![Meralys Velazquez, 32, died alongside her 5-year-old son Ethan, left, and 10-year-old daughter Sophia, center, when a fire broke out in their apartment building at the Captiva Club Apartments in Town ‘N Country early Wednesday. This photo was taken from her Facebook page, where the mother lists her name as Meralys Duque. [Facebook]](https://www.tampabay.com/storyimage/HI/20190517/ARTICLE/190519698/AR/0/AR-190519698.jpg&MaxW=576&ImageVersion=Rotator "Meralys Velazquez, 32, died alongside her 5-year-old son Ethan, left, and 10-year-old daughter Sophia, center, when a fire broke out in their apartment building at the Captiva Club Apartments in Town ‘N Country early Wednesday. This photo was taken from her Facebook page, where the mother lists her name as Meralys Duque. [Facebook]")
![Attorney Michael Minardi speaks with reporters Tuesday while flanked by his clients Joshua McAdams, left, and Taylor Bland-Ball, who are trying to convince a judge that they should be able to treat their son’s Noah leukemia with medical marijuana, not chemotherapy. [TONY MARRERO l Times]](https://www.tampabay.com/storyimage/HI/20190508/ARTICLE/190509659/AR/0/AR-190509659.jpg&MaxW=576&ImageVersion=Rotator "Attorney Michael Minardi speaks with reporters Tuesday while flanked by his clients Joshua McAdams, left, and Taylor Bland-Ball, who are trying to convince a judge that they should be able to treat their son’s Noah leukemia with medical marijuana, not chemotherapy. [TONY MARRERO l Times]")
![A 27-year-old Ruskin woman was fatally injured Tuesday evening while driving aggressively, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. She rolled her vehicle over on Interstate 75 with her two sons inside, troopers said. [FHP]](https://www.tampabay.com/storyimage/HI/20190507/ARTICLE/190509705/AR/0/AR-190509705.jpg&MaxW=576&ImageVersion=Rotator "A 27-year-old Ruskin woman was fatally injured Tuesday evening while driving aggressively, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. She rolled her vehicle over on Interstate 75 with her two sons inside, troopers said. [FHP]")
Latest
-
Driver hits pedestrian while both flee gunshots, Tampa police say
![Driver hits pedestrian while both flee gunshots, Tampa police say]( "Driver hits pedestrian while both flee gunshots, Tampa police say")
Gunfire rang out at Royal Supermarket, but police said the only one injured was a pedestrian trying to get away. -
Hillsborough teacher evokes strong reactions with public resignation
![Hillsborough teacher evokes strong reactions with public resignation]( "Hillsborough teacher evokes strong reactions with public resignation")
Bianca Goolsby ruffled feathers while the district brass say they’ve done their best at Jennings Middle School.
Advertisement
-
Jane Castor balances crash course in city government with charting her own course
![Jane Castor balances crash course in city government with charting her own course]( "Jane Castor balances crash course in city government with charting her own course")
Castor has been busy educating herself on the details of city government while preparing for a looming budget process and union negotiations. -
Blair Witch Project director will turn Ybor City into a horror hotbed
![Blair Witch Project director will turn Ybor City into a horror hotbed]( "Blair Witch Project director will turn Ybor City into a horror hotbed")
The community, including the Cuban Club, will become a production hub for horror projects this summer. -
Chicken Salad Chick comes to South Tampa
![Chicken Salad Chick comes to South Tampa]( "Chicken Salad Chick comes to South Tampa")
It will be the third Hillsborough location for the restaurant. A fourth is slated to open later this year in Brandon. -
Should Tampa turn over control of its Community Redevelopment Areas? Some new council members say yes
![Should Tampa turn over control of its Community Redevelopment Areas? Some new council members say yes]( "Should Tampa turn over control of its Community Redevelopment Areas? Some new council members say yes")
City staff now manage the nine Community Redevelopment Areas. New council members John Dingfelder and Bill Carlson think outsourcing may be better. -
Union officials question findings of county-funded study on firefighters' morale
![Union officials question findings of county-funded study on firefighters' morale]( "Union officials question findings of county-funded study on firefighters' morale")
Hillsborough administrators hired the "organizational analysis" at a cost to taxpayers of $186,000. -
Man crushed to death in Tampa while suspended in tree to trim branches
![Man crushed to death in Tampa while suspended in tree to trim branches]( "Man crushed to death in Tampa while suspended in tree to trim branches")
He was 30 feet in the air sawing when the incident occurred, Hillsborough Fire Rescue said. -
Hooper: Is it time to go on the defensive to preserve equality?
![Hooper: Is it time to go on the defensive to preserve equality?]( "Hooper: Is it time to go on the defensive to preserve equality?")
To think we might revert in any way to a dark passage in our history should unnerve every American. -
Giunta Middle School teacher arrested for slapping 13-year-old, deputies say
![Giunta Middle School teacher arrested for slapping 13-year-old, deputies say]( "Giunta Middle School teacher arrested for slapping 13-year-old, deputies say")
The 13-year-old and classmates said teacher Sheila Vakili, 63, slapped him because she believed he had used a derogatory term against her.
Today's Featured Advertisers
Advertisement
Advertisement