Your daily look at news, upcoming events and the stories that will be talked about today.
SOUTHCOM SHOWING OFF NEW DISASTER RELIEF GEAR
The U.S. Southern Command is showing off a variety of new equipment intended to provide disaster relief and humanitarian assistance missions. The command headquartered near Miami is demonstrating some of its cutting-edge technology Wednesday for news organizations. Southcom overseas U.S. military operations in Central and South America and the Caribbean. Its duties often include relief for such disasters as hurricanes and earthquakes.
SOUTH FLORIDA DEPUTY FACES DRUG CHARGES
A South Florida deputy is facing charges after authorities say he took drugs from the scene of a fatal crash. The Broward Sheriff’s Office reports that 40-year-old Eduardo Mesa turned himself in Tuesday. He was charged with armed trafficking in hydrocodone, possession of Alprazolam, grand theft of a controlled substance, tampering with evidence and official misconduct.
GIRL DIES IN FAMILY SWIMMING POOL ON LABOR DAY
Authorities say a 9-year-old northeast Florida girl is dead after an apparent drowning in her family’s swimming pool. The Nassau County Sheriff’s Office reports that the girl’s father called the fire department for help shortly after noon on Labor Day. Deputies say the father reported that his daughter possibly had a seizure while swimming in the pool and stopped breathing.
ULTRA MUSIC FESTIVAL TO BAN MINORS
Ultra Music Festival organizers say minors will no longer be allowed at the annual Miami electronic dance music event. Organizers announced Friday that no one under 18 will be admitted to the 2015 festival. The three-day event came under fire in March after a guard was seriously injured by gate-crashers. Festival organizers agreed to hire more police, install stronger fencing and set up drug and mental health stations.
MURDER CONVICTION TOSSED FOR DEMEANING COMMENTS
The 5th District Court of Appeal overturned a man’s second-degree murder conviction because of flawed jury instructions and improper comments by a prosecutor who repeatedly called the defendant a “crackhead.” The decision means 57-year-old Jerry Roy Crew will get a new trial on charges that he participated in a robbery that led to the death of 19-year-old Donnell “DJ” Ellis in April 2011.
