A federal judge today ordered Walter Kidde Portable Equipment Inc. (Kidde) to pay a $12 million civil penalty in connection with allegations that the company failed to timely inform the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) about problems with fire extinguishers manufactured by the company, the Department of Justice announced. Kidde,Continue Reading
Governor Ralph Northam wants residents to file a complaint against neighbors, friends, and churchgoers who they feel aren’t complying with his executive order about Phase 2 restrictions regarding social distancing, masks, and establishment capacities. The Virginia Department of Public Health is urging residents to “snitch on” public gatherings and otherContinue Reading
While the White House moves ahead with a fireworks show over the National Mall on July Fourth, DC Mayor Muriel Bowser said at a news conference Thursday that residents should stay home to prevent spreading coronavirus. Our strong recommendation is that D.C. residents celebrate at or near their home, inContinue Reading
A shocking video went viral on social media of a man who threw fireworks on a sleeping homeless man, setting the man on fire. Now NYPD announced the details, offering a $2,500 reward for information leading to an arrest in this case. The video shows a man throwing the litContinue Reading
As a result of Philadelphia Phillies announcing Friday five players had tested positive for COVID-19, every team in Major League Baseball will shut its spring training camp over concerns about the coronavirus pandemic. The Associated Press (AP) reports that all of the spring complexes in Florida and Arizona will temporarilyContinue Reading
Apple is planning to close nearly a dozen retail stores located in Florida, Arizona, North Carolina, and South Carolina. “Due to current COVID-19 conditions in some of the communities we serve, we are temporarily closing stores in these areas,” an Apple spokesman said Friday in a statement after being contactedContinue Reading
After being closed for two months due to the COVID-19 pandemic, WonderWorks Orlando announces that it will be reopening on May 29, 2020. “We are ready to open our doors, it’s been a stressful time for us all and we hope to provide a fun family filled outlet for allContinue Reading
The Hillsborough County Clerk of Court’s office is now offering certified court documents online as part of their efforts to reduce the possible spread of the Chinese coronoavirus. Clerk Pat Frank says the move toward accommodating the digital age during the last decade proved to be another opportunity for constituents toContinue Reading
The Hillsborough County Emergency Policy Group met yesterday as salons and barbershops reopened around the state and Hillsborough Commission Chairman Les Miller visited a grocery store and was “utterly shocked” at the lack of people wearing masks. “I was utterly shocked. I was probably among the 10 percent wearing masks, otherContinue Reading
Shanghai Disneyland reopened Monday, becoming the first Disney theme park to do so in the wake of coronavirus pandemic. Photos have arrived via the Associated Press, showing visitors in masks following new social distancing rules as a limited capacity was allowed. The question in Florida: Is this a snapshot atContinue Reading
Sun Works Plastics has switched from serving clients such as Walt Disney World, Universal Studios and Macy’s to delivering plastic protection shields and sneeze guards to doctor and veterinarian offices. “Some of our customer base is Walt Disney World, Universal Studios, Macy’s Tiffany & Company,” said Brian Myregaard, President &Continue Reading
Barbershops and salons are allowed to reopen in most counties in Florida tomorrow, Monday, May 11, but getting a haircut will certainly be different than the last time you got a snip. Governor Ron DeSantis issued the following guidelines for those opening on Monday: -All customers will be by appointmentContinue Reading
The Personal Insurance Federation of Florida (PIFF), a member of the FL DNT TXTNDRV COALITION, commended Florida lawmakers this week for supporting House Bill 107, Texting While Driving, which would make texting while driving a primary offense in Florida. The bill, sponsored in the House by Representative Jackie Toledo (R-Tampa) andContinue Reading
The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited Florida Roofing Experts Inc. for exposing employees to fall hazards at a Jacksonville, Florida, worksite. The company faces the maximum penalty allowed of $132,598. OSHA initiated the inspection as part of the Agency’s Regional Emphasis Program on Falls inContinue Reading
United States Attorney Maria Chapa Lopez announces the return by a grand jury of an indictment charging Sean Patrick Farrelly (47, Palm Coast) with sex trafficking of a minor girl. If convicted, Farrelly faces a mandatory minimum of 10 years, and up to life, in federal prison. According to theContinue Reading
A man and a woman killed from a car accident in Lakeland Friday have been identified as Juanita Paulino, of Tampa, who died at the scene, and Samuel T. Thomas, of Lakeland. Friday morning, around 10:20 a.m. a Freightliner tractor pulling a trailer, driven by Tywaun Jamel Blake Burgess, 30, of Orlando, wasContinue Reading
The University of Tampa’s ban all smoking and tobacco use on campus takes effect today. The policy, which was announced in January, bans smoking and use of tobacco of all types, including electronic cigarettes, chew tobacco, hookah, cigar and cigarette smoking. This ban includes all UT students, employees, including contractors,Continue Reading
