Florida: 5 Things To Know For February 19

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

WHITE HOUSE HOSTS TAMPA FORUM ON SENIORS’ PRIORITIES

The White House is holding the first in a series of forums to hear about the most important issues facing older Americans. The event Thursday in Tampa comes amid a historic demographic shift in the U.S. as the massive baby boom generation moves closer to old age. It is to be followed by similar forums in Phoenix, Seattle, Cleveland and Boston, all aiming to shape the conversation at the formal White House Conference on Aging later this year.

PROSECUTORS SEEK DEATH PENALTY FOR MAN ACCUSED IN SLAYINGS

Tampa Bay area prosecutors say they will seek the death penalty for a man accused of killing three people. Assistant State Attorney Art Brown said he sent the death penalty notice to Andy Avalos’ attorney on Wednesday. Avalos is charged with first-degree murder in the deaths of his wife, Amber Avalos, neighbor Denise Potter and pastor James “Tripp” Battle. Brown said that he looked at “aggravating factors” in the crimes when considering the death penalty.

‘SHARKNADO 3’ IS FILMING IN ORLANDO

Sharknado has descended on Orlando. Filming for the third installment of the “Sharknado” cable-television movies has begun this week in Universal Orlando Resort, and it will continue into next week. Locals have been cast as theme park patrons and soldiers. Like the two previous Syfy Channel films, the cast includes Tara Reid and Ian Ziering.

DONALD TRUMP SUES MIAMI SUBURB OVER NOISE ORDINANCE

Just weeks after city officials in suburban Miami awarded Donald Trump the key to their city, he’s accusing them of having an unconstitutional noise ordinance. Trump told the Miami Herald on Wednesday that Doral needs a noise ordinance with “specific rules and regulations.” Since August, the city’s code compliance department has issued more than 100 violations to Trump’s resort, Trump National Doral. Most violations are for the resort’s lawn maintenance crews making “unreasonably loud noise.”

VANILLA ICE RELEASED AFTER BEING CHARGED IN FLORIDA BURGLARY

Vanilla Ice has been released from custody in Florida after being arrested and charged with breaking into and stealing from an abandoned home. Police in Lantana say the recording artist and home-improvement-show host had been renovating a home next to the victim’s. They said some of the stolen items were found at his property. Vanilla Ice, whose real name is Robert Van Winkle, rose to fame with the hit “Ice Ice Baby.” He also hosts DIY Network’s “The Vanilla Ice Project.” The 47-year-old was charged Wednesday with burglary of a residence and grand theft and taken into custody. He was released from the Palm Beach County jail Wednesday night on a $6,000 bond.

Allison Leslie is a University of South Florida graduate with a bachelors degree in Mass Communications. She joined Genesis in 2016. With a passion for sports, Allison has interned with 620 WDAE, Pewter Report, Trifecta Team: St. Petersburg Bowl, Bullscast, and many other publications. Being a native to the Bay Area, she has followed and supported Tampa Bay teams her whole life.