Kerouac’s St. Pete home sold to new owner

Throughout the latter half of the 1960s, Jack Kerouac lived in a St. Pete neighborhood until his death. Now the beatnik author’s family has sold his old home to a new owner for $360,000. 

• The new owners plan on turning his home into a writer’s retreat of some sort. They just want to make sure it will be accessible to the public. 

• No one has lived in the residence full-time since Kerouac’s death. Die-hard fans have broken into the home to hold parties in the author’s name. 

The new owners hope the house can be designated a historical landmark. Read more at Tampa Bay Times. 

Gun background checks at an all time high throughout Florida

As the pandemic and protests reached a fever pitch, Floridians began stocking up on guns. 

• The FBI processed more than 1.5 million background checks since the beginning of 2020. 

• According to the agency,  background checks started to climb in March as the coronavirus landed on our nation’s soil.

2020’s numbers have already shattered those from 2016 which soared shortly after President Donald Trump was elected into office. Read more at Creative Loafing Tampa. 

St. Pete’s Finest wrangles giant python 

A St. Petersburg police officer snatched up a six-foot long ball python that was slithering along a neighborhood park yesterday morning. 

• In a video shared by the department, Officer Paul Grata can be seen using a pole to prod the snake into a trashcan.

• The snake is not native to Florida and wildlife experts consider pythons to be an invasive species. 

Luckily the officer didn’t have to use lethal force, and the python is now going to a rehab facility for snakes in the area. Read more at Creative Loafing Tampa. 

Local firefighter pulled gun on woman after political fight

A Clearwater firefighter is in hot water after he choked and threatened to shoot a woman during a heated political argument. 

• According to the police report, Christopher Maine and the unnamed victim were drinking late into the night when Maine started choking the woman. Then he pulled out a gun.

• The fire department has now placed Maine on administrative leave.

After being arrested, Maine was charged with two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon among other charges. Read more at ABC Action News. 

City conducting recycling study to reduce contamination

Tampa officials are spearheading a study that will look into ways in which residents can reduce “contamination” in their recycling bins. 

• A study conducted in the past found that over a third of products in recycling bins were not in fact recyclable. 

• Over the years, it has become much more expensive for local governments to recycle waste due to shifts in the garbage industry. 

To combat this problem the city plans on creating outreach programs to educate residents about what can be recycled. Read more at Bay News 9.