Deadly Deputy-Involved Shooting In Volusia County
(Deltona, FL) -- A man is dead after he was shot by deputies in Volusia County. It happened yesterday after a slow-speed chase that started with a traffic stop in DeLand ended in Deltona at the suspect's house in Saxon Ridge. Deputies say Gregory Howe was shot after he pointed what looked like a rifle out the driver's-side window. The four deputies who opened fire on the 37-year-old avoided injury, and they're now on leave pending an investigation.
Millions Of Masks To Be Sent To Health Care Workers
(Tallahassee, FL) -- More vital supplies are on their way to those on the front lines of the pandemic. Governor Ron DeSantis said yesterday that, by the end of the week, first responders and health care workers should have over 25-million masks. DeSantis says the state has already sent over 10-million gloves, and almost three-million face shields and shoe covers. He also says long-term care facilities have received 10-million masks and a million gloves.
Jacksonville Mayor Announces Lifting Of Work-From-Home Requirement
(Jacksonville, FL) -- Some people in Jacksonville may soon have to return to the office. Mayor Lenny Curry announced yesterday an order he issued requiring companies to let employees work from home will expire Monday. He added, though, that companies should still encourage workers with children or those with health risks to keep working from home. Meanwhile, the city council voted yesterday to allow outdoor food and alcohol sales at restaurants.
St. Augustine Un-Cancels July 4th Fireworks Show
(St. Augustine, FL) -- We may see fireworks in St. Augustine this July Fourth after all. A day after the city commission voted to cancel this year's show, City Manager John Regan said yesterday that decision was based on incorrect information he provided to commissioners. On Monday, Regan told commissioners he was worried the annual event would draw larger than normal crowds because other cities had canceled their fireworks shows, but yesterday he said he has since found out those other cities have not canceled their shows. Regan says a final decision could come at the end of the month.
Space Force Prepping For Weekend Launches
(Cape Canaveral, FL) -- COVID-19 won't stop a record-setting weekend at Cape Canaveral. Space Force officials said yesterday they're proceeding with two rocket launches planned for Saturday and Sunday. The launches will take place within 20 hours of each other, and an official tells Florida Today that'll break the previous record of two launches within 34 hours that was set about 30 years ago. The first launch will be Saturday morning when a ULA Atlas V rocket blasts off on a secret mission, and then early Sunday, SpaceX will launch a Falcon 9 rocket carrying 60 Starlink satellites into orbit.
Universal Orlando To Reopen CityWalk
(Orlando, FL) -- Universal Orlando will soon begin to reopen. Officials announced yesterday that CityWalk will open Thursday afternoon. The Universal Studios Store will be open, along with some restaurants and Hollywood Drive-In Golf, but the theme park, movie theater and nightclubs will remain closed. Face masks and temperature checks are required for visitors and employees.
Social Distancing, Masks May Be Part of Disney Reopening Plan
(Orlando, FL) -- A combination of social distancing and face coverings seem to be part of Disney's reopening plan. Disney CEO Bob Chapek says cast members and guests will likely be required to wear masks once theme parks reopen in Florida and California. That's part of what they're doing at Shanghai Disneyland which has already reopened.
Super Bowl 55 Plans Being Made In Light Of Pandemic
(Tampa, FL) -- The NFL is making preparations to make sure players are safe when it starts the upcoming season. And the league is also looking ahead on how to keep fans from getting COVID-19 during the upcoming Super Bowl which is set to be played in Tampa February 7th.
Patriots' Ticket Prices Drop, Bucs And Raiders See Surge
(New York, NY) -- The Tom Brady effect is proving to be true when it comes to NFL ticket prices. Data from ticket search engine site TicketIQ shows how much fans are willing to pay on the secondary market. The Brady-less New England Patriots saw a 39-percent drop in average cost from 2019, the biggest fall among teams. Conversely, Brady's Tampa Bay Buccaneers saw a 135-percent spike in ticket prices. However, the largest increase goes to the Las Vegas Raiders, who will play their first season in the new city and new stadium. They saw a 527-percent surge, with the average ticket costing nearly 11-hundred dollars.
Police InvestigatIng Zoom Bombing Incident At USF
(Tampa, FL) -- A Zoom call with prospective USF students has the police's attention. Campus Police say during a Zoom call this week, someone showed disturbing pornographic images in what's referred to as Zoom Bombing. Police don't view these incidents as simple pranks, though, because they violate federal law, and perpetrators can find themselves behind bars. No arrest has been announced, and USF recommends future video conference calls be held with Microsoft TEAMS instead of Zoom.
Lousiana Artist Selling Face Masks With Drinking Holes
(New Orleans, LA) -- One Louisiana artist is making face masks that don't inhibit one of her favorite activities. Ellen Macomber, of New Orleans, has begun producing face masks with holes to drink cocktails. Macomber says she got the idea from a friend because "here in New Orleans, we like to drink." Each mask is going for 30 dollars apiece, but the first lot of 40 has already sold out. The designer says her niche masks are meant to fill a gap in the market, but should not be considered the best form of prevention during the pandemic.
TODAY IN HISTORY:
2019, actress Felicity Huffman plead guilty in the ongoing U.S. college admission scandal.
2016, the Obama administration ordered public schools across the country to let transgender students use the bathroom of their choice.
1981, Pope John Paul the Second was shot and wounded in St. Peter's Square by Turkish assailant Mehmet Ali Agca.
1821, Samuel Rust patented the first printing press in the U.S.
1607, captains John Smith and Christopher Newport landed near the James River in the future town of Jamestown, Virginia. It became the first permanent English settlement in what would be the United States.