St. Augustine Woman Recalls Pen-Pal Relationship With Bush (St. Augustine, FL) -- A St. Augustine woman is mourning the loss of a man who, to her, was more than just a president. Sandee Rouse was pen pals with George H.W. Bush for about 25 years. Their friendship started when they met in Cincinnati in 1989 after Rouse lost her son while he was an Army medic in Panama. After hearing of Bush's death this weekend, Rouse told First Coast News he didn't speak to her that day as a president but as a father and veteran who knew what she was going through.
Fire Displaces Family Of Five (Canaveral Groves, FL) -- Three weeks before Christmas, a family of five in Brevard County finds itself needing a place to live. A house caught fire yesterday afternoon in Canaveral Groves on Canaveral Groves Boulevard. Everyone inside was able to get out OK, and Cocoa firefighters rescued a cat, appropriately named Lucky. There's no word on a cause, and the Red Cross is helping the family.
Eight-Year-Old Girl Helps Catch Porch Thief (Clermont, FL) -- An eight-year-old is credited with helping police catch a Grinch in Lake County. Deputies yesterday arrested a man in Clermont for stealing packages from three homes. Carlos Moreno-Marquez was caught after the girl, who deputies call amazing, took a picture of the car he was in and gave it to deputies. Deputies say the 34-year-old Moreno-Marquez admitted to the crimes.
Congressman Gaetz Calls Colleague 'Nuts' (Washington, DC) -- Congressman Matt Gaetz says one of his colleagues is nuts and should be prosecuted. The Republican Tweeted those comments yesterday about Democratic Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal, of Washington. She joined the migrant caravan this weekend to see, first-hand, how the asylum-seekers are being treated. Gaetz accused Jayapal of becoming a 'congressional coyote,' and he said she should be charged with aiding the unlawful entry of illegal aliens.
UCF To Play LSU In Fiesta Bowl (Orlando, FL) -- They won't play Alabama, but UCF football will get to test itself against another SEC team. The Knights didn't get picked yesterday for the College Football Playoffs, but they will play LSU on New Year's Day in the Fiesta Bowl in Arizona. Alabama, Clemson, Notre Dame and Oklahoma made the playoffs. Meanwhile, at Orlando's Camping World Stadium, Tulane will play Louisiana-Lafayette in the Cure Bowl December 15th, West Virginia will play Syracuse in the Camping World Bowl December 28th, and Penn State will play Kentucky in the Citrus Bowl January First.
TN Police Arrest Luke Sky Walker (Johnson City, TN) -- Luke Sky Walker is under arrest in Tennessee. WJHL-TV says the 21-year-old Johnson City man was arrested Thursday for violating his probation and is being held at the Carter County jail. The man, whose real name is actually Luke Sky Walker, was reportedly arrested last year for stealing road signs.
TODAY IN HISTORY:
2015, Defense Secretary Ash Carter opened all combat jobs to women. He said, "Everyone who's able and willing to serve their country should have the full and equal opportunity to do so."
1967, the world's first human heart transplant operation was performed in Cape Town, South Africa. The patient lived for 18 days.
1964, the Christmas classic "Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer" aired on television for the first time.
1950, legendary radio newsman Paul Harvey began broadcasting his national radio program.
1931, Alka Seltzer hit the market.
1833, Oberlin College in Ohio became the first coed institution of higher learning in the United States.
1818, Illinois was admitted as the 21st state of the Union.