ACLU condemns prosecution of Fla. teen

ABC Action News - Wednesday 22nd May, 2013

INDIAN RIVER COUNTY, Fla. - The Florida American Civil Liberties Union is condemning the prosecution of 18-year-old Kaitlyn Hunt for allegedly having intimate sexual relations with her younger girlfriend. The Sebastian resident's behavior is "both fairly innocuous and extremely common," according to a statement issued by the Miami-based group. She is charged with lewd and ...

FBI kills friend of Boston bomb suspects during questioning in Florida

The Independent - Wednesday 22nd May, 2013

said a friend had identified the dead man as 27-year-oldIbragimTodashevof Orlando. The newspaper quoted the friend, Khusn Taramiv, as sayingTodashevwas being investigated as part of the Boston bombings and knew bombing suspect Tamerlan Tsarnaev because both were mixed martial-arts ...

Tsarnaev Friend Killed in Orlando by FBI Agents Suspect Was Wanted for Questioning

Christian Post - Wednesday 22nd May, 2013

Initial reports indicate that FBI agents shot and killed 26-year-old Ibragim Todashev, who is thought to have befriended Tsarnaev while the two were martial arts students. Agents believe that Todashev may have been involved or in some way provided aid to Tsarnaev in connection with the Boston Marathon bombing.An associate of Todashev, Khusn Taramiv, revealed that Todashev was shot and killed by ...

Florida man pleads guilty to slashing throat of Bears fan

Chicago Tribune - Wednesday 22nd May, 2013

Chicago Bears game last fall, authorities said. Matthew R. Hinson, 28, pleaded guilty Tuesday to second-degree murder and faces sentencing May 28, according to court records. His sentence could range from 20 years to life, Florida prosecutors said. Hinson was charged with killing William Pettry, a 42-year-old married father of three from Lake Villa, at an Irish-themed restaurant and bar packed ...

Video Orlando shootout tied to Boston bomb suspect

CBS News - Wednesday 22nd May, 2013

The FBI says it was involved in a fatal shooting near Universal Studios in Orlando, Fla. CBS News senior correspondent John Miller tells "CTM" co-host Charlie Rose the victim was a friend of Tamerlan Tsarnaev, the older brother suspected in the Boston Marathon ...

South Fla. Water Management District chief resigns

Miami Herald - Wednesday 22nd May, 2013

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- The executive director of the state agency overseeing water supply, flood control and Everglades restoration between Orlando and Key West has resigned.Melissa Meeker sent an email Tuesday to the secretary of the Department of Environmental Protection, the director of strategic planning in the governor's office and South Florida Water Management District staff ...

Forecast 50 chance of rain Wednesday afternoon

The Gainsville Sun - Wednesday 22nd May, 2013

The typical summer weather pattern of sunny mornings and late afternoon rain seems to have set in. Expect a 50 percent chance of rain this afternoon, according to the National Weather ...

FHP warns of smokefog dangers in Levy Gilchrist counties

The Gainsville Sun - Wednesday 22nd May, 2013

Smoke from fires in Levy and Gilchrist counties could create dangerous conditions on several roads this morning and drivers should be cautious, the Florida Highway Patrol ...

More Wet Weather Wednesday in South Florida

NBC 6 - Wednesday 22nd May, 2013

After Tuesday’s break in the rain, we anticipate more wet weather Wednesday as morning showers will likely give way to afternoon ...

Melbourne Beach mayor steps down amid tension

The Miami Herald - Wednesday 22nd May, 2013

MELBOURNE BEACH, Fla. -- The mayor of Melbourne Beach says he's stepping down because he can no longer serve the best interests of residents and employees because of tension among city commissioners.Tom Davis turned in his resignation on Monday afternoon. Vice Mayor Rocco Maglio will serve as mayor through November, when a special election will be held. He will be sworn in on May ...

NFL MLS avoid Florida after stadium bill fails

Orlando Business Journal - Wednesday 22nd May, 2013

Orlando City Soccer wants to build a new stadium to lure a Major League Soccer franchise here. Florida was shut out Tuesday by the National Football League and Major League Soccer. The NFL awarded the 2016 Super Bowl to the San Francisco area and the 2017 championship game to Houston, while the MLS formally announced that New York, behind a partnership involving the New York Yankees and English ...

Eight families displaced in Tampa building fire

Tampa Bay Times - Wednesday 22nd May, 2013

TAMPA -- Eight families were displaced by a fire Wednesday morning that heavily damaged a condominium building, according to Hillsborough County Fire Rescue reports. The blaze was reported about 2:30 a.m. at 7210 N Manhattan Ave. Firefighters from Hillsborough and the Tampa Fire Rescue arrived and extinguished flames in Building 2. Tampa Electric also turned off the power in nearby buildings, ...

Sports Buzz Should the Orlando Magic trade away the No. 2 draft pick

Orlando Sentinel - Wednesday 22nd May, 2013

Orlando Magic had hoped. Orlando ended up with the No. 2 pick in next month's NBA Draft. Now, the No. 2 pick may as well be as good as No. 1 in the upcoming draft, since there are no standout players available. But there's something else the Magic could consider -- trading out of the first round completely. Our Sports Buzz question is: Do you think the Magic should trade away the No. ...

FBI agent in fatal shooting of suspect in Orlando

CBS News - Wednesday 22nd May, 2013

(CBS News) The FBI says it was involved in a fatal shooting near Universal studios in Orlando, Fla. early Wednesday. CBS News correspondent John Miller, a former FBI assistant director, says the victim was "someone (the agency was) looking at in connection with (Boston bominbgs suspect) Tamerlan (Tsarnaev), based on contacts they had." In a statement Wednesday, the FBI said, "We ...

Brown Brown grows footprint with Beecher deal

Tampa Bay Business Journal - Wednesday 22nd May, 2013

J. Powell Brown Brown & Brown Inc. snagged the 27th largest insurance broker in the United States, with its planned acquisition of Beecher Carlson Holdings Inc. The deal gives Brown & Brown an expanded footprint, new opportunities, enhanced resources and a strong leadership team, J. Powell Brown, president and CEO of Brown & Brown, said in a statement. Brown & Brown (NYSE: BRO), a Tampa and ...

Rick Scott questions money for local projects

The Business Journal - Wednesday 22nd May, 2013

Rick Scott Florida lawmakers sprinkled the new state budget with projects to take to the folks back home. But when Gov. Rick Scott issued $368 million in budget vetoes Monday, he raised pointed questions about whether state taxpayers should pay for local projects --- and what kind of return the state should get for its money. Also, he singled out some projects that did not go through normal ...

Worldwide firms compete for $2.1 billion I-4 project

Tampa Bay Business Journal - Wednesday 22nd May, 2013

Four of the largest road construction firms in the world are pitted against each other in a heated competition to land a $2.1 billion contract to expand Interstate 4 through Orlando. The firms are: I-4 Mobility Partners, led by Skanska of Sweden; I-4 Development Partners LLC, which includes FCC Construccion S.A., a Spanish firm; 4wardPartners, which includes VINCI Concessions, a British company ...

Sarasota Realtors open new headquarters

Business Journal - Wednesday 22nd May, 2013

Realtors in Sarasota have a new HQ on South Tuttle Avenue. The Sarasota Association of Realtors have moved to a new 5,000-square-foot headquarters after three decades on South Tuttle Avenue. Even though the realtors group that boasts 3,500 members moved into the new office on Cattlemen Road in April, it held its grand opening on May 22 the Sarasota Herald-Tribune said. Kathy Roberts, chief ...

IRS hits Miccosukee tribe with $170M tax bill

The Miami Herald - Wednesday 22nd May, 2013

MIAMI -- The Internal Revenue Service has hit the Miccosukee Indians with a $170 million bill for failing to report and withhold taxes from its distribution of gambling profits to tribal members.The Miami Herald ( http://hrld.us/11aX4mY) reported Tuesday that the IRS also sent bills totaling $58 million to hundreds of the South Florida tribe's members for failure to pay personal taxes on ...

Cohen Everything Upbeat For Mike Wallace

Miami Dolphins - Wednesday 22nd May, 2013

Mike Wallace was dodging the raindrops. Yes, he's fast, as fast as this franchise has seen at receiver since perhaps all the way back to Mark Duper. But he isn't fast enough to stay dry in a downpour. At least, not this downpour. "I'm in good shape," Wallace proclaims, "but I obviously need to get in better shape." If there was one lasting impression for ...

Casa Ramos restaurant to open in Tampa Palms

Business Journal - Wednesday 22nd May, 2013

Casa Ramos is set to open in a week in Tampa Palms. The Mexican restaurant will occupy a 6,411-square-foot space that previously held Sushi Tsu Japanese Steakhouse and Sushi Bar at 15363 Amberly Drive near the Shoppes at Amberly plaza, the Tampa Tribune said. The owner of the new restaurant, Mateo Ramos, 34, lives in Orlando and has worked as a district manager in the Tampa area. He comes from a ...

Bradenton to get its first Hobby Lobby

Business Journal - Wednesday 22nd May, 2013

Hobby Lobby is coming to Bradenton. This Memorial Day, Hobby Lobby will mark the opening of its first store in Bradenton with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. Bradentons Hobby Lobbys will be located at 4490 Cortez Road West at Pinewood Square and is part of the national chains efforts at expansion into the state, the Bradenton Herald said. Store manager Craig Dunbar said the chain is a mega store for ...