Mar 6, 2019
Bank Robbed in Port Richey
The Pasco County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a robbery that occurred at the Synovus Bank in Port Richey.
The suspect demanded cash from a teller and fled in a white Chrysler Town and Country. The vehicle is an early 2000s model and is missing a front hub cap on the driver’s side.
The suspect is described as being between 50 and 60 years old and between 5’5″ and 5’8″. He is bald, has a stocky build and was last seen wearing a black shirt, tan jacket and khaki pants.
Detectives believe he may have also been involved in an incident at the Circle K store in New Port Richey the same day.
Crime Stoppers of Tampa Bay is offering a cash reward of up to $3,000 for information that will lead to the identification and arrest of the suspect.
Crime Stoppers can be contacted at 1-800-873-TIPS (8477). You can also report anonymously online or send a mobile tip through the P3 Tips Mobile app.
Mayor Buckhorn Endorsed Jane Castor
In a press conference, Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn endorsed Jane Castor in the race for the city’s next leader.
The former police chief won all but two precincts, both located in East Tampa. Castor won 48% of the vote, just shy of crossing the 50% threshold needed to avoid a runoff.
Castor will face David Straz in the runoff, who won 15.5% of the vote. The runoff election will be held on April 23. Early voting begins April 14.
Job Fair Held for Displaced Laser Spine Institute Workers
Physician Partners of America hosted a job fair for the former employees of the Laser Spine Institute of Tampa. Over 70 positions were available for the displaced employees at the job fair.
After the company abruptly closed its doors March 1, about 500 employees lost their jobs. The institute closed due to financial instability.
When the Laser Spine Institute closed, many patients lost their doctors. Physician Partners is also offering procedures for the former patients.
The job fair was held at 550 North Reo St., Tampa.
Missing: 116-year-old Church Bell
Hillsborough County investigators are looking for a suspect or suspects who stole a bell from the Christ Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Lutz. The bell was stolen between Feb. 3 and Feb. 24.
The church bell is 116-years-old and weighs over 100 pounds. It was tucked within oak trees on the church’s property.
A brass memorial plate reading “In memory of Nancy White” is also missing from a tree located next to the bell.
Members of the church believe that the bell was stolen by a group of people due to its size.
The bell had been moved in 1924 from the church’s old location in Lakeland. The bell had been in that location since 1903.
Anyone with information about the thefts should call the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office at 813-247-8200.
Tampa Ranked No. 12 Among Best Places to Live
Tampa was ranked twelfth out of 100 cities in Livability’s list of the “Top 100 Places to Live in America” for 2019.
More than 1,000 cities with populations between 20,000 and 1,000,000 were examined in the search. They were judged based upon eight categories: amenities, housing, economics, transportation and infrastructure, demographics, social and civic capital, education and health care.
Tampa scored high in the economics and amenities categories.
Over 1,000 millennials were surveyed as to what factors they saw as most important in deciding where to live. Affordability and job opportunities were among the top themes.
Anchor: Cyrena Sky
Producer: Sabrina Oliver
Director: Sabrina Oliver
Technical Director: Marybeth
Graphics: LeAnn Bohannon
Audio: Cheyenne Pagan
Prompter: Sonu Trivedi
Camera Operator: Collin Whitlock
Floor Manager: Celine Flieites
Teaching Assistant: Kelsey Baker
Graduate Assistant: Kelsey Baker
Faculty Advisor: Cathy Gugerty
