Your daily look at news, upcoming events and the stories that will be talked about today.
5 FLORIDA PRISON OFFICERS FIRED FOR BATTERING INMATE
Five state prison employees have been charged with battery on an inmate. According to an arrest report, one of the officers at the Northwest Florida Reception Center in Chipley directed a ‘takedown’ of prisoner Jeremiah Tatum during an escort. A sixth employee was arrested on a charge of official misconduct after allegedly falsifying a report to cover-up the incident. A video shows officers slammed Tatum face first into the concrete while he was in leg and hand restraints. Another officer allegedly jumped on Tatum’s legs while he was on the ground. The agency has fired the employees.
2 YEAR VOTER FRAUD PROBE RESULTS IN ARREST OF FLORIDA MAN
A two-year voter fraud probe is wrapping up with the arrest of a former employee of a company once aligned with the Republican Party of Florida. William Hazard from Boynton Beach was arrested earlier this week on allegations that he forged eight voter registration forms while working for Strategic Allied Consultants. The group was hired by Republicans to do voter registration drives in Florida and other states. The company has said the investigation stemmed from a handful of bad employees.
GOV. CHRIS CHRISTIE TO CAMPAIGN WITH GOV. RICK SCOTT IN FLORIDA
New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie will appear with Gov. Rick Scott at a Panama City restaurant Friday morning and then at a rally outside the historic Crawfordville court house. The stops are part of Scott’s two-week bus tour to promote proposed tax cuts. Scott is in a tight race with Republican-turned-Democrat former Gov. Charlie Crist.
DOLPHIN TALE 2 MOVIE SET IN FLORIDA OPENS IN THEATRES
The sequel to the 2011 “Dolphin Tale” movie is hitting theaters Friday, and it’s again inspired by the real-life rescue and rehabilitation of sea animals in Florida. It’s set at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium. This time, Winter the dolphin with a prosthetic tail is joined by Hope, a stray dolphin calf. In real life, Hope was discovered on the night of the first film’s wrap party in 2010.
WALDO’S SUSPENDED INTERIM POLICE CHIEF RESIGNS DAYS AFTER CHIEF DOES THE SAME
Waldo’s suspended interim police chief has resigned less than a week after the chief he replaced did the same following state probes into ticket quotas and other issues. Waldo Police Cpl. Kenneth Smith resigned Wednesday, just days after former Chief Mike Szabo resigned. Waldo is currently being policed with help from the county sheriff’s office. It’s one of only two U.S. towns officially labeled “traffic traps” by AAA.
