TAMPA, Fla. - A Floridian's worst nightmare: a battle between a dog and a gator, but it was no match for the dog's owner, who made sure her beloved pet was coming home and pulled her dog "Kona" from the alligator's grip.

"I saw the eyes. I saw it turning itself around towards us, and I started pulling Kona away, saying, 'Let's go.’ But she’s a really strong dog," described Kim Spencer.

What they're saying:

Within just a few seconds, a gator launched itself out of the lake near their house and towards her dog Kona, and with one chomp, had Kona’s entire head in its jaws.

READ: 2025 Atlantic hurricane season brings elevated risk of major landfalls, experts predict

"She’s facing it, it's facing her, and it jumped out and got her. She was in up to here; her whole head was inside its mouth. I stopped thinking and just dove on it, jumped on it and straddled it, as lady-like as that is, and was trying to pry its jaws open."

Spencer against a 6-foot-6 gator. And she won, opening its jaws from behind and freeing her fur baby.

"Its back was to me, so it made me just jump on. We just got lucky because just as quickly as it ran after us, it ran back into the water, and we were out of there."

Dig deeper:

Both Kim and Kona needed stitches but are now healing physically and emotionally.

"We are empty nesters; she's my baby, so I wasn’t ready to take on that mindset of an animal versus a human," Spencer said.

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Their story warns all parents to stay away and not feed wildlife in Florida neighborhoods.

"It could easily happen, and you might not be that lucky to get your child or your pet. Many people say they are more afraid of us than we are of them, clearly not the case."

The Source: FOX 13's Evyn Moon collected the information in this story.

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Tampa, FL (April 3, 2025) – A vehicle crash involving injuries blocked the left lane of southbound I-275 near mile marker 46 in Tampa Thursday morning, triggering traffic slowdowns and a rapid emergency response during the late rush hour.

Florida Highway Patrol received the call at 9:07 a.m. and arrived on scene by 9:16 a.m. Emergency medical personnel and fire rescue crews worked swiftly to provide on-site treatment to multiple individuals suffering from a variety of injuries. The extent of those injuries has not been publicly confirmed, and authorities have not yet released the number of vehicles involved in the crash.

The crash occurred on a busy stretch of I-275, a primary artery through Tampa that handles tens of thousands of vehicles daily. The left lane remained blocked as crews assisted the injured and worked to safely clear damaged vehicles from the roadway. Traffic in the area quickly began to build, with congestion stretching back toward Busch Blvd and beyond.

Although emergency crews were able to contain the scene within a single lane, motorists were advised to expect delays and use caution while passing through the area. The cause of the crash is currently under investigation, with authorities evaluating whether speed, distraction, or other factors may have played a role.

We send our thoughts to the individuals injured in this crash and wish them a full and speedy recovery.

Highway Crashes and Lane Blockages in Tampa

Major routes like I-275 are vital for Tampa’s commuters, business transport, and regional travel—but they’re also hotspots for high-speed collisions, particularly during peak driving hours. The crash today at mile marker 46, which led to a left-lane blockage, exemplifies the delicate balance between high volume traffic and roadway safety. Even a single-lane obstruction on a highway can trigger a domino effect of congestion and increase the risk of secondary accidents.

Crashes that occur in the middle of the morning commute often catch drivers off guard, especially when lanes become suddenly restricted or emergency vehicles enter the flow of traffic. Tampa’s fast-moving interstates require constant vigilance, and when an accident disrupts a single lane, drivers must quickly adapt or risk contributing to further collisions.

The rapid arrival of emergency crews in this case helped prevent further escalation and ensured that injured individuals received immediate care. However, recovery for those hurt in these types of crashes often extends far beyond the scene. Medical bills, lost work time, and insurance claims can all become overwhelming without the right support systems in place.

Injury crashes on highways also often involve complex liability questions. Multiple vehicles, high speeds, and changing lane dynamics mean that insurance investigations can take time—and outcomes can vary significantly depending on documentation and access to legal guidance.

For drivers across Tampa, this crash is another reminder of the importance of defensive driving and being prepared for sudden changes in traffic flow. Avoiding distractions, maintaining safe following distances, and adjusting speed in congested areas are all key to reducing crash risks on roads like I-275.

If you’ve been injured in a crash like the one on I-275, you may be entitled to support that helps you recover physically and financially. At Local Accident Reports, we connect crash victims with trusted resources—from medical professionals to legal support teams. Take action today and get the guidance you need to move forward with confidence.

Tampa, FL (April 4, 2025) – A crash resulting in injuries was reported early Friday afternoon at the intersection of W Hillsborough Ave and E Longboat Blvd in Tampa. According to the Florida Highway Patrol, the incident occurred around 12:16 p.m., and although the official arrival time has not been listed, authorities confirmed that the roadway was quickly cleared.

Emergency crews responded to the scene to assist individuals hurt in the crash. Paramedics evaluated and treated the injured, though the number of people involved and the severity of their injuries have not been disclosed at this time. Despite the injuries, no roadblock was reported, and traffic through the area remained open following the collision.

As of now, law enforcement officials have not released details about the cause of the crash or whether any citations were issued. Investigators are continuing to gather information to determine the circumstances behind the incident.

We send our well wishes to those injured and hope for a smooth and full recovery.

Traffic Safety on W Hillsborough Ave in Tampa

W Hillsborough Ave (State Road 580) is one of Tampa's most heavily traveled east-west corridors, connecting residential neighborhoods, commercial zones, and major intersections. The area near E Longboat Blvd, in particular, sees steady traffic throughout the day, making it a common location for crashes caused by sudden stops, merging conflicts, and distracted driving.

Friday’s injury crash serves as a reminder of the risks drivers face on busy city roads like Hillsborough Ave. Even incidents that don’t result in blocked lanes can still pose significant hazards—especially during midday hours when traffic density is high and visibility conditions may vary due to sun glare or nearby structures.

Injury collisions, even in seemingly minor fender-benders, can result in lingering physical effects such as back pain, whiplash, or soft tissue damage. Victims are encouraged to seek immediate medical attention following any crash, document the scene, and follow up with necessary legal or insurance steps.

As Tampa continues to grow, intersections and roadways like this one require extra caution and driver awareness to reduce the risk of injury-related crashes. Law enforcement officials will continue their investigation into the incident, and further updates may become available.

If you or a loved one was hurt in a crash at this Tampa intersection, know that resources and support are available to help you recover physically, emotionally, and financially.

In the aftermath of a crash, every moment matters. At Local Accident Reports, our mission is to provide timely updates and connect victims with trusted local resources. If you were injured in this W Hillsborough Ave crash in Tampa, reach out today to discover how we can help you take the next steps toward recovery.

> An updated list of all NFL Players from T.R. Robinson High School in Tampa, Florida

April 4, 2025

Here’s an up-to-date list of all NFL Players from T.R. Robinson High School in Tampa, Florida.

The list includes only those players who have played in an NFL game.

See where it ranks among other top schools in Florida here.

NFL Players from T.R. Robinson HS

Provided by Pro-Football-Reference.com

Experts at Colorado State University say there could be as many as nine hurricanes and four major hurricanes in the Atlantic this season.

Tiffany Razzano, Patch Staff

|Updated Fri, Apr 4, 2025 at 11:10 am ET

FLORIDA — An “above-average” 2025 Atlantic hurricane season, which starts June 1 and runs through Nov. 30, is expected with forecasters predicting 17 named storms and nine hurricanes, including four major hurricanes, according to a new report from Colorado State University.

The forecast is in line with other predictions for the upcoming hurricane season. The Climate Adaptation Center recently predicted 17 named storms, 10 hurricanes and five major hurricanes that are Category 3 or higher.

AccuWeather meteorologists also recently called for 13 to 15 named storms with seven to 10 hurricanes and three to five major hurricanes.

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There’s a 51 percent chance of at least one major hurricane making landfall on the entire continental U.S. coastline, CSU forecasters said. There’s a 26 percent chance of a storm making landfall on the U.S. East Coast, including the Florida peninsula south and east of Cedar Key, and a 33 percent chance of a hurricane hitting the U.S. Gulf Coast from the Florida Panhandle, west and north of Cedar Key.

Find out what's happening in Tampafor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Last year, there were 18 named storms, including five major hurricanes, according to the National Hurricane Center. Three named storms hit Florida’s Gulf Coast in 2024: Debby, Helene and Milton.

An average Atlantic hurricane season has 14 named storms — seven hurricanes, three of them major.

The predicted “above-normal activity” will be spurred by sea surface temperatures that are warmer than normal — though not as warm as last year at this time — in the eastern and central Atlantic, CSU said.

While there are currently La Niña conditions they’re likely to transition into ENSO (El Niño-Southern Oscillation) conditions within the next couple of months.

“A warmer-than-normal tropical Atlantic combined with likely ENSO neutral (or potential La Niña) conditions typically provides a more conducive dynamic and thermodynamic environment for hurricane formation and intensification,” according to the CSU report. “We anticipate an above-average probability for major hurricanes making landfall along the continental United States coastline and in the Caribbean.”

Forecasters added, “As with all hurricane seasons, coastal residents are reminded that it only takes one hurricane making landfall to make it an active season. Thorough preparations should be made every season, regardless of predicted activity.”

The names for storms in the 2025 hurricane season from the National Hurricane Center are: