Venezuelans Report Difficulty Trying To Self-Deport
(Miami, FL) -- Those trying to taking advantage of the federal government's self-deportation program are running into difficulties. Nine people from Venezuela would like to return home, so they registered on the CBP Home app, but they can't even get on a plane because they lack a document called a safe pass that Venezuela requires for entry. They had been sleeping at Miami International Airport for over a week before a nonprofit put them up in a hotel. Some have been scammed out of thousands of dollars by those claiming they could get the safe pass, and they're now waiting for relatives in Venezuela to send them the documents. Congresswoman Maria Elvira Salazar has contacted the state department for help. One woman tells CBS News Miami she has been told she may not get the safe pass for another two or three weeks.
Tampa Assistant Police Chief Fired
(Tampa, FL) -- One of the top people in the Tampa Police Department is out of a job. Police Chief Lee Bercaw announced yesterday he has fired Assistant Chief Ruth Cate after 13 months. Bercaw says Cate failed to meet the expectations required for the role, but he gave no specifics. Cate has been with the TPD for 29 years. No replacement has been announced. Police union president Brandon Barclay tells the Tampa Bay Times that Cate hasn't been told what she did that resulted in her termination.
Family Sues Aldi After Attack
(Lauderdale Lakes, FL)-- A Broward County business is being sued after a customer was beaten.Bruce Reese was attacked by another customer in October outside an Aldi in Lauderdale Lakes on North SR 7. The attorney representing Reese's family says Reese is now profoundly brain damaged. Reese's family is suing Aldi, the security company that works for Aldi and the man who allegedly attacked Reese. Reese's family is asking for 30-million dollars in damages. Reese's son tells Local 10 News if Aldi had just provided standard security, his dad would still be the same person he always was.
Drunk Driver Breaches DAB
(Daytona Beach, FL)-- A man described as highly intoxicated is accused of causing a security breach in Volusia County. Holly Hill's Bryan Parker was allegedly drunk yesterday when he drove through a gate at Daytona International Airport and onto the airfield. The sheriff's office says he tried to enter a running airplane, but it was locked, and he was unable to get in. Deputies say he was able to get into two other planes, though, before security and airport staff caught him. He was handed over to deputies, and the VCSO says multiple charges are pending.
Girl Scout Cookie Cash Suspect In Custody
(Undated) -- A 33-year-old man on probation for burglary convictions is now in custody for stealing a Girl Scout cash box in New Hampshire. Police said William Bohan of Fairlee, Vermont, stole one-thousand-dollars from a Girl Scout cookie sales table outside the Walmart in West Lebanon in late February. Channel 9 reported that according to an affidavit filed by a probation officer, Bohan admitted stealing the money and said most of it has already been spent on drugs. He's being held in Vermont pending a probation violation hearing.
Today in History
1982, groundbreaking ceremonies took place in Washington DC for the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.
1953, Doctor Jonas Salk announced he had successfully tested a vaccine against polio.
1885, Eastman Kodak produced the first commercial moving picture film.