Florida police officer arrested, accused of sex with teen

BARTOW, Fla. (AP) – Authorities say says a central Florida police officer was arrested after his wife told law enforcement he had sex with a 15-year-old girl. The Ledger (http://bit.ly/1OLsh3q) reports that 27-year-old Randy Velez is currently being held in the Polk County jail, charged with lewd battery and lewd molestation. The Bartow police officer […]

Man in Capitol gyrocopter stunt to challenge DNC chairwoman

WASHINGTON (AP) – A Florida man who landed a gyrocopter on the lawn of the U.S. Capitol as a political protest says he will run for the congressional seat held by Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, chairwoman of the Democratic National Committee. Douglas Hughes, a Democrat from Ruskin, Florida, said earlier this month that he intended […]

Ex-inmate settles solitary confinement lawsuit for $750,000

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) – A Tennessee man has reached a $750,000 settlement with a New Mexico county after he said he was denied medication and left neglected in a filthy cell while held in solitary confinement. Michael Faziani’s lawsuit filed earlier this year in U.S. District Court in Albuquerque said he suffered from bipolar disorder […]

Giants Odell Beckham Jr. loses appeal of 1-game suspension

NEW YORK (AP) – Odell Beckham Jr. is going to have to serve his one-game suspension. Hearing officer James Thrash on Wednesday upheld the suspension for multiple violations of safety-related playing rules after hearing an appeal by the New York Giants wide receiver earlier in the day. Beckham will miss the game Sunday night at […]

SeaWorld protester arrested at Orlando International Airport

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) – A SeaWorld protester dressed as an orca was arrested after he held a sit-in in the middle of a luggage carousel at Orlando International Airport. Bryan Wilson was charged with misdemeanor trespassing on property after a warning. Another protester left the scene after being warned that an arrest was imminent. A […]

Trial delayed until April for Keys backpack bomb suspect

MIAMI (AP) – Trial has been delayed until April for a Florida Keys man charged with plotting to detonate a backpack bomb in support of the Islamic State terror group. U.S. District Judge Jose E. Martinez agreed Wednesday to postpone trial for Harlem Suarez from next month until April 4. A mental competency hearing is […]

Blanched onions: Chipotle tweaks cooking after E. coli scare

NEW YORK (AP) – After an E. coli outbreak that sickened more than 50 people, Chipotle is tweaking its cooking methods. Onions will be dipped in boiling water to kill germs before they’re chopped. Raw chicken will be marinated in re-sealable plastic bags, rather than in bowls. Cilantro will be added to freshly cooked rice […]

Police: Woman died of blood clot after removed from hospital

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) – A woman who collapsed after police arrested her for refusing to leave a Florida hospital when doctors discharged her died from a blood clot in her lung, officials said Wednesday. Police say Barbara Dawson, 57, collapsed Monday while being escorted in handcuffs from the Liberty Calhoun Hospital, where she went for […]

Suspect in Vegas Strip crash is distraught, attorney says

LAS VEGAS (AP) – A woman accused of intentionally plowing a car carrying her child through crowds of pedestrians on a Las Vegas Strip sidewalk is distraught and overwhelmed, her defense attorney said after she briefly appeared in court for the first time. Lakeisha Nicole Holloway, 24, pursed her lips and blinked as she was […]