Vaping Bans
A new ordinance will ban vaping in parts of Hillsborough County. Hillsborough commissioners voted today to increase the legal vaping age from 18 to 21. The ordinance will make it illegal for anyone under 21 to possess vaping products.
The first offense for breaking the ordinance will be a $100 fine. The third offense can include a fine up to $500 and 60 days in jail.
This measure restricts people from vaping indoors or in any other place where smoking is not allowed. E-cigarettes are already illegal on Hillsborough County school campuses.
Shooting Threats
A 16-year-old girl was charged with making a false report concerning planting a bomb, an explosive, or a weapon of mass destruction. Hillsborough County deputies arrested the Lennard High School student.
Investigators have not found evidence that she had any means to carry out the threats. She is also accused of saying she wanted to build a death camp in the woods to make kids disappear.
After school security officials were notified, the sheriff’s office began an investigation.
Deputies say two witnesses who came forward Tuesday claim to have heard the girl saying she was “tired of the kids at school.”
Domestic Threats
A Clearwater woman survived after her ex-boyfriend stabbed her 32 times. Attacked with two different knives and left to die in the road, officials did not initially expect her to survive.
Dohme had to relearn how to perform basic functions such as eating, writing, walking and talking after going through multiple surgeries.
Tomorrow, Melissa Dohme will speak out against domestic violence at Pasco-Hernando State College.
Since surviving her attack on Jan. 24, 2012, she has dedicated her life to becoming a domestic violence prevention advocate. The public is invited to watch the “48-hour” show about Dohme tomorrow at the Porter Campus in Wesley Chapel starting at 12:30 p.m.
Puppy Adoption
More than 300 dogs were saved from an East Tampa breeding facility in mid-September. Now, these adorable puppies are almost ready for adoption.
The puppies have spent more than a month as evidence to be used in an animal cruelty case.
Hillsborough County officials are considering raising the adoption cost today. The increase was requested to prevent anyone from adopting and reselling them for profit.
Funds will also be used for medical equipment in future animal rescue and rehabilitation cases.
Volunteering for Vets
Habitat for Humanity is looking for volunteers ahead of Veteran’s Day.
Volunteers will spend the week helping seven local veterans in need of home repairs. Today, the nonprofit teamed up with individuals from MacDill Air Force Base to give Hyde Park’s Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7779 a makeover.
You can get involved with the Veterans Build Week of Service project by visiting the Habitat for Humanity of Hillsborough County website.
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