Latest news with #ClickOrlando
Yahoo
01-05-2025
- Yahoo
Mom says giant wave at Disney's Typhoon Lagoon left her injured and she wants $2m
A mom from New York is suing Disney for $2 million after claiming she was injured by a wave at the park's Typhoon Lagoon waterpark. Kimberly Panetta alleges she was waiting for her 4-year-old daughter to come down a small waterslide in the children's portion of the Florida park in April 2022 when she was "violently struck by a sudden and forceful wave," according to the lawsuit. Panetta claims a "mammoth wave" knocked her to the ground and dragged her along the concrete, causing her serious and permanent injuries, the lawsuit says, according to ClickOrlando. 'It pummeled her, and her body skidded across the cement or gunite, causing serious 'road rash' or scrapes that were severe and deep,' Panetta's lawsuit says, noting that her injuries have made her self-conscious about her appearance since the incident. The lawsuit says that "prior to this accident or incident, [Panetta] would be able to wear clothing that exposed her legs, now keeps her legs covered and must tolerate being hot and uncomfortable as a result thereof." The lawsuit says Disney should have installed barriers to protect people from being knocked around by waves. There are no naturally occurring waves at Typhoon Lagoon. The park does have an attraction called the Surf Pool, which Disney says is the largest wave pool in North America. The pool is reportedly capable of generating up to six-foot swells that surfers can ride. Panetta is accusing Walt Disney Parks and Resorts of negligence and is asking for $2 million, according to court records. 'As a result of this incident, (Panetta's) vacation was ruined, and she was stuck limping around applying bandages, salves and creams, and was forced to avoid swimming and enjoying planned visits to the parks,' the lawsuit says. Disney was also sued over the waterpark in 2023 by a woman accusing the company of negligence after she suffered a "painful wedgie" while riding the Humunga Kowabunga, the park's fastest and steepest waterslide. She said the incident left her suffering from internal injuries. Another woman sued over Typhoon Lagoon in 2024. She reportedly suffered brain damage after taking a water tube down the same slide. In her lawsuit, she says she was knocked unconscious during the ride and that she nearly drowned in the pool at the bottom of the slide.
Irish Daily Star
24-04-2025
- Climate
- Irish Daily Star
Florida weather: Urgent warning as wildfires 'ramping up' amid worsening drought
Officials have given a stark warning that Florida's wildfire season is intensifying as worsening drought conditions continue to ignite blazes. Drought conditions and dry, warm, weather have fueled at least five recent fires and prompted a nationwide burning ban. On Wednesday, blazes in Brevard County flared, including two bushfires in Palm Bay that came dangerously close to homes. Flames erupted just feet away from residential properties, leading to evacuation orders as parts of the city were blanketed in thick smoke. By late Wednesday the fires were contained but another 200-acre blaze in an area known as The Compound is still raging. Read More Related Articles 'Hideous' Trump hangs new self-portrait in White House next to his greatest political rival Read More Related Articles Donald Trump branded 'disgusting' as he honors Pope Francis in 'baffling' way More than a dozen active wildfires are burning (Image: Fox) More than a dozen active wildfires are currently burning across the state, including five that have erupted in the last week alone. But more hot and dry weather is in store for Florida , extending the elevated wildfire risk as residents are urged to prepare now. More dry and hot weather in Florida to fuel wildfires More dry and hot weather will hit Florida throughout the end of the week, worsening drought conditions and elevating the wildfire risk as more than a dozen blazes are already burning. "This week we are going to continue to stay very hot, very dry. A lot more of the same of what we've been experiencing all week will continue into the weekend," Click Orlando forecaster Candace Campos said on Wednesday. She added: "That is going to continue to keep our fire danger elevated for another couple of days as we have no rain in the forecast." 'Extreme' drought conditions expand across Florida The spike in recent fire activity comes as drought conditions have worsened in central Florida. The Keetch-Byram Drought Index, which acts as a key measure of fire risk, has been increasing due to the prolonged hot and dry weather, according to officials. In Brevard County, five wildfires have erupted in the last week, impacting areas including Cocoa, Viera, and Palm Bay. Over the Florida Peninsula, conditions also range from abnormally dry to extreme drought, according to the United States Drought Monitor. The severe drought has also expanded across much of the state, including South Florida. The only area that's not experiencing a drought is from Alachua County northward towards Tallahassee through Pensacola. When did drought conditions in Florida begin? Drought conditions have been spreading across Florida since January. At the start of the year, much of the region was already experiencing abnormally dry weather, according to a graphic released by the National Weather Service. In February, some areas began experiencing severe drought while by April 15 the worst-hit regions were seeing extreme drought. When will drought conditions in Florida end? While no rain is forecast for the rest of this week, some showers could provide some drought relief early next week. "We will start to see more of a hint of rain back into the area though by Monday," Candace said. She explained: "Overall it's going to be a warm week ahead, we have a big ridge of high pressure that will continue to stay in control all the way throughout the weekend and it really won't be until early next week where we will start to see a little bit of a weakening in that ridge that could allow some additional moisture to move in by then." However, drought conditions could still worsen through the end of the month and into May as more dry weather is expected. Florida's dry season typically comes to an end in mid-May. Florida residents warned to prepare for raging wildfires now Residents have been warned to prepare for fires Amid elevated wildfire risks, Florida residents, particularly those living close to wooded areas, have been urged to act quickly to prepare themselves for the event of a fire. "It's really ramping up and we are anticipating it to become even more active," Cliff Frazier, a wildfire mitigation specialist with the Florida Forestry Service told Fox 35 . He added: "If you live out in the wildland urban interface, it's time to prepare now before the wildfire gets there. There's no need to prepare when the wildfire gets there — because then it's too late." What is causing the Florida wildfires? Authorities have not released any specific causes of the wildfire raging across Florida. While it is not known what may have sparked them, it is clear that the weather conditions have fueled them. High temperatures, low humidity levels, intense sunshine, dry brush and sandy soil have boosted the wildfire risk.
Yahoo
23-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Fire Erupts at Disney World's EPCOT in Florida, Remy's Ratatouille Adventure Ride Evacuated
A fire erupted backstage at Walt Disney World, forcing the evacuation of one ride and sending dramatic plumes of black smoke into the Orlando sky, according to local reports Sunday. No one was injured in the Saturday evening blaze, which started in a walk-in cooler in an employees-only area, according to local outlets Fox 35 and Click Orlando. Several people took video of the billowing smoke, video of which you can see above. The fire started around 7:20 p.m. in EPCOT's France Pavilion, according to the reports. The popular ride 'Remy's Ratatouille Adventure' was evacuated because of the smoke and flames, but had since re-opened Sunday. A cause of the fire had not been disclosed. More to come … The post Fire Erupts at Disney World's EPCOT in Florida, Remy's Ratatouille Adventure Ride Evacuated | Video appeared first on TheWrap.
Yahoo
12-02-2025
- Yahoo
Teacher accused of enticing minors for sex allegedly taught Madeline Soto
ORLANDO, Fla. (WFLA) — A middle school teacher at the center of a sex crime investigation reportedly taught Madeline Soto, the 13-year-old girl who was killed after her disappearance last year. According to a federal affidavit, 25-year-old Italo Rafael Brett Bonini, of Orlando, was arrested by the FBI on Feb. 5 for enticing a minor for sex using the platform, Discord. The suspect targeted an 8-year-old boy and a 6-year-old from Maryland in January. Brett Bonini lured the 8-year-old to reveal his private area, while he enticed both children to engage in sexual acts with him over video chat and sometimes with each other. Woman left bloodied on I-275 after medical emergency leads to shooting: FHP He also messaged the kids to move their computers to 'a more private spot away from the adults.' When officials questioned Brett Bonini he claimed he was 'not even gay,' and that he 'fell into temptation,' claiming he is 'not a sick individual' and that he had made a mistake, the affidavit said. He admitted to targeting children because 'he could control them.' Brett Bonini, who was a chorus teacher at Hunter's Creek Middle School, according to NBC affiliate WESH, also taught Soto, who was a seventh-grade student at the school when she disappeared in February 2024. According to court documents obtained by Click Orlando, Brett Bonini was interviewed by investigators three days after her disappearance. The teen was reportedly enrolled in his sixth-period class. 70-year-old man angry with housemate fatally shoots him: deputies 'She usually is very participatory. She's usually up performing with us. She doesn't miss a concert,' Brett Bonini reportedly told a detective. 'She just seemed pretty normal. Very happy. Easy making of friends.' Click Orlando said when Soto disappeared, Brett Bonini received a message from the teen's mother through the school district's communication system, saying that her daughter never came home. He reportedly sent a reply, informing Soto's mother that she was marked absent that day. Court records show detectives were never concerned over Brett Bonini during Soto's case. Soto's stepfather, Stephan Sterns, is the 'prime suspect' in her case, accused of sexually abusing and killing the young girl. Soto was last seen alive on the morning of Feb. 26. Authorities believe Sterns killed her when he was supposed to drop her off at school that day. After dumping her school items in a dumpster, he returned to their Orlando apartment complex with her, presumably dead at that point, in the car. Soto's body was later found near the woodline of Old Hickory Tree Road in Osceola County. Sterns, however, has yet to be convicted for the crime. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
11-02-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Can wild monkeys in Florida give people herpes?
They might not be the first animal that comes to mind when you think of Florida's wildlife, but beware: wild rhesus macaque monkeys in the Sunshine State have tested positive for the Herpes B virus, and contracting it can prove deadly. Nearly 200 rhesus macaque monkeys live in and roam Florida's Silver Spring State Park, where they were first introduced almost 100 years ago, local outlet Click Orlando reports. Now, they can be found all over the state, and sightings are on the rise, according to the outlet. Several central Florida counties, including Marion, Seminole and Lake counties, have seen an increase in Macaque sightings over the last two years, Click Orlando reports. Similarly, several monkeys were reported roaming Orange City in Volusia County last month, CBS News reports. Many of them carry diseases, including Herpes B virus, which can cause an 'extremely rare' but 'serious and even deadly' infection, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The virus, while rare, can be spread through an infected monkey's bite or scratch; coming into contact with an infected monkey's skin or fluid; scratching or cutting yourself on a contaminated cage or other sharp surface; or being exposed to the brain, spinal cord, or skull of the infected monkey, the CDC says. The first signs of infection include flu-like symptoms, such as fever and chills, the CDC says. Then, it's possible to develop small blisters near the wound or area where one had contact with the monkey. The virus then causes swelling in the brain and spinal cord. The disease can cause 'severe brain damage or death' if contracted, according to the CDC. Macaque monkeys can become aggressive when fed, leading to a higher probability of a scratch or bite — that's why the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission prohibited feeding them in 2018, Click Orlando reports. 'If you are in a place with macaque monkeys, stay away from them so that you don't get bitten or scratched,' the CDC states on its website. 'You should not touch or feed monkeys.' The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission says residents should never approach or feed monkeys. If a monkey is around, residents should keep children close and pets leashed. Residents should also dispose of uneaten food and other garbage in closed containers to prevent attracting the monkeys. If you're bitten or scratched by a monkey, seek medical attention and wash the wound immediately. Also call the National B Virus Resource Center: 404-413-6650. Any resident who observes a wild monkey that poses a threat can call the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission's wildlife alert hotline: 888-404-3922.
