Police Officer Dies Stopping Wrong-Way Driver On I-75 | Patch PM

Here are some of the share-worthy stories from Florida Patches to talk about tonight:

Tampa Police Officer Died Protecting Others: Chief

A veteran Tampa Police officer died Tuesday when he veered his police cruiser into the path of a wrong-way driver on Interstate 75 to prevent the wrong-way driver from crashing into other cars on the highway.

Lottery Winners: Two Sarasota-Area Residents Win Big

There were two big Florida Lottery winners in the Sarasota area in March. A Sarasota woman won $2 million in a FL Lottery scratch-off game, while a Lakewood Ranch man won $50,000 in a special promotion.

Archaeologists Begin Excavating 2nd Lost Black Cemetery

Archaeologists have begun excavating the site of the former St. Matthew's Baptist Church cemetery in search of lost graves. This is the second cemetery to be excavated in Clearwater. In February, the city hired experts to excavate an unnamed segregation-era cemetery on Holt Avenue and Engman Street.

Floridians Share Their Pandemic Habits One Year Later: Survey

Patch asked Florida readers to share how they shop, socialize and travel one year into the pandemic. Guess where they're most comfortable going?

Carla Wallenda, Member Of Famed High-Wire Act, Dies At 85

Carla Wallenda, a member of "The Flying Wallendas" high-wire act and the last surviving child of the famed troupe's founder, has died at the age of 85 in Sarasota.

More Contagious COVID-19 Variant Surges Ahead Of FL Spring Break

As the number of new coronavirus cases reported daily in Florida declines — around 4,500 new cases were reported Tuesday, according to state data — the mutated and more contagious variant of the virus that originated in the United Kingdom remains a concern in the Sunshine State.

• FL To Lower Vaccine Eligibility Age To 60 Years Old March 15
• Texts Show Political Motives Behind Elite Vaccine Event: Report
• No Appointment Required For COVID-19 Vaccines At Center
• Walk-Up Vaccines Administered In Brandon At Community College
• Pinellas Sets Up New Clinic To Vaccinate Health Care Workers

Contribute your own content to Patch by signing up for an account and clicking the "Post on Patch" button at the top right of the site.

Also Worth a Look Today

• Resident Dies In Spring Hill House Fire
• Community Mourns Death Of Longtime Belleair Mayor, City Santa
• 1 Dead, 3 Injured In Drive-By Shooting In Clearwater
• Sex Offender Found In Pasco County After 21 Years On Run
• Firefighters Battle 2-Alarm Fire At Carrollwood Storage Facility
• Missing St. Petersburg Boy Found Safe: Police
• The Final 4, City Of St. Pete Narrows Down Trop Developer Firms
• 300 Jobs To Fill In Polk County And Plant City Through Agency
• Watch: Busch Gardens Introduces New Bright 'Spot' On Serengeti
• Motorcyclist Shoots At Delivery Truck In Road-Rage Incident
• Husband Kills Wife, Buries Body In Boynton Beach Backyard: Report
• Corrections Sergeant Killed In Crash In Indian Rocks Beach
• K-9s, Handlers Gather To Honor Sheriff's Dogs Who Died This Year
• Student Authors Book To Help Children Cope With Disabilities

Across America

• Couple Gets Vaccine On 50th Anniversary: U.S. Coronavirus Blog
• Adults Have Kids Burn Masks Outside Idaho Statehouse, Video Shows
• Watch: Drone Video Shows Blacktip Sharks Migration In Palm Beach
• North Jersey Mayor Talks About Her Unexpected Year: 'No Playbook'
• How To Shut Stalkers Out Of Your Tech: Tips From Consumer Reports