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Early Voting Begins in 5 Florida Counties

Mon, 16 Jan 2012 22:56:40 +0000

Early voting began Monday in Hillsborough, Hardy, Hendry, Monroe and Collier counties, five days ahead of the South Carolina primary.

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State to close 7 prisons

Thu, 12 Jan 2012 20:07:29 +0000

TALLAHASSEE -- The state Department of Corrections announced today that it would close seven prisons including Broward Correctional in Pembroke Pines. In addition to Broward Correctional, the other facilities closing are Demilly CI in Polk City, Gainesville CI in Alachua County, Hillsborough CI in Riverview near Tampa, Indian River CI in Vero Beach, Jefferson CI in Monticello and New River CI (both units) in Raiford. Additionally, River Junction Work Camp in Chattahoochee, Caryville Work Camp near Northwest Florida Reception Center in Washington County, Hendry Work Camp in Immokalee, and Levy Forestry Camp near Lowell CI in Ocala will also be closed. “Declining prison admissions has led to a surplus of prison beds, allowing us to pare down our budget shortfall by consolidating and closing our older, less efficient facilities. We are committed to placing as many affected staff as possible in vacant positions for which they are qualified,” said Secretary Ken Tucker in a news release. Inmates will be relocated and no one will receive an early release because of the closures, Tucker said. Tucker and his staff are scheduled to have a media availability later in the day to discuss their plans.

Billie: No idea where Bondi’s information is coming from

Thu, 22 Dec 2011 18:01:04 +0000

From gambling reporter Nick Sortal Seminole Tribe of Florida Chairman James E. Billie has fired back at Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi, with an editorial titled: "Seminole Gaming: clean since 1979" in response to claims by Bondi earlier this month that law enforcement could not back up. Billie's comments are part of a quarter-page editorial dated today in The Seminole Tribune, a monthly newspaper covering tribe news. He names all the agencies and auditors that "scrutinize" the casino, including the FBI, IRS and gaming commissions -- all of which would have had to have missed the criminal action that Bondi claimed happened. "If Bondi's statement is factual, then why didn't she alert us?" he wrote. At a Dec. 8 news conference against a destination casino bill (which, ironically, the Seminoles are also against) Bondi said: “I went and spoke personally to many law enforcement officers and in Hillsborough County, many of the last drug trafficking cases that they made, the money was laundered through the casino.” When pressed to name which casino, Bondi said it was the Hard Rock Tampa. The Hillsborough County sheriff’s office contradicted her claim in a news release Dec. 14, saying “Our office has not conducted any investigation involving money laundering at casinos, nor do we have any official information that this type of criminal activity is/has occurred in Hillsborough County.” Bondi later admitted via a statement that she did not speak to "many" officers, and instead said her information came from only one person -- at a charity function. She did not name the event. Through her office, Bondi has declined repeated requests for interviews. Billie's editorial concludes: "It is disturbing to us for such a serious charge to come out of nowhere through the mouths of such high-ranking leadership as the Cabinet of the State of Florida without any regard to the high potential for damaging the Tribe's reputation and the reputation of its businesses."

Suspect is being held without bond

Sun, 13 Nov 2011 21:31:54 +0000

An 18-year-old Lakeland man is facing murder charges in connection with Saturday’s fatal shooting of a Plant City woman. Abel Dimas is being held without bond in the Hillsborough County Jail. It’s the second time in two months he’s spent time behind bars at the facility. Read More

Woman dies in Tampa shooting

Sun, 13 Nov 2011 02:19:29 +0000

A 21-year-old Hillsborough County woman died Friday in what investigators are calling a tragic accident. Candice Jean Hamm suffered a gunshot wound Friday afternoon at a residence in the 10000 block of North Annette Ave. in Tampa. She was pronounced dead at the scene.

Memorial honors Vietnam veterans

Beach Blogger — Sat, 12 Nov 2011 02:42:39 +0000

A few years ago, it was just an idea. But after a lot of elbow grease, fundraising and dedication, Hillsborough County Veteran’s Park and Museum now has an area, or “theater,” dedicated to Vietnam and the Americans who served there.

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Former county commissioner convicted of corruption

Thu, 10 Nov 2011 18:51:00 +0000

A former Hillsborough County commissioner could be facing prison time after being convicted of seven public corruption charges in Tampa.

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Gov. Scott vows to reform PIP insurance

Wed, 09 Nov 2011 23:01:00 +0000

Fla. Gov. Rick Scott attended a meeting with Hillsborough Sheriff's officials and other lawmakers on personal injury protection insurance today and vowed to reform the system.

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Defense wraps in White case

Tue, 08 Nov 2011 06:14:45 +0000

The public corruption trial of former Hillsborough County Commissioner Kevin White is now in the final stages.

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Jurors to hear from White’s defense

Mon, 07 Nov 2011 15:01:02 +0000

Defense attorneys for Kevin White will begin their case Monday morning, following a week where prosecutors presented evidence and launched accusations against the former Hillsborough County Commissioner.

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