Latest news with #Towles
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
‘Lack of communication' led to unpermitted group home where murder occurred, Bartow official says
BARTOW, Fla. (WFLA) — 'Some chicken and rice,' said Eddrena Thornton, taking out a tray of food she has prepared for the five people who live with her in her home. 'I feel like I'm doing a mission that God wants me to do. It's my calling,' said Thornton. Since 2020, Thornton has run a state-licensed adult family care facility in her home with a focus on people with mental health issues. 'They don't have nowhere for them to go because they can't afford to go to assisted living because they may not have long-term care plus their income is low. They can't afford to live on their own. Their family's not taking them in so they go back to the street,' she said. In February, she opened – what the city of Bartow considers to be – a group home in a rental house across the street on Bluebird Avenue. Unlike with her adult family care home, she did not notify any governmental agencies. 'Because the people were living independently,' she said. 'I always heard that as long as you're not doing nothing for them, then you're OK. It's like they're just renting a room.' 'You're collecting money. You are engaging in a business where your sole goal is for people to live there as a group then that would be considered a group home,' said Tray Towles, director of code compliance and neighborhood services for the city of Bartow. Towles said group homes require an application and permit approval. 'It goes to our planning and zoning board who reviews that application, makes sure it fits within the scope of the ordinance,' said Towles. Towles said the violation was the result of a 'lack of communication.' 'When she actually opened her licensed facility, she reached out to the city of Bartow and made sure that she was in compliance with all of our codes at that time. She did not do that in this instance when she opened up the group home at 2226 Bluebird,' said Towles. The owner of the home, a Texas-based company, is in the process of evicting Thornton as a renter. All the residents have moved out. Towles said, because the residents are no longer there, there will be no further action or fines imposed on Thornton. 'The Bartow Chief of Police has been in touch with representatives of the Wind Meadows HOA to strengthen communication and a team approach to addressing safety concerns in the neighborhood,' said city manager Mike Herr in a statement. Towles said there are no other known group homes in the neighborhood. A neighbor tells News Channel 8 that many residents have concerns about who Thornton is housing in the neighborhood. The violation was discovered when, earlier this month, Thornton allowed an 18-year-old named Moses Ojeda to move in. Thornton said a placement agency and Ojeda's mother contacted her as Ojeda was being released from the hospital after being Baker Acted. 'I looked at the psychiatric evaluation. He had issues for him to get Baker Acted but the psychiatric evaluation said that he was calm and stable, normal, had good talk and he said he was ready to get discharged and go home with his mom,' said Thornton. Thornton said she was not able to meet him but allowed him to move in because of his mother's desperation. Later that night, Thornton saw Ojeda outside. She said she tried calling his mother to pick him up because of his strange behavior but she did not answer. Thornton said she slept on the sofa in the group home to keep an eye on Ojeda and talked to him that morning. 'He sat down and he was talking to us about God and about life and death and all this stuff…[while] the man in the room dead!' said Thornton. According to the Polk County Sheriff's Office, Ojeda fatally stabbed an 81-year-old man more than 100 times in the night. 'This tragedy happened to me to not put my heart first but to always make sure I follow my steps – no matter if the person is gonna be homeless. That's not my problem. I'll see you tomorrow,' said Thornton. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Bartow 'group home' where man was murdered was not licensed by state, being shut down
The Brief The 'group home' where an 81-year-old man was murdered a little more than a week ago is in the process of being shut down. The city discovered the renter was operating the home on Blue Bird Avenue illegally and without a license by the state. The 81-year-old suffered a violent death and was stabbed more than 100 times while he slept by his roommate, who confessed to killing him after just moving into the home. BARTOW, Fla. - The 'group home' where an 81-year-old man was murdered a little more than a week ago is in the process of being shut down. The city discovered the renter, Eddrena Thornton, was operating the home on Blue Bird Avenue illegally and without a license by the state. The backstory According to the Polk County Sherriff's Office, Patrick Benway, 81, suffered a violent death and was stabbed more than 100 times while he slept. His 19-year-old roommate, Moses Ojeda, confessed to killing him after just moving into the home. RELATED: Troubled teen stabs man 113 times at Bartow group home saying 'voices in my head told me to': PCSO Ojeda has been Baker Acted six times this year, according to Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd. "Moses said the person he stabbed and killed was a good person," Judd said. "He was just told he heard sounds, voices in his head to kill the victim." Dig deeper "[Thornton] explained to me that it was an independent living facility where the residents lived as a community versus being cared for at an adult care facility," said Trey Towles, the director of Code Compliance and Neighborhood Services. Follow FOX 13 on YouTube Thorton admitted the four or five residents living there would come from hospitals, state agencies, and would be referred by private mental health care entities. She was also charging the residents rent. The actual owner of the house, a real estate investment company based in Texas, had no idea Thornton was using the home illegally and is in the process of evicting her. "It's my understanding, based on my conversation with her, she did know he had mental health issues and that he was on medication for mental health, but she felt at that time it wouldn't endanger residents staying at that location," said Towles. What they're saying Towles said Ojeda had been referred to Thornton by a mental health organization and his mother made payment arrangements for him to stay at the house for at least a month. CRIME: Auburndale's director of public utilities arrested for animal abuse after Great Dane found emaciated "His mother told them you have to hide the knives," said Judd. "[Thornton] was a little unprepared for that statement. However, at the time, it wasn't enough for her to deny him access to the home," said Towles. "In my estimation he was a ticking time bomb," said the sheriff. What's next The city's case is currently open, and it will remain in a pending status until there's evidence the illegal group home is fully closed down. Thornton does operate and live at an adult family care home in the same neighborhood, which is properly licensed. There is no criminal investigation involving Thornton currently, but FOX 13 has reached out to the State Attorney General's office to see if they've opened an investigation. The Source The information in this story was gathered by FOX 13's Carla Bayron. WATCH FOX 13 NEWS: STAY CONNECTED WITH FOX 13 TAMPA: Download the FOX Local app for your smart TV Download FOX Local mobile app:Apple |Android Download the FOX 13 News app for breaking news alerts, latest headlines Download the SkyTower Radar app Sign up for FOX 13's daily newsletter
Washington Post
24-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Washington Post
11 new paperbacks to read this month
The average book is released in paperback about a year after it first appears in hardcover. For perennial bestsellers — hardcovers that people refuse to stop buying, in other words — it can take longer. For Garmus's debut, it's been a full three years. (And nearly two since the TV adaptation starring Brie Larson aired.) Set in the early 1960s, the novel tells the entertaining story of a chemist named Elizabeth Zott whose scientific career is derailed by sexism. She then finds unlikely fame on TV as the host of a scientifically minded cooking show. In The Post, Karen Heller wrote that there is 'an infectious absurdity to the book,' with its 'indelible assemblage of stubborn, idiosyncratic characters.' The average book is released in paperback about a year after it first appears in hardcover. For perennial bestsellers — hardcovers that people refuse to stop buying, in other words — it can take longer. For Garmus's debut, it's been a full three years. (And nearly two since the TV adaptation starring Brie Larson aired.) Set in the early 1960s, the novel tells the entertaining story of a chemist named Elizabeth Zott whose scientific career is derailed by sexism. She then finds unlikely fame on TV as the host of a scientifically minded cooking show. In The Post, Karen Heller wrote that there is 'an infectious absurdity to the book,' with its 'indelible assemblage of stubborn, idiosyncratic characters.' Patchett's latest bestseller revolves around a woman and her three daughters reunited on their family-run cherry farm in Michigan during the pandemic summer of 2020. Over the course of that summer, Lara Kenison tells her daughters the story of her affair with a famous actor when she was 19 years old. Patchett's latest bestseller revolves around a woman and her three daughters reunited on their family-run cherry farm in Michigan during the pandemic summer of 2020. Over the course of that summer, Lara Kenison tells her daughters the story of her affair with a famous actor when she was 19 years old. Towles's many fans can turn to this collection while they wait for the next novel by the best-selling author of a 'A Gentleman in Moscow' and 'The Lincoln Highway.' It features six short stories and one novella, 'Eve in Hollywood.' The novella picks up Evelyn Ross, a character in Towles's novel 'Rules of Civility,' where that book left her, traveling by train from New York to Los Angeles. Towles's many fans can turn to this collection while they wait for the next novel by the best-selling author of a 'A Gentleman in Moscow' and 'The Lincoln Highway.' It features six short stories and one novella, 'Eve in Hollywood.' The novella picks up Evelyn Ross, a character in Towles's novel 'Rules of Civility,' where that book left her, traveling by train from New York to Los Angeles. Alvarez's latest novel explores sisterhood, immigration and family secrets. It also charts new, at times surreal territory for the celebrated 75-year-old author. While writing it, Alvarez suffered a health crisis involving her vision. When she was able to start (slowly) writing again, she told The Post, 'there was a new urgency to the novel — as if it were the last novel I would ever write.' Alvarez's latest novel explores sisterhood, immigration and family secrets. It also charts new, at times surreal territory for the celebrated 75-year-old author. While writing it, Alvarez suffered a health crisis involving her vision. When she was able to start (slowly) writing again, she told The Post, 'there was a new urgency to the novel — as if it were the last novel I would ever write.' Sahota, whose novels have been twice nominated for the Booker Prize, here tells a shrewd story about identity politics and compassion. He builds his compelling drama around the election of a general secretary for Britain's largest labor union. The Post's Ron Charles called it a 'brilliant' novel 'that will consume any reader who picks it up.' Sahota, whose novels have been twice nominated for the Booker Prize, here tells a shrewd story about identity politics and compassion. He builds his compelling drama around the election of a general secretary for Britain's largest labor union. The Post's Ron Charles called it a 'brilliant' novel 'that will consume any reader who picks it up.' This selection of Mushtaq's stories about Muslim girls and women in southern India, translated by Deepa Bhasthi, is a finalist for this year's International Booker Prize. (The winner will be announced May 20.) Mushtaq is a journalist, lawyer and women's rights activist, and these fictional stories span more than 30 years of her career as an author. 'Deceptively simple,' the judges for the International Booker wrote, 'these stories hold immense emotional, moral, and socio-political weight, urging us to dig deeper.' This selection of Mushtaq's stories about Muslim girls and women in southern India, translated by Deepa Bhasthi, is a finalist for this year's International Booker Prize. (The winner will be announced May 20.) Mushtaq is a journalist, lawyer and women's rights activist, and these fictional stories span more than 30 years of her career as an author. 'Deceptively simple,' the judges for the International Booker wrote, 'these stories hold immense emotional, moral, and socio-political weight, urging us to dig deeper.' Elliott's new collection of short stories has been described by more than one reader as 'feral.' Incorporating elements of Southern gothic, fantasy, fairy tales and other genres, it showcases a fearless imagination. To take an example, here's how the author described one story, 'The Maiden,' in an interview with writer Lincoln Michel: 'A a group of small-town teens discover the transcendent magic of an outcast girl named Cujo who hexes kids by performing supernatural trampoline stunts.' She's at work, she said in the same interview, on an 'absurd, psychedelic, sci-fi' novel that is 'infested with psychonauts, tech tycoons, and otherworldly bullfrogs.' Elliott's new collection of short stories has been described by more than one reader as 'feral.' Incorporating elements of Southern gothic, fantasy, fairy tales and other genres, it showcases a fearless imagination. To take an example, here's how the author described one story, 'The Maiden,' in an interview with writer Lincoln Michel: 'A a group of small-town teens discover the transcendent magic of an outcast girl named Cujo who hexes kids by performing supernatural trampoline stunts.' She's at work, she said in the same interview, on an 'absurd, psychedelic, sci-fi' novel that is 'infested with psychonauts, tech tycoons, and otherworldly bullfrogs.' Sinno's devastating memoir, translated by Natasha Lehrer, won several literary awards and sold lots of copies after it was published in France in 2023. It recounts the sexual abuse Sinno's stepfather committed against her for years, beginning when she was about 7 years old. As an adult, Lehrer filed a complaint against him, which led to a jury trial that was open to the public. The Guardian said the book 'ditches linear narrative, yet races along like a thriller.' Sinno, a scholar, also offers analysis of the way sexual abuse has been portrayed by writers like Vladimir Nabokov and Virginia Woolf. Sinno's devastating memoir, translated by Natasha Lehrer, won several literary awards and sold lots of copies after it was published in France in 2023. It recounts the sexual abuse Sinno's stepfather committed against her for years, beginning when she was about 7 years old. As an adult, Lehrer filed a complaint against him, which led to a jury trial that was open to the public. The Guardian said the book 'ditches linear narrative, yet races along like a thriller.' Sinno, a scholar, also offers analysis of the way sexual abuse has been portrayed by writers like Vladimir Nabokov and Virginia Woolf. The prolific Lincoln scholar Guelzo here reflects on the 16th president's thoughts about — and faith in — democracy. He organizes the book around Lincoln's views on intertwined themes: liberty, law, economics, race, slavery, emancipation. 'As I would not be a slave, so I would not be a master,' Lincoln wrote. 'This expresses my idea of democracy.' The prolific Lincoln scholar Guelzo here reflects on the 16th president's thoughts about — and faith in — democracy. He organizes the book around Lincoln's views on intertwined themes: liberty, law, economics, race, slavery, emancipation. 'As I would not be a slave, so I would not be a master,' Lincoln wrote. 'This expresses my idea of democracy.' Fernald (1859-1924) was a pioneer in recognizing and helping people with developmental disabilities. He left a very mixed legacy, explored by Green in this deeply researched biography. 'He single-handedly did battle against some of the most disturbing forms of hate in American history and also perpetrated grave injustices himself,' Green writes. 'He sought to understand the meaning and consequences of his actions in ways that provide an invaluable glimpse of one human being's reckoning with ethics, power, and social responsibility.' Fernald (1859-1924) was a pioneer in recognizing and helping people with developmental disabilities. He left a very mixed legacy, explored by Green in this deeply researched biography. 'He single-handedly did battle against some of the most disturbing forms of hate in American history and also perpetrated grave injustices himself,' Green writes. 'He sought to understand the meaning and consequences of his actions in ways that provide an invaluable glimpse of one human being's reckoning with ethics, power, and social responsibility.' Nader's latest book, about the importance of understanding and cultivating the life of a good citizen, is, in a word, timely. Nader's latest book, about the importance of understanding and cultivating the life of a good citizen, is, in a word, timely.
USA Today
08-04-2025
- USA Today
Florida captain seen in viral confrontation with fisherman arrested, charged
Florida captain seen in viral confrontation with fisherman arrested, charged Show Caption Hide Caption FULL VIDEO: 'Boat rage' caught on camera A Florida boat captain arguing with a fisherman was caught on camera. The video shows the boat captain climbing onto the fisherman's boat to demand an apology. Fox - 13 News A Florida boat captain has been has been arrested and charged after he was captured on camera in a viral confrontation with a fisherman. The footage, titled "Charter Captain jumps on my boat and tries to fight me for no reason," has garnered over 500,000 views on YouTube. It shows the April 1 conflict between 22-year-old Gage Towles and 40-year-old Brock Horner. Horner, owner of Tarpon Coast Fishing Charters, has since been arrested and charged with burglary with assault or battery following an investigation, according to Punta Gorda Police Department and the Daytona Beach News-Journal, part of the USA TODAY Network. In the video, Towles is fishing alone in a boat near a bridge when Horner and four men approach him in another boat. Horner asked Towles in the video if he was "cussing" him out earlier that day. "No," he responded. Horner, convinced he was the same person, continued screaming at Towles in the video, who said he had him confused with someone else and told him he can't come "flying through the bridge area." That set off Horner even more, who at one point asked Towles if he "wants to (expletive) go." Towles responds "I don't wanna go ... I want you to get the (expletive) out of here." He reminded Horner that he had approached him and he was just trying to fish. 'Best charter captain you will ever meet' In the video, Towles asks if Horner is trying to be "tough in front of his buddies," and Horner responded that the three of them are veterans. Towles thanks him for his service. But the video shows Horner continues to swear and yell. Towles keeps telling Horner it was the kid in the other boat, but Horner won't listen, talking about how the fishermen need to have their lights on in the morning, which Towles said he did, and it was the other boat without lights. "I'm sorry, I don't know if that's what you want to hear, bro," he tells Horner. Horner continues, saying he's the "best charter captain you will ever meet in your (expletive) life," a line that has since gone viral on social media. Then, the video shows him jumping into Towles' boat, hitting the throttle and the boat taking off with the two of them inside. "Please, bro," Towles said in the video. "I'm a kid, bro." "According to the investigation, Horner pulled his vessel alongside the victim's boat without permission and unlawfully boarded it," Punta Gorda Police said in a statement. "During the unauthorized entry, Horner reportedly threatened the victim, escalating the situation into a criminal offense." Toward the end of the video, Towles drove him back to his boat, apologizing, while Horner continued threatening him. In the caption of his YouTube video, Towles said he shared it to "save another person" or "possibly someone's life by getting this captain off the water." According to police, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and the U.S. Coast Guard have also opened investigations into the matter. Florida crime: Man arrested after woman whispers 'help me' to Amazon delivery driver Brock Horner since bonded out of jail Horner's attorney said that his client has apologized to the Towles, and "is not proud of how he acted," Gulf Coast News reported. "Since the video went viral, Brock's business has been destroyed, his reputation damaged, and his family — including his wife and mother—have been harassed and even threatened," the statement obtained by the outlet said. The attorney's statement noted that Horner is a decorated veteran who served in Afghanistan and suffered "a traumatic brain injury in combat." Jail records viewed by USA TODAY show that Horner bonded out of Charlotte County Jail on April 5. Towles' attorney, Steven Leskovich, released a statement Monday asking people to stand down on threats against Horner's family. "While no boater, no fisherman, and no person should ever have to endure the experience that Mr. Towles went through and the emotional aftermath that has followed, Mr. Horner's actions will be dealt with through the appropriate channels of the justice system," Leskovich said in the statement. Taylor Ardrey is a news reporter for USA TODAY. You can reach her at tardrey@
Yahoo
07-04-2025
- Yahoo
Florida charter captain Brock Horner ordered to have no contact with fisherman after arrest
PUNTA GORDA, Fla. (WFLA) — A Florida charter captain whose angry exchange with a fisherman went viral has been ordered not to contact the alleged victim, according to court documents. On April 1, Brock Horner, 40, of Port Charlotte confronted fisherman Gage Towles, 22, at the Gilcrist Bridge. See full viral video of encounter between Florida charter captain, fisherman According to a probable cause affidavit from Punta Gorda police, Horner was confronting Towles over an alleged incident where he said Towles had cursed at him and called him slurs on the morning of March 30. Police said Towles' account of the events was that he and his friend were fishing under the bridge at around 5:30 a.m. that day when Horner nearly struck his boat with the charter vessel. Towles also said another boater was nearby and was also close to being hit by Horner, who was said to be traveling 'at a high rate of speed.' The near-collision led to the three fishermen shouting at Horner before he rode off, the affidavit said. While Horner said the two other boats did not have their navigation lights on, Towles said he did and believed the other boater may have had his lights on, as well. Who is Brock Horner? Angry Florida charter captain confronts boater in viral video Towles and Horner encountered each other the following evening, which was caught on Towles' GoPro camera. Initially, the two exchanged jabs over the previous incident. 'Bro, you can't come flying through the middle of the f—— bridge,' Towles responded. 'Bulls—-, yes I can!' Horner shouted back. Towles attempted to de-escalate at multiple points, as shown by the video. 'I'm fishing; bro, get out of here!' the fisherman shouted. However, the tense argument escalated when Horner brought his boat next to Towles' vessel, shortly after saying he's 'the best charter captain you will ever meet!' According to police, while boarding the vessel, Horner grabbed Towles' shirt and pulled on it while the fisherman shouted apologies at Horner. 'While speaking to Towles, I asked him if at any time he felt the defendant wanted to fight him and he advised, 'Yes,'' a Punta Gorda officer wrote in the affidavit. 'Towles confirmed he also felt threatened and/or scared for his life and even considered jumping off his own boat into the water to get away from the defendant.' The incident ended with Towles bringing Horner back to his boat as the captain says, 'Do it again and watch what f——- happens,' among other statements. The affidavit said Towles provided police with screenshots of Instagram messages where Horner admitted to the incident and apologized to Towles. 'It should be noted that contact was made with two of the passengers on the defendant's boat at the time of the incident who agreed that the defendant had completely lost his temper and made poor decisions,' the document stated. Punta Gorda police arrested Horner on April 4 on a charge of burglary with assault or battery. The U.S. Coast Guard is also conducting its own investigation. On April 5, Horner was also ordered to have no contact with Towles and to surrender any guns and ammunition that he may have to the Charlotte County Sheriff's office. Since the incident, Towles has not spoken to the media, but in a victim impact statement released Monday, Towles' attorney Steven Leskobich said he 'is also greatly concerned with the outpouring of contempt and disgust that has been directed at Mr. Horner's family, and the community.' According to the statement, Towles wants those who have been angered by Horner's actions to not make threats of violence or any vulgarity to the Horner family. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
