Florida

‘I'm dead': Florida surfer survives second shark attack on Bathtub Beach

Published

1 year ago

October 31, 2024

‘I'm dead': Florida surfer survives second shark attack on Bathtub Beach

A Florida surfer says he’s thankful to be alive after being attacked by a shark not once, but twice now in his lifetime in the same area.

Both bites happened in the same waters, on Bathtub Beach in Martin County, a decade apart.

Charter boat captain and former competitive surfer Cole Taschman said he was paddling just past the reef when what he thinks was shark 7 or 8 feet long hit him from behind.

He described the shark as a “beast” to NBC affiliated WPTV, and thought it was a tiger or bull shark.

“Both feet were in the shark’s mouth at once,” he said. “I looked back and I kind of got a glimpse of him, very wide nose, and I screamed… I was like, I’m dead.”

Taschman said his friends, also surfers, immediately came to his aid. His girlfriend even captured the dramatic moments from the shore.

“I got bit by a shark!” he yells in the video.

On the beach, his friends used their surf leashes to form a tourniquet and stop the bleeding as they raced to the nearest hospital.

From there, Taschman was transferred to St. Mary’s Medical Center in West Palm Beach.

“The injury from the shark was very impressive, like the lacerations from the shark teeth are almost as clean from the knives, the surgical steel, we use to do our surgeries,” one of the surgeons on his team said.

This incident, Taschman said, was much more serious than the first time he was bitten. He told WPTV that he has had two surgeries to repair three tendons and received 93 stitches.

“The difference between a high school athlete and an Olympic athlete are the difference between the two bites–very different,” he said.

The first time was in 2013, when Taschman was just 16 years old.

“It just happens so quickly that it’s a big adrenaline rush and it’s a lot of shock, and you do just kind of have a moment where it’s like, ‘OK I’m dead,’” he said.

And even though the chances of ever being attacked by a shark, let alone twice, are extremely low, Taschman said he doesn’t feel unlucky.

“Don’t surf alone, and have your knowledge of what you’re doing. Know how to use a leash as a tourniquet, know how to be prepared to do these activities,” he said. “It’s proper prior planning, you know?”

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Florida

How to save your Florida plants after a winter freeze: A guide

Published

7 hours ago

February 5, 2026

Press Room

How to save your Florida plants after a winter freeze: A guide

If your yard was damaged by the freezing temperatures, don’t panic. Some plants may look worse before they get better.
Scratch the bark of a plant lightly with a fingernail or a coin. If the revealed area is green, the plant is still alive.
Water your plants. Moist soil holds more heat than dry soil and releases it slowly overnight.

Recent freezing weather may have damaged plants in your yard, but not all damage is permanent.

Some plants may look worse before they get better, according to Sara MacDonald at the St. Lucie County Extension office of the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences.

We compiled a list of things residents should do with their plants after freezing temperatures to help them recover and avoid causing more damage, along with some tips for preventing damage before the next freeze. Here’s what to do to tell if your plant has been killed, and how to save it if it still has a chance.

How to tell if a plant is killed by freezing temperatures, or just damaged

Scratch the bark of a plant lightly with a fingernail or a coin. If the revealed area is green, the plant is still alive. If it is brown or black, the plant is likely dead.

Guidelines for watering Florida plants before and after a freeze

Here are some things to remember when watering plants:

Moist soil holds more heat than dry soil and releases it slowly overnight
Cold, windy weather can dry plants out
Water plants to help thaw soil and rehydrate roots
Container plants may need extra attention
Suspend irrigation during freezing conditions

What NOT to do after plants are frozen

Here are some things to avoid if your plants suffered during low temperatures.

Avoid heavy pruning right after a freeze. Cutting too early can remove living tissue and stimulate vulnerable new growth.
Don’t fertilize right after a freeze. Wait until warmer weather and active growth return
Don’t over-water. Watering is important to help plants that dried out in the cold, dry air, but drowning the plants will cause more harm than good.

How to protect Florida plants from the next freeze

Another cold front is moving through Florida on Thursday, Feb. 5., so here are some tips to protect your plants.

Cover your plants to trap heat from the soil, and make sure the cover reaches the ground, said Maria Quirico Bautista, a UF/IFAS Lake County residential horticulture agent via email Jan. 29. Secure the cover with bricks or pins, especially this weekend since very gusty winds are expected.

Recommended covers include:

frost cloth
burlap
old bed sheets

Additionally, apply 2 to 3 inches of mulch to insulate roots, but avoid piling mulch against the trunk.

You can get all of Florida’s best content directly in your inbox each weekday day by signing up for the free newsletter, Florida TODAY, at https://tcpalm.com/newsletters.

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Florida

FSU football recruiting: Florida High’s Keenen Jeune signs as a walk-on

Published

19 hours ago

February 4, 2026

Press Room

FSU football recruiting: Florida High’s Keenen Jeune signs as a walk-on

Florida State football picked up another local product during National Signing Day. Florida High’s WR Keenen Jeune announced on Wednesday morning that he will be a preferred walk-on for the Seminoles and officially on Wednesday afternoon.

Jeune had a career year as a senior after finishing the last season with 46 catches, 759 receiving yards and five touchdowns. As a three-year starter, he recorded 73 catches, 1,138 receiving yards and five scores. He made second-team All-Big Bend.

The Tallahassee native is the fourth local player to be part of the 2026 class. Jeune joins Godby’s linebacker Trenton Rogers, who also signed his letter on the same day, and Gadsden County’s Jakobe Green and Daylen Green, both of whom are already enrolled.

Florida High finished 5-7 last season.

Peter Holland Jr. covers Florida State athletics for the Tallahassee Democrat. Contact him via email at PHolland@Gannett.com or on X @_Da_pistol.

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Florida

Florida warns of Amber Alert scam. Here’s what’s happening

Published

1 day ago

February 4, 2026

Press Room

Florida warns of Amber Alert scam. Here’s what’s happening

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