Gondek Mural Approved…Again
(Melbourne, FL) – Florida Today reports that the controversial mural by Los Angeles pop artist Matt Gondek will stay…for now. The hearing at Melbourne’s Planning and Zoning Board took over 3 hours and drew a crowd that nearly filled the council chambers.
The final vote was 6-1 to uphold the approval by the Historic and Architectural Review Board. The appeal, filed by city council, now goes back to council that must decide whether or not to take the issue to court.
Volusia County School Board Meets To Discuss Funding For School Security (DeLand, FL) -- A proposal from school officials to get Volusia County to chip in for school security isn't getting far. The school board held a workshop yesterday to discuss how to pay for dozens of new school guardians and six more resource officers.
The board sent a request a few months ago to the county council to see if they would pay two million dollars to help fund the positions, but Superintendent Tom Russell said yesterday the council has not agreed. County Council Chair Ed Kelly tells the "Daytona Beach News-Journal" he's not sure it's the council's responsibility to fund school board operations.
Parkland Officer Removed (Parkland, FL) -- A Parkland official hopes a recent personnel move will restore public trust. City Manager Bob Payton announced yesterday that Broward Sheriff's Office Captain Jan Jordan has been removed from her position.
'Local 10 News' reports that during the shooting at Stoneman Douglas High School, Jordan told deputies to establish a perimeter instead of entering the building. Payton wants to replace Captain Jordan with someone with higher rank, like a major.
Two Emergency Incidents Involving Small Planes (Sarasota County, FL) -- No injuries are reported from two separate incidents involving small planes in Florida yesterday. A pilot reported engine problems, which forced an emergency landing in heavy traffic on I-75 in Gainesville. Another small plane crashed into a Sarasota County yard after taking off from a nearby airport. The FAA is investigating both incidents.
Gators Surround Couple During Proposal In Florida (Orlando, FL) -- Several Florida alligators donned their toothy grins as they watched a couple embark on the next step in their relationship. Sam van Reeth proposed to his girlfriend at Gatorland in Orlando. In photos of the occasion, you can see a swarm of gators in the background witnessing the proposal up close. The Belgian couple says they hope to incorporate the toothy reptiles in their wedding or honeymoon as well.
Woman Sentenced For Sandwich Attack (Dover, MD) -- A 15 day jail stay is being given to a Maryland woman who attacked a convenience store worker over a sandwich. Tiffany Evans got extremely upset about her order at a Wawa in Dover, claimed it was wrong and then threw hot coffee in an employee's face. She even pepper-sprayed the woman during the dispute.
Evans pleaded guilty to third-degree assault and was sentenced this week. She was also ordered to pay restitution and stay out of Wawa stores.
TODAY IN HISTORY:
2016, the International Tennis Federation banned Maria Sharapova from the sport for two-years after failing a drug test earlier in the year.
1998, the National Rifle Association elected Charlton Heston as its president.
1982, President Reagan became the first American chief executive to address a joint session of the British Parliament.
1968, in London, authorities captured James Earl Ray -- the prime suspect in the assassination of civil rights leader Dr. Martin King Jr..
1953, the Supreme Court ruled that restaurants in the District of Columbia could not refuse to serve blacks.
1936, the first parking meter was invented.
1869, Ives McGaffey of Chicago patented the suction vacuum.
1824, the washing machine was patented.