News Update for 2/18/25
The Florida Cracker Trail Ride is making its way across the state once again, marking its 38th year of honoring Florida’s cattle-driving heritage. Riders began their journey on Saturday, February 8, at 9 a.m. in Bradenton’s Manatee Village Historical Park. This Wednesday morning, they are expected to reach State Road 66 and make their traditional stop at Cracker Trail Elementary in Highlands County. At approximately 12:30 p.m., they will cross U.S. 27 before continuing eastward. The ride will conclude in Fort Pierce with a parade at 10 a.m. on Saturday, February 22.
An Avon Park man is behind bars after an alleged assault on a 71-year-old Walmart greeter. Police say 43-year-old Earnest Jermain Dorn attacked the elderly man on January 23 at the Sebring Walmart, knocking him to the ground and choking him. Witnesses reported Dorn was angry over claims that the greeter had made one of his stepdaughters uncomfortable. The victim suffered a head injury and was hospitalized. Dorn later gave a statement to police, but investigators say it didn’t match surveillance footage. He was arrested on felony battery charges.
Two stolen swans are back with their grateful owners in Polk County. The black swans and their four eggs were returned yesterday to Lakeland. The swans were stolen last week from Highland Village Mobile Home Park on West Brannen Road and were found in Miami-Dade County. Two suspects have been identified, but no arrests have been announced. One of the owners tells Fox 13 News getting the swans and eggs back was probably the best day of her life.
Florida’s Governor is ready to reward state law enforcement officers and first responders as they prepare to take on more immigration responsibilities. Ron DeSantis is proposing using nearly 120-million dollars to offer big pay raises to 47-hundred state sworn law enforcement officers. He also wants to see 25-percent raises for more than 700 state firefighters. DeSantis says the special session bills he signed into law Thursday let state law enforcement know they have a responsibility to assist in federal immigration law enforcement.
The Florida Department of Children and Families is trying to help children get out of foster care and into homes. The agency launched the Adopt Florida website earlier today as a way to help potential families interested in adoption. The tool is designed to connect residents with the resources needed to navigate through the process. It offers preparation classes, support specialists, and post-adoption services. The information is available on Adopt-Florida-dot-org.
A Jacksonville man is dead after a plane crash near the Volusia County line. Sheriff Rick Staly released some details yesterday on Friday’s crash. He identified the pilot as 75-year-old Thomas Russell Harvey. He was the only one onboard the Cessna 208 that crashed while he was flying from Indian River County to Putnam County. First Coast News reports Harvey was flying to Palatka Municipal Airport so a skydiving company, Skydive Palatka, could use the plane. There’s no word yet on a cause. The NTSB is investigating.
Florida’s new attorney general is officially on the job. James Uthmeier was sworn in Monday morning at the Florida Historic Capitol Museum in Tallahassee. He takes over from Ashley Moody, who was appointed to the U.S. Senate by Governor Ron DeSantis, following Marco Rubio’s resignation to serve as Secretary of State. Uthmeier was DeSantis’ chief of staff. State health care official Jason Weida is the governor’s new chief of staff.
The state’s new immigration authority has its leader. The Florida Cabinet yesterday named Larry Keefe executive director of the State Board of Immigration Enforcement. Keefe was the public safety czar who coordinated flights that took illegal immigrants to Martha’s Vineyard in Massachusetts in 2022. He says this new job is perfect for him.