooting death of his son, Markeis McGlockton. The jury found defendant Michael Drejka guilty of manslaughter at 10:41 p.m. Friday night. On the far left is Pinellas-Pasco Assistant State Attorney Fred Schaub. [SCOTT KEELER | Times] SCOTT KEELER | Times

Michael Drejka convicted of manslaughter in Markeis McGlockton�s death

The infamous Clearwater parking lot shooting case ends with a guilty verdict. Drejka will be sentenced at a later date.

Joseph Bonilla, 23, and Josue Veliz, 21, from New Jersey ride e-scooters through downtown Tampa on Friday. ALLIE GOULDING | Times

Tampa council asks, �How many get hurt on scooters?� Good luck finding the answer.

Tampa General Hospital has treated scooter-related sprained ankles and head injuries, but city leaders are grasping for accurate numbers

Satellite imagery shows a tropical disturbance creeping closer to Florida on Friday, August 23, 2019. National Hurricane Center

That tropical disturbance could soak South Florida. It could also become a tropical depression.

But the Tampa Bay area will likely be spared the heavy rains that seem poised to fall on South Florida.

The pool area at the new ICON Central apartment complex in downtown St. Petersburg. ALLIE GOULDING | Times

You can see the Sunshine Skyway from St. Pete�s newest apartment tower. Some rents are sky-high, too.

ICON Central is one of Related Group�s three new Tampa Bay luxury apartment projects

Robles Park resident Clark Simmons listens to a presentation by archaeologists during an informational meeting at Robles Park Village community center. The Tampa Housing Authority held the meeting to discuss Zion Cemetery.

Zion Cemetery is �holy ground� so Housing Authority will move those living there

After talks with the tenant council and federal housing officials, and as the search for bodies continues, the agency has decided not to wait.

Man accused in HART driver slaying found mentally incompetent

Justin McGriff will be transferred to Florida State Hospital to be treated and, if possible, made competent to stand trial.

REI coming to Tampa brings back fond memories

It started more than 25 years ago with a smashed tent.

Taylor Swift�s �Lover� is out. Here�s an analysis of the lyrics.

Along with an analysis of 99 of her other songs.

A character looks out to the marketplace in the Black Spire Outpost in Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge at Disneylan in Anaheim, Calif. A nearly identical land is opening in Disney's Hollywood Studios in Orlando on Aug. 29. Chris Pizzello | Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP

Disney Star Wars land opening: What we learned from California

The nearly identical Star Wars: Galaxy�s Edge opened in May in California to disappointing crowds. What can we expect here?

A rendering of Epcot's Journey of Water, inspired by “Moana.

Epcot is getting a new �Moana�-themed water attraction, other Disney news

Walt Disney World has also announced the name of the immersive Star Wars hotel that�s under construction.

Latest

Football: Plant City 37, Jesuit 29

Football: Armwood 38, Plant 3

Football: Nature Coast 32, East Lake 25

Football: Tampa Bay Tech 25, Chamberlain 0

Football: Clearwater 28, Palm Bay Heritage 18

Football: Hillsborough 45, Robinson 6

More latest stories

Most read

Advertisement

MUGSHOTS

Mug Shots | Tampa Bay Times

Advertisement

House Promo

Spotlight

New research shows that the more aggressive the Anelosimus studiosus spider is, the better chance they’ll survive a hurricane. [Special to the Miami Herald] Special to the Miami Herald

Hurricanes may spin a more aggressive population of spiders, new study shows

The study suggests storms make spiders more active in protecting their nests, and they pass the trait down.

Successfully spawned pillar corals are housed inside of large tanks at the Florida Aquarium Center for Conservation located in Apollo Beach on Wednesday. Center for Conservation utilizes large aquarium holding systems powered by LED technology and computer-controlled systems that mimic its natural environment that signals coral to reproduce. OCTAVIO JONES | Times

Scientists coax imperiled Florida coral to spawn in a lab for the first time

Florida Aquarium project yields a historic event to combat climate change and disease.

[RON BORRESEN | Times] Ron Borresen | Ron Borresen

These Tampa workers see disturbing Facebook posts so you don�t. But it takes a toll.

Content moderators have one of the toughest jobs on the internet. They say they�re losing the fight � and paying a price in the process.

At the Tampa Bay History Center, Thomas English of Creekside Digital uses high definition photography to digitally scan one of the first maps of Tampa, from 1853. [OCTAVIO JONES | Times] OCTAVIO JONES | Times | Tampa Bay Times

How do you digitally scan a world map from Columbus� time? Very carefully.

A map from 1493 will join thousands of others accessible online through work now underway at the Tampa Bay History Center.

Bob Rans served in World War II. He lived to 98. (Image courtesy Bob Rans)

Photos helped WWII POW recover, so he used his camera to help other wounded vets

Bob Rans spent 13 months in Romania and came home to live a long, full life.

Viewpoints

Just coming back from a short vacation in Naples, Lynn Suarez, left, and her husband Raymond stopped by the West Tampa Library on Union Street to participate in early voting on August 2016. Jones, Octavio | Tampa Bay Times

This governor gets it. DeSantis embraces effort to reduce voter fraud. | Editorial

Connie Schultz File photo

If you�re a parent, know who has a gun | Connie Schultz

Graham Brink - Times Staff Writer

A recession can�t start with unemployment so low? Yes it can.

Rick Stroud - Times Staff Writer

Bucs, Browns may end up trading playoff drought places in 2019

Joey Knight - Times Staff Writer

Time to bid adieu to August�s water-logged prep football

Ernest Hooper - Times Staff Writer

Miyagi�s wisdom, Kerwin Bell�s fearlessness highlighted memorable day

In Case You Missed It

Billionaire David Koch, conservative donor, dies at age 79

FILE - In this Aug. 30, 2013 file photo, David Koch speaks in Orlando, Fla. Koch, major donor to conservative causes and educational groups, has died on Friday, Aug. 23, 2019. He was 79. (Associated Press)

Serial killer who preyed on gay men executed in Florida

Gary Ray Bowles received the death penalty for the November 1994 murder of Walter Hinton in Jacksonville Beach. Hinton was Bowles’ sixth and final known victim in a series of killings in an eight-month span in 1994 that terrorized the Interstate 95 corridor and won him the nickname the “I-95 killer.” (Florida Department of Corrections via AP)

Trump phones Tampa rally with Kellyanne Conway, Pam Bondi: �If we lose...it will be a very very bad day for the country'

Former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi, left, and Kellyanne Conway talk on stage during the Women for Trump

Bullet fired through preschool window; no one injured, St. Petersburg police say

A bullet hole is seen on the window to the right in the upper left-hand corner of an Allendale United Methodist Church preschool classroom Thursday in St. Petersburg. No one was injured in the incident. DIRK SHADD | Times

Special Reports

https://www.tampabay.com/storyimage/HI/20190718/ARTICLE/190719682/AR/0/0/AR-190719682.jpg

The Apollo 11 story told through the eyes of the Florida men and women who made it happen

Fifty years on, first moon landing remains mankind's greatest accomplishment for those involved and those who watched.

https://www.tampabay.com/storyimage/HI/20190703/ARTICLE/307039900/AR/0/0/AR-307039900.jpg

Inside the Terri Schiavo case: Pinellas judge who decided her fate opens up

George Greer looks back on the fight over her life, the fear for his safety and the lessons of the case

https://www.tampabay.com/storyimage/HI/20190626/ARTICLE/306269816/AR/0/0/AR-306269816.jpg

Who wants to listen to the angel of death?

Saundra Piercy is trying to help people prepare for the inevitable

https://www.tampabay.com/storyimage/HI/20190710/ARTICLE/307109735/AR/0/0/AR-307109735.jpg

As new storm passes Panhandle, fear returns amid Michael flashbacks

It is hurricane season again in the Panhandle, but most residents will tell you that in Bay County, it never really stopped being hurricane season.

https://www.tampabay.com/storyimage/HI/20190710/ARTICLE/307109920/AR/0/0/AR-307109920.jpg

Musician Bob Macar �was a pioneer in this town�

He played nearly everywhere and nearly everything, drawing in others who loved music

Videos

The Reaper Roll at Snobachi Ice Cream, in Tampa's Ybor City, makes a strong case for being the world's spiciest ice cream. Times writer Daniel Figueroa IV decided to take the challenge on Tuesday, July 2, 2019. Contestants have to finish the whole cup of the ice cream and peppers combination then wait 20 minutes before eating, drinking, or purging.

We took the World’s Spiciest Ice Cream challenge at Snobachi. It was rough.

The ice cream is almost three times as strong as pepper spray. Winners get free ice cream for a year.

Angelique Herring, a photo intern at Tampa Bay Times, uses her FastPass to scan into The Magic Carpets of Aladdin on Tuesday, July 30, 2019 at Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom in Orlando. ALLIE GOULDING | Times

How we got 12 Disney FastPasses at the last minute in one day

We never waited more than 20 minutes in line. Here's how.

Workers perform a quality control check on paper and cardboard items at the Waste Management Ybor sorting facility. [Video courtesy of Waste Mangement]

What actually happens to your recycling? We toured a Tampa Bay plant to find out.

Here�s what you should recycle and where it goes after you drag it to the curb.

Marine biologists and veterinarians from the Clearwater Marine Aquarium, alongside Coast Guard officers and volunteer beachgoers carry one of five pilot whales from the water Monday. DOUGLAS R. CLIFFORD | Times

Hundreds of volunteers help save five whales stranded off Florida beach

The Clearwater Marine Aquarium helps lead the effort in Redington Beach.

This detail of a July 20, 1969 photo made available by NASA shows astronaut Neil Armstrong reflected in the helmet visor of Buzz Aldrin on the surface of the moon. AP Photo | NASA/Neil Armstrong

Apollo 11 moon landing: All of our coverage of the 50-year anniversary

We look back at NASA's greatest accomplishment.

Sections

News

Defense attorney John Trevena addresses members of the jury during closing arguments Friday in the manslaughter trial of Michael Drejka. SCOTT KEELER | Times

Trial in the Clearwater parking lot shooting: Day 5, Michael Drejka guilty

Defendant Michael Drejka, front, enters the courtroom with his attorney William Flores, center, on Friday in Pinellas County. SCOTT KEELER | Times

Jury asks question in Michael Drejka case as deliberations continue

Check tampabay.com for the latest breaking news and information.

Pasco County jail inmate found dead in cell

Bea Griswold, then Chairwoman of the St Petersburg City Council, spoke at the groundbreaking for BayWalk. MARK GUSS | Tampa Bay Times

Epilogue: Bea Griswold, longtime St. Petersburg council member

Joaquin Pizano, 4, of St. Petersburg, waves sign on Tyrone Blvd. Cerri, Lara | Tampa Bay Times

Don�t play political games with Pinellas schools tax referendum | Editorial

Citrus Sheriff Mike Prendergast. [Citrus County Sheriff's Office] Citrus County Sheriff's Office

Citrus County Sheriff strikes, kills pedestrian in Hernando County

A man smokes marijuana recreationally in Toronto. (AP Photo/Canadian Press, Kevin Frayer) KEVIN FRAYER | AP

Recreational marijuana could become legal in Florida. How should the governor act? | Adam Goodman

On Aug. 3, members of local nonprofit, The Brian Bill Foundation, participated in the 31Miles for 31Heroes walk in Washington to honor fallen soldiers. Brian Bill Foundation

Hometown Pinellas

This Florida panther is the first female of her species documented north of the Caloosahatchee River since 1973 – a huge milestone. Carlton Ward Jr. | National Geographic Society

Florida must protect the Florida Wildlife Corridor as it plans new toll roads | Carlton Ward Jr.

Hernando County Commissioner Steve Champion Alice Herden | Special to the Times

It�s your government. Don�t let them shut the door. | Editorial

More from this section

Today's Featured Advertisers

Sports

Week 1 of high school football kicked off across Tampa Bay on Friday night. Times

Football: Plant City 37, Jesuit 29

Plant's Jackson Hacker is upended by Armwood Jalil Core during the first quarter on Friday night in Seffner. ALLIE GOULDING | Times

Football: Armwood 38, Plant 3

Nature Coast receiver Cai Teague hauls in a 23-yard touchdown pass to put the Sharks up 13-7 over East Lake in first-half action. SCOTT PURKS | Special to the Times

Football: Nature Coast 32, East Lake 25

Week 1 of high school football kicked off across Tampa Bay on Friday night. Times

Football: Tampa Bay Tech 25, Chamberlain 0

Week 1 of high school football kicked off across Tampa Bay on Friday night. Times

Football: Clearwater 28, Palm Bay Heritage 18

The Browns defense sacked Bucs quarterback Jameis Winston five times in the first half of Friday's preseason game at Raymond James Stadium. DIRK SHADD | Tampa Bay Times

Bucs quarterback Jameis Winston needs to be better, not battered

Week 1 of high school football kicked off across Tampa Bay on Friday night. Times

Football: Hillsborough 45, Robinson 6

Week 1 of high school football kicked off across Tampa Bay on Friday night. Times

Football: Gaither 36, Jefferson 14

Week 1 of high school football kicked off across Tampa Bay on Friday night. Times

Football: Wiregrass Ranch 43, Zephyrhills 13

Week 1 of high school football kicked off across Tampa Bay on Friday night. Times

Football: Lakewood 48, St. Petersburg 0

Tampa Bay Buccaneers kicker Matt Gay (9) waves to the fans as he heads off the field after kicking the game winning field goal in the final seconds as the Bucs win 13-12 beating the Cleveland Browns at Raymond James Stadium on Friday, Aug. 23, 2019 in Tampa. DIRK SHADD | Tampa Bay Times

After Matt Gay�s first field goal miss, Bucs rookie kicks another game winner.

Springstead squares off with Sunlake in the opening week of football on Aug. 23, 2019. ANDY VILLAMARZO | Special to the Times

Football: Springstead 53, Sunlake 0

More from this section

Arts & Entertainment

Cassandra Peterson, left, as Elvira and musician Alice Cooper will appear as celebrity guests during the Spooky Empire horror convention, kicking off on Oct. 31 at the Tampa Convention Center. JC Olivera | Sipa USA via AP / Tampa Bay Times (2014)

Spooky Empire horror convention guest lineup includes Alice Cooper, Sam Raimi, Elvira

On Saturday, Monster Jam Triple Threat will return to Amalie Arena in Tampa with two shows. Shawn Hancock | Feld Entertainment

Top things to do in Tampa Bay for Saturday, Aug. 24

Actor Jake McDorman, who plays the role of Alan Shepard, practices his lines outside of the Floridan Palace Hotel for the National Geographic series 'The Right Stuff.'

Leonardo DiCaprio�s �The Right Stuff� spent $500,000 in Tampa in two days

St. Petersburg favorite the Getaway has closed its second waterfront location in south St. Pete’s Skyway Marina District. Scott Keeler | Tampa Bay Times (2018)

The Getaway has closed in south St. Petersburg�s Skyway Marina District

Top Turkish Feta Zucchini and Carrot Pancakes with whipped feta and yogurt sauce. [LORRAINE FINA STEVENSKI | Special to the Times]

Use that summer zucchini in these Turkish pancakes with whipped feta and yogurt sauce

Celebrate stone fruit and summer with Peach Pie With an Easy Top and Bottom Crumb Crust. [LORRAINE FINA STEVENSKI | Special to the Times]

A pie recipe fit for Georgia peach season

A chicken sandwich at a Popeyes in Texas. Sadly, we were not able to get our hands on one in St. Petersburg. Eric Gay | AP

The Popeyes chicken sandwich is really hard to find in Tampa Bay

Kate Quinn, 26, chats with a patron at MacDinton's in St. Petersburg. Quinn and her fellow bartenders recently went through a LGBTQ+ diversity training to help them better interact with customers. MARTHA ASENCIO-RHINE | Times

She, he or they: Tampa Bay bars train to better serve LGBTQ customers

Laura Hine has been named the executive director of the Tom and Mary James Museum of Western and Wildlife Art. The James Museum

James Museum announces new executive director

Author Edwidge Danticat will be at the 2019 Times Festival of Reading to talk about her latest book, Everything Inside. Photo by Lynn Savarese. Lynn Savarese

Edwidge Danticat�s �Everything Inside� gathers moving stories about the Haitian diaspora

More from this section