New Details Released On Law Enforcement Response To Parkland School Shooting (Broward County, FL) -- Newly released documents give more details about the law enforcement response to the Parkland school shooting massacre. Today the Coral Springs Police department provided statements from several officers who showed up at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School on Valentine's Day saying Broward County Deputies were already on the scene when they arrived, but had taken up positions outside of the building. Police say some of the officers moved past the deputies and went into the building on one side, while another group went in on the other side to avoid shooting each other.
Orlando City Council Votes To Sue State Over Gun Laws (Orlando, FL) -- Orlando is challenging a state law its mayor calls inappropriate and unconstitutional. The city council voted yesterday to join other cities that are suing the state over a law that punishes cities and counties that pass their own gun restrictions. Mayor Buddy Dyer says the state law penalizes local governments from acting in their official responsibilities. Councilman Jim Gray was the only dissenting vote, and he says the lawsuit is window dressing and grandstanding.
Trump Praises Strength Of Economy (Hialeah, FL) -- President Trump is using his time in South Florida to praise the strength of the economy. At a roundtable meeting in Hialeah yesterday, he said the economy is starting to "really rock." He credited tax cuts for fueling job growth. Trump talked about the tax filing deadline and said taxpayers will have much simpler forms to deal with next year.
Mom Charged With Child Neglect (West Melbourne, FL) -- A mother is facing charges over two suspicious deaths. West Melbourne 30-year-old Rachael Lynn Thomas was arrested yesterday after her two newborns died this weekend. One baby was found dead in the home and the other died at the hospital. Thomas is charged with neglect, but more charges are possible once a cause of death is determined.
Sarasota Residents Call For Action After Officers Are Cleared In Violent Arrest (Sarasota, FL) -- A recent arrest has Sarasota residents calling for change. At last night's city commission meeting, residents responded to an internal police report that cleared officers of wrongdoing in an arrest last month. The report found officers were justified in using Tasers and physical force against Chad Washington because he attacked the officers. Washington's fiance denies that and, '10News' reports she's calling for charges against him to be dropped, the officers fired, and an independent investigation to be conducted.
Traveling Vietnam Wall Arrives In Melbourne (Melbourne, FL) -- A park in Melbourne is now the site of what an Air Force chaplain calls a scar of honor in American history. The Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall was installed yesterday in a ceremony at Wickham Park. The wall features the names of the thousands who died in the war, and it will be on display near Back Lake through this weekend. A veteran from Melbourne tells "Florida Today" the wall brings back some sad memories, but it's also a way to honor those who gave their all for the country.
Man Arrested For Spray Painting Cars (Tustin, CA) -- A vandalism suspect is behind bars after literally getting caught red-handed. Officials in Tustin say they've received tips about somebody spray painting cars and went out to find him. They say that person is David Knowles and he was found not far away with red paint on his hands, matching the color the vehicles had been painted with. He was arrested on suspicion of felony vandalism and later admitted to the acts. Officials say about 14-vehicles were damaged by spray paint, and the attacks appear to be completely random.
Leopard Ends Up Locked Inside Man's Bathroom (Nagpur) -- Officials in India say a wandering leopard ended up locked inside a man's bathroom. The large cat apparently ran into the man's home Sunday and the man was able to confine it to the bathroom and call authorities. Officials attempted to shoot it with tranquilizer darts through a vent about ten feet above the floor. The leopard put up a fight by leaping up to vent and swiping at it. Eventually, authorities were able to inject it with the tranquilizer with a long pole. The leopard was taken to a forest service facility and is expected to be released back in the wild.
TODAY IN HISTORY:
2006, former Illinois Governor George Ryan was found guilty on all charges in his federal corruption trial in Chicago. A onetime Nobel Prize nominee, Ryan received international attention in 2003 when he commuted the death row sentences of 167 Illinois prisoners.
2001, Mississippi residents voted to keep the Confederate emblem on their state flag.
1993, a federal grand jury in Los Angeles convicted two former police officers, Stacey Koon and Laurence Powell of violating the civil rights of motorist Rodney King. Two other officers were acquitted.
1970, the damaged Apollo 13 module splashed down in the Pacific Ocean.
1969, Sirhan Sirhan was convicted of assassinating Senator Robert F. Kennedy. He was originally sentenced to death, but the sentence was reduced to life in prison after California abolished the death penalty.