Mick's Morning News: 06.28.18

Immigration Protest Held Outside Congressman Posey's Office (Viera, FL) -- According to Melbourne Councilwoman Teresa Lopez, America should be ashamed of the way it's treating asylum seekers at the border.  Opponents of President Trump's zero-tolerance illegal immigration policy rallied outside Republican Congressman Bill Posey's office.

Palm Bay Mayor William Capote joined the rally, telling "Florida Today" separating children from their parents is not what our flag represents.

Fire Blamed On Company Hired By FWC  (Eastpoint, FL) -- A fire that destroyed dozens of homes in Franklin County is being blamed on a company hired by the state. Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam announced yesterday that the Eastpoint fire started when a controlled burn got out of control.

Wildland Fire Services was conducting the controlled burn on behalf of the FWC this weekend. More than 800 acres were burned, and 36 homes were destroyed. Florida CFO Jimmy Patronis (PA-TRO-NIS) announced yesterday Eastpoint residents whose homes were destroyed or damaged by this weekend's fire could get up to five thousand dollars in assistance from the state.

Man Arrested For Impersonating Police Officer In Traffic Stop  (Orlando, FL) -- A state trooper is credited with helping a woman avoid what could have become a dangerous situation in Orange County. FHP arrested Deltona 32-year-old Angel Garcia this week for pretending to be a police officer while pulling over a woman in a store parking lot near Orlando.

When a trooper approached, Garcia fled the scene, but he was caught and arrested. Garcia was found with a gun on him, and FHP tells Channel 9 they have no idea what his intentions were.

Driver Found With Drugs And Stolen Gun  (Fort Pierce, FL) -- A deputy's sense of smell is credited with taking a stolen gun off the street. A St. Lucie County deputy this week pulled over Dante Anderson in Fort Pierce for not having tail lights on his car, but while talking to the driver, the deputy noticed a strong smell of marijuana.

That led to a search of the car, where the deputy found a stolen and loaded handgun under the passenger seat. The "Miami Herald" reports the deputy also found marijuana in the car, and Anderson was arrested.

Police: Clerk Uses Broom To Stop Robbery  (Akron, OH) -- Police are looking for a thief who was chased away from an Ohio convenience story by a clerk with a broom. Detectives in Akron say the man popped into a Valley Mart earlier this week with a gun and demanded money.

It was broad daylight out at the time and the clerk filled the bag with cash but then followed him outside. He smacked the crook in the head with the brown and the suspect took off after dropping the loot.

Woman Reports For Jury Duty With Drugs In Pocket  (New Port Richey, FL) -- A woman in New Port Richey may end up in front of a jury herself after showing up for jury duty with drugs. Deputies say Kristine Mittler went to the West Pasco Judicial Center earlier this week for her civic duty but didn't make it much further than the security checkpoint.

She is reported to have had some of the drugs wrapped in aluminum foil and that tripped off an alarm. She was arrested for possession of cocaine, methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia.

TODAY IN HISTORY:

2012, the U.S. House voted to hold Attorney General Eric Holder in contempt of Congress for refusing to turn over documents related to the failed gun-tracking operation known as Operation Fast and Furious. The vote made Holder the first sitting attorney general to be held in contempt.

2012, the Supreme Court voted 5-4 to uphold the Affordable Care Act signed into law by President Barack Obama in 2010. Chief Justice John Roberts joined the four liberals on the court in ruling that the individual mandate provision of the law can stand as a tax. The mandate required most Americans to purchase health insurance coverage or face monetary penalties.

2000, amid continued protests, young Cuban refugee Elian Gonzalez was returned to Cuba seven months after he was found floating adrift the Florida coast.

1997, Mike Tyson bit off part of Evander Holyfield's ear during the third round of a pay-per-view boxing bout in Las Vegas.

1996, the Citadel's 153-year-old men-only policy came to an end after the South Carolina military school voted to admit women.

1894, Labor Day became a federal holiday by an act of Congress.