News Update for 10/30/24
Operation Blue Roof sign-up for Hurricane Milton has been extended for residents of Highlands County. At the request of the State of Florida and FEMA, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will continue to collect Right of Entry (ROE) forms for Operation Blue Roof through Thursday, Nov. 14, extending the original deadline for 25 Florida counties currently eligible for the program. Homeowners impacted by Hurricane Milton can sign-up for this FREE service at BlueRoof.gov or by calling toll free 1-888-ROOF-BLU (1-888-766-3258).
There’s a new effort to address hate crimes in Central Florida. Orange-Osceola State Attorney General Andrew Bain announced yesterday he’s forming a new Hate Crimes Task Force with a one-million-dollar federal grant. He says the task force will focus on increasing public awareness, improving reporting mechanisms, enhancing investigations and increasing prosecution of hate crimes. Bain says the task force aims to address the persistent issue of under-reported hate crimes in Florida. He says hate crimes are not just attacks on individuals; they are attacks on the very fabric of our community.
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office has arrested Ashley Nichole Bryant, of Winter Haven, after she allegedly tried to burn two women alive in their home to “teach them a lesson.” According to PCSO reports Bryant is accused of trying to set a bag of leaves on fire and shoving it under the home of the two women while they were inside. The suspect then told the victims after she set the trash bin on fire that she would be back to set the house on fire. Bryant was arrested and charged with two counts of Attempted Felony Murder, one count of Occupied Residential Burglary, two counts of aggravated stalking, and two counts of first-degree arson. Bryant is currently in Polk County jail awaiting psychological evaluation.
A Central Florida bail bondsman is accused of using his position to prey on women in the criminal justice system. Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody announced yesterday Russell Bruce Moncrief was arrested for human trafficking and racketeering. The owner of Moncrief Bail Bonds allegedly told female inmates in the Orange County Jail and others that he would only offer them bond in exchange for sex. Moody says he also sold the woman for sex to others for his own financial gain. She calls it a sickening scheme. Moody also says Moncrief faces up to 125 years of jail time. He’s being held without bond.
A Polk County community is continuing to deal with flooding nearly three weeks after Hurricane Milton. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers were surveying Lake Bonny in Lakeland yesterday morning. The agency tells The Ledger that it could take up to 30 days to lower the water level in order to alleviate localized flooding. There are at least three pumps working around the clock to try to resolve the issue. The Army Corps says it has brought in a full-time staff member to monitor nearby communities.
The legal fight over online sports gambling in Florida is over. The Seminole Tribe has settled with a group of businesses that operate racetracks and poker rooms. The Tribe agreed to a new partnership with West Flagler Associates and the Bonita-Fort Myers Corp to offer jai-alai waging on the tribe’s Hard Rock Bet app. This is after the U.S. Supreme Court refused to take up a challenge to an agreement that gave the Seminole Tribe exclusive rights to handle online sports betting in Florida.
A teenager is accused of threatening a school shooting in Osceola County. The sheriff’s office announced yesterday a 17-year-old boy was arrested for a threat directed at Poinciana High School. Deputies got a tip Monday night through Fortify FL and went to the teen’s home. They say they checked his backpack and found a stolen gun and a 34-round extended magazine. He’s facing charges that include grand theft of a firearm and possession of a firearm by a minor. The sheriff’s office says the tip they received prevented an unimaginable tragedy.
Florida Power and Light is trying to place a temporary surcharge onto customers after four hurricanes hit the state in just over a year. The utility company hopes state regulators will approve a one-year increase of about 12-dollars per month. The change would go into effect in January in order to help cover recent storm restoration efforts. The funding would also help replenish FPL’s reserve. The official request was submitted last week.