Lawmakers Advance Bill To Prevent Monument Removals
(Tallahassee, FL) -- A bill designed to prevent the removal of historical monuments is making its way through the Florida Legislature. A Senate committee approved a measure yesterday that would stop local governments from removing or destroying statues. It would also give Governor Ron DeSantis the power to suspend officials who violate the order. The move comes as the city of Jacksonville continues its fight over Confederate monuments after the mayor removed one from a city park last month. The House version of the bill has not made it into committee yet.
Melbourne City Council Discusses Rail Safety After Deadly Crashes
(Melbourne, FL)-- More changes could be coming to prevent deadly train collisions in Brevard County. The Melbourne City Council met yesterday to discuss how to improve rail safety after two recent deadly crashes. New safety features were installed this week, but Vice Mayor Yvonne Minus thinks more needs to be done. She says having Quad Gates when all four gates are down on both sides would alleviate a lot of the problems. Mayor Paul Alfrey also wants to see Quad Gates. In the meantime, the city will install warning signs, and Brightline plans to install cameras that could lead to citations against drivers who cross when the arms are down. Alfrey tells Channel 9 now is the time to act.
Volusia County School Board Delays Vote On Student Code Of Conduct
(DeLand, FL) -- Parents in Volusia County are pushing back on plans to change the student code of conduct. The school board met yesterday to discuss amending the code to allow visitors to be searched randomly and without cause. Parents questioned what kind of criteria would be used to determine when to conduct a search, and how a search could affect a student's mental health. The teachers union also opposes the policy. News 6 reports the board voted to table the discussion, and the amendment will be discussed again at an upcoming workshop.
Clearwater Installing Speakers To Alert Residents During Emergencies
(Clearwater, FL)-- New safety features are coming to Clearwater. The city this week is installing speakers at parks and beaches to warn people during a weather emergency. The system costs over a million dollars, and it should be operational in a couple months. A Clearwater Emergency Management official tells ABC Action News the alerts can be pushed out instantaneously to get people to safety a lot quicker.
Man In Wheelchair Pulled From Water In Miami-Dade County
(Miami, FL) -- Divers are credited with pulling a man in a wheelchair out of the water in Miami-Dade County. His chair somehow rolled into the water last night at a marina at Haulover Park. Local 10 News reports Marine Patrol officers were able to get the man out of the water, and he was taken to the hospital.
Today in History
2018, former U.S. Olympic team doctor Larry Nassar was sentenced to 175 years in prison after being found guilty of molesting over 150 women.
1989, serial killer Ted Bundy was put to death in Florida's electric chair.
1984, Apple Computer Incorporated unveiled the Macintosh personal computer.
1922, Eskimo Pie was patented. In 2021 its name was changed to Edy’s Pie.