Turtles rescued from alleged smuggler now in Florida
A handful of Gulf Coast Box Turtles were found stuffed in socks in an alleged attempt to smuggle them from New York to China, officials said. Those turtles have been brought to the Brevard Zoo in Florida to heal and be rehabilitated before eventually being released back into the wild.
Where is the money from Deltona Mayor's Winter Ball going?
Questions are being raised about a Winter Ball hosted by Deltona Mayor Mayor Santiago Avila, Jr. The event was advertised by the mayor, and posted on the City of Deltona's social media page. However, the City of Deltona said the event had no connection to the city, wasn't organized or funded by the city. Questions are also being raised about where proceeds from the event would go and who they would benefit.
Seabreeze students confront alleged scammer at airport
Volusia Sheriff Mike Chitwood and members of Seabreeze High School met Robert Goodwin at Daytona Beach International Airport, who was flown from California to Florida, to face charges of fraud and money laundering. Goodwin is accused of defrauding more than 100 students at Seabreeze High School who hired Goodwin's company to plan a class trip to Europe.
'You're a scumbag': Students confront alleged travel agent scammer
Volusia Sheriff Mike Chitwood and members of Seabreeze High School met Robert Goodwin at Daytona Beach International Airport, who was flown from California to Florida, to face charges of fraud and money laundering. Goodwin is accused of defrauding more than 100 students at Seabreeze High School who hired Goodwin's company to plan a class trip to Europe.
No more tolls for Florida residents? DeSantis floats the idea
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis suggested eliminating toll road fees for Florida residents at a recent meeting, letting tourists and visitors pay those fees. It's an idea now. Florida Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia said a policy discussion has to take place first. It's just an idea for now, but all drivers FOX 35 talked to on Thursday liked the idea.
Sanford officer bonds out of jail after arrest on fraud charge
A former Sanford Police Officer posted bond and was released from jail, hours after he was arrested on nearly 80 charges related to an alleged fraud scheme. Ronny Neal allegedly collected an unknown amount of money -- 'at least five figures' -- in false off-duty work from the City of Sanford, prosecutors allege.
Man cashed 38 checks, stole $33K from Florida senior: Deputies
A man has been arrested, accused of cashing nearly 40 checks totaling more than $33,000 that was unknowingly drawn from a senior's bank account, an arrest report and law enforcement confirmed to FOX 35. Elias Staker, 49, of Cape Canaveral was booked into jail on 38 counts of uttering forged checks and one count of scheme to defraud.
6-year-old boy hit by SUV in Orange County, hospitalized
A 6-year-old boy was critically injured Wednesday after he was hit by a car in Orange County, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. A 6-year-old boy was critically injured Wednesday after he was hit by a car in Orange County, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
NASCAR champion Greg Biffle, family, dead in plane crash
NASCAR champion Greg Biffle and his family were among those who died in a plane crash in North Carolina on Thursday as they were traveling to Sarasota. The plane crashed around 10:15 a.m. at Statesville Regional Airport, killing seven people. NASCAR released a statement calling Biffle “more than a champion driver, … a beloved member of the NASCAR community.”
Gov. Ron Desantis suggests eliminating tolls for Florida residents
During a cabinet meeting Wednesday, DeSantis floated the idea of ending tolls for Florida residents to give them a "break."
Traffic Alert: Crash on I-4 east causes major slowdowns in Orange County
A crash has caused traffic backups on I-4 eastbound near Florida's Turnpike in Orange County.
Road washed out by floods to reopen soon
Lake County officials say Wolf Branch Road will reopen this weekend. A section of the road was washed out by floods in October.
Orlando weather: Cloudy Thursday as rain chances increase
A mild Thursday, with cloudy skies and scattered showers across Central Florida.
Accused travel scammer to face victims in Volusia County
Robert Goodwin, accused of defrauding high school students and their families of more than $400,000, is set to be extradited to Volusia County to face his accusers. Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood said authorities are prepared to greet Goodwin upon his arrival.
Lake Mary Rams honored after historic state football win
The city of Lake Mary and its high school turned out in force Wednesday to celebrate the Rams’ first state championship football victory.
AI security company opens monitoring hub in downtown Orlando
An artificial intelligence–based security company has expanded its operations into Central Florida, opening a new monitoring hub in downtown Orlando. The hub is designed to support real-time weapons detection at high-traffic facilities nationwide.
Anna Kepner: Custody hearing sheds light on family tensions
Family members of Anna Kepner, a teenager found dead aboard a cruise ship, returned to court Wednesday for a custody hearing that offered new insight into tensions within the blended family, as investigators continue to examine her death.
Teen’s holiday toy drive delivers hundreds of gifts to children
A holiday toy drive led by a Central Florida teenager marked its most successful year yet with the delivery of hundreds of toys to young patients at a children’s hospital, organizers said. Seventeen-year-old Teddy Pentz delivered 475 toys on Wednesday to Orlando Health Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children as part of Teddy's Giant Heart Project.
Alex Lopez found guilty of murdering Leesburg store clerk
A Florida man was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for the fatal shooting of a convenience store clerk in Leesburg last year, authorities said. A jury took about three hours to find Alex Lopez guilty in the killing of 51-year-old Raied "Ray" Shihadeh, who was shot during a robbery in which less than $100 was taken.
Cocoa veterans center threatened by termites gets help
A nonprofit veterans center in Cocoa, which was on the brink of closing due to severe termite damage, has begun repairs after community support surged following media coverage of its plight.