Florida Statewide Stay Home Order Goes Into Effect Tonight
(Tallahassee, FL) -- After consulting with President Trump, Governor Ron DeSantis has issued a statewide stay at home order. It goes into effect tonight night at midnight. This is something many have been calling for, but the governor resisted until now. Going forward, only essential activities will be allowed for 30 days.The list of essential activities is extensive.
Orlando Health Still Performing Elective Surgeries
(Orlando, FL) -- An Orlando hospital may be defying a state order. Employees at Orlando Health say the hospital is still doing elective surgeries, including bariatric procedures. Over a week ago, Governor Ron DeSantis ordered hospitals to stop providing any non-emergency procedure or surgery. The hospital tells the Orlando Sentinel no one is being forced to perform elective surgeries, and they're in compliance with the state order.
Pastor Closing Megachurch
(Tampa, FL) -- A Tampa Bay pastor is taking steps to protect his followers from what he calls tyrannical government. Pastor Rodney Howard-Browne was arrested this week for holding two large in-person services this weekend at River of Tampa Bay Church, which allegedly violated the county's stay-at-home order. He said yesterday on Facebook he'll close the church indefinitely. He also says the charges are bogus, and all he's guilty of is standing up for the constitution.
Miami Archbishop Bans Easter Services
(Miami, FL) -- Easter will be very different for Miami catholics this year because of the coronavirus. Archbishop Thomas Wenski announced yesterday that churches are not to conduct in-person Easter services, offer drive-through palm fronds, confessions or communion. He called for pastors to livestream church services. Wenski says the next two weeks will be critical for containing COVID-19, and it's important we all follow social distancing guidelines.
More COVID-19 Cases In Brevard and Volusia
(Tallahassee, FL) -- The Florida Department of Health yesterday confirmed ten more cases of coronavirus in the Brevard County. That brings the total to 47 but zero deaths. Melbourne has the most cases with 17 while Palm Bay is next with seven.In Volusia County there are 13 more positive cases taking the total to 93, including one death.
Jacksonville Orders Non-Essential Businesses To Close
(Jacksonville, FL) -- Jacksonville is taking further steps to stop the spread of the coronavirus. Mayor Lenny Curry announced yesterday all non-essential businesses must close, effective tomorrow. Like a state order also announced yesterday, stores that can remain open include grocery stores, healthcare providers, gas stations and banks.
Sign Company Making Shields For Businesses
(Fernandina Beach, FL) -- A Nassau County business is getting creative to help fight the coronavirus. Fernandina Beach's FASTSIGNS normally makes acrylic signs for businesses, but now, it's using the same materials to make shields for healthcare facilities to put on their counters. The shields will create a barrier to protect employees from their customers. Owner Eric Webb tells Action News Jax the shields offer physical protection but also peace of mind.
Beverly Hills Police Discover Toilet Paper Stash In Stolen SUV
(Beverly Hills, CA) -- Beverly Hills police may have found all those rolls of toilet paper you're not seeing on grocery store shelves. There were 192 rolls in the back of a stolen SUV. They also found a gun inside the vehicle. No additional details were immediately available.
Pennsylvania Pastor Plans 'Woodstock' Event As Coronavirus Protest
(Pittsburgh, PA) -- One Pennsylvania pastor wants to have a "Woodstock"-like service as a protest against stay-at-home orders across the United States. Evangelist Jonathan Shuttlesworth said he plans to have an "outdoor Easter blowout service" regardless of what the government says, and hopes it will be a "national gathering" so people from all over the country can worship Jesus Christ. Shuttlesworth also said he was inspired by Florida pastor Rodney Howard Browne, who was arrested for endangering the public during a quarantine by holding normal church services. The evangelist compared the arrest to 1938 Germany. This potential gathering could occur during what most public health officials are calling the peak of coronavirus cases and related deaths.
Study: Astronauts Could Use Urine To Build Moon Bases
(Undated) -- The future of buildings on the moon may depend on urine. According to a recently published study in the Journal of Cleaner Production, some international engineers believe urea from pee could be combined with lunar soil and water to create a type of pliable concrete. This lunar concrete might then be used to build bases on the moon. Researchers indicate that test urine samples supported more weight, held better shape and were more resistant to extreme temperatures than other compositions. They are urging NASA, the European Space Agency and China's space organization to do more research on the subject.
TODAY IN HISTORY:
2019, NASA announced it wants to send an astronaut to the Moon again by 2024 and to Mars by 2033.
2009, disgraced former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich [[ bla-GOYA-vich ]] was indicted by a federal grand jury. He was charged with 16 felony counts for allegedly trying to sell the U.S. Senate seat vacated by Barack Obama following his presidential election victory.
1992, John Gotti was convicted of murder and racketeering.
1889, Charles Hall patented aluminum.