Your daily look at news, upcoming events and the stories that will be talked about today.
GOV. SCOTT WANTS TIGHTER CONTROLS ON COLLEGE COSTS
Florida Gov. Rick Scott, who promised during his campaign to keep the costs of college down during his second term, wants state legislators to pass a sweeping bill lowering textbook costs and curbing tuition increases for graduate programs. Scott’s proposal is expected to be his top priority during the upcoming session that starts in March. The draft, which was obtained by The Associated Press, includes the Republican governor’s push to permanently exempt college textbooks from sales taxes.
WOMAN WITH NO TICKET ARRESTED AFTER MINNESOTA TO FLORIDA FLIGHT
The Transportation Security Administration is investigating how a woman with a history of boarding airplanes without a ticket was able to fly, ticket-free, from Minnesota to Florida. Marilyn Hartman was arrested Sunday in Jacksonville, Florida, and is scheduled to appear in court there on Tuesday.
COPS: MAN CHARGED WITH SEXUAL ASSAULT BLAMES CHILD
Authorities say they’ve arrested a South Florida man who admitted to sexually assaulting a 6-year-old girl but claimed it was the child’s fault. The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office reports that 23-year-old Andres Bartolome Juan was arrested Saturday and charged with two counts of sexual assault.
DOCTORS SAY MAN WHO THREW CHILD OFF BRIDGE INCOMPETENT
A man accused of throwing his daughter off a bridge has been found incompetent to stand trial in her death. John Jonchuck appeared in court Tuesday. The case has been reset for a status check on Feb. 17. If the court rules in line with the doctors’ reports, Jonchuck would likely be sent to a hospital for six months before his case returns to court for another status check. Jonchuck was arrested Jan. 8 after authorities said he dropped 5-year-old Phoebe more than 60 feet off a bridge.
CLERKS FEND OFF WOULD-BE ROBBER WITH CURTAIN ROD
Deputies say an armed man got more than he bargained for when he attempted to rob a home decor store near Orlando. The Orlando Sentinel reports the two female clerks at the Home Fabrics and Rugs store used a curtain rod and a vacuum to fend off Javier Ryes Martinez on Monday night. He was armed with a knife.
