Brush Fires Reported In Brevard County
(Palm Bay, FL) --The dry weather is keeping firefighters busy in Brevard County. Some brush fires started yesterday in Palm Bay, and they led to some brief evacuations. At least five small fires were reported in The Compound. Another was reported near I-95 and Malabar Road, and another started near railroad tracks behind Onyx Drive. Over 20 homes were temporarily evacuated as a precaution. A Palm Bay Police car caught fire, and a police officer suffered minor injuries. No buildings were damaged, though. A burn ban is in effect across the county.
Former State Trooper Sentenced In Drug Case
(Jacksonville, FL) --A former state trooper from Jacksonville is now serving time for drug crimes. The US Justice Department announced yesterday Joshua Earrey was sentenced to nine years in federal prison. The 46-year-old pled guilty three weeks ago to drug and gun charges plus conspiring to defraud the federal government. The charges date back to 2021 when Earrey worked as an FHP trooper and a DEA officer. Prosecutors say he was engaged in extensive corrupt activity. That includes stealing money and illegal drugs seized as evidence in criminal investigations. Those drugs would be given to others to sell. He also gave ammunition to a convicted murderer in exchange for opiates. An FBI official says law enforcement officers who operate as though they're above the law betray the badge and the citizens they swore to protect.
Deadly Deputy-Involved Shooting In Hillsborough County
(Brandon, FL) --A man is dead after he was shot by deputies in Hillsborough County. It happened yesterday morning in Brandon in the area of Windingwood Ave and Providence Road. The sheriff's office says they got a call about a man armed with a large assault rifle and wearing military tactical gear. Deputies told the man to drop his weapon, but when he refused he was shot and killed. He was identified as 34-year-old Vincent Tyler Morin. The three deputies involved were placed on paid administrative leave, and the FDLE is investigating. Sheriff Chad Chronister says Morin posed a real and immediate threat, and deputies acted quickly and decisively to protect lives and prevent further danger.
Orange County Hires Company To Recruit More Students To Public Schools
(Orlando, FL) --Orange County Public Schools wants to reverse a costly trend. The school board voted Tuesday to hire a company called Caissa K-12 to recruit students to the district. OCPS enrollment is expected to drop by over three thousand students next year. That'll cost the district 28 million dollars, but officials hope Caissa K-12 can help them recover some of that money.The district will pay the company over 900 dollars for every student it gets to re-enroll in a public school. School Board member Angie Gallo tells Channel 9 the district provides parents with so many choices, and she hopes parents come back once they realize that.
Students Set To Graduate From New ERAU Program
(Daytona Beach, FL) -- A new program at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University is about to reach a milestone. ERAU announced yesterday the first group of students from their air traffic control program are on track to start training at FAA facilities. The program allows them to bypass training at the FAA Academy in Oklahoma. This arrangement was made last year in an agreement between Embry-Riddle and the FAA. One student says the program is an amazing opportunity, and being able to go straight into the workforce is a dream.
Wild Chimps Could Enjoy "Drinking" Together
(Undated) -- It looks like chimpanzees enjoy a good happy hour. New video recorded by scientists in west Africa shows wild chimps eating fermented breadfruit together. It's the first time the shared behavior has been caught on film. Researchers suggest using the alcohol for social bonding could explain why humans evolved the ability to metabolize alcohol. The findings were published Monday in the journal Current Biology.
Today in History
2023, prime-time Fox News anchor Tucker Carlson was fired form the network.
2003, in an interview with ABC's Diane Sawyer, country music trio the Dixie Chicks said they were living in fear after group member Natalie Maines set off a firestorm of controversy by telling a London concert audience she was ashamed that President Bush was from the group's home state of Texas. While Maines admitted that her words were disrespectful, she would not apologize for questioning the Bush administration's decision to launch a war against Iraq.