News Update for 9/12/24
A 17-year-old boy accused of killing his father in Oklahoma last year is now accused of killing his mother in Florida. The boy claimed he killed Charles Griffith in self-defense during a fight at their home on Valentine’s Day 2023. The boy is now accused of killing 39-year-old Catherine Griffith of Port Charlotte, Florida, during a fight on Sunday. The boy told authorities his mother lunged at him with a knife and fell on the weapon. She was stabbed in her neck and died at the scene. He had moved to Florida to live with his mother in February of this year. Sheriff Grady Judd spoke on the matter saying, “Collin Griffith is a violent predator—he has now killed both his father and his mother. We will hold him accountable in Polk County—we will do everything we can to keep him separated from civil society.” Collin Griffith is charged with first-degree murder, kidnapping, and violation of a no-contact order.
A student is accused of bringing a gun onto a school campus in Seminole County. Altamonte Springs Police yesterday arrested a boy at Lake Brantley High School. Police say the handgun was stolen from Orange County but not loaded. The school went on Code Yellow lockdown while K-9 units searched for more weapons. The lockdown was lifted after no other weapons were found.
A man is facing charges in connection to a deadly shooting near a Brevard County school. Police arrested 21-year-old Malachi Bell in Indian River County last night after they say he was trying to catch a Greyhound Bus to South Florida. He is accused of killing 27-year-old Craig Dewberry Junior at the Tip Top Mini Mart in Melbourne yesterday, which is located near Stone Magnet Middle School. The shooting forced the campus and University Park Elementary to go on lockdown. Bell has been charged with first-degree murder and armed robbery.
The crew of a Florida-based ship is drawing bipartisan praise. Florida Republican senators Marco Rubio and Rick Scott joined Democrats yesterday in introducing a resolution recognizing the USS Carney. The ship based off the First Coast at Naval Station Mayport just got back from eight-months in the Middle East. According to the resolution, it was a historic deployment that saw over 50 engagements with Iranian-backed terrorists. Rubio and Scott say that’s the most engagements with a foreign adversary by a Naval vessel since World War Two.
Curbside recycling is coming to a close in Polk County. The county will discontinue the service October First in unincorporated parts of the county. The change is expected to save the county over five million dollars. Residents can still bring their recyclables to the Polk County Landfill in Winter Haven. There are also private companies residents can hire to pick up their recyclables.
The impact of Tropical Storm Francine is being felt in Tampa Bay. The National Weather Service is warning about a high risk of dangerous rip currents through tomorrow night because of the storm. Hillsborough, Pinellas, Manatee and Sarasota counties are affected. The NWS says rip currents can sweep even the best swimmers away from shore into deeper water. You’re advised to swim near a lifeguard. If caught in a rip current, relax and float, don’t swim against the current, and if able, swim in a direction following the shoreline.
A Seminole County child has a memory police hope will last a lifetime. Longwood Police posted on Facebook this week about an encounter they had with a girl selling lemonade. The LPD says on Facebook that someone called them to report the girl was running an illegal lemonade stand and tying up traffic. Instead of shutting her down, though, officers bought some of her lemonade and took photos with her. Police say it was a chance to turn a simple lemonade stand into a lifelong core memory for all involved, and it also shows what community policing is all about.
Groups on both sides of the abortion debate are making their voices heard. Press conferences were held yesterday by groups who support and oppose Amendment Four. Amendment Four would allow abortions until fetal viability or beyond in some cases. Currently, state law bans abortion after six weeks. Members of Florida Physicians Against Amendment Four say the amendment replaces the term ‘doctor’ with the vague term ‘healthcare provider.’ An OBGYN says that would allow non-physicians to perform abortions, which could lead to complications. The Yes on Four campaign held their own press conference. Director Lauren Brenzel says no woman wants a politician of any party breathing down her neck in a doctor’s office.