Pitbull puppy alone, abandoned in Flagler County, deputies say
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A young pup was found alone, abandoned, and curled up in a ditch at a Flagler County park last week. Named Shelly, she was rescued and rushed to the hospital. Staff said she was covered in bugs, had opened sores and cuts. The Flagler County Sheriff's Office has opened an animal abuse investigation. Officials suspect Shelly may have been used as a "bait dog" in dog fighting. She's receiving around-the-clock care at the hospital. 

Orlando Magic fans still hopeful for playoff appearance
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It was a tough loss for the Orlando Magic, falling to the Philadelphia 76ers. Though, the Magic have one more chance to make the playoffs -- a win against the Charlotte Hornets on Friday night. Despite the loss, Magic fans had a blast cheering the team on. FOX 35's Jonah Karp reports.

Orange County Public Schools cutting 200 jobs
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Orange County Public Schools is cutting its workforce by 3%, or 200 positions, due to continued declines in enrollment and funding. "Over the past several years, our district has experienced sustained enrollment decline, a trend that is expected to continue. This has resulted in significantly reduced funding. In response, we have had to make decisions that reflect our current reality, not the one we wish we were still in," wrote Deputy Superintendent Jose Martinez in a letter send last Sunday, April 12. The reduction will impact the district's SAFE Coordinators, though mental health professionals will still remain at schools. A spokesperson for OCPS said most of the positions were funded positions that had not yet been filled. Others were filled that moved an employee to an unassigned list. In March, OCPS approved the closure of 7 schools: Bonneville Elementary, Chickasaw Elementary, Eccleston Elementary, McCoy Elementary, Meadow Woods Elementary, Orlo Vista Elementary, and Union Park Middle.

'So disgusted': Port Orange residents concerned about canal quality, clean up

Some residents in Port Orange are concerned about the quality of a drainage canal near their homes – and claim that the water quality has declined significantly over the years.

Second Seminole County deputy accused of organized fraud in alleged overtime scheme

A second deputy with the Seminole County Sheriff's Office has been accused of submitting fraudulent overtime time sheets for off-duty assignments not actually worked, the sheriff's office announced late Wednesday night.

'So disgusted': Port Orange residents frustrated with canal quality
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A canal that once drew Port Orange residents for its peaceful views and wildlife, is now at the center of growing concern. Residents who live near the Halifax Canal believe the canal's water quality and conditions have declined over the years. They describe murky water, a decline in wildlife and fish, and collections of trash and debris. They said the quality is so bad that they no longer feel safe swimming or boating in the canal. One resident said he's called the county, but has not been able to get a response. A spokesperson for Volusia County told FOX 35's Chris Lindsay that someone with the Public Works Department plans to visit the canal to access what may be going on.

Lake County: Deputy's bodycam was not on during deadly shooting
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Family and friends of Timotheus Reed, 38, who was shot and killed by Lake County deputies last weekend, demanded answers from the Lake County Sheriff's Office about his death.  Family and friends protested outside the sheriff's office -- and inside it on Wednesday. They've retained attorney Ben Crump. The Lake County Sheriff's Office said in a statement to FOX 35 that the deputy's body camera was not on when the shooting happened because the deputy did not activate his blue lights when responding to the call. The sheriff's office said that was because the deputy was already in the area when the 911 call was made.

Crystal Ballroom Daytona Beach abruptly closes; evicted over $240K in unpaid rent, records show

Crystal Ballroom abruptly closed its wedding venue in Daytona Beach, leaving plenty of couples scrambling for answers, refunds, and to find a new wedding venue, FOX 35 has learned.

NASA leader on moon mission: We're going back for flag, footprints, and to stay
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NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman visited the SUN ‘n FUN Aerospace Expo at the Lakeland Linder International Airport, where he talked about the recent Artemis II mission, as well as the future Artemis III, and Artemis IV missions to the moon.

Records: Crystal Ballroom closes Daytona Beach venue amid $240K in unpaid rent
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Crystal Ballroom abruptly closed its Daytona Beach wedding venue, announcing the news to its clients in an email, leaving them scrambling to find new venues. In that email, which was shared with FOX 35, Crystal Ballroom said refunds would not be an option. Court records show that Crystal Ballroom's Daytona Beach venue was evicted in March after failing to pay more than $240,000 in rent. FOX 35 reached out to the venue's owner. We have yet to receive a response.

2 killed in fast rip current amid lifeguard shortages, officials say
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Two adults were killed in a flash rip current in Cocoa Beach on Tuesday, and two others, including a child, were safely rescued, officials said. It comes during the busy Spring Break season in Florida.  The four people were swimming in an area that was not staffed by a lifeguard. The nearest staffed lifeguard tower was nearly a mile away, officials said. Brevard County said it is short 45 lifeguards, which is requiring some lifeguard towers to remain closed. Some of those lifeguards decided to move to other roles within the county, including joining Brevard County Fire Rescue.

2 dead in Florida beach rip current: Active search for lifeguards underway

Brevard County officials are addressing a lifeguard shortage after two people died in an attempt to save a child caught in a rip current in Cocoa Beach.

Cocoa Beach update on 2 drownings | Full
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FULL PRESS CONFERENCE | In an April 15 press conference, Brevard County officials updated the public on two people who drowned in Cocoa Beach while saving a child caught in a rip current. Officials said the people who died were from out of town. It's not confirmed if they're related to the child. 

Family, friends of stabbing suspect killed by Lake County deputy demand answers

Several protesters lined up outside the Lake County Sheriff's office Wednesday afternoon seeking justice after a stabbing suspect was shot and killed by a deputy over the weekend.

Beach safety: 4 tips to spotting a rip current along Central Florida coast

As dangerous rip current take hold along the Central Florida coast, officials remind swimmers to stay safe by teaching how to spot a rip current and what to do if you're caught in one.

Ulta Beauty show booth catches fire ahead of event at Orange County Convention Center

A fire broke out early Wednesday at the Orange County Convention Center's West Concourse, where the Ulta Beauty World event is scheduled to take place this week, according to officials.

Overturned tractor-trailer shuts down northbound I-75 in Sumter County, FHP says

A tractor-trailer overturned on Interstate 75 in Sumter County early Wednesday morning, causing the northbound lanes to be shut down for hours, according to Florida Highway Patrol.

Florida woman accused of crashing into property, abandoning car
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A 55-year-old woman was arrested after authorities said she crashed into a family’s property and left her damaged car in a backyard. Investigators said the driver ran over plants and struck a parked truck before driving into a backyard, where the vehicle was found with significant damage.