Uncommon Knowledge
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
Florida animal control officials are warning owners of lost pets that they may be targeted by a scam that preys on their desperation to find their missing companions.
The Palm Beach County Department of Public Safety’s Animal Care and Control division (PCB ACC) alerted pet owners to the scam in a Facebook post on Tuesday. The scheme apparently involves phone calls that fraudulently attempt to convince locals that their lost pets have been found while demanding money for their safe return.
Scammers target the owners of missing pets somewhat frequently. Those who publicly share details about their lost pets and contact information online are particularly vulnerable.
“It has come to our attention that scammers are targeting owners of lost pets,” the post reads. “Someone is representing themselves as an employee of our shelter and trying to collect money. PBC ACC will never and ask for money over the phone.”
“Please do not transfer funds or share account/credit card numbers with anyone representing themselves as us,” it continues. “If you have a lost pet, please post your pet on our SNAP website and continue to check the website daily.”
Jovanmandic
In an additional Facebook post, public safety officials said that the targeted victims of the scam were “community members who post their information on lost pet websites” before receiving “calls from someone identifying themselves as an employee of ACC.”
Local ABC affiliate WPBF reported that some victims were targeted after sharing lost pet posts on the app Nextdoor. Scammers also reportedly targeted those who made similar posts on the Pawboost and Petco Love Lost websites and the Loxahatchee Lost and Found Facebook page.
Newsweek reached out for comment to PBC ACC via online contact form and the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office via email on Wednesday night.
Palm Beach County’s “SNAP” website hosts a large number of listings for lost and found pets, primarily cats and dogs, alongside photos of the missing animals. The site also features a section listing unclaimed pets that have an “urgent” need for adoption.
Officials in Wake County, North Carolina, issued a similar scam alert last month, informing locals that someone was calling those with missing pets while claiming to be an employee of the Wake County Animal Center and demanding money for urgent pet surgery, according to The News & Observer.
Newsweek previously reported on a woman who said that she was targeted by a scammer who contacted her with claims of having found her missing husky. When she refused to pay $400 for the dog’s return, the scammer tried to extract money from the woman, who is straight, by threatening to expose an affair to her non-existent wife.
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
Walter Clayton Jr. and Will Richard wore the same logo on their chests for two years, but now they’re both looking to make a name for themselves in the NBA. Still, the duo remains part of Florida Gators history, and what do old teammates do when they meet up at the pro level? That’s right, it’s jersey swap time.
Richard and the Golden State Warriors got the better of Clayton and the Utah Jazz, 134-117, but it was all love after the game. The two won a national championship just seven months ago, and they remain the blueprint for transfer success at Florida under Todd Golden.
Although Clayton was the bigger star in college, Richard has gotten off to a hotter start in the NBA. He’s started a few games for the Warriors and put up nine points, six rebounds and two steals in Monday night’s win. Despite coming off the bench, Richard played 29 minutes. Warriors head coach Steve Kerr and point guard Steph Curry have praised the former Gator, who’s emerging as one of the biggest steals of the NBA draft (56th overall).
Clayton’s NBA career has started off slower. The 18th overall pick is averaging 5.4 points, 3.2 assists and 2.1 rebounds over 15.9 minutes per game. He spent a game at the G-League level earlier this week, but a 20-point, five-rebound and five-assist outburst got him called back up after a few days.
Although Clayton went scoreless in the head-to-head matchup with his former teammate, he had four assists, one rebound and a block.
This won’t be the last time the two meet on the hardcourt. Gators fans hope to see several matchups between the two, hopefully with both as starters, in the coming years. Getting the jersey swap out of the way early is smart. Who knows how tightly contested those future contests will be?
Follow us @GatorsWire on X, formerly known as Twitter, as well as Bluesky, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida Gators news, notes and opinions.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) plans to deport an alleged “criminal illegal alien” from Finland accused of throwing coffee on a baby, mother and the family’s dog during an altercation in Florida.
Nina Kristina Jaaskelainen, who has been in the country illegally since 1999, was hit with an immigration detainer following her arrest in New Smyrna, Fla., earlier this month on battery and domestic violence charges.
Jaaskelainen, 54, allegedly hurled coffee at the mother, infant and their dog after becoming enraged that they had strolled past her property with their pooch off-leash, according to the Volusia Sheriff’s Office.
A police affidavit noted the dog, a Dalmatian, was indeed not on a leash but “following closely alongside (the mother and son),” according to News 6 Orlando.
The Finnish national first threw coffee at the dog, which led to an argument during which Jaaskelainen tossed another cup of joe at the mother and her 11-month-old son, police said.
“It was all over my clothes, and all over him,” the victim, Kelly Brisell, told WESH 2 News. “It was over his eyes, nose and temple. Thank God the coffee wasn’t hot.”
Cops observed dried coffee on the mother, child and dog when they arrived at the scene, and Jaaskelainen “confirmed that she had thrown coffee on (the mother’s) dog and denied intentionally throwing coffee on (the mother) and her baby,” according to the affidavit.
Jaaskelainen defended her actions by claiming the unleashed dog was upsetting her own dog, and argued that the family and their pet were on her property.
The enraged homeowner first entered the country on a tourist visa in April 1999.
She was required to leave the US by July 1999, but flouted federal law and opted to remain in the country illegally for the last 26 years.
The detainer ensures that Jaaskelainen is “not released back into American neighborhoods,” according to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
“For over TWO DECADES, Jaaskelainen has been in our country illegally, skirting the law without consequence,” DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said in a statement Monday. “Now, a baby, a mother, and a dog have been assaulted by her.”
“She is now facing charges for battery and domestic violence,” McLaughlin continued. “ICE lodged an arrest detainer to ensure she can never victimize another American family.
“President Trump and Secretary Noem will not allow illegal aliens to terrorize American citizens.”
Set on the gentle waters of Boca Ciega Bay, the small town of Gulfport delivers a mix of Old Florida charm and bayside leisure. Once a humble fishing village, Gulfport has managed to stay delightfully unpolished even as the larger Tampa Bay metro area expands around it. Take a slow walk along the waterfront pier between Shore Boulevard and Beach Boulevard for sunset views — if you’re lucky, you might catch a glimpse of dolphins cutting through the shallows. From the Municipal Marina, rent a kayak or paddleboard to explore the mangrove-fringed estuary of Clam Bayou Nature Preserve where herons and osprey stir in the salt air.
The Gulfport Beach Park draws a mellow crowd to its calm shores and is still just steps from art galleries, museums, and restaurants. The compact town layout means you can park once and spend the day exploring on foot. Getting to Gulfport is easy, with Tampa International Airport (TPA) and St. Petersburg-Clearwater International (PIE) both within a 30-minute drive. Once you arrive, the pace slows to match the tide. To extend your visit in the area, consider continuing on to Safety Harbor, known as the “Jewel of Tampa Bay.”
If Gulfport has a pulse, it beats strongest along Beach Boulevard, where galleries, vintage shops, and sidewalk cafés radiate local color. The town’s long-standing embrace of the offbeat has made it a haven for artists, writers, and makers who prefer brushstrokes over big-box stores. On the first Friday and third Saturday of every month, the Art Walk transforms the streets into an open-air gallery. Musicians play, artists paint live in The Village Courtyard, and the scent of fresh seafood drifts from waterfront restaurants. Between events, galleries showcase everything from blown glass and hand-stitched textiles to vivid paintings of Gulfport’s own oak-lined streets.
For overnight stays, opt for character over corporate. The Peninsula Inn & Spa, housed in a lovingly restored 1905 building, anchors the town’s lodging scene. You’ll also find cozy cottages and boutique inns that mirror Gulfport’s creative, walkable spirit. Dining is as eclectic as the décor. Expect Venezuelan comfort food, dockside seafood, and small wine bars tucked beneath the oaks. The vibe is unhurried and communal. This is a town for browsing, chatting, and lingering over a second cup of coffee. If you’re looking for more artsy Florida communities to explore, check out mural-filled DeLand, known as the “Athens of Florida.”
Long before it became a bohemian hideaway, Gulfport began as Barnett’s Bluff, settled in 1868 by James and Rebecca Barnett. Over time it cycled through a few identities — Disston City, Bonifacio, Veteran City — before officially becoming Gulfport in 1910. Its enduring symbol, the Gulfport Casino, has been the town’s social anchor for more than a century. The current 1930s-era building, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, still hosts dances and community events overlooking the bay.
That independent streak still defines the town. Gulfport’s dining scene skips national chains in favor of small, personality-driven spots. The Pink Winehouse, known for its wines, barbeque, and chill vibes, is a local favorite. Most guesthouses and short-term rentals sit within walking distance of shops, the marina, and the bayfront park, making it easy to experience the town without a car.
Parking is free and plentiful, and the Gulfport Historical Society offers walking tours that uncover the stories behind the cottages, piers, and historic homes. Together, they reveal a town that’s grown with grace: colorful, creative, and confident in its quirks. If you have time during your trip to Gulfport, make the journey to some of these other spectacular beaches around Tampa Bay.
Fire survivors can use this new portal to rebuild faster and save money
France and Germany support simplification push for digital rules
Court documents shed light on Indiana shooting that sparked stand-your-ground debate
Sinclair Snaps Up 8% Stake in Scripps in Advance of Potential Merger
Washington state resident dies of new H5N5 form of bird flu
Calls for answers grow over Canada’s interrogation of Israel critic
Duckworth fires staffer who claimed to be attorney for detained illegal immigrant with criminal history
Fake flight cancellation texts target travelers