Melissa Beckman
WFLA NEWS
Tampa, FL, United States
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Past articles by Melissa:
Top 10 ‘Preschooler-Approved Toys for 2015’ have been named
Students at a Tampa preschool got a tough assignment to play with dozens of toys to pick out their favorites. Now their top choices are part of a list that could help parents find those perfect pre... → Read More
Tampa Police 'ticket' drivers before they become auto theft victims
Tampa Police are on the prowl after a recent spike in auto burglaries. Wednesday morning, they are trying to warn drivers before they become the next victim. → Read More
Polk teacher to face judge on porn charges
A Mulberry High School teacher will face a judge Tuesday on charges of showing obscene images to students in his classroom. Investigators say four freshman students reported seeing adult male porno... → Read More
Carjacking suspect wanted in Port Richey
Pasco County Sheriff's investigators have identified a woman they believe carjacked an elderly lady in a Publix parking lot. Amber Arnesen, 26, is now wanted for carjacking and strong armed robbery... → Read More
Duke Energy warns customers of phone scams
Duke Energy is putting out a warning after an increased number of attempted phone scams. More than 500 customers this month have reported getting phone calls from someone claiming to be from Duke ... → Read More
Blackjack deadline looms in Seminole Tribe's Florida casinos
Time is running out for the Seminole Tribe and the State of Florida to make a deal over blackjack. Under the terms of a 2005 agreement, the Tribe must shut down its blackjack and other gaming table... → Read More
Riverview teen shot in possible home invasion
A teenager was shot multiple times during a possible home invasion. It happened early Friday morning at his family's home in the 8700 block of Deep Maple Drive in Riverview. → Read More
Accused baby killer has first appearance in Sarasota
An accused baby killer is waiving his right to appear before a judge at a Wednesday hearing, according to his public defender. Investigators extradited Joseph Walsh from South Carolina to the Saras... → Read More
Polk parents to push for more school recess at community meeting
Polk County Schools Superintendent Kathryn LeRoy is hosting a town hall meeting Tuesday to talk about the importance of recess at elementary schools. The meeting is the result of one Lakeland mom’s... → Read More
Tampa Bay Lightning fans ready to 'be the thunder' at season opener
The Tampa Bay Lightning return to the ice Thursday night for their season opener against the Philadelphia Flyers. → Read More
Student safety urged on Walk to School Day
Student safety is the focus Wednesday as thousands of schools across the country participate in International Walk to School Day. The annual safety reminder comes one day after a 17-year-old Chambe... → Read More
Trial to start for Spring Hill couple accused of lying about sinkhole
The federal trial begins Monday for the Spring Hill couple accused of lying about a sinkhole under its house. Prosecutors decided to charge the couple with federal wire fraud after watching an 8 On... → Read More
Accused Polk County school bus shooter faces over 40 charges
A former collegiate athlete will face a Polk County judge Thursday on charges of shooting a BB gun into two school buses. Phillip Smith, 18, was arrested Wednesday on 42 counts of aggravated assaul... → Read More
Purchase of 200 new school buses up for debate in Hillsborough
Hillsborough County Superintendent Jeff Eakins plans to ask the school board Tuesday to spend $21 million to buy 200 new school buses. Hillsborough County has one of the oldest school bus fleets in... → Read More
Fire at Largo warehouse
Investigators are waiting for an all clear to go inside a metal finishing warehouse to determine what sparked an early morning fire. Someone passing by Sun Glo Plating on 62nd St. N around 3:30 a.m... → Read More
Dental deserts spread across Florida
Some communities across Florida have some of the most severe shortages of dentists in the entire country, according to the American Dental Association. There are plenty of dentists, they just aren'... → Read More
Pedestrian safety improved around USF
A serious pedestrian accident involving a USF student is prompting some safety changes around campus. Flashing beacons are now up at several crosswalks in a high-traffic area to alert drivers to w... → Read More
Pedestrian safety message brought to Tampa Bay high schools
The Florida Department of Transportation is taking a roadside safety message to local high school students this week. Nearly 27 percent of all traffic fatalities in Florida involve pedestrians and ... → Read More
Cheap gas could lead to more Labor Day trips
Low prices at the pumps could lead to a busy holiday weekend on the highways. AAA predicts 35.5 million Americans will head out of town, the highest number since 2008. → Read More
City council debates over Tampa Police Dept. review board, red light cameras
A debate over who should have the power to scrutinize the Tampa Police Department is brewing at City Hall. Mayor Bob Buckhorn recently signed an executive order to create a Citizens Review Board fo... → Read More