jeff patterson, news channel 8. >> jeff will be reporting all week from cuba. the funeral for fidel castro is presenting somewhat of a dilemma for world leaders. today the white house announced neither president obama or vice president biden plan to attend. >>> president-elect donald trump took to twitter today to weigh in on how he plans to handle cuba after castro's death. always the obama's administration has worked to normalize relations with cuba, a stop to it all. trump's surrogates on sunday criticize president obama's evolving cuba policy. >> what president-elect trump is also saying is that he just objects to the way that we reengaged diplomatic negotiations with cuba the last several years with this administration because we got nothing in return. >> trump's stand on cuba comes as commercial flights return to obama's first trip to cuba. >>> right now parts of the deal south are under the gun for severe weather. storm -- deep south are under the gun for severe weather. storms caused a large tree to fall and fair a hole in in home's roof and land on car

jeff patterson is in cuba. you can watch the special reports from cuba beginning today on "first at 4:00". >>> a may day tower evacuation order is in effect for portions of the smoky mountains including the popular vacation pigeon forge. gatlinburg officials say businesses are burning and there are reports of damage at dollywood theme park. >>> an american bald eagle rescued in clearwater will be released into the wild this morning. good news. a car hit the bird last month. it underwent surgery at busch gardens. it is fully recovered. they will release the eagle at 10:30 >>> a mild start to our day in tampa. this is a live look from veterans ford. middle to upper 60s across the area. 63 apollo beach. 66 st. pete and bradenton. into the afternoon, expect a breezy and warm second half of your day. muggy with a high temperature around 83. warm and muggy waiting for the next cold front that gets here the afternoon. the front will make its way through on thursday bringing a 20% shower chance. like most of the cold f

jeff patterson, news channel 8. back to you. >> lots happening in cuba. of jeff patterson will be there for it all. he is reporting from cuba all week. the funeral for fidel castro is leaders. neither president barack obama or vice president joe biden will be there for the funeral. castro is controversial figure. heads of state have to be careful though they show the world their response. >> it sends a strong message one way or the other. >> you have to wonder when you see the long lines, are those people genuinely wanting to be there or will the government >>> the time is 5:30. ian oliver is in for leigh spann. how is it shaping up? >> warm, 3450eu8d, muggy this -- mild, muggy this afternoon. a breezy southeast wind into the afternoon. here is the temperatures moving through the day. already above average by lunchtime. upper 70s. the average 75 degrees. we are heading up to 83 later this afternoon. temperatures are in the upper 60s. this is average as we start off the day. the 24-hour temperature change 5 to 10 warmer than this time yesterday. notice the

jeff patterson joins us now amazing update. jeff?>> reporter: i first saw babyface not long after that really ugly injury. to be honest, i thought there is no way this dolphin will live but within a year later, babyface is alive and doing well. doctor ann weaver is on the water virtually every day looking for dolphins. she began her work in 2004 and dolphin that she named babyface. >> babyface was the only calf born that year that survived.>> reporter: last year, she was one of the first to be notified when babyface showed up with a horrific injury. her tail, cut deeply by a boat propeller. we found babyface a few days later and got video of her severely injured but still swimming in the wild. doctor we were kept a close eye on the injuries. >> they have gone through the typihe wounds turn white before completely killing over. this photo was taken yesterday. >> she is back to normal behavior. truck today, we went out with doctor weaver and her husband and saw a lot of dolphins. two males hunting and playing together, a mother and bab

jeff patterson live in tampa. thank you very much. >>> this sunday morning candice and keith will get you prepared for election day with a one hour special. we'll have coverage on the big races impacting the bay area including the race for president. a special episode of your vote counts 2016 airs sunday at 9:00 a.m. >>> attorney general bondi death penalty trials go forward. florida supreme court ruled the law setting out a 10-2 jury decision was unconstitutional. they can continue without a change in law so long as the trial courts require unanimous jury recommendations to comply with the ruling. >> some could argue no proceeding should go forward. say, well yes, however you could also proceed with the trail phase and defer upon the penalty phase. >> state lawmakers have a one- day organizing session at the capitol scheduled in two weeks. adds of right now the issue is not on their agenda. >>> breaking news right now in philadelphia. a massive watermain break flooded out a strip mall. check out this video from t

jeff patterson, news channel 8. >> jeff will bring us coverage all week from cuba as the country mourns fidel castro. >>> an eagle found suffering by clearwater first responders. >> and now two months later, what a difference. we are going to show you the happy ending for this beautiful bird coming up. >>> plus, cars that communicate with each other and the you and when it will debut on tampa bay streets. >>> 83 degrees today. that was our forecast high. it looks like something similar tomorrow and the humidity is quite high. a cold front is on the way. we will talk about the effects coming up. >>> good people doing good things. that is what bonds our communities. they are inspiring stories all across america. with lester holt on nightly >>> eagle 8 hd is brought to you by your local suncoast hyundai dealers. visit your local hyundai dealer today or visit www.buyahyundai.com. >> we have an 8 on your side porch pirates are on the prowl in tampa bay. detectives arrested two teenagers just yesterday for swiping packages. they were targeting the seven oaks subdivision and admitted to steali

. >> let's check in with jeff patterson. he has been in the thick of things all day.>> this is the heart of old havana. this is the heart of the tourist district tourists at this time of day would normally be going in because this is the place that invented the daiquiri they say but they are not selling alcohol in havana. this is our third time being here in havana and the one thing we noted as there is no music or live bands right now. there is not people playing anything, just walking down the street as they are normally they're not selling alcohol because it is officially nine days of mourning. throughout cuba for fidel -- for fidel castro. this morning, the official funeral possession -- procession began as they took his remains to santiago for his funeral this coming sunday. a lot of observances going on here. we witnessed an amazing site last night and revolution plaza as more than 1 million people came out to pay their respects and hear speeches from their political leaders. a lot of tourist groups are still here. the

in havana, jeff patterson news channel 8. >> again, jeff will be reporting from cuba all week in the wake of catherine -- castro's death his next report is tonight at 11:00. >>> sunny earlier today. really is kind of hard for reports to get out to us but it's extraordinary that he is there at such a historic time. >> cuba is only 90 miles away. >> a 44 minute flight. >> that short? not even an hour. >> from miami. >>> let's take a look at our dry situation. i tell you it has been extremely dry for the month of november, only .01. as it adds up, we only have about 1.40 inches for the entire month so you can see it could be the second driest november on record. that is the recent. november is typically the driest month of the year. our 8 temperature outlook was one today. we are expecting something similar tomorrow. a cold front for thursday will drop the temperature closer to normal. friday looks very nice. rain chances are low but that is no surprise. then they will jump back above the average line again. temps are in the 70s, a few upper 60s in weeki wachee, 73 degrees in st. peters

jeff patterson reports this is a new area on the law and things still haven't been settled. >> reporter: when floridians of the bill admit use of marijuana still presents a problem for employees. >> you take the risk of losing your job and that's a tough choice. >> reporter: chris cano with central florida normal admits current law still allows employers to prevent employees from using medically approved marijuana. >> having a job is a privilege and a right to work state. the chips are ac >> reporter: darren mclean is an attorney who specializes in employment law. he told me this is a new area of law that is still being decided for employees. >> you could have some arguments if you have a disability and you need that accommodation, it doesn't impact your work, you could make that argument under the americans with disabilities act. >> reporter: if you're fired i do think you have a case, mclean says the case will take time jeff patterson, news channel 8. >>> five states have current laws to protect employees who choose to use marijuana but florida is not one. >>> we're finding out how mo

. >> and there are other toys you should alsost 8 on your side's jeff patterson joins us live from tampa tonight doing some shopping or pretend shopping anyway. truck i wish i was already doing my christmas shopping. good evening. whether you are shopping online or here at the mall, some toys can present a problem for small children. the annual report, trouble in toyland points out some major offenders. you have probably seen the until batteries caught fire and accidents sent people to the er. >> these continue to be a challenge. a doctor johns hopkins all children's hospital in st. petersburg sees toy related injuries all the time including children who swallowed small objects. >> most of the time they go down into the stomach. when they go into the lungs, that is serious. >> some of the toys have been recalled but can still be purchased in stores. toys with batteries and magnets i can go of the nose or down the mouth of a small child.>> the battery you will probably no sooner or later but typically this can last for weeks. a child could enjoy it and you get this foul odor. truck but th

our very own rough rider jeff patterson joins us live and jeff this is a great way to remember our friend john winter and it's a great way to bring joy to >>reporter: you know john started talking about this during his weather forecast in the morning show it really pick up from there. we do more with these pedestrian teddy bears than put them on my shoulder during live shots of we take them to people throughout the tampa bay area children in hospitals to wounded warriors at the va hospital. to senior citizens we give them to tell me suffering from cancer special olympics. joining is me is tony who is doing in? >> think i can speak for everybody best part is see the i'll on the children's faces and all the parents we visit. >>reporter: that's a great part of this. you can pick up a cleat list see a complete list where you can drop off a new teddy bear on wfla.com by searching john winter teddy bear roundup. >> jeff patterson live and hopefully we get lots of bears this year again. thank you. you can drop those bears off any time at the news center day coming up that's an annual event at th

jeff patterson joins us live. he's in largo where you can get a medical exam to find out if you'll be eligible to beimel marijuana legally. >>reporter: that is right. you can see a doctor who can examine you and then recommend that you marijuana. high above ulmerton road in largo. a billboard offering medical marijuana exams at the largo clinic and med spa. >> they have to come in and make contact. the law says they have to be connected with this practice somehow. >>reporter: the first visit is $300. each visit after that is $150. you have to see the doctor once a quarter to keep getting a recommendation for marijuana. for the visitor the pot. the doctor told me he's always been a skeptic about the benefits of marijuana. >> very suspect. very dubious and not supportive at all. that's been my background for years. i'm a child of the 60s but never smoked marijuana. >>reporter: then he had a patient way chronic pain condition. >> this young lady was involved in a hyperbaric oxygen accident. basically had the bends of

they have been fighting oppression in their country for decades.>> jeff patterson in tampa. >>> a couple of boaters with a lot to be thankful for. they are speaking out for the first time. >> their message to the good samaritans who saved them from this burning boat. >>> plus, fed up with a broken system, why a program meant to fix problems with veterans healthcare is causing more issues for doctors. >>> temperatures are cooling down rapidly with atmosphere in place. we top out at 84 degrees today. the forecast still looks dry despite a cold front headed our way. >>> earlier this week, a group of boaters were saved by a family after their engine exploded. now they are publicly saying thank you. on boating when a fire quickly tore through their boat. they were too far from shore to swim but just in the nick of time, they steered their small boat over and rescued them. >> god send them to off. that is a wonderful family. >> they acted like a guardian angel. >> they haven't seen the witmer's since the family but the next week. >>> the cross bay ferry between tampa and st. petersburg is abou

jeff patterson is in havana. he has a look at the final farewell. >> today tens of thousands of cubans are coming out to pay their respects to fidel castro. later today a service here in revolution plaza, a place where fidel castro gave famous speeches. three popes have held mass here and this line is just amazing, snaking through the streets of havana and up the memorial as people file by the remains of fidel castro who was cremated several days ago. later this week a funeral procession will wind its way through the nation as hundreds of thousands come out to pay their respects and fidel is patterson, news channel 8. back to you. >> lots happening in cuba. jeff patterson will be reporting from cuba all week long. the funeral for fidel castro is presenting a dilemma for world leaders. neither president barack obama or vice president joe biden plan to attend. fidel castro is controversial figure. words leaders are wondering if we go to this funeral does that mean we are supporting the government in cuba. they have

patterson listen for us tonight thanks jeff. >>> early very dry atmosphere look fairly dry. by wednesday can't rule out a sprinkle possibly some of the inland areas right now max defender 8 we are expecting dry conditions to hold with us throughout the rest of the evening hours. so plan on that. 60 degrees at st. pete beach lows down cesar after sunset you saw the view from john's live shot. what a gorgeous view in sarasota. hyundai new port richey breeze not much. 59 degrees overnight temperatures could be ten degrees below normal. famous taste in brandon look how clear that sky is 61 degrees our current temp. the relative humidity at the surface relative to saturation which is a hundred percent obviously saturated atmosphere. 27% here at freedom plaza so again we're looking agent very dry conditions for the rest of the evening 61 degrees. finally in lakeland same story as well. 62 degrees with that northwest wind. so our count down 3 days to thanksgiving. hard to believe. it's coming up so quickly. winter and 34 days to christmas. this year did go quite fast. november rain

jeff patterson joins us live at the school to tell bus this very important effort. >>reporter: good evening jen. some very, very emotional moments here this afternoon at steinbrenner high school. you know they had a fun kick ball game all for a beloved teacher who's having a a very tough time. he rolled out the first pitch for a cause. his cause. teacher mike wife is suffering fromals better known as lou gehrig's disease. >> feeling the love and support coming from our school community has been overwhelming, tremendous. i don't have words to describe describe it. >>reporter: liz is also a teacher here. the funds raised by the school will go to offset the family's rapidly rising medical costs. >> we just wish that hope would come really soon so with als you're working against the timeline. the ample life expect ten say is 2 to 3 years. he tells me how much this day means to him. >> it's amazing everything it's humbling and i'm very grateful we are all where we are. >>reporter: remember the ice bucket challenge? the quirky viral fundraiser it thanks to the ice bucket

jeff patterson tells us about the dolphin known as baby faced -- babyface. >> reporter: doctor ann we looking for dolphins. she began her work in 2004 and in 2006, noted the birth of a dolphin that she named babyface. >> babyface was the only calf one that year that survived. >> reporter: last year, she was one of the first to be notified when babyface showed up with a horrific injury. her tail, cut deeply by a boat propeller. we found babyface a few days later and got video of her severely injured but still doctor weaver kept a close eye on the injuries. >> they have gone through the typical healing process. >> reporter: the wounds turn white before completely healing over. this photo was taken yesterday. >> she is back to normal behavior. >> reporter: today, we went out with doctor weaver and her husband and saw a lot of dolphins. two males hunting and playing together, a mother and baby swim under our boat. we found more than 10 dolphins, which is a pretty typical day for doctor weaver. >> some days will see two, some days we will see 35. >> reporter: they monitor the dolphins with

jeff patterson, news channel 8. >> report pothole problems online. mayor buckhorn told us road crews are working as fast as they can to catch up. >>> if you are looking to get out of town, we will tell you when to find travel bargains coming up. >>> plus, it's where tech geek crosses paths with hipster. why some new watch bands will z25egz z16fz y25egy y16fy ? my hero zero. ? ? such a funny little hero ? ? but till you came along ? ? we counted on our fingers and toes ? ? now you're here to stay ? ? and nobody really knows... ? zero really can be a hero. t... ...on select volkswagen models. right now at the volkswagen sign then drive event. >>> on wall street, the dow dropped 54 points. >>> there could be a problem with grated parmesan and romano cheese in your fridge. recalled due to concerns it could be contaminated with salmonella. the cheese was sold under the central labels. the company has received no reports of illnesses at this point.>>> it's never too soon to start dreaming about next year's vacations and travel zoo has identified six locati

in havana, jeff patterson news channel 8. >> jeff lowell bring us exclusive reports all week as a country mourns the death of fidel castro. >>> a place veterans go to find solace and reflect on their service is going away. >> and less someone steps in to save it. where directors of this military museum are hoping for hurricanes that no one else can. hurricane hunters have a new home. >>> we saw a few showers today. a few showers left on the radar. 83 degrees, the humidity fairly high but a cold front is headed through the area tomorrow. we will talk about its effects >>> a struggling military museum plans to close its doors for good. will largo history museum announced they will shut down permanently on january 29. the museum has been operating in the red since its inception. there are still talks about being taken over by the governor -- government or another organization. >> we are hoping if there is somebody out there that will stand up and say no way, this can't happen on behalf of the veterans >> museum leaders are discussing what will happen to all the memorabilia if they have to sh

jeff patterson, news channel 8. >> and jeff will be reporting in cuba all week. his next report is coming up tonight at 6:00. >>> we want to get to some breaking news now. at least one person is dead after a crash involving a semi- truck and a car. you can see the car off the road into a ditch. a serious accident. one person has been killed that we know of. we will bring you updates as soon as we get them. >>> president-elect trump is kicking off what he calls a thank you to her earlier this week in ohio. trump announced the plans on tuesday on his website. he and his vice president elect mike pence will appear on saturday. additions to his cabinet. elaine chao will be secretary of transportation. she served as secretary of labor from 2001 to 2009 and deputy secretary of transportation from 1989 to 1991. she is also the wife of senate majority leader mitch mcconnell. for health and human services, trump told obamacare critic tom price of georgia. price is a surgeon matures the budget house committee. >>> donald trump also causing with a remark on flag burning. th

jeff patterson joins us from orlando where they seem pretty confident that this amendment will pass. they need 60%, is that right? >> reporter: good evening. they will need 60% of the vote for amendment 2 to pass. an amendment has failed in the state of florida for medical marijuana but the group united for care believes this is there time. backers complain -- claim other conditions. an amendment failed in florida in 2014 but the group united for care believes they have the support of florida voters this time. >> i think it's been going well. this is a four-year conversation we've been having. we started in a place where floridians are compassionate and they believe medical decisions should be made between doctors and their patients. are allowing the use of marijuana in some form. 25 states throughout the country currently allow the use of marijuana. it's on the ballot in nine states this election cycle. you there for recreational use or in florida for medical marijuana use. we will keep you posted on how things go throughout the evening. >> jeff patterson live in downtown orlando. t

. >>> i am jeff patterson in havana, cuba. were tonight, more than 1 million people have come to pay their respects to fidel castro. >>> thank you for joining us tonight. we begin tonight in the ashes of gatlinburg. it has been a devastating 24 hours across parts of east tennessee. wildfires burning gatlinburg and pigeon forge, leaving destruction and now death. three people confirmed dead as a result of these wildfires. it is hard to imagine that it is possible someone set the fire on purpose. the national park service has begun an arson investigation. making matters worse, strong winds creating the possibility of more fires. >>reporter: one witness burning up homes, cabins, businesses and resorts. this is what a city on fire looks like. the mayor of gatlinburg believes more than 100 structures are now damaged, including his own home, likely destroyed. adding to the loss of life, burn victims in critical condition. a historic drought and hurricane force winds have fueled these flames. burning embers have blown and spread for

jeff patterson news channel 8. >>> okay so here's an entirely different reason to be scared a visit to the dentist. a car plowed into aiden tall office yesterday evening in naples. just 14 seconds after a member of the cleaning staff left the room. if it had happened during business hours someone would have likely been sitting in the building instead. he suffered minor injuries. you're guaranteed to get a smiley face when you take a look at emoji an or fans manatee car receiving care at lowrie park zoo in tampa. look at this little one. he was rescued from the caloosa hatch he river. he's only 2 weeks old and weighs 66 pounds. the zoo named him emoji because of their recent efforts to add a manatee to the available emojis on your years. what a cutie. this is veteran's day and today people around the bay area passed to honor the men and women who have sacrificed so much to preserve our freedom. it is the 9th year for a parade at the james a. haley veterans hospital in tampa. it's been 50 years since the end of the vietnam war so this year's parade paid special honor to vets from that er

how his friends are pushing to make changes along this busy road. >> plus jeff patterson on the cuba learned the news. >>> and a new home for the hurricane hunters. why they won't be moving very far. i'm stacie schaible. >> and i thank you for joining us. trying to prevent another tragedy, robert cartwright was a possible -- popular newport ricci musician. loved ones believe the car crash that killed him could have been avoided. we are live at the accident scene tonight and the family hopes their actions can help others. >> reporter: you can see right here behind me, that there is a growing memorial for robert cartwright who was killed at this intersection but since we have been here, i want to take a look over here. this is the illegal u-turn that as part of this roadway. we have seen so many illegal u- turn's done here and this is why residents want a light.

jeff patterson joins us live in tampa hi jeff. >>reporter: high stacie. teddy bears just like this. regions bank in tampa regions is one of our great partners. they collect teddy bears at their branch offices throughout the bay area and it's a really big deal for us because we take them to children and hospitals to vets and senior centers to people suffering from cancer throughout the year. but this is the month that we collect the teddy bears. these rough riders get together. it's an all volunteer efforts they will be collecting them from today through december 19th and we are collecting new those locations it helps put a smile on a child's face. everyone. it's a really important effort these guys put a lot of volunteer hours into to make it all happen. of course it wouldn't be possible without news channel 8 viewers helping to donate these new teddy bears. of course kindness day on december 9th you can bringing a at the time teddy bear by the tv station on kennedy boulevard but for a complete list of locations where you can drop off one of these teddy bears or for these rough ride

jeff patterson joins us live from tampa and one of the potholes that we happen to be talking about. >> reporter: good evening. take a look at this monster. it has been around so long, there are weeds growing in the pothole. we took a picture of this pothole to mayor bob weeds. >> reporter: we showed the mail the problem and asked how can this happen? >> it's the reality. after the rains we had a year ago, we literally got 5000 new potholes that popped up as a result of that flooding. the same is true the summer. >> reporter: lisa knows about the problem too well. there are two potholes in front of her home. a city crew painted a white circle around one. has now faded. >> have you called the city? >> the city, the manager, the mayor. nothing happens. >> reporter: and pinellis county, if you have a possible problem, they have an apps for that. upload a photo and pop a pain where the whole lives. >> it's a very convenient way for residents to report issues. >> reporter: tampa mayor bob buckhorn told me city crews are working to patch up the city's budgeted for so we're trying to get ahea

jeff patterson records not every deal is a big savings. << ready set shop. at wal-mart and other retailers they are offering big sales on black friday. >> every department in the store will have something in the ad that actually will be cheaper than buying it regularly. >>reporter: but sometimes at some stores that big deal may be a mirage. nerd wallet.com has stud he'd black friday pricing and found their discounts look bigger. >> i think these kind of pricing tricks still persist an so it's something that consumers need to be aware of. >>reporter: wal-mart maintains they don't do that. >> wal-mart we actually have a baseline on everything like that. so our prices are true savings on the items. >>reporter: here's how you can fight back as a consumer. the web sites cam 'em camel camel and slick deals.com track pricing on a wide variety of items. they will even give you a chart with a shop what's a true sale an what the ordinary price is. jeff patterson news channel 8. >> is your favorite business packed with appeal? google knows and now it will tell you befo

you see channel 8's jeff patterson live in orlando. you're there with amendment 2 supporters. what's their reaction to all of this, jeff? >> reporter: yeah, good evening, keith. actually a lot of the supporters have gone home. they called this one relatively early here tonight. amendment 2 needing 60% of the vote in florida to be passed. of course, it got much more than that. more than 70% of the voters in florida now say that they tonight for united for care. they have campaigned for this issue for several years. they had a measure on the ballot in 24 teen that got -- in 2014 that got 58% of the vote. a mother with two sons that have autism has fought for this initiative for six years. she says the passage of this amendment will allow her sons to get treatment that they this like i said almost six years now out on the street with signs, you know, away from them sometimes unfortunately. so now mommy gets to take a break and be with her kids and tomorrow we'll be calling doctors to see if we can get someone to recommend this. >> nobody will be able to go out tomorrow and get me

. >> i am jeff patterson in havana cuba. the funeral procession has begun for fidel castro. coming up how this country and cubans are reacting to his death. >>> number 3, bad monkey: it has been 2 weeks since this crash the why hasn't anyone been arrest. >> and number 4, tornadoes the same line that caused this >>> first of 4. think you for joining us. we want to begin with a quick update to those massive wildfires burning in east tennessee. >> the mayor is calling this the worst fire in 100 years. wind whipped flames are causing the damage. there were 8 new flareups and now firefighters have no problems from mother nature. >> a new challenge that the weather is creating r after the fire mary spearing some small mudslides and rock slides. there is no longer that foliage that is holding everything together. >> the mayor of gatlinburg, the city that draws up to $11 million a year says his time will pull together and recover. >>> it has been pretty dry in the bay area. we saw little rain today, a little bit is there any significant change coming? chances -- we don't have any hu

we sent jeff patterson to cuba today. he should be arriving any minute now and as soon as as 6:00. >>> meanwhile back only over in lakeland people are now -- not wasting anytime getting spot for the christmas parade. we found chairs marking spots today and guess what, the parade is thursday. as you can imagine this events with more than 100 floats draws a huge crowd and these spots are hard to get the day of the parade. it kicks off at 7:00 on thursday night. will spend today and then the idea to bury frozen fish in an ice rink may have sounded good to some at the time but now this rink is closed. find out why coming up on first at 4. z25ehz z16fz y26hty y16fy . >>> it is cyber monday and according to the national retail federation more than 122 million today that's up from the 121 million who planned to participate last year meanwhile americans spent less money over the 4-day holiday weekend. we're going to take a closer look at cyber monday coming up at 4:30. and if you're shopping for toys the consumer product safety c

in havana, cuba, jeff patterson, news channel 8. >> and jeff is going reporting from cuba all week long in the wake of castro's death. his next report is coming up tonight at 5:00. >>> still ahead -- >> your ideas are shaping one bay area city's downtown. see what it will look like and how you might have contributed to this rebuild. >>> and new life in theaters. see where you can catch >>> now we have your consumer watch first at 4:00. after that long holiday weekend of shopping and deals, today is what they call givig tuesday. it's a day americans are urged to -- giving tuesday. it's a day americans are urged to volunteer or make donations to charities. it launched in 2012. >>> and americans are us to cross items off the holiday shopping list. adobe digital insights claims as of monday night, sales hit nearly $3.4 billion. that's up more than 10% from last year. some of though thest items bought on cyber monday, sony's ps4s and lego sets. >>> and if you are using a dehumidifier. be careful, about 2.5 million these were sold in varying shapes and sizes and colors under 13 different bran

jeff patterson reports from havana.>> reporter: more than 1 million people have come here to revolution plaza for the official service for fidel castro. she is a blogger from cuba who lives in havana and told me fo very special night.>> he is perhaps the last big leader of the 20th century. for us the 20th century ends this week with the death of fidel. >> he told me people come here not because they are forced to by the government but because they want to be here.>> i think it's a very good thing for cuba. we offer very good health, public safety, things we didn't have before. the services a steve is from tampa and was leading a tour group in havana when the news of his death was announced. >> it is a real for me. i have been coming here for 20 years and i always wondered what this moment would be like. it was strangely subdued. >> reporter: subdued as cuba faces a new era without fidel. is there uncertainty about the future? even though fidel was not in charge he was -- he has left an indelible mark . >> others are worried that things put in place by barack obama will be changed after

jeff patterson joins us live in tampa with the story tonight. this amendment didn't change anything when it comes to you and your employer. >> not at all. good evening,. the nfl employer still in the use of marijuana even though it is now about in a majority of states legally in one form or another. state laws are still being set for marijuana. >> floridians shed -- said yes to 2 on tuesday, advocates of medical marijuana celebrated but the stronger backers admit the use of marijuana still presents a problem for employees . >> you take the risk of losing your job. normal admits current law still allows employers to prevent employees from using medically approved marijuana. >> they don't have any control over our freedoms and what we do, but then again having a job as a privilege and in a right to work state the chips are stacked against the workers. >> he told me 5 states have laws to protect employees that use marijuana, but even in colorado where recreational use of marijuana is legal, an employer can still fire someone >> no employer will all

jeff patterson, live in tampa. >>> a 65-year-old woman is behind bars, charged with robbing a bank in st. petersburg. as rod carter shows us, it's one of several bank robberies over the last few weeks.>> reporter: good evening, guys. that grandmother strolled and -- into the police station and turned herself in just like she strolled into this bank and robbed the place. 2 1/2 weeks ago, the tellers at this bank of america got the bank around noon. >> she was wearing a wig and walked up to a teller and said i've got a bomb give me money.>> reporter: she did, $1900. that very same woman, now identified as janice allenwood walked into st. pete police headquarters and turned herself in. >> she told the officer said -- she was wanted. he asked what for >> reporter: and he found the story of the bank robbery. >> we got a story of a bank robbery with a potential gun. >> reporter: including one in new port richey foiled by fast- moving deputies. investigators say the suspect ran into the bank, yelling and acting as if he had a gun. he took off with cash but didn't get far. he tried to get a w

jeff patterson joins us live from tampa with more on this exciting event. >>reporter: good evening i am with my rough rider buddies and they are spending a lot of time december 19th collecting teddy bears that they take to people all year long none would be possible without the generosity of news channel 8 viewers. it's all about put a smile on a child's face and even sometimes a senior citizen. just about everybody loves a at the time teddy bear it's all volunteer effort by the rough riders to make it happen. >> we have a tremendous amount of commitees that collect these >>reporter: tony is the teddy bear chairperson. he lights up when he handout a teddy bear. >> we take them from children's shelters to senior homes. we do anything that's asked of the community for us and we try to give them to anybody that needs a smile. >>reporter: fellow rough riders collect teddy bears on kind necessary day and pick them up from schools. the students at steinbrenner high school have bears over the years. making it possible to the rough riders to bring the bears to sic

jeff patterson just landed in havana this afternoon. he will bring us live reports from cuba beginning tonight. >>> one man in las vegas found a unique and downright smelly way to get back at porch pirates targeting his neighborhood. eric snow put out what he likes to call the bait pack. surveillance cameras cut the two thieves rolling up to his home to steal the package but what was inside? snow describes it as reprocessed dog chow. in case you are not tracking, he means a box of dog poop. >> hopefully these people will doing it. >> pretty brilliant. snow and his neighbors will keep an eye out over the next several days to see if their stinky tactic keeps the thieves away. >>> ever heard of rudolph the red nosed pizza delivery guy? domino's is testing the reindeer delivery method in northern japan. reindeer trainers are exploring different delivery options such as mounting a delivery case on a reindeer's back or requiring them to drive a zz devices -- but what goes great with pizzas beer. what goes great with peers watching the super b

. >> jeff patterson live for us tonight. thank you, jeff. >>> here is a view right now. 81 slade right now. is that a monkey? now, just a tree. 49% humidity in land o lakes. at lakeland automall, 81 slade, clear skies and dry air high lakeland. new port richey, 82 degrees with east winds at 8 miles per hour. clear skies about everywhere we travel. the same in tampa. a strong east wind kind of gusty at times around the region. as for november, slowly cooling down to 81 slade. our average high on november 1. the average in january is 70 degrees. we're definitely headed downward. 87 degrees was our high today. thatn' 90 degrees our record. we still have a nice easterly breeze and the dew points are still relatively low. at 9 pm, 75 degrees, 7 am 68 degrees, 4 pm 85 degrees. another warm day. 84 degrees our current temperature at tampa international airport. dew point in the upper 50s. our dew points are still very low at tampa international. much higher there as the breeze st. pete. it will be a mild night for the folks in st.

jeff patterson joins us from orlando where they seem pretty confident that this amendment will pass. they need 60%, is that right? >> reporter: good evening. they will need 60% of the vote for amendment 2 to pass. an amendment has failed in the state of florida for medical marijuana but the group united for care believes this is there time. backers complain -- claim

jeff patterson is in cuba right now and we will check in with him as soon as we can. >>> for the third time this year, a tow truck driver has been hit and killed while working on the side of the road and a suspected drunk driver is to blame. this latest case left driver danny ray dead and a sister of another one of those victims is on a mission to stop these deaths. candace mccowan spoke with her >> reporter: it's like the nightmare that won't end. >> it's like reopening those wounds. people are saying here we go again.>> reporter: she lives in way -- in miami but rushed to tampa when her brother was hit and killed while helping a stranded driver along the howard franklin bridge. the driver didn't even stop. >> you now, i've been pretty close to the tow truck family. they did so much when roger's accident happened. >> reporter: south hard when driver troy mcguire was killed in october while working and then again this weekend when danny ray hand was helping stranded motorists when he was hit and killed. the drivers in each case, suspected of dui.>> i haven't seen the severity of it unt

right now, reporter jeff patterson is in have an and we will checking with him as soon as we are able. >>> people in one south florida neighborhood are being allowed back in their homes after an overturned fuel tanker caught fire. the tanker crashed sunday, shutting down a long stretch cape coral. all homes within 1000 m were evacuated and just when it seemed like fire crews were getting a handle on the situation, the flames reignited. >> the next thing you know everybody screams run and a catches fire. i looked over my shoulder and there was a huge fireball in the sky. >> the tanker caught fire while emergency crews were removing its battery. the cape coral fire department says an explosion is no longer possible and the scene is safe.>>> to an 8 on your side new year's resolutions, one of them may he to quit smoking. cigarettes are the leading cause of preventable death in the country but it's incredibly difficult to quit. good news though. there are methods that are proven to work. >> reporter: if you're looking to quit smoking, financial incentives might be your best bet. a study p

jeff patterson joins us to tell us what they did to get this done.>> reporter: good evening. this agreement calls for stricter background checks, vehicle inspections, and insurance for drivers but clearly the cab companies are for two years, uber and lyft have been operating in hillsborough county but drivers have been ticketed for doing so. wednesday, the public transportation committee voted on a temporary operating agreement that would allow the ridesharing services to finally operate legally. >> i wanted you to vote against it. >> reporter: the vote came over the strong objection over local cab companies work >> we should not be rewording those that are already breaking the law. >> reporter: chairman victor crist hindered -- hammered out right now. >> reporter: saying for too long the ptc has been controlled by the cab companies.>> it has been used to keep the door closed for innovation, new businesses, and opportunities. >> reporter: commissioner ken hagan cast the deciding vote. >> the public is overwhelming -- overwhelmingly supportive as a my. >> reporter: uber believ

. >>> news channel 8 jeff patterson just landed in havana and he's going to bring us live reports from cuba beginning later tonight. >>> is a lakeland tradition getting out of hand? >> you know all about this. you've seen it firsthand. littering downtown lakeland street and what the city is planning to do about this. >>> plus, a pause out the door policy that could be putting animals back in harm's way. target 8 is trying to get answers about why it keeps >>> moffitt cancer center is planning on a massive expansion. the $800 million project includes two new research buildings, a new hospital wing, and a whole lot more. they plan to raise $500 million for the project and hope to finance the rest with a bond supported by state cigarette taxes. the work is expected to begin next year. >>> lakeland pull -- lakeland's christmas parade is several days away but people ar seats. we spotted launch has already set up downtown and it has become a tradition for families to put their chairs outweigh in advance despite warnings from officials trying to discourage all that chair clutter. >> don't cov

jeff patterson joins us to tell us what they did to get this done.>> reporter: good evening. this agreement calls for stricter background checks, vehicle inspections, and insurance for drivers but clearly the cab companies are

jeff patterson reports it may be moving south. >> reporter: this man and his buddy were setting up a facebook why program they call #coffee on the dock. >> that's it for can monkey, dude. >> reporter: when they saw something totally out of the ordinary. they took video and pictures and then watched as the monkey moved on. >> walked all the way down to the corner there and then right >> reporter: florida fish and wildlife commission believes the monkey is the same kind of monkey that became known as the mystery monkey, scene and eventually captured and st. petersburg in 2012. this monkey is still on the move. next spotted near lake tarpon. aj was with his buddy when they saw it.>> it was in the driveway walking, it turns around and when we sought, we could see the face monkey.>> reporter: experts say the monkey can be dangerous and even deadly to humans. instead, they advised to take a picture from a distance and call the florida fish and wildlife commission because they are tracking this monkey.>>> if you feel the need to face palm in response to a friend's text, apple has you covere

. >> jeff patterson has traveled -- to cover the turning point in that country's history. >> what you are seeing is a remarkable display of respect, something like it i have never seen in unit states. people are standing in this line for hours. we met people in this line from france, netherlands, the next, even from all over cuba. they will that are at the top of this hill . perhaps they will sign a book. they will pause for just a moment to take a picture, pay their solemn respect to move forward. this line went on into the night late last night filed by hear some of them standing in line for hours. some of them crying, some of them holding signs about it. there are leaders from all over the world here have loan in for the official observance is. >>> caught on camera a wild scene inside of a tampa gun store. crew of crooks moving in every direction grabbing all kinds of weapons. now the question is, where did these guys in the guns in the. melanie michael has a look at this brazen crime. >> there is no doubt that the bad behavior was determined to determine and deliberate. no mistake

jeff patterson tells us how kickball is helping the teacher's family. >> it's fun, kickball, it's a cause. a teacher here is now suffering from als and the students and staff here decided to do something about it. they're holding this event selling t-shirts, keys, doing anything they can to help his family. >> it has meant the world to us. the medical costs with als can escalate and there's always treatments that are coming out that because they're up and coming not necessarily covered they hope and wait for a sure to this difficult disease. >>> we have some more breaking news right now. we have just learned that there is a settlement in the trump university case. that's according to the new york attorney general. the associated press is reporting the settlement is worth $25 million. that case was set to go to court later this month, in it consumers alleg >>> well an odd sound at a miami cemetery led to the rescue of three puppies. someone heard a sound coming from underneath the vault so they called for help. they saw this adorable face a puppy and 2 other siblings were stuck in a tough

jeff patterson joins us live. i see what you've got there. you've got some bears going on. >> reporter: good morning bears and rough rider buddies with me. this is our favorite time of year. maybe if you're out shopping this weekend you could pick up a brand new teddy bear throughout the bay area. we've got a bunch of different drop off locations it's because they collect them throughout november and until december 19th this year starting today is the john winter teddy bear round up. we're collecting these new teddy bear to say bring to children throughout the bay area to with me here. what's your favorite thing about doing this. >> first i'd like to thank channel 8 and the storm team for helping the rough riders to collect teddy bears for us again this year. i think when we go out it's about the kids. when with do a teddy bear run we give them a teddy bear and beads. we know it makes the kids happy and the bears give them something to hang onto during the tough times. for the family members if the child is out having a procedure done we'll s

news channel 8 jeff patterson reports more than a million people have come to revolution plaza for an official service for fidel castro. this blogger from cuba lives in havana who told me for him and many others this is a very special night. >> fidel castro is perhaps the last big leader of the 20th century. for us the 20th century and this week. you're not because they were forced to by the government but because they want to be here. >> i think he did very good things for cuba. we have things that we didn't have before. >> the service as part of the official nine days of mourning for fidel castro. steve ruppert is from canada and was leading the tour group when the news of his death was first announced. >> it was a little surreal for me. coming here always wondered what this moment was like. it was strangely subdued. >> is there uncertainty for the future now? >> yes, i believe there is. even though fidel was not absolutely in charge during this time, he has left a mark on the government. >> some in cuba are worried that the new relationship will be reversed by incoming will have to

. >> i heard about the deal you made with jeff patterson. if you find yourself short, i will be happy to loan you the money. >> thank you. >> oh yes. >> you come see the land. >> as a friend or as a businessman? >> as a friend. >> i cannot makes business and friendship. os. >> the you have any cash on you? >> your credit is good here. >> we did it. >> friend a drink. my credit is good. >> table number three. >> we've got some business that flint, hey! flint: aah! come on, wake up! get up! what is it? come on, get up! i wawa to show you something! you are the roughest soul. come on. want you to look in this water barrelel get me up in the middle of the night to look in a water barrel? just look in the barrel, will you? ice?! yeah, ice! woke up cold, decided to make myself some coffee. charlie's got the watch. looked at the thermometer-- 30 above right now. doesn't feel that cold. by golly, i'll tell you, it is. ow what that means, don't you? that means it could snow any day from now on. that'd be nice, right in the middle of these mountains.

. >> let's get out to jeff patterson . you are live in orlando . what is the response ? >> reporter: good evening . a huge reaction . just a little over an hour ago the head of united declared victory . calling this the largest voter approval for medical marijuana in the history of united states . there a lot of happy people here . some patients who the use of marijuana let's hear from then, the chairman of united for care . >> this has been for years in the making . a conversation that the state of florida has been having over the course of those four years . is started with the basic premise that medical decisions should be made between doctors and patients in the doctor's office . >> reporter: they were saying this was a vote of historic number of floridians voting in favor of amendment 2 dij . a similar measure failed in 2014 they are telling us tonight that they narrowed the focus on the amendment they narrowed the language of the amendment . they also believe because this was a presidential election year , that they had a greater number of voters . less conservativ