WEATHER ALERT
Former Jacksonville University student killed by lightning strike in South Florida
Read full article: Former Jacksonville University student killed by lightning strike in South FloridaA 19-year-old man was killed by a lightning strike in South Florida Sunday, according to News4JAX partner station WPLG.
Former NFL player, 2nd rock climber found dead in California
Read full article: Former NFL player, 2nd rock climber found dead in CaliforniaAuthorities say two rock climbers, including a former NFL player, were found dead near a Southern California peak after rescue crews responded to reports of injuries.
HHS leaders: No evidence of child abuse surge amid pandemic
Read full article: HHS leaders: No evidence of child abuse surge amid pandemic(AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)NEW YORK – Top officials overseeing child welfare at the Department of Health and Human Services say they’ve seen no solid evidence to bear out warnings that serious forms of child abuse would surge during the coronavirus pandemic. Back in March, when COVID-19 forced schools to close and many children to be locked down in households buffeted by job losses, many child-welfare experts warned of a likely surge of child abuse perpetrated by harried parents and other caretakers. Johnson and Milner said many parents indeed have faced pandemic-related stresses, but questioned whether that fueled abuse. “We can’t just assume because parents have to spend 24/7 with their kids, that there’s going to be more abuse,” she said. Among the notable findings in the new report for 2019: The number of child fatalities due to child abuse and neglect increased to 1,840, up from 1,780 in 2018.
South Florida teachers ordered back to classrooms next week
Read full article: South Florida teachers ordered back to classrooms next weekSome teachers say they are living in fear as principals and Broward County school administrators each say it is the other's responsibility to approve future remote work, the South Florida SunSentinel reported. In Palm Beach County, there are 818 teachers working remotely, while Miami-Dade County has around 800 teachers working from home. All Broward County teachers worked remotely until October when schools reopened. The teachers taught both students remotely learning and those who had returned to school. The district sent a letter Dec. 16 to remotely working teachers that said their principal or supervisor would let them know if they could keep working at home.
Tropical Storm Eta races off Carolinas after soaking Florida
Read full article: Tropical Storm Eta races off Carolinas after soaking FloridaResidents clear debris from a flooded street in the Driftwood Acres Mobile Home Park, in the aftermath of Tropical Storm Eta, Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2020, in Davie, Fla. Tropical Storm Eta was squatting off western Cuba on Tuesday after drifting away from South Florida, where it unleashed a deluge that flooded entire neighborhoods and covered the floors of some homes and businesses. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – Tropical Storm Eta raced off the Southeast Atlantic seacoast late Thursday, spreading heavy rains and gusty winds around the Carolinas only hours after blustering across north Florida. One death in Florida was linked to the storm, along with some scattered flooding and forecasters said the tropical storm was on a path offshore of South Carolina that would eventually take it further out to sea. A 29th named system, Tropical Storm Theta, was centered late Thursday about 440 miles (705 kilometers) south of the Azores and moving east.
Eta regains hurricane strength as Florida prepares for hit
Read full article: Eta regains hurricane strength as Florida prepares for hitResidents clear debris from a flooded street in the Driftwood Acres Mobile Home Park, in the aftermath of Tropical Storm Eta, Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2020, in Davie, Fla. Tropical Storm Eta was squatting off western Cuba on Tuesday after drifting away from South Florida, where it unleashed a deluge that flooded entire neighborhoods and covered the floors of some homes and businesses. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Eta remains a tropical storm as Florida prepares for 2nd hit
Read full article: Eta remains a tropical storm as Florida prepares for 2nd hitResidents clear debris from a flooded street in the Driftwood Acres Mobile Home Park, in the aftermath of Tropical Storm Eta, Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2020, in Davie, Fla. Tropical Storm Eta was squatting off western Cuba on Tuesday after drifting away from South Florida, where it unleashed a deluge that flooded entire neighborhoods and covered the floors of some homes and businesses. Subsequently, a tropical storm warning was issued for the same general area. The storm has been in the Gulf of Mexico since crossing over South Florida on Sunday. Ron DeSantis issued an expanded emergency declaration to include 13 counties along or near the Gulf coast, adding them to South Florida counties.
Man mauled by leopard behind Davie home; animal’s owner charged
Read full article: Man mauled by leopard behind Davie home; animal’s owner chargedA man who paid $150 for a “full-contact experience” with a black leopard says he had to undergo multiple surgeries after he was mauled by the fully-grown animal in an enclosure behind a Davie home. The man who lives there, identified as Michael Poggi, has a Facebook page saying he runs an animal sanctuary for rare and endangered animals. Authorities say Poggi was charged with allowing full contact with an extremely dangerous animal and was cited for maintaining captive wildlife in an unsafe condition. Investigators say Poggi charged the 50-year-old Turner $150 for a “full-contact experience” with his black leopard — to “play with it, rub its belly and take pictures.”FWC’s report says that once Turner walked inside the enclosure, the leopard attacked. They say Poggi admitted to them, though, that what he did was illegal.