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BOURUSIA COUNTY, Fla. (WFLA) – A man who owns a travel agent has been accused of scaming more than 100 Florida students out of the $400,000, the Volusia Sheriff’s Office has announced. After 104 Seabreeze High School students and chaperone were scamled from $400,000, detectives issued a warrant to Robert Goodwin, 56, the owner of a Massachusetts travel agency. VSO said. After international travel was cancelled without a refund, an investigation into Stone and Compass Travel began in May 2024, and the state’s attorney’s office introduced the case to VSO. Students and Chaperones signed up for an agency in 2023…

The House Selection Committee on Property Tax, held in Tallahassee, reviewed presentations from several groups on topics about how property tax works and how Homestead exemptions apply. Dr. Jim Zinger, executive director of the Florida Department of Revenue (FDOR), showed the committee how local property taxes affect education funding. Zingale provides a short history of the Florida Educational Finance Program (FEFP), noting that nearly 50% of FEFP’s funds come from property taxes. Dr. Zingale shared concerns faced by many counties. This is the property tax gap between small and large financially constrained counties. Amy Baker, an economist at the Congressional…

With the eerie season coming, it’s time to dust the real spider webs on the attic fake spider webs and other boxes of Halloween decorations. We are scrutinizing Central Florida for the best-dressed homes and frontline lawns of a decorated Halloween home. The focus is on Orange, Seminole, Lake and Osceola County homes, but entries from certain areas of Polk and Volsia Counties may also be considered. Supooky Awards 2024: Best-dressed Halloween Homes in Orlando Additional points are given to houses that are particularly bright, large or have handmade displays. To be considered, please submit your home (or a friend…

Recent polls from related industries at the Florida (AIF) Center for Political Strategy show that most voters on both sides of the political spectrum are pulling back compensation amounts for personal injury trial lawyers. Voters supported the lawyer’s fees in 20% of the funds awarded to plaintiffs, allowing the plaintiff to retain most of the damages they have won, reducing the incentive for lawyers to file frivolous lawsuits. 83% of Florida voters support paying out of control lawsuits with the support of a majority from GOP voters (86%), Democrats (79%) and independents (82%). Regarding Florida’s demographic collapse, 85% of white…

It’s always about the weather, isn’t it? It’s why many of us live in Florida. It’s why so many visitors come here every year, to enjoy the beach and the golf courses and skip out on the snowstorms that pummel their hometowns. It’s also why the good people of Munich, Germany, home of Oktoberfest, the world’s largest beer and folk festival, which draws more than six million visitors annually and has spawned knockoff events in dozens of nations around the globe, moved the party, literally named for the month in which it was born, to September. “The days are longer,”…

MIAMI — More than 120 employees will lose their jobs once the Miami Seaquarium closes later this year and finishes its 70-year run at one of South Florida’s most famous tourist attractions. See the following article: Theme Parks and Resorts, Trend News According to a report from the South Florida Business Journal, Miami developer Terra has agreed to purchase marine park rental rights from the US Bankruptcy Court for $22.5 million. The company plans to redevelop Virginia’s key properties into a complex project featuring a marina, event space, dry docks, education centers and a new saltwater aquarium. According to a…

STARK, Fla. (AP) — A man convicted of murdering a couple during a 1990 robbery in South Florida, died Tuesday in the state’s record 13th execution. Victor Tony Jones, 64, was declared dead at 6:13pm after a fatal injection at the Florida State Jail near Stark. Jones’ death extended the Florida record for a year, and the state planned to carry out two more executions next month. Curtains to the viewing room were opened at the start of the scheduled 6pm procedure. When asked if he had a final statement, Joan said, “No, sir.” Then the medicine started to flow.…

TALHASSEE, Fla. (WFLA) – A Florida Highway Patrol trooper died of complications caused by a leg injury suffered while providing security at a college football game. Senior True Park Raiggaines passed away on September 19th, about two weeks after being injured in a Florida A&M University football game. Officials said Gaines will be assigned as the primary security for head coach James Colsey III and will travel regularly with the team for the away game. “Not an isolated incident”: There are reports of injuries after the death of the epic space coaster, lawyers say Senior True Park Raiggaines (credit: FOP…

TALHASSEE, Fla. (WFLA) — Florida is now one step closer to becoming the home of President Trump’s future libraries. The Florida Cabinet gave Miami-Dade College a green light to place Trump’s future presidential library land. There were several pushbacks while Florida Republicans deployed welcome mats for the president. Not only are those protesting in Miami, but Democrats from the Capitol.Tuesday’s vote comes after the Miami-Dade College Board approved the land transfer and the state has been able to manage what is currently being used as a parking lot for employees. The nearly three acres of property is located right next…

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) – Norovirus outbreak has been reported on a cruise ship currently heading for Florida. According to Cruise Mapper, Royal Caribbean oceans departed San Diego on September 19th and stopped at several South American ports. It will be docked in Miami on Thursday. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that 71 (3.79%) of the 1,874 passengers have been ill from the norovirus. One of the 883 (0.11%) crew members has been reported to be ill. According to the CDC, people affected by the disease have experienced vomiting and diarrhea. In response to the outbreak, Royal…