NYT : Alligator Alcatraz Could Close
(Ochopee, FL) -- Alligator Alcatraz is, once again, in jeopardy of shutting down. After beating a series of legal battles, "The New York Times" reports the federal government is in talks to close the detention facility over high operating costs. However, the Department of Homeland Security released a statement saying, "Any reports the of the DHS pressuring the state to cease operations... are false." The center opened in the Florida Everglades last summer. It's housing about one-thousand detainees. A Homeland Security official told the New York Times the facility is costly and has lost its effectiveness. Governor Ron DeSantis says it was always meant to be a temporary facility, and he's fine with closing it if the federal government no longer needs it.
Florida Expecting Drier and Hotter Summer
(Miami, FL) -- Rainy season starts next week in Florida, but the state may not get the relief it needs.The NOAA says a developing El Niño means below average rainfall and above average temperatures. Forecasters say June into early July will be the stormiest.Late July will be the hottest time of the year, and episodes of Saharan dust are expected to delay tropical activity.NOAA's hurricane outlook will be released on May 21st.
Cocoa Beach City Commission Votes To Restore Life-Saving Rings At Beaches
(Cocoa Beach, FL)-- Life-saving devices are coming back to some beaches in Brevard County.The Cocoa Beach City Commission voted yesterday to add flotation rings that were removed due to a legal dispute between the Rotary Club and Drown Zero International. Despite the vote, Fox 35 reports it could be at least a month before the rings are back on the beaches.
Tampa Man Agrees To Tear Down Guest House
(Tampa, FL) -- There could be an end to the legal battle over a guest house in Tampa. The lawyer for South Tampa's Michael Martin announced yesterday his client will tear down his guest house in Beach Park to comply with a judge's order. He built the guest house, pool and pickleball court about five years ago after getting city approval, but a neighbor sued, and a judge who sided with the neighbor ordered Martin to demolish everything. Martin refused pending an appeal, and he was arrested last month for contempt of court. His latest appeal was denied yesterday, and his attorney now says being jailed is too high a price for his client, his family, friends and business colleagues.He adds he's focused on getting Martin out of jail, and once that is accomplished, he'll refocus on the injustice of this predicament.
Calls For Cahutta Mayor To Resign After Entire Police Force Fired
(Cohutta, GA) -- Calls are growing for the mayor of Georgia mayor to resign after he fired the entire police department. The Cohutta Town Council has called a special meeting for tomorrow to discuss the removal of Mayor Ron Shinnick. He abruptly removed the ten-member force this week. Officers tell WTVC-TV it was retaliation for complaints they made about his wife, who was fired as town clerk. Some cops expressed concerns that Pam Shinnick still had access to personal and classified information. The council is also calling for the police department to be immediately reinstated.
Today in History
1984, the Soviet government announced it would boycott the 1984 Summer Olympic Games in Los Angeles.Soviet officials said they feared for the safety of their athletes in what they said was a "hostile" and "anti-Communist" environment.
1886, Dr. John S. Pemberton created the formula for Coca-Cola while working on a new medicine for headaches and hangovers. It came about when a drugstore clerk mistakenly mixed it with carbonated water instead of straight water. (It was 99 years later, 1985, when Coke decided to change the formula introducing New Coke.)