i'm gayle guyardo. >> and i'm gene ramirez. we start this hour with that backyard cookout that turned deadly in the state of pennsylvania. news channel 8's lindsey mastis is following the story from our tampa news center this morning. lindsey, good morning to you. this sounds like such a chaotic scene at a party.

gayle -- >> man, i'm all-in. i would get in the backseat and sleep the whole way. >> there's bad drivers, google can't be any worse. >> no way. you can follow the morning alerts each day on facebook and twitter. just search the #8alert. >>> virginia police officer ashley guindon will be laid to rest today. her body was escorted monday night to hillton memorial chapel. the prince william county officer was shot and killed in the line of duty while responding to a domestic violence call. it was her first day on patrol. >>> and take a look at the dramatic end of this police chase. this is video out of south florida. after being chased through the streetsover oakland park, two men jump out, leading police on front and backyards. it looks like one is about to surrenders. police are still looking for two others who we don't see in the video. >>> new york city plans to fine restaurants that don't comply with high sodium warnings on their menu items. that's put on hold. the new salt warning law was supposed to the take e

good morning, gayle. and the sheriff here in pinellas county, he has some really black and white advice for you this morning, do not buy xanax off the street because you really don't know what you're getting. >> you don't have to take a handful of them. >> reporter: wow. now that's the sheriff talking about this so-called super pill. it's incredibly dangerous as you just heard. the pill looks exactly like a xanax but instead, it's mixed with a powerful pain medication called fentanyl. and now the deadly drug is only $5 a pop. and the sheriff believes the problem is really only here so far in pinellas county. we do know that a 25-year-old dunedin woman overdosed on the pill and died over the weekend. so right now, undercover deputies are trying to figure out where exactly this drug is being made, where it's coming from, who is selling it. we're trying to dig up for information for you this morning. in the next 30 my, i will explain how it's -- 30 minute, we will explain how there's a big issue going on wit

i'i'm gayle guyardo. >> and i'm gene ramirez. that mobile home is on olold polk city road in lakeland. news channel 8's ryan hughghes has been gatherering information for us since 4:00 this morning. this is the latest. . >> reporter: gogood morning. right now, the statate fire marshall is here investigating after this fatal fire. yoyou can see a number of officials here onscene including some crime scene technicians who arare taking photo of the mobile home and d we're told the passer-by saw 1:00. and by the time the firefighters got here, this place was three-quarters of the way engulfed in flames. we are told by a polk county spokesman that two people are dead, a man and woman,n, both adults. no word if ththey were simply friends or relatives or a couple. i dog was also found dead in the home and two dogs were injured. they were on the outside of the home. and we spoke to the coununty spokesman not too long ago and he expxplained what happened when somebody drove byby this mornrning and saw fire here at the mobile home. >> we h

alex -- >> reporter: good morning, gayle. well, the stakes are huge today. like he will still have a lot of victories. polls show that he is winning in almost every state. senator ted cruz from texas and your own senator marco rubio are competing to be the trump alternative. many establishment republicans are not excited at the idea that trump could be their nominee. you have seen senator rubio change his strategy over the last few days. where he's been publicly insulting trump more often. and trying to get just as much media attention and excitement around his campaign as trump has been able to do with the insoles and you know, the types of phrases that he throws out attention. and for the democrat, today is huge for bernie sanders. her lead. she had wins in nevada, huge win in south carolina. sanders has got to win a few states to stay competitive. and now clinton, according to states, but sanders has at least one easy win today and that his home state of vermont which is set to vote. >> and i know that texas state with the

gayle -- we look forward to the updates. thanks, josh. >>> happening today, the civil trial continues after two emotionanal days of testimony by sportscaster erin andrews. and andrews is suing the owner and operator of the nashville marriott f for $75 million after a stalker recorded nude videos of her there. news channel 8's lindsey maststis is following this story live for us from the tampa news center. lilindsey, good morning. our hearts go out to erin and her famimily. we all know her father very well, a frfriend, a colleague, our own investigative reporter steve e andrews. >> reporter: gene, that's right. we n now know how much erin has changed after the nude videos and photos went viral ononline. listen to what she dodoes now whenen she travavels for work. >> i instantly cover the peephole. and then do a chececk of the room. i i look everywhere. i i look for lights. i look for red lights. i look to see if there's cameras. i check the alarm clock. i i check the phone. i booby trap my room. >> reporter: during a brief cr

gayle and gene? >> thank you. >>> in your vote this morning, a different tone for the republican presidential candidates, and in a final primaries, all four candidates took a more civic approach in miami. the change in tone is an indication of how important the next round of primaries is for the presidential candidates. >> that includes marco rubio who took on trump, and keith cate has been there were several days, and he is there this morning. he has the big moments from the debate and has news of the key endorsement for today. >> reporter: last night the republican debate, the 12th debate before the primary, it was impressive and different from what we have seen. a couple of things came out of there that were interesting. donald trump said dr. ben carson is going to endorse him today. i look forward to hearing what dr. carson has to say about why he picked donald trump. one of the big exchanges was when donald trump was asked about his comments regarding does he feel islam hates america? he didn't

. >> and i'm gayle guyardo. today voters in florida have the opportunity to choose their candidate for president. we will have much more on the primary including all you need to know before you head to the polls in a live report in minutes. >>> first, our other top the stories. we are finding out much more about how selfless fallen deputy john kotfila really was. he is being hailed a hailed a for his actions during that wrong-way crash. the woman says deputy kotfila intentionally drove in front of the vehicle to prevent the wrong-way driver from hitting her. >>> gas stations in florida will now be required to upgrade safety measures at gas pumps. gas stations that don't comply with the new law could have pumps shut down. >>> and we are following breaking news out of chicago this morning. that's where three police officers were shot during a narcotics operation just before midnight when the narcotics team confronted the suspects. the suspects opened fire. one suspect was killed. the officers are expected to survi

good morning, gayle and gene. astronaut scott kelly won't arrive in houston until late tonight but right now, #yearinspace is trending on twitter in tampa. we will be tracking his return home all day today. >> scott kelly, back on mother earth after 340 days in space. >> reporter: kelly kept smiling, even helped position himself so he could be carried off the capsule and on to a chair. giving the thumbs upup. before landing, nasa shared this video of the undocking. hihis entire journey is being documented. he revealed that he will have gets back to houston but he is planning to jump in his pool once that is done. and on friday, he will talk about his 340 days in space, he will answer questions on reddit and he is going to go on facebook live. that means you can ask him questions too. on social media. i will keep checking and i will selfies this morning. >> jumping in the pool, i wonder if he was trying to feel that weightlessness. >> that's, got to get his s sea legs. >>> well, happening today, baseball fever isis

>>reporter: gayle and candace, good morning. sports caster erin andrews attorney has to convince the jury that the hotel is responsible for her suffering but they're putting the blame on the stalker. during seven days of testimony, they heard from her stalker, her family, and aeven from erin herself. it is so embarrassing, it was my private time. i never thought this would happen. i never thought a hotel would let somebody next to me without telling me. >> andrews insists the hotel willingly gave her stalker a room next to hers without letting her know. the marriott employee who checked him into the hotel testified. she admits she doesn't remember checking him in but insists she wouldn't have placed him in a room next to hers without telling her first. she is suing for 75 million for invasion of privacy. this is a case close to us here on news channel 8. we'll keep tabs on it and have updates beginning at first at four and count on us to bring you the decision as it happens throughout news channel 8 app. make sure you have that

gayle and gene? >> happening today, an alert about drug overdoses that is impacting our community and particularly our first responders. >> in a span of 4 days, crews in tampa answered 22 calls about spice. a dozen of the calls coming in in one day alone. >>> josh thomas is live from the fire station on zach street. josh, it's a big danger in the bay area. >> it most certainly is, gene, and that's why the first responders want to get out in front of the situation that i will release more information about the uptick right here at this fire station in a few hours, and experts believe the latest batch of spice that is out on the street may be more powerful than the past. poison control officials tell us the recipe has been strengthened and spice can leave users paranoid, hallucinating and sometimes violent. >> wherever there's individuals that are not lucid, it's anyone's game. >> reporter: now so far this year there's been nearly 300 florida leading the way, and the drug causes severe agitation and an

i'm gayle guyardo. >> and i'm gene ramirez. >> now the u.s. embassy is urging americans in brussels to take shelter. and just in, new york city is now ramping up security for mass transit. >> news channel 8's lindsey mastis is joining us now live. she has been following the story all morning long. lindsey, what are you seeing? >> reporter: there are videos and pictures on social media and right now, i wanted to start with the metro. you can see some smoke rising here in this video. and right now, we're trying to figure out if there's any injuries or any fatalities at the metro station. on social media, there are reports that there could be as many as 10 dead but that has not been confirmed. and now here's another view of the metro station. again, you can see smoke billowing up and we have a photo over here of people being evacuated and having to go on tunnel. and i also want you to look at a video posted to twitter and this is showing what happened right after those explosions. the airport. you can see the airport badly damaged. this is after

back to gene and gayle. thank you. >>> well, new details in the deadly shooting rampage in kalamazoo, michigan. >> ahead, the app the suspected gunman is blaming for his violent actions. >>> and encouraging news about the 14-year-old who survived the rampage. what she did in the hospital that's giving her parents hope. >>> and changes at the gas pump. up next, the new devices you may soon see while you fill up and how it's meant to protect us. you're watching news channel 8 >>> now to an 8 on your side alert. safer gas pumps could finally be on the way. we constantly show you skimmers stealing our money at bay area gas stations and now a new law aims to slow this down. news channel 8's adrienne it is a big deal, credit card year. gayle. right. frustrating. so 8 on your side wants to know stop skimming. here's the deal. gas stations now have more guidelines when it comes to security at the pumps. they have several options. one is to place a device inside the pump that will shut it down tampers with it. sounds

and now back to can gas and gayle. >> -- back to candace and gayle. >>> still ahead, the bay area airports hoping to land the deal to keep planes close. >>> the bizarre scene that played out on surveillance video in new york and what happened to the people inside. >>> plus -- >> reporter: these are sculptures created to help identify unknown victims but there's a problem, i'm 8 on your side's lindsey mastis. >>> 8 on your side found out some important sculptures that are being kept in storage right now. they are busts of unidentified bodies found in the area. there's a push to get them into the public eye but that could be a long process. >> reporter: these sculptures >> for one face, you could have a million people see it but if it's not the one right person, the sister or the daughter, it's not going to make the difference. >> reporter: they stood on display at usf after artists created facial reconstructions from remains found throughout tampa bay. but now poster boards are stacked up and they are under lock and key and the state's attorney's office. is it a disappointment to you that t

find me on facebook, wfla gayle g or twitter wfla gayle g. i up loaded a video of a gamg yet i'm thinking about installing under a news desk. tell me what you think before i . >>> many people like being private about their political views. you may be surprised to find out they know more about you than you know about them. they have two big things in common. the use of data and social media to drive activity. >> you saw this come out in hillary clinton's snap chat. her use of instagram. things that make her seem like a >> it will only get more intense as the election plays out. just know your voice is being heard well before voting day. >>> a mail carrier is honored after saving the life of a man along his route. last year, terrell brown was on his usual route in hillsborough county when he spotted a man in the yard. it was an 84-year-old who fell and hit his head. he needed help right away so brown jumped into action. >> i just made the decision, let's get an ambulance out here and i'll stay with him and make sure he is all right. >> the man

returning chef cory chen and gayle chen.hank you for being here live after meeting with janelle earlier. give us a quick background in terms of your experience as a chef. >> well, i was trained classically french/italian. i studied under martin yan for many years. now i know how to cook some of the great foods i group eating. >> we saw a little bit of the demonstration you gave janelle. we're going to do pot stickers, right? >> correct. >> give us an idea in terms of why potstickers are so important to the celebration and culture. >> well, first of all, pot stickers, as you can see, look like that big, golden nugget that we have over there. it's money, it's wealth. it's a lot of good luck for the new year. so it's a good thing to have pot stickers at the new year time. >> that display is symbolic of it? >> yes, right. gold. and so the second reason is because it's found do as you can see later on. if you want to get your hands dirty, you can try one, too. it's wrapping. so the family can get together with little kids, grandm

i'm gayle guyardo. >> and i'm gene ramirez. news channel 8's ryan hughes just pulled up to the scene in the last half hour. ryan, what are you learning about the victims out there? >> reporter: gene, good morning to you guys. me. you can see it is destroyed in this early morning fire. we are told that somebody was driving by around 1:15 this morning when they saw the place in flames. it was probably half engulfed at that point and roughly 10 minutes later, the e entire building was engulfed in flames. we are told that at this point, two people were inside, they died, an adult male and adult female as well as a dog also deceased. there were two dogs on the outside. they were injured but they are apparently doing okay at this hour. right now the polk county sheriff's crime scene investigation unit is here onscene investigating. they don't know if it was an accidental fire or deliberately set. clearly a long road ahead for the sheriff's office and for the state fire marshall who is here onscenene. we will continue e to gather inin

and now back to candace and gayle. >> all right. thank you so much, leslee. >>> well a shocking admission from a star tennis player. >> yeah, still ahead, what maria sharapova admitted to doing. >>> and a plane falls out of the sky. coming up, the bizarre scene that played out on surveillance video in new york and what happened to the people inside. >>> plus -- >> reporter: these are sculptures created to help identify unknown victims but there's a problem. i'm 8 on your side's lindsey mastis, i'll show you why these >>> 8 on your side found out some very important sculptures are being kept in storage right now. they are busts of unidentified bodies found in the area and there's a push to get them into the public eye but that could be a long process. news channel 8's lindsey mastis shows us what's holding things up. could help solve nine cases. >> for one face, you could have a million people see it but if it's not the one right person, then it's not going to make a difference. >> reporter: they stood on display at usf for about a m

. >> i'm gayle guyardo. in our top stories this morning, after about two weeks in court, the erin andrews lawsuit is starting to wrap up up. both sides will give the closing arguments. the sports broadcaster is suing a man who secretly took nude videos of her in 2008 and the marriott for allowing him to book the room right next to hers. >>> hillsborough county high school brawl has parents pointing fingers. son when a fight broke out at east bay high school. the father is giving his side of the story. >> you can clearly see me tripping over the kids sneaker. >> the father is also saying the school resource officer didn't do enough to protect the teens. >>> florida's largest outdoors expo and boat show kicks off today. this is a picture from news channel 8's event at the florida fairgrounds. it goes until sunday and today you can get in for free. if you buy a boat, it looks like it will be a great weekend to take it out. >> just call us. i'm sure we'll be able to enjoy it with you. this morning it is nasty in

gayle, a very sad week here. >> very tragic. all right, thank you, ryan. >>> many people are showing sympathy for deputy kotfila's family and the hillsborough sheriff's office online. the share a comment, head to the -- online. to share a comment, head to the wfla facebook page. >>> it's 6:05. this is a big week in the race for the white house and florida plays a huge role. it could be make or break for some of the candidates wanting that presidential white house. well, today republican front runner donald trump will make his case here in tampa. convention center. this begins at 2:00 this afternoon. over the weekend, trump campaigned in boca raton. this morning, there are questions about recent violence at trump rallies. in dayton, ohio, the secret service jumping into action stage there. and kansas city, police using pepper spray after a trump rally and then arresting some demonstrators. >>> well an nbc news wall street journal poll shows trump with a two to one advantage over marco rubio in florida. 43% to 22%. and now accordi

back to gene and gayle. >> thank you. >>> batman or superman? we have our favorite and that dispute will take over the big screen soon. a preview of the much anticipated film coming up. >>> but first, it's national puppy day. kiss your pooch right now. what every dog owner should know to help their puppies live a healthier life. >>> today is national puppy day. it's a day dedicated to celebrating the most delightful stages of our dogs' lives. how long do puppies stay puppies? the transition happens between 10 and 24 months and it's gauged basedded on the size and breed, not behavior, and teeth. >> maybe not scientifically but emotionally speaking, some are puppies their whole lives. >> and you love them. beautiful. >>> well, movie and comic book fans are calling it epic. their anticipation for the new batman verses superman film set to release this friday. it's almost too much the to bear. >> that's right. a classic show down, batman and superman the movie will feature other dc comic characters and wonder woman, there she is. leslee was just ask

as you said, gayle, they believe that speed was a factor. they have another person that's been transported to the hospital but three are deceased. traffic wise, university parkway is completely blocked both directions at the southeast lower corner of the airport. university closed old bradenton to desoto road. the good news is desoto road remains open so you can use it as an alternate. it intersects university right here at this location but it's an excellent alternate and then you can hop up here and continue on university if you're heading over to i-75. very sad news in the suncoast area this morning. in east lake we have a collision. road at keystone road so be on the lock out for that. we've had some big issues so far in traffic this morning. >>> how is the weather looking leigh? >> extremely different. it's back to winter. stroing -- strong winds from the north bringing in chilly air. inverness in the 40s and you can see temperatures dropping for the next 3 and a half hours. tampa at 57, lakeland 52. it's cool in north port at 61. you f

good morning, gayle. it's incredibly frustrating. and 8 on your side wants the know if this new law will actually stop the skimming. here's the deal, gas stations now have more guidelines when it comes to security at the pumps. this is what we're talking about. and they have several options. one is to place a device inside the pump that will shut it down immediately once someone tampers with it. sounds like a great idea. another option, this on the screen right there, that little piece of tape. a lot of the stations already use it and it really doesn't seem to work. the tape goes across the front and it's supposed to show if someone has opened it. the question here, will a gas station really pay more to have a device put inside the pump? and the new law ups the charges for the crooks ripping us off. and i am reading through the bill this morning and i will let you know anything else i find that could affect you. no question, something needs to be done. let's hope this time it works. >> yeah, seems like more advanced technology is nee

gayle, candace, back to you. >> thank you. >>> lifting the embargo with cuba. the new efforts that could permit u.s. hotel chains to open up shop on the island. >>> and then, he's being called a hero this morning. see how a trooper saved two kids from a burning car. >>> first, hear from one of the passengers who was inside that flight to clearwater that was canceled over the weekend. his story right after the human coronavirus... hepati- >>c virus. there are a lot of different kinds of yucky germs. but not all disinfecting wipes... are approved to kill the same number of them. lysol wipes are approved to kill more types of germs than clorox. don't pick just any wipe. try that one! this cold and flu season >>> an 8 on your side follow-up on a proposal delayed after a flight from indiana reported problems this past weekend. and now we are hearing from a passenger. crews worked on the flight monday after mechanical issues forced the plane to turn around on the runway. matt wilson was among the 153 passengers onboard that flight s

>> reporter: well, gayle, this is very scary, especially for parents and kids. the polk county sheriff tells us an 11-year-old girl got off the bus and started walking home when a car pulled up and her to get in the car with him. he told her, your mom is in the hospital and she sent us to get you. luckily, the girl ran away. this happened around 4:00 in the afternoon. the girl got off the bus at thousand oaks boulevard and the car approached her as she walked along the ronald reagan parkway. the car is a 2000 model white four-door, tinted windows, black rims and a black back bumper. the man is in his late 40s to 50s, short hair, salt and pepper goatee, sun burned or has a red complexion. he was wearing a dark green shirt with orange lettering on the front of it. when the girl started running away, the car made a u-turn and left. the girl ran home and told her mother who contacted law enforcement. this is a good time to have the discussion about what to do if something like this happens to them. >> you're right. because as a parent you preach and preach and you w

josh, this is a really scary one. is, gayle. and right now, i did check with winter haven police this morning and they tell me they year-old. but here at the walgreens frankly, people are on edge over what happened here a little more than 24 hours ago. a 24-hour walgreens in winter haven. in the surveillance video, you can see 50-year-old sandra hunter pull into the parking lot. a man can be seen walking around just moment before the carjacking. >> i couldn't believe it was happening. and he was waving the gun around and says get out now. >> reporter: hunter didn't want to show her face because the suspect is still on the run. that suspect has been identified as 18-year-old william brad i did summerland of bartow. state troopers spotted the car in st. augustine but when they tried to the stop it, he took took off running. else. but right there, you know, somewhere in my safe zone, well, not every day but on a regular basis. >> reporter: now his to complies is still behind bars. he is considered extremely dangerous. i will -- now

i'm gene ramirez. >> and i'm gayle guyardo. today voters in florida have the opportunity to choose their candidate for president. we will have much more on the primary including all you need to know before you head to the polls in a live report in minutes. >>> first, our other top the stories. we are finding out much more about how selfless fallen deputy john kotfila really was. he is being hailed a hailed a

good morning, josh. >> reporter: good morning, gayle. well, fresh off the debate last night, the two democratic candidates will bring their campaigns and messages to the bay area later today. and now hillary rodham clinton will be in tampa this morning speaking to supporters at the ritz theatre in ybor city. and later today, her opponent, bernie sanders who is gaining ground will make a campaign stop at the florida state fairgrounds. last night they squared off on miami. >> the undocumented people living in our country, i do not want to see them deported. i want to see them on a path to citizenship. >> i will not deport children from the united states of america. deport immigrants who don't have a criminal record? >> i can make that promise. [ applause ] >> reporter: now in the meantime, the candidates on the republican side are not ignoring florida either. marco rubio was in sarasota yesterday trying to woo voters here in his home state. all four remaining republican contenders have been come paining here in the sunshine state with the

ryan, the driver got suspicious >> reporter: gayle, good morning. amber nottinghamm thought at first it was an officer but then something clicked, it wasn't. >> i look in the rear have been jew a few minutes later and appears to have a red light in the windshield. and i panicked. i was like, it's the police. it's not the police. >> reporter: boy was she right. police tell us that it was a 35- year-old driving a 2007 nissan altima. over the weekend, neighbors told police he was a pinellas county undercover sheriff's deputy. and he was in jail for impersonating a cop. and when he left, largo police busted him 15 hours later for the same thing after they claim he chased her along u.s. 19. and now he was back in jail for impersonating an officer but i checked this morning and learned he has since bonded out. he pulled over other driver, gayle, and they had no idea he was not a police officer. pretty scary. >> it is. and for that lady to notice that something was wrong and to trust her gut instinct, incredible. thanks, ryan. >>> coming up on 5:45. happen

good morning, gayle. and the sheriff here in pinellas county has some simple advice for everybody this morning, do not buy xanax off the street because you really have no idea what you're getting. >> you don't have to take a handful. all you have to do is take one and you're dead. >> reporter: that's the sheriff talking about the super pill. it's incredibly dangerous as you just heard. and the pill looks just like a xanax but it's mixed with a powerful pain medication called fentanyl. and now the deadly struck is only $5 a pop. problem is really only here in pinellas county. so a 25-year-old dunedin woman overdosed on the super pill and died over the weekend. they're extremely concerned about it. undercover officers are now hitting the streets to find out more about where this is coming from. and of course, we have been reporting on a major problem with spice here in the area as well. so coming up in the next 30 minute, we will talk about what exactly authorities are doing and why there's this dangerous a

good morning, gayle. we already know that he meant so much to the people here at the hillsborough county sheriff's office. and a lot of you could be asking, so why massachusetts today? well, the kotfilas not only shared a last name but also a love for law enforcement. kotfila's father is a massachusetts state police sergeant and a former town police officer. one brother is currently an officer there. and that's why the funeral mass today will be at st. patrick's catholic church in massachusetts. and you just have to look at this video right now. family is getting from that community. there are people lining the streets and holding american flags as the hearse goes by. and then here at home in the bay area, family, friend, and law enforcement officers gathered at st. timothy's catholic church in lutz to say their final good-bye to deputy kotfila last friday. you will remember that the deputy died in the head-on crash with a wrong-way driver. the woman who called police to report the accident believes the d

back to candace and gayle. >> all right. thank you so much. >>> well, a 9-year-old boy is a very good cause. inspired just ahead. >>> first, video of the future before. his first step, chubby cheeks. more of the video of prince charles right after the break. (vo) making the most out of every mile. that's why i got a subaru impreza. love. it's what makes a subaru, >>> prince charles at home. britain's royal family released home video of prince charles as a toddler. it's from 1949 when charles was just one year old. at that time, she was princess elizabeth. charles is 67 now and heir to the british throne. the footage was released to mark the mothering sunday which is like britain's mother's day. >>> he has already raised $4,000. a 9-year-old massachusetts boy is selling his baseball cards to benefit his friend fighting brain cancer. brady is raising money for his friend landon's treatments. brady knows what they're worth. landon's mother is taking unpaid leave from work so the baseball cards are more help than she ever could

. >> i'm gayle guyardo. after two weeks in court, the erin andrews lawsuit is starting to wrap up. arguments. the sports broadcaster is suing a man who secretly took nude videos of her in 2008. and the marriott for allowing him to book the room next door to hers. >> in hillsborough county high school brawl has some parents pointing fingers. man handling her son when a fight broke out. the father is giving his side of the story. >> she said i slammed him and i tripped. you can clearly see me tripping over the kids sneaker. . >> the father is also saying the school resource officer didn't do enough to protect the teens. >> florida's largest outdoor expo and boat show kicks off today. this is a live picture from news channel 8's event at the florida state fair ground. it starts today at one and goes until sunday and today you can get in for free. so we all need to go out boat shopping because it will be a great weekend to get out there on the water ways. >> i have a feeling it will be very busy not only at the

good morning, gayle. it's difficult to listen to just how humiliating this was. not only then but continues to years later. that emotional testimony and like you were describing, it sits close to home for us girl, went to high school here across the street but also her father, steve andrew, is our lead investigative reporter. and now listening to her on the stand just really puts this terrible invasion of privacy in perspective. >> my naked body was on the front page of the new york post. like they had put bars over my body parts. my girlfriend is calling me telling me she was running around new york city throwing coffee on all the papers because she felt so bad. >> reporter: an emotional andrews describing the aftermath from when a stalker secretly video taped her nude inside her hotel room. she describes feeling ashamed and embarrassed. she wants marriott to take responsibility for giving michael barrett the room next to hers at his request. marriott insisting he manipulated the reservation system to get close. and he claims it wasn't that we are expecting her

and this is something that gayle was asking earlier, so gayle i've got the answer to your question, and it's short cake or biscuit? >> my goodness, that's on the line of the hatfields and the mccoys. and biscuit are for sausage and gravy this morning. >> reporter: okay. i don't know if i've ever had strawberry short cakes for biscuit. let's take it. and tell me what goes into it. >> well, we put the cake in the bowl. that's the first. >> reporter: and it seems so simple but this is the hard part. >> this is the heart of the short cake here. it does have a secret recipe in it that i am sworn to secrecy with. >> reporter: not tell us just a little bit? it does have a lot of calories. >> reporter: that thunder sleet takes days to make. >> yes, literally every day, we are skimming the strawberries and taking the tops off, slicing it and adding the secret recipe to it. >> reporter: all right. let's put it on top. this is like my favorite part. >> covers the cake. >> reporter: yes, yes. you can't even see the cake. that's amazing. perfect. >> and then the topping on it. >> reporter: and i am

and now back to can gas and gayle. >> all right, thank you, leslee. >>> right now, -- candace and gayle. >> all right, thank you, leslee. >>> look how emotional neighbors became after police investigated. it puts things in perspective here. and now the search continues for the person or people who pulled the trigger. we followed this story as newscast. and news channel 8's lindsey mastis is live from the scene where she is asking for updates. so lindsey, any arrests yet? >> reporter: well, i talked to tampa police this morning and they tell me, no arrests yet. and i asked them how many shooters were involved and they said, at this point, they're either. one man is in the hospital. injuries that are not life- threatening. the other man did lose his life. and this all began at this apartment complex. police say both of the victims were in the same car when another car pulled up and shots rang out. and this entire scene ended about two miles away from here. and we want to show you the video again, a large crowd gathering in the neighborhood after the shooting. emotions ran high. i want you

tell us what happened. >> reporter: well, gayle, good morning. amber nottingham noticed a vehicle on the back bumper as she drove along u.s. 19 right here. and at first thought it was an officer and then something clicked, it wasn't. >> i look in the rear view and he's got what appears to be a red light in the windshield. and then i really panicked, i was like, it's the police. i was like, it's not the police. >> reporter: and boy was her instinct right. police tell us it was a 35-year- old driving a 2007 nissan altima. over the weekend, neighbors told police he told them he was an undercover sheriff's deputy for pinellas county. he was in jail for impersonating a cop and when he left, largo police busted him just 15 hours later for the same thing after they claim he 19. he was back in jail for impersonating an officer but he has since bonded out of jail. and the big question now is out there? are there people he pulled over who did not know he was an office senator gayle, a scary thought indeed. woman. thank you so much, ryan. >>> daytona beach

back to candace and gayle. >> leslee, thank you. >>> a tragic death on the job. a fire department is gref ing -- is grieving the loss of one of their men. >> it's a problem that happens every time it rain, debris and trash flowing into storm rains how one neighborhood figured out a way to solve this. >> news channel 8 is covering the president's historic visit to cuba. what's up on the this is news channel 8 >>> we have special coverage of president obama's visit to cuba. for the first time since 1928 a president is in the communist nation. the first family stepping onto cuban soil. effort to restore relations with cuba many business deals between the two countries are in place or in the works including direct flights and soon cruise ships docking in havana. >> today president obama will meet with president castro. right now keith cate is in cuba with coverage of this historic trip. >> good morning from outside the latino america stadium. it's been a rainy start to this historic visit from president obama. when we arrived of course the president was here and ever

i'm gayle guyardo. >> and i'm candace mccowan in for gene ramirez. lots of breaking news this morning. let's get right to it. >>> hillsborough deputies are at the windwood oaks apartment in north tampa investigating. in the last 45 minutes, we learned that the man shot died at the hospital. >> news channel 8's josh thomas is live at the apartment complex this morning. josh, what are deputies telling you about the case and the victim involved? short while ago as you mentioned. and hillsborough deputies are still here on the scene investigating the deputy- involved shooting that happened off of florida avenue. last night, the sheriff's office received a call about a man shouting and waiving a gun around at the windwood oaks apartments. when deputies arrived, they tried to talk to the man through the cruiser speakers but when he still would not put the gun down and approached them, he ended up being shot several times. >> we had a subject with a gun and they were in fear of their safety and the safety of others. in fact, they were concerned that he may

so make sure you have it gayle? >> you know, this is a case that has a lot of us thinking and general. thank you, lindsey. >>> right now, tampa is one step closer to passing an ordinance that would lessen the punishment the city council voted 6 to 1 in favor of a change. 8 on your side ryan hughes is live at city hall. this is a big change in the works. >>reporter: good morning, right now, somebody caught with marijuana here in the city would likely left side their license, perhaps go to jail. face a hefty fine. if this ordinance gets the green light. they will get a slap on the wrist. this is the top clicked story on wfla.com and here last night, heated discu. >> this is not a get out of jail free card. this is to target the first time o..er wheeze made a mistake and give -- offenders who have made a mistake and give them the opportunity to get into the criminal law. >> they're in favor of the change. some residents sounded off telling city leaders it is harmless. some say it ruined their lives, the lives the loved

gayle, back to you. >> all right. thank you. >>> right now, fire crews are flames broke out at a ditchen design and remodeling company around -- at a kitchen design and remodeling company around 11:00 last night. we are making calls to determine how much damage the fire caused and what started it. >>> new this morning, an accused wrong-way driver is under arrest after he crashed into a hillsborough county deputy cruiser. eagle 8 hd flew over the scene just south of gibsonton drive during the 11:00 newscast. that is where deputies finally stopped 20-year-old derrick hyde. witnesses report seeing a pickup truck going the wrong way. deputies used stop sticks. eventually deputies were able to corner the driver but not before they claim he rammed a cruiser to escape. no one was hurt. three cruisers were damaged but hyde is now facing several charges including battery on a law enforcement officer. >>> the polk county sheriff's office is investigating what incident involving a man approaching an 11-year-old girl. it happened

gayle, back to you for now. >> it's history in the making. thank you, ryan: our own keith cate is in cuba. he traveled to havana to follow president barack obama on this historic visit. in the next half hour, keith shows us how the cuban people are reacting to the president's visit. >>> still chilly out there. >> it certainly is. a frost advisory this late in march, very unusual but we will take it in this crazy el nio winter so far. frost advisory for citrus and hernando but away from the coast. if you don't like it chilly, don't worry. we see leaps in the we go from 50 at 9:00 a.m. to a huge warm-up. and with lighter winds and lower humidity, the afternoon and early evening should be really comfortable. the chilly morning, pleasant afternoon. tomorrow for all you spring breaker, best beach day . that's the day to head out there. it's warmer but still sunny because a stalled cold front is going to bring our rain chances up toward the end of the week. it's a 20% chance thursday. and 40% friday. and 50% saturday. checking in now with traffic o

i'm gayle guyardo. >> i'm candace mccowan in for gene this morning. >>> we begin with breaking news. three people dead after a car crash in sarasota. right now a fourth victim is in the hospital. this is a picture from the scene at the intersection of old bradenton road and desoto road. so far police do not know what caused this single car crash but they do believe that speed was a factor. we have a crew on the way to the scene and leslee will give you updates throughout this morning. we'll check in with leslee in just a minute. >>> in our other top stories bay area road. a wrong way driver just missing slamming into a tampa police officer just a week after a hillsborough county sheriff's deputy died in a wrongway crash. now this epidemic as drivers and law enforcement on edge. >> these calls are coming in. you know, you want to say every weekend you're getting an alert, wrongway driver crash. >> the woman arrested a ja cancela is out on bond this morning. >>> another one of donald trump trump's relatives is being threatened. the gop front runner's sister received a letter like the o

. >> i'm gayle guyardo. >>> we begin with breaking news. law enforcement officers injured in a crash. this is the second time in three days this has happened. right now, a tampa police officer and a st. petersburg police officer are in the hospital. this is a live picture if the scene at central -- picture of the scene at central 54th street in st. petersburg. we are told a stolen car hit the officers in the side. the officers are expected to survive. >> and it comes just two days after a hillsborough county sheriff's deputy died in a wrong-way crash. we are talking about deputy john kotfila. he was with the force six years when a driver smashed into the deputy's cruiser head-on. erik mcbeth was also killed in that crash. and investigators are looking into whether alcohol may have been a factor here. >>> and we want to check on detours around the first crash in st. petersburg. >> we have a couple issues going on right now. it's a tough drive in pinellas county. in st. pete, following this for you throughout the morning, folks. what you need

gayle? gene? >>> you want to check your freezer this morning. >> ahead the food company recalling frozen meals, and the dangerous ingredient that does not belong in the meals. >>> the wild ride on the long what happened when one teenager took the curve at 45 miles an hour. >> ouch! >> that will make you say ouch, just like gene did. >> i said it. >>> we have to change our clocks this weekend, and next, the health dangers of the time change. you're watching news channel 8 >>> we are all dreading it, especially you early birds like us. we lose an hour of sleep, pushing the clocks forward. >> not only does it make monday morning extra rough, but daylight saving time can affect your health it can increase your risk of heart attack or stroke just by moving the clock. >> we have to stop doing this. >> lindsey mastis is live. >> reporter: maybe we can just keep falling back, right? >> losing that hour of sleep affects those with health issues. in the first 2 days after springing forward, heart attacks in

i'm gayle guyardo. >> and i'm candace mccowan in for gene ramirez this morning. >>> our top story, the search is on for the gunman or gunmen who opened fire in a south tampa neighborhood. one person is dead. another is now in the hospital. neighbors at the south bay apartments on south lois avenue are now on edge. updates. right now, they have no suspect descriptions but this they tell us, the victims were inside the car when another vehicle pulled up and shots rang out. >>> voters in four states polls for presidential primaries and caucuses today. at the same time, the candidates are turning their focus to florida. today our republican senator marco rubio will attend a rally in sarasota. donald trump will be in jupiter. and democrat bernie sanders will rally supporters in miami. it's all ahead of our primary, a week from today. >>> well an 8 on your side consumer alert. skimming devices with blue tooth technology found at a gas station in south sarasota. that means the crooks can access the credit card data remotely without touching the pump. they were found at the mobile station at t

gayle, gene, over to you. >> thank you. florida. the presidential candidates are zeroing in on the sunshine state's primary next tuesday. >> yeah, big day. for some candidate, it could be a make or break primary. that means we can expect to see a lot of these candidates, republican and democratic, in today is no exception. hillary rodham clinton will she's holding a get the vote rally at the ritz ybor. the doors open at 10:00 a.m. >> and not to be outdone, democratic challenger senator bernie sanders is campaigning in the bay area today. he will attend a rally at the florida state fairgrounds expo hall. doors are expected to open at 4:00. >>> the democrats are headed to the bay area this morning after a debate night in miami. news channel 8's keith cate and candace mccowan show us how the candidates are addressing issues but also trying to take down republican front runner donald trump. >> reporter: good morning. it was an interesting debate last night with the democrats and today it's all about the republicans. but for a moment, le

i'm gayle guyardo. >> and i'm gene ramirez. it happened right after midnight on central avenue and 54th street in st. petersburg. investigators believe the stolen car was speeding when it crashed into an undercover police truck carrying two officers. the officers are part of the auto theft task force. news channel 8's josh thomas is now live from the scene. josh, what are detectives saying about the crash and the injuries here? >> reporter: well, right now, they are continuing to investigate this crash which you can see behind me here, -- central avenue. you can see behind me here, crime scene investigators are still on the scene trying to piece everything together that happened just after midnight. and now the officers, one from tampa and one from st. petersburg were members of the auto theft task force. they were traveling down central avenue this morning when they were t-boned at 54th street north. as it turns out, the car that hit them had been stolen l.a. week but they were not actually looking for that vehicle. there were

gayle? >> all right thank you very much. cbs news senior security contributor michael morale is a in washington. and juan is with us from salt lake city. good morning to you. michael i want to start with you first. we had a statement from the belgian prime minister who says what we feared has happened, we were hit by blind attacks. can we call these blind attacks when they were on a heightened security alert? and that this comes three days after the arrest of abdeslam? where they said they were expecting more attacks? >> i had two reactions to what happened this morning. one is, it's a reflection of how large -- how compartmented, how sophisticated the isis terrorist capability is in europe. after the first attack the investigation showed that these individuals had sophisticated bombmakers. they had bombmaking locations. they used cell phones individually, one at a time, so they couldn't be tracked. they had forgery capabilities to forth between syria and iraq in europe, so very sophisticated capability. today. the other, i

good morning, gayle. it gives us chills to think about how brave he truly was and i will let you know what minute. but first, let's listen to the what happened. >> this man put himself in absolutely. going on. when i take a step back and look at the way everything human shield for us. >> reporter: that's right sarah. she explains the deputy drove the oncoming wrong-way driver, getting killed so that she could live. and now this is a top clicked story on our website for the fourth day in a row now. and we are sharing his bravery on facebook. and so far, we have more than 2700 reactions plus 1,000 shares as well as almost 200 comments. i do want to share some of those with you. dustin write, such an amazing man to have sacrificed so much just so someone else could live another day. rest in peace. and here joe writing something similar, the word hero is used way too loosely today but this man truly is. god, please watch over the deputy and his family. and let's take a look, lisa writing, what a true hero, ri