E-Coli Found In Melbourne Water
(Melbourne, FL)-- The city of Melbourne announced yesterday e-coli has been found in its water supply. It was found in a sample collected yesterday on Sun Circle East. A boil water notice is now in effect. That means you should bring the water to a boil, let it boil for a minute and let it cool before using. You can also use bottled water. The city is conducting more tests, and it expects to resolve the issue within 48 hours.You can get more info at MelbourneFlorida.org.
Seminole County Man Arrested For Petition Fraud
(Tallahassee, FL)-- A Seminole County man is accused of voter fraud. Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier announced the arrest yesterday of Winter Springs' Alexander Dean Francis. He faces 38 counts of Criminal Use of Personal Identification Information. Uthmeier says Francis was collecting signatures for those who supported a 2024 ballot referendum to legalize recreational marijuana. Francis allegedly submitted hundreds of fraudulent petitions to elections offices across the state. About three dozen people say their personal information was stolen and used without their knowledge or consent. Uthmeier says many of the victims are over 60.
SJC School Board May Change Calendar
(St. Augustine, FL)-- If parents in St. Johns County get their way, the school year may end earlier. The school district this week released the results of a survey it sent to parents, teachers and staff a few months ago. About 85 percent of respondents supported ending the school year before Memorial Day. The current schedule goes into June. Parents also support having the entire week of Thanksgiving off and a two-week winter break. If approved, the changes would take effect for the 2026-27 school year. The school board may vote next month on adopting the new calendar.
Car Thief Arrested After High-Speed Chase
(DeFuniak Springs, FL)-- A man is in custody after a high-speed chase in a stolen SUV in Walton County. The sheriff's office announced the arrest yesterday of DeFuniak Springs' Brian Timothy Grant. He allegedly stole an SUV from a home on Pipers Landing Road. Deputies saw the SUV a few hours later in Mossy Head on Highway 90. They tried to pull Grant over, but he kept driving and, at one point, he was going over 100-miles an hour. The chase ended when Grant lost control of the SUV and crashed into a tree on Paradise Island Drive. No one was hurt. He's facing charges that include grand theft and driving with a suspended or revoked license, third or subsequent offense.
Tampa City Council Votes To Condemn Street Art Removal
(Tampa, FL) -- Tampa officials want the governor to know how they feel about being forced to remove street art. The city council voted yesterday to publicly condemn FDOT's order to remove street paintings. The order was issued statewide, and those that don't comply could lose funding. Council member Alan Clendenin tells the Tampa Bay Times the city is being held hostage by Tallahassee, and we have to rise up to meet the state's level of aggression.
Clearwater To Remove Pavement Art
(Clearwater, FL)-- By the end of today, all street art is expected to be gone in Clearwater. FDOT ordered the city to remove all pavement art by September 4th. The city started doing so Monday. It had six intersections to erase or paint over. Only one remains. That one should be pressure-washed today. Mayor Bruce Rector says the city doesn't have a choice. He also tells the Tampa Bay Times he'll look for other ways to celebrate public art.
Neighbor In Batman Pajamas Nabs Burglary Suspect In The Act
(Cape Coral, FL) -- A real-life "Batman" gets the credit for catching a burglar in the process of stealing from a neighbor in Southwest Florida. Officers with the Cape Coral Police Department showed up at a home early Wednesday to find a suspect already detained by a neighbor wearing Batman pajamas. Kyle Myvett says he noticed a man rummaging through his truck, but couldn't catch him and later discovered 20-year-old Justin Schimpl inside a neighbor's garage. Myvett then detained the suspect until police arrived. Police say Schimpl, who has a history of previous encounters with law enforcement, stole designer sunglasses, jewelry, cash and over 500 dollars in gift cards from the vehicles of Myvett and his neighbor. He faces multiple charges. Before leaving the scene, officers took a photo with the hero, still wearing his Batman onesie.
Today in History
1997, Netflix was founded by Marc Randolph and Reed Hasting in Scotts Valley, California as an online DVD rental business.
1958, the Air Force Academy opened in Colorado Springs, Colorado.