Man Killed By Brevard County Deputy
(Viera, FL) --A man is dead after he was shot by a deputy in Brevard County. The sheriff's office says the shooting took place during a disturbance that started yesterday morning in Viera on Egret Lake Way. According to deputies, a man threatened a woman with a gun and a knife, and she fled to a neighbor's house for help. Deputies arrived on the scene and saw the man come out of his home with a gun. They say he pointed the gun at them, and he was shot. He was taken to the hospital where he was pronounced dead. He has not been identified. The deputy who shot him was placed on Administrative Leave pending an investigation. Sheriff Wayne Ivey says this appears to be a case of suicide by cop.
Orange County Wants To Pay Election Workers Directly
(Orlando, FL) --Orange County will try to make sure election workers aren't affected by the controversy surrounding their boss. The county commission voted recently to freeze payments to Election Supervisor Glen Gilzean's office. Commissioners are upset with Gilzean's spending habits. Gilzean said freezing payments would make it hard for him to pay his staff, so County Comptroller Phil Diamond said yesterday he'll try pay Gilzean's employees directly. Paychecks are due the day after Christmas, and Gilzean's own comptroller said Monday the elections office has a cash deficit of almost 800-thousand dollars. Gilzean wrote on X he's glad the county voted to ensure payroll is made over the holidays. He also accused Mayor Jerry Demings of lying, and he accuses the county of breaking the law to score cheap political points.
Police Departments Accuse OCPS Of Exploiting School Shooting Tragedy
(Orlando, FL) --Orange County Public Schools is accused of exploiting a recent school shooting. Five Orange County police departments said yesterday OCPS was exploiting Monday's deadly school shooting in Wisconsin. The accusation came after OCPS sent an email to parents the day of the shooting about negotiations to pay for school resource officers. OCPS says in the email it offered to pay 20 percent more to have the SROs in schools, and it asks parents to contact law enforcement and their local elected officials to express any concerns they may have. The police departments say that increase still isn't enough to cover costs that have risen 45 percent. An OCPS spokesperson denies the email was tied to the school shooting. The spokesperson tells Channel 9 the email was drafted and scheduled prior to the school shooting.
Pinellas County Woman Accused Of Stealing From Storm-Damaged Homes
(Gulfport, FL) --A Pinellas County woman is accused of stealing from storm-damaged homes. Deputies arrested Gulfport's Carol Ann Campbell on Sunday. The 38-year-old allegedly stole mail from homes that were abandoned due to storm damage. Campbell is also accused of stealing Christmas decorations from a storage container outside a home. Deputies say she confessed. Campbell is facing burglary and drug possession charges.
DeSantis Recognizes Schools Who Support Military Families
(Panama City, FL) -- Governor Ron DeSantis is showing his support for Florida school districts who go the extra mile for military families. DeSantis was in Panama City talking about the state's Purple Star Schools of Distinction program. The honor is awarded to campuses and districts who offer extensive aid for families and students of service members as they transition to a new place. More than 170 schools across the Sunshine State have earned the special designation.
Court Uses VR Headsets In Stand Your Ground Hearing
(Fort Lauderdale, FL) -- A lawyer is taking a new approach to try to clear his client of the charges he's facing in Broward County. Miguel Albisu is accused of aggravated assault with a firearm for an incident last year in Southwest Ranches. The Cielo Farms owner allegedly pulled a gun on wedding guests at a reception when they refused to leave the venue. His lawyer wants to use the Stand Your Ground defense, and yesterday, in court, he convinced the judge and the prosecutor to put on VR headsets to watch a reenactment. Defense attorney Ken Padowitz thought the VR headset would give them a better idea of the chaotic situation his client found himself in that night as the guests got violent. Padowitz tells Local 10 News this may have been the first time VR was admitted into a criminal hearing in US history. There's no word on if the judge will allow VR headsets if the case goes to trial. In the meantime, the judge is considering the defendant's request to argue Stand Your Ground. There's no word on when he may issue a ruling.
Astronauts Who Flew On Boeing Spaceship To Remain In Space Even Longer
(Undated) -- The two NASA astronauts who have been stuck on the International Space Station will have to stay there through March. Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore flew to the ISS on the Boeing Starliner's shaky first test flight in June. The two intended to stay in space for a week before returning, but it will end up being closer to nine months. NASA has repeatedly pushed back the launch of a SpaceX craft that will be used to bring them home. On Tuesday officials say the launch will be no earlier than the end of March, to allow more time to "complete processing" on the spacecraft.
Today in History
2020, the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine is granted emergency use authorization by the FDA, becoming the second vaccine to receive authorization amidst the coronavirus pandemic.
1966, Dr. Seuss' "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" aired for the first time on CBS.
1944, the Supreme Court ruled to uphold the wartime relocation and detainment of Japanese-Americans.
1865, the 13th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution went into effect abolishing slavery.