TAMPA, Fla. – The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) Thursday arrested James Robert Bechtold, 33, of Valrico, for soliciting a minor online for sex. Bechtold is an information technology security (IT) specialist defense contractor. The Colorado State Police and the Air Force Office of…
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Deputy Who Caught Serial Killer Aileen Wuornos Among 5 Five Florida LEOs Inducted Into Hall Of Fame
Five former law enforcement officers from throughout Florida were honored this morning at the Florida Law Enforcement Officers’ Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony held at Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE). FDLE Commissioner Mark Glass presided over the ceremony. The inductees were nominated by the…
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Rudy Giuliani Blasts Media Birthday Reports After Being Served In Arizona Elector Case At His Florida Home
Former New York City mayor Rudy Giuliani was served an indictment in Arizona’s ongoing investigation into the state’s fake elector scheme. Reportedly, he was served at his home in Florida after his 80th birthday celebration. Giuliani, a staunch ally of former President Donald Trump, now…
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Biden Admin’s Latest Plan To Deal With Immigration Surge Could Have Unintended Consequences
The Biden administration announced a new plan to expedite asylum cases for migrants illegally entering the U.S., but some experts questioned the plan’s efficacy and argued it could pose national security risks. In a joint statement, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Department…
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Camp Counselor Arrested For Attempted Sexual Battery Of A 9-Year-Old At Defunct ‘Code Ninjas’ In Tampa
HILLSBOROUGH, Fla. – The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office has arrested a camp counselor after inappropriate sexual conduct against a nine-year-old. Between June and August of 2022, at the Code Ninjas camp located at 11909 Sheldon Rd (which is now closed), camp counselor Angelo Lombay, 18,…
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Alan Dershowitz: The ICC Lacks Jurisdiction Over Israel In Gaza
According to Israeli and international sources, the International Criminal Court (ICC) prosecutor is considering the issuance of warrants against Israeli and Hamas leaders based on the Hamas attack of Oct. 7 and Israel’s response. Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.) has demanded the arrest of Benjamin Netanyahu for genocide. But there is a…
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Ambulance Driver Suffers Life-Threatening Injuries After Impaired Driver Crashes Into Him In Largo
PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. – Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office Major Accident Investigation Team is investigating a two-vehicle crash involving an ambulance with life-threatening injuries in Largo. According to deputies, on May 18, 2024, at approximately 2:48 a.m., deputies assigned to the Major Accident Investigation Team responded…
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Florida Sen. Marco Rubio Slams Biden For Making The American Out Of Reach For Most
President Joe Biden has often boasted that his policies have made housing more affordable, even as home sales drop amid record-high prices, increasing inflation, and elevated interest rates. The National Association of Realtors reported last month that in March, the median price for an existing…
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Sports
FHSAA Considers Compensation For Florida High School Student Athletes
The governing body that oversees high school athletics in Florida could soon approve a proposal that would allow high school athletes to be paid through business agreements such as endorsement deals. The Florida High School Athletic Association held a discussion on Tuesday about a potential…
Latest News
MacDill Air Force Base Contractor In Tampa, Florida, Arrested For Solicting Colorado Child For Sex
TAMPA, Fla. – The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) Thursday arrested James Robert Bechtold, 33, of Valrico, for soliciting a minor online for sex. Bechtold is an information technology security (IT) specialist defense contractor. The Colorado State Police and the Air Force Office of…
Deputy Who Caught Serial Killer Aileen Wuornos Among 5 Five Florida LEOs Inducted Into Hall Of Fame
Five former law enforcement officers from throughout Florida were honored this morning at the Florida Law Enforcement Officers’ Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony held at Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE). FDLE Commissioner Mark Glass presided over the ceremony. The inductees were nominated by the…
Rudy Giuliani Blasts Media Birthday Reports After Being Served In Arizona Elector Case At His Florida Home
Former New York City mayor Rudy Giuliani was served an indictment in Arizona’s ongoing investigation into the state’s fake elector scheme. Reportedly, he was served at his home in Florida after his 80th birthday celebration. Giuliani, a staunch ally of former President Donald Trump, now…
Cops And Crime
MacDill Air Force Base Contractor In Tampa, Florida, Arrested For Solicting Colorado Child For Sex
TAMPA, Fla. – The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) Thursday arrested James Robert Bechtold, 33, of Valrico, for soliciting a minor online for sex. Bechtold is an information technology security (IT) specialist defense contractor. The Colorado State Police and the Air Force Office of…
Cold Case
Missing Brooksville Man Has Been Located And Is Safe
BROOKSVILLE, Fla. – Travis O’Neil has been located and is safe, according to the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office. The Hernando County Sheriff’s Office requested the community’s assistance in locating a missing man. Deputies say Travis O’Neil was reported missing on May 17, 2024, but was…
Missing, Endangered Man Last Seen In Zephyrhills, Located Safe
PASCO COUNTY, Fla. – George Chamberlain has been located and is safe, according to Pasco Sheriff’s Office. Pasco Sheriff’s deputies were searching for George Chamberlain, a missing/endangered 39-year-old. Chamberlain is 6’4″, around 350 lbs., with hazel eyes and bald. Chamberlain was last heard from on…
Polk County Sheriff’s Office Solves 1972 “John Doe” Homicide In Eloise
POLK COUNTY, Fla. – Polk County Sheriff’s Office detectives have solved and closed a murder investigation that started 52 years ago in unincorporated Eloise. Detectives have identified the victim using advanced forensic genetic genealogy and uncovered the two suspects responsible for the murder, both of…
Florida Agriculture
U.S. Forest Service Grants Aim To Curb Florida Wildfire Threats
The U.S. Forest Service said this week that $250,000 in federal funding was given to each of Jacksonville and Sarasota County as part of efforts to protect homes, businesses, and infrastructure from wildfires. Under the federal Community Wildfire Defense Grant program, 158 local governments nationwide,…
UF Scientist, Veteran Wins National Award For Program Connecting Military Personnel To Ag Careers
A veteran himself, University of Florida plant pathologist Gary Vallad wanted to give back to his comrades-in-arms. So, he and Simon Bollin started the Veterans Florida Agriculture Program (VFAP), which helps train veterans for jobs in that field. In 2017, Bollin, agribusiness development manager for…
Politics
Rudy Giuliani Blasts Media Birthday Reports After Being Served In Arizona Elector Case At His Florida Home
Former New York City mayor Rudy Giuliani was served an indictment in Arizona’s ongoing investigation into the state’s fake elector scheme. Reportedly, he was served at his home in Florida after his 80th birthday celebration. Giuliani, a staunch ally of former President Donald Trump, now…
Lottery
Florida Man Wins $1 Million On $5 Lottery Scratch-Off From Publix In Winter Haven
The Florida Lottery announced Friday that Carlos Cole, Sr., 53, of Winter Haven, claimed a $1 million top prize from the SEVEN FIGURES Scratch-Off game at Lottery Headquarters in Tallahassee. Cole chose to receive his winnings as a one-time, lump-sum payment of $695,000.00. Cole purchased his…
Georgia Woman Wins Whopping $2 Million On Florida Lottery Monopoly Scratch-Off Game
The Florida Lottery announced Thursday that Lavoncis Armstrong, 64, of Riverdale, Georgia, claimed a $2 million top prize from the $10 MONOPOLY DOUBLER Scratch-Off game at Lottery Headquarters in Tallahassee. Armstrong chose to receive her winnings as a one-time, lump-sum payment of $1,597,848.00. Armstrong purchased…
Florida Lottery Announces New Lineup Of Games For Grouper And Grouper Super Sampler
The Florida Lottery revealed Tuesday an enhanced series of games accompanying every GROUPER® and GROUPER® Super Sampler package play purchase. With these new games, players now have increased opportunities to win big while spending less! Unlock incredible value with each GROUPER package play, receiving $6…
Job News
Polk County Sheriff’s Office Seeks Substitute School Crossing Guards Across Polk County
POLK COUNTY, Fla. – The Polk County Sheriff’s Office is seeking qualified men and women in Polk County who desire to work as substitute crossing guards this year. Substitute school crossing guards are needed in the following areas: Lakeland, Fort Meade, Bartow, Highland City, Lake Wales…
Florida Jobless Claims Decline
Florida last week saw a drop in first-time unemployment claims, though company notices filed with the state show some workers face layoffs. On Thursday, the U.S. Department of Labor released a report that estimated 5,680 unemployment applications were filed in Florida during the week ending…