News Update for 12/5/24
Despite an active storm season in Florida, ag experts say that citrus crop damage from Hurricane Milton that while significant, could have been a lot worse. The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services estimates that Milton caused between $1.5 to $2.5 billion dollars in damage to Florida’s citrus crops, equipment and structures. The worst hit citrus in Central Florida included navel oranges which had a fruit loss of 90% and grapefruit which had up to 40% fruit loss. Highlands County, which was just outside of Hurricane Milton’s path, saw the most citrus loss come from mature fruit dropping to the ground. The county saw loss rates of 20% to 50%. And while overall there was little tree dames, several groves were affected by tornados that formed in the wake of Milton.
Food trucks could bring new life to an empty lot in Polk County. The Lakeland City Commission will meet in two weeks to consider converting land on East Main Street into a food truck park. Main Street Eats will be the name, and it’ll include eight food trucks. The city’s planning and zoning board already approved the plan. Main Street Eats co-owner Butch Rahman says this is perfect for the area since Florida Southern College is just a few blocks away. A man who works in the area likes the idea. He tells Fox 13 News as long as the food is good, it’s going to attract a lot of people.
A man is dead after an apparent road rage shooting in Orlando. It happened yesterday morning on East Colonial Drive. He has not been identified. Orlando Police have not announced an arrest. A witness tells Fox 35 News the man confronted a woman for following too closely, and she shot him in the head. The OPD says he died at the scene.
The Tampa Bay Rays said in a letter Monday that the deal to construct their new billion-dollar stadium remains “in effect.” The team was responding to a letter from Pinellas County Court Commission chairperson Kathleen Peters that asked for the team to make a decision by December 1st on whether or not it would be a part of the deal. Rays’ presidents Brian Auld and Matt Silverman wrote a letter to the county commission on November 19th stating that the county had “suspended work on the entire project” and opening the stadium by 2028 would not be possible. The Pinellas County Commission will decide on December 17th whether or not to approve bonds for the project.
An Orange County woman who killed her boyfriend will spend the rest of her life in prison. A judge yesterday sentenced Winter Park’s Sarah Boone to life for second-degree murder in the death of Jorge Torres, Jr. The 42-year-old died in 2020 after she zippered him up in a suitcase and refused to let him out as he suffocated to death. Boone claimed she suffered from Battered Spouse Syndrome, and she killed Torres in self-defense. Before the trial, the 47-year-old Boone was offered a 15-year sentence in a plea deal, but she rejected it. Boone’s lawyer says he’ll meet with her today to discuss a possible appeal.
Another Central Florida city is considering removing fluoride from its drinking water. Tavares council members are scheduled to take up the issue on Wednesday. Officials say the removal of the mineral would save the Lake County city money with more specific numbers expected to come out during this week’s meeting. The discussion is scheduled to take place after the state’s surgeon general, Dr. Joseph Ladapo [[ LAD-uh-po ]], talked about a new guidance for water treatment. He called for the removal of fluoride from tap water, claiming it causes adverse neurological effects. The city of Winter Haven has agreed to take out the mineral from its water supply by the new year.
A Manatee County woman is due for sentencing today, after being convicted of manslaughter in the “Black Swan” trial. Ashley Benefield told a Bradenton jury that she feared for her life when she shot husband Doug Benefield at their Lakewood Ranch home. Prosecutors called that testimony a performance and say the evidence doesn’t match her claim of self defense. They insist Benefield killed her husband to keep him out of their daughter’s life. She faces up to 30 years in prison.
The Florida State University women’s volleyball team is back in the NCAA tournament. The field was announced yesterday, and FSU is seeded seventh. They’ll play 8-seed Ole Miss in the first round Thursday in Omaha. This is the Seminoles’ fourth straight appearance in the tournament. They’re looking for their first tournament win since 2021.