FOR THE RECORD
The nonprofit Citizens Awareness Foundation (CAF) has filed hundreds of public records requests with governmental agencies and private companies that do business with them. Their voluminous requests are often ignored, prompting public records lawsuits. Many are settled involving cash payments. Now there are questions whether CAF abuses the state’s open government laws to collect settlements and is not interested in any records. Stay tuned, this one is heating up fast.
Palm Beach County
ILLEGAL RECRUITING
John Thomas McDonald II, a recruiter with the U.S. Army, is facing charges after sending nude photos of himself to a student he met during a recruiting visit to Royal Palm Beach High School. Authorities allege he sent text messages to the girl, detailing sex acts he wanted to perform, along with pictures of his private parts. Wonder who recruited him?
HUNGRY THIEF
Alan Keystone, 45, of Boca Raton walked out of a Publix Supermarket without paying for $450 worth of lobsters and steaks. When confronted in the parking lot, Keystone admitted to stealing from the store in the past, but merely forgot to pay that time, according to the police report. No one was fooled by his ridiculous story and he was taken into custody on shopping lifting charges.
WALMART STABBING
Kimberly A. Polese, 45, got into a fight with a man in a Walmart parking lot and ended up stabbing him in the side. She is now charged and the Jupiter police are continuing their investigation. It remains unclear what led to the altercation. The unidentified victim is expected to survive his injuries.
Broward County
DEFEATED
Broward County Judge Ian Richards, one of a few blacks on the bench in this county, has lost his reelection bid to attorney Claudia Robinson. The race was close, but Robinson edged out Richards by 541 votes following a recount.
CHILD ABUSE
Cherline Saint Louis, 26, of North Lauderdale is charged with multiple child abuse related counts after she allegedly disciplined her 5-year-old stepson with a belt after the boy vomited on a bathroom floor. According to the arrest report, teachers reported the incident after seeing bruises and swelling over the child’s body. He was taken to a hospital for treatment, where a doctor identified more than 100 welts and other injuries to his body.
Miami-Dade County
WILL IT END?
Miami Police are investigating yet another shooting in Miami’s Liberty City community. Four people were shot in the 1300 block of NW 55th Street this weekend, one of whom was pronounced dead upon arrival at the hospital. Police are investigating and asking anyone with information to call the department’s homicide unit at 305-603-6350.
FPL LAWSUIT
A lawsuit has been filed against Florida Power & light over the Oct. 27th electrocution death of 17-year-old Jesus Meneses, who died after entering one of the company’s high-powered substations located next to Miami’s Kinloch Park. Meneses jumped the fence to retrieve a basketball. The lawsuit alleges FPL was aware that balls routinely landed inside the station and that kids would jump the fence to retrieve them, but took no action.
TAKING A TOLL
After eight years of work and controversy, Miami-Dade County has done away with all cash tolls and booths and replaced them with the electronic payment system. The final two roadways to be converted this week were the Dolphin Expressway (836) and the Airport Expressway (112). Drivers will now be billed anytime they enter any toll roads in the county, via Sun Pass or pay-by-plate, where the bill is sent in the mail.
Monroe County
TOUGH LUCK
Jesus Barreto and Shean Palmer, both 23, are accused of breaking into a truck and stealing cash and rare coins in the wee hours of the morning. Later that same day they allegedly took the loot to Joe’s Pawn Shop in Marathon to sell. As it turned out, the victim was an employee at the pawn shop and recognized his property. When confronted, the suspects fled, but were arrested a short distance away.
STRUCK & KILLED
Damian Haines, 54, of Fort Lauderdale was struck and killed after being hit by three vehicles on the Overseas Highway at mile marker 59. Haines was taking part in the Smart Ride bicycle race from Miami to Key West to benefit AIDS research and was hit while crossing the highway on foot. He was the founder of Mark’s List tourist website.
FAREWELL
Outgoing Marathon Mayor Dick Ramsay thanked residents for electing him and said goodbye. He faced term limits after winning three consecutive elections. Ramsey has been appointed to serve on the city’s Planning Commission.
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