Florida Academy Proves School Choice Doesn’t Have To Mean Government Strings Attached
Fears of 'government strings' and bureaucratic restrictions are unfounded if the school-choice legislation is crafted carefully.Fears of 'government strings' and bureaucratic restrictions are unfounded if the school-choice legislation is crafted carefully.Florida JetBlue flight diverted after unruly passenger claims to be the devil, punches female companion
A JetBlue flight traveling from Florida to Massachusetts was forced to divert its route and land early after an unruly passenger reportedly punched his female companion and claimed to be the devil.
JetBlue Flight 170 was traveling from Fort Lauderdale to Boston around 9:30 p.m. on Thursday. However, the plane was forced to divert its route and land in Orlando after a passenger allegedly started acting in a bizarre and violent way.
Passengers claimed that a man on the plane began making threats and telling people he was the devil. At one point, the male passenger reportedly punched the female companion that was traveling with him.
"I was in front of the plane so I heard no disturbance in the back, but we had one of the flight attendants tell the first few rows that there would be pit stop in Orlando, but they didn't want to make an announcement in case it angered the man," passenger Max Seelig told the news outlet out of Boston.
WCVB-TV reported, "One passenger who was sitting close to the man said flight attendants put the woman who was with the man in the plane's bathroom, and the man was punching the door to try to get her out."
A passenger said, "They put her inside the bathroom, and he tried to punch the door and take her out of the bathroom. It was pretty scary."
Video taken by passenger Leo Ruiz shows the unruly passenger being escorted off the flight by law enforcement after the JetBlue airliner had landed at Orlando International Airport.
After the alarming disturbance, the rest of the passengers had to disembark from the plane in Orlando. The passengers then had to wait for the plane to be refueled, stand by for a new crew to arrive, and then re-board the plane. The plane didn't land in Boston until 4:31 a.m. on Friday, according to the New York Post.
JetBlue allegedly sent an email to the passengers that read: "This disruption is considered an uncontrollable disruption; meaning it's due to events outside of JetBlue's control (things like Air Traffic Control or weather disruptions) and, unfortunately, does not qualify for customer compensation or reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses."
“The individual was intoxicated and transported to local hospital by [Orlando Fire Department] for treatment,” a department spokesperson told the New York Post.
The unruly passenger's name was not released by authorities, and he was reportedly not arrested.
Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!
Boston-bound JetBlue flight from Florida diverted by passenger claiming to be devil www.youtube.com
Spirit Airlines places 6-year-old boy on wrong flight — and panic ensues: 'Where is my grandson?'
Spirit Airlines placed an unaccompanied 6-year-old boy on the wrong flight to Florida last week, which left the airline apologizing and the boy's grandmother frantic.
What are the details?
The child was supposed to fly from Philadelphia to Fort Myers on Thursday but was "incorrectly boarded" on a flight to Orlando, Scripps News said, citing reports.
"The child was always under the care and supervision of a Spirit Team Member, and as soon as we discovered the error, we took immediate steps to communicate with the family and reconnect them," the airline said in a statement CNN obtained, according to Scripps News.
The outlet said local news station WINK-TV spoke with Maria Ramos, who identified herself as the boy's grandmother: "They told me, 'No, he's not on this flight. He missed his flight.' I said, 'No, he could not miss his flight because I have the check-in tag.' I ran inside the plane to the flight attendant and I asked her, 'Where's my grandson? He was handed over to you at Philadelphia.' She said, 'No, I had no kids with me.'"
Not surprisingly, Ramos said it was one of the scariest moments of her life, Scripps News said.
Ramos added to the outlet that her grandson Casper called to say he landed. Problem was that Casper landed in Orlando — about 160 miles away from Fort Myers.
To add insult to injury, Good Morning America said Casper's luggage was placed on the correct flight and made it to Fort Myers.
Ramos added to the outlet that it was her grandson's first-ever flight.
After figuring things out, Ramos drove over three hours to get Casper, Scripps News said, adding that Spirit offered to reimburse her for the drive — but mainly Ramos wants answers.
"I want them to call me. Let me know how my grandson ended up in Orlando. How did that happen?" Ramos asked, according to the outlet. "The flight attendant ... did she let him go by himself? He jumped in the wrong plane by himself?"
Spirit said in its statement that it's investigating, Scripps News said: "We take the safety and responsibility of transporting all of our guests seriously and are conducting an internal investigation. We apologize to the family for this experience."
Family speaks out after 6-year-old placed on wrong flight youtu.be
Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!
Ex-Disney employee admits to taking hundreds of up-skirt videos of park guests
Although keen to champion various sexual proclivities, Disney is evidently still willing to admit some boundaries.
The company has parted ways with a Disney Hollywood Studios employee in Orlando, Florida, who was arrested on March 31 after admitting to taping roughly 500 videos of park guests' nether regions without their knowledge, reported WOFL-TV.
Even on the day of his arrest, 26-year-old Jorge Diaz Vega of Kissimmee reportedly recorded several up-skirt videos while working at Dok-Ondar’s Den of Antiquities in Galaxy’s Edge, a Star Wars-themed area at the park.
According to the Orange County Sheriff's Department, a security guard caught Vega trying to capture footage up the skirt of an 18-year-old park guest. The victim had been in the Dok-Ondar store shopping for toy swords with her fiancé. The victim later told authorities that she had no idea she had been filmed at the Disney establishment.
Vega indicated he had similarly taped other guests over the course of his six-year stint working at Disney theme parks, noting, "It is hard to find them online" and the videos "bring him sexual gratification," reported WESH-TV.
"The videos were of multiple females who all appeared to not know they were being video recorded," said the arrest report.
Vega was hit with a third-degree felony charge of video voyeurism. He was released on $2,500 bail.
The OCSD indicated that Vega may face additional charges if more victims come forward.
When asked when Vega was terminated, Disney told CNN, "The individual does not work for the company."
Vega is not the only Disney employee to have a run-in with the law over alleged sexual improprieties in recent years.
TheBlaze previously reported that former Disney bellhop Guillermo Perez was among 160 people arrested by the Polk County Sheriff's Office Vice Unit during a seven-day undercover human trafficking operation. The PCSO said Perez "agreed to pay $80 for a quick visit to have sex with an undercover detective."
In 2021, two then-Disney World employees, Jonathan McGrew, 34, and Savannah Lawrence, 29, were arrested in a child-sex sting, reported NBC News.
Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!
Second Easter Sunday shooting in Orlando leaves 2 dead, 3 more injured
A deadly shooting during an Easter egg hunt at an Orlando park left two people dead and three others injured Sunday, WESH reported.
"They weren’t doing anything to be shot. Just living life, and it’s unfortunate that this happened. But I’m confident the Orlando Police Department will find out who did this and arrest them soon," Orange County Commissioner Mike Scott reportedly said.
Scott, who was at the scene Sunday night, says he was told the victims included a child and an older person, the outlet also reported.
Police, however, have not released official details on the victims of the shooting. In addition, the outlet reports that officers say neither of the people who died was a child.
Five people were transported to the hospital, and two were pronounced dead, WKMG reported. Survivors' conditions have not yet been released.
Police say the incident occurred around 6:50 p.m. near Poppy Park at the 5400 block of Lescot Lane in Orlando's Carver Shores neighborhood.
"I would like to just find justice for my niece," Anita Emilien told WKMG. Emilien said her niece, who goes by the name "Pat," was killed Easter Sunday while sitting on her grandmother's porch.
Emilien also said her niece was in her 30s and had four children, including a newborn baby.
"Everyone who saw who did it please, please, report it to the police, to the news, everywhere. She’s too young. She’s too young," Emilien also said.
The incident at Poppy Park on Easter Sunday occurred several hours after another shooting in Orlando's Parramore neighborhood, as TheBlaze reported.
The Parramore shooting took place around 2:28 a.m. Police shot and killed the suspect, 28-year-old Lacorvis Tamar Daley, after Daley opened fire on them. Police believe Daley is responsible for shooting and killing three people in a domestic violence incident.
One of the victims was an adult and two were children.
Police released more details on the Parramore shooting victims' identities Monday, as WKMG reported.
The victims include 69-year-old Carole Fulmore, 13-year-old Damionna Reed, and 7-year-old Cameron Bouie.
Between the Parramore and Poppy Park shootings in Orlando on Easter Sunday, at least five people have died.
TheBlaze reached out to the Orlando Police Department for comment on the reported shooting in Poppy Park, but did not receive a reply before publication.
Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!
Easter morning tragedy: Young child, two adults shot dead; police fatally shoot man believed responsible
A young child and two adults were pronounced dead Easter morning after being shot. Police shot and killed the suspect after he opened fire, local law enforcement officials reported.
"Tonight we had a tragedy in our Parramore community," Orlando's police chief Eric Smith said in a press conference.
"A suspect walked out of the house, walked towards the officers, shot at the officers, the officers returned fire and the suspect fell," said Chief Eric Smith of the Orlando Police Department.
Police responded to a domestic violence call in the 600 block of Grand Street in west-central Orlando's Parramore neighborhood early Sunday morning.
Officers reportedly heard gunshots inside the home prior to the suspect exiting the home 2:28 a.m. Officers shot the 28-year-old gunman after he opened fire. The gunman was transported to the hospital and pronounced dead, the Orlando Sentinel reported.
On entering the home, officers found 3 victims with gunshot wounds. One was a young child.
"The young child died at the hospital. OPD itself transported him to the hospital," Chief Smith said in a Sunday morning press conference.
"It’s heart wrenching to wake up to this horrific news of a family and a child being murdered here on Resurrection Sunday, Easter Sunday," District 5 City Commissioner Regina Hill told the outlet, adding that the child was only 4 years old.
"What a horrific, tragic situation," said Orlando's Mayor Buddy Dyer. "Sending support to the family members of the victims as well as the offers, who were thankfully unharmed."
Neighbors, friends, and family gathered on Grand Street, hugging and crying, the Sentinel reported. They sat on plastic chairs waiting at the scene for more answers.
"I don't know how to feel right now," the father of one of the victims reportedly said through his tears.
The officers involved were not injured in the shooting. They will be placed on paid administrative leave according to protocol. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement will also be investigating, followed by the State Attorney's Office. OPD plans to release footage from officers' bodycams within 30 days, according to a statement from OPD.
OPD will provide additional information on the victims after next of kin notifications have been made, the department said in a social media post Sunday afternoon.
Watch WKMG's footage from the early morning scene below.
Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!
Off-duty Florida firefighter on way to son's soccer practice saves deputy from fiery wreck: 'This is what we do'
An off-duty Florida firefighter may have been late in getting his son to soccer practice Saturday morning, but he was right on time when it came to saving the life of a 33-year-old Seminole County deputy.
The Seminole County Sheriff's Office indicated that Deputy Matthew Luxon suffered a medical emergency around 10:30 a.m. near Orange Boulevard and Wayside Drive in Sanford, Florida, where he then crashed into a concrete pillar.
The medical incident and the resultant crash may have been the beginning of Luxon's problems, but they certainly weren't the last. His patrol car caught fire and quickly became an inferno.
Lt. Benjamin Wootson of the Orlando Fire Department happened to be in the neighborhood, rushing his son to soccer practice.
The off-duty firefighter told WFTV, "We were running late getting to my son’s soccer practice. ... Typically, we try to get there 30, 45 minutes early so they can do the warm-up. My son was dragging his feet, taking his time. As we were turning left onto Orange, I noticed a patrol car coming toward us."
Wootson noted he has a "habit of always looking in my mirrors."
Sure enough, when he checked his rearview, he saw Luxon's patrol vehicle hammer the overpass support.
"I immediately pulled a U-turn at the next intersection and rushed back," said Wootson. "By the time i got on scene, there was a little bit of flames on the underneath of the vehicle, the engine compartment was already on fire."
Wootson told WOFL-TV, "As I was pulling him out there were probably two golf ball-size flames where his legs were."
Wootson managed to get the disoriented deputy out of his seatbelt and ultimately out of the blaze. No sooner had the firefighter disentangled Luxon from the wreck than the patrol vehicle burst into flames, along with the ammunition in the trunk.
As bullets sounded off and the fire burned, Wootson used the deputy's radio to call for "an officer down scenario."
While he tended to Luxon, Wootson's neighbor arrived on the scene to tend to the firefighter's son. Another onlooker moved the firefighter's car to get clear of the heated display.
The SCSO indicated that Luxon was taken to a local hospital where he underwent successful surgeries and was stabilized.
According to WFTV, the deputy is still in the hospital.
Sheriff Dennis Lemma said in a statement Sunday, "Matt had successful surgeries into the late hours on Saturday but make no mistake; he has a long road to recovery ahead of him. The support of our Seminole County, and the greater Central Florida community, will help Matt pull through now and into the immediate future."
One of Luxon's coworkers started a fundraiser for the injured deputy and his family, which has already secured in excess of $22,000.
As for Wootson's heroics, Sheriff Lemma said, "I also spoke with Orlando Fire Department Lieutenant Benjamin Wootson, who heroically rescued Matt from his patrol unit moments after his crash and just before the unit caught fire. Lt. Wootson, who was off duty and also very kind when we spoke, simply reminded me that 'this is what we do.'"
Lemma added, "I thank God that he was there at that time, and I expressed my gratitude and shared commendation to OFD Chief Charlie Salazar as well."
Wootson reckons his delay and his son's apparent tardiness Saturday morning were providential: "God put me in a place where [my son and I] were running late on purpose. I was in the right place at the right time to save an individual."
The firefighter emphasized to WESH-TV, "If you're ever in a circumstance and you see something, don't just sit back and watch. Get out, do what's right, make a change because those little things could be a long impact lasting, it could be generational changes."
Off-duty firefighter saves Seminole County deputy from burning car youtu.be
Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!
Florida city scrambles to backpedal after releasing message disparaging Independence Day celebrations
The City of Orlando was forced to backpedal over the weekend after releasing a controversial message about the Fourth of July that questioned why anyone would want to celebrate Independence Day.
What did the message say?
In a newsletter message released on Friday, the city questioned "why on earth" any American would want to celebrate their country and sympathized with people who refuse to celebrate America.
The message said:
A lot of people probably don’t want to celebrate our nation right now, and we can’t blame them. When there is so much division, hate and unrest, why on earth would you want to have a party celebrating any of it?
But in all seriousness, you know in your heart, Fourth of July fireworks are amazing, especially when you are standing in 90° heat, 100% humidity, next to 100,000 of your closest friends. In that moment, something takes over and we all become united in an inexplicable bond. Yes, America is in strife right now, but you know what...we already bought the fireworks.
The message immediately prompted backlash.
"We do not share the same views as the City of Orlando and find their comments in inflammatory and in poor taste," said the police union that represents Orlando Police officers.
"Yikes. City of Orlando, is this your official position on our country and on 4th of July?" reacted Christina Pushaw, spokeswoman for Gov. Ron DeSantis (R).
Not everyone, however, was upset. In fact, many people, including Florida state Rep. Anna Eskamani (D), thought the message was appropriate.
"Y’all do not need to apologize — your first email captured the tone of how many Americans (and Orlandoans) are feeling right now. It’s ok not to be ok," Eskamani responded to Orlando's official Twitter account.
How did the city respond?
The City of Orlando released a statement on Saturday implicitly apologizing for the earlier statement.
"The city of Orlando sincerely regrets the negative impact our words have had on some in our community," the statement said. "We understand these words offended some of our residents, which was not our intent.
"We value the freedoms we have in this country and are thankful to the men and women who fought and continue to fight for those," the statement added. "We take pride in celebrating the 4th of July to express our gratitude to those men and women and honor the country we live in."
\u201cA statement from the City of Orlando\u201d— City of Orlando is Prepared for Hurricane Season (@City of Orlando is Prepared for Hurricane Season) 1656779497
Today's top stories
www.theblaze.com
freebeacon.com
freebeacon.com