By Nick Ravins
Record Drug Seizure in Polk County
Seven people were arrested following the largest drug bust in Polk County history.
Authorities seized $9.5 million worth of drugs, including $4.9 million worth of heroin, in the drug trafficking operation.
The process of the drug bust began when deputies learned methamphetamine was being sent to Polk County by mail from southern California.
Undercover detectives then bought 100 pounds of “Mexican methamphetamine” from a supplier based in California.
A total of five and a half kilos of heroin worth an estimated $4.9 million were seized during the investigation, which was dubbed “Operation Trifecta.”
Plant City Police Officers Identified
New information has been released this evening about two Plant City police officers who gunned down an unarmed driver.
The driver had stolen the car, and the officers were backed up against a fence that they said they did not have time to scale.
The two officers shot the 25-year-old man in front of his grandmother’s house on Spooner Drive. The officers claim the man drove at them and they feared for their lives.
Plant City Police identified the officers as Corporal Gerald Baker and officer Christian Lopez. The officers have been placed on administrative leave pending an investigation.
Excavation crews began an expanded search for additional Zion Cemetery graves today.
Sunstate Wreckers has opened its property for ground penetrating radar scans. The crews will primarily be looking on the business corridor of north Florida Avenue.
About 144 forgotten graves have already been identified under Robles Park Village. Experts estimate that only about a quarter of the grave sites have been located so far.
Five apartment buildings will be torn down and a memorial will be built on the site.
It is believed that around 400-800 people were buried in Zion Cemetery.
USF Football Coach Charlie Strong Fired
A national search is now underway to find the next head coach of USF football.
The University of South Florida fired coach Charlie Strong on Sunday after three seasons in which the Bulls won fewer games each year.
USF just finished the season 4–8. The season ended with a 34–7 loss to Central Florida. The team will not play in a bowl game for the first time since 2014.
Vice President of Athletics Michael Kelly officially announced the decision at today’s press conference.
“This is more about now, how to we move forward, started immediately last night, in terms of moving forward with the search,” said Kelly.
Strong was in the third year of a five-year contract.
Enchant Christmas Maze Comes to St. Petersburg
Thanksgiving is over and the Christmas season is in full swing at Tropicana Field.
The world’s largest Christmas light maze, Enchant Christmas, has transformed the Ray’s stadium into a winter wonderland.
Christmas trees tower at 80 feet with larger than life ornaments. A Christmas market featuring artisan vendors and a food court with dozens of options are also on scene.
In addition to the Christmas light maze, the festivities also include an ice-skating trail with skate rentals available all day.
Enchant Christmas at Tropicana Field is open through December 29.
Credits:
- Anchor: Natalie Conkel
- Producer: Sonu Trivedi
- Director: Will Polston
- Technical Director: Nate Lovely
- Audio: Jacob Bemo
- Graphics: David Jones
- Prompter: Tristan Dodd
- Floor Manager: Jeslyn Santiago
- Camera Operator: Brianna Froncillo
- Reporter: Austin Peet
- Graduate Assistant: Emmanuel Maduneme
- Faculty Advisor: Catherine Gugerty, Jeanette Abrahamsen
