Connect with us

Florida

12-foot ‘Airman Ally Gator’ rescued after turning up at Florida air base — twice

Published

on

12-foot ‘Airman Ally Gator’ rescued after turning up at Florida air base — twice


A massive alligator has been safely relocated to a Florida sanctuary after turning up at a military base — twice.

The hulking 12-foot, 4-inch gator first wandered onto MacDill Air Force base’s grounds in late April, taking refuge beneath the wheels of an airplane.

Two Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission officers were seen placing ropes around an alligator’s body, tail and mouth before releasing him into Hillsborough River, located just a few miles north of the air base.

“Airman Ally Gator” first wandered onto MacDill Air Force base’s grounds in late April. EllenGray Schroeder

The wetlands didn’t appear to be to the reptile’s liking, however, and he returned to MacDill just three weeks later.

Advertisement

This time, “Airman Ally Gator” dried out on the sidewalk near the camp’s Med Group.

“Airman Gator will be in charge of MacDill’s complaint department and is ready to book your appointment below. Please list a date and time below that you would like to register your complaint,” the military branch joked on social media.

The gator was recaptured, but this time FWC officials opted to bring the scaley beast to Gatorama and Crocodile Adventures in Palmdale, an alligator farm located about 155 miles away.

According to the Air Force, the alligator has “already made some friends in his new home.”

“Airman Ally Gator” was released into Hillsborough River. MacDill Air Force Base

“They renamed him “MacDill” to pay homage to his origins,” the military said on social media.

Advertisement

Gatorama placed “Major MacDill” in its breeding and exhibit ponds, though its not clear whether the massive beast will be part of the facility’s alligator shows.

The gator was recaptured and brought to Gatorama and Crocodile Adventures in Palmdale. MacDill Air Force Base

Alligator courtship begins in early April, and they begin mating in May or June.

“Isn’t he beautiful? 12’4”. We hate to see these big old bull alligators killed. The stories they tell must be amazing about how he survived to this length,” the alligator farm said.



Source link

Advertisement

Florida

South Florida faith leaders call for Miami mental health center to finally open

Published

on

South Florida faith leaders call for Miami mental health center to finally open


On Monday, more than 800 faith leaders and community activists from across South Florida, crowded into the Corpus Christi Catholic Church in Miami to demand the Miami Dade County Commission move forward with opening the Miami Center for Mental Health and Recovery.

“Are we OK with being told to wait when lives are on the line?” said Quanda Dupree, of the St. Peters Missionary Baptist Church. “Or do we believe real accountability means keeping your word? Even when things aren’t guaranteed. We believe our communities deserve more than a delayed response. We deserve action.”

The center – which was promised to voters back in 2004 – would take mentally ill individuals out of the jail and move them into a place where they can receive comprehensive treatment and support. The county has spent more than $50 million renovating the building and two years ago, a pair of non-profit groups were selected to operate the facility while numerous local groups and agencies have pledged their support, including the Homeless Trust. Funding for the first two to three years of the center is already in place.

And yet, the center remains empty – not helping anyone.



Source link

Continue Reading

Florida

SNAP benefits will be changing in Florida starting Monday

Published

on

SNAP benefits will be changing in Florida starting Monday


New SNAP restrictions will start Monday in Florida.

What we know:

Advertisement

These changes will ban the purchase of many sugary sodas, energy drinks, candy and ultra-processed, shelf-stable prepared desserts.

Hunger Free America, an advocacy group, is against these restrictions.

Joel Berg, the CEO, said some regulation is a good thing, but he wants to see it support access to healthy foods as a choice.

Advertisement

“We do support mandates to mandate that healthier food is available in stores that do accept SNAP,” Berg said. “So, it makes a lot more sense to make it easier to get healthier food.”

Berg said these restrictions are unnecessary in achieving a healthier America.

Advertisement

“We should make America healthier again by making healthy food more affordable, convenient and physically available,” Berg said. “We shouldn’t micromanage the eating patterns of adults to try to achieve that goal.”

The other side:

Advertisement

This is part of the Make America Healthy Again initiative.

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins said, “Under the MAHA initiative, we are taking bold, historic steps to reverse the chronic disease epidemic that has taken root in this country for far too long.”

What they’re saying:

Advertisement

Berg said that these changes, on top of cuts to the program nationwide, will increase hunger.

“It’s not that low-income Americans don’t want healthier food; it’s that they can’t afford healthier food,” Berg said.

Advertisement

This coincides with the announcement that there will be cuts to WIC, the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children, which supplies food to mothers and young children.

“President Trump’s budget just announced that he’s proposing taking away fruits and vegetables from the WIC program for pregnant women and children under five,” Berg said. “So, they’re taking away healthier food.”

The WIC cuts would take away $1.4 billion in fruit and vegetable benefits from 5.4 million people.

Advertisement

Big picture view:

The SNAP changes come as part of the MAHA movement and include more than 20 other states that will implement changes over the next two years.

Advertisement

The Source:  Information in this story comes from WIC, SNAP and interviews done by Fox 13’s Danielle Zulkosky.

Hillsborough CountyHealth



Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Florida

GALLERY: Barrett-Jackson ‘Super Saturday’ takes over South Florida Fairgrounds

Published

on

GALLERY: Barrett-Jackson ‘Super Saturday’ takes over South Florida Fairgrounds


The engines are revving for one final day of high-stakes bidding and family fun at the South Florida Fairgrounds.

Barrett-Jackson’s Palm Beach auction reaches its grand finale today with an action-packed “Super Saturday” lineup, promising to close out the weekend with a full slate of collector car sales, live entertainment, and fan attractions.

“Super Saturday,” presented by Seminole Casino Coconut Creek, officially kicks off at 8 a.m. when gates, food courts, and the exhibitor marketplace open to the public.

What to expect

  • 8:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.: The Fantasy Bid presented by Dodge begins early, running in tandem with the automobilia auction in the arena.
  • 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.: Thrill-seekers can catch Dodge thrill rides on the Barrett-Jackson Performance Track.
  • 10:00 a.m.: New amenities open to the public, including the Stella Artois, Staging Lanes, and Food Court patios, which offer shaded seating and auction views.
  • 10:45 a.m.: The national anthem will be performed in the auction arena, signaling the start of the main collector car auction at 11 a.m.
  • Afternoon Entertainment: DJ sets run from noon to 5 p.m. across the various patios, and a detailing clinic by Adam’s Polishes is scheduled for 2 p.m. near the South Showcase.

For those unable to attend, the whole event will be livestreamed throughout the day on the Barrett-Jackson website and the HISTORY channel from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Today’s finale comes on the heels of a high-energy Friday that saw significant sales and notable celebrity interest.

Advertisement

Star power was evident throughout the day, particularly with vehicles tied to the Busch family. A 1957 Ford Thunderbird Convertible owned by Samantha Busch and a 1969 Oldsmobile 442 Custom Coupe were among the day’s heavy hitters, each fetching $159,500. Kyle Busch’s 1956 Chevrolet Bel Air Custom Coupe also drew a strong bid, selling for $143,000.

Other Friday highlights included:

  • 1968 Ford Mustang Eleanor Replica: $137,500
  • 2004 Dodge Viper SRT-10 Mamba Edition: $132,000
  • 1972 Chevrolet K5 Blazer Custom SUV: $126,500
  • 1957 Ford Thunderbird Custom Convertible: $121,000
Comment with Bubbles

BE THE FIRST TO COMMENT

With a festival-style atmosphere and high-profile sales driving momentum, organizers expect a busy crowd for the final push at the auction block today.



Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading
Advertisement

Trending