Florida: 5 Things To Know For Feb 28

Your daily look at news, upcoming events and the stories that will be talked about today.

LACK OF STATE DEPARTMENT DOCUMENTS DELAYS HIJACKER TRIAL

A lack of needed State Department documents has forced delay in the trial of an American who hijacked an airliner to Cuba decades ago and returned voluntarily. A federal judge said she would order the State Department documents to be produced in the case of William Potts. Prosecutors and Potts’ defense lawyer have been unable to obtain them. Potts’ trial has been postponed until April 14.

FLORIDA WOMAN SUES WEBSITE OVER MUG SHOT PHOTO

A 28-year-old mother of four has filed a lawsuit against a background check website, saying the company used her attractive arrest booking photo for commercial and advertising purposes, without compensating her or even getting her permission. Meagan Simmons of Zephyrhills filed the lawsuit in Hillsborough County Court against InstantCheckmate.com. The photo was taken during a 2010 DUI charge.

JACKSONVILLE UNIVERSITY PARTNERS WITH CHILDREN OF VETERANS GROUP

Jacksonville University is set to become the first partner school for the Children of Fallen Patriots Foundation. The group and the university are scheduled to sign a formal agreement Friday morning at the school’s administration building. As part of the agreement, Jacksonville University will provide a 40 percent undergraduate tuition reduction per academic year for children of deceased veterans.

FLORIDA LAWMAKERS HAVE MONEY TO SPEND OR GIVE BACK

Florida legislators this year aren’t worrying about budget cuts or how to balance the state budget. Instead the Republican-controlled Florida Legislature will spend the next nine weeks trying to figure out how to spend an expected budget surplus of more than $1 billion. Gov. Rick Scott wants legislators to use the surplus to pay for tax and fee cuts of nearly $600 million including a roll back in auto registration fees.

CENTRAL FLORIDA MAN SUFFERS MINOR INJURIES IN BEAR ATTACK

Josh Hennessey says he was sitting on his porch in Sorrento when he heard rustling in some nearby bushes. He says that when he went to investigate, the bear jumped out and attacked him. He says the bear bit him and tried to drag him into the street. Hennessey was able to fend off the bear. He suffered cuts and scrapes to his elbow, knee and hand. State wildlife officials have set traps for the bear.

Source: Associated Press