Former Florida Senator Jack Latvala Dies
(Pinellas Co., FL) --Former Florida state Senator Jack Latvala has passed away. The longtime lawmaker from Pinellas County died at the age of 74. Latvala served in the state Senate from 1994 until 2002 and again from 2010 to 2018. He was widely credited with helping to build Florida's modern Republican Party.
Drought Improves In East Central Florida
(Melbourne, FL) --Drought conditions are improving across much of East Central Florida. The National Weather Service released its latest Drought Information Statement yesterday. Drought is measured on a zero-to-4 scale with 4 being the worst. Our area tops out at 2, which is Severe Drought. Rainfall has been close to normal or even above normal in some places recently. Looking ahead, the NWS expects the drought could end by October.
THE rankings:
- None
- D0 (Abnormally Dry)
- D1 (Moderate Drought)
- D2 (Severe Drought)
- D3 (Extreme Drought)
- D4 (Exceptional Drought)
Dunedin City Commission Votes To Explore Fire Assessment
(Dunedin, FL) --A city in Pinellas County is exploring how to pay for fire protection services if it loses property tax revenue.The Dunedin City Commission voted yesterday to look into hiring a consultant to study imposing a fire assessment fee. Officials are worried voters in November may approve a referendum to expand the homestead exemption. That could cost the city at least 4 million dollars in revenue in the first year.Mayor Moe Freaney tells Tampa Bay 28 the city still needs a way to fund critical services.
Man Admits Cutting Off Own Genitals, Setting Them On Fire
(Fort Wayne, IN) --A 36-year-old Fort Wayne, Indiana man has admitted to police that he cut off his own genitals and set them on fire on May 6th. Christopher Peden had been reported missing by his neighbors when they called to report a fire at his detached garage, and Peden was found by Fort Wayne police after he claimed he had been stabbed. He then told police he had been "dishonest" about the stabbing and said he harmed himself by cutting off his penis. Peden then doused it with gasoline and set it on fire.
Iowa Election Tie To Be Broken By Drawing Name Out Of Hat Next Week
(Runnells, IA) --A city council race in Iowa will be decided by drawing a name out of a hat. In the small town of Runnells [[ RUN-uhls ]], southeast of Des Moines, the race between Corey Walker-Zepeda and Jake Dingman ended in a tie on Election Day.They each got 37 votes. By Iowa law the winner will be determined by pulling a name from a hat. The Polk County Board of Supervisors plans to do the hat draw at their meeting next week.
Today in History
1985, The Coca-Cola Company announced the original Coke formula would be returning to store shelves under the name Coca-Cola Classic.
1962, the "Telstar" communications satellite was launched from Cape Canaveral, Florida.
1929, the U.S. Government began issuing paper money in the current size.