WOFL - Central Florida News

Happy trails in Leesburg? Some challenge cost of biking and walking paths

Fri, 17 May 2013 22:44:00 EDT

Together, Gardenia Trail and the Leesburg Wildwood Trail provide 3.4 miles of nature trails, 15 feet wide. Both opened In Leesburg on Thursday with a price tag of over $1 million.

UCF student speaks after attack

Fri, 17 May 2013 20:25:00 EDT

University of Central Florida student Kaylyn Martin is struggling to recover. Police said a 20–year-old man she used to date ran into her with a car, and then punched her several times in the face.

Citizens asked to report suspicious behavior through 'iWATCH' anti-terrorism campaign

Fri, 17 May 2013 19:38:00 EDT

Law enforcement agencies in North Central Florida have announced a new initiative designed to help citizens become more comfortable with reporting suspicious behavior.

Police investigate three separate pitbull attacks in Holly Hill

Kelly Joyce — Fri, 17 May 2013 19:19:00 EDT

Anthony Lewis was riding his bike home from work just before 6 a.m. On Friday when he said two pitbulls came out of nowhere.

Roller coaster coming to Daytona Boardwalk

Mike Synan — Fri, 17 May 2013 18:08:00 EDT

The company that has a Ferris wheel on the Boardwalk in Daytona Beach has begun construction on a roller coaster, the city's first.

Opponents of openly gay boy scouts rally in Orange County

Keith Landry — Fri, 17 May 2013 17:56:00 EDT

Opponents of openly gay boy scouts were out on Orange Blossom Trail in full force on Friday afternoon, making their views known.

Central Florida weekend events for May 17-19, 2013

Fri, 17 May 2013 15:02:00 EDT

This weekend presents an opportunity to support a charity, enjoy a pet festival, or cheer on athletes.

Thieves rip safe from wall, steal $1M in jewelry at Cannes Film Festival

The Associated Press — Fri, 17 May 2013 13:06:00 EDT

Thieves ripped a safe from the wall of a hotel room near the Cannes Film Festival and made off with around $1 million worth of jewelry in a brazen late-night burglary, officials said.

Woman struck, killed while trying to cross North OBT

Audrea Huff — Fri, 17 May 2013 11:12:00 EDT

A woman was struck and killed Thursday night as she tried to cross Orange Blossom Trail in Orange County, troopers said.

Bicyclist struck by Lake County deputy's SUV

Audrea Huff — Fri, 17 May 2013 10:55:00 EDT

A Lake County deputy in his work SUV struck and injured a bicyclist in Leesburg early Friday morning.

Trader Joe's at forefront of Central Florida retail development

Melissa Mahadeo — Fri, 17 May 2013 09:16:00 EDT

At the corner of Morse Boulevard and U.S. 17-92 sits a long underused Central Florida retail location -- but it's about to see some sprucing up.

Parents urged to discuss 'stranger danger' after men approach kids

Fri, 17 May 2013 08:21:00 EDT

Authorities are asking Orlando-area parents to be vigilant after two separate incidents in which suspicious men in vans approached children in recent days.

Trooper injured in S.R. 417 crash; pickup driver arrested

Audrea Huff — Fri, 17 May 2013 07:56:00 EDT

A Florida Highway Patrol trooper was injured Thursday night when his patrol car, stopped on the shoulder of State Road 417, was struck by a pickup, the FHP said.

Feds say students can bring pets to college dorm rooms

Thu, 16 May 2013 23:12:00 EDT

For college freshmen who suffer from separation anxiety, you may want to bring your family with you to the dormitory or residence hall.

New clues released in hopes of identifying murdered woman

Holly Bristow — Thu, 16 May 2013 22:56:00 EDT

Crime scene tape marks a wooded area in Zellwood, where some four-wheelers found the remains of a Jane Doe on April 22.

Woman accused of running house of prostitution

Valerie Boey — Thu, 16 May 2013 22:50:00 EDT

An Orlando woman is being held in the Orange County Jail on prostitution charges. Officers said she was operating a business out of her Delaney Park home.

FWC: Fish Orlando app shows maps of lakes

Thu, 16 May 2013 21:00:00 EDT

A new smartphone application allows tourists and residents in central Florida to see maps of major lakes in the area while catching up some fishing tips.

NASA: New pump resolves big space station leak

Thu, 16 May 2013 20:42:00 EDT

NASA says an impromptu spacewalk seems to have fixed a big ammonia leak at the International Space Station.

Florida TaxWatch identifies 'budget turkeys'

Thu, 16 May 2013 20:39:00 EDT

The 2013 Florida TaxWatch Turkey Watch Report, released Thursday, identifies $106.8 million in "Budget Turkeys."

Fox schedule includes '24' return

Thu, 16 May 2013 19:49:00 EDT

Fox is making its largest original-programming investment yet with a crop of 11 new series along with a miniseries from filmmaker M. Night Shyamalan for the 2013-14 season.

Man wakes to find SUV propped on blocks with tires missing

Thu, 16 May 2013 19:40:00 EDT

College Park resident Roger Owens woke up to a nightmare on Thursday morning.

Man charged with attacking wife in staged home invasion, deputies say

Thu, 16 May 2013 16:30:00 EDT

Deputies have arrested the husband of a 27-year-old woman, whose face was slashed Wednesday night by an intruder, thought to be a stranger.

Sanford man secretly taped bathing preteen girl, deputies say

Thu, 16 May 2013 13:42:00 EDT

A Sanford man whom deputies say secretly filmed a pre-teen girl bathing has been charged with possession of child porn and video voyeurism.

Kissimmee firefighter killed in crash with SUV, troopers say

Thu, 16 May 2013 12:53:00 EDT

A Kissimmee firefighter died early Thursday after his motorcycle was struck by an SUV as he exited Interstate 4, authorities said.

Disney employee who is pastor at Sanford church arrested on child porn charge

Holly Bristow — Thu, 16 May 2013 11:18:00 EDT

A 49-year old pastor and former Disney employee was caught last month looking at child porn while on the job, authorities said.

KKK group on fliers: We 'won't stand for our area to be invaded'

Lauren Johnson — Thu, 16 May 2013 11:13:00 EDT

The Orange County Sheriff's Office is investigating a "threat" against a family after a KKK flier was left at their home over the weekend.

Teen wounded in shooting at Florida airport

The Associated Press — Thu, 16 May 2013 08:50:00 EDT

A teen suspect was wounded in a police-involved shooting at Jacksonville International Airport.

FWC, partners rescue injured Florida panther kitten

Thu, 16 May 2013 07:00:00 EDT

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and partners rescued an approximately 9-month-old female Florida panther.

Doctor's son accused of tricking girlfriend into taking abortion drug

The Associated Press — Thu, 16 May 2013 06:57:00 EDT

The son of a Tampa-area fertility doctor is accused of tricking his girlfriend into taking an abortion drug to kill her unborn child, federal authorities say.

Orlando police say woman disappeared after telling friends she had a 'date'

Tiffany Teasley — Thu, 16 May 2013 00:05:00 EDT

Orlando Police say Theresa Hawley, 28, hasn't been seen since Sunday afternoon, after she told her friends she was going out on a date.

UCF students create mind-controlled mini car

Tracy Jacim — Wed, 15 May 2013 23:48:00 EDT

Forget remote-controlled cars. Some students at the University of Central Florida have come up with a way to control a tiny car with their minds!

Disabled veteran beaten at bus top, police say

Valerie Boey — Wed, 15 May 2013 23:37:00 EDT

A disabled veteran said he was injured after being attacked at a bus stop. Roy Rogers says he was already suffering from injuries from when he served in the Army.

Man indicted in cold case murder from 2002

Tracy Jacim — Wed, 15 May 2013 23:21:00 EDT

State Attorney Jeff Ashton on Wednesday announced the first-degree murder indictment of man in what had been considered a cold case homicide.

Pregnant dog thrown out of moving car; unborn puppies and mom rescued

Wed, 15 May 2013 22:41:00 EDT

It's a pile full of precious puppies that almost didn't make it. Someone actually threw the mama dog out a car window.

No charges will be filed against Kiera Wilmot

Ken Suarez — Wed, 15 May 2013 21:41:00 EDT

Wilmot is the Bartow High School student who school officials say took household chemicals, mixed them in a soda bottle on campus, and it all exploded. The Polk State Attorney's Office says it will not file charges against her; now we're waiting to hear how the school will proceed with her case.

Washington Monument getting needed repairs

Wed, 15 May 2013 21:01:00 EDT

The National Park Service released "helmet-cam" video of workers topping off the scaffolding around the monument on Monday.

NFL player and Rockledge alum donates concussion sensors to alma mater

Tom Johnson — Wed, 15 May 2013 20:53:00 EDT

Football came easy for Laurent Robinson somewhere in the middle of his high school career for the Rockledge Raiders.

Fla. insurance fund stronger now for storm season

Wed, 15 May 2013 20:05:00 EDT

Florida is heading into storm season with some good news.

Convicted killer on death row asks for new trial

Mike Synan — Wed, 15 May 2013 19:50:00 EDT

Clemente Aguirre is asking a judge to throw out his conviction and death sentence for murdering two women in Longwood in 2004.

Youth minister, man on honeymoon among those arrested in prostitution sting

Wed, 15 May 2013 17:17:00 EDT

A 45-year-old youth minister from California and a 21-year-old Illinois man who was visiting Orlando for his honeymoon are among dozens arrested in a prostitution sting in Polk County.

Powerball jackpot swells to $350M, third-largest prize ever

Fox News — Wed, 15 May 2013 14:37:00 EDT

The Powerball lottery jackpot has swelled to $350 million after no tickets matched the winning numbers selected during Saturday's drawing, making it the third-largest Powerball prize of all-time.

Woman's Chihuahua snatched by coyote

Holly Bristow — Wed, 15 May 2013 14:04:00 EDT

Cel Lincoln is now on edge every time she walks her pug after her teacup Chihuahua was attacked and taken by a coyote.

Coyote warnings posted in neighborhood where Chihuahua was snatched

Wed, 15 May 2013 13:54:00 EDT

Biologists have posted coyote warning signs around an Orlando neighborhood after one of the animals snatched a Chihuahua a couple of weeks ago.

Beach officials warn of rip currents after man drowns

Wed, 15 May 2013 13:24:00 EDT

Officials are asking beachgoers to be mindful of dangerous rip currents after a 22-year-old man drowned Tuesday at Ponce Inlet, officials said.

Police look into link between burglaries at Miami Heat players' homes

The Associated Press — Wed, 15 May 2013 11:04:00 EDT

Authorities in South Florida are investigating whether there are connections between recent burglaries at the homes of Miami Heat players Chris Bosh and Udonis Haslem.

NTSB: Lower blood alcohol level limit for drunken driving

The Associated Press — Wed, 15 May 2013 09:38:00 EDT

States should cut their threshold for drunken driving by nearly half - from .08 blood alcohol level to .05 - a federal safety board recommended Tuesday.

Missing 90-year-old Orlando woman found safe

Wed, 15 May 2013 08:27:00 EDT

A 90-year-old Orlando woman who was reported missing Tuesday after she failed to meet up with a friend has been found safe, Orlando Police said.

11-year-old Lake City boy dies after being shot by 4-year-old

The Associated Press — Wed, 15 May 2013 08:15:00 EDT

An 11-year-old boy has died after a 4-year-old accidentally shot him in a Lake City apartment, authorities said.

Man's killing, teen son's pistol-whipping still a mystery

Wed, 15 May 2013 07:45:00 EDT

It's been almost 10 months since several masked people kicked in a door at the home of Little League coach John Brennan.

Legoland Florida expansion to open July 3

Wed, 15 May 2013 06:14:00 EDT

Legoland Florida's newest ride and play area will open to the public on July 3.

DCF cracking down on welfare fraud

Mike Synan — Wed, 15 May 2013 05:58:00 EDT

The Florida Department of Children and Families is introducing a new way to combat fraud in welfare benefits.

Seminole County to build massive sports complex for hosting tournaments

Mike Synan — Tue, 14 May 2013 23:11:00 EDT

Seminole County now has 100 acres of land available near Orlando Sanford International Airport to build a massive sports complex.

Washington Nationals plan to leave Space Coast Stadium after lease is up

Tue, 14 May 2013 22:27:00 EDT

The Washington Nationals will be moving their spring training out of Viera, Brevard County officials confirmed with FOX 35 on Tuesday.

Police search for 5 suspects in bold burglary spree caught on cameras

Holly Bristow — Tue, 14 May 2013 21:54:00 EDT

Surveillance cameras recorded a white, 4-door Ford Dually at different convenience stores overnight, which deputies believe was being used as a getaway car in three break-ins.

Candidate says she's endorsed by Jesus

Tue, 14 May 2013 17:13:00 EDT

A Florida mayoral candidate is hoping a little divine intervention gets her ahead on Election Day. That's because she says she has a very big endorsement, from Jesus Christ.

CBO estimates 2013 deficit at $642 billion

Tue, 14 May 2013 16:39:00 EDT

The budget deficit for the current year is projected to come in well below what was estimated just a few months ago, according to a government study released Tuesday.

Zimmerman or Trayvon? Experts differ on 911 call screams

The Associated Press — Tue, 14 May 2013 14:45:00 EDT

Audio experts gave differing opinions on whether screams for help captured on 911 calls were those of neighborhood watch leader George Zimmerman or Trayvon Martin.

Kissimmee man accused of sexually battering 16-year-old girl

Tue, 14 May 2013 14:22:00 EDT

A 55-year-old Kissimmee man is accused of sexually battering a 16-year-old girl multiple times, deputies said.

Central Florida's first breast milk depot to open today

Tue, 14 May 2013 10:25:00 EDT

In a first of its kind for Central Florida, a milk depot is set to open Tuesday, where new mothers can donate breast milk for other infants.

Man found dead in bedroom by his child, Winter Garden Police say

Tue, 14 May 2013 08:53:00 EDT

A 35-year-old man was found dead in his bedroom by his child Friday, police say, in Winter Garden's first murder in more than three years.

Florida college presidents making millions; some perks may violate laws

The Associated Press — Tue, 14 May 2013 07:14:00 EDT

Florida's 28 college presidents are earning millions in salaries and benefits, some of which are in apparent violation of state law.

Casey Anthony says she can't get fair defamation hearing in Orlando

The Associated Press — Tue, 14 May 2013 06:49:00 EDT

Casey Anthony's attorneys say comments made by the judge who presided over her criminal trial raise questions about whether she can get a fair defamation hearing in state court in Orlando.

Newspaper delivery man in Polk shoots suspected attacker

The Associated Press — Tue, 14 May 2013 06:41:00 EDT

A man delivering newspapers in Central Florida shot and wounded a suspected attacker.

Arrest made in stolen grave markers case

Valerie Boey — Tue, 14 May 2013 06:02:00 EDT

A cemetery worker is being held in the Volusia County Jail on grand theft charges. Officers said he stole bronze markers from gravesites.

'Little Free Library' uses honor system to put books in your hands

Tom Johnson — Mon, 13 May 2013 23:32:00 EDT

A Little Free Library is exactly what the name says. They are libraries that are very small and cost you absolutely nothing.

Fla. congressman to press IRS for answers over targeting tea party groups

Keith Landry — Mon, 13 May 2013 23:07:00 EDT

Congress will hold hearings after revelations that agents at the Internal Revenue Service targeted tea party and other conservative groups.

Parents, teachers lobby to keep schools open

Tiffany Teasley — Mon, 13 May 2013 22:54:00 EDT

Dozens of parents and teachers are making one final push to keep four Brevard County Schools open before it's too late.

Puppy survives run-in with a train

Mon, 13 May 2013 22:47:00 EDT

"Lucky" is just 12 weeks old. A Good Samaritan found the Labrador mix limping around an industrial area in Miami.

Vehicle sales OK in Winter Park for now

Mike Synan — Mon, 13 May 2013 21:28:00 EDT

The City of Winter Park has decided it will allow the sale of vehicles in its downtown area for at least 5 more years.

Prosecutors: Martin's pot smoking irrelevant

Mon, 13 May 2013 17:56:00 EDT

Florida prosecutors say Trayvon Martin's troubles at school and his marijuana smoking should not be talked about at George Zimmerman's trial.

Lockdown lifted at Orlando middle school; loaded magazine found in trash

Mon, 13 May 2013 14:48:00 EDT

A lockdown was lifted at an Orlando middle school Monday afternoon after authorities investigating a tip about a possible gun on campus found a loaded magazine in a trash can, police said.

1 killed, 3 kids critical in head-on crash in Poinciana

Audrea Huff — Mon, 13 May 2013 13:13:00 EDT

Three young children were critically injured and a man was killed in a head-on crash Sunday morning in Poinciana, deputies said. Two others were injured.

Standoff with suspect forces Kissimmee motel guests from rooms

Mon, 13 May 2013 08:41:00 EDT

Guests of a Kissimmee motel were forced to evacuate the property early Monday after an aggravated stalking suspect barricaded himself in a room, authorities said.