Seminole County News - OrlandoSentinel.com

Office for Civil Rights investigates Seminole charter school

By Dave Weber , Orlando Sentinel — Sun, 27 May 2012 01:47:27 GMT

SANFORD — A charter school in Seminole County is being investigated by the U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights after a complaint alleging the school refused to admit a handicapped student.

Casselberry mayor will face challenger in city election

By Martin E. Comas, Orlando Sentinel — Fri, 25 May 2012 19:59:00 GMT

Casselberry commissioners Anthony Aramendia and Colleen Hufford were elected without opposition to new terms today after the city's qualifying period for candidates ended at noon.

Rattlesnake bites kid near Lake Mary church

Henry Pierson Curtis , Orlando Sentinel — Fri, 25 May 2012 18:31:00 GMT

A child was bitten Friday by a rattlesnake in Lake Mary near Holy Cross Lutheran Church, according to Lake Mary police.

Memorial Day events in the Orlando area

Fri, 25 May 2012 18:18:09 GMT

Memorial Day Ceremony : 11 a.m. Friday; Starke Lake Gazebo, 125 N. Lakeshore Drive, Ocoee. Ocoee Police Department Honor Guard and Ocoee High School Air Force JROTC Color Guard. Details: 407-905-3100.

Small seaplane crashes in Lake Jesup

By Arelis R. Hernández, Orlando Sentinel — Fri, 25 May 2012 14:58:00 GMT

No serious injuries were reported after a seaplane crashed in Lake Jesup in Seminole County this morning, officials said.

Report: New video shows Zimmerman at Sanford PD days after shooting Trayvon

From the Web — Fri, 25 May 2012 13:36:29 GMT

New video released with other evidence last week in the case against George Zimmerman is just now being processed by some news organizations.

Mother: Michelle Parker's twins seem unhappy with dad

By Arelis R. Hernández, Orlando Sentinel — Fri, 25 May 2012 12:37:00 GMT

Michelle Parker's mother spoke out on the Today Show this morning saying her twin grandchildren look unhappy with their father Dale Smith and she wants greater visitation rights.

Lingering in airplane bathroom leads to questions from FBI for Orlando-bound Muslims

Susan Jacobson , Orlando Sentinel — Fri, 25 May 2012 02:10:00 GMT

The director of Orlando Sanford International Airport said Thursday that a cultural misunderstanding over a bathroom ritual led to a group of Muslims being escorted off an airplane and questioned by the FBI.

George Zimmerman's attorney wants time to review records

By Jeff Weiner , Orlando Sentinel — Thu, 24 May 2012 23:00:00 GMT

Mark O'Mara wants a 30-day period to review evidence in the case before it is made public

On the events of Feb. 26, the state and defense in the case against George Zimmerman are far apart: Zimmerman's lawyers say he shot 17-year-old Trayvon Martin in self-defense, prosecutors say it was murder.

Michelle Parker case: Chief Rooney says police are 'connecting the dots'

By Amy Pavuk, Orlando Sentinel — Thu, 24 May 2012 16:56:00 GMT

Several dozen law enforcers gathered Thursday in Orlando as part of a new panel created to review the Michelle Parker missing-person case.

Lingering in airplane bathroom leads to questions from FBI for Orlando-bound Muslims

Susan Jacobson , Orlando Sentinel — Thu, 24 May 2012 03:46:00 GMT

A group of Muslims was detained Wednesday at Orlando Sanford International Airport, apparently because of a misunderstanding over an Islamic cleanliness ritual, authorities said.

Dorworth surprised to draw a Republican challenger

By Martin E. Comas, Orlando Sentinel — Wed, 23 May 2012 22:30:00 GMT

In a sign of growing discord among Seminole County Republicans, GOP challengers have filed to run against two of the county's most powerful legislators: Reps. Chris Dorworth and Jason Brodeur.

George Zimmerman blasts Sanford Police

By Arelis R. Hernández, Orlando Sentinel — Wed, 23 May 2012 21:00:00 GMT

George Zimmerman aired his discontent with local police in a January 2011 public forum, according to audio released Wednesday.

After going on a 12-hour ride along with a Sanford Police officer, George Zimmerman was not impressed.

Orlando area post offices won't be closed, but rural offices' hours will likely be cut

By David Breen , Orlando Sentinel — Wed, 23 May 2012 20:10:00 GMT

TheU.S. Postal Servicehas abandoned plans to close several Central Florida post offices, but rural offices throughout the region will likely have their hours cut to reduce costs.

Sanford judge rules in favor of motorist who flashed his headlights

By Rene Stutzman , Orlando Sentinel — Tue, 22 May 2012 22:33:00 GMT

A judge in Sanford ruled Tuesday that a Lake Mary man was lawfully exercising his First Amendment rights when he flashed his headlights to warn neighbors that a deputy had set up a speed trap nearby.

Clone of burned 'Senator' tree to be planted at Big Tree Park

By Martin E. Comas, Orlando Sentinel — Tue, 22 May 2012 22:06:00 GMT

40-foot-tall offspring will be memorial to ancient baldcypress that collapsed

The Senator is gone, but Big Tree Park near Longwood will soon have a 40-foot-tall offspring of the ancient baldcypress tree that caught fire and collapsed in January.

Several George Zimmerman witnesses change their accounts

By Rene Stutzman and Jeff Weiner , Orlando Sentinel — Tue, 22 May 2012 21:51:00 GMT

Evidence released last week in the second-degree-murder case against George Zimmerman shows four key witnesses made major changes in what they say they saw and heard the night he fatally shot 17-year-old Trayvon Martin in Sanford.

Board to Seminole's new schools chief: Fix financial crisis

By Dave Weber , Orlando Sentinel — Tue, 22 May 2012 21:45:00 GMT

SANFORD — Fixing the continuing financial crisis in Seminole County schools must be among new Superintendent Walt Griffin's top priorities, the School Board indicated Tuesday.

Casselberry commission candidates must qualify by Friday

By Martin E. Comas, Orlando Sentinel — Tue, 22 May 2012 17:48:00 GMT

Casselberry residents interested in running for one of three seats on the city commission have until noon Friday to qualify for the Aug. 14 city election.

Police: Man exposed himself to girls near school-bus stop in Longwood

Susan Jacobson , Orlando Sentinel — Tue, 22 May 2012 01:13:00 GMT

Longwood police on Monday arrested a man who they say was exposing himself to girls as they got off a school bus.

Man killed in Tuscawilla house fire

By Amy Pavuk , Orlando Sentinel — Mon, 21 May 2012 21:13:20 GMT

A man was found dead in a Tuscawilla house fire late Monday morning, Winter Springs Police Chief Kevin Brunelle said.

Sanford police prepare down-to-the-second George Zimmerman timeline

By Rene Stutzman , Orlando Sentinel — Mon, 21 May 2012 15:58:00 GMT

In a timeline included in evidence documents released last week, Sanford police spelled out down to the second, what happened the night George Zimmerman fatally shot Trayvon Martin, based on time-stamped calls to their dispatch center.

Sanford street to be renamed to honor Goldsboro

By Martin E. Comas, Orlando Sentinel — Mon, 21 May 2012 15:02:00 GMT

Sanford will rename a mile-long portion of West 13 t h Street to Historic Goldsboro Boulevard on May 31 during a ceremony at Goldsboro Westside Historical Museum. The event is scheduled to begin at 10 a.m.

Report: People at Fashion Square mall complain of illness

Sun, 20 May 2012 22:38:00 GMT

Orlando firefighters responded to Fashion Square Mall this evening after several people reported they were ill, according to WESH-TV. The news station said the people at the mall on East Colonial Drive were sprayed with some kind of irritant at about 5:30 p.m. More about the incident can be found at WESH.com .

Zimmerman murder case looks like long shot

Beth Kassab — Sat, 19 May 2012 20:30:00 GMT

Unless Angela Corey has something she's not telling us, her second-degree-murder case against George Zimmerman is looking more and more like a long shot.