AMERICA'S DIRTIEST CITY
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Douglas High School SRO Retires (Parkland, FL) -- The officer assigned to protect students at Douglas High School is being criticized for what his boss calls sickening behavior. Broward County Sheriff Scott Israel revealed yesterday Officer Scot Peterson did not go inside the school during last week's shooting. Israel says he was devastated when he found out the 32-year veteran did nothing to confront Nikolas Cruz as he shot dozens of people. Peterson decided to resign and retire when told Israel would suspend him without pay. WE’LL HAVE MORE ON THIS LATER IN THIS HOUR OF BML.
Teachers And Staff To Return To Douglas High School Today (Parkland, FL) -- Douglas High School will take the first step toward a return to normalcy today. Teachers and staff will be allowed to return to the school this morning as classes are set to resume next week. One teacher tells CBS4 things will never be the same, and she expects some teachers won't return today. Sunday, an orientation is set for students and parents before classes begin again on Wednesday.
Cape Coral School To Review Procedures After Apparent Kidnapping (Cape Coral, FL) -- A breakdown in procedure may be responsible for a girl's kidnapping from her school. Eight-year-old Juliet Odierna was last seen leaving Cape Coral's Oasis Elementary School yesterday with her stepfather. Investigators say the man told the school he was Juliet's father, and Fox 4 reports, even forged his signature, but it appears he never showed ID as the school requires. The school district says that simply can't happen, and it's investigating.
Sentences Handed Down For Marriage Scam (Titusville, FL) -- An international marriage scam appears to have ties to Brevard County. The Justice Department yesterday announced that three people who ran a marriage scam ring were sentenced to up to two years in prison. Dozens of people were paid up to 20-thousand dollars to marry foreigners from former Soviet countries so they could become US residents. The scam goes back three years and has led to charges against nine people, including two people from Cocoa.
Police Chief Try To Stop Threats Against Schools (St. Petersburg, FL) -- With stories all over the state of threats being made toward schools, usually by students affiliated with those schools, parents are being reminded there's a difference between reporting a threat and spreading a rumor. The "Tampa Bay Times" reports St. Petersburg Police Chief Tony Holloway visited Northeast High School yesterday to discuss how to properly report a threat. Holloway said if you see something, say something, but do not post about a threat on social media. He says that leads to chaos where parents rush to the school before police can investigate the report.
UCF Psychologist Discusses Impact Of Violence On Children (Orlando, FL) -- A disturbing trend since the Broward County school shooting is making it harder for students to cope with what happened. UCF psychologist Kimberly Renk spoke to the Orlando Sentinel about the growing number of threats of school violence in the last week. Not only does the shooting itself cause anxiety for students, she says the extra drills and lockdowns add to those feelings. Renk believes student fears lead to the threats and acting out.
New Report Says NYC Is Dirtiest City In The Nation (New York, NY) -- A new report says New York City is the dirtiest city in the nation. It was released by BusyBee, a Big Apple cleaning company, which says it compiled information from the EPA, the U.S. Census Bureau and the American Housing Survey for its study of 40 major cities. Los Angeles was the second dirtiest city, followed by Riverside-San Bernardino, California, Chicago and Philadelphia. Two Florida cities, Jacksonville and Orlando were the cleanest, followed by Tuscon, Raleigh and Memphis. HAS NEW YORK HAD A REPUBLICVAN MAYOR SINCE RUDY GUILIANNI CLEANED IT UP?
Teen Arrested For Stealing 3 Horses From Stable (Houston, TX) -- A Texas teen is accused of horse theft. Police in northwest Houston say Rodney Battles took three horses from some stables last weekend and witnesses saw him with them the next day. Officers say he told them he bought the animals from an online auction but they took him into custody when he couldn't provide proof of purchase. The 19-year-old is charged with theft. DON’T THEY JUST HANG YOU IN TEXAS FOR THAT?
TODAY IN HISTORY:
2011, The White House said the Justice Department would no longer defend the constitutionality of the "Defense of Marriage Act." The 1996 law defined marriage as being between one man and one woman.
1997, scientists in Scotland announced the successful cloning of an adult mammal. They produced a lamb named "Dolly."
1991, President George H. W. Bush announced that a ground offensive against Iraqi forces had begun.
1974, the Symbionese Liberation Army issued their ransom demands for Patty Hearst. They asked for four-million dollars to release the publishing heiress.
1945, United States Marines from the Fifth Marine Division raised the American flag atop Mount Surabachi on the Japanese island of Iwo Jima.
1927, the Federal Radio Commission began its work. The name was later changed to the Federal Communications Commission.
1896, the Tootsie Roll was introduced by Leo Hirschfield.