Top Headlines: Stabbing Victim Mystery, Alligator in Backyard Cage, Pa. Convicts Caught

OK, so you had a busy week. We understand. Let us catch you up on all the highlights!

1. The parents of Jason Taylor Paul and local law enforcement are searching for answers after the 22-year-old was found stabbed to death in the early morning hours last weekend near Crest Lake Park in Clearwater. 2. The 45 animals rescued from a Clearwater home last week — including an alligator, birds, a pig and 21 various types of turtles — were not in good health and were being used as food, according to officials. 3. A tipster trying to help authorities solve a case on "America's Most Wanted" ended up helping investigators find a pair of Pennsylvania convicts Wednesday afternoon in a Clearwater motel. 4.In an effort to combat prescription medicine abuse, a special drug court program is aimed at helping 185 abusers coming through the …

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Alligator, Tortoises, Chickens, Pig Found Living at Clearwater Home

Officials found dozens of animals at the Brewton Court home Thursday, including a caged alligator and tortoises in the swimming pool, that they say were being used as food.

UPDATE: The 45 animals rescued from a Clearwater home were not in good health and were being used as food, according to officials. The 22 birds, pig, American alligator and 21 various types of turtles were in cages that were too small and did not have access to food and water, according to Clearwater Police. Multiple turtles including soft shell and snapping varieties were kept in the backyard pool. The birds, including chickens, roosters and a pheasant, were being kept in a fenced area near a pond and wooded area. The alligator was in a cage in the wooded area. Victor and Julie Vu could be charged with misdemeanors for animal abuse and possession of an American alligator, according to investigators. They also are in violation of several …

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Destination Clearwater

Destination Clearwater: Glen Oaks Park

Even in the tidiest places, wild Florida lurks.

At first I was disappointed: I wanted a rugged Florida experience. One glance at Glen Oaks Park, with its tamed expanses of green grass and neatly arranged piers, fields and ponds didn’t offer much promise in the way of wildness. I had intended to take my kayak to seek out a wetter, wilder Clearwater, but stiff winds dissuaded me. Driving around aimlessly, looking for something to do, I realized that even though I’d grown up less than a mile from it, I hadn’t been to the park. Ever. On impulse, I turned into the parking lot and started walking. In 2006, the city redesigned the area. Although I drove past the old green space at least once a week (it’s the back way to McDonald’s from my old house) during my senior year at Clearwater High, I …

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