News Update for 2/14/25
A Bartow man was shot Wednesday at a Fort Meyers diner after authorities tried to apprehend him on 6 active warrants. 35-year-old Myles Strickland was wanted on two warrants for grand theft, one warrant for burglary, one warrant for armed burglary, one warrant for petty theft and one warrant for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon in connection to an armed burglary in Lakeland, that occurred in January of this year. The officer led shooting involved one Fort Myers Police U.S. Marshals Task Force officer and one U.S. Marshals officer. According to reports, Strickland was shot outside of Mel’s Diner and was taken to a local hospital with unknown injuries. No law enforcement or bystanders were injured.
Plans are in the works to expand a private racetrack in Polk County. Auburndale commissioners unanimously approved a land use and rezoning request for Circuit Florida last week. The proposal would allow the facility to extend its nearly two-mile track and build a space to store vehicles. Circuit Florida says it’s the only motorsports country club and residential community in the Sunshine State.
A Canadian is facing charges for allegedly using a drone to take photos of Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. The US Justice Department released details yesterday of the case involving the 71-year-old who’s in the US on a tourist visa. He’s charged with using an unmanned aircraft to photograph vital defense installations and equipment without authorization. This allegedly happened over three days last month. Federal prosecutors say he took aerial photos of Space Launch complexes, a payload processing facility, a submarine wharf and munitions bunkers. There’s no word on a motive. He’s due in court today.
Legislation aimed at boosting immigration enforcement is moving forward in the Florida Legislature. The state Senate passed news bills earlier today that would make it a state-level crime to knowingly enter Florida illegally and raise penalties for undocumented immigrants accused of a crime. The measures would also allocate 250-million dollars for law enforcement to implement federal immigration law and slash in-state tuition for undocumented immigrants. Democratic lawmakers failed to pass last-minute amendments. The proposal will head to the House. If passed and signed by the governor, the legislation would take effect this summer.
A history-making Central Florida lawmaker is dead. Orlando State Senator Geraldine Thompson has passed away at the age of 76. Her family says she died of complications from knee replacement surgery. In 2018, she won the election for House District 44. Thompson was the first female Democrat and minority to win that seat. Before getting into politics, Thompson was an educator. She taught in Orange County Public Schools and was an administrator at Valencia College. Her family says she had an unwavering commitment to creating a better world for future generations, and the world is a better place because of her.
A Central Florida family is getting some closure more than two decades after their loved one disappeared. The Volusia County Sheriff’s Office gave an update on a 1997 cold case yesterday, saying the remains found in a wooded area in DeBary belonged to 22-year-old Ryan L. Stone. The victim was last seen by his relatives three years prior to the discovery of his remains along Fort Florida Road. Deputies were able to find his identity through forensic genetic genealogy. Authorities say the cause of Stone’s death is still under investigation, but there are no signs of foul play.
Four manatees are back in the wild after they were rescued in Central Florida. Blue Spring State Park says Azalea, Ashley, Carditee, and Calliope were released back into protected Volusia County waters earlier this week. The group has finished their rehabilitation after they were rescued as orphans. Each manatee has a satellite tracking device so officials can make sure they are adapting to their environments. Nearly a dozen local and state organizations helped with Tuesday’s release.
Federal agents are warning Floridians about scams involving cryptocurrency. FBI Jacksonville says crypto fraud is one of the most common and damaging schemes. The agency tells News4Jax that scammers will try to convince victims to deposit money into the digital currency as part of an apparent investment. Victims will not be able to withdraw the money or will only be allowed to take out small amounts. Officials say artificial intelligence has made the scams harder to catch. Anyone who believes they have fallen victim to this crime is urged to report it to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center.