Orlando Ride To Come Down Following Teen's Death
(Orlando, FL) -- A Central Florida amusement park ride will come down following the death of 14-year-old Tyre Sampson. The company responsible for the Orlando Freefall ride at ICON Park made the decision after the public called for permanent removal of the 430-foot drop tower. A statement released by the Slingshot Group says they will honor Sampson by creating a scholarship in his name.The teenager died back in March after he fell to his death. A timeline for when the ride will be torn down is expected at a later date.
DeSantis Praises Nationwide Efforts To Help Florida
(Nokomis, FL) -- Governor Ron DeSantis is thanking the nationwide efforts that have contributed to help Floridians following Hurricane Ian. The governor was in Sarasota yesterday to discuss the progress of recovery efforts, especially along the state's west coast. DeSantis said he is pleased with the swift power restoration and how businesses are able to return to operations at a record level. The governor is activating a 50-million dollar program that is aimed at providing short-term, zero-interest loans to small businesses.
Visit Florida Works On New Campaign To Counter Ian
(Tallahassee, FL) -- Visit Florida is working on a new campaign as cleanup efforts are underway from Hurricane Ian. The agency halted its advertising last week as the storm majorly impacted the state's west coast. Now they are putting together more ads to promote the state in an effort to offset images of damages from the hardest hit communities. They are building a portfolio with images from Jacksonville, Orlando, Miami, and Tampa. Records show 36 million people visited the state in the first quarter of 2022, which is 40-percent higher than last year.
Osceola County Student Arrested For Attacking SRO
(St. Cloud, FL)-- An Osceola County student is accused of attacking a school resource officer. The St. Cloud High School student was arrested yesterday. St. Cloud Police say the SRO was trying to break up a fight when the 15-year-old grabbed the officer, and the two wrestled to the ground. The teen is charged with battery on a law enforcement officer.
Two Men Arrested For Attempted Kidnapping In Pinellas County
(Tarpon Springs, FL)-- A convicted murderer is one of two men accused of trying to kidnap a teenage girl in Pinellas County. Tarpon Springs Police arrested Paul Warren and Jamichael Williams after Wednesday's alleged incident near Grosse Ave and Harrison Street. The 16-year-old girl told police she was walking to her bus stop when Warren got out of a truck and grabbed her by the shoulder. She fought him off and later told an SRO what happened. Warren has been in prison ten times, and he served more than five years for a murder in the 1970s. In this case, both are charged with false imprisonment.
SpaceX Aborts Rocket Launch
(Cape Canaveral, FL)-- SpaceX blames a tiny helium leak for an aborted launch at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. The company had to call off last night's planned launch of a Falcon 9 rocket when the leak was detected 30 seconds before liftoff. The launch was rescheduled for tonight with a 69-minute window opening at 7:06. Launch conditions are 90 percent Go.
Nebraska Senator To Be Next UF President
(Gainesville, FL)-- The University of Florida appears to have found its next leader. The school announced yesterday that a search committee has recommended Nebraska Senator Ben Sasse [[sass]] be hired as the next president. The 50-year-old Republican is the former president of Midland University in Nebraska, and he's also a former teacher at Yale and the University of Texas. He says he's thrilled for the opportunity, and he'll be on campus Monday to meet students and employees. If approved by the Board of Trustees and the Florida Board of Governors, Sasse will be UF's 13th president. The trustees are set to meet November First.
Miami-Dade Police Break Up Car Theft Ring
(Miami, FL)-- Over a dozen people are facing charges after Miami-Dade Police broke up what they believe was a million dollar crime ring. Police announced yesterday that 13 people were arrested for stealing cars from rental companies and selling them to dealerships. Investigators estimate the suspects made over a million dollars. Police have tracked down over 30 stolen cars so far, but they believe there are more out there.
Man Rows From NYC To Ireland
(New York, NY) --A man makes it to Ireland after rowing all the way from New York City. Damien Brown left Chelsea Piers on June 14th and rowed three-thousand-450 nautical miles to cross the Atlantic Ocean. The 42-year-old former Rugby player originally set out to complete the journey with his friend, but his partner had to leave on day 13 for health reasons. Brown did it all for a good cause and teamed up with Project Empowerment to raise money for four charities.
TODAY IN HISTORY
2003, Actor Arnold Schwarzenegger was elected governor of California.
1996, the Fox News Channel was launched on satellite.
1991, University of Oklahoma law professor Anita Hill publicly accused Supreme Court nominee Clarence Thomas of making sexually inappropriate comments in her presence when she worked for him. Thomas denied Hill's allegations.
1983, the Cabbage Patch Kids were invented. The dolls became a national craze.
1968, the motion picture Association adopted its rating system. It ranged from G for general to R for restricted.
1913, Henry Ford established the moving assembly line.