TEENAGER SUSPECTED IN CRIME SPREE WITH 13-YEAR-OLD GIRLFRIEND WILL MAKE FIRST COURT APPEARANCE IN FLORIDA
Eighteen-year-old Dalton Hayes and his girlfriend Cheyenne Phillips were arrested early Sunday in Panama City Beach after being found sleeping in a stolen vehicle. Hayes was held in the Bay County jail on a charge of custodial interference. He is scheduled to make a first court appearance Monday morning. Authorities plan to extradite the teens back to Kentucky, where they face charges including burglary, theft, criminal trespassing and criminal mischief. Hayes’ girlfriend will face the charges in juvenile court.
FLORIDA HAD NATION’S HIGHEST FORECLOSURE RATE LAST YEAR
The number of properties that lenders repossessed in foreclosures nationwide last year is at an eight-year low, but Florida continued to have the nation’s highest foreclosure rate in 2014. Figures released last week by the research firm RealtyTrac shows Florida had a 2.3 percent foreclosure rate last year, the highest in the nation. Florida was followed by New Jersey, Maryland, Illinois and Nevada.
DOCK COMPANY OFFERS $5K REWARD FOR INFORMATION ON MUTILATED PELICANS
A marine construction business is offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of anyone who has mutilated numerous Florida Keys brown pelicans in recent weeks. The reward was announced by Dock and Marine Construction Corp. President Glen Larson following news that about a dozen pelicans have been found recently with their pouches slit. The mutilated birds are unable to eat and will slowly starve to death. Pelicans are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, and anyone caught harming them can be prosecuted under federal law, facing possible fines and prison time.
DONORS HELP PAY FUNERAL COSTS OF SLAIN MOM AND DAUGHTER
More than $3,500 has been raised to help pay for the burial expense of a Haines City mother and daughter who were killed during a crime spree. Police say 72-year-old Patricia Moran and her 51-year-old daughter Deborah Royal were killed in their home. A 34-year-old man is accused of killing the woman as he and three other men fled authorities after a pawn shop robbery in Auburndale on Thursday night.
GATORLAND, FUN SPOT JOIN FORCES FOR NEW ALLIGATOR-THEMED ATTRACTION IN ORLANDO
Fun Spot America and Gatorland are breaking ground Tuesday on a new alligator-themed tourist attraction. The 15,000-square-foot attraction will be located at Fun Spot on International Drive in the heart of Orlando’s tourism district. The $1 million attraction will showcase alligators as long as 12 feet, along with other reptiles. Admission will be $6 per person.