Florida Local

Florida's Mortage Bailout Assistant Fund Being Investigated By Federal Government

Submitted by News Desk 2 on Fri, 04/12/2013 - 09:12

Washington, D.C. -

The Treasury Department has said that it will investigate the Florida Hardest hit Fund, the U.S. Treasury Dept paid the fund $1 billion to be used to help homeowners during the mortgage crisis, but an investigation by the 'St. Petersburg Times' found that only about 15% has been used.

Florida Gov. Rick Scott was hesitant to accept the money when it became available. When the St. Petersburg Times report was published, Sen. Bill Nelson, D-Florida, called on the U.S. Treasury to investigate.

More Bad News For Carnival Cruises; Ship Fails Health Sanitation Inspection; Offers Steep Discounts

Submitted by News Desk 2 on Thu, 04/11/2013 - 17:27

Miami, Fla. -

The Centers for Disease Control has given the Carnival ship 'Fascination' an 84 for sanitation in a recent surprise inspection. Anything less than 86 is considered a failure according to the CDC and the U.S. Coast Guard.

Carnival Cruises is based in Miami and has had several recent high profile mishaps on different ships that generated large publicity which has resulted in massive cancellations and low bookings for new cruises.

Charred Human Remains Found At Abandoned House Fire Off Beggs Rd And Hiawassee

Submitted by News Desk 2 on Thu, 04/11/2013 - 13:05

Orange County Firefighters were called to a fire of an abandoned house at 7466 Radiant Circle and unexpectedly discovered the burnt remains of a human body inside of a car which was parked inside the garage.

Officials have turned the investigation over to homicide detectives with Orange County who said they believed foul play was involved.

The body was burnt beyond recognition.

Satellite Beach Couple Found Dead In Apparent Murder Suicide

Submitted by News Desk 2 on Thu, 04/11/2013 - 12:14

Satellite Beach, Fla. -

Police are reporting that they have found the bodies of 43-year-old Brian Trump and 45-year-old Michelle Muenzenmeyer inside their condo at the South Patrick Condominiums.

The cause of death of Muenzenmeyer is under investigation, but police say Trump shot himself after what they described as a troubled two year relationship, though the couple were not married.

Police were called to the condo after friends and family of Muenzenmeyer hadn't been heard from.

2013 Hurricane Season Predictions Are Out, We're Going To Have More Hurricanes; Emergency Checklist

Submitted by News Desk 2 on Wed, 04/10/2013 - 16:08

Colorado State University climatologist William Gray has released his 2013 annual hurricane predictions and says this year will be busier than normal adding that El Niño is not present this year.

Dr Gray predicts 18 named storms, including nine hurricanes of which, four will be major hurricanes with a category 3 or higher rating.

The El Niño is an atmospheric force of tropical Atlantic wind shears that suppresses the development of tropical storms and hurricanes.

Needle Exchange Pilot Program Approved By Florida Senate Committee

Submitted by News Desk 2 on Wed, 04/10/2013 - 11:04

Tallahassee, Fla. -

Florida's Senate Health Policy Committee has approved a needle exchange pilot program legalizing IV syringes and needles for drug users who can exchange dirty one for clean new ones. Currently under Florida law, needle exchange programs are illegal.

The bill passes the committee on a 9-0 vote with the aim of reducing HIV among a segment of the population at a high risk of contracting the disease which can lead to aids.

Henry Gonzalez Galay Arrested On Manslaughter Charges In Kisismmee Shell Gas Station Shooting

Submitted by News Desk 2 on Tue, 04/09/2013 - 13:42

Kissimmee, Fla. -

Police have arrested 20-year-old Henry Gonzalez Galay and charged him with manslaughter in the shooting death of 25-year-old Henry Ortiz Reyes.

According to police, Galay and his sister Maria Galay along with Reyes were at the Shell gas station at 2201 West Columbia Avenue when Reyes found a gun in a book bag.

Galay claimed that he tried to take the gun away from Reyes and put his finger over the trigger but instead, accidentally grabbed the trigger and the gun went off hitting Reyes.

Passenger Spits In Crew's Face Forcing British Airways Diversion Into Orlando

Submitted by News Desk 2 on Tue, 04/09/2013 - 09:18

Orlando, Fla. -

Police in Orlando have arrested 32-year-old Sean J. Kelly after his actions forced a British Airways flight to divert into Orlando International Airport while enroute from Cancun to London.

According to statements made by the flight crew, Kelly had been drinking Stolichnaya vodka when he became billigerent during the flight and refused to comply to the air crews instructions and then spit in a flight attendants face.

Paul McCartney Coming To Amway Center In Orlando May 18

Submitted by News Desk 2 on Mon, 04/08/2013 - 11:39

Orlando, Fla. -

Orlando mayor Buddy Dyer has announced that Paul McCartney will be coming to Orlando on May 18th as part of his tour, and will preform in the Amway Center.

The "Out There' tour is also visiting several other cities and is the first time the popular singer and former Beatles member will have come to Orlando since 1993.

For tickets, visit: http://www.paulmccartney.com/

Palm Bay Police Looking For Armed Suspect

Submitted by News Desk 2 on Mon, 04/08/2013 - 05:42

UPDATED: Police have arrested John Kitchen and charged him with aggravated assault with a firearm. Police had been searching for him for nearly 8 hours.

Palm Bay, Fla. -

Police in Palm Bay say they are looking for a suspect that pulled on a gun on an officer while attempting to do a routine traffic stop.

The incident happened near the intersection of San Filippo Drive and Wyoming Drive, when officers tried to pull the man over. That's when they say he pointed or waived a gun at the officer and then took off.