Latest news with #WTSP
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Conservative control of Florida colleges continues
The big story: The ongoing effort to turn Florida's higher education system in a new conservative direction took another step forward Tuesday at one of the state's 28 state colleges. Eric Hall, secretary of the Department of Juvenile Justice, was named interim president at Pasco-Hernando State College — with the possibility open for him to get the permanent position at the college's next trustees meeting. Hall joins several Republican leaders with ties to Gov. Ron DeSantis in assuming leadership over higher education institutions across Florida. Other recent additions include former Lt. Gov. Jeanette Nuñez at Florida International and former State Board of Education chairperson Marva Johnson at Florida A&M. Some PHSC students, staff and supporters have questioned the path that led to Hall's appointment. Read more here. There's talk of boycotts at Florida A&M over Johnson's appointment, WFSU reports. Algebra lessons: Pasco County schools will change their math course progression in an effort to get more children ready for algebra by the eighth grade. Book challenges: The Hillsborough County school district removed more than 600 titles from its shelves amid accusations that students had access to pornographic material. Charter schools: Plans to bring a new charter high school to Pasco County fizzled as the applicant walked away from the deal following more than a year of negotiations. Hurricane aftermath: St. John Vianney Catholic School held its final promotion ceremony before closing its doors for good, unable to reopen because of 2024 hurricane damage, WTSP reports. Immigration enforcement: Pinellas County school district officials knew more about plans to have the district police department support federal immigration enforcement in schools than they initially let on when the issue arose in the community, The 74 reports. New schools: The Orange County school district is putting off new school construction for four years as it confronts an enrollment slowdown, the Orlando Sentinel reports. District officials tied the action to a rise in voucher participation, WESH reports. Preferred names: Brevard County students again urged the school board to reinstate a Satellite High teacher who was dismissed for using a student's preferred name without parental permission. One board member proposed bringing back teacher Melissa Calhoun, but no action was taken, Florida Today reports. School closures: A Broward County elementary school that closed because of low enrollment will reopen as an early learning center, WLRN reports. District officials said more similar moves are expected at other schools. Spelling bee: Pinellas Academy of Math and Science sixth grader Vlada Kozhevnikova is headed to the Scripps national spelling bee as one of 12 Florida contestants, WTSP reports. Superintendents: The Manatee County school board narrowly voted to fire superintendent Jason Wysong, citing concerns with his communication on issues, WFTS reports. Wysong negotiated an exit deal over the weekend after learning board sentiment had turned against him, WUSF reports. • The St. Johns County school board chose deputy superintendent Brennan Asplen, formerly head of Sarasota County schools, to lead the district, WJXT reports. Teacher pay: Lee County teachers are worried about the possibility of losing supplemental income as part of their contract negotiations, WINK reports. From the police blotter ... A Miami-Dade County high school teacher was arrested on allegations of child abuse and unlawful sexual activity with a minor student, WTVJ reports. Don't miss a story. Here's a link to yesterday's roundup. Before you go ... Are you ready for the next installment of Jurassic Park?
USA Today
01-05-2025
- USA Today
Driver of boat in deadly Florida ferry crash denies fleeing the scene: Reports
Driver of boat in deadly Florida ferry crash denies fleeing the scene: Reports Show Caption Hide Caption One dead, 10 injured after recreational boat smashes into ferry One person is dead and 10 injured after a boat hit a ferry in Clearwater, Florida. Police are searching for the boat's driver. The man driving a recreational boat that crashed into a ferry in the water near Clearwater, Florida, on April 27, killing one and injuring several others, denied that he fled the scene in a letter to investigators from his attorney, according to multiple news outlets. Jeff Knight, identified as a local businessman, stayed at the scene of the crash for several minutes until first responders arrived and tried to provide assistance, his lawyer J. Kevin Hayslett wrote in a letter to investigators that was published by CNN and WTSP. The Clearwater Police Department previously said that the boat "fled the scene." "(A)ny suggestion that Mr. Knight left the scene is wholly unsupported," Hayslett wrote in the letter dated April 29, published by CNN. USA TODAY has reached out to Hayslett and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, which is investigating. What happened in the Clearwater ferry boat crash? The collision happened near the Memorial Causeway bridge at about 8:40 p.m. on April 27, according to the U.S. Coast Guard. There were about 45 people on the ferry, many of whom were returning from a day of revelry at the Pier 60 Sugar Sand Festival on Clearwater Beach. Authorities said a blue and white recreational boat carrying six people hit the ferry with 45 people on board and then drove away from the scene. It was found 3.5 miles away, and officials said the driver was cooperative and took a breathalyzer test in which no alcohol was found present. Ten adults on the ferry had injuries ranging from broken bones to head injuries, officials said at a news conference. The Clearwater Fire Department declared the scene a mass casualty incident because of the number of injuries, six of which were declared trauma alerts with two taken to a hospital by helicopter. Driver did not flee, attorney says Hayslett said Knight complied with Florida law requiring him to try to help. Knight told one of his passengers to call 911 and tied his boat to the ferry to "stabilize it and render aid" and move it closer to shore so first responders would have easier access, Hayslett wrote. Knight also told the captain of the ferry he could transport passengers to a hospital on his boat, an offer that was declined, Hayslett said in the letter. Knight then realized his boat was taking on water and worried it would sink, and decided he needed to get it back to his dock so he could take it out of the water, the letter said. "Only after Clearwater Police Officers were in the water and ambulances had arrived did Mr. Knight leave in order to prevent his boat from sinking with an infant on board," Hayslett wrote. The boat was stopped by law enforcement on the way back to the dock and towed to a boat ramp where the 8-week-old baby was examined by medical personnel, he said. The attorney said in his letter that there is "credible concern" the ferry was not properly displaying its navigational lights, impacting visibility before the crash. Jeff Knight steps down from Jannus Live, Florida music venue Knight is listed in state business records as president of Jannus Live, an outdoor music venue in St. Petersburg, Florida. He also became a minority owner over a decade ago, according to a 2009 report from the Tampa Bay Times. The venue said in a statement on social media on April 30 that Knight was stepping down following the boat crash "and will no longer have any affiliation with the venue." "This decision was made out of respect for the victims of the recent Clearwater Ferry tragedy and to ensure that ongoing developments do not detract from the work of the talented artists, staff, and community partners who have long contributed to the success of Jannus Live," the statement said. Contributing: Christopher Cann, N'dea Yancey-Bragg and Thao Nguyen, USA TODAY
Axios
30-04-2025
- Axios
Clearwater Ferry crash: Driver's DUI history revealed
Jeff Knight, the St. Petersburg man who crashed into a Clearwater ferry on Sunday, has a criminal record that includes three DUI arrests and a history of legal trouble on the water. (WTSP) Authorities have said no alcohol was detected in his system after the crash. The family of Jose Castro, the 41-year-old father of two killed in the ferry crash, told the Tampa Bay Times they want justice. "I want this guy to pay for what he did, for what we're going through right now. My family is destroyed," his sister, Sandy Todd, told the newspaper. 🏛️ Florida could soon ban fluoride in drinking water after the House passed a bill yesterday that prevents local governments from using any "water quality additive." It now awaits DeSantis' signature. (Tampa Bay Times)
Yahoo
27-04-2025
- Yahoo
Flight to Ohio forced to deplane after bomb threat
Passengers on a flight bound for Cincinnati had to deplane from their Allegiant flight after an alleged bomb threat on Friday. [DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said the passengers safely deplaned on the taxiway at St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport in Florida due to a 'security threat.' Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri said the flight from Cincinnati had just landed at the airport and was supposed to turn around quickly and return to the city, WTSP, a CBS affiliate in Tampa Bay, reported. TRENDING STORIES: Semi crashes into 3 vehicles before bursting into flames on I-70 Local sergeant found under the influence of alcohol while on duty Check your tickets! Someone won the $1.68 M Powerball Jackpot After passengers boarded the flight and the plane had taxied away from the gate onto the runway, a flight attendant opened the bathroom door and saw a 'very explicit' bomb threat written on the back of the door, Gualtieri said. The pilot was immediately notified, causing the plane to be stopped and the evacuation of the nearly 170 passengers. While the exact threat was not released, the sheriff told media outlets it affected all Allegiant planes at the airport. Bomb dogs were brought out to search at least six Allegiant planes. No evidence of explosive devices was found. No one has been taken into custody, but the sheriff told WTSP that there's a person they were focusing on. The incident caused the airport to close, but it was later reopened. [SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
