SpaceX Has Successful Launch
(Cape Canaveral, FL) -- The new year is off to a good start for SpaceX. The company's first launch of the year was a success last night. A Falcon 9 rocket carrying communications satellites blasted off from Cape Canaveral at 9:19 and a first-stage booster successfully landed on a drone ship. The launch was the first under the watch of the US Space Force, which was created last month as part of the new defense bill.
Kissimmee PD Officer Fired After Arrest
(Kissimmee, FL) -- A police officer is facing domestic violence charges in Osceola County. Kissimmee Police Officer Antonio Johnson was arrested in St. Cloud this weekend for allegedly getting physical with his pregnant girlfriend during an argument. The 31-year-old Johnson has been with the force for four years, but he's now relieved of duty without pay.
Teen Rescues Family Members From House Fire
(Miami, FL) -- A teenager is being called a hero for his actions during a fire in Miami-Dade County. The fire started yesterday afternoon in North Miami at a home at Northwest 16th Ave and 123rd Street. Nineteen-year-old Ofonso Henry was outside when the fire started, and relatives say he ran inside to help his parents and two small children escape. Henry, his parents, and the two children, who are his niece and nephew, were taken to the hospital, but they're all expected to survive.
Family Criticizes Police After Deadly Chase
(Miami, FL) -- A family is upset with police over a woman's death in Miami-Dade County. Theresa Gutierrez was killed when a stolen car hit a car she was in last week. Gutierrez's brother-in-law blames police for chasing the stolen car, but police say they were not in pursuit at the time. The 28-year-old Gutierrez leaves behind a fiance, who's on life support after the crash, and Gutierrez's sister says they want justice.
Endangered Right Whales Spotted Off Coast
(Flagler Beach, FL) -- An unusual sight is causing excitement off the coast of Volusia County. A mother whale and her calf were spotted yesterday off Flagler Beach, and one expert believes they were North Atlantic right whales. The whales are an endangered species, and it's believed only about 400 still exist. One man who used a drone to capture footage of the whales tells the News-Journal it was the most unique experience he has ever had with whales.
Charmin Unveils Toilet Paper Delivery Robot
(Las Vegas, NV) -- A new gadget could be the answer when you run out of toilet paper. Charmin has created a robot that delivers a fresh roll straight to the bathroom. It connects to a cell phone, so simply alert the "Roll-Bot" when in need. The toilet paper producer unveiled the device at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. It also showed off a sensor that reveals if a bathroom is stinky before you step in. For now, the gadgets are only available to those attending the show.
British Astronaut: Aliens Are Real
(Undated) -- The first British person to go to space says aliens are real, and they might already be here on Earth. Helen Sharman was selected in 1989 from thousands of applicants as part of a joint Soviet-UK project to send a Brit to the Mir space station in 1991. In an interview published Sunday in "The Observer," Sharman said aliens exist and there are no two ways about it. With so many stars in the universe, she said it seems likely there are all kinds of different forms of life out there. Sharman, a professional chemist, said the aliens might not be made of carbon and nitrogen like us, but of materials undetectable by the human eye.
TODAY IN HISTORY:
2019, Amazon was listed as the most valuable company at 797-billion-dollars.
1999, for the second time an impeached American president went on trial before the Senate. President Clinton faced charges of perjury and obstruction of justice. He was later acquitted.
1975, riots by Led Zeppelin fans before a concert in Boston cause 30-thousand-dollars in damages.
1959, the United States recognized Fidel Castro's new government in Cuba. Diplomatic relations were cut off after two years.
1894, W.K. Dickson received a patent for motion picture film.
1789, the first presidential election was held. The people voted for electors who later selected George Washington as the first president and John Adams as vice president.