A health alert has been issued for the presence of blue-green algae in Lake Glenada at the boat ramp in Avon Park. The alert was issued due to a water sample taken on August 13th. The public is advised to use caution and avoid exposure in and around Lake Glenada. This alert is the fifth in Highlands County Lakes since the beginning of the year. Blue- green algae is a harmful bacteria found in Florida’s freshwaters and is toxic to humans, pets and livestock.
Some Seminole County residents are protesting what they call a cruel tradition. The Animal Rights Foundation of Florida rallied yesterday against the annual statewide alligator hunt. The FWC started its Statewide Alligator Harvest Program 36 years ago. It allows anyone 18 or over with a permit to kill two alligators. ARFF Coordinator Bryan Wilson calls alligator hunting brutal. A gator hunter tells News 6 the permits the state issues raise millions of dollars for conservation programs. The alligator hunting season started Thursday, and it runs through November First.
The Ocala woman who fatally shot her Black neighbor through a closed door has been found guilty. A jury agreed with prosecutors that 60-year-old Susan Lorincz, who is white, is guilty of first-degree felony manslaughter. Lorincz shot mother of four Ajike "AJ" Owens, over an argument about Owens’ children playing near her home in June 2023. Lorincz faces up to 30 years in prison.
A Virginia boy accused of making a series of fake threats to Central Florida schools is officially in the state to face his felony charges. Investigators say the eleven-year-old from Henrico County has been extradited to the Sunshine State after he made nearly two dozen swatting calls directed at schools in Flagler and Volusia counties back in May. Sheriff Rick Staly says his agency worked closely with the FBI to track down the suspect after he used technology to try to hide his location and disguise his voice. The boy is accused of similar crimes in at least six other states, including Alabama, Maryland and Tennessee.
Ernesto is once again a hurricane as it churns toward Canada. The National Hurricane Center says Ernesto is creating life threatening surf and rip current conditions that will last for the next few days. The warnings stretch from Florida to Maine. It regained strength Sunday, generating maximum sustained winds of 80 miles per hour. The surf is up and red flags are flying at Oak Island in Connecticut where beach-goers are advised to stay out of the water. As of late Sunday night, Ernesto was roughly 400 miles from Halifax, Nova Scotia.
A woman will spend the rest of her life behind bars for a murder in Sarasota County. Latoya Johnson was given a life sentence last week for killing a man two years ago. A jury last month convicted her of second-degree murder. She also pled guilty to carrying a gun even though she was a convicted felon. Johnson shot Alain Sierra to death inside a restaurant in downtown Sarasota. It happened during a fight between Johnson, her friends and the victim and his relatives who were all eating at the restaurant.
Governor Ron DeSantis is announcing that Florida has broken another tourism record. He reports that during the second quarter of 2024, Florida welcomed 34-million visitors which is the highest second-quarter tourism statistic in Florida history. And it is a one-point-seven percent increase over the same period last year. DeSantis says since he took office, Florida has become a tourism magnet, attracting thousands of Americans from "Blue States."
Tampa Bay’s newest pro sports team is already drawing fans. The Tampa Bay Sun FC played its first game ever last night. The USL Super League team hosted Dallas Trinity FC at a sold-out Riverfront Stadium. Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield was there to show his support. Defender Brooke Hendrix made history with the franchise’s first-ever goal. The game ended in a one-one draw. The Sun’s next game will be Saturday when they host DC Power FC.