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

69°F, Broken Clouds
Tuesday, January 22, 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
Today's paper
E-Newspaper

Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn denies the pirates from Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla the key to the city during the annual pirate invasion on Tuesday, January 22, 2019 in Tampa. The event marks the annual beginning to the Gasparilla festivities. [TAILYR IRVINE | Times]

Bob Buckhorn makes his last stand against Gasparilla pirates

Though feeble at first, Buckhorn stood firm in his final battle with pirates as Tampa's mayor.

The StarLite Sapphire yacht during the Gasparilla invasion in 2018. The Sapphire will sail from St. Petersburg to Tampa for the 2019 festivities. Tickets are available through StarLite Cruises. [Photo by Carlos Hernandez via StarLite Cruises]

How to get to Gasparilla without driving

Party buses, boats and ride-sharing apps offer an alternative to driving into the pirate-themed madness.

Philadelphia Phillies' Roy Halladay throws during practice at baseball spring training, Sunday, Feb. 19, 2012, in Clearwater. [MATT SLOCUM | AP ]

Yankees' Mariano Rivera, late Odessa resident Roy Halladay headline baseball Hall of Fame class

DH Edgar Martinez and pitcher Mike Mussina also were elected.

Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri chaired the commission that investigated the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. [Tampa Bay Times]

Gualtieri to lawmakers: schools need more armed staff, punish districts that move too slow

The Pinellas Sheriff, who chairs the commission charged with investigating the Parkland shooting, told the House Education committee on Tuesday that there is no sense of urgency in school districts …

BRONTE WITTPENN | Times
Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister releases information about the January 11 incident involving Deputy Philip J. Montesi when he struck and killed 15-year-old Josiah Pinner with his unmarked patrol vehicle during a press conference at Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office in Tampa on Tuesday, January 22, 2019. Chronister, who explained the information with a map, said that Montesi entered the intersection to catch up with his team during a surveillance mission when he struck Pinner in an attempt to avoid a bicyclist. He adds that both the bicyclist and Pinner were against the red light flow of traffic.

Sheriff: Undercover deputy who fatally struck Tampa teen was driving 21 mph over the posted speed limit

Deputy Philip J. Montesi was trying to catch up with a unit conducting mobile surveillance on a suspect at the time of the crash that killed Josiah Pinner, Sheriff Chad Chronister said Tuesday.

Pinellas County lets Clearwater pursue a $40 million request for Phillies stadium overhaul. Reluctantly.

County commissioners express reservations about spending that much on the stadium

Tampa Bay authors Lisa Unger, Michael Connelly and James Swain up for mystery book awards

Unger is nominated for two Edgars. The National Book Critics Circle also announced its literary awards finalists.

One sniff of smelling salts and the Lightning is hooked

A whiff of greatness? Perhaps, or the team�s smelling salts ritual is just that. Routine and steeped in superstition.

https://www.tampabay.com/storyimage/HI/20190122/ARTICLE/301229847/AR/0/AR-301229847.jpg

Blood and Truth podcast: Chapter five - DNA denied

Despite multiple pleas from appeals attorneys, Florida keeps fighting requests

https://www.tampabay.com/storyimage/HI/20190122/ARTICLE/190129960/TS/1/TS-190129960.jpg

Is St. Pete ready for a 50-story skyscraper on Central Avenue?

The 400 block of Central Avenue has never seen a building as tall as the Red Apple Group's proposed tower. Some aren’t ready for that kind of development.

Latest

Yankees' Mariano Rivera, late Odessa resident Roy Halladay headline baseball Hall of Fame class

Never mind: ‘Big mistake’ cited as USF St. Pete takes back 430 admission letters

It�s hard to stomach a Hall with Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens in it

Gov. DeSantis appoints Carlos Mu�iz to Florida Supreme Court

Pinellas County lets Clearwater pursue a $40 million request for Phillies stadium overhaul. Reluctantly.

Florida Republicans didn�t sign letter on dirty water

More latest stories

Most read

Advertisement

House Promo

MUGSHOTS

Spotlight

Michael Gattuso digs a hole in front of Stacie Hunt and Erin Melcher in an area where Gattuso’s metal detector read “gold.” Gattuso leads a group called the The Real Treasure Hunters who spend weekends hiking wilderness near the Peace River in search of treasure they believe was left by Jose Gaspar. BRONTE WITTPENN | Times

Is Gasparilla’s treasure real? We went with these friends to find it.

A group of amateur treasure hunters are searching for Jose Gaspar’s treasure. Does it matter that the legendary pirate didn’t exist?

The historic Stovall-Lee House on Bayshore Boulevard in Tampa. [Courtesy of Coldwell Banker]

The 25 most expensive homes sold around Tampa Bay in 2018

Many of them are on the water and the cheapest sold for $3.45 million.

Gov. Ron DeSantis, right, speaks during a press conference Thursday with Winter Park Mayor Steve Leary, left, and John Morgan, center, about his plan to pressure state legislators and give them a mid March deadline to repeal a law that prohibits smokable forms of medical marijuana at Kraft Azalea Garden in Winter Park. (Photo by Willie J. Allen Jr.)

Ron DeSantis goes shock-and-awe in his first 10 days as Florida governor

In less than two weeks, he�s offered a clear view of how he intends to govern.

Col. Brian Laidlaw, commander of the 325th Wing at Tyndall Air Force Base, draws crowd to the Jan. 11 meeting of the Bay County and Panama City Beach Chambers of Commerce. About 40 percent of the Bay County economy depends upon the military. [TAILYR IRVINE | Times]

Tyndall Air Force base finds new mission with the billions to be spent repairing hurricane damage

As elected officials and Air Force leaders seek billions to rebuild, the Pentagon says all bases should consider planning for future storms. Next month, the Air Force will visit to begin planning its …

Kiley Garden, the Rivergate Tower and Tropicana Field [Times archives]

We asked, you answered: These are the Tampa Bay eyesores you love to hate

Here are stories behind some of Tampa Bay�s oddest buildings and landmarks

Viewpoints

A close up of a cancerous spot in a woman's breast at Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa. [TAILYR IRVINE | Times]

Editorial: Milestone in the long cancer fight

Edgar Martinez is in his final year of eligibility to elected to the Hall of Fame. (Associated Press)

How this year�s Hall debate became all about Edgar Martinez

Graham Brink - Times Staff Writer

Times Staff Writer

Privatizing the Pinellas tourism agency fraught with drawbacks

John Romano - Times Staff Writer

Times Staff Writer

Super Bowl matchup determined on a coin flip, there�s your real outrage

Ernest Hooper - Times Staff Writer

Times Staff Writer

Hooper: Spelman’s president schools us all at Tampa MLK Breakfast

Sue Carlton - Times Staff Writer

Times Staff Writer

Carlton: So far, DeSantis is Gov. Not Scott

In Case You Missed It

Catch these spectacular images from Sunday night�s Super Blood Wolf Moon

This combination photo shows the totally eclipsed moon, center, and others at the different stages during a total lunar eclipse, as seen from Los Angeles, Sunday, Jan. 20, 2019. It was also the year's first supermoon, when a full moon appears a little bigger and brighter thanks to its slightly closer position. During totality, the moon will look red because of sunlight scattering off Earth's atmosphere. That's why an eclipsed moon is sometimes known as a blood moon. In January, the full moon is also sometimes known as the wolf moon or great spirit moon. (AP Photo/Ringo H.W. Chiu)

Students in 'MAGA' hats mock Native American after rally

In this Friday, Jan. 18, 2019 image made from video provided by the Survival Media Agency, a teenager wearing a

FHP: Driver with suspended license hits 80-year-old at Skyway toll stop

The Florida Highway Patrol said driver Brittnie Ann Kenyon, 26 (right), of Cape Coral, failed to stop so a toll worker could cross the toll lane on Saturday at the southbound Sunshine Skyway Bridge toll stop. She ended up hitting Elaine Wyman, 80 (left), of Palm Harbor. The toll worker was taken to the hospital with minor injuries. The driver was later cited. [Florida Highway Patrol]

Bucs will play the Carolina Panthers in England in 2019

The Bucs take the field before an NFL International Series game against the New England Patriots in 2009 at Wembley Stadium in London, England. [Photo by Elsa/Getty Images]

Special Reports

https://www.tampabay.com/storyimage/HI/20181217/ARTICLE/181219672/AR/0/0/AR-181219672.jpg

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?

https://www.tampabay.com/storyimage/HI/20181127/ARTICLE/181129703/AR/0/0/AR-181129703.jpg

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.

https://www.tampabay.com/storyimage/HI/20181221/ARTICLE/312209559/AR/0/0/AR-312209559.jpg

CareerSource: Read the entire investigation

They took credit for finding jobs for thousands of people who never sought help.

https://www.tampabay.com/storyimage/HI/20181125/ARTICLE/181129803/AR/0/0/AR-181129803.jpg

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.

https://www.tampabay.com/storyimage/HI/20181121/ARTICLE/181129912/AR/0/0/AR-181129912.jpg

The campaign is over. The candidate might be dead. But the spending never stops.

In their political afterlife, former politicians and their staffers are hoarding unspent campaign donations for years and using them to finance their lifestyles, advance new careers and pay family…

Sections

News

About 430 soon-to-be high school graduates across Pinellas County received an erroneous email Saturday saying they had been accepted to the University of South Florida St. Petersburg. Chancellor Martin Tadlock blamed “human error” in the admissions office, which resulted in 680 applicants receiving an acceptance email while only 250 of them have actually been admitted. [SCOTT KEELER | Times]

Never mind: ‘Big mistake’ cited as USF St. Pete takes back 430 admission letters

This home in Tampa’s gated Avila community sold in December for $2.7 million, making it Hillsborough County’s priciest sale of the month. [Courtesy of Susan Carnes/ Fast-Pix]

Sales of Tampa Bay homes plunge in December

Gas prices in Tampa Bay rose 10 cents over the week, according to AAA, The Auto Club Group. Pictured is a man filling up gas in St. Petersburg in 2017. [DIRK SHADD | Times (2017)]

Tampa Bay gas prices jump 10 cents over the week

Parade attendees watch the Port Richey marching band during the annual Martin Luther King Jr. parade in downtown Brooksville on Monday. BRONTE WITTPENN | Times

Sunny skies shine on Brooksville parade

The Holland America ship Rotterdam, seen here on a Caribbean cruise in December, is being redeployed away from Tampa after April. Photo courtesy Margo Keesler

Holland America drops Tampa as cruise ship port, but maybe not forever

Tampa mayoral candidates gathered for a lunchtime forum Tuesday at the University Club in downtown Tampa.

Forumpalooza starts off in Tampa mayoral race with a return to sparring

Marchers make their way down Pine Hill Road in Port Richey during the Martin Luther King Jr. celebration sponsored by the African American Club of Pasco. The symbolic march was part of a celebration that also featured speakers, musical performances and a play about the life of Martin Luther King Jr. MICHELE MILLER | Times

African American Club welcomes all with symbolic march and Dr. Martin Luther King's uniting message

Photo courtesy of Geneva Johnson
In Gulfport, good things come in small packages. Like Vintage Small Bites and Wine Lounge, which seats four or six comfortably.

Bar review: Take advantage of a quaint Vintage

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

News at noon: Gov. DeSantis appoints Carlos Muñiz to Florida Supreme Court; Pam Bondi headed to Washington to work with lobbying firm; and more

In this May 5, 2017, file photo, Dave Matthews performs at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival in New Orleans. (Photo by Amy Harris/Invision/AP, File)

Dave Matthews Band coming to the MidFlorida Credit Union Amphitheatre in Tampa

More from this section

Today's Featured Advertisers

Sports

Barry Bonds (Associated Press)

It�s hard to stomach a Hall with Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens in it

https://www.tampabay.com/storyimage/HI/20190120/ARTICLE/301209727/AR/0/AR-301209727.jpg

Super Bowl LIII preview: The Patriots do not care if you are tired of them

Blake Snell (4) relaxes in the dugout during a game against the Washington Nationals in June at Tropicana Field. [CHRIS URSO | Times]

How Rays' Blake Snell has been spending his off-season

Tampa Catholic's Kobe Knox drives to the basket against Tampa Prep earlier this season. (SCOTT PURKS | Special to the Times)

HomeTeam 15: Boys basketball power rankings for Tampa Bay

Robinson senior Macy McClintock shares a light moment with Alonso senior Idalys Acosta moments after McClintock was presented the Bill Minahan award, given every year to an outstanding flag football player, who also excels off the field. (SCOTT PURKS | Special to the Times)

Macy McClintock, Tre Everett receive Minahan awards

The Tampa Bay Lightning girls participated in last year's Gasparilla Pirate Invasion, which coincided with Tampa hosting the NHL All-Star Game. But forward J.T. Miller, who wasn't acquired from the New York Rangers until February, will experience his first Gasparilla this Saturday.

Lightning plans to break from hockey during bye

Former New York Yankees closer Mariano Rivera, center, celebrates with teammates after Rivera tied the Major League Baseball all-time saves record in 2011. [AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Darren Calabrese]

Sports Day Tampa Bay podcast: Marc Topkin on Baseball Hall of Fame vote, Evan Longoria�s comments, more

MONICA HERNDON | TimesMiami Hurricanes defensive coordinator Manny Diaz on the sidelines during the third quarter of the game between the Virginia Tech Hokies and Miami Hurricanes in Miami, Fla. on Saturday, Nov. 4, 2017.

�Manny Diaz is a computer�

United States' Danielle Collins celebrates after defeating Russia's Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova in their quarterfinal match at the Australian Open tennis championships in Melbourne, Australia, Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2019. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)

St. Petersburg�s Danielle Collins reaches Australian Open semifinals

Sports on TV/radio for Tuesday, Jan. 22

OCTAVIO JONES | Times USF Bulls forward Mayan Kiir (20) blocks the shot of Houston Cougars guard Corey Davis Jr. (5) during the first half at the Yuengling Center in Tampa, Florida on Saturday, January 19, 2019.

Bulls try to end 3-game skid vs. Shockers

Seminole High basketball player Parker Conitz is averaging 21.9 points per game so far this season. (Courtesy of Seminole High)

HomeTeam Hot Shot winners: Parker Conitz and Milahnie Perry

More from this section

Arts & Entertainment

Straz Center
Abigail and Shaun Bengson, the creators and stars of Hundred Days, build on a true story with folk-punk music to answer the question, “What would you do if you knew you had 100 days to live?”

Top things to do in Tampa Bay for Wednesday, Jan. 23

Leni Steinhardt, 16, reads from a new book called

'I still weep': Parkland survivors write book on shooting

ALESSANDRA DA PRA | Times
The pirates of Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla are seen aboard the Jose Gasparilla pirate ship on its way up the Seddon Channel to the Tampa Convention Center during the annual Pirate Invasion marking the beginning of the Gasparilla festivities on Saturday, Jan. 27, 2018, in Tampa, Fla.

Top things to do in Tampa Bay for Jan. 22 to 27

Netflix scored its first best picture Oscar nod for its film “Roma.” [Bloomberg]

Academy Awards: 'Roma,' 'The Favourite' lead Oscar nominations with 10 nods a piece

ALESSANDRA DA PRA | Times (2018)
The annual Gasparilla Parade of Pirates along Bayshore Boulevard on Saturday is expected to draw more than 300,000.

Everything you need to know for Gasparilla 2019

For the past four years or so, Kondo, a professional organizer from Japan, has been on the march. (Denise Crew/Netflix/TNS) 1263043

Life of the Party podcast: Spark joy with Marie Kondo

The Florida Aquarium is offering free admission to furloughed government workers until the shutdown is over.
Times files

Straz, Florida Aquarium also offering free tickets for furloughed workers.

Times (2015)
Elaborate wagons like this are a common sight during the Gasparilla Children’s Parade. It returns to Bayshore Boulevard Jan. 19.

Top things to do this weekend in Tampa Bay: Gasparilla for kids, illusionists

Now 30 years into his career TobyMac, born Toby McKeehan, continues to sell out shows. His solo career includes eight albums and three Grammy Awards. [Photo courtesy of CMA Media Promotions]

TobyMac: 'I will always have something to say'

Florida Georgia Line will perform at Tampa's MidFlorida Credit Union Amphitheatre on Aug. 30, 2019. Photo: Still Vika.

Tampa's Country Megaticket: Florida Georgia Line, Dierks Bentley, Rascal Flatts, more

More from this section