NO GITMO TRANSFER FOR MOUSSAOUI, SO-CALLED 20TH HIJACKER
There will be no transfer to the Guantanamo Bay military prison for Zacarias Moussaoui, known as the “20th hijacker” in the 9/11 terror attacks. A Miami federal judge on Wednesday dismissed Moussaoui’s handwritten request for transfer to the prison at the U.S. Navy base in eastern Cuba. Moussaoui claimed he has been assaulted and harassed by other inmates and guards at the “Supermax” prison in Florence, Colorado.
WILDLIFE OFFICIALS HUNT ROCK PYTHONS AT EDGE OF EVERGLADES
Wildlife officials hope chilly temperatures in South Florida help keep another large snake from making a home in the Everglades. For the last five years, wildlife authorities from multiple agencies have raced to keep northern African pythons from spreading beyond a small Miami-area colony. Officials don’t want the aggressive snakes also known as rock pythons to slither into the Everglades, where Burmese pythons are blamed for decimating the population of native mammals.
FLORIDA SCHOOL LOCKED DOWN AFTER BEAR SIGHTING
A central Florida high school was placed on a modified lockdown after a black bear was sighted nearby. Officials decided to limit movement around Mount Dora High School on Wednesday after the bear was spotted in the neighborhood of the campus. The high school is located northwest of Orlando.
FORMER POLICE CHIEF PLEADS GUILTY TO FELONY DRUG CHARGES
A former police chief in northeast Florida has pleaded guilty to five felony counts associated with possession of illegal steroids. Former Atlantic Beach Police Chief Michael Classey pleaded guilty on Wednesday and faces a possible sentence of five years of probation and fines. The 50-year-old resigned in September 2014 after his house was raided by state investigators, who found steroids and other pills.
CHURCH DISPLAYING HOMELESS JESUS STATUE TO RAISE AWARENESS
An Orlando church is using a provocative depiction of Jesus to call attention to homelessness. Members of First Presbyterian Church have donated $40,000 to bring a sculpture depicting a homeless Jesus lying on a park bench. The only skin showing on the shrouded, life-sized figure are the feet, which display crucifixion scars.
