WFTV Channel 9
Electric workers weren't properly trained before explosion almost killed them
- Title
- Electric workers weren't properly trained before explosion almost killed them
- Runtime
- 3:16
- Date posted
- 2 months ago
- Description
- 9Investigates has learned proper safety procedures were not in place ahead of an explosion that could have killed three Orlando Utilities Commission workers.
Channel 9 has obtained details showing that outdated policies and training were a factor. Technical training programs do not include substation electricians, and safety onboarding is minimal.
What’s troubling is that the OUC Safe Work Place Manual does not clearly require protective equipment for the workers who were conducting work at this substation when it exploded last August.
The explosion last August rocked part of Robinson Street in downtown Orlando. Three workers were hospitalized, two of them with serious injuries from the arc flash that left behind this tarnished wall inside the work site.
Investigators determined that no environmental conditions or fatigue played a role, but “based on interviews, current work practice at OUC does not encourage through written requi...
- Title
- 85 apartments closed off after Florida complex caught patching over structural issues
- Runtime
- 3:11
- Date posted
- 2 months ago
- Description
- 85 units that were declared unsafe in Lake Mary, Florida Tuesday. Most of the problems were staircases that had rusted or become detached from their buildings.
There was one building that caught fire, and workers were caught trying to patch over the damage instead of getting a permit and fixing the structural issues the fire caused, Seminole County spokesman Chris Patton said.
A second building was evacuated after it was discovered the walls were compressing, which Patton described as the interior collapsing in on itself.
- Title
- Two workers shot in Florida over tools, suspects lead long chase
- Runtime
- 3:52
- Date posted
- 2 months ago
- Description
- We're covering breaking news tonight: A double shooting near Rollins College in Winter Park led to a police chase that spanned 14 miles. This high speed chase concluded in Lake Mary, where two suspects were apprehended. Our team provides live coverage from both scenes, including exclusive drone videos and on-the-ground reports of the police activity.
- Title
- NASA to begin building moon base in 2028, send nuclear-powered rocket to Mars
- Runtime
- 2:46
- Date posted
- 2 months ago
- Description
- The number of manned launches at Kennedy Space Center should pick up dramatically in the coming years, with bigger rockets.
NASA administrators now plan to begin building a moon base by 2028, beginning with the Artemis IV and V missions. The four-year process will begin to be permanently staffed by 2032.
To support this, manned missions to the moon would take place at least every six months.
Also in 2028, NASA plans to launch a nuclear fission-powered rocket to Mars, dropping off a payload of nuclear-powered helicopters to image the planet’s surface and seek a suitable site for a future Mars base.
That rocket could continue on to the agency’s next planetary target: Uranus. That planet is most similar to planets they’ve discovered orbiting nearby stars, making it a prime opportunity to explore and test equipment before attempting any deep-space missions.
- Title
- Missing mail blamed for hurting Florida ministry
- Runtime
- 3:20
- Date posted
- 2 months ago
- Description
- A local ministry says the mail service is so unreliable it’s hurting vulnerable people in our community. Matthew’s Hope Ministries helps the homeless and others in need, but it claims missing mail at its Winter Garden location has become a big problem.
“We have our outreach services, which include taking a shower, clothing shopping, hygiene shopping, pantry shopping, a hot meal,” said Shannon Diaz, Orange County Director for Matthew’s Hope.
Diaz said they even provide a place to receive mail, an often-overlooked concern for those without a home.
But in recently months she claims the U.S. Post Office in Winter Garden has become unreliable. For the ministry itself, that includes missing or delayed donation checks, missing bills, and mail returned for no obvious reason. Diaz said they also often receive mail that doesn’t belong to them or any of their homeless guests.
Read more: https://www.wftv.com/news/local/missing-mail-bl...
- Title
- New 'Toll Scam' bombards Florida phone numbers with real-looking court documents
- Runtime
- 3:31
- Date posted
- 2 months ago
- Description
- Florida's "Unpaid Toll" scam is back -- and more sophisticated than ever.
The third iteration of the messages bombarding cell phones across the state shows realistic looking court documents signed by a fake judge, with a case number and statutes.
It demands payment with a QR code or threatens the removal of a person's license.
However, this is a scam -- a tricky one. We show you what to look out for, and how to know if any messages you get are trying to steal your money.
- Title
- Florida deputy under investigation for a 3rd time -- now for punching handcuffed man
- Runtime
- 2:37
- Date posted
- 2 months ago
- Description
- An Osceola County, Florida deputy is under investigation for a third time after he was accused of punching a man who was already in handcuffs.
FDLE has been asked to review the use of force that occurred.
Hunter Perkins was previously investigated by authorities for crashing into a trooper on the side of the road. Documents showed Perkins admitted to drinking. He was charged with DUI, but the charges were dropped in what was called a botched investigation.
He was also suspended after exchanging racy photos with a woman he pulled over.
- Title
- Pilot, copilot dead after plane crashes into fire truck at New York airport
- Runtime
- 2:48
- Date posted
- 2 months ago
- Description
- An Air Canada regional jet struck a fire truck on the runway after landing at New York’s LaGuardia Airport late Sunday night, crushing the nose of the plane, according to authorities and photos of the wreckage.
Two people were killed, according to a person familiar with the investigation into the crash. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss an active investigation.
Two Port Authority employees who were traveling in the fire truck also were injured, the person said.
There were 72 passengers and four crew members aboard the aircraft, a Jazz Aviation flight operating on behalf of Air Canada, according to a statement from the airline. The flight originated at Montréal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport, the major airport serving Montreal.
Read more: https://www.wftv.com/news/local/2-people-killed-collision-between-jet-vehicle-new-yorks-laguardia-airport-...
- Title
- Man says he killed 19-year-old in self-defense, video shows what happened
- Runtime
- 2:10
- Date posted
- 2 months ago
- Description
- A man charged with second-degree murder in the shooting death of a teenager in downtown Melbourne, Florida appeared in court Thursday, where his defense team claimed additional evidence proves he acted in self-defense.
Stephan Dieujuste is accused of killing 19-year-old Nathaniel Jennings during an altercation in May.
Investigators allege that Dieujuste pulled out a handgun and fired eight times following a dispute outside local bars.
Prosecutors say Dieujuste stayed at the shooting scene and told police he fired at Jennings in self-defense after Jennings, who was unarmed, tried to start a fistfight with him.
Dieujuste claimed that Jennings had threatened him and physically placed him in a bear hug during the confrontation outside the downtown bars.
Read more: https://www.wftv.com/news/local/defense-says-additional-evidence-supports-self-defense-claim-fatal-melbourne-shooting/E24NRT7S3VFWPN2QBDMME7XKCE/
- Title
- Florida police desperately search lake for missing autistic 13-year-old
- Runtime
- 5:07
- Date posted
- 2 months ago
- Description
- The Maitland Police Department is seeking 13-year-old Na’Sean Edward Kirkland, a missing and endangered juvenile. He was last seen leaving his home with his brother around 1:30 p.m.
Kirkland, who is autistic and non-verbal, is missing. His brother, also autistic and non-verbal, was found near South Lake Sybelia Drive but couldn’t give information about Kirkland’s whereabouts.
Authorities are worried because Kirkland is attracted to water.
According to his parents, Kirkland has eloped multiple times from home and school, often found in neighbors’ pools or water bodies. While attracted to water, police say he has limited swimming skills.
Read more: https://www.wftv.com/news/local/maitland-police-search-autistic-teen-last-seen-with-brother/4O33VCGLZJD63CZ74HGON634VM/
- Title
- Police re-launch search for missing Florida firefighter after new tips surface
- Runtime
- 2:00
- Date posted
- 3 months ago
- Description
- Nearly 20 years after Brandy Hall vanished, Palm Bay Police say new leads are bringing movement in the case.
Hall, a mother of two and volunteer firefighter, was last seen on August 17, 2006, leaving the Malabar Fire Station.
Days later, investigators found her pickup truck submerged in a Palm Bay Pond with blood inside, but Hall was never found.
Over the years, tips have come in, but they haven’t led to Hall. Now, detectives say a recent re-examination of the case and new interviews have uncovered fresh information pointing to an undisclosed area of interest. That location was searched twice this week.
Read more: https://www.wftv.com/news/local/new-leads-emerge-nearly-20-year-old-case-missing-brevard-county-woman/DPOW4KVMDNG4NJ3FL3FO6VKILA/
- Title
- Firefighters bust through doors to rescue hundreds of people as building cracks
- Runtime
- 5:54
- Date posted
- 3 months ago
- Description
- Renters forced out of their homes at The Rialto Apartment complex are now facing an unexpected financial burden, paying out of pocket for hotel stays, meals, and other daily expenses and essentials while they wait for answers about reimbursement.
Emergency evacuations began Thursday after officials deemed the building unsafe, leaving hundreds of renters scrambling to find temporary housing.
Thursday evening, a sign was posted to the door stating the complex has been deemed unsafe, and it remains taped off while structural engineers evaluate the property.
Doorbell camera footage captured the moment Orange County Fire Rescue used a sledgehammer to pry open an apartment door that was stuck during the evacuations. While firefighters initially attempted to use a keypad code to enter the unit, they found the lock was malfunctioning.
Read more: https://www.wftv.com/news/local/rialto-apartment-evacuees-face-out-of-pocket-costs-insurance-quest...
- Title
- Road rage attack: Florida woman lunges at car, performs 'flying kick'
- Runtime
- 1:50
- Date posted
- 3 months ago
- Description
- The Orlando police department released video footage showing a woman attacking a pregnant woman during a road rage incident back in February. Mandolyn Shaffer-Brockwell is also accused of attacking a woman who tried to help the victim and biting an officer while he was trying to arrest her.
She’s out of jail on a $20,000 bond after being arrested for allegedly beating two drivers and biting a police officer following a road rage incident.
According to investigators, a 35-year-old pregnant woman was driving a van with her baby in the back seat when she turned from Conroy Road onto Millenia Boulevard. The suspect, Mandolyn Shafferbrockwell, yelled at her for honking her horn, then jumped on the hood of the van, opened the door, and hit the victim in the face and chest.
Read more: https://www.wftv.com/news/local/orange-county/police-release-video-woman-attacking-two-drivers-biting-an-officer/XWSXUB3DINGTJID5R62YJEB3KY/
- Title
- Brightline future is uncertain as railroad company pursues new stations
- Runtime
- 2:11
- Date posted
- 3 months ago
- Description
- Florida’s Brightline, the nation’s only privately operated long-distance rail service, is once again taking strides to add a station to the Space Coast near the intersection of US 1 and The Beachline in Cocoa.
Cocoa city leaders, who have spent years doggedly pursuing a station on the Miami-to-Orlando line, announced last month that they applied for a $57 million federal grant to construct the project.
It’s the second time the city has applied. The first was around the handoff from the Biden administration to the Trump administration, which sent all the groups back to the drawing board with a different set of requirements and expectations.
S&P Analysts recently downgraded Brightline’s credit ratings again. In their March update, they said it was “virtually certain” the company would effectively default on its obligations to investors by September – earlier than their past projection of January 2027. The company has already skipped se...
- Title
- 350 people evacuate apartments after giant cracks appear in Florida building
- Runtime
- 5:53
- Date posted
- 3 months ago
- Description
- The Rialto Apartments in Orlando were evacuated Thursday morning after residents reported hearing loud popping sounds and finding their front doors jammed.
Approximately 358 individuals were displaced from the complex located at 7343 W. Sand Lake Road starting around 5 a.m.
Orange County officials ordered the evacuation due to immediate concerns regarding the structural instability of the building.
The displacement affected nearly all of the 200 units within the complex, which were 93% occupied at the time of the emergency calls.
Multiple agencies responded to the 911 calls, including Orange County Fire Rescue, the Orange County Sheriff’s Office and the Orange County Building Safety Division.
First responders spent the morning ensuring all residents were safely removed from the 200-unit complex.
Read more: https://www.wftv.com/news/local/breaking-residents-being-evacuated-orange-county-apartment-complex/BHE...
- Title
- Florida beach town enacts emergency teen curfew to cut Spring Break chaos
- Runtime
- 2:55
- Date posted
- 3 months ago
- Description
- Daytona Beach officials are taking steps to regain control of Spring Break crowds after a chaotic weekend along the city’s coastline.
The city is set to enter a state of emergency on Friday, a move leaders say is aimed at preventing another weekend of disorder. As part of the emergency order, an 8 p.m. curfew for anyone under 18 has been approved for seven days.
Already, part of the city is under a special event zone that would allow law enforcement to double fines or make arrests for certain violations.
The crackdown follows a weekend in which large crowds overwhelmed parts of the city, raising concerns about public safety and drawing criticism toward Police Chief Jakari Young.
Read more: https://www.wftv.com/news/local/daytona-beach-approves-emergency-curfew-ahead-spring-break-weekend/NPGQQ3ZVVJEVXG5J62QMM7Q2LI/
- Title
- Florida apartment building emergency evacuation: residents trapped in rooms for hours
- Runtime
- 1:59
- Date posted
- 3 months ago
- Description
- Some residents at an Orange County apartment building are being told to evacuate Thursday morning due to possible structural concerns.
It’s happening along West Sand Lake Road near Turkey Lake Road at The Rialto.
Orange County Fire Rescue first responded to the scene shortly before 5 a.m. after receiving a report from a resident who said they were unable to exit their unit.
Read more: https://www.wftv.com/news/local/breaking-residents-being-evacuated-orange-county-apartment-complex/BHE2T3536VBZ5MOBMQ2FJGH4AI/
- Title
- Waymo self-driving cars are parking outside homes and spooking Florida homeowners
- Runtime
- 2:19
- Date posted
- 3 months ago
- Description
- As Waymo’s self-driving car service becomes available by invite only in Orlando, some residents say they feel uncomfortable seeing the vehicles parked in residential neighborhoods.
Mykhael Michaels showed video of Waymo self-driving cars parked in his Williamsburg neighborhood outside his home.
“It just feels weird in this quiet neighborhood,” he said. “We basically know what cars are supposed to be in here.”
While none were seen during a visit, Michaels said it has been happening for the past few months.
“They’ll be here for about 40 minutes, and then it’ll pull off,” he said.
He said he wishes they would stay off his street.
“Feeling like we are being watched or surveilled. It’s just strange,” he said.
Read more: https://www.wftv.com/news/local/neighbors-are-concerned-about-waymo-parking-residential-neighborhoods/T7T23MAVQREI3K3FQTMR55B3DY/
- Title
- Crews tear down Pulse Nightclub, site of horrific Orlando mass shooting
- Runtime
- 3:08
- Date posted
- 3 months ago
- Description
- Crews began demolishing Pulse nightclub in Orlando, Florida, on Wednesday to make way for a memorial that will pay tribute to the 49 people killed in the attack at the LGBTQ-friendly club nearly a decade ago.
Construction workers began tearing down walls in the long-shuttered venue that were still scarred by bullet holes from the June 12, 2016, attack, when a gunman opened fire during a Latin night celebration, killing dozens and wounding 53 other people before police killed him following a standoff.
The city of Orlando purchased the Pulse property in 2023 for $2 million and plans to build a $12 million permanent memorial that will open in 2027. Those efforts followed a botched multiyear attempt by a foundation run by the club's former owner to buy the property.
Read more: https://www.wftv.com/news/national/pulse-nightclub-is/TJYZOLOD2452VIPCLW26NGDASM/
- Title
- Florida's immigration '180': some leaders want non-criminals to stay
- Runtime
- 2:06
- Date posted
- 3 months ago
- Description
- The Florida State Immigration Enforcement Council convened on Monday to review the situation of immigrants in the country. Some members suggested that individuals without criminal records should be permitted to remain, provided certain conditions are met.
The discussion revealed a split between certain local law enforcement officials and state leadership on immigration enforcement.
While some council members supported allowing non-criminals to stay, the Florida attorney general emphasized that law enforcement has a clear obligation to enforce current laws.
Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd, a council member, stated that the federal government should reconsider its immigration policies to permit certain individuals in the country illegally to stay. “Those are the folks we need in this country that we embrace, because we are a country of immigrants,” Judd said during the meeting.
Read more: https://www.wftv.com/news/local/division-amon...
- Title
- Florida mom held 10-year-old down as her kids beat him at playground, deputies say
- Runtime
- 2:03
- Date posted
- 3 months ago
- Description
- A Kissimmee woman is facing multiple charges, including false imprisonment, after deputies say she held down a child while her kids beat him up. The fight happened at Heritage Park Apartments off U.S.-192 in Osceola County.
Deputies say this started as a shoving match between two kids, but it went to a whole other level when some kids brought their moms to the playground.
Authorities say the situation quickly escalated after the parents arrived.
A witness told deputies Ketsy Rivera called a 10-year-old a derogatory term.
A witness said Rivera pushed her eight- and nine-year-old children toward the 10-year-old and told them to fight him.
Read more: https://www.wftv.com/news/local/kissimmee-mother-accused-holding-child-down-her-kids-beat-him-playground/TR57MGKCBFFS5NTIDAZXYNARGY/
- Title
- Orlando’s housing shortage declared worst in the nation
- Runtime
- 3:00
- Date posted
- 3 months ago
- Description
- The Orlando area’s shortage of affordable housing for low-income families has been named the worst in the nation in an annual report – and the rankings weren’t much better for average earners.
Orlando had just 13 affordable rental units for every 100 families on the extreme low end of the income scale, tying Las Vegas, which has been ranked at the bottom of the list by the National Low Income Housing Coalition for several years.
It’s the first time the coalition has ranked Orlando worst since 2019. The coalition considers the Orlando region to include Orange, Osceola, Seminole, and Lake counties.
For middle earners, the Orlando area had 82 housing units for every 100 families, which represented the fourth decline in a row. The region had 106 units per 100 families in 2022.
Read more: https://www.wftv.com/news/local/orlandos-housing-shortage-declared-worst-nation/ASNXLV2WMRFJLLIWW2WKFQWO4I/
- Title
- Suspect who shot officer catches fire after chase down Florida highway
- Runtime
- 2:24
- Date posted
- 3 months ago
- Description
- Newly released body camera video shows the intense moments when officers arrested a suspect after a South Daytona police officer was shot during a chase.
Investigators say 31-year-old Todd Anthony Martin shot a South Daytona police officer twice while trying to escape after an earlier shooting in Port Orange.
Both the suspect and the officer are recovering at Halifax Health in Daytona Beach.
Authorities say Martin is in critical condition with a gunshot wound and burns. The officer, identified as Jake Fessenden, is recovering from gunshot wounds to the chest and leg and is expected to remain in the hospital for a few more days.
Read more: https://www.wftv.com/news/local/bodycam-video-shows-intense-arrest-after-south-daytona-officer-shot-during-chase/M4NDI5ILYZC6JEAR3RNBYOPYYU/
- Title
- Florida police trespass veteran holding sign, later admit mistake
- Runtime
- 2:10
- Date posted
- 3 months ago
- Description
- The Sanford police department says they made a mistake after trespassing a man at the Farmer’s Market on Saturday. The video shows him holding a sign supporting homeless veterans on a public sidewalk.
Jeff Gray says he travels to different cities to exercise his First Amendment rights. In this case, someone complained about him, and the police arrived.
In the video he recorded, you can hear this: The officer says, “You can exercise your rights somewhere else, we just don’t want you here.” Gray responds, “So I’m trespassed? From this area?” The officer replies, “Ya.”
Read more: https://www.wftv.com/news/local/seminole-county/sanford-police-says-trespassing-man-farmers-market-was-mistake/5WTHQFIUENCXLCUOS2XJ4MUXOU/
- Title
- Sheriff: City Could Have Stopped Daytona Chaos Easily
- Runtime
- 2:14
- Date posted
- 3 months ago
- Description
- The Volusia County Sheriff said weekend chaos in Daytona Beach could have been controlled if the city had stepped in.
A pop-up event and four shootings are under investigation after unruly crowds took over the city this weekend.
Thousands of people could be seen running down the beach during an unpermitted event in Daytona Beach. Sheriff Mike Chitwood said, despite social media rumors, there were no shootings on the sand.
“What they were doing was crushing a water bottle to make it sound like a gunshot to stampede the crowd,” said Chitwood.
The sheriff said the chaos could have been controlled if the city had stepped in.
Read more: https://www.wftv.com/news/local/volusia-county/daytona-beach-chaos-sheriff-blames-city-lack-control/ZV3ABD4HDVD4LKI3TKTOLYSLOE/
- Title
- Accused $300M Ponzi Scheme king faces massive lawsuit
- Runtime
- 2:19
- Date posted
- 3 months ago
- Description
- A class action lawsuit has been filed against Christopher Delgado, who federal investigators accuse of operating what they describe as a classic Ponzi scheme that may have taken more than $300 million from investors.
According to the lawsuit, Delgado allegedly used investor funds to finance a lavish lifestyle that included luxury cars, expensive watches, jewlery and million-dollar homes.
Attorney Scott Silver filed the lawsuit on behalf of investors who say they were misled about where their money was going and how it was being used.
Silver says many investors believed their accounts were steadily growing.
“It really came as a shock to many of the people we spoke to,” Silver said. “Even though it was a decent rate of return, that this turned out to be a massive fraud.”
Read more: https://www.wftv.com/news/local/class-action-lawsuit-filed-against-christopher-delgado-alleged-300-million-ponzi-scheme/C3T5ZOS2UFHVRMG4...
- Title
- Spring Break travel chaos as cancellations snarl Orlando airport
- Runtime
- 2:01
- Date posted
- 3 months ago
- Description
- Airports around the country are being hit hard by weather and a surge of spring break travelers.
On Sunday, the weather forced several ground stops at Orlando International Airport.
The airport is expecting another busy day on Monday.
Several hundred flights were canceled or delayed as of Monday morning, down from Sunday's cancellations -- but more were expected to stack up.
- Title
- Spring Break beach mayhem, officer shot during chaotic weekend in Florida
- Runtime
- 3:56
- Date posted
- 3 months ago
- Description
- It’s been a weekend of chaos and shootings in Daytona Beach. Police said there have been four shootings since Friday.
We also have video of thousands of people running on the beach and law enforcement from multiple agencies working to control the crowds.
The Volusia Sheriff’s Office said there were no shootings on the beach, only chaotic crowds.
A video shot from a balcony above the beach at the Ocean Walk Resort shows thousands of people running down the beach, and law enforcement from multiple agencies spread out across the sand.
Kissy Derito was in town with her family and says the chaos also spilled out onto the street and on A1A.
“Twerking, dancing, stopping traffic, cussing people, flipping people off, stopping everyone, screaming. It was insane. Stopping traffic, you couldn’t move, you couldn’t go forward, back, nothing,” said Derito.
Daytona Beach police said on Friday there was a fight at...
- Title
- Florida woman stuck with someone else's $800 cell phone bill
- Runtime
- 3:17
- Date posted
- 3 months ago
- Description
- An Orange County woman said a cell phone company kept her card on file and charged her for months without her permission.
“$884. That is ridiculous,” Norma Brown told Action 9 Consumer Investigator Jeff Deal.
Brown said she made a one-time payment on someone else’s Spectrum account then got hit with the extra charges. She claims she specifically told the company not to add her card to the account.
Realizing when it comes to money many people need a hand up from time to time, Norma Brown said she was just trying to help by offering to make a payment on the Spectrum cell phone plan that wasn’t hers.
Read more: https://www.wftv.com/news/local/local-woman-charged-more-than-800-someone-elses-spectrum-account/GV5I2TO25NAL7IDMZC5C34A47M/
- Title
- Florida man uses U-Haul to steal septic tank caught on camera #floridaman
- Runtime
- 0:41
- Date posted
- 3 months ago
- Description
- Deputies in Marion County are investigating a bizarre theft.
A man faces multiple felony charges after authorities say he used a rented truck to steal a septic tank and thousands of dollars in electrical supplies from a Dunnellon construction site.
Marion County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to the report on Feb. 27 in the 21600 block of W. Highway 40.
Investigators identified Alfio Nocifora as the suspect through surveillance footage recorded at the scene.
The footage showed two separate incidents involving the septic tank and approximately $2,500 worth of electrical pipe.
- Title
- Florida father arrested one year after baby girl beaten to death
- Runtime
- 1:45
- Date posted
- 3 months ago
- Description
- A Daytona Beach man accused of beating his 5-week-old daughter to death will stay in jail.
Dajaun Patrick was in court this afternoon after being returned to Volusia County from Jacksonville following a one-year investigation.
The sheriff’s office said what Dajaun Patrick did to his own baby was horrific. She had severe trauma and broken bones and was only kept alive on life support for about 20 days.
He was arrested on Tuesday and made his first court appearance on Friday afternoon. Sheriff Mike Chitwood said to this day, Patrick denies killing his daughter.
“He says he tripped over a duffel bag and fell on the baby. Again, all of the medical people say this is impossible. This is blunt force that was used to break those ribs. There was a handprint on her from being smacked so hard,” said Chitwood.
Read more: https://www.wftv.com/news/local/daytona-beach-man-charged-with-manslaughter-babys-death/UCWXHC4LIZGAPANO7OZ...
- Title
- Breakup drama: Sesame Street battles SeaWorld in licensing feud
- Runtime
- 2:40
- Date posted
- 3 months ago
- Description
- Sesame Workshop, the nonprofit organization behind “Sesame Street,” has filed a lawsuit against SeaWorld for allegedly breaching a licensing agreement to promote the brand.
The legal filing, submitted Thursday, claims the theme park operator failed to uphold its contractual obligations.
Sesame Workshop, the nonprofit organization behind “Sesame Street,” has filed a lawsuit against SeaWorld for allegedly breaching a licensing agreement to promote the brand.
The legal filing, submitted Thursday, claims the theme park operator failed to uphold its contractual obligations.
The organization is now seeking to terminate its agreement with the company and recover damages.
SeaWorld operates several attractions and themed areas based on the “Sesame Street” television program.
Read more: https://www.wftv.com/news/local/sesame-street-owner-sues-seaworld-over-alleged-licensing-breach/REJTS4JJWVEQ7KQTT27U4V5J5Q...
- Title
- Outrage after Florida officer filmed punching handcuffed man
- Runtime
- 3:41
- Date posted
- 3 months ago
- Description
- The Daytona Beach, Florida police department has placed an officer on administrative leave after a video surfaced showing the officer getting into an altercation with a suspect.
This stems from an argument over an open container.
In the video, you can see the officer punching the suspect who is in handcuffs.
At a press conference, Daytona Beach Police Chief Jakari Young spoke about the incident involving one of his officers.
In the press conference, the chief acknowledged the video and said that after reviewing it, he personally forwarded the incident to the Office of Professional Standards for a full review.
"Let me be clear, as Chief, I will always support the men and women of the Daytona Beach Police Department when they act within the law and within our policies. At the same time, when an officer falls short of those standards, it will be addressed swiftly and appropriately," said Young.
Read more: https...
- Title
- Former Florida hospital employee met with dozens of kids for sex, agents say
- Runtime
- 2:21
- Date posted
- 3 months ago
- Description
- Federal Bureau of Investigation agents arrested a hospital worker who is accused of luring children into having sex with him.
42-year-old Aaron Starbird is accused of meeting minors online for sex.
According to documents, as far back as 2024, Starbird was knowingly coercing and enticing minors.
On Sept 29, 2025, an OCSO undercover deputy posed as an underage boy on a dating app and started communicating with Starbird.
Starbird believed the deputy was a 15-year-old boy and would send explicit files to the deputy.
OCSO conducted multiple search warrants after weeks of back and forth communication though multiple communication apps.
Agents said they were able to identify one of the child victims and interviewed them, where they explained how they met Starbird on an app. When asked to identify Starbird, the victim was able to point him out to agents.
According to agents, the forensic review of Starbi...
- Title
- Florida woman accused of burying newborn in her backyard bonds out of jail
- Runtime
- 3:13
- Date posted
- 3 months ago
- Description
- A Flagler County judge set bond at $250,000 Thursday for a woman accused of allowing her newborn baby to drown in the toilet and burying the body in her backyard.
Anne Mae Demegillo appeared at the Flagler County Courthouse for the hearing, where a judge established the conditions for her release from jail.
The bond hearing occurred as prosecutors announced plans to file additional charges of tampering with evidence against Demegillo. Authorities allege she intentionally hid her pregnancy and tried to cover up both the birth and death of the infant.
The court said Demegillo must meet several requirements before she is released from jail. She is required to surrender her passport and is prohibited from leaving Flagler County. Additionally, the judge ordered that she have no contact with minors.
Channel 9 Demie Johnson said Demegillo sat next to her attorney without an expression on her face during the hearing at the Flagler County Cour...
- Title
- Florida teacher arrested for running over student, driving off
- Runtime
- 2:52
- Date posted
- 3 months ago
- Description
- A Casselberry Police Department investigation has led to charges against an Orange County Public Schools teacher accused of leaving the scene of a crash without rendering aid.
Police say Benjamin Fottler, 49, a teacher at Winter Park High School, hit a 16-year-old student on his way to school Dec. 11.
Investigators say Landon Cates was riding his scooter near the intersection of Casselton Drive and State Road 436 when Fottler struck him. According to police, Fottler kept driving, leaving Cates in the roadway with a broken back, scratches and bruises.
“It’s just like, wow,” a Winter Park parent told Channel 9 on Thursday.
According to the arrest affidavit, Fottler called police later that day and said he believed he had hit a pole or road sign. Officers later connected his crash to the hit-and-run involving Cates.
Read more: https://www.wftv.com/news/local/winter-park-high-school-teacher-is-facing-felony-charges-hit-...
- Title
- Beloved local Florida bookstore closing amid downtown landlord takeover
- Runtime
- 1:55
- Date posted
- 3 months ago
- Description
- Another piece of downtown Winter Garden’s heart is saying goodbye.
Writer’s Block Bookstore, a beloved shop on West Plant Street, will close its doors at the end of April. The news comes as several other small, local businesses on the same street have also been told their leases won’t be renewed.
In a letter posted inside the store, owner Lauren Zimmerman explained the decision wasn’t hers.
“Due to recent changes in property ownership downtown, our landlord has chosen to terminate our lease and bring in a new tenant at a significantly higher rent,” Zimmerman wrote.
She added that the closure is “deeply upsetting for our team and for me personally.”
Zimmerman said she fell in love with Winter Garden from the start and is grateful for the families, teachers, and friends who made the store special over the past five years.
Read more: https://www.wftv.com/news/local/winter-gardens-writers-block-bo...
- Title
- 'This is such a bonding experience!' Two teens laugh about high school murder plot
- Runtime
- 2:51
- Date posted
- 3 months ago
- Description
- Two teens accused of trying to kill a fellow high school student will remain in custody after they were recorded in a police car chatting about the experience.
Isabelle Valdez, 15, and Lois Lippert, 15, were in the patrol car together and were recorded by the car’s camera, laughing about their arrest and the situation.
Valdez, laughing, was recorded saying, while on the way to jail, “I was going to do my makeup this morning for the mugshot, but I couldn’t find anything,” according to WFTV.
She also said, "Why are you touching me with your butt? This is such a bonding experience!” while Lippert responded, “I know! I love it!” WFTV reported.
She also said, “I thought I was going to get sent to the (expletive) psych ward. That’s why I was so excited about everything.”
Read more: https://www.wftv.com/news/trending/this-is-such-bonding-experience-2-teens-accused-murder-plot-laugh-during-police-car-ride/O4GR...
- Title
- U.S. Marine Denied Citizenship and Now Ordered Deported
- Runtime
- 3:21
- Date posted
- 3 months ago
- Description
- Our latest report covers the ongoing struggle of a Marine Corps veteran facing a naturalization denied decision after nearly a decade. Despite his service, his fight for us citizenship has reached a critical point. This immigration news highlights the complexities within us immigration law and the impact it has on individuals like him.
- Title
- Chilling video shows girls joking about killing high school classmate, life in jail
- Runtime
- 2:41
- Date posted
- 3 months ago
- Description
- Isabelle Valdez, 15, and Lois Lippert, 14, were back in court on March 11 for a bond hearing. The girls, who attended Lake Brantley High School in Altamonte Springs, have been charged with attempted murder.
A judge decided in court Wednesday morning that Valdez and Lippert will remain in the jail. The next court hearing for both teens has been set for April 29.
Altamonte Springs police investigators said the teens took a knife to Lake Brantley High School with the intent to kill another student.
On the day of their arrest, the girls were put into the back of the same patrol car. As WFTV previously reported, the move allowed officers to listen in to a conversation between the girls, who didn’t realize they were being recorded. Their conversation included jokes about mug shots, discussions about how much prison time they’d receive, and frustrations one of their friends snitched, officers said.
Read more: https://www.wftv.com/news/lo...
- Title
- Florida jail chief resigns after inmate death's reviewed
- Runtime
- 2:02
- Date posted
- 3 months ago
- Description
- The jail chief in Osceola County has resigned following a secondary review of an inmate’s death.
The Osceola County Sheriff’s Office conducted the review into the 2024 death of Terri Whitehead but found no criminal charges were warranted.
Whitehead died on Dec. 31, 2024, while in custody at the Osceola County jail.
Although a medical examiner ruled the death was due to natural causes, a new administration at the sheriff’s office launched a review of the case in December 2025 due to concerns regarding how the death was handled.
Read more: https://www.wftv.com/news/local/osceola-county-jail-chief-resigns-after-inmate-death-review/E4KURW6JOBCF5K6QYPE466U2JY/
- Title
- Florida red light camera enforcement faces major legal challenge
- Runtime
- 2:50
- Date posted
- 3 months ago
- Description
- Eyewitness News 9 brings you the latest news on a significant court ruling concerning traffic monitoring. A judge has ruled that law enforcement, including cops, must now prove the identity of the driver when using speed cameras, a decision with potential statewide implications for road safety. This development impacts how agencies operate and enforce traffic laws.
- Title
- Florida Mother Buries Baby In Back Yard After Drowning
- Runtime
- 2:34
- Date posted
- 3 months ago
- Description
- New details emerge in a tragic Flagler County crime investigation. Authorities are looking into the death of an infant, with the mother claiming she was unaware of her pregnancy. This true crime report from the Flagler Sheriff's Office highlights the ongoing efforts of law enforcement.
- Title
- Famous nurse inappropriately touched disabled patient, police say
- Runtime
- 2:03
- Date posted
- 3 months ago
- Description
- A male nurse is being held in the Orange County, Florida Jail, accused of sexually battering one of his patients.
46-year-old Abedinecho Katue is charged with sexual battery and lewd molestation of a disabled patient at Advent Health in Orlando, where he worked as a nurse.
According to court records, he entered the patient’s room and “began telling her how attractive she was and that he wanted to take special care of her.” He also “invited her to Kenya several times.” The report states the victim “advised him how uncomfortable she was talking to him, yet he continued.”
The Orlando Police Department says the victim had an amputated leg and a cast on her left foot. They say Katue touched her inappropriately, as she used a bedpan. According to the report, “She said she told him to stop. She didn’t want him to touch her. She felt helpless.”
Read more: https://www.wftv.com/news/local/male-nurse-accused-sexually-batteri...
- Title
- Dozens of shots fired, four people hit in Florida neighborhood
- Runtime
- 2:15
- Date posted
- 3 months ago
- Description
- The Orange County Sheriff’s Office is searching for suspects following a shooting that injured four men in Apopka on Thursday.
The shooting occurred on West 12th Street around 9:20 p.m. and has been described by investigators as a targeted incident. The four victims range in age from 21 to 48.
Deputies remained at the scene for over 12 hours through Friday morning, collecting and photographing dozens of pieces of evidence and bullet casings scattered across the street.
Bullet holes were also visible in several trucks parked along the street as crime scene investigators spent the night bagging evidence.
Read more: https://www.wftv.com/news/local/get-them-off-streets-family-speaks-out-after-four-men-shot-apopka/HYWG6IOAKNFD7JR7QWW4LSWKUM/
- Title
- U.S. Expanding Iran War Operations – 3000+ Targets Already Hit
- Runtime
- 2:03
- Date posted
- 3 months ago
- Description
- U.S. President Donald Trump warned in a Truth Social post that more Iranian officials will be targets, saying, "Today Iran will be hit very hard!," while noting an apology by Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian earlier in the day to neighboring nations over Tehran's attacks.
Gulf countries say they have intercepted more ballistic missiles and drones launched from Iran.
Massive plumes of flames lit up the sky in Tehran on Saturday night after the Iranian state news agency said that an oil storage facility was targeted in latest round of strikes. AP video showed the horizon glowing, then pillars of flame and billowing smoke.
It is among the first times a civil industrial facility has been targeted in the war. Israel’s military did not immediately comment on the targets of the latest strike, but said Israel had recently launched another round of strikes in Tehran. Iran state media in response threatened to hit oil refineries in the northern Israeli...
- Title
- 'I was destroyed' Mother of boy targeted in 'Sandy Hook' murder plot speaks out
- Runtime
- 3:23
- Date posted
- 3 months ago
- Description
- Altamonte Springs, Florida police arrested two students at Lake Brantley High School after discovering a plot to kill a 15-year-old boy in a campus bathroom.
Investigators identified the students as Isabelle Valdez and Lois Lippert, who allegedly brought a knife to school to carry out the attack.
The plot was uncovered after a student tipster alerted authorities, leading police to find a knife and an apology note to parents inside Valdez’s bag.
Investigators reported the girls shared an obsession with the Sandy Hook shooter and intended to kill the victim because they believed he resembled the gunman. According to police reports, the girls planned to use the victim’s blood in a ritual to “bring back to life” the Hook shooter.
Jenifer, the mother of the teen and who also works as a speech-language pathologist at the school, said she must walk past the bathroom where the attack was planned every day.
Read more: http...
- Title
- College student gave birth to girl in toilet, buried her in shallow backyard grave
- Runtime
- 2:15
- Date posted
- 3 months ago
- Description
- Anne Mae Demegillo, 20, was charged with aggravated manslaughter of a child after Flagler County, Florida deputies discovered a newborn’s body in a shallow grave Friday morning. Investigators say Demegillo delivered the infant alive at her home before the child died.
The baby girl weighed three pounds and six ounces. Demegillo told investigators the baby was born alive and delivered in a toilet.
After the infant’s death, Demegillo allegedly put the body in a bag and hid it in a closet. Investigators say she resumed her daily routine, including attending college and a theater performance.
According to the deputy’s statement during the press conference, she eventually decided to bury the child in a shallow grave. The investigation revealed Demegillo sent social media messages with detailed notes about the situation. The individual alerted authorities.
Investigators say they removed 4 to 5 inches of dirt when they uncovered the inf...
- Title
- Florida retiree loses $138,000 in bank scam
- Runtime
- 3:55
- Date posted
- 3 months ago
- Description
- A Daytona Beach woman fell victim to a scam that’s changed her life forever.
“I’m terrified. I can’t eat. I can’t sleep. That was, you know, that was my nest egg,” said Carol Ann Moritz.
Moritz lost much of her life savings after she was contacted by scammers pretending to be from her bank.
She told Action 9 Consumer Investigator Jeff Deal, “I have enough to pay the bills, but I don’t have enough for a nice life anymore.”
The scam started with a phone call from a woman who claimed she was with Fifth Third Bank. The woman told Moritz that someone in Akron, Ohio was trying to access her account and steal her money.
Read more: https://www.wftv.com/news/local/that-was-my-nest-egg-retired-daytona-beach-woman-scammed-out-135000/EJB3AVJHBBAWFCE5KE4KEHSXW4/
- Title
- Judge freezes assets of accused Florida Ponzi kingpin
- Runtime
- 2:29
- Date posted
- 3 months ago
- Description
- A federal judge has frozen the assets of an Orlando man accused of running a $300 million crypto-based Ponzi scheme.
Christopher Delgado is facing federal charges of wire fraud and money laundering tied to a large-scale investment scheme through his company, Goliath Ventures, prosecutors say.
A judge ordered that Delgado’s assets be frozen, preventing him from selling or transferring several high-value items listed in court documents. Those items include nine luxury vehicles, 18 high-end watches, and multiple pieces of jewelry—some of which are in Dubai.
Prosecutors claim the items were purchased with funds from investors and could constitute evidence of money laundering.
Cameras were not allowed inside the federal courtroom, but Channel 9’s Ashlyn Webb spoke with Delgado as he walked out of the courthouse alongside his defense attorneys. When asked whether investors would ever get their money back, Delgado declined to answer.
