3 Legged Gator Attacks Man Taking a Quick Dip
James Wimmer did what he usually does to cool off Monday. At around 5 p.m., the air feeling like 99 degrees, he decided to jump in a creek. His friend, J.C. Goodwin, said Wimmer stopped by the homeless campsite in the woods east of South Main Street to say hi before walking down to the water.
Goodwin, 52, didn't think anything of it when he heard a splash. Then came the screams. "It was this horrific roar," he said. Wimmer had been attacked by an alligator.
Goodwin ran down the bank, where he saw Wimmer backing away from a 9-foot alligator. Wimmer's left shoulder was shredded, with deep teeth marks creating half-moon bites on his front and back. His arm hung limp as he tried to run away.
Goodwin grabbed a nearby cinder block, hoisted it and heaved it at the animal. The concrete block broke into pieces when it landed on the alligator's head. "I was just trying to get him to go the other way," Goodwin said. It worked. As Goodwin dragged his friend up the creek to a shallow bank, another friend used Wimmer's cellphone to call for help.
An hour later, "Three Legs" the alligator was dead. When trappers from the Florida Wildlife Conservation Commission arrived, the decision was made quickly. "He was on death row," Goodwin said. Story from Gainesville.com
Goodwin, 52, didn't think anything of it when he heard a splash. Then came the screams. "It was this horrific roar," he said. Wimmer had been attacked by an alligator.
Goodwin ran down the bank, where he saw Wimmer backing away from a 9-foot alligator. Wimmer's left shoulder was shredded, with deep teeth marks creating half-moon bites on his front and back. His arm hung limp as he tried to run away.
Goodwin grabbed a nearby cinder block, hoisted it and heaved it at the animal. The concrete block broke into pieces when it landed on the alligator's head. "I was just trying to get him to go the other way," Goodwin said. It worked. As Goodwin dragged his friend up the creek to a shallow bank, another friend used Wimmer's cellphone to call for help.
An hour later, "Three Legs" the alligator was dead. When trappers from the Florida Wildlife Conservation Commission arrived, the decision was made quickly. "He was on death row," Goodwin said. Story from Gainesville.com
Bogus FAMU Program Passes Funds to Senators' Non Profits
Over the past three years, Florida A&M has been used as what the university has called a "pass through" to send millions in taxpayer dollars to nonprofit groups with close ties to two term-limited state senators.
The money was secured by Jacksonville Republican Stephen Wise and Orlando Democrat Gary Siplin during final budget negotiations and did not go through the normal appropriations process. It was put in FAMU's budget for the "Targeted Student Assistance Program," whose purpose is to "guide, motivate and prepare high school students from low performing schools for future success."
The program exists only on paper. None of the money is meant for FAMU, emails and state records reviewed by the Times-Union show.
The Targeted Student Assistance grant funds included in the FAMU 2010-11 and 2011-12 budgets are pass-through funds in which the university serves solely as the fiscal agent," wrote Sharon Saunders, a FAMU spokeswoman, in a statement.
Since the FAMU program was first funded in the 2010-11 budget, it has received $10.8 million, not counting $5 million in the most recent budget that has yet to be disbursed. Of that, $6.9 went to Professional Opportunities Program for Students, or POPS, a nonprofit Siplin helped found in 2001.
Another $2.7 million went to the nonprofit Florida Endowment Foundation for Florida's Graduates, whose executive director is Democratic congressional candidate Heather Beaven. Its board includes both Siplin and Wise; the latter sponsored the 1998 legislation that created it.
Both organizations that received the money operate education-related programs. POPS has seven locations, including one in Jacksonville's Ribault High School. It provides job training opportunities for high school students.
The foundation has two programs, one that focuses on at-risk youth, and another that encourages girls to pursue math and science careers. It also operates a center in Palatka that gives kids real-life training with things like journalism and graphic design.
When reached on his cell phone, Wise said "looks like you got it all," a reference to questions emailed to his office. He would not answer specific questions and said the Times-Union was trying to "besmirch" his character.
The money was secured by Jacksonville Republican Stephen Wise and Orlando Democrat Gary Siplin during final budget negotiations and did not go through the normal appropriations process. It was put in FAMU's budget for the "Targeted Student Assistance Program," whose purpose is to "guide, motivate and prepare high school students from low performing schools for future success."
The program exists only on paper. None of the money is meant for FAMU, emails and state records reviewed by the Times-Union show.
The Targeted Student Assistance grant funds included in the FAMU 2010-11 and 2011-12 budgets are pass-through funds in which the university serves solely as the fiscal agent," wrote Sharon Saunders, a FAMU spokeswoman, in a statement.
Since the FAMU program was first funded in the 2010-11 budget, it has received $10.8 million, not counting $5 million in the most recent budget that has yet to be disbursed. Of that, $6.9 went to Professional Opportunities Program for Students, or POPS, a nonprofit Siplin helped found in 2001.
Another $2.7 million went to the nonprofit Florida Endowment Foundation for Florida's Graduates, whose executive director is Democratic congressional candidate Heather Beaven. Its board includes both Siplin and Wise; the latter sponsored the 1998 legislation that created it.
Both organizations that received the money operate education-related programs. POPS has seven locations, including one in Jacksonville's Ribault High School. It provides job training opportunities for high school students.
The foundation has two programs, one that focuses on at-risk youth, and another that encourages girls to pursue math and science careers. It also operates a center in Palatka that gives kids real-life training with things like journalism and graphic design.
When reached on his cell phone, Wise said "looks like you got it all," a reference to questions emailed to his office. He would not answer specific questions and said the Times-Union was trying to "besmirch" his character.
Governor Names Jax Native as Chief of Staff
Jacksonville native Adam Hollingsworth has been named Gov. Rick Scott’s new chief of staff. Hollingsworth, 43, served on Scott's campaign and as director of agency review for his transition team. He was also former Jacksonville Mayor John Peyton's chief of staff.
Rumor began to circulate last week that Hollingsworth would replace Steve MacNamara as Scott’s chief of staff. MacNamara, who made $189,000-a-year, has taken fire over the past week after news surfaced that he help friends secure no bid contracts and take taxpayer funded trips under relaxed government guidelines.
Rumor began to circulate last week that Hollingsworth would replace Steve MacNamara as Scott’s chief of staff. MacNamara, who made $189,000-a-year, has taken fire over the past week after news surfaced that he help friends secure no bid contracts and take taxpayer funded trips under relaxed government guidelines.
Tim Constantine and The Tim Constantine Show is On the Air Live from Florida
The Tim Constantine Show graces the airwaves every weekday in St. Augustine. WFOY News Talk 1240 President and Owner Kris Phillips is excited about having Tim Constantine in-studio, "Tim brings national talent to our approach to News Talk. This is great for the community." The Tim Constantine show broadcasts live Monday through Friday from 3-5 pm. You may also listen to The Tim Constantine Show by clicking on the "LISTEN LIVE" button above.
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