Around the region for Sept. 2, 2011
Published: Thursday, September 1, 2011 at 8:17 p.m.
Last Modified: Thursday, September 1, 2011 at 8:17 p.m.
POLICE BEAT
Woman dead after I-75 crash
A Coral Springs woman who was hospitalized Wednesday following a crash on Interstate 75 near U.S. 441 in Alachua has died.
The Florida Highway Patrol reported Thursday that Diane Marie Ramirez, 53, died of her injuries.
The accident occurred about 2:11 p.m. as Ramirez was driving a 1994 Ford Explorer north in the center lane, according to an FHP report. Her left rear tire malfunctioned, causing the SUV to veer into the left lane, FHP said.
Ramirez counter-steered toward the right, rotated clockwise and began to roll while airborne, the report states.
The passenger side of the SUV struck the road, and the SUV rolled multiple times before ending up in the center lane.
All northbound lanes were blocked for about 45 minutes while Alachua County Fire Rescue extricated Ramirez.
She was taken to Shands at the University of Florida.
— Cindy Swirko
COMMUNITY
MDA telethon in prime time Sunday
The MDA Labor Day Telethon will be broadcast for the first time only in prime-time hours, for six hours on Sunday.
The program, which is seen annually by more than 40 million viewers nationwide, airs on WCJB TV 20 Sunday from 6 p.m. to midnight.
The change provides a more concentrated window in which to deliver MDA’s messages of help and hope.
For more local information, contact Allyson Swanson at aswanson@mdausa.org or (904) 296-6799.
— Staff report
Nominees wanted for health awards
The American Heart Association is seeking nominations of individuals who have made significant strides in their lives to become healthier.
The nominees will be considered for the organization’s annual Lifestyle Change Award, which is named to celebrate healthy choices and also to inspire others to improve their health.
To submit a nomination for the Lifestyle Change Award, download a nomination form at AlachuaHeartWalk.org or call 800- 257-6941, Ext. 8024.
All applicants will be celebrated and one individual will be honored as the Lifestyle Change Ambassador at the Alachua County Heart Walk at 7:30 a.m. Sept. 24 at the North Florida Regional Medical Center Duck Pond.
— Staff report
County meeting to talk redistricting
The Alachua County Commission will hold a workshop session on commission redistricting next Tuesday.
The meeting begins at 1:30 p.m. on the second floor of the County Administration Building, 12 SE First St. in Gainesville.
Every decade, the county must redraw district lines after the updated population count of the U.S. Census. Staff will make a presentation on the process used to create draft district maps and the public will have an opportunity to offer feedback.
— Chris Curry
STATE
Man gets life for killing his parents
FORT PIERCE— A Central Florida man has been sentenced to life in prison for killing his parents when he was a teenager.
A St. Lucie County judge sentenced 20-year-old Jacob Brighton Wednesday after a jury found him guilty of two counts of first-degree murder.
Scripps Treasure Coast Newspapers reports that the defense did not contest that Brighton killed his parent in 2007, when he was just 16 years old. Brighton’s attorney presented allegations that his father repeatedly raped him from age 9. Brighton took the stand, claiming his mother knew about the assaults and failed to help him.
Prosecutors pointed to inconsistencies in Brighton’s claims.
They argued that Brighton was angry at his parents and had previously discussed killing them with friends.
— The Associated Press
Teen charged in triple shooting
MIAMI GARDENS — Authorities say they’ve arrested a teen who shot and wounded three others near a Miami-Dade high school after classes got out.
Miami Gardens police say they’ve arrested a 17-year-old male who confessed to shooting three teens near Miami Carol City High School Wednesday afternoon. The suspect, who was not named because of his age, was charged with three counts of aggravated battery, one count of discharging a firearm in public and one count of unlawful possession of a firearm by a minor.
The Miami Herald reports that students were hanging out at Victory Food Shop when witnesses say someone pulled out a gun and fired four shots.
A motive for the shooting wasn’t immediately clear.
Wednesday’s victims were in stable condition.
Police initially thought a fourth person was also shot, but those injuries were unrelated.
— The Associated Press
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