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ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) _ The mother of a Walt Disney World monorail pilot killed last year accuses her son's former boss of leaving his post and creating a dangerous situation.
In court papers filed this week, Austin Wuennenberg's mother accuses a monorail manager of creating a dangerous situation by taking an on-duty meal break with other workers and leaving the monorail control tower unstaffed.
Wuennenberg was killed in July 2009 when two monorails collided. His mother filed a lawsuit earlier this year.
Christine Wuennenberg says the manager didn't tell her son or other pilots that no one was going to be monitoring the monorails directly. If someone had been, Wuennenberg says, they could have used video monitors to see that a collision was coming.
Disney spokeswoman Zoraya Suarez would not comment on the specific allegations made by the monorail pilot's mother.
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In the wake of Hurrican Earl, Volusia County beach officials warn vacationers about getting caught in the rip current.
"It's definitely big and dangerous," said spokesman Scott Peterson.
Compared to yesterday, it's a lot less windy and a lot less choppy, but today the surf is actually bigger, Peterson said.
The size of the surf is expected to die down, but when it does, it will make it easier for people to get out in the ocean and get caught in the rip currents, which is something officials are worried about.
This weekend, expecting heavy crowds, the beach will have nearly 80 lifeguard towers open.
Right now the beach driving areas are closed, but officials say they will be reopened for the labor day weekend crowd.
The waves have caused a high tide, rising up to the sea wall, which could also be a danger for the nesting sea turtles.
"The big surf has washed up a lot of the new hatchlings that have already swam out into the ocean," Peterson said.
"We've retrieved dozens of turtles over the past couple days and taken them to the Marine Science Center at Ponce Inlet, and they will be released later after the storm goes by," Peterson added.
But, not everyone is worried about the surf. More than a thousand surfers are headed into Central Florida for the National Kidney Foundation's 25th annual Pro Am Surf Festival and they are beyond excited. Check out that story here.
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JUPITER ISLAND, Fla. (AP) _ Fresh off his divorce, Tiger Woods has taken out a $54.5 million mortgage on his Florida waterfront estate.
Mortgage documents filed last month in Martin County show Woods will make payments to an entity called JRD Florida Ventures LLC. That is a Virginia company whose registered agent is an attorney with the firm that represented Woods' ex-wife, Elin Nordegren, in their divorce.
No details of the divorce settlement have been made public. The documents say Woods will pay the mortgage in full by January 2016.
The mortgage's existence was previously reported by several media outlets. Attorneys for Woods and his ex-wife declined comment Thursday. Woods and Nordegren divorced August 23rd..
Mortgage documents filed last month in Martin County show Woods will make payments to an entity called JRD Florida Ventures LLC. That is a Virginia company whose registered agent is an attorney with the firm that represented Woods' ex-wife, Elin Nordegren, in their divorce.
No details of the divorce settlement have been made public. The documents say Woods will pay the mortgage in full by January 2016.
The mortgage's existence was previously reported by several media outlets. Attorneys for Woods and his ex-wife declined comment Thursday. Woods and Nordegren divorced August 23rd..
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TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) _ Lawton "Bud'' Chiles is throwing his support to Democrat Alex Sink in the Florida governor's race.
Chiles told WDBO, "While she and I may have some differences, I know she will wake up every morning determined to do what's right for Floridians."
He added, "As long as that's the case, I know Florida will be moving in the right direction."
Sink joined Chiles for a news conference Thursday in Tallahassee to formally announce he is dropping his independent candidacy.
Chiles said he and Sink, now Florida's chief financial officer, never discussed whether he might have a role in her administration if she defeats Republican newcomer Rick Scott.
"I felt confident from our discussions that the things that I've been saying in my campaign, I can say and leave with her," said Chiles.
Chiles is the son of the late ``Walkin' Lawton'' Chiles, a Democratic icon as Florida's governor and a U.S. senator. The younger Chiles ran as an independent due to frustration with the influence of money on both parties.
He says he's dropping out, though, because he doesn't believe he can raise enough money to win.
Chiles told WDBO, "While she and I may have some differences, I know she will wake up every morning determined to do what's right for Floridians."
He added, "As long as that's the case, I know Florida will be moving in the right direction."
Sink joined Chiles for a news conference Thursday in Tallahassee to formally announce he is dropping his independent candidacy.
Chiles said he and Sink, now Florida's chief financial officer, never discussed whether he might have a role in her administration if she defeats Republican newcomer Rick Scott.
"I felt confident from our discussions that the things that I've been saying in my campaign, I can say and leave with her," said Chiles.
Chiles is the son of the late ``Walkin' Lawton'' Chiles, a Democratic icon as Florida's governor and a U.S. senator. The younger Chiles ran as an independent due to frustration with the influence of money on both parties.
He says he's dropping out, though, because he doesn't believe he can raise enough money to win.
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At a news conference organized by self-identified gang members Thursday morning, several speakers complained that Chicago police and city officials do not respect them, and that the only way to curb violence is to provide jobs and improve their community. GRAND ISLE, La. (AP) - An offshore oil rig has exploded in the Gulf of Mexico, west of the site of the April blast that caused the massive oil spill.
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Republican gubernatorial nominee Rick Scott named Jacksonville state Rep. Jennifer Carroll as his running mate Thursday.
A new poll is out in the Governor's race, the first since independent Bud Chiles dropped out.
Hurricane Earl couldn't come at a better time for organizers of a Labor Day weekend surfing competition in Cocoa Beach.
LOS ANGELES (AP) - Authorities say Rapper T.I. and wife Tameka Cottle have been arrested on drug charges after police smelled alleged marijuana coming from their car.
YEEHAW JUNCTION, Fla. (AP) - A woman and her 2-year-old son have died after a tractor-trailer crushed their pickup truck in central Florida.
The NFL is currently investigating a sex tape of New England Patriot rookie and former Gator star Brandon Spikes.
HUTCHINSON ISLAND, Fla. -- An abandoned boat carrying about 1,100 pounds of marijuana drifted ashore on a Treasure Coast island.
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) _ Florida House Speaker Larry Cretul has ended speculation over a special legislative session on the Gulf of Mexico oil spill by declaring there's no need for one.
Hurricane Earl continues to barrel toward the Eastern Seaboard as forecasters try to pinpoint exactly how close the strongest winds and heaviest surge will get to North Carolina's fragile chain of barrier islands.
The state supreme court took three amendments off the November ballot, smacking down what some called an attempt by the state legislature to deceive voters.
... continue reading Supreme court removes 3 amendments. 
A man awaiting his murder trial was found dead, hanging from his bed sheet inside his jail cell Wednesday morning. Christopher Jodon was arrested last month after police accused him of stabbing his former girlfriend, Jackie Miller, to death. Volusia County Sheriffs arrested 44-year-old Jodon after he disabled Miller's car by ramming it along I-4 near Lake Helen, and then proceeded to stab her to death.
Jordan was being housed in a segregation unit at the Volusia County Branch Jail in Daytona Beach while awaiting his trial. Corrections officers found him hanging from a bed sheet. The officers performed CPR on Jodon, before paramedics arrived to take over,
transporting Jodon to the Halifax Health Medical Center in Daytona Beach.
He was pronounced dead at approximately 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, according to police.
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Democratic Congressman Alan Grayson says he won't debate Republican nominee Dan Webster unless lesser known candidates are allowed to attend. That includes the Florida TEA Party's Peg Dunmire.
... continue reading Expert: Alan Grayson debate demands about politics. SILVER SPRING, Md. (AP) _ Police say they have shot an armed man who took three people hostage in the Discovery Channel network's headquarters in suburban Washington. All of the hostages are safe.
Montgomery County Police Chief Thomas Manger says he does not know whether police killed the gunman, who was upset about the network's programming.
They spent about three hours negotiating with him after he burst into the suburban Washington building about 1 p.m. waving a handgun and with canisters strapped to his body.
Police had not confirmed whether the canisters were explosives.
Montgomery County Police Chief Thomas Manger says he does not know whether police killed the gunman, who was upset about the network's programming.
They spent about three hours negotiating with him after he burst into the suburban Washington building about 1 p.m. waving a handgun and with canisters strapped to his body.
Police had not confirmed whether the canisters were explosives.
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ABC News is identifying the gunman holding hostage in the Discovery Channel headquarters as James Lee. It is also said that Lee created the website savetheplanetprotest.com, where he hosts his extreme environmental views on his blog titled, "My Demands."
In the blog, Lee says, "The Discovery Channel MUST broadcast to the world their commitment to save the planet..." He then tells Discovery Channel to immediately follow his list of 11 things he wants done.
First on the list, Lee says "The Discovery Channel and it's affiliate channels MUST have daily television programs at prime time slots based on Daniel Quinn's "My Ishmael" pages 207-212 where solutions to save the planet would be done in the same way as the Industrial Revolution was done, by people building on each other's inventive ideas."
He also demands all programs promoting war to cease. And, global warming and saving the economy are just a few things he wants taken care of.
His final demand for the Discovery Channel, "You're also going to find solutions for unemployment and housing."
In the blog, Lee says, "The Discovery Channel MUST broadcast to the world their commitment to save the planet..." He then tells Discovery Channel to immediately follow his list of 11 things he wants done.
First on the list, Lee says "The Discovery Channel and it's affiliate channels MUST have daily television programs at prime time slots based on Daniel Quinn's "My Ishmael" pages 207-212 where solutions to save the planet would be done in the same way as the Industrial Revolution was done, by people building on each other's inventive ideas."
He also demands all programs promoting war to cease. And, global warming and saving the economy are just a few things he wants taken care of.
His final demand for the Discovery Channel, "You're also going to find solutions for unemployment and housing."
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MIAMI (AP) _ Democratic gubernatorial candidate Alex Sink outlined her education reform plan, calling for stronger pre-K programs, higher graduation rates and performance-based compensation for teachers.
The CFO told a group of educators, students and officials at Miami Dade College on Wednesday that Florida needs a comprehensive plan that will prepare students to compete in a global economy.
Sink said the state needs to develop a dropout early warning system and alternative learning opportunities that lead at-risk students to jobs after graduation.
She also said the state should work to reverse cuts in education funding as the economy recovers.
Sink is running against Republican business entrepreneur Rick Scott and independent Lawton ``Bud'' Chiles.
The CFO told a group of educators, students and officials at Miami Dade College on Wednesday that Florida needs a comprehensive plan that will prepare students to compete in a global economy.
Sink said the state needs to develop a dropout early warning system and alternative learning opportunities that lead at-risk students to jobs after graduation.
She also said the state should work to reverse cuts in education funding as the economy recovers.
Sink is running against Republican business entrepreneur Rick Scott and independent Lawton ``Bud'' Chiles.
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DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- A man dropping off ads for a pizza place is suspected of attacking a woman inside Daytona Beach hotel Wednesday.
The attack happened inside of the Conch House on N. Atlantic Avenuen and guests said they woke up early Wednesday morning to a woman screaming for help.
See the rest of the story from WFTV here.
The attack happened inside of the Conch House on N. Atlantic Avenuen and guests said they woke up early Wednesday morning to a woman screaming for help.
See the rest of the story from WFTV here.
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SILVER SPRING, Md. (AP) _ Police in a Washington, D.C., suburb say a gunman has taken at least one person hostage at the headquarters of Discovery Communications.
Montgomery County fire department spokesman Capt. Oscar Garcia says three bomb technicians responded to the scene in Silver Spring, Md., and several more are on their way.
Garcia says the initial report was of a suspicious package that was possibly explosive. He says nobody has been injured. Some employees have left the building.
Montgomery County Police Cpl. Dan Friz tells WJLA-TV that a gunman is in the building.
A person inside the building tells The Associated Press the man had something strapped to his chest and has hostages. The person asked not to be identified, saying people inside have been told not to speak to the media.
ATF and FBI officials say they are also responding.
Montgomery County fire department spokesman Capt. Oscar Garcia says three bomb technicians responded to the scene in Silver Spring, Md., and several more are on their way.
Garcia says the initial report was of a suspicious package that was possibly explosive. He says nobody has been injured. Some employees have left the building.
Montgomery County Police Cpl. Dan Friz tells WJLA-TV that a gunman is in the building.
A person inside the building tells The Associated Press the man had something strapped to his chest and has hostages. The person asked not to be identified, saying people inside have been told not to speak to the media.
ATF and FBI officials say they are also responding.
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After attempted to steal four vehicles, five Orlando men were taken into custody after a police chase on I-4 early Wednesday morning, according to Volusia County Police.
Around 3 a.m. five males slipped into the secured parking lot of 1300 block on Indian Lake Road, Manheim Auto Auction, near Daytona Beach.
A security guard spotted a suspicious vehicle driving around in the parking lot and called 911. Then, the guards saw four vehicles line up at the exit. The drivers revved their engines, prompting the guards to open the gates.
When the guards refused to open the gates, the drivers panicked, driving around the lot to look for another way out. After a driver wrecked one of the vehicles by hitting a parked Nissan Pathfinder, the frustrated men got out of the vehicles and hopped a nearby fence.
Fleeing in their get away car, the suspects got onto I-4, and deptuties followed using stop sticks to deflate some of the tires. But, that didn't stop the driver, he kept traveling even with a helicopter in pursuit overhead.
The car exited the interstate to State Road 44 heading toward I-95. Positioned in the vehicle's path were New Smyrna Beach police officers.
The five Orlando men were then taken into custody and transported to the Volusia County Branch Jail.
All men were charged with commercial burglary, four counts of auto theft, and criminal mischief, among other charges, according to police.
The vehicles, worth a combined total of $80,000, were a 2010 Nissan Murano, two 2010 Nissan Maximas, and a 2009 Infiniti G37 coupe, according to police.
Around 3 a.m. five males slipped into the secured parking lot of 1300 block on Indian Lake Road, Manheim Auto Auction, near Daytona Beach.
A security guard spotted a suspicious vehicle driving around in the parking lot and called 911. Then, the guards saw four vehicles line up at the exit. The drivers revved their engines, prompting the guards to open the gates.
When the guards refused to open the gates, the drivers panicked, driving around the lot to look for another way out. After a driver wrecked one of the vehicles by hitting a parked Nissan Pathfinder, the frustrated men got out of the vehicles and hopped a nearby fence.
Fleeing in their get away car, the suspects got onto I-4, and deptuties followed using stop sticks to deflate some of the tires. But, that didn't stop the driver, he kept traveling even with a helicopter in pursuit overhead.
The car exited the interstate to State Road 44 heading toward I-95. Positioned in the vehicle's path were New Smyrna Beach police officers.
The five Orlando men were then taken into custody and transported to the Volusia County Branch Jail.
All men were charged with commercial burglary, four counts of auto theft, and criminal mischief, among other charges, according to police.
The vehicles, worth a combined total of $80,000, were a 2010 Nissan Murano, two 2010 Nissan Maximas, and a 2009 Infiniti G37 coupe, according to police.
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Lawyers for the NAACP Legal Defense Fund have filed an appeal to a ruling by a federal judge that ended a decades long desegregation lawsuit against Orange County Public Schools.
... continue reading Will Orange Co. honor agreement on minority schools?. RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) - Federal officials say Hurricane Earl's effect on the East Coast will depend on when it makes its expected turn to the northeast near North Carolina's Outer Banks.
The French national railway is being scrutinized by Holocaust survivors for its involvement in transporting Jews and others to Nazi death camps during World War II.
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) - The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs wants to build two more national cemeteries in Florida.
HAGERSTOWN, Md. (AP) - A lawyer for the Army private charged with giving classified material to WikiLeaks says his client has mental health problems that could avert a court-martial.
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