Free Republic

A Kosovo-born man was charged with plotting to attack Tampa-area nightclubs and a sheriff’s office with bombs and an assault rifle to avenge wrongs done to Muslims, federal authorities said Monday. According to a federal complaint, 25-year-old Sami Osmakac recorded an eight-minute video shortly before his arrest explaining why he wanted to bring terror to his “victims’ hearts” in the Tampa Bay area. Osmakac is a naturalized American citizen born in Kosovo, then part of the former Yugoslavia in eastern Europe. In the video, Osmakac is seen cross-legged on the floor with a pistol in his hand and an AK-47...

Another shooting situation caught on camera — this time in Tampa, after a security guard got into an altercation with a group of men leaving the Ybor City parking garage. Everoy Farqharson, 31, employed by private security firm Farqharson confronted victims about urinating in parking garage Farqharson accused of firing gunshots at people in garage Officers arrested security guard Everoy Farqharson and charged him with two counts of aggravated assault with a firearm and battery. He was also charged with tampering with evidence and burglary of a conveyance for unlawfully entering the victim's car and removing shell casings from the...

Some people who know Republican presumptive presidential nominee Donald Trump say he has two aspects: a thoughtful, charming private demeanor and an impulsive, inflammatory public persona. But now, two public images of Mr. Trump appear to be emerging: the scripted candidate who affirms conservative ideals and attacks presumptive Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton, and the free-wheeling headliner at rallies who seems willing to hurl insults at any and all, even within his own party. The latter public version of Mr. Trump showed up on Saturday at campaign stops in Tampa, Fl., and Pittsburgh, Pa., offering a stark contrast from the more-restrained...

Wow! Here is Pastor Mark Burns introducing Donald Trump at his Tampa, Florida rally today. Pastor Burns brought the house down with a barn-burner of a speech. He forcefully spoke for Trump and slammed Hillary Clinton as a real “racist.” Burns said Clinton “panders” on the basis of race “to steal their votes.” Under Trump, Burns said the only colors that will matter are “the red, white and blue.” Donald Trump should put this man FRONT and CENTER to speak for him all across America! He should speak at the Republican Convention in prime time! . . . .

Saturday, June 11, 2016 -Tampa, FL-Tampa Convention Center-11:00 AM Donald J. Trump for President Rally Doors Open: 8:00 AM Tampa Bay, Fl Tampa Convention Center Saturday, June 11, 2016 -Pittsburgh, PA-Atlantic Aviation 3:00 PM-Donald J. Trump for President Rally Doors Open at 12:00 PM Pittsburgh, PA Atlantic Aviation

In a humbling chapter of an exemplary career, David Petraeus – a West Point grad who went on to command U.S. forces in Iraq and Afghanistan before becoming the nation’s top spy – pleaded guilty Thursday in federal court to sharing classified information. Under a plea agreement, Petraeus was to be sentenced by U.S. Magistrate Judge David Keesler to two years’ probation and a $40,000 fine. As Kessler moved through the methodical proceedings, Petraeus answered questions in strong voice, one accustomed to addressing troops and congressmen. Patraeus was sentenced in Charlotte, the city where the security breach was discovered as...

AVON PARK (FOX 13) - The Highlands County Sheriff's Office said it has arrested a suspect in the shooting that left an adult and child injured on Saturday. The victims, one being only 5 years old, were attending a 'Stop the Violence' community event at Aline McWhite Park when they were hit by gunfire around 5:30 p.m. Deputies said it was a group of men near the park who began firing shots for unknown reasons. People attending the event at the park ran from the gunfire, but the child and a 20-year-old woman were shot.

TAMPA — The Tampa Bay Times, Florida's largest newspaper, on Tuesday purchased the Tampa Tribune from Revolution Capital Group, saying it intends to create one financially secure, locally owned daily newspaper in the Tampa Bay region. "The continued competition between the newspapers was threatening to both," Tash said in a statement. "There are very few cities that are able to sustain more than one daily newspaper, and the Tampa Bay region is not among them." At a subsequent news conference, Tash noted that people today get their news from an almost infinite variety of sources. "There are many, many voices...

Domesticated swine and Western Civilization go back a long way together. The domestic pig was being raised in Europe by about 1500 BC. Rome improved pig breeding and spread them throughout their empire. The early Christians increasingly abandoned the Jewish ban on the eating of pork by about 50 AD and it’s been the celebrated ‘other white meat’ ever since. Pigs and the discovery of the New World went hand in hand. Christopher Columbus took eight pigs on his voyage to Cuba in 1493 at Queen Isabella’s insistence. Hernando de Soto brought America’s first thirteen pigs to Tampa Bay, Fla.,...

Hernando De Soto's route through Florida is as elusive to modern archaeologists as the gold the famed Spanish explorer sought throughout the southeastern United States. Ever since De Soto's 600 men set foot on the shores of Tampa Bay, arriving from Cuba almost 500 years ago, historians have debated the exact direction of his failed treasure-hunting expeditions as far north as Tennessee and North Carolina. But in north Marion County, an archaeologist has found what his contemporaries deem rarer than the gold De Soto was seeking — physical evidence of the explorer's precise journey through Marion County and enough information...

The sixteenth century Spaniard, Hernando de Soto, is remembered by historians for his exploration of the southeastern United States, which began in Florida. A former mercenary soldier in the conquest of Central and South America, he hoped to increase his notoriety and fortune by leading an expedition through parts of North America. In the end, De Soto’s army spent over four years and covered 4,000 miles in its quest for gold and new territory to colonize. Neither resulted from his efforts. With approval from the Spanish Crown, De Soto assembled his expedition. He financed the endeavor himself with the understanding...

it is height of irresponsibility and neglect for anybody in a position of authority not to recognize that Florida will be the most at risk from climate change any of our states

For a campaign frequently depicted as offering a rallying point for the white working class, the people volunteering to help Mr. Trump here are noteworthy for their ethnic diversity. They include a young woman who recently arrived from Peru; an immigrant from the Philippines; a 70-year-old Lakota Indian; a teenage son of Russian immigrants; a Mexican-American. They range the political spectrum, too, from lifelong Democrat to independent to libertarian to conservative Republican. To a person, they condemned and sometimes ridiculed David Duke and other white supremacists who have noisily backed Mr. Trump. “I totally do not agree with them,” said...

Monday, March 14, 2016: GOP Presidential candidate Donald Trump will hold a campaign rally in Hickory, NC at Lenoir-Rhyne University. The event is scheduled to begin at 10:00 AM EDT. Monday, March 14, 2016: GOP Presidential candidate Donald Trump will hold a town hall event in Tampa, FL at the Tampa Convention Center. The event is scheduled to begin at 2:00 PM EDT. Monday, March 14, 2016: GOP Presidential candidate Donald Trump will hold a campaign rally rally in Youngstown, OH at Winner Aviation. The event is scheduled to begin at 6:00 PM EDT.

Nicole O’Kelly couldn’t believe it when she heard the stuffed toy she bought for her daughter at Monster Jam may have a symbol meant for pedophiles. “I’m absolutely sick. I bought this for my 2-year-old little girl. This toy was made for little girls. I wanted answers,” O’Kelly said. When she got the answers as to why there was a strange heart symbol on her daughter’s stuffed toy truck she nearly threw up. The souvenir recently purchased at a Monster Jam event held a sick secret; a disgusting calling card for creeps. The heart on the toy was a symbol...

Donald J. Trump Town Hall in Tampa, FL (Mon 3/14) Doors open at 11:00 AM WHEN Monday, March 14, 2016 at 2:00 PM (EDT) WHERE Tampa Convention Center - 333 South Franklin Street, Tampa, Florida

TAMPA (FOX 13) - Beyonce has taken a lot of heat for her new song "Formation," which critics claim has an anti-cop message. Some Tampa Police officers might agree, if the request to work her upcoming Tampa concert is any indication. No one has agreed to do it. Typically, officers who are off-duty agree to work concerts and sporting events at the venue for extra income, but none have signed up to work security for Beyonce's upcoming concert on April 29 at Raymond James Stadium. The concert is expected to be a sold-out show, so not staffing the event with...

Video at the link.

Tossed over the transom by an anonymous (and very reputable) source: Do you know who the woman on the left is? Her name is Jill Kelley. She's from Tampa. Do you remember the Petraeus story and Paula Broadwell emailing the "other woman"? In 2012, Kelley, a Florida socialite with connections to diplomatic and military circles, issued a complaint to the FBI in May 2012 over a series of anonymous stalking e-mails she had received. The threatening emails were traced to Paula Broadwell, the biographer that had an affair with General David Petraeus. Kelley became a focus of media coverage when...

TAMPA -- A suspect shot this morning after Tampa police said he attempted to drown an officer and a police K-9 has died of his injuries. Kobvey Igbuhay, 18, died at the hospital where he was taken after being shot during the altercation with an officer. Police said the altercation occurred after four suspects in a stolen car fled into a swampy area to elude police. Two other teens police said were in the stolen car and taken into custody were identified as Dominic Robles, 18, and Shakira Rodriguez, 18. Rodriguez was apprehended after hiding in the woods for more...