'Fire-Breathing Duckies,' Serial Burglars, Judo for 64 Years, Olympic Diver

Here’s just a sampling of stories that posted in Brandon Patch for the week that ended Aug. 11. To review additional stories, go to Browse News for a listing of stories in chronological order. (Also, you can search there by month, with the links posted in the left-hand column.)

• The drew a large crowd of Greater Brandon residents interested in the wares and services of close to 100 vendors. The event is held annually by the FishHawk Area Networking Group (FANG). Coverage included an extensive .

• Brandon cheered for Olympian Chris Colwill, who as a youth developed his love of diving and early skills at the Brandon Sports & Aquatic Center. (See: .) Coverage included a video of Colwill's dives and his heartfelt message to his hometown fan base (). See also: .

• , a musical comedy about a Greek muse, Clio, who descends from Mt. Olympus to California's Venice Beach to inspire a struggling artist. Directed by Pedro Amaral, the show was staged at the Riverview High School auditorium. 

• . Brandon Patch caught up with him at the 10th Annual Back-To-School Festival at the Campo Family YMCA.

• The was duly noted by recruiters Rene Vojnovic and Mindy Barnes at the 10th Annual Back-To-School Festival at the Campo Family YMCA.

• The  are ordered to close after briefly reopening after a court injunction.

• Vandals struck on the home turf of the Brandon Lions Football and Cheerleading organization at E.L. Bing Park in Seffner. respond with help.

• More aid for ECHO, this time with a . With the money, about 250 children will receive a voucher for a new pair of shoes, socks and underwear, along with back-to-school supplies from the Emergency Care Help Organization's clothes closet. 

• A during the early commuting hours of Aug. 7 and struck the car of Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office deputy Milo Millovitch, who was uninjured. His car suffered $3,000 in damages. The accident occurred in the middle of the median northbound on U.S. Highway 301, under Interstate 75.

• Another accident, this one on Causeway Boulevard, was in view Aug. 8 for motorists headed through the Ybor City area. , was on the Licata Bridge, a section of Causeway Boulevard near the Port of Tampa.

• Gov. Rick Scott signed into law Aug. 9 at the Hillsborough County School Board offices a law Armwood and Leto high school students advocated for on behalf of "unaccompanied youth" — students without legal guardians and too old for foster care.

• Inspired by her mother's battle against cancer at the Moffitt Cancer Center, Dani Gray spearheaded the "" team from O'Brien's Irish Pub and Restaurant in Brandon, raising top dollars for the "Miles for Moffitt" fundraiser.

• A video clearly captures the efforts of a man in his unsuccessful attempt to break into a cell phone store. The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office reports .

• Greater Brandonites were invited to pay their respects at the on Aug. 10.