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Articles by Lydia Hamel
Downtown Orlando fights back to end violence
From 2015-2024, there have been 66 mass shootings in Central Florida, and seven of those shootings have taken place in 2024 and 12 in 2023, according to WKMG News 6. One cause of these shootings may be attributed to the permitless carry law that was passed April 3, 2023 by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis.
17-year-old Halloween shooting suspect to be charged as an adult
Andrew Bain, state attorney, announced in a press conference Monday morning that a 17-year-old accused of a shooting in downtown Orlando, which killed two men and injured eight others, will be charged as an adult.
UCF police officer reflects on his UCFPD journey and beyond
Now UCF Police Department Cpl. James Roop was speeding through a small rural town in Washington County, Ind. in his Mustang GT in 1988 when a state trooper clocked him at 75 mph in a 55 mph zone. When the officer asked why he was in such a rush, his response was nothing less than ironic. “I was actually on my way to the police station before you closed to apply for a job,” Roop said. Even though Roop did not get the job that day, little did he know that police work would become his destiny.
UCFPD continues to monitor Hurricane Milton as it intensifies
On Monday, the National Hurricane Center determined Hurricane Milton to be explosively intensifying into a Category 5 hurricane with winds reaching 180 mph as it approaches Florida’s West Coast, predicted to make landfall Wednesday night or early Thursday morning. Buddy Dyer, Orlando mayor, has declared a state of emergency for the Orlando area until further notice, according to press release published Monday by the City of Orlando.
The number of reported rapes on UCF's main campus decreased in 2023, while fondling crimes significantly increased, according to UCF's annual Security and Fire Safety Report. The report, published Sept. 30, showed 25 reported rapes in 2022, compared to 18 in 2023. Fondling, which is defined as touching private body parts of another person for the purpose of sexual gratification without their consent, was reported 23 times on campus in 2023, with eight reports made in 2022.
UCFPD expected to remain on campus during Hurricane Helene
The UCF Police Department is expected to continue operations as normal Thursday, according to Amanda Sellers, UCF public safety communications manager. Gov. Ron DeSantis declared Orange County to be in a state of emergency due to Hurricane Helene approaching Florida’s Gulf Coast. Hurricane Helene, which has strengthened into a Category 4 hurricane, is set to hit Florida Thursday evening, according to the National Weather Service.
UCFPD hosts Coffee with a Cop to shine light on Campus Safety Awareness Month
An array of colorful donuts and freshly brewed coffee filled the lobby Thursday as the UCF Police Department hosted a Coffee with a Cop event at the Dr. Phillips Academic Commons building. Events like Coffee with a Cop foster a safe and welcoming environment for students, said Amanda Sellers, UCF public safety communications manager. They also allow the police to meet the community and inform them about the programs they offer, she said.
OCFRD and UCFPD respond gas leak on main campus
UCFPD and Orange County Fire Rescue gathered at the Physical Science building on UCF's main campus Tuesday afternoon in response to reports of an "odor" in the hallway, according to Amanda Sellers, UCF public safety communications manager. Five OCFRD units arrived on the scene at 3:17 p.m., according to an email from OCFRD Public Information Officer Isabella Thalheimer. First responders evacuated the building and searched for the cause of the smell. The incident did not result in any injuries.
First Day Program saves students thousands of dollars on textbooks
UCF partners with Barnes & Noble College to help students save money on textbooks, and other course materials, with discounted prices each semester through the First Day Complete program. This is an inclusive access program that provides students digital course material at a discounted price through web courses. According to Pegasus Innovation Lab, UCF students have saved $21.48 million since 2019 with the First Day Complete program.
Flagler Broadcasting to host Million Dollar Food-A-Thon on July 8
With about 3,500 families visiting the Grace Community Food Pantry each month, Charles Silano knows that if he’s shocked at the gas prices, they are too. “It cost me $79 to fill my car up today, and it used to be $38 not too long ago,” Silano, chairman and founder of the food pantry, said June 3 on Flagler Broadcasting’s “Free For All Friday” radio show.
B Section home to get $163,364 in federally funded repairs
A Palm Coast resident whose B Section home was damaged by a tree falling into the roof more than two years ago has requested $163,364 from federal funds to assist roof replacement, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems, new doors and windows, and other rehabilitation work to address health and safety issues.
Door opens for firefighters in training at Daytona State College
In August 2021, 23-year-old Hanna Smith decided that being a licensed massage therapist wasn’t for her after all — it was too quiet. So she set aside her degree to try something a little different: firefighter. Hanna Smith, 23, received a $3,500 grant to help her complete firefighter training at DSC.
Door opens for firefighters in training at Daytona State College
In August 2021, 23-year-old Hanna Smith decided that being a licensed massage therapist wasn’t for her after all — it was too quiet. So she set aside her degree to try something a little different: firefighter. Hanna Smith, 23, received a $3,500 grant to help her complete firefighter training at DSC.
Hull's Seafood Kitchen's next baby step: a remodeled kitchen
The original dining room at one of Ormond Beach’s most popular restaurants, Hull’s Seafood Kitchen, was remodeled last month, with new windows, an expanded kitchen, new artwork and handicap accessibility. The remodeled dining room, 111 W. Granada Blvd., opened on Feb. 5. “Look at it: It’s modernized, easier to clean, refreshing to look at and way more comfortable,” owner Jimmy Hull said.
Surfin’ Scoops offers ice cream and family fun in Ormond-by-the-Sea
Surrounded by picnic tables in Ormond-by-the-Sea, as cars drive by the ocean and neighbors take late-morning strolls, you will find a man dedicated to serving his country, and scooping ice cream. “I want parents to feel comfortable giving their child a $5 bill, and allowing them to come to my ice cream shop and know that their child will be safe.” -- Josh Scammell Josh Scammell and his family opened Surfin’ Scoops on Oct. 1, 2021, in a little yellow building at 1760 Ocean Shore Blvd.
Cheers! Bill Fletcher's annual Shave for the Brave is Dec. 12
by: Julia Ambrose and Lydia Hamel | Contributing Writers Due to the pandemic, most of the world can agree that 2020 was a rough year. But for Fletcher’s Irish Pub owner Bill Fletcher, it was way better than 2019. After a routine scan, in the summer of 2019, Fletcher received the news that he had tumors lining his abdomen, just two weeks before he was planning to leave on a family trip to Ireland. Maybe he could wait until after the trip to start cancer treatment? The doctor said no.
16th-annual Fun Coast Buddy Walk raises about $20,000, halfway to its goal | Palm Coast | Palm Coast Observer
The 16th-annual Fun Coast Buddy Walk raised awareness for people with Down syndrome — and raised about $20,000, halfway to its goal, on Oct. 9, at Central Park in Palm Coast. The funds will help support the Fun Coast Down Syndrome Association Center, located at 3601 E. Moody Blvd., Bunnell, provide programming such as cooking classes, game nights and crafts. Paula Wilburn and her son, Keaton. 16th Annual Fun Coast Buddy Walk.
New hope: Seabreeze volleyball begins season with new opponents, new school camaraderie
The Seabreeze Sandcrabs headed back to the courts this month to kick off the 2021 volleyball season. Head coach Sara Swayze and assistant coach Erika Binford will be leading the girls in a newly reclassified district, which changes every two years. Class 5A District 4, including Mainland, Matanzas, and Menendez.
International Paramedic Practice: Vol 10, No 2
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