Holiday travelers on alert after new COVID-19 variant detected in South Africa
Holiday travel is ramping up at Orlando International Airport, with many passengers saying they are taking the necessary precautions to prevent any further spread of COVID-19 after news of a new variant being detected in South Africa.
Group wants to remove school resource officers from Lake County Schools
LAKE COUNTY, Fla. โ A group of people gathered outside the Lake County School Board ahead of Mondayโs school board meeting calling for the removal of school resource officers. Lake County resident Cassandra Brown has two daughters; she spoke at the meeting on Monday. โWhen was it OK for that man to pull out a taser and tase a child in front of everyone?โ questioned Aryana Brown from Lake County. AdThe Lake County School Board Chairman said taxpayers recently voted to have more security in schools and theyโve also used the funding for more services. The Lake County Sheriffโs Office said theyโre always working to better bridge the gap with kids and that law enforcement is needed in schools.
Investigation: Florida school resource officers are not required to undergo juvenile-specific training
While juvenile specific training is a requirement for school resource officers in Kissimmee, it is not a statewide requirement. According to state law, school resource officers are required to get โmental health crisis intervention trainingโ, but it does not have to be specific to juveniles. AdNew questions about school resource officers and training are now surfacing after two viral videos. But state lawmakers like Rep. Rene Plasencia do not feel school resource officers are equipped. Plasencia, a former teacher who goes by the nickname โCoach Pโ, saw counties struggle to find qualified school resource officers after the Marjorie Stoneman Douglas Act, laws passed after the school shooting in Parkland which, in part, required a school resource officer in every state public school.
Black sergeant draws on his childhood experiences, training, to ensure fair and impartial policing
And Jones, who is black, said he learned early on how traffic stops can shape opinions of police. They walked away knowing that we do have that professionalism and training here.โSince then, heโs ensured that professionalism and training are front and center at the Lake County Sheriffโs Office. Jones and the Lake County Sheriffโs Office were among the first in Central Florida to participate in the โR.I.T.E.โ Academy - Racial Intelligence Training and Engagement. โThere are a lot of people out there in pain and we donโt always understand their pain,โ Jomes said. Just to be blatantly honest, being a black man I understand a lot of pain.
Estranged husband accused of killing wifeโs dad in murder-suicide in Clermont
CLERMONT, Fla. โ A 39-year-old man drove his car into a Clermont home Wednesday night before he shot and killed his father-in-law and then took his own life, Lake County sheriffโs officials said. The murder-suicide was reported around 7:20 p.m. on Windchime Circle, according to the Sheriffโs Office. Lake County Sheriffโs Office Sgt. Fred Jones identified the estranged husband as Jeffrey Story. Storyโs estranged wife and multiple children were in the home but were not physically harmed, Jones said.
โWe are listening:โ Central Florida law enforcement officers heartbroken by George Floydโs death
LAKE COUNTY, Fla. โ George Floydโs death has impacted the country and the world. [UPDATES: Protests over death of George Floyd continue across the US | Orange County town hall to focus on George Floyd, police and community relations]โI was that 17-year-old who was stopped by the police. โIt bothers me to death,โ Canty said. [RELATED COVERAGE: Orange County leaders explain how they can mend law enforcement-community relationships | Black-owned restaurants you can support in Orlando]He was raised in Pine Hills and is now second in command at the Orange County sheriffs office. Weโre trying to hold our people accountable and know that we are listening, weโve heard the concerns of the community,โ Canty said.
13-year-old killed in Eustis double homicide
LAKE COUNTY, Fla. โ Deputies with the Lake County Sheriffs Office are investigating a double homicide at the intersection of County Road 437 and County Road 44A in Eustis. Deputies said around 3:20 a.m. Saturday a deputy pulled behind what he thought was a disabled vehicle on the side of County Road 437. When deputies walked up to the full-size pickup truck, they discovered two Hispanic males in the bed of the truck deceased. The victims have been identified as 26-year-old Jesus Pantoja and 13-year-old Christopher Gutierrez, both of Apopka. All he wanted to do was be able to provide for them, to give them a better life,โ said Rodriquez.