Florida: 5 Things To Know For January 12

Your daily look at news, upcoming events and the stories that will be talked about today.

PRISON ACCUSED OF FATALLY BEATING CELLMATE GOES ON TRIAL THIS WEEK

A prisoner with a history of assaulting other inmates will go on trial this week, accused of fatally beating his cellmate with batteries stuffed into a sock while the victim’s feet and legs were tied. Shawn Rogers, 34, is charged in the death of cellmate Ricky Martin. Authorities said Martin, 24, was found covered in blood on the floor of a cell at Santa Rosa Correctional Institution in 2012 with his skull smashed in. Critics blame the Department of Corrections for putting Rogers in a cell with Martin. Fellow inmates who witnessed the attack said authorities ignored warnings to stop the attack.

ORLANDO BIDS TO BRING SOCCDR’S COPA AMERICA CENTENARIO TOURNAMENT TO US FOR FIRST TIME

Orlando is submitting a bid to be the host city for the Copa America Centenario USA tournament in 2016. The 2016 edition of tournament — which will take place in June — will mark the first time this premier event has been staged outside of South America.

RARE ALBINO DOLPHIN SPOTTED OFF FLORIDA COAST

Wildlife officials say a rare albino dolphin has been spotted in Florida waters. A Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission volunteer captured the white bottlenose dolphin on video Dec. 10 in Brevard County’s Indian River Lagoon. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, there only have been about a dozen confirmed sightings of albino bottlenose dolphins since 1962.

BUSCH GARDENS GETTING RID OF WOODEN ROLLER COASTER GWAZI

Rollercoaster fans, take note: February is your last chance to ride Gwazi, the wooden coaster thrill ride at Busch Gardens Tampa. The theme park announced Friday Gwazi’s last day will be Feb. 1. Gwazi was the first dueling wooden roller coaster in Florida and the largest of its kind in the Southeast. It was built in 1999, offering a top speed of 50 mph over 6,800 feet of twin tracks: Lion and Tiger.

FLORIDA FUGITIVE ARRESTED IN MEXICO 37 YEARS AFTER FAILING TO TURN HIMSELF IN

A former South Florida man has been arrested in Mexico 37 years after failing to surrender for a 10-month prison sentence. Miami U.S. Attorney’s officials say Robert Anton Woodring was indicted in 1984 for failing to surrender in 1977 to start his sentence for removing a yacht so that authorities couldn’t seize it.