Issue #146: Hillsborough Pet Services Closed, Deputies Hunt New Tampa Suspect, Lifeguard Hero at Lido Beach

06/27/2024

Author

Ted Grellner
27 Jun

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Several interesting stories this morning for you.

Dr Ted
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In this issue of

NewTampa | WesleyChapel Local Pulse

 Local News

— Canine Flu Outbreak Forces Temporary Shutdown of Hillsborough County Pet Services

Crime

— Hillsborough County Deputies Seek Suspect in New Tampa Murder

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— Fortune Teller's Deception: $12,000 Robbery in Ruskin

— Off-Duty Lifeguard Saves Seven from Rip Current at Lido Beach

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Canine Flu Outbreak Forces Temporary Shutdown of Hillsborough County
Pet Services

The Humane Society of Tampa Bay (HSTB) and Hillsborough County Pet Resources are halting dog intake due to a canine influenza outbreak. Starting Tuesday, the Pet Resources Center will relocate dogs to a county location, closing until July 1 and resuming intake on July 14. HSTB will also stop accepting stray and owner-surrendered dogs for the first time in its history.

Both organizations made this decision after consulting experts and veterinarians. Dogs currently in care will be tested and treated.

HSTB offers free dog food for those caring for strays and $20 vaccines to build herd immunity. Despite the crisis, they will continue accepting stray cats, rabbits, pocket pets, and exotics.

Canine influenza is highly contagious, posing severe risks in shelter environments.

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Hillsborough County Deputies Seek Suspect in New Tampa Murder

A routine Monday in New Tampa turned tragic as a man was fatally shot at the busy intersection of Regents Park Drive and Bruce B. Downs Boulevard. The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office is actively searching for the suspect.

Witnesses described the chaos, with concerned citizens attempting CPR on the victim, identified as Kyle Prisco. A white Mercedes marked with evidence indicators was found at the scene, cordoned off with crime scene tape.

Sheriff’s office spokesperson Phil Martello expressed their commitment to finding the perpetrator and seeking justice for Prisco. The midday shooting has shocked the New Tampa community, with witnesses recounting the sound of gunshots and screeching tires.

Authorities urge anyone with information to contact the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office at 813-247-8200.

Fortune Teller's Deception: $12,000 Robbery in Ruskin

Hillsborough County deputies arrested Carola Mitchell, a 52-year-old fortune teller, for allegedly robbing a woman at gunpoint in Ruskin. On May 16, Mitchell reportedly stole $12,000 from a woman at her home on South Star Drive. Mitchell entered the home asking for directions and water, then brandished a gun and demanded money.

Surveillance footage linked Mitchell to a white Nissan Rouge with a fraudulent Texas license plate. The investigation led to her arrest on June 10 in Bradenton. Mitchell admitted to using her fortune-telling services to gain entry into victims' homes and rob them. She also confessed to using WhatsApp to obtain fake Texas tags.

Deputies are seeking a search warrant for Mitchell's phone, believing it contains evidence of her crimes and communications with other victims.

Off-Duty Lifeguard Saves Seven from Rip Current at Lido Beach

Off-duty Sarasota County lifeguard Mariano Martinez is hailed a hero for rescuing seven swimmers caught in a rip current at Lido Beach.

Alerted by the Pulse Point app, Martinez, a six-year Sarasota County veteran and seasoned lifeguard from Argentina, sprang into action Saturday afternoon during a storm. He swam over 200 yards with a rescue tube to reach nine distressed swimmers, two of whom had attempted rescues.

Martinez secured one swimmer with the tube, brought two others to shore, and returned multiple times with body boards to rescue all seven.

Six swimmers were evaluated, and one was treated and released by Sarasota County Fire Department personnel. Reflecting on the rescue, Martinez said, "You cannot explain when you are watching a person and their life is in your hands."

The Sarasota County Fire Department stresses the importance of swimming near lifeguards and knowing the dangers of rip currents.

One unexpected and striking fact about rip currents is that they can move at speeds of up to 8 feet per second, which is faster than an Olympic swimmer.

This makes them extremely dangerous and difficult to escape from if caught unaware.

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