Latest news with #TallahasseeDemocrat
Yahoo
4 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Tallahassee police said they removed 57 illegal guns from city streets in May
The Tallahassee Police Department said it took 57 firearms off the streets in May. In a social media post, TPD says the guns were either surrendered, collected as evidence or otherwise seized from those who had them illegally. TPD's gun recoveries come at the same time that the Leon County Sheriff's Office seized several illegal guns, such as an AK-style pistol equipped with a 72-round drum magazine. At the same time, however, more than 50 firearms were stolen from vehicles, many of them unlocked, since the beginning of the year, the department said. So far in 2025, 10 people have died and at least 22 have been injured in 29 serious city and county shootings, according to a Tallahassee Democrat analysis of gun violence. Police urge residents to secure their weapons and make sure they aren't left in unlocked cars. More: National Urban League President in Tallahassee, endorses local anti-gun theft campaign Also: Stopping violence with keychains: Reminding Tallahasseeans to lock their guns in cars Arianna Otero is the trending and breaking news reporter for the Tallahassee Democrat. Contact her via email at AOtero@ and follow her on X: @ari_v_otero. This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: TPD removes 57 illegal guns from Tallahassee streets in May
Yahoo
4 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Legal threats may dim beloved Christmas tradition in Gadsden County
A beloved holiday tradition in Gadsden County may be going dark. After 18 years of lighting up Havana with their Christmas Spectacular at the Havana Christmas Tree Farm, the Allison family is facing legal threats from neighbors demanding they shut down their other popular display on Sandy Creek Road. Citing traffic and emergency access concerns, three nearby residents say they'll sue if the show goes on. "It's very concerning how this is all being handled," Thomas Daniel Allison told the Tallahassee Democrat in a June 2 phone interview. "We're definitely open to compromise… but it's been a difficult situation with the neighbors — a lot of verbal harassment, text messages, and social media threats." The show features seemingly endless strings of colorful lights set up in fashionable displays over homes and trees that twinkle and dance to the beat of Christmas music. Allison, the creator of the light show, said attendees are required to stay in their cars unless they are dropping off donations. The family works with the Gadsden County Sheriff's Office to makes sure traffic flows smoothly. Christmas is the family's favorite holiday and they consider the light show their outreach ministry. They have expressed excitement for the annual show in regular Facebook posts with countdowns, music debuts and other updates since January, when the 2024 light show ended. Cindy Piotrowski, another neighbor speaking on behalf of the those who oppose the holiday display, told the Allisons on May 31 there could be three separate lawsuits: One against the Allisons; another against neighbors who allow set up of the show in their yard; and still another against their grandmother, Frances Rushnock, who also lives on the street and allows use of her yard. A request for comment to Piotrowski on June 2 is pending. Allison said the family is looking to find a compromise with the neighbors for a shorter schedule or a different road safety plan. He hopes they can come to an agreement by June 15. If not, the show will be only be held at the Havana Christmas Tree Farm. "This is God's show, and we do it with him at the core of all that we do, so we're just praying for him to lead us in the next steps and if that means a transition off the street over the next few years, then it does," Allison said. "I don't think it would impact us one bit. It's just more of a matter of relocating. We're just grateful to have a backup location." Alaijah Brown covers children & families for the Tallahassee Democrat. She can be reached at ABrown1@ Follow her on Twitter/X: @AlaijahBrown3. This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Gadsden Christmas light show caught in legal crossfire with locals
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Memorial Day shooting at Cascades Park was accidental, police say
Police have determined that the Memorial Day shooting that injured two teens in Cascades Park was an accident. Around 4:10 a.m., a group of three teenagers — 19, 18, and 17 years old — were at the park when the gun they were handling discharged, striking the 19-year-old man and grazing the 18-year-old man, according to the Tallahassee Police Department. From the weekend: Memorial Day morning shooting at Cascades Park in Tallahassee injures two "Initial reports indicate the firearm was discarded following the incident," TPD said in a statement. "It was later recovered at the scene and impounded as evidence." Officers initially responded to a call about a drive-by shooting near the city's crown jewel park, but it was quickly deemed an accidental shooting. TPD said the incident remains an open and active investigation. "No additional information is available for release at this time," TPD said. So far in 2025, 10 people have died and at least 22 have been injured in 29 serious city and county shootings, according to a Tallahassee Democrat analysis of gun violence. Local government watchdog reporter Elena Barrera can be reached at ebarrera@ Follow her on X: @elenabarreraaa. This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: TPD: Tallahassee shooting that left two injured was accidental
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- Yahoo
Memorial Day morning shooting at Cascades Park in Tallahassee injures two
A Memorial Day early morning shooting at Cascades Park has left two people injured. Shortly after 4 a.m. on May 26, the Tallahassee Police Department responded to a call about a drive-by shooting near the city's crown jewel park in the 1000 block of South Gadsden Street. While the investigation is in its preliminary phases, a TPD Watch Commander told the Democrat that officers determined the incident was not a drive-by shooting. He was unable to provide other details about the circumstances of the case or the victims, because it remains an open and active case. He said, however, that investigators determined the public is not endangered. "At this time we have no reason to believe that a suspect is at large," he said. One person was reportedly grazed in the shooting, according to the Democrat's sources, but the other injury was more serious. The watch commander declined to comment on the extent of the injuries, but said both were transported to the hospital. "The injuries are believed to be non-life threatening at this time," he said. So far in 2025, 10 people have died and at least 22 have been injured in 29 serious city and county shootings, according to a Tallahassee Democrat analysis of gun violence. (This story has been updated with the latest count of the number of shootings). William Hatfield is editor of the Tallahassee Democrat. Email him at whatfield@ This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Tallahassee shooting at Cascades Park leaves two injured
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Flags in Florida should be flown at half-staff on Peace Officers Memorial Day. Here's when
Flags should be flown at half-staff on May 15 across the United States to honor officers who have died in the line of duty. Peace Officers Memorial Day on May 15 comes during Police Week. "This week and always, we honor the courageous men and women serving in law enforcement and memorialize those who sacrificed their lives defending the thin blue line," President Trump said in a proclamation on May 12. "We pray for those who grieve the fallen and pledge that their lives, legacies, and sacrifices will forever be remembered by our grateful Nation," Trump said. Here's what you should know about the day. Flags should be flown at half-staff on Thursday, May 15, for Peace Officers Memorial Day, during the week designated as Police Week. "I call upon all Americans to observe this week with appropriate ceremonies and activities," Trump said. "The oath to serve and protect comes with extraordinary risk and sacrifice, and we are indebted to those who choose this righteous profession," Trump said in his proclamation. President John F. Kennedy signed Public Law 87-226 in 1962 designating May 15 as Peace Officers Memorial Day to honor federal, state, and municipal peace officers who have been killed or disabled in the line of duty. Each year, the calendar week in which May 15 falls is called Police Week. In 1994, President Bill Clinton signed Public Law 103-322 directing the U.S. flag be flown at half-staff on all government buildings on May 15. Several events are scheduled in Washington, D.C., during Police Week. ➤ See schedule of events May 15 is the annual National Peace Officers' Memorial Service at the West Front of the U.S. Capitol. The service starts at noon and "mainly honors the officers who recently made the ultimate sacrifice and pays tribute to all the fallen." The "Roll Call of Heroes for 2025" includes 11 from Florida: Jeremy Boykins, Sept. 10, 2024 Elio Diaz, Dec. 15, 2024 Ignacio Diaz, Nov. 25, 2024 Zachary Fink, Feb. 2, 2024 Bradley Link, Aug. 3, 2024 Bradford McNew, Oct. 12, 2024 Luis Paez, Nov. 21, 2024 Ralph Waller, Nov. 21, 2024 Also to be honored from other years are: Patrick Erlandson, Oct. 1, 2021 Daniel Swain, March 29, 2021 Justin White, Aug. 5, 2021 "I have asked the Congress to codify my Executive Order mandating the death penalty for the murder of a police officer — sending an unequivocal message that barbaric acts of violence and blatant disregard for the lives of our Nation's heroes will not be tolerated — and to pass a crime bill with enhanced protections for police officers." On ships and at naval stations ashore, flags are flown at half-mast. On shore, flags are flown at half-staff. This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Why are flags at half-staff? It's for Peace Officers Memorial Day
