News Update for 9/13/24
Chris Doty, who ran against incumbent Brenda Longshore in the recent election for Superintendent of Highlands County Schools, has filed a law suit citing misconduct. The lawsuit is being brought against Supervisor of Elections Karen Healy, The Canvassing Board, and School Superintendent Brenda Longshore. The suit alleges that proper protocols were not followed when qualified candidate Donald Ridgeway formally withdrew from the race and that voters were not sufficiently notified. Ridgeway remained on the ballot through the election and received 645 votes while Doty himself lost the election by just 95 votes- A difference that his suit alleges would call in to question the results of the election. The complaint also includes the names of 35 voters who attest they were not notified that Ridgeway withdrew and that no information on the withdrawal, whether written or verbal, was provided at voting sites.
A Volusia County resident is facing charges for what the Flagler County Sheriff calls disgusting behavior. Sheriff Rick Staly announced yesterday that Daytona Beach resident and former Flagler County Fire Rescue employee James Melady was arrested this week. The 37-year-old is facing charges that include sexual battery on a helpless person. Melady was on duty three-years ago when he allegedly molested an unconscious woman in an ambulance. Staly says Melady’s actions are unfathomable, and he’s grateful he’s in jail where he belongs. Staly also calls Melady a pervert, and he asks any other victims to come forward.
A Tampa teenager is facing charges for allegedly bringing two loaded guns to school. Tampa Police yesterday arrested 15-year-old Antwan Colding after the handguns were found at Blake High School. The SRO found the guns while searching students who were vaping in the restroom. The TPD says no threats were made, and no one was hurt. Colding is charged with possession of a weapon on school grounds. Tampa Police Chief Lee Bercaw says the discovery of loaded firearms in the possession of a teen on a school campus is deeply troubling and alarming.
Governor Ron DeSantis is happy with the results of a new national report that places Florida at the top for educational freedom. The Heritage Foundation has released its latest Education Freedom Report Card, which put the Sunshine State in the number one spot for the third year in a row. The governor’s office says the achievement is a direct result of the state’s priorities to expand school choice and support parental rights in education. The report ranks states based on four categories, including transparency, spending, and teacher freedom. Officials also looked at access to scholarship programs.
A new date is set for a mission sending two men to the International Space Station. NASA announced yesterday the Crew 9 mission with SpaceX will blast off no earlier than September 25th from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. The original launch date was last month. NASA astronaut Nick Hague and Roscosmos cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov went into routine pre-flight quarantine yesterday in Houston. They’re expected to arrive in Florida next Friday. Hague and Gorbunov will spend five months at the ISS conducting experiments.
Relief could be coming to a Seminole County neighborhood plagued by flooding. A magistrate yesterday ordered Longwood resident Diane Goglas to unclog a pipe she filled with concrete. Neighbors in Shadow Bay say filling the pipe caused flooding in the subdivision. Goglas was given a deadline of October 1st. Failure to comply will lead to a fine of 250 dollars a day.
Two manatees are recovering after they became stuck on a Volusia County beach. Florida wildlife officials say a manatee was recently found on New Smyrna Beach with its flipper tangled in a fishing line. The sea cow is receiving treatment at SeaWorld Orlando. A second manatee was briefly stuck on the same beach, but was able to safely swim back into the water after the tide came back up. The FWC is urging anyone who spots a sick, injured, or dead manatee to call the Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-3922.
The state of Florida is taking action against social media companies. Attorney General Ashley Moody is part of a coalition of 41 other attorneys general who are calling on Congress to pass legislation requiring a Surgeon General warning for certain platforms. A letter sent to lawmakers claims that algorithm-driven social media apps are linked to psychological harm among young people, including depression and anxiety. The message to Congress also emphasizes that while this action is not enough to fully address the issue, it represents a significant step in reducing the risk of harm to young people.