Florida Lawmakers To Discuss Bill To End Citizen's Arrests
(Tallahassee, FL)-- A South Florida lawmaker will introduce a bill this legislative session to make citizen's arrest illegal. The way House Bill 25 was written, there are two exceptions. A law enforcement officer who is out of their jurisdiction would be allowed to arrest someone caught committing a crime. The measure would also allow a resident to detain a suspect who broke into their car or private property until police arrive. The 2023 legislative session is set to begin in two months. If lawmakers approve the bill, it would take effect in July.
Cocoa Beach Police Officers Reprimanded For Arrest
(Cocoa Beach, FL)-- A Brevard County man is glad to see police officers reprimanded for what he calls a traumatizing encounter. Jonathan Hosmer was sleeping on a bench in Cocoa Beach last year when Officers Matt LaFleur and Emilio Rosa approached him. Words were exchanged, and the 30-year-old Hosmer was pepper-sprayed and arrested. The police department later issued letters of reprimand to the officers for escalating the conflict. Hosmer told News 6 yesterday it was a terrifying incident, and he feels like the officers took it too far and abused their power.
Librarian Expresses Concern Over New Training Material
(Kissimmee, FL)-- New state guidelines have an Osceola County schools employee concerned for the state of our libraries. That's what district media specialist Tania Rodriguez said recently after watching a new training video. The video is meant to help librarians understand what's acceptable reading material and what isn't under the new laws, but Rodriguez says the video left her confused. She says the advice in the video is subjective and not best practice. Fleming Island State Rep. Sam Garrison sponsored the bill that led to the new guidelines for school librarians, and he disagrees with Rodriguez. He tells Channel 9 the standards are very clear that the focus should be on education.
OPD Officer Helps Deliver Baby
(Orlando, FL)-- An Orlando Police officer has a story she says she'll be telling forever. Courtney Burke was off duty Tuesday night when she helped deliver a baby. Burke saw a car parked along I-4 and found a woman in labor inside. Burke says the mom was a trooper and delivered the baby without any medication. Burke's job wasn't done once the baby was born, though. She says the baby had something in its mouth, so she performed CPR before the baby was taken to the hospital. Burke tells News 6 she was glad to be in the right place at the right time.
Passengers Stuck On Amtrak For 35 Hours Arrive to Central Florida
(Sanford, FL)-- Hundreds of Amtrak passengers are in Central Florida after they were stuck on the train for more than 35 hours. The train left northern Virginia on Monday evening and was supposed to arrive in Seminole County the following morning. However, a separate freight train hit a vehicle on the tracks, forcing Amtrak to reroute its trip. More than five-hundred passengers onboard were provided meals due to the delays. They arrived in Sanford yesterday morning.
Orca Found Beached In Flagler County
(Palm Coast, FL)-- Biologists are investigating a rare occurrence in Flagler County. An orca washed up yesterday in Palm Coast near Jungle Hut Park. The sheriff's office says it measured 21-feet long and weighed about five thousand pounds. The FWC and SeaWorld are looking into where the orca came from and why it died. A NOAA official tells WESH 2 News there's no record of a stranded killer whale ever being found in Florida or anywhere in the southeast US.
White Castle Bringing Back Valentine's Day Dinners
(Columbus, OH)-- White Castle is bringing back their Valentine's Day dinners this year. The popular tradition is returning after being canceled for the last two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Couples can enjoy sliders and chicken rings served to their tables, surrounded by festive Valentine's décor. Reservations are required and are being accepted at open-table-dot-com.
TODAY IN HISTORY
1995, the trial against O.J. Simpson for murder began in LA.
1991, Congress voted to give President George Bush the authority to use armed forces to move Iraqi soldiers out of Kuwait.
1971, "All in the Family" debuted on CBS television.
1966, "Batman" debuted on ABC television. Adam West and Burt Ward portrayed the caped crusaders Batman and Robin.
1896, the first x-ray was taken by H-L Smith. It was a picture of a hand with a bullet in it.