September 24, 2018
Here are the top stories to start your week.
Hillsborough County Deputy Murder-Suicide
A Hillsborough County sheriff deputy killed his wife before taking his own life in Land O’ Lakes early Monday morning. That’s according to the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office.
The Pasco County Sheriff’s Office found the bodies of Kirk Keithley and his wife Samantha in their home. The Sheriff’s Office reports that the two had gotten into an argument before their deaths.
The eldest of their four children called 911 after running out of the house and reporting gunshots. Their other children were also in the home and were unharmed.
Pasco County Sheriff Chris Rocco said that Keithley did not use his service weapon. Sheriff Rocco denounced domestic violence.
“Once you stop protecting people, we don’t consider you a law enforcement officer,” Rocco said.
Rocco asked for the public to pray for the children. Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister echoed the same sentiment.
“I ask that everyone join me and the rest of our office and pray for those innocent children who are left behind and have to pick up the pieces,” said Chronister.
Second Murder-Suicide
The Bay Area was shaken by another murder-suicide.
Three people are dead in Bradenton after a man killed his wife and daughter before killing himself Sunday.
According to the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office, James Bennett got into an argument with his wife Silvana before shooting her and her 16-year-old daughter Andrea Barberena-Rojas.
James Bennett’s mother Carla was also there and found them both dead.
Barberena-Rojas was still alive when paramedics arrived, but she later died of her injuries.
Carla’s 2-year-old granddaughter was also in the house at the time. She was unharmed.
Fire Outbreak
Two separate Bay Area schools dealt with fires today.
The first fire happened early morning at Lakewood High School in St. Petersburg. The fire broke out in the gymnasium before school started.
The second fire occurred in a bathroom at Explorer K-8 in Spring Hill. Students were evacuated.
A school resource officer and teacher were treated for minor smoke inhalation.
An investigation is underway to determine the cause.
Loans For Red Tide-Affected Businesses
Pinellas and Pasco Counties businesses affected by red tide can now apply for federal relief.
The Small Business Administration announced that affected businesses can apply for disaster loans up to $2 million.
This was made one month after Governor Rick Scott requested that aid be provided to these areas.
To apply for the loan, businesses must complete the form here: http://www.floridadisasterloan.org/.
Businesses are also encouraged to complete the Business Damage Assessment Survey before applying for loans, which can be found here: https://floridadisaster.biz/BusinessD…
Buccaneers Ring of Honor
Former Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Tony Dungy will be inducted into the organization’s Ring of Honor on Monday night’s game.
Dungy is the 12th inductee to the Ring of Honor. He coached the Bucs from 1996-2001.
He was dismissed the year before the team won its first and only Super Bowl. Dungy was also the defensive back coach for tonight’s opponents, the Pittsburgh Steelers, from 1981-1983.
The Bucs will be going for a 3-0 record tonight.
Anchor: Helen Leon
Prompter: Kaitlyn Hart
Audio: Angie Romero
Technical Director: Sherra Parent
Director: Kelsey Baker
Camera Operator: Nada Blassy
Floor Manager: Steven Carrandi
Graphics: Katlyn Brieskorn
Graduate Assistant: Kelsey Baker
Faculty Advisor: Cathy Gugerty
