![David Freda, 33, a former Hernando Beach Volunteer Fire Department chief, will serve no time in prison after pleading no contest to grand theft charges on Wednesday. The photo on the left is from when the Hernando County Commission named him Volunteer Fire Chief of the Year in 2014. The photo on the right is from a 2018 arrest on a charge of battery in Pasco County. The charge was later dropped. [Times files]](https://www.tampabay.com/storyimage/HI/20190410/ARTICLE/190419935/AR/0/AR-190419935.jpg&MaxW=576&ImageVersion=Rotator "David Freda, 33, a former Hernando Beach Volunteer Fire Department chief, will serve no time in prison after pleading no contest to grand theft charges on Wednesday. The photo on the left is from when the Hernando County Commission named him Volunteer Fire Chief of the Year in 2014. The photo on the right is from a 2018 arrest on a charge of battery in Pasco County. The charge was later dropped. [Times files]")
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‘Intoxicated with power.’ Pasco sheriff, agency leaders accused of retaliation, suit says
![‘Intoxicated with power.’ Pasco sheriff, agency leaders accused of retaliation, suit says]( "‘Intoxicated with power.’ Pasco sheriff, agency leaders accused of retaliation, suit says")
A Pasco County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson says the agency is aware of the suit and those claims will be challenged in federal court. -
Driver, 18, arrested in hit-and-run that injured 17-year-old girl, say Clearwater police
![Driver, 18, arrested in hit-and-run that injured 17-year-old girl, say Clearwater police]( "Driver, 18, arrested in hit-and-run that injured 17-year-old girl, say Clearwater police")
The 18-year-old driver was tracked down and arrested after police said she struck a 17-year-old getting onto a school bus.
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Pinellas bus agency avoids route cuts — for now
![Pinellas bus agency avoids route cuts — for now]( "Pinellas bus agency avoids route cuts — for now")
The transit authority needs to find an additional $5 million by the summer to keep several routes serving hundreds of riders in service. -
Tampa woman drunkenly struck Davis Islands pedestrian, then drove off, police say
![Tampa woman drunkenly struck Davis Islands pedestrian, then drove off, police say]( "Tampa woman drunkenly struck Davis Islands pedestrian, then drove off, police say")
Danielle Swanson struck the man as he crossed a street on Davis Islands, according to Tampa police. The pedestrian did not suffer life-threatening injuries. -
Editorial cartoons for Thursday from Times wire service
![Editorial cartoons for Thursday from Times wire service]( "Editorial cartoons for Thursday from Times wire service")
Editorial cartoons for Thursday from Times wire service -
Homicide investigation starts after neighbor finds Tampa man dead
![Homicide investigation starts after neighbor finds Tampa man dead]( "Homicide investigation starts after neighbor finds Tampa man dead")
The neighbor found the dead man in a home along the 4300 block of W Oklahoma Avenue. Tampa police have released no other details. -
Remember the giant bird that killed its owner? It's now yours to buy.
![Remember the giant bird that killed its owner? It's now yours to buy.]( "Remember the giant bird that killed its owner? It's now yours to buy.")
The cassowary killed a 75-year-old man in Alachua on April 12. It's now being auctioned off. -
Tampa Bay metro area ranks No. 4 in country for highest energy use
![Tampa Bay metro area ranks No. 4 in country for highest energy use]( "Tampa Bay metro area ranks No. 4 in country for highest energy use")
According to a new study by home energy meter Sense, Tampa Bay ranked No. 4 for metro areas with the highest residential energy use. -
DeSantis orders execution for Bobby Joe Long, who killed at least eight women in the 1980s
![DeSantis orders execution for Bobby Joe Long, who killed at least eight women in the 1980s]( "DeSantis orders execution for Bobby Joe Long, who killed at least eight women in the 1980s")
The first death warrant signed by the new governor comes in a case from the Tampa Bay area. Long, 65, has been on death row almost 34 years. -
Town ‘N Country homeowner chases off home invaders with shotgun blast
![Town ‘N Country homeowner chases off home invaders with shotgun blast]( "Town ‘N Country homeowner chases off home invaders with shotgun blast")
Two men broke into the home, then retreated when the homeowner opened fire, according to the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office.
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