Doug Smith
FOX 13 Tampa Bay
Russian Federation
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Past articles by Doug:
Coincidence or stolen image?
Sixty-year-old Russell Carpenter, a veteran who says he quit drinking years ago, is bothered that what appears to be his likeness was on the label of an alcoholic beverage. → Read More
TPD look for new recruits in church
Sunday is a day of rest and reflection for a lot of people, but for Jane Castor it was a day of worship and work at the same time. → Read More
Worth it or wasted: Signs painted on pavement
Have you ever seen a pavement route shield? Well, chances are you've either driven over one or will in the near future. That's because the Florida Department of Transportation is currently identifying more interchange exits to paint. → Read More
Defendant in murder trial fires attorneys
The trial of a man charged with murder his girlfriend and her three young children took several twists and turns Thursday. By the end of the day, Edward Covington decided to fire his attorneys and represent himself. → Read More
Crane collapses onto trailer in Largo
Some neighbors in a Largo neighborhood got an unexpected wake up call Sunday. Pinellas Fire says a crane collapsed onto a trailer in front of a home in the 9100 block of Dream Way and Enchantment Drive → Read More
Clearwater police re-investigate unsolved crimes
It was 21 years ago that Margaret O'Conner was found dead inside her Clearwater apartment on Lembo Circle. → Read More
Tampa company finds niche in recycling plastic foam
A Tampa company is about as green as it gets, recycling tons and tons of plastic foam and sending it overseas to China. → Read More
Worth it or wasted: Honey bee research center
Have you ever stopped to think how important honey bees are to our economy here in Florida? They are crucial: they pollinate many of our fruits and vegetables, and Florida is the third largest producer of honey in the country. So some people can think of plenty of reasons to spend your tax dollars on bee research. <br/> → Read More
Critics: Florida DEP failing to protect environment
Back in 2008, DEP opened up 1,526 cases. Last year, the number dropped to 210, an 83-percent decline. But there's disagreement over just what those numbers mean. → Read More
Fire-rescue departments continue to count on pagers
Remember when anybody who was somebody had a pager? Times have changed, but not at most fire departments across the Tampa Bay area. Pagers are standard equipment for hundreds of firefighters at Tampa Fire Rescue and in Hillsborough County firehouses as well. → Read More
Obamacare mandates medical mistake reporting
If you undergo a medical procedure and something goes wrong, you have a right to know what happened. That's the law, but some say it hasn't worked out as hoped. → Read More
Worth it or wasted: Enterprise Florida CEO bonus
The CEO of Enterprise Florida is Governor Rick Scott's right hand man when it comes to business development in Florida. Gray Swoope has created thousands of new jobs in the Sunshine State and is well paid for it. His annual salary is $275,000 dollars a year and he recently received a $120,000 bonus for a job well done. Do you think the money spent on the bonus is worth it or wasted?Text "worth" or… → Read More
Researchers: more money needed to study mosquito control
Every time you buy a new set of tires, you're putting a little money into Florida's Solid Waste Management Trust Fund, established by the state legislature. Most of the money is used for solid waste and recycling programs, but some is set aside for mosquito control. → Read More
Hillsborough County cites conflict of interest in Ritchie defense
The Hillsborough County Public Defender's Office will not represent accused killer Granville Ritchie. Monday, the public defender asked the judge to be taken off the case, but no reason was given in court. The Public Defender's Office confirmed to FOX 13 that the reason is due to a conflict of interest, but did not elaborate.<br/><br/> → Read More
IRS warns of phone scam
A warning from federal investigators: if the phone rings and somebody on the other end claims to be from the IRS, you should ignore the call and phone authorities. → Read More
Fire & police retirees to get bonus $9K check
Tampa police and firefighters are entitled to excellent pension benefits, but some are questioning if the benefits are a bit too generous. → Read More
Worth it or wasted: state funds for pro bono cases
Sometimes a lawyer will take a case pro bono, agreeing to represent a client who can't afford the legal fees. This year's state budget set aside $250,000 for pro bono programs. Do you think those funds are worth it or wasted?<br/> → Read More
Worth it or wasted: Highway Advisory Radio
It pays to be informed when you're driving down the interstate, and the Florida Department of Transportation is hoping you'll pay attention to Highway Advisory Radio (HAR) when the lights are flashing. → Read More
FDOT spends thousands on generators for I-75 signs
It's hurricane season and we all need to be prepared, which for some people includes generators in case a storm knocks out power. Florida's Department of Transportation is buying generators as well, and installing them along Interstate 75 in Manatee and Sarasota counties. → Read More
'Bittersweet' moment as Largo High comes down
As the backhoe pulled apart the old administration building at Largo High School, the scene of destruction tugged on the heartstrings of former students who came by the old school to say goodbye one last time. → Read More