It’s a skirt! It’s a hula hoop! It’s a bike tire?

A year ago, a manatee went viral after he was spotted with a bike tire wrapped around his torso.

Now the manatee—named Wheelie—has freed himself.

• According to videos uploaded by Save the Manatee Club, Wheelie was spotted swimming tire-free around Blue Spring State Park.

• While the tire caused deep scars, the club says the manatee appears healthy otherwise.

The club says Wheelie was able to break free after he was hit by a boat’s propeller that weakened the tire. 

Snowed-in: Permit pulled at snow park

Snowcat Ridge, Florida’s first snow park, has hit yet another bump in the road. Less than a month after opening, the amusement park had to shut down this week after Pasco officials noticed a number of permit violations.

• According to the county inspector, the park had exposed electrical boxes, power cords in wet areas, and unsafe plumbing.

• In November, the park had to close its Arctic Igloo attraction due to lack of snow. 

The county said the park will not be allowed to reopen until all of the permit violations have been addressed. 

Invasive lizard species spreads throughout Florida

The Peter’s rock agama lizard, an invasive species from Africa, has been spotted throughout the state, even as far south as the Keys. 

• The red-headed lizard is a danger to the local environment as it has a rapacious appetite for insects––particularly butterflies––which are integral to a healthy biome. 

• Florida is known to have the most non-native species of reptiles in the world. 

Scientists are now trying to study the lizard in-depth to develop strategies to mitigate its impact on the environment. 

St. Pete’s Finest to receive body cams early 2021

The St. Petersburg Police Department announced that every uniformed officer will be required to wear a body camera while on-duty starting in the new year. 

• According to the department, all 386 of its officers are currently undergoing training in order to properly use the cameras. 

• The department had been mulling over the decision since 2014, but it took the George Floyd protests to push the policy into place. 

The body-cam program will cost the city around $7 million over the next five years.

Tampa homeless charity to receive 5 million Bezos Bucks!

Jeff Bezos, who started Amazon, had pledged to donate $5 million to the local nonprofit St. Vincent de Paul CARES. 

• The nonprofit has helped homeless families find permanent housing for the past 60 years. 

• The money will go towards finding life-long homes for 400 Tampa families. 

The head of the nonprofit, Michael Raposa, said Bezos’ generosity was invaluable, but only a fraction of what is needed to really address the issue of homelessness in the area.