Palm Beach County

Edward-ElginFORMER CHIEF DIES

Edward Elgin, former chief of the Riviera Beach Fire Department, is dead. He was 53. Elgin was killed when the single-engine airplane he was flying crashed shortly after taking off from the Marathon Airport in the Florida Keys bound for the Lantana Airport in Palm Beach County.

HOARDER CHARGED

Authorities at the Palm Beach County Animal Care and Control rescued more than 100 animals, including dogs, cats, birds and guinea pigs from the Loxahatchee home of 84-year-old Maria Prows. Some of the animals were ill and Prows may not have been able to provide needed care for them. The Palm Beach County State Attorney’s Office is investigating to determine whether to file animal cruelty charges.

CANINES IN SCHOOLS

Palm Beach County Schools Police has brought back its K9 unit. The highly trained animals will be used to search for missing children, drugs, weapons and other contraband at schools. The K9 unit was phased out several years ago because of the $9,000 cost of each dogs.

Broward County

Cynthia-ImperatoJUDICIAL

HOUSE ARREST

Broward County Circuit Court Judge Cynthia Imperato is serving her 20-day house arrest sentence over her DUI conviction. Imperato, 58, also has to wear an ankle-monitoring bracelet.

Angie-PollockBROWARD’S FIRST

Edna ‘Angie’ Pollock has been promoted to the rank of major at the Broward Schools Police Department. The rank is equal to an assistant chief in other departments. Pollock is now second in command to Chief Anthony Williams.

MOTOROLA CLOSING

Motorola Mobility is closing its research and manufacturing plant in Plantation. Parent company Lenovo is cutting 3,200 jobs worldwide, including some of the 300 positions at the Plantation facility. The news comes as Lenovo announced a 3 percent revenue increase for the quarter totaling $10.7 billion.

Aron-FinkFEIN CHARGED

Aron Fink, 43, of Deerfield Beach is charged with soliciting incestuous sex with a woman and her two under-aged children. As it turns out he was communicating with an undercover police officer assigned to the South Florida Internet Crimes Against Children task force.

Miami-Dade County

NOW HIRINGRichard-Villadiego

Easy Solutions has opened the ROCK, an Anti-Fraud Response Operation Center at its headquarters in Doral. The ROCK protects clients from cyber attacks and fraud. CEO Richard Villadiego says Easy Solutions plans to hire employees in sales and marketing. Staffing is expected to reach 21 employees over the next few months.

Jakyri-FleurimarGUN SAFETY

Jakyri Fleurimar was a 15-year-old star running back and wide receiver at Doral Academy Preparatory in Miami. He and friends were hanging out at a home when one of them found a handgun inside a dresser drawer. Fleurimar was accidentally shot and killed. The 14-year-old suspect faces a manslaughter charge. This amounts to lives being destroyed and one snuffed out. Teaching gun safety is necessary, no exceptions. Even if you don’t own a gun, many people do and children must be informed about the dangers of playing with or handling guns.

Monroe County

POT REPRIEVE

Key West City Commissioners took another step toward decriminalizing small amounts for marijuana possession this week. If approved, the penalty will no longer include criminal arrests, but civil citations and fines for possessing 20 grams or less of marijuana.

RAMSAY RUNNING

Former Marathon Mayor Dick Ramsay, 74, is seeking one of two seats on the city council. He retired about a year ago, but is back in the political game; term limits forced him out. Now he faces off against incumbent Marathon Councilman Mark Senmartin, and challengers Michelle Coldiron, Nick Antonelli, Trish Hintze. The top two finishers will win. Ramsay’s son is Monroe County Sheriff Rick Ramsay. This is will be an interesting race.