Latest news with #StormTeamWeather
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Yahoo
Child drowns in Central Florida pond while on vacation with family, deputies say
The Brief A child drowned on Friday morning in a Central Florida pond. The child was on vacation with their family. Officials say the drowning was accidental in nature and does not appear to be criminal. KISSIMMEE, Fla. - A child drowned on Friday morning in a Central Florida pond while on vacation with his family, Osceola County deputies say. What we know Deputies with the Osceola County Sheriff's Office (OCSO) said they responded to reports of a possible drowning on Friday morning in the area around Westgate Boulevard in Kissimmee. The area is next to the Westgate Vacation Villas Resort, which is in close proximity to the Central Florida theme parks and dozens of other resorts. Osceola County Fire Rescue (OCFR) said they took the child to the hospital, but they did not survive. Officials say the drowning was accidental in nature and does not appear to be criminal. The child and their family were visiting the area on vacation, authorities say. What they're saying "Out of respect and consideration for the family during this difficult time, we will not be releasing any additional information regarding this incident," deputies with the OCSO said. What we don't know Officials have not yet released any details on what led to the drowning and have not identified the child. This is a developing story. Check back later for more information. STAY CONNECTED WITH FOX 35 ORLANDO: Download the FOX Local app for breaking news alerts, the latest news headlines Download the FOX 35 Storm Team Weather app for weather alerts & radar Sign up for FOX 35's daily newsletter for the latest morning headlines FOX Local:Stream FOX 35 newscasts, FOX 35 News+, Central Florida Eats on your smart TV The Source This story was written based on information shared by the Osceola County Sheriff's Office (OCSO) and Osceola County Fire Rescue (OCFR) in emails on June 13, 2025.
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Yahoo
21-year-old arrested for deadly Osceola County hit-and-run crash, troopers say
The Brief Jairo Pena Espana, 21, was arrested for a deadly hit-and-run in Osceola County. Authorities found the 2017 Ford F-250 involved. Espana is facing charges of leaving the scene of a crash involving death and driving without a license resulting in death. OSCEOLA COUNTY, Fla. - A man has been arrested in connection with a deadly hit-and-run crash that occurred Wednesday in Osceola County, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. Troopers said they located a 2017 Ford F-250 and took the driver, 21-year-old Jairo Pena Espana of Honduras, into custody. Espana is facing charges of leaving the scene of a crash involving death and driving without a license resulting in death. An investigation is ongoing. The backstory The deadly crash took place at 6:22 a.m. on Wednesday in a neighborhood on Florida Parkway, south of Birchwood Circle in Kissimmee. Troopers said an unknown vehicle was traveling northbound on Florida Parkway, approaching East Bircwood Circle, while a woman may have been running on Florida Parkway in the northbound lane ahead of the vehicle. Troopers say the vehicle hit the 40-year-old woman and then fled the scene. The woman was taken to the hospital and died. STAY CONNECTED WITH FOX 35 ORLANDO: Download the FOX Local app for breaking news alerts, the latest news headlines Download the FOX 35 Storm Team Weather app for weather alerts & radar Sign up for FOX 35's daily newsletter for the latest morning headlines FOX Local:Stream FOX 35 newscasts, FOX 35 News+, Central Florida Eats on your smart TV The Source This story was written based on information shared by the Florida Highway Patrol.
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Palm Bay officials say more than 3 million gallons of sewage was released when pipe broke unexpectedly
The Brief The city of Palm Bay says a failed pipe caused a massive sewage spill in the city this week. Preliminary estimates by the city indicate approximately 3.19 million gallons of wastewater were released as a result of the break. Neighbors are worried about the city's infrastructure since this isn't the first sewage spill. What we know ORLANDO, Fla. - On Monday, the city of Palm Bay started an emergency response on Clearmont Street after a pipe near the wastewater plant broke. After more than a day of seeping sewage, the break was contained. The city is blaming a faulty pipe for causing the massive spill. The city says the break couldn't have been anticipated because of routine checks. The last check was done two weeks ago and things appeared okay. Since the spill, neighbors who live near Turkey Creek have been on high alert, with many very frustrated to see another spill. FOX 35 reported on another sewage spill in the city during hurricane season last year. Neighbors are worried about development and what's being done to improve infrastructure with additional strains on the system. The city is still doing restoration efforts in the area and urging people to stay out of the water, posting signs near homes and parks. What we don't know FOX 35 News has reached out to Florida's Department of Environmental Protection multiple times since the spill was reported to see if they are investigating and if the city will be fined. They have not yet responded. Some dead fish have been spotted in the water. It's unclear if more wildlife will be impacted post-sewage spill. What they're saying Neighbors are upset about the spill and say they don't understand why tax dollars aren't going to help strengthen the city's system. "All of a sudden, a pipe's breaking, but who's actually doing something about this?" said Bart Hynes, who lives near Turkey Creek and has been worried about stormwater runoff and sewage discharge for years. "We just put band-aids on it, and we move on and people forget about it until the next one," said Sandi Finch, who lives near the sewage spill. "Now they're building these large apartment units. They really haven't improved the infrastructure to do anything with all that extra waste," said Clyde Harmon who's particularly concerned about overdevelopment taxing the infrastructure. STAY CONNECTED WITH FOX 35 ORLANDO: Download the FOX Local app for breaking news alerts, the latest news headlines Download the FOX 35 Storm Team Weather app for weather alerts & radar Sign up for FOX 35's daily newsletter for the latest morning headlines FOX Local: Stream FOX 35 newscasts, FOX 35 News+, Central Florida Eats on your smart TV The Source FOX 35's Reporter Esther Bower met with homeowners on Wednesday who live near the spill. She's been following updates from the city since Monday. On Wednesday, she asked the city for an interview on the spill but wasn't able to speak with anyone. The city instead provided written updates. She emailed Florida's DEP a second time this week asking if the agency is investigating the spill. She hasn't heard back.
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Yahoo
Woman killed in Osceola County hit-and-run crash, troopers say
The Brief A woman was killed Wednesday morning in a crash in Osceola County. Troopers say the woman was running in the neighborhood when she was hit. Investigators are searching for the driver of the vehicle involved in the crash who fled the scene. OSCEOLA COUNTY, Fla. - A woman was killed Wednesday morning in a hit-and-run crash in Osceola County, troopers say. Investigators are asking for anyone with information to come forward as they continue to search for the driver of the vehicle involved in the crash. What we know The deadly crash took place at 6:22 a.m. on Wednesday in a neighborhood on Florida Parkway, south of Birchwood Circle in Kissimmee. The Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) says an unknown vehicle was traveling northbound on Florida Parkway, approaching East Bircwood Circle, while a woman may have been running on Florida Parkway in the northbound lane ahead of the vehicle. Troopers say the vehicle hit the 40-year-old woman and then fled the scene. The woman was taken to the hospital and died. What we don't know Troopers currently have no information on the vehicle or the driver of the vehicle involved in the crash. What you can do Officials are asking anyone with information on the crash to call FHP at *347 or CRIMELINE at 1-800-423-TIPS. What's next The crash currently remains under investigation. This is a developing story. Check back later for more information. STAY CONNECTED WITH FOX 35 ORLANDO: Download the FOX Local app for breaking news alerts, the latest news headlines Download the FOX 35 Storm Team Weather app for weather alerts & radar Sign up for FOX 35's daily newsletter for the latest morning headlines FOX Local:Stream FOX 35 newscasts, FOX 35 News+, Central Florida Eats on your smart TV The Source This story was written based on information shared by the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) in an email on June 11, 2025.
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Yahoo
Third suspect connected to ex-Sheriff Marcos Lopez's illegal gambling scheme issued bond: officials
The Brief A third suspect, Sheldon Wetherholt, has been arrested on racketeering and conspiracy charges related to an illegal gambling operation tied to former Osceola County Sheriff Marcos Lopez, officials say. The scheme involved a social club in Kissimmee, allegedly run by Lopez and at least four others. Two other co-defendants have been arrested, with authorities still searching for the fourth, Ying Zhang. LAKE COUNTY, Fla. - A third co-defendant has been arrested in connection with the alleged illegal gambling scheme that led to the arrest of former Osceola County Sheriff Marcos Lopez last week. Sheldon Wetherholt, 58, turned himself in early Wednesday at the Lake County Jail on racketeering and conspiracy charges. He appeared before a judge the same day and is being held on a $100,000 bond — $50,000 for each count. Officials noted he has no prior criminal history. During the hearing, Wetherholt was vocal, stating that he served in the U.S. Marine Corps for less than a year and currently cares for his adult sons, whom he described as bipolar and schizophrenic. What's next If he posts bail, he must forfeit any firearms – which he claims he doesn't have – and will be fitted for a GPS monitor. His next court date is scheduled for July 7. The backstory According to a criminal complaint, Lopez and at least four others – Ying Zhang, Sharon Fedrick, Sheldon Wetherholt and Carol Cote – owned or operated the million-dollar social club in Kissimmee. Marion County residents Carol Cote and Sharon Fedrick were arrested on Thursday, while officials are still looking for Ying Zhang. On Friday, both Cote and Fedrick were granted bond pending trial by a Lake County judge. Fedrick's bond was set at $300,000 per count due to prior state and federal convictions, while Cote's bond was set at $100,000 for each count. Cote was released on bond later in the day. FOX 35 has learned that she has both an 8-year-old child and 2-year-old twins. Fedrick bonded out Monday night. Both Cote and Fedrick are scheduled to next appear in court on June 30. STAY CONNECTED WITH FOX 35 ORLANDO: Download the FOX Local app for breaking news alerts, the latest news headlines Download the FOX 35 Storm Team Weather app for weather alerts & radar Sign up for FOX 35's daily newsletter for the latest morning headlines FOX Local:Stream FOX 35 newscasts, FOX 35 News+, Central Florida Eats on your smart TV The Source This story was written based on information said during the court hearing for Sheldon Wetherholt at the Lake County Jail on June 11, 2025.
