Orlando Sentinel- Orlando news, sports and more

Taxpayers shouldn't get stuck with lobbying tab

Sun, 27 May 2012 22:03:00 GMT

A Quinnipiac poll this month reported that 70 percent of Floridians think the economy is still in a recession, even though it officially ended almost three years ago. It's a good bet there weren't many legislative lobbyists among that 70 percent.

Inflated auto-insurance claims? Morgan & Morgan, Dan Newlin deny State Farm allegations

By Kevin Spear , Orlando Sentinel — Sun, 27 May 2012 04:00:00 GMT

One of Central Florida's best-known law firms and a prominent Brevard County surgeon may have had an "across-the-board agreement" in recent years to inflate by millions of dollars the charges for spinal surgeries in auto-accident claims, according to insurance-company allegations that have sprung unexpectedly from a pair of routine personal-injury lawsuits.

Lottery players: "Give me a ballerina on a bicycle"

By Nick Sortal , Sun Sentinel — Sun, 27 May 2012 04:00:00 GMT

With roots in the 1800s, the Cuban lottery system known as La Charada has players seeing numbers everywhere they look.

If you dream about a big fish, and then see a man on a bicycle when you walk outside to get the paper, be sure to play the lottery numbers 1-0-5-2.

Beryl will hit tonight, soak our Memorial Day weekend

By Susan Jacobson , Orlando Sentinel — Sun, 27 May 2012 03:58:00 GMT

Volusia County Emergency Management

Subtropical Storm Beryl is expected to pelt Central Florida with rain late Sunday or early Monday, spoiling Memorial Day beach and cookout plans.

Osceola motel families: New face of homeless kids in Florida

By Kate Santich , Orlando Sentinel — Sun, 27 May 2012 02:05:00 GMT

In the shadow of the 30,000-acre Walt Disney World Resort, the Hampton family lives in a 300-square-foot motel room packed with possessions left over from a better life.

What's not to like about free library e-books? Waiting list

By Anika Myers Palm, Orlando Sentinel — Sun, 27 May 2012 01:46:00 GMT

Central Florida public-library patrons have been borrowing e-books with an enthusiasm that has surprised librarians, and they're clamoring for more titles to be available digitally.

Water-powered jet-pack rides offer 007-style thrills | Video

By Ludmilla Lelis , Orlando Sentinel — Sun, 27 May 2012 01:42:00 GMT

Travis Wolf flipped a switch on his water-powered jet pack and took off over Little Lake Harris, soaring more than 20 feet above the surface.

Celebrities, oddities tantalize fans at May-Hem event | Photos

Susan Jacobson , Orlando Sentinel — Sun, 27 May 2012 01:38:00 GMT

When she was a little girl, Dawn Gomez, 19, lulled herself to sleep watching horror films "Bride of Chucky" and "Friday the 13th."

Amid hazing scandal, a call for review of FAMU finances

By Denise-Marie Balona , Orlando Sentinel — Sun, 27 May 2012 01:36:00 GMT

Hazing investigation amid Robert Champion's death raises questions about university's financial controls

Last summer, state education leaders told Florida A&M University about complaints involving "fraudulent" audits submitted by the school — "executive summaries" for internal financial reviews that, in fact, had not been done.

Disney hopes Cars Land boosts California Adventure

By Hugo Martín, Los Angeles Times — Sun, 27 May 2012 00:47:00 GMT

California Adventure has always lagged behind Disneyland, but with a major overhaul, including Cars Land, Disney executives believe it'll catch up.

For more than a decade, Disney California Adventure Park has been putt-putting along in the slow lane, trailing its neighbor Disneyland in the race for big attendance numbers.

Ex-Predator Sippio held on attempted-murder charge

Susan Jacobson , Orlando Sentinel — Sun, 27 May 2012 00:43:49 GMT

The former Osceola High School Kowboys quarterback and a friend beat and kicked a man, deputies say.

Orlando Predators wide receiver Bobby Sippio was arrested Friday after his girlfriend's brother told deputies Sippio and another man kidnapped him, beat him and threatened to kill him.

Washing-machine toddler: Mother didn't know until video was on TV

By Dalina Castellanos — Sat, 26 May 2012 22:34:00 GMT

Vietnamese community inaugurates site for war memorial

By Arelis R. Hernández, Orlando Sentinel — Sat, 26 May 2012 22:00:00 GMT

Vietnamese and American war veterans commemorated in Baldwin Park memorial.

Raymond Barr was just 20 at the time, but he thought he was oldest man in his platoon.

Brad Keselowski hangs on to win Nationwide race

By George Diaz, Orlando Sentinel — Sat, 26 May 2012 21:56:00 GMT

CONCORD, N.C. — Brad Keselowski held off Denny Hamlin to win the History 300 in the Nationwide Series Saturday afternoon.

Dwight's tattered image needs wins

Brian Schmitz — Sat, 26 May 2012 21:14:00 GMT

Howard might need to expand trade list

There's really only one way Dwight Howard can clean up this oil spill on his image as a coach-killing conspirator and wrecking-ball flip-flopper.

Magic, Nets need Pat Williams' pingpong prophecy to make Dwight Howard-Anthony Davis deal

Mike Bianchi — Sat, 26 May 2012 21:03:00 GMT

If Nets win draft lottery, Dwight-for-Davis swap is best Magic can hope for

The Orlando Magic need another miracle now.

Man in custody; Daytona meth lab closes Atlantic Ave.

By Kevin P. Connolly, Orlando Sentinel — Sat, 26 May 2012 21:01:26 GMT

One man in custody

A man is in custody and a section of Atlantic Avenue in Daytona Beach is closed today after officials discovered a meth lab in an eight-unit apartment building.

Football would not tolerate FAMU hazing

Beth Kassab — Sat, 26 May 2012 19:57:00 GMT

If Robert Champion were a quarterback instead of a drum major , and Julian White were head coach instead of band director, the scene at FAMU would be very different today.

Test-obsessed teaching falls short

Scott Maxwell — Sat, 26 May 2012 19:55:00 GMT

To fully appreciate how deeply flawed Tallahassee's approach to public education is, you must look beyond the recent news of abysmal FCAT scores — and look at how we got here.

Deputies: Man hurled 2-year-old into bed, causing fatal injuries

By Kevin P. Connolly, Orlando Sentinel — Sat, 26 May 2012 19:24:00 GMT

A frustrated Brevard County man threw a 2-year-old girl into a bed, causing severe head trauma that led to the girl's death at an Orlando hospital on Thursday.

Man terrorized workers at Ormond Beach pharmacy

By Kevin P. Connolly, Orlando Sentinel — Sat, 26 May 2012 18:08:00 GMT

Freddie Giddens, Jr., faces as much as 25 years in prison

A 32-year-old Palm Coast man was found guilty Thursday of terrorizing workers during a robbery at an Ormond Beach pharmacy last year.

Report: Police dog called to testify in turn-signal case

From the Web — Sat, 26 May 2012 16:55:00 GMT

A man cited for failing to use his turn signal in Charlotte County called a police dog to court to testify in his defense, winknews.com is reporting.

Astronaut: Inside of Dragon 'smells like brand new car'

Irene Klotz — Sat, 26 May 2012 16:28:03 GMT

CAPE CANAVERAL, Florida (Reuters) - Astronauts aboard the International Space Station opened the hatch and floated inside a Space Exploration Technologies' Dragon capsule on Saturday, the first privately owned spaceship to reach the orbital outpost, NASA said.

Crews monitoring 'suspicious' I-4 brush fire | Video

By Arelis R. Hernández, Orlando Sentinel — Sat, 26 May 2012 13:44:00 GMT

Orange County firefighters are monitoring a suspicious brush fire that caused state highway troopers to close Interstate 4 on Friday, officials said.

Pope's butler arrested over Vatican documents leak

Sat, 26 May 2012 13:41:00 GMT

ROME, Italy -- Pope Benedict's butler has been arrested on suspicion of leaking confidential documents to an Italian journalist, the Vatican said Saturday.