Archive for South Florida News
Florida colleges face layoffs, dropped programs as state money dries up
Posted by: | CommentsFlorida’s state universities may look dramatically different this fall, with larger classes, fewer employees and fewer courses and degrees offered to students.
Obama touts Florida as site for high-speed rail lines
Posted by: | CommentsPresident Barack Obama cited southern and central Florida on Thursday as one of the potential sites for developing high-speed rail lines to help unclog highways, create jobs and provide swift train service.
Senate passes spending plan
Posted by: | CommentsProposal raises tobacco taxes, boosts gambling
Florida lawmakers steamed forward today with radically different visions for how to keep paying state government’s bills — a battle line drawn between higher tobacco taxes and more gambling, or deeper cuts and borrowing.
Florida seeks to stop thieves from mailing in jewelry
Posted by: | CommentsThe TV commercials make it sound easy: Gather your unwanted gold jewelry, mail it away and get cash in return. But police say thieves also see the ads and are exploiting mail-in jewelry businesses as an easy way to sell stolen goods.
Alligator Alley closed for the night
Posted by: | CommentsVisibility is close to zero in some parts of Florida’s main east-west artery.
Authorities plan to meet early Sunday to decide when to re-open Alligator Alley, which remains closed tonight due to heavy smoke conditions on the roadway.
Weekend Florida Keys travelers watch for bridge run
Posted by: | CommentsA footrace across the Seven Mile Bridge will temporarily close that portion of the Florida Keys Overseas Highway this weekend.
Cops: Ex-teacher shot husband, made kids help move body
Posted by: | CommentsDelores Laster wrapped a towel around the .22-caliber revolver, pulled the trigger and put a bullet into the back of her cheating husband’s head 21 years ago.
About 4,000 Florida National Guard members to be sent to wars in Iraq, Afghanistan
Posted by: | CommentsCallup is largest in Florida history
More than 4,000 Florida National Guard soldiers, including some 600 from South Florida, are to be called to active duty in the next few months in what is the largest mobilization in state history.
Most of the troops called up will be deployed to the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, according to Guard spokesman Lt. Col Ron Tittle. Others could be assigned to federal security missions in the United States.
“I’m not sure what to expect,” said Coral Springs resident Ernest Mason, 20, who will leave behind his wife of four months, Camilla, when he heads to a yearlong combat tour in Iraq with the 124th Infantry’s First Battalion. “It’s a worry. But I’ve thought about being in the military since I was 14. I’m getting as much training as I can.”
Florida Guardsmen will also be sent to Afghanistan as part of the Obama administration’s plans to double the number of U.S. troops there even as the drawdown of forces in Iraq continues. There are now 40,000 U.S. troops in Afghanistan, and 142,000 in Iraq.
Crist signs legislation
Posted by: | CommentsSouth Florida is center of pill mills
Sidestepping critics who say it won’t solve Florida’s pill-mill problem, Gov. Charlie Crist signed long-fought legislation Thursday designed to crack down on clinics and doctors who dole out excessive narcotic painkillers — mainly in South Florida.
Gas prices climb Orlando
Posted by: | CommentsG as prices have been steadily rising this year, but Orlando’s tourism leaders remain optimistic that travelers will hit the road and come to Central Florida next month for the long Fourth of July weekend.
Autopsy of Caylee Marie released
Posted by: | CommentsThe Medical Examiner’s autopsy report on Caylee Marie Anthony released today showed there were no drugs found in the body of the 2-year-old at the time her death.
The official autopsy and other forensic reports released today indicate there were no drugs found in the body of 2-year-old Caylee Marie Anthony at the time her death.
Florida Ethics Commission says it will take Gov. Crist at his word on flights
Posted by: | CommentsFlorida’s Ethics Commission said this week that barring proof to the contrary, it will take Gov. Charlie Crist at his word that he pays for the trips he makes on wealthy businessmen’s jets.
If you found $40,000, would you turn it in?
Posted by: | CommentsWhat would you do if you found more than $40,000 in a box?
First swine flu-related death in Central Florida confirmed
Posted by: | CommentsThe 30-year-old woman who died had a respiratory condition.
A 30-year-old woman who died at Florida Hospital’s Altamonte Springs campus early Tuesday was Central Florida’s first swine flu-related casualty.
Florida sex offender alerts hit million mark
Posted by: | CommentsA Florida alert system that notifies residents when a registered sex offender or predator moves into a designated area has reached a million notices.
Verizon, Alltel agree to refund $30 million to Florida cell phone customers
Posted by: | CommentsVerizon and Alltel have agreed to refund an estimated $30 million to Florida cell phone customers billed for unwanted third-party services including ringtones, music and horoscopes.
Federal authorities indict 53 for Medicare fraud
Posted by: | CommentsFederal authorities indicted 53 people on Wednesday for schemes to cheat Medicare out of $50 million.
Petition ban at polls stands, Fla. court says
Posted by: | CommentsTALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — A federal appellate court has upheld a Florida law banning petition gathering within 100 feet of polling places.
7th South Florida surgery today for Haitian girl who had 16 pound facial mass
Posted by: | CommentsThe birthday girl twirled to the sounds of her favorite Haitian music. Friends and family formed a circle around her, chanting “Marlie, Marlie.”
Weston thanks wildlife workers for black bear help
Posted by: | CommentsWayward bear visited Weston and then Wellington
State wildlife officials will be recognized by the city of Weston this evening for their actions in response to the recent sighting of a black bear near a residential area.
Release of Stallworth crash video in front of Miami judge today
Posted by: | CommentsMIAMI (AP) — A judge in Miami is being asked to publicly release surveillance video of the drunk-driving crash in which Cleveland Browns wide receiver Donte’ Stallworth struck and killed a pedestrian.
Vandals smash windows of West Kendall mosque
Posted by: | CommentsSouth Florida bandits target Muslims
Muslim groups and police are investigating why a West Kendall mosque had its windows smashed, sparking fear among congregants who believe the worship center is being targeted by vandals.
