What The Florida?!

Mom upset school's guest speaker was a Hooter's waitress

Thu, 24 Nov 2011 19:10:05 -0500

Mom upset school's guest speaker was a Hooter's waitress:

One mom is upset that the Great American Teach-In guest speaker at her child’s school — a Clearwater K-12 public school that serves students with emotional and behavioral disabilities — was a Hooter’s waitress, reports theSt. Petersburg Times.

The Great American teach-In is a day where professionals all over the country go to schools to talk a bit about their jobs.

The waitress opted to wear sweatpants and a sweater instead of her Hooter’s girl uniform consisting of a white Hooters tank top (usually tight fitting), orange shorts (shiny and skimpy), according to the Times.

The mom told the St. Petersburg Times, “I’m not knocking waitresses. They’re very hard-working. My point is, these kids should have higher goals.”

One killed in Miami-Dade restaurant shooting

Thu, 24 Nov 2011 17:25:05 -0500

One killed in Miami-Dade restaurant shooting:

One person is dead, a second hospitalized in critical condition after a shooting at the popular La Cuerva USA Café on Bird Road in west Miami-Dade, CBS-Ch. 4 reported.

Miami-Dade police spokesman Det. Javier Baez said it started with a fight between four individuals. During the confrontation, one of the individuals pulled out a gun and fired several shots at the restaurant at 8870 Bird Road.

One person died after being taken to Kendall Regional Medical Center. A second wounded man was taken to a nearby hospital in critical condition.

Police have not released the names of those involved. No arrests have been made in the shooting.

Monkey on the loose in Palm Coast

Thu, 24 Nov 2011 15:00:05 -0500

Monkey on the loose in Palm Coast:

Flagler County’s newest “most wanted” is not a bank robber or a violent criminal — it’s a monkey!

The animal was spotted this weekend in Palm Coast and got away.

Although the missing monkey has a growing fan base, but law enforcement isn’t monkeying around in trying to catch the fugitive primate.

Jack VanDegrift drove down his street Sunday to find the area flooded with law enforcement.

“Come to find out we had a wild monkey running through the neighborhood,” VanDegrift said.

A resident spotted the monkey on Colorado Drive and called it in.

Authorities moved in and shot it with a tranquilizer dart.

That didn’t work and the monkey escaped.

Retired priest arrested in bathroom sex sting

Thu, 24 Nov 2011 13:00:06 -0500

Retired priest arrested in bathroom sex sting:

A retired Catholic priest was one of six men arrested in Holly Hill as part of a sex sting in a public bathroom.

According to our news partners at the Daytona Beach News-Journal, Paige Blakely was arrested last Thursday after an undercover officer said the 61-year-old exposed himself inside the bathroom.

Blakely is a former pastor at St. Ann’s Catholic Church, in DeBary. He retired in 2007.

According to an arrest report obtained by the News-Journal, Blakely told police he was in the bathroom to ”experience what it was like,” and that he was trying to get a “thrill.”

Blakely has been charged with misdemeanor indecent exposure.

Carnival employee accused of sexual acts with a minor

Thu, 24 Nov 2011 10:55:05 -0500

Carnival employee accused of sexual acts with a minor:

A Carnival Cruise Lines employee has been charged with engaging in sexual acts with a minor, the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern United States said in a releaseTuesday.

According to the criminal complaint filed, Kert Clyde Jordan, 35 of Grenada engaged in a sexual acts with a 14-year old while she was on vacation with her family aboard the Carnival Liberty.

Jordan – a waiter on the ship – allegedly engaged in sexual acts with the victim while the ship was sailing in international waters on November 4 and 5, according to the release.

The victim reported the incident to her family on her return home.

Dog bites girl, is stabbed by girl's grandfather

Wed, 23 Nov 2011 21:01:06 -0500

Dog bites girl, is stabbed by girl's grandfather:

Pinellas County Sheriff’s deputies say a dog bit a 4-year-old girl and then the girl’s grandfather stabbed the dog twice in the neck with a pocket knife.

The incident happened shortly before noon on Monday at an outdoor seating area of a McDonald’s restaurant.

Authorities say the dog, the dog’s owners, the child and her grandfather all knew each other. The dog approached Shayna Lydick and bit her on the lip, which is when Shayna’s grandfather stabbed the dog.

Shayna was taken to the hospital for treatment. The Golden Retriever dog was treated by fire-rescue workers. Pinellas County Animal Services responded to the scene, took custody of the dog and will investigate.

Men killed by SUV while fighting in road

Wed, 23 Nov 2011 19:11:06 -0500

Men killed by SUV while fighting in road:

Authorities say two men fighting in the middle of a southwest Florida road were fatally hit by an SUV.

The Florida Highway Patrol reports that 47-year-old John William Barr and 45-year-old Jerry Bramlett were involved in a physical altercation Sunday night in the middle of a North Fort Myers road.

As two vehicles were approaching the men, officials say the lead vehicle swerved into another lane to avoid them, but the second apparently didn’t see the fighters in time and hit them with her SUV. Both men were reported dead at the scene. Authorities were investigating the cause of their fight.

The SUV’s driver was taken to a nearby hospital with minor injuries. No charges were immediately reported for the crash.

Deputies seize 28 guns, arrest 25 suspects in one-month sweep

Wed, 23 Nov 2011 17:26:06 -0500

Deputies seize 28 guns, arrest 25 suspects in one-month sweep:

The weapons, some appearing more menacing than others, all have their own history, but the majority ended up in the same place: in the hands of convicted criminals.

On Monday, members of a special gun squad with the Broward Sheriff’s Office unveiled an arsenal of weapons they said they seized during a one-month campaign called “Operation Bullseye.”

Police hunt for woman who stole handbag containing firearm

Wed, 23 Nov 2011 15:01:05 -0500

Police hunt for woman who stole handbag containing firearm:

A purse containing a firearm was stolen from a woman while she was shopping in a West Melbourne Wal-Mart on Sunday, police report today.

According to a press release from the West Melbourne Police Department, two women were shopping in the produce section of the store, which is at 845 Palm Bay Road. When the women turned their backs on their shopping cart, an unidentified female grabbed the purse and fled.

The thief was described as having brown hair tied up in a bun, wearing a black shirt with an American flag logo on the front and pink shorts.

Man accused of up-skirting shares his method with deputies

Wed, 23 Nov 2011 13:01:06 -0500

Man accused of up-skirting shares his method with deputies:

Be wary of men tying their shoes — especially if their shoes have velcro with no laces in them.

Like this guy. Armando Tiburcio Pineda, 30, was busted for up-skirting at a Lee County park, reports the Naples Daily News.

The Bonnita Springs man allegedly told deputies he took the videos while he would tie his shoes; deputies noted Pineda’s shoes were fastened by velcro, with no laces in them.

Deputies say he told them, “They’re just pictures. I did nothing wrong.”

Woman accused to stabbing neighbor over $5

Wed, 23 Nov 2011 10:56:05 -0500

Woman accused to stabbing neighbor over $5:

When her neighbor wouldn’t give her some cash, an Oakland Park woman used a steak knife to avenge her financial rejection, authorities said.

Dorothy Cooper, 59, stands accused of stabbing her neighbor, Robert Martin, after he refused to give her $5, according to a Broward Sheriff’s Office affidavit.

At a first appearance hearing on Monday, Judge John “Jay” Hurley ordered Cooper held without bond on one count of attempted murder.

Woman wakes to find burglar inside her apartment

Tue, 22 Nov 2011 21:06:05 -0500

Woman wakes to find burglar inside her apartment :

A woman had the fright of her life after she found a stranger inside of her home at Orlando’s 55 West apartment complex.

Police said at about 10:50 p.m., the 24-year-old was in bed asleep when she heard footsteps coming down her hallway. She told them at first she thought it was her roommate, but she then saw that it was a stranger in her home. The victim then yelled, “who the hell are you?”

The suspect then walked out of the apartment. The victim called the security officer at the front desk and reported the incident to him. The suspect was not caught.

During the investigation, officers determined that the victim’s roommate left the door unlocked, allowing the suspect to get inside.

13-year-old accused of starting fire in school bathroom

Tue, 22 Nov 2011 19:11:05 -0500

13-year-old accused of starting fire in school bathroom:

A 13-year-old is charged with arson, after deputies said she was caught setting a fire in her middle school bathroom.

The Lake County Sheriff’s Department said it happened Monday, just before 1:30 p.m. in the girl’s locker room at Eustis Middle School. Investigators said she started the fire by pouring gasoline on the floor out of a bottle.

The teen’s gym teacher told deputies she noticed the girl wasn’t in class, and when she went to see what was keeping her, she saw the teen running out of the restroom with her shoe on fire. Fortunately, the flames were put out with only some damage to a few stalls and a toilet.

More cats than inmates at Fla. prison set to close

Tue, 22 Nov 2011 17:26:05 -0500

More cats than inmates at Fla. prison set to close:

Authorities say dozens of cats that snuck into a Florida prison will be found new homes before the facility closes next month.

As many as 80 cats have burrowed under fences and taken up residence at the state-run prison in Belle Glade. Prisoners have been feeding the animals, even though rules prohibit that.

The 1,000-inmate prison closes Dec. 1. Officials tell The Palm Beach Post ( http://bit.ly/tb03sC) that as of Monday, there are more cats than prisoners at the facility. Just 69 inmates remain awaiting transfers.

Man dialed 911 67 times

Tue, 22 Nov 2011 14:51:05 -0500

Man dialed 911 67 times:

Deputies say a Tampa man called 911 67 times over a two-hour period.

The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s office arrested 37-year-old Clarence McDonald on Tuesday after deputies pulled over the car he was riding in. They say he started calling 911 operators on Monday night, reporting that he had been shot at and was being shot.

Officials say McDonald never provided his location.

The St. Petersburg Times ( http://bit.ly/stJ4P8) reports the first call came in about 10 p.m. Monday. Deputies say McDonald continued to call and stayed on the line for 30 seconds to a minute.

When deputies stopped the car, they found the cell phone he used to call 911 and cocaine.

'Garbage man' swindling suspect arrested

Tue, 22 Nov 2011 13:01:06 -0500

'Garbage man' swindling suspect arrested:

A 57-year-old felon with multiple theft convictions was arrested Tuesday on charges that he defrauded Titusville residents while posing as their garbage man.

Ezzard Charles Guilford was handcuffed at his South Street home in connection with six counts of scheming to defraud and four counts of exploitation of the elderly.

Two charged in alleged kidnapping in Delray Beach

Tue, 22 Nov 2011 11:01:05 -0500

Two charged in alleged kidnapping in Delray Beach:

An Orlando teenager is facing charges for staging his own kidnapping to extort a ransom from his father, according to Delray Beach police.

The 17-year-old disappeared from the Chris Evert/Raymond James Pro-Celebrity Tennis tournament in Delray Beach on Sunday morning. He later called his father claiming his captors were demanding $50,000 for his release, police said.

Mother accused of fighting another student at school, arrested

Mon, 21 Nov 2011 21:05:06 -0500

Mother accused of fighting another student at school, arrested:

A woman was arrested Tuesday for going to her daughter’s school, hitting a student and telling her daughter to fight another student.

According to students and parents at the school, The Mom says she was tired of her daughter being bullied.

Leslie Thomas, 30, was arrested at Lockhart Middle School. The Orange County Sheriff’s Office says Thomas went to the school’s cafeteria without permission, hit a student, then told her daughter to start a fight.

”You can’t just barge in and attack another child, especially a minor. You just can’t do that!” says Carole Brown, whose grandson witnessed the altercation.

Investigators say Thomas also stopped anyone from breaking up the fight, and hit another child.

Report shows woman shot by deputy had taken meth

Mon, 21 Nov 2011 19:05:05 -0500

Report shows woman shot by deputy had taken meth:

A toxicology report shows that a Florida woman who was fatally shot by an East Tennessee deputy after slashing him and trying to drive away in his patrol car had taken methamphetamine and several other drugs.

Bradley County Sheriff’s Maj. Jon Collins told the Cleveland Daily Banner that a report received Monday shows meth, lidocaine and other drugs in the body of 30-year-old Armetta Foster of Casselberry, Fla.

The deputy was talking to Foster after finding her walking along Interstate 75 with her two children and she slashed him on the hand. Foster then took off in the patrol car and the deputy fired at her. The car struck a tree.

11-year-old boy on bike hit by FedEx truck

Mon, 21 Nov 2011 17:20:05 -0500

11-year-old boy on bike hit by FedEx truck:

An 11-year-old boy is in stable condition after he was hit by a FedEx truck while riding his bike home from school.

It happened on Fiske Avenue after the child left Golfview Elementary.

Police said the truck’s driver saw kids in the crosswalk and stopped.

The child’s bike chain had come off, and he was bending over to fix it.

The driver thought he had cleared the boy, but ended up striking him.

The child was flown to Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children in Orlando where his mother said the child is undergoing X-rays.