Erik Waxler

Tampa

Reporter at WFTS-TV (Tampa, FL)

Emmy winning veteran of the tv news biz @abcactionnews in Tampa, @UFJSchool grad. Star of Netflix's #TigerKing2

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Articles

Rainy weekend doesn't mean drought conditions are over

2 days ago | abcactionnews.com | Erik Waxler

PASCO COUNTY — The drought conditions around the Bay Area have kept fire crews busy. Pasco Fire Rescue deputy chief Shawn Whitehead says the situation has been as bad as it has been in over a decade. “We had a very dry winter, everybody knows that. Super dry spring, and we are just hoping for that rainy season to come,” said Whitehead.
Deputy recalls 'miracle' recovery after he was saved from hurricane flood waters

1 week ago | kesq.com | Erik Waxler

By Erik WaxlerClick here for updates on this story PASCO COUNTY, Florida ( WFTS) - Pasco Sheriff's Deputy Buddy Allman was on duty in the hours following Hurricane Milton on Oct 18, 2024. "It was my job to notify the people in those low-lying areas that we were sure how much the water would come up," Allman said from his home in Zephyrhills. When the road washed away, he was in this Humvee on Dixie Avenue near Dade City.
Pasco deputy recalls 'miracle' recovery after he was saved from hurricane flood waters

1 week ago | abcactionnews.com | Erik Waxler

PASCO COUNTY — Pasco Sheriff’s Deputy Buddy Allman was on duty in the hours following Hurricane Milton on Oct 18, 2024. “It was my job to notify the people in those low-lying areas that we were sure how much the water would come up,” Allman said from his home in Zephyrhills. When the road washed away, he was in this Humvee on Dixie Avenue near Dade City. “The whole concrete just fell out from underneath me.”The drop was more than ten feet down.
'What kind of world is this?' Ferry crash victim's family angered no charges filed

2 weeks ago | abcactionnews.com | Erik Waxler

PALM HARBOR — Family meant everything to Jose Castro, especially his two daughters. "You can see in their eyes, as soon as they see my brother, how their eyes shine,” said Sandy Todd. But now those young girls are without a father, and Sandy is planning a funeral for her brother, who was killed Sunday night. "My family is coming [from] all over to be the last time with my brother. This is unexpected. Very sad,” Todd said.
Improvements to Grand Boulevard next step for New Port Richey

3 weeks ago | abcactionnews.com | Erik Waxler

NEW PORT RICHEY — Downtown New Port Richey has undergone a transformation, and longtime residents like Angel Cook say they have loved watching it unfold. “I’ve lived here all my life but I’ve lived in the city the last five years. But I’m very involved in the community, and in the last 10-12 years, the boom has been incredible,” said Cook, an insurance broker with Leaders Insurance Agency.
First of two films on football players' deadly boating accident to premiere in St. Petersburg

3 weeks ago | abcactionnews.com | Erik Waxler

It was a day of fishing that turned into tragedy. Now, it’s being made into two movies. Producer Rick French with Prix Productions has worked closely with the only survivor, Nick Schuyler, since just days after the rescue. “Our goal and our plan from day one was simply to honor the memories of the guys and his friends that he lost out there that day,” French said.
20,000 Easter eggs part of St. Pete holiday celebration

3 weeks ago | abcactionnews.com | Erik Waxler

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — At 11:30 a.m. on the dot, he mad dash began. Easter Eggs all over Spa Beach Park, and plenty of kids ready to snatch them up. “It crazy but it was super fun," said Lauren Poole. Poole brought her three young ones for the festivities. “This is a perfect location. It’s definitely Florida vibes. You can’t do it anywhere else," she said. Luis Bustamante came with the whole family. “Got my two daughters. We got our siblings. My mom is here from Miami.
Pasco facility trains people with mental illness to return to workforce

1 month ago | abcactionnews.com | Erik Waxler

PASCO COUNTY — Things couldn’t have been much worse for Ian Magnusson. “I was living in a shed with no running water. No power. No electricity,” Magnusson said. He really just wanted a place to take a shower, and that’s what brought him to the Vincent House. “It ended up being my people and sort of became a second family,” he said. Vincent House in Pasco County teaches people dealing with mental illness how to work and hold down a job.
Feedback wanted before Pasco County spends $585 million in disaster relief grant

1 month ago | abcactionnews.com | Erik Waxler

PASCO COUNTY, Fla. — Doug and Gay Van Fleet have been going nonstop since Hurricane Helene flooded their Hudson neighborhood. They showed us pictures from inside their house as water tossed their furniture around and lifted the kitchen island, slamming it into the cabinets. "Everything you own, if you didn't take it with you, was destroyed," said Doug. Doug, a retired carpenter, is working on redoing their entire home himself. And helping neighbors.
New Pasco recovery center staffed by people who have overcome drug abuse

1 month ago | abcactionnews.com | Erik Waxler

NEW PORT RICHEY, Fla. — Ashley Eberts was addicted to opiates. "Just someone offered me a pill once, and it just took off from there,” she said. She lost custody of her kids as her life fell apart. WATCH New Pasco recovery center staffed by people who have overcome drug abuse New Pasco recovery center staffed by people who have overcome drug abuse "You are just chasing it constantly, and really, in reality, you aren't happy, and your problems are never going away,” said Eberts.