Ex-DCF worker gets probation for lying to child porn investigators

TAMPA -- Michael Hernandez says he lied to authorities investigating the former Florida Department of Children and Families spokesman on child porn charges because he considered him his "best friend."

He later admitted to destroying files on Al Zimmerman's computer and tried to help federal officials build their case against Zimmerman.

But his cooperation came too late, and prosecutors charged him with making false statements to law enforcement.

U.S. District Judge Susan C. Bucklew sentenced Hernandez today to two years' probation for pleading guilty to the offense.

New swine flu cases in Manatee, Polk counties

The number of confirmed cases of swine flu continues to rise. Though no new cases have been reported in Pinellas and Hillsborough counties, two neighboring counties have seen new cases.

Manatee County’s second confirmed case of swine flu is a 14-year-old boy who attends Harllee Middle School. He has recovered and returned to school.

Polk County saw its first confirmed case, a 9-year-old boy who attends Medulla Elementary in Lakeland. He also has recovered and is back in school, according to the Polk County Health Department.

Meanwhile, swine flu is dominating discussions at the World Health Organization’s annual meeting in Geneva. For the latest developments, including when a swine flu vaccine might be ready, visit our health blog, Personal Best.

Richard Martin, Times Staff Writer

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Sharks bite three surfers at New Smyrna Beach

Three surfers sustained relatively minor injuries -- though one required surgery -- after being bitten by sharks in the surf zone near a jetty at New Smyrna Beach this weekend. The area remained a dangerous surf spot in 2008 with an increased number of reported attacks, although worldwide bites were less frequent, according to the International Shark Attack File.

No surprises as FDLE identifies remains in graves at Florida School for Boys

Florida Department of Law Enforcement investigators said today they have identified the remains of 31 individuals buried in a cemetery at the Arthur G. Dozier School for Boys in Marianna. 

The school, formerly known as the Florida School for Boys, has been the subject of investigation since December, when a group known as the White House Boys made public their stories of horrific abuse at the hands of staff members in the 1950s and '60s. Gov. Charlie Crist asked the FDLE to find out who was buried in the cemetery, marked by 31 crosses with no names.

The investigation offers no surprises. According to the FDLE, eight students and two staff members died in a dormitory fire in 1914. Twelve died as a result of influenza, tuberculosis or other medical conditions. One boy drowned. Another fell off a mule. In 1944, one student was murdered by four other students. In 1940, the remains of a runaway were found under a house in Marianna. Five people, buried between 1919 and 1925, had no listed cause of death. The cemetery also contains the remains of two dogs and a peacock.

Investigators based their report on interviews with hundreds of former inmates of the school and current and former staff members, and on school newspaper articles, town newspaper articles, medical records, obituaries and coroner's reports.

The FDLE found no evidence from witnesses or from records that any other students were buried there. They say they found no direct evidence to suggest that any boys had been killed by school staff. An investigation into allegations of abuse is ongoing. 

Investigators identified 50 documented student deaths from 1911 to 1973, the year of the last known death there. The FDLE found no evidence school staff caused any of those deaths.

FDLE Identifies Unmarked Graves at Dozier School for Boys: download PDF.

Read a special report on the Florida School for Boys, now called the Arthur G. Dozier School for Boys.

 

Man guilty of Sarasota gallery owner's murder

 The Sarasota Herald-Tribune reports that a jury took less than an hour yesterday to disregard testimony from four psychologists and found Elton Murphy (left) guilty of the 2004 murder of Sarasota gallery owner Joyce Wishart. Judge Charles Roberts sentenced him to life in prison without parole.

In August 2004, the St. Petersburg Times reported that Murphy was arrested based on DNA evidence found at the scene.

Times staff writer

[Photo: Times files]

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WellCare charged with Medicaid fraud, agrees to pay $80 million

TAMPA -- Nearly 18 months after federal agents raided its Tampa headquarters, WellCare Health Plans Inc. has been charged with a multimillion-dollar health care scheme and agreed to pay $80 million for defrauding the Florida Medicaid program and the Florida Healthy Kids Corp., the U.S. Attorney's Office announced today.

Alligator Alley closed again due to smoke from wildfires

Alligator Alley was closed again early this morning because of smoke from lingering wildfires in and around Big Cypress National Preserve. The Florida Highway Patrol is unsure of when it will reopen.

Brant James, Times Staff Writer

Video: NaplesNews.com

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Alligator Alley open as firefighters contain blaze

Alligator Alley across South Florida is open and no further closures are expected as firefighters continue to contain a blaze that has consumed more than 27,000 acres in and around Big Cypress National Preserve.

The road was kept open all night for the first time since April 22, when the Florida Highway Patrol initially closed it at dusk over concerns that smoke and fog could make driving conditions dangerous.

The highway is a part of Interstate 75, linking Naples and Broward County.

Brant James, Times staff writer

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Alligator Alley reopens and may stay open

Alligator Alley has reopened, according to Florida Highway Patrol, as firefighters appear to be getting a better handle on a wildfire that has consumed about 27,000 acres of the Big Cypress Preserve.

The stretch of Interstate 75 may stay open, the Naples Daily News reports. Lightning is suspected to have started a brush fire a week ago that has closed the stretch of Interstate 75 for more than 100 hours.

Officials will decide at 5 p.m. whether the route will be closed tonight.

Brant James, Times Staff Writer

(Video: Naples News)

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Officials: No swine flu confirmed in Florida

Orlando health officials swatted down a TV report Tuesday that there had been a confirmed case of swine flu in a tourist from Mexico visiting a Disney attraction.