Brevard Health Official Under Self-Quarantine
(Titusville, FL) -- Brevard County's top health official is taking precautions because of the coronavirus. County Department of Health administrator Maria Stahl is in self-quarantine after coming back from a cruise last week. Another health official told Florida Today yesterday that Stahl is still working while in isolation. Meanwhile, the county announced yesterday it's closing all public beachside parking as of today, and officials are urging people to stay off the beach.
More People Being Monitored For Coronavirus In Volusia County
(DeLand, FL) -- Nine more people in Volusia County are being monitored for the coronavirus. Sheriff Mike Chitwood announced last night there are now 56 people being monitored, including 17 in DeLand, which is the most in the county. As of last night, nine people in the county have tested positive for the virus. Chitwood also Tweeted that those who aren't taking the virus seriously should think of the consequences if they're wrong.
More COVID-19 Cases In Orange County
(Tallahassee, FL) -- The number of coronavirus cases in Orange County is rising. The Florida Department of Health announced yesterday that five more county residents have contracted the illness since the day before. That brings the total number of cases to 11. Meanwhile, Central Florida Congresswoman Stephanie Murphy announced last night she'll self-quarantine after coming into contact with a South Florida congressman, who tested positive for COVID-19.
Orlando Hotel To Close
(Orlando, FL) -- The effects of the coronavirus are being felt by the tourism industry in Orange County. The Hyatt Regency on I-Drive in Orlando announced it's closing, as of today, until May 3rd. County Mayor Jerry Demings said yesterday more hotels will close this week. He said some of those closures could last through the end of May.
Distillery Making Hand Sanitizer
(St. Augustine, FL) -- A St. Johns County company is getting creative during the pandemic. The St. Augustine Distillery has decided to make hand sanitizer, and over 200 bottles were given to city police this week. Instead of selling the product, though, the distillery is taking donations for American Legion Post 194. The distillery's GM tells News4Jax it feels good to be doing their part to help.
Clearwater Declares State Of Emergency
(Clearwater, FL) -- One of America's most popular beaches will soon be off limits. The city of Clearwater declared a State of Emergency yesterday, and officials ordered Clearwater Beach closed for at least two weeks, effective Monday. The city of Tampa also announced its beaches will be closed indefinitely. Pinellas County will keep beaches open, but officials are asking visitors to limit their groups to 10 people and stay six-feet away from other groups.
Lawmaker Calls For Casinos To Close
(Tampa, FL) -- A state lawmaker accuses a popular Hillsborough County casino of encouraging the spread of the coronavirus. District 60 State Rep. Jackie Toledo yesterday called on Seminole Hard Rock Casino Tampa to close. She says patrons and employees are at risk because they're touching screens, money, chips and tables. The Seminole Tribe, which has sovereign immunity from the state, runs the casino, and officials say precautions are being taken to ensure customers and employees are safe.
Diaz-Balart Tests Positive For COVID-19
(Washington, DC) -- A South Florida congressman is the first federal lawmaker to get the coronavirus. Republican Mario Diaz-Balart, of the 25th District, announced last night that he tested positive for COVID-19. He has been working from home under quarantine since Friday. He says he's feeling much better, and he says it's important for everyone to take this extremely seriously.
Florida Coronavirus Cases Among Residents Nears 300
(Tallahassee, FL) -- The number of coronavirus cases is rising in Florida and nearing another grim milestone. In its latest update last night, the Florida Department of Health revealed there were 14 additional cases, and the number of infected residents is now 299. Another 29 non-residents in the state have tested positive, which brings the total number of cases in the state to 328. That number will likely rise, though, as there are over 11-hundred people awaiting test results.
Disneyland Closure Ends Man's Streak Of Visits
(Anaheim, CA) -- An impressive streak of Disneyland visits is over. Jeff Reitz had visited the theme park in Anaheim, California every day for more than eight years. That was until Disney temporarily shut down the park over the coronavirus outbreak. He had been to the park two-thousand-995 straight days before its closure last week. Reitz told the Orange County Register he wants to see if he can get a Guinness World Record out of the it.
Florida Evangelical Refuses To Close Down Church
(Tampa, FL) -- A Florida Evangelical pastor insists only the Rapture will cause his church to close, but certainly not the coronavirus. In a video Pastor Rodney Howard-Browne of the River Tampa Bay Church said only "pansies" are scared of the disease and encouraged his congregation to ignore all social distancing guidelines. He claimed he was thrilled that this could be the "end of days" and would continue to lay his hands on fellow believers until then.
TODAY IN HISTORY:
2003, two days after President George W. Bush gave Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein an ultimatum to go into exile or face military action, the U.S. military began airstrikes against Iraq.
1957, Elvis Presley purchased the Graceland Estate in Memphis, Tennessee.
1918, Congress approved Daylight Saving Time. It enabled Congress to establish time zones for the U.S. The move was made to save fuel and promote the economies in a time of war.
1831, Edward Smith stole 245-thousand dollars from the City Bank of New York City in what became one of the country's first bank robberies.