Gun Goes Off During Crash (Melbourne, FL) -- A Melbourne man hurt in a crash is also dealing with a gunshot wound. FHP says Brian Alexander was shot in the leg when a gun strapped to his hip went off during a crash yesterday afternoon in Melbourne. The 32-year-old was on a motorcycle on West New Haven Ave when he lost control, hit a curb and was thrown off the bike along with a woman riding with him. Both were taken to the hospital, but their injuries are not believed to be life threatening.
Serial Robber Arrested In Polk County (Bartow, FL) -- A man who terrorized workers at almost two dozen businesses is in custody. Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd announced yesterday that Bartow's Terell Covington was arrested this week. Covington is suspected of 20 store robberies in Central Florida and Tampa Bay dating back to last summer. Judd says the 32-year-old has admitted to 18 of the robberies, and Judd says Covington is facing enough charges to get life in prison.
New Poll Shows Graham, Gillum Trailing Levine In Democratic Primary For Governor (Miami Beach, FL) -- It looks like Northwest Florida's two candidates for governor have some ground to make up. A poll released yesterday shows Miami Beach Mayor Philip Levine [[luh-VEEN]] leading the Democratic primary. Former Second District Congresswoman Gwen Graham is six points back in second place, and Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum is in third place at 21 points back. The poll, though, finds more than a third of voters are still undecided.
MSD Victim Wants Fund To Pay For Survivors Counseling (Parkland, FL) -- An MSD shooting survivor believes a program for veterans can be a model to help her and her classmates. Stoneman Douglas High School junior Daniela Menescal [[MEN-iss-cahl]] is calling for the state to establish a fund to pay for mental health counseling for survivors of February's deadly shooting. Just like a program for soldiers suffering from PTSD, the 17-year-old tells 'CBS4' the fund could pay for counseling for survivors at any point in their lives. DIDN’T PAM BONDI, IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE SHOOTING, SAY THE STATE WAS PICKING UP COUNSELING COSTS FOR STUDENTS/VICTIM FAMILIES?
Hurricanes Names Being Retired (Undated) -- The names Harvey, Irma, Maria and Nate will never be used again for future hurricanes. The storms were so devastating last year, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is retiring their names. Irma hit everywhere in the state of Florida. Winds, rain and high surf from the category 5 storm is blamed on 44 direct deaths, and there were 85 indirect deaths before, during and after it.
Universal Orlando Announces Hiring Plans (Orlando, FL) -- One of the area's top attractions is looking for some help. Universal Orlando Resort announced yesterday it is hiring three thousand people. It's looking for full-time, part-time, seasonal and professional help. Perks include free guest passes and free park admission, and you can find out more at UniversalOrlandoJobs.com.
Jack Nicklaus Offers Tips To First Tee Golfers (Tampa, FL) -- Kids learning to play golf couldn't find a better teacher than a recent visitor to Rogers Park. Members of First Tee Tampa Bay got some tips yesterday from golf legend Jack Nicklaus. The winner of 18 majors was in Tampa for a fundraiser for the organization that teaches kids lessons about golf and life. A 14-year-old Steinbrenner High freshman tells the "Tampa Bay Times" getting to meet a legend is something you never forget.
911 Calls Reporting Tiger In Fact Large Raccoon In NYC (New York, NY) -- Police in New York City say it wasn't a tiger on the loose yesterday in the Big Apple. The NYPD responded to several 9-1-1 calls yesterday morning about a wild animal stalking the streets of Washington Heights. The emergency service unit quickly arrived on the scene and was able to catch what was in fact a large raccoon. The animal was safely taken to a nearby shelter. No injuries were reported. NEVER TRUST CITY FOLK TO IDENTIFY WILDLIFE!
TODAY IN HISTORY:
2017, the largest non-nuclear bomb in the U.S. military's arsenal was used for the first time ever. The more than 20-thousand pound so-called "mother of all bombs" was dropped on an ISIS target in a remote area of eastern Afghanistan.
1999, right-to-die suicide advocate Dr. Jack Kevorkian was sentenced to ten to 25 years in prison in Michigan for second degree murder. Kevorkian was convicted earlier of administering a lethal injection into a Lou Gehrig's disease patient.
1986, legendary golfer Jack Nicklaus came from four shots back with four holes to play to win his sixth Masters title.
1970, the crew aboard Apollo 13 radioed Mission Control in Houston about a problem with the spacecraft. They were about four-fifths of the way to the moon when an oxygen tank burst. The nation watched and waited as the crippled spacecraft and its crew members miraculously made it back to Earth.
1964, Sidney Poitier became the first black actor to win an Academy Award in a major category. He won the Best Actor Award for his role in "Lilies of the Field."
1943, the Thomas Jefferson Memorial was dedicated in Washington, D.C. AND IN 2017 IT WAS CONDEMNED BECAUSE THE FOUNDING FATHER OWNED SLAVES.