Florida Local

Port Canaveral Officer Fired For Using Gun Range Target Posters Resembling Trayvon Martin

Submitted by News Desk 2 on Sun, 04/14/2013 - 11:52

Port Canaveral officer Ron King was fired from the police department after a probe revealed he was using a gun target resembling Trayvon Martin in a training class. The targets displayed a hooded sweatshirt with a target on its chest along with along with skittles and iced tea in hand.

The targets used were sold online and sold out within two weeks.

Trayvon Martin was shot last year in Sanford by neighborhood watchman George Zimmerman after a confrontation. Zimmerman is still awaiting trial for murder where he contends he was in use of the Stand Your Ground law for self defense.

Harry Potter Fans; Sixth Annual Quidditch World Cup Being Held In Kissimmee Saturday

Submitted by News Desk 2 on Sat, 04/13/2013 - 09:59

Lifted from the page of Harry Potter the fictional game of Quidditch is to have its six world cup event in Kissimmee on Saturday. The game inspired from the popular book then movie franchise is replicated in the world cup except for the flying brooms.

The game consists of two teams of seven players attempting using four balls and six ringed goals. This year’s event will bring 80 teams worldwide to compete in the event.

Key West Post Office Is Evacuated After Receiving Threats And Suspicious Package

Submitted by News Desk 2 on Fri, 04/12/2013 - 16:56

Key West, Fla. -

The post office on Whitehead Street in Key West had to be evacuated after receiving a threatening note and a package that contains an unknown substance.

The employees and patrons were put through a decontamination process and those who were in closer contact with the package were transported to the Lower Keys Medical Center hospital as a precaution.

Officials have closed the area around the post office and are asking the public to stay away and said it will not reopen today.

Aerolineas Argentinas Flight Evacuated At Miami International Airport

Submitted by News Desk 2 on Fri, 04/12/2013 - 09:29

Miami, Fla. -

Airport police at the Miami International Airport, MIA, had to quickly disembark passengers earlier this morning on an inbound Aerolineas Argentinas flight after the airline reportedly received an unspecified threat.

Once the plane landed authorities cordoned off the immediate area and began disembarking passenger then did a full sweep of the airplane but found nothing unusual said Ida Finamilian of the Miami airport police.

The initial report that came in had said that the plane had to be evacuated but did not give a reason.

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.