Your daily look at news, upcoming events and the stories that will be talked about today.
MIAMI-DADE POLICE FIND POT GROW OPERATION IN POOL
Police in Miami-Dade County say they’ve uncovered a sophisticated marijuana growing operation in what used to be a backyard swimming pool. Detectives said Thursday the pool had been sealed with concrete at the ground level, creating an underground chamber connected to the house by a tunnel. The tunnel led from the pool to a hatch in one of the bedrooms.
CLEANUP CREWS WORK ON PANHANDLE TRAIN DERAILMENT
Environmental officials say phosphoric acid is leaking from a railroad car that derailed in the northern Panhandle during Tuesday night’s icy weather. Brandy Smith of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection says the train was on its way to Mobile, Ala., from Waycross, Ga., when it went off the rails in Cantonment. One of the 24 derailed cars is leaking acid into a creek.
EX-RADIO HOST, ACCOUNTANT CHARGED WITH FRAUD
The former host of a Saturday morning Christian radio show called “It’s God’s Money,” is one of two men arrested this month in a Ponzi scheme that authorities say defrauded 38 people in the Tampa Bay area of $6 million. Gary L. Gauthier, who lives in Michigan, was arrested along with accountant David George Dreslin.
LAKELAND POLICE CHIEF SUSPENDED
Lakeland’s police chief has been placed on administrative leave less than a week after announcing her resignation. Chief Lisa Womack was planning to stay until May 1, but City Manager Douglas Thomas suspended Womack Thursday after the State Attorney’s Office reported finding potential rules violations in the hiring practices used for a public safety aide position.
MIAMI POLICE OFFICER GETS 7 YEARS FOR BRIBES
A former Miami police officer has been sentenced to nearly seven years in prison for taking bribes. A federal judge sentenced 27-year-old Vital Frederick on Thursday. He was convicted in October of four counts of extortion and three counts of stealing identification records for tax-refund scams.
Source: Associated Press
