News Update for 12/5/24
The Spencer hearing in the Zephen Xaver case resumed Tuesday. Xaver is the convicted mass murderer of 5 women in a Sebring SunTrust Bank branch in 2019. The first half of the hearing was conducted on November 5th in which the defense called witnesses. After the Spencer hearing concludes, Judge Angela Cowden will determine if she will sentence Xaver to death, as recommended by the jury, or life without the possibility of parole. Sentencing is currently scheduled for December 16th.
Two South Florida State College students have recently received scholarships from the Duke Energy Foundation. The scholarships were awarded in recognition of Hispanic Heritage Month. The recipients were Adam Gonzalez and Elliot Vazquez Palacios. They were each awarded $5600 dollar scholarships that will cover their tuition, books, and supplies while they complete their Electrical Line worker Career Certificates at SFSC. The scholarships awarded are part of an initiative by Duke Energy and its Foundation that supports organizations and programs that are dedicated to fostering success for Hispanic students, businesses, and events in Florida.
An Osceola County woman is formally charged in the death of her daughter. State Attorney Andrew Bain announced yesterday a grand jury indicted Kelsey Glover. The 35-year-old is charged with first-degree murder and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. She allegedly drowned her daughter in a bathtub last month and attacked her roommate with a hammer when the woman tried to stop Glover. Glover is being held without bond.
A billionaire who made history after conducting a mission from Florida’s Space Coast could be the next to lead NASA. President-elect Donald Trump has nominated Jared Isaacman to take over as the agency’s next administrator. Trump posted on his social media platform Truth Social yesterday, saying Isaacman will drive NASA’s mission of discovery, while paving the way for groundbreaking achievements in Space science. Isaacman is the CEO of Shift4, a Pennsylvania-based payment processing company. He recently led a private spaceflight through SpaceX that launched from the Kennedy Space Center in Brevard County, ultimately leading to the first all-civilian spacewalk
Taco Bell is asking people to say cheese at select drive-thrus across the country. The Live Ma´s Drive-Thru Cam launched this week and lets Taco Bell rewards members get pictures taken inside their vehicle. Those who choose to participate may even be featured in Taco Bell’s Super Bowl 59 commercial. One of the five locations with cameras is right here close to home- members have a chance to be seen in the Wauchula, Florida Taco Bell! Other locations that will be featured are in Los Angeles; Middleburg Heights, Ohio; Cookeville, Tennessee, and Houston.
Walt Disney World is planning to unveil several new magical experiences for guests next year. Test Track at Epcot is scheduled to reopen with a new storyline late next summer. The high-speed ride is expected to showcase the evolution of General Motors’ vehicles over the last century. Epcot will also get a new luxury lounge inside Spaceship Earth in the late spring. At Magic Kingdom, a new evening parade known as the “Disney Starlight: Dream the Night Away” will debut next summer. These are only a few of the newest attractions set to come out at Disney throughout 2025.
A familiar face could be coming back to lead the UCF Knights football program. MikeFarrellSports-dot-com reported yesterday that UCF’s athletic director has reached out and had conversations with former head coach Scott Frost. Frost coached UCF for two seasons before leaving for his alma mater, the University of Nebraska, in 2017. Nebraska fired him two years ago, though, and he’s now a senior analyst for the LA Rams. Meanwhile, CBSSports.com reports UCF has identified USF head coach Alex Golesh as a potential target.
Ron DeSantis could become part of the Trump team. CNN reported yesterday that Governor DeSantis is interested in serving as President-Elect Trump’s defense secretary. CNN cites two sources close to DeSantis. Trump has already nominated Pete Hegseth to be SecDef, but there are reports he may not be able to get confirmed. One source tells CNN Trump and DeSantis talked about the job on Tuesday. Trump and DeSantis both attended a memorial service for three fallen Palm Beach County deputies that day. The New York Times reports Trump is also considering Central Florida Congressman Michael Waltz as defense secretary. Trump has already nominated Waltz as national security advisor.