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A Florida sheriff is combating a surge of false school shooting threats by publicly posting the mugshots of offenders on social media. Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood expressed his frustration over the disruptions caused by these hoaxes and urged parents to take responsibility for their children's actions.
The Wounded Warrior Project is organizing its annual Carry Forward 5k event in Clearwater, Florida, on September 28. Participants are encouraged to show support for wounded veterans by carrying flags, weights, or even people during the race. This event aims to raise awareness about the challenges faced by combat veterans in the Tampa area.
Forecasters are currently monitoring two potential tropical systems, including one that may develop over the northwestern Caribbean Sea with a 20% chance of formation. The National Hurricane Center has indicated that these systems could pose varying levels of threat, although one is not expected to impact land. The 2024 hurricane season is projected to be extremely active, with 23 named storms anticipated.
A dengue fever case has been confirmed in Pasco County, prompting the Florida Department of Health to issue a mosquito-borne illness alert. Local health officials are taking measures to control the mosquito population and are urging residents to remain vigilant.
Tampa's city council has approved a $1.8 billion budget for fiscal year 2025, which includes funding to make HART's Route 1 bus service free for one year. The decision was supported by residents during a public hearing, highlighting the benefits for economic, racial, and environmental justice.
Fort Lauderdale has introduced a new feature in its FixIt FTL app that allows residents to report homelessness concerns in response to a state law banning unauthorized camping on public property. The initiative aims to ensure transparency and provide a means for city officials to address these issues more effectively.
Heavy rains in Bradenton, Florida, have overwhelmed the city's wastewater treatment system, causing partially treated wastewater to be discharged into the Manatee River. City officials have confirmed that the discharges have stopped and are currently implementing millions of dollars in improvement projects at the Water Reclamation Facility.
A Russian citizen residing in Sarasota has been arrested for illegally exporting drone technology with military applications back to Russia, as announced by the Department of Justice. The individual faces multiple charges, including violating the Export Control Reform Act and money laundering. This incident highlights ongoing concerns regarding national security and illegal technology transfers.
Hawkers, an Orlando-based Asian street food restaurant chain, is filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy to shield itself from a lender it describes as "hyper-aggressive." Despite the filing, all 15 restaurant locations will continue normal operations while the company seeks to negotiate new loan terms.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis announced an investigation into the apparent assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump, asserting state jurisdiction over the case. DeSantis expressed skepticism regarding the objectivity of federal investigators and emphasized the importance of state law in this matter.