Florida Keys

Key West man who called 911 arrested over drugs

A Key West man who called 911 three times on Sunday was arrested after deputies allegedly found him with drugs.

Felix Joel Velazquez, 45, of Greenacres, was arrested on July 13 on charges he plotted to kidnap an ex-girlfriend as part of an elaborate attempt to woo her back.

Crime

Stalker accused of bizarre plot to woo doctor — by kidnapping her

Convicted stalker Felix Velazquez hoped the plan to kidnap his former girlfriend would have a happy ending — winning back her affections and bringing about a reconciliation.

Henry Flagler, his town, and the fire

Did Henry Flagler have an explosive secret? Some in Palm Beach County say yes.

Officials work at the scene of a multi-vehicle wreck on Interstate 75 at Paynes Prairie on Sunday, Jan. 29, 2012, south of Gainesville, Fla.

Lives intersect on deadly stretch of Fla. highway

There was a single mom who loved to dance, in the car with a boyfriend who had moved from Virginia to be with her. A pastor and members of his family, originally from Brazil, returning home to Georgia from an Orlando church retreat. A father, his wife and his daughter headed south from the Panhandle for a family funeral. A young man coming home from bowling.

Gossip extra

Ex-kin: Heather Hutchins, adopted girlfriend of John Goodman, is ‘a social person’

In the nationwide hoopla surrounding the adoption in Miami-Dade of his 42-year-old gal pal by troubled polo club owner John Goodman, little attention was paid to his new daughter, Heather Hutchins. Photo Gallery Available

2012 PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN

Obama campaign army ready to take Florida in November

Four years ago, then Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama won Florida with the largest voter mobilization effort ever seen in Florida. This year’s effort could be even greater.

REDISTRICTING

House okays new redistricting map

The House approved new redistricting maps amid opposition from Democrats who said the political boundaries favor Republicans.

Pill mills

Sunny Isles doctor sentenced in pill-mill case

A Sunny Isles doctor was sentenced to six years in federal prison on Friday for his role in a massive scheme to traffic oxycodone through pain clinics in Broward and Palm Beach counties.

Man confesses to teaming with mom to commit car burglaries

A 29-year-old man suspected of pulling a string of car burglaries with his 49-year-old mother as a lookout is in jail today after being picked up by authorities on unrelated charges, Tequesta Police Department spokesman Lt. Jason Turner said Friday.

MARTIN COUNTY

Woman: Big breasts caused me to fail roadside sobriety test

A woman arrested in Jensen Beach for DUI told the cops that her “big boobies” caused her to flunk her sobriety test, NBC 6 reports.

2012 florida legislature

Ethics bill left on cutting room floor of state capitol

Senate President Mike Haridopolos and his staff effectively killed an ethics bill for 2012 by assigning it to five different committees before the beginning of the legislative session.

Unwanted pythons retire in Jupiter after import ban

A retirement home for Burmese pythons has been established in northern Palm Beach County, now that the federal government has banned imports and interstate commerce in the snakes.

Redistricting

Redistricting maps are shuffling Florida’s political landscape

By pitting dozens of incumbents against each other, the new map of the Florida House has set off political dominoes. Video Available

LEGISLATURE

Casino bill appears headed for House defeat

The bill to bring three resort casinos to Florida may have to wait until next year to pass because sponsors don’t appear to have mustered enough votes to get it out of a crucial House committee.

Legislature 2012 | Auto Insurance

PIP insurance reform advances from state Senate committee

The bipartisan measure, which must still pass the full Senate and House, would tweak allowable treatments for those injured in car crashes and strengthen efforts to fight insurance fraud.

In this undated photo released by the International Church of the Restoration in Marietta, Ga., the Carmo family, Adriana, Leticia, 17, Jose Jr. and Lidiane, 15, pose at the church. The Florida Highway Patrol said all but Lidiane died in Sunday's horrific multi-vehicle crash on Interstate 75 near Gainesville in which 11 died.

Interstate 75 crash

Undocumented daughter of I-75 crash victims won’t be deported

Federal immigration officials said Thursday they had no interest in sending a 15-year-old back to Brazil after her parents and relatives died in Sunday’s multi-vehicle accident near Gainesville.

2012 FLORIDA LEGISLATURE

Lawmakers weigh bills to create online sales tax

Florida lawmakers took the first step toward requiring online retailers to collect sales tax on items bought over the Internet.

Teacher accused of using hot sauce to discipline students

A Florida teacher is in hot water for apparently using hot sauce to discipline her special-needs students.

Lottery-winning waitress plans to keep working

If you won a million bucks in the lottery, would you quit your job?

Capitol Buzz: Redistricting, Redistricting, Redistricting

Here’s what we’re watching on Day 24 of the 2012 Legislature:

Florida

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