Power outage reported in Wesley Chapel

WESLEY CHAPEL -- A power outage has been reported near State Road 54 and Saddlebrook, according to the Pasco County Sheriff's Office.

Deputies: Woman tried to ram sheriff's cruiser

CLEARWATER -- Pinellas deputies knocked a car driven by a St. Petersburg woman off the road early this morning and arrested her on charges that she tried to ram a sheriff's cruiser with a stolen car. But Elizabeth Ann Johnston told deputies she knew the owner -- and that she had traded crack cocaine for the car.

Woman accused of car chase with kid in car

TREASURE ISLAND -- Lamesha Nikole Ware had her driver's license revoked three years ago. But Treasure Island officers say that didn't stop the St. Petersburg mother from leading them on a brief car chase Sunday night or taking her 6-year-old daughter along for the ride.

Three-car crash blocks lanes in St. Petersburg

ST. PETERSBURG -- A three-car collision has caused a lane blockage at 34th Avenue N and 49th Street N, according to a 911 dispatcher.

Father-daughter team charged with passing fake $20s

TAMPA -- The Margarita Mama's bartender knew there was something wrong with the $20 bill the woman handed her. And by 10:20 p.m., her 21-year-old customer, Lisa J. Work, was in police custody. So was her father.

Man accused of raping, kidnapping relative

TAMPA -- A 49-year-old Tampa man who was released from prison in August was arrested this morning, accused of kidnapping a female relative, then driving her to a pasture, where deputies say he beat and raped her.

More county workers laid off in Hernando

BROOKSVILLE -- Six workers in Hernando County's Development Department were laid off Monday due to the continuing slump in new construction.

Hernando band director faces suspension on sex charges

BROOKSVILLE -- Hernando Schools officials missed at least one flag that might have tipped them off to potential wrongdoing by a teacher who was arrested last week on sex charges.

Photo: Tarpon Springs prepares for Epiphany with blessing of the fleet

Sponge boat captain Mihail Skyllas, left, is blessed by Father Ioannis Karokos this afternoon, with the assistance of acolyte Valantis Kouros, right, at the Tarpon Springs Sponge Docks on the Anclote River. Fishermen, their vessels and the water were blessed, to encourage safe and prosperous journeys. In Tarpon Springs, with its large Greek Orthodox community, the religious celebration is always preceded by the blessing of the fishing fleet. Epiphany is celebrated around the world tomorrow. [DOUGLAS R. CLIFFORD | Times]

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Newborn deaths, boat deaths hit highs for manatees in 2008

ST. PETERSBURG -- State biologists reported today that they hauled in a total of 337 manatee carcasses last year and a record number were newborns.