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67°F, Scattered Clouds
- Sunday, February 17, 2019
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67°F, Scattered Clouds
- Sunday, February 17, 2019
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![Where the accident occurred on Interstate 4. [Florida Highway Patrol]](https://www.tampabay.com/storyimage/HI/20190215/ARTICLE/190219693/AR/0/AR-190219693.jpg&MaxW=576&ImageVersion=Rotator "Where the accident occurred on Interstate 4. [Florida Highway Patrol]")
![The Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office conducted a six-month undercover narcotics operation that has so far resulted in 19 arrests for drug activity linked to the Rodeway Inn at 16405 U.S. 19 N in Largo. More arrests are expected. [DOUGLAS R. CLIFFORD | Times]](https://www.tampabay.com/storyimage/HI/20190215/ARTICLE/190219726/AR/0/AR-190219726.jpg&MaxW=576&ImageVersion=Rotator "The Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office conducted a six-month undercover narcotics operation that has so far resulted in 19 arrests for drug activity linked to the Rodeway Inn at 16405 U.S. 19 N in Largo. More arrests are expected. [DOUGLAS R. CLIFFORD | Times]")
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![Where the accident occurred on Interstate 4. [Florida Highway Patrol]](https://www.tampabay.com/storyimage/HI/20190215/ARTICLE/190219693/AR/0/0/AR-190219693.jpg&MaxW=576&ImageVersion=Rotator "Where the accident occurred on Interstate 4. [Florida Highway Patrol]")
The two bikers involved in fatal I-4 crash were friends, victim's family says
![Aerosmith singer Steven Tyler arrives at the Hollywood Film Awards at the Palladium, in Los Angeles in 2014. [Associated Press]](https://www.tampabay.com/storyimage/HI/20190216/ARTICLE/190219689/AR/0/0/AR-190219689.jpg&MaxW=576&ImageVersion=Rotator "Aerosmith singer Steven Tyler arrives at the Hollywood Film Awards at the Palladium, in Los Angeles in 2014. [Associated Press]")
Aerosmith's Steven Tyler cancels Strawberry Festival concert
![The U.S. government has filed a forfeiture complaint for $919,251.94 in three Grow Financial accounts, what’s left of a $980,000 tax refund that a Tampa man received from the IRS. He used some of the money to buy a Lexus. {Times files]](https://www.tampabay.com/storyimage/HI/20190213/ARTICLE/190219853/AR/0/0/AR-190219853.jpg&MaxW=576&ImageVersion=Rotator "The U.S. government has filed a forfeiture complaint for $919,251.94 in three Grow Financial accounts, what’s left of a $980,000 tax refund that a Tampa man received from the IRS. He used some of the money to buy a Lexus. {Times files]")
A Tampa man reported an income of $18,497. The IRS sent him a refund check for $980,000.
![The Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office conducted a six-month undercover narcotics operation that has so far resulted in 19 arrests for drug activity linked to the Rodeway Inn at 16405 U.S. 19 N in Largo. More arrests are expected. [DOUGLAS R. CLIFFORD | Times]](https://www.tampabay.com/storyimage/HI/20190215/ARTICLE/190219726/AR/0/0/AR-190219726.jpg&MaxW=576&ImageVersion=Rotator "The Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office conducted a six-month undercover narcotics operation that has so far resulted in 19 arrests for drug activity linked to the Rodeway Inn at 16405 U.S. 19 N in Largo. More arrests are expected. [DOUGLAS R. CLIFFORD | Times]")
‘They’re clearly high.’ Undercover drug operation targets U.S. 19 motel
![Hillsborough sheriff’s Deputy Philip Montesi was driving north on 78th Street in February 2017 when the mirror of his patrol car, above, clipped a man walking in the road, records show. Montesi is under investigation again after he struck and killed a pedestrian. [Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office]](https://www.tampabay.com/storyimage/HI/20190215/ARTICLE/190219730/AR/0/0/AR-190219730.jpg&MaxW=576&ImageVersion=Rotator "Hillsborough sheriff’s Deputy Philip Montesi was driving north on 78th Street in February 2017 when the mirror of his patrol car, above, clipped a man walking in the road, records show. Montesi is under investigation again after he struck and killed a pedestrian. [Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office]")
Hillsborough deputy who struck and killed teen was involved in previous pedestrian crash
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![The U.S. government has filed a forfeiture complaint for $919,251.94 in three Grow Financial accounts, what’s left of a $980,000 tax refund that a Tampa man received from the IRS. He used some of the money to buy a Lexus. {Times files]](https://www.tampabay.com/storyimage/HI/20190213/ARTICLE/190219853/AR/0/AR-190219853.jpg&MaxW=576&ImageVersion=Rotator "The U.S. government has filed a forfeiture complaint for $919,251.94 in three Grow Financial accounts, what’s left of a $980,000 tax refund that a Tampa man received from the IRS. He used some of the money to buy a Lexus. {Times files]")
A Tampa man reported an income of $18,497. The IRS sent him a refund check for $980,000.
The IRS has seized a Lexus and $919,251 from a Tampa man who got a $980,000 refund after filing a tax return that falsely showed $1 million in federal income tax withholding.
Tampa International: Keep your emotional support animal at home unless it’s flying
The new rule, which will be enforced with conversations, warnings and, in extreme cases, trespass notices, does not affect service animals trained to help people with disabilities.
Why are some Pasco residents paying Hillsborough’s higher sales tax?
They were charged a higher sales tax — the new, 8.5 percent rate in Hillsborough County that became effective Jan. 1 — even though their purchases did not take place in that county.
![Johns Hopkins Health System president Kevin Sowers spoke to employees in multiple town halls at the hospital this week. [CHRIS URSO | Times]](https://www.tampabay.com/storyimage/HI/20190209/ARTICLE/302099755/AR/0/AR-302099755.jpg&MaxW=576&ImageVersion=Rotator "Johns Hopkins Health System president Kevin Sowers spoke to employees in multiple town halls at the hospital this week. [CHRIS URSO | Times]")
All Children’s says 13 heart surgery patients were hurt by care
Johns Hopkins “let this organization down,” the health system’s president told staff members.
In Case You Missed It
![Alfonso Ribeiro arrives at the Disney/ABC 2018 Television Critics Association Summer Press Tour in Beverly Hills, Calif., in August 2018. Ribeiro has been denied a copyright for the “Carlton” dance, which he’s suing two videogame makers over. The denial from the U.S. Copyright Office was revealed Wednesday in a motion to dismiss Ribeiro’s lawsuit against Take-Two Interactive, the makers of 2K Sports, which Ribeiro says illegally makes use of the dance. [Willy Sanjuan | Invision/AP]](https://www.tampabay.com/storyimage/HI/20190215/ARTICLE/190219747/AR/0/AR-190219747.jpg&MaxW=576&ImageVersion=Rotator "Alfonso Ribeiro arrives at the Disney/ABC 2018 Television Critics Association Summer Press Tour in Beverly Hills, Calif., in August 2018. Ribeiro has been denied a copyright for the “Carlton” dance, which he’s suing two videogame makers over. The denial from the U.S. Copyright Office was revealed Wednesday in a motion to dismiss Ribeiro’s lawsuit against Take-Two Interactive, the makers of 2K Sports, which Ribeiro says illegally makes use of the dance. [Willy Sanjuan | Invision/AP]")
Special Reports
Lincoln's Shot: Read Lane DeGregory's entire 8-part series now
A Tampa boy was born unable to breathe or swallow. But across the country, researchers were fixing floppy dogs with the same condition. Could his parents keep him alive long enough for a cure?
Heartbroken: Despite warnings, All Children’s kept operating. Babies died.
Johns Hopkins promised to elevate the hospital’s Heart Institute. Then patients started to die at an alarming rate.
Blood and Truth: Could DNA prove him innocent? Florida doesn’t want to know.
In 1976, a jury convicted Tommy Zeigler of four murders. He has been trying to convince the state of Florida to allow for full DNA testing, but it has refused. Again and again.
State, federal officials missed warnings at All Children’s heart unit
Lawmakers are now asking questions about what happened.
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![Aerosmith singer Steven Tyler arrives at the Hollywood Film Awards at the Palladium, in Los Angeles in 2014. [Associated Press]](https://www.tampabay.com/storyimage/HI/20190216/ARTICLE/190219689/AR/0/AR-190219689.jpg&MaxW=576&ImageVersion=Rotator "Aerosmith singer Steven Tyler arrives at the Hollywood Film Awards at the Palladium, in Los Angeles in 2014. [Associated Press]")
Aerosmith's Steven Tyler cancels Strawberry Festival concert
St. Pete drama teacher made an impact at a critical stage for his students
![Ray Ball, the ZooTampa veterinarian under investigation for medical malpractice that may have killed manatees, did not have federal permission to conduct experimental treatments of injured marine mammals, according to a spokeswoman for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife. [ZooTampa]](https://www.tampabay.com/storyimage/HI/20190215/ARTICLE/190219735/AR/0/AR-190219735.jpg&MaxW=576&ImageVersion=Rotator "Ray Ball, the ZooTampa veterinarian under investigation for medical malpractice that may have killed manatees, did not have federal permission to conduct experimental treatments of injured marine mammals, according to a spokeswoman for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife. [ZooTampa]")
Complaints about ZooTampa vet's manatee malpractice total 45, including one that blames him for giraffe deaths too
![Traffic is seen along W Cass Street near the intersection of Doyle Carlton Drive near the David A. Straz, Jr. Center for the Performing Arts and Tampa-Hillsborough County Public Library Thursday, Feb. 14, 2019 in Tampa. Patrons arriving for a performance of the hit Broadway show Hamilton were able to negotiate parking with limited issues. [CHRIS URSO | Times]](https://www.tampabay.com/storyimage/HI/20190215/ARTICLE/190219713/AR/0/AR-190219713.jpg&MaxW=576&ImageVersion=Rotator "Traffic is seen along W Cass Street near the intersection of Doyle Carlton Drive near the David A. Straz, Jr. Center for the Performing Arts and Tampa-Hillsborough County Public Library Thursday, Feb. 14, 2019 in Tampa. Patrons arriving for a performance of the hit Broadway show Hamilton were able to negotiate parking with limited issues. [CHRIS URSO | Times]")
'Hamilton' parking: Life, liberty and the pursuit of a spot
Brooksville mastiff wins Best of Breed at Westminster
![John Jonchuck, now 29, is will stand trial for first-degree murder. [DOUGLAS R. CLIFFORD | Times]](https://www.tampabay.com/storyimage/HI/20190215/ARTICLE/190219744/AR/0/AR-190219744.jpg&MaxW=576&ImageVersion=Rotator "John Jonchuck, now 29, is will stand trial for first-degree murder. [DOUGLAS R. CLIFFORD | Times]")
Jonchuck judge is willing to experiment with jury selection
Locale Market in St. Petersburg temporarily closed for health violations
South Tampa lawyer known for suing nursing homes puts house on market for $11 million
![A Payless ShoeSource store. [Associated Press (2008)]](https://www.tampabay.com/storyimage/HI/20190215/ARTICLE/190219696/AR/0/AR-190219696.jpg&MaxW=576&ImageVersion=Rotator "A Payless ShoeSource store. [Associated Press (2008)]")
Payless ShoeSource to shutter all of its remaining US stores
![American Staffordshire terrier, Blue, gets a kiss from owner Danea Coleman, at the Achieva Credit Union’s headquarters in Dunedin. Coleman, a member services advisor with the credit union, had just returned from a lunch break. [DOUGLAS R. CLIFFORD | Times]](https://www.tampabay.com/storyimage/HI/20190211/ARTICLE/190219698/AR/0/AR-190219698.jpg&MaxW=576&ImageVersion=Rotator "American Staffordshire terrier, Blue, gets a kiss from owner Danea Coleman, at the Achieva Credit Union’s headquarters in Dunedin. Coleman, a member services advisor with the credit union, had just returned from a lunch break. [DOUGLAS R. CLIFFORD | Times]")
These office dogs even have insurance: How Tampa Bay workplaces became pro-pet
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Sports
Seffner Christian survives double OT to claim district
Andrei Vasilevskiy gets second straight shutout, sets team mark
Bulls fall to Temple in OT...again
Tiffany Greene goes from calling prep softball games to ESPN’s ranks
![Skating coach Tracy Tutton, seen working with Lightning players last summer, recently returned to offer tips to the team's stars. [DIRK SHADD | Times]](https://www.tampabay.com/storyimage/HI/20190216/ARTICLE/302169727/AR/0/AR-302169727.jpg&MaxW=576&ImageVersion=Rotator "Skating coach Tracy Tutton, seen working with Lightning players last summer, recently returned to offer tips to the team's stars. [DIRK SHADD | Times]")
Lightning revisit the basics with skating coaches
![Using Ryne Stanek as an opener has given people lots to talk about. [MONICA HERNDON | Times]](https://www.tampabay.com/storyimage/HI/20190216/ARTICLE/302169750/AR/0/AR-302169750.jpg&MaxW=576&ImageVersion=Rotator "Using Ryne Stanek as an opener has given people lots to talk about. [MONICA HERNDON | Times]")
Rays Tales: Are we really talking this much about the opener?
Seffner Christian survives double OT to claim district
Andrei Vasilevskiy gets second straight shutout, sets team mark
![Charlie Morton joins the Rays with a reputation as a good pitcher and an even better guy. [MARC TOPKIN | Times]](https://www.tampabay.com/storyimage/HI/20190216/ARTICLE/302169805/AR/0/AR-302169805.jpg&MaxW=576&ImageVersion=Rotator "Charlie Morton joins the Rays with a reputation as a good pitcher and an even better guy. [MARC TOPKIN | Times]")
Did you hear this one about new Rays pitcher Charlie Morton ...
Bulls fall to Temple in OT...again
Shorecrest boys make first state soccer final
Sports on TV/radio for Sunday, Feb. 17
Arts & Entertainment
Bar review: New Splitsville fits Sparkman Wharf
Local craft beer of the week: The Hound Farmhouse IPA, Southern Lights Brewing Company
Things to do in Pasco and Hernando counties starting Feb. 22
![With the Gasparilla Festival of the Arts approaching on March 2 and 3 at Curtis Hixon Park, festival officials announced Wednesday that the event will change venues next year. For its 50th anniversary in 2020, the festival will move to Julian B. Lane Waterfront Park. [JAMES BORCHUCK | Times]](https://www.tampabay.com/storyimage/HI/20190215/ARTICLE/190219762/AR/0/AR-190219762.jpg&MaxW=576&ImageVersion=Rotator "With the Gasparilla Festival of the Arts approaching on March 2 and 3 at Curtis Hixon Park, festival officials announced Wednesday that the event will change venues next year. For its 50th anniversary in 2020, the festival will move to Julian B. Lane Waterfront Park. [JAMES BORCHUCK | Times]")
Gasparilla Festival of the Arts moving to a new location in 2020
Life of the Party podcast: ASMR videos, publishing scandals and new music you should be listening to
SoundBytes: Blueface, Lecrae, DJ Jazzy Jeff, Lovelytheband and more
Forgotten New Port Richey sculpture gets a cleaning and new introduction at Locals Night
Review: Powerful production of ‘Hamilton’ at the Straz in Tampa worth the wait
Top things to do in Tampa Bay for Friday, Feb. 15
Cash Lambert’s ‘Waves of Healing’ shaped by author’s admiration for Tom Wolfe