Lawmakers Are Reviewing Hundreds Of Local Projects
(Tallahassee, FL)-- Hundreds of local projects around Florida are under review. Florida House members filed nearly 750 proposals in an effort to cash in on Local Support Grants. Governor DeSantis vetoed dozens of projects last month, but the 80-million dollars in grant funding gives lawmakers a second chance. Not a lot of details were released on specific projects. A state commission made up of both House and Senate members will have the next two months to make final decisions.
Brevard County Commission Approves Marketing Grant For Cocoa Beach Hotel Project
(Titusville, FL)-- A developer is getting millions for what it calls a transformational project in Brevard County. The county commission yesterday approved giving Driftwood Capital a marketing grant of up to 30 million dollars for a hotel in Cocoa Beach. The Westin Cocoa Beach Resort and Spa on A-One-A will have over 500 rooms, and Driftwood officials predict it'll generate over three million dollars a year in tourism tax revenue. County Commissioner Rita Pritchett tells Florida Today the project is a game changer for the community.
Man Hit By Lightning In Volusia County
(New Smyrna Beach, FL)-- A man has been hurt after he was hit by lightning in Volusia County. New Smyrna Beach firefighters say the landscaper was struck while working at a home yesterday on Middlebury Loop in the Tymber Trace neighborhood. A neighbor who administered CPR tells WESH 2 News the back of the man's head was singed, and his pants were gone. The man was knocked unconscious, but first responders revived him and took him to the hospital. He's in critical condition.
Three Teens Arrested For Mall Shooting In Manatee County
(Ellenton, FL)-- A third teenager is now in custody after a shooting at a mall in Manatee County. The sheriff's office says a 17-year-old turned himself in yesterday afternoon. An 18-year-old and another 17-year-old were arrested on Monday. All three are charged with attempted murder. An 18-year-old was shot Sunday outside the Ellenton Premium Outlets, but he's expected to survive. Deputies say the shooting took place during an argument between the victim and the suspects, who all know each other.
Escambia County School Board Lifts Tobacco Test Requirement For Teachers
(Pensacola, FL)-- A policy change could help Escambia County to fill a teacher shortage. The school board voted yesterday to temporarily suspend a policy that requires new hires to pass a tobacco test. The test has been required for over a decade, and the district also requires teachers to refrain from tobacco use throughout their employment. The suspension will last 18 months, but Superintendent Dr. Tim Smith tells Channel 3 we'll find out quickly what impact this will have.
Children Found After Possible Abduction
(Miami, FL)-- Two missing children are safe after they were found in Miami-Dade County. Police say a six-year-old and a four-year-old were found yesterday after they went missing Sunday. Their mother, Jemima Gutierrez, took the children without permission from their legal guardian. No charges have been announced.
10% Of Monkeypox Cases Live In Florida
(Tallahassee, FL)-- Almost ten-percent of all monkeypox cases found in the U.S. are in Florida. The state health department reported nearly 200 infections as of yesterday. A majority of the cases are in South Florida, specifically Broward County. Vaccines are going out to the most infected areas, but right now only people considered at-risk are eligible for doses.
Robber Holds Up Strip Club For $22,000 In $1 Bills
(Providence, RI)-- Police in Providence, Rhode Island are looking for a robber who took off from a strip club with 22-thousand dollars -- in one-dollar bills. The owner of the Cadillac Lounge says he was getting ready to open the club Monday afternoon and was counting money in his office when a man walked in and pointed a gun at his head. The gunman took 35-hundred dollars from an open safe then ordered the owner to open the other safe, which had 22-thousand dollars in ones. He loaded all the cash into a bag, slipped out the back door, ran across some nearby train tracks, and he was gone.
Robotic Dogs Added To Minot AFB Staff
(Minot, ND)-- Robotic dogs are being introduced at Minot [[ MY-not ]] Air Force Base in North Dakota. Officials announced the addition of Chappie and Atom to the Base. The Minot Daily News says the robot dogs are a first for all units at the Air Force base. The dogs can run, walk, kneel, go up and down stairs, and bark. They'll be used for security in addition to assessing hazardous materials incidents.
TODAY IN HISTORY
2012, tragedy struck in Aurora, Colorado when a gunman opened fire on moviegoers attending the midnight-screening of "The Dark Knight Rises" at the Century 16 Movie Theaters at the Aurora Town Center.
1999, 38 years after sinking to the bottom of the Atlantic, astronaut Gus Grissom's "Liberty Bell Seven" Mercury capsule was recovered and hoisted to the surface.
1994, O-J Simpson offered a reward of 500-thousand dollars for the capture of his wife's "real killer. "Simpson's legal team set up a toll-free number for leads.
1969, astronaut Neil Armstrong became the first man to walk on the surface of the moon. Buzz Aldrin joined his colleague on the moon's surface. Astronaut Michael Collins piloted the Apollo Eleven command ship Columbia on the historic occasion.
1925, the Goodyear blimp made its first appearance at a sporting event. It was in Cleveland at the Cleveland Indians-Washington Senators game.
1859, the baseball game between Brooklyn and New York marked the first time spectators were charged admission to a game. It cost 50-cents to watch the game.