Edna S. Hargrett

A Blue Ribbon Planning Committee met recently with State Representative Geraldine F. Thompson to outline a number of summer activities related to the designation of Orange Blossom Trail between Gore Avenue and Church Street as Edna S. Hargrett Avenue. The street designation is the result of Committee Bill 7039 which, based on legislation filed by Rep. Thompson, includes recognition of the work and contributions of Mrs. Edna S. Hargrett to the Central Florida area. Committee members plan a kick-off event on Friday, June 15 at 7:00 p.m. at the Edna S. Hargrett Music Suite at Jones High School to celebrate Mrs. Hargrett’s birthday and to obtain contributions from the public that will be used in the celebration. The celebration and unveiling will take place at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, July 21 at the Jones High School Auditorium.

The Blue Ribbon Committee is chaired by opera singer, Curtis Rayam, who was a student of Mrs. Hargrett’s. Committee members include: Dr. Robert Spooney, Representative Geraldine F. Thompson, Mr. James Chief Wilson, Mrs. Margaret Hester, Mrs. Janice Sampson-Johnson, Father Rudi Cleare, Mrs. Thereatha Williams, Mrs. Barbara Burns, and Mrs. Adelma Wallace. Mr. Rayam will organize an Edna Hargrett Alumni Choir which will perform during the ceremony on Saturday, July 21. Individuals who wish to participate in the Alumni Choir should register with the office of Rep. Thompson at 407-245-1511. Alumni Choir registrants will be contacted by Mr. Rayam regarding a schedule of rehearsals. Members of the public are invited to attend the Hargrett Birthday Kickoff in the Music Suite at Jones High School at 7:00 p.m. on June 15 and contribute memorabilia for later use on July 21.

Edna S. Hargrett Street Designation Committee

Items requested from the public include copies of choir programs, choir gowns and uniforms, newspaper articles regarding the choir, music for songs performed and travel logs related to trips that were organized by Mrs. Hargrett for choir members. Information is also requested regarding Mrs. Hargrett’s contributions to her church and her Sorority. Items can be scanned and emailed to Geraldine.thompson@myfloridahouse.gov.

For further information, contact Landra Robeson at 407-245-1511.

Summer food program (Photo courtesy: usda.gov)

Tipping off the launch will be Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam, Orlando Magic Community Ambassadors Nick Anderson and Bo Outlaw, STUFF the Magic Mascot, the Magic Dancers, Nap Ford Community School students and mascots from the Rays, Jaguars and Dolphins.

During the school year, more than 1.6 million Florida students rely on free or reduced price school meals through the National School Lunch Program. When school is not in session, approximately 3,000 Summer BreakSpots around the state will serve free healthy meals and offer fun learning and recreational activities.

As part of the launch, in addition to the STUFF the Magic Mascot, Commissioner Putnam will be joined by mascots from the Tampa Bay Rays, Jacksonville Jaguars and Miami Dolphins to announce a partnership that aims to expand awareness of the program to communities across the state.

WHAT: 2012 Summer BreakSpot Launch

WHEN: Tuesday, May 22, 11:00 a.m.

WHERE: Nap Ford Community School
648 West Livingston St., Orlando, 32801

**EVENT IS OPEN TO THE MEDIA, BUT CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC

A Texas man has been charged with indecent exposure for riding a unicycle naked over a bridge on Wednesday.

45-year-old Joseph Farley, was seen by several witnesses atop his unicycle crossing the Highway 146 bridge in Kemah, a city 30 miles southeast of Houston, the smokinggun reports.

Farley, who apparently removed this clothes when he got to the base of the bridge, jumped on his unicycle and begin pedaling naked across the bridge.

After Farley was taken into custody, he told cops he enjoyed the experience of naked unicycling.

The shooting happened at 1322 40th Street around 9:30 a.m.

Orange County Fire Rescue personnel provided assistance to the man who was suffering from a gunshot wound(s). He was later transported to the Orlando Regional Medical Center where he was pronounced dead.

Investigators set up a perimeter to secure the scene and commenced their investigation.

A spokesperson for the Orange County Sheriff’s Office said in an e-mail, the search for a suspect is unfolding.

The identity of the man has not been released.

This is a developing story. Check back later for more.

The Tampa-based C1 Bank CEO said, “C1 Bank is offering its clients the ability to drive off in their own brand-new Mercedes-Benz just for moving their money to C1 Bank. In this interest rate environment where the five-year CD has an APY of 1.2 percent, it is thrilling to change the game with the instant gratification of a spectacular Mercedes-Benz that our client will own including tax, title and license.”

Read More Here.

The Memorial Day Service will take place at the Orange County Courthouse Main Entrance with a processional beginning at 7:00 p.m. A service will follow beginning at 7:30 p.m.

This year’s ceremony will pay tribute to OCSO Master Deputy Craig A. Heber who died in 2010, OCSO Deputy Sheriff Sebastian Diana who died in 2011, and Apopka Police Officer Denson Hudson who killed in 1941 when he surprised two “safe-crackers.”

The law enforcement community will also pay tribute to Deputy First Class Michael K. Erickson as a Law Enforcement Hero who passed away from natural causes.

The public is invited to join Orange County Sheriff Jerry Demings, Orlando Police Chief Paul Rooney and others in the Central Florida Law Enforcement Community, as tribute is paid to those who paid the ultimate price protecting the citizens of area.

49-year-old Paul Bertoni and Belinda J. Berloni, 47, who deputies say were wasted, are accused of failing to provide adequate supervision of the child, the smokinggun.com reports.

The two were stopped on a paved access road after Sarasota County deputies discovered them pulling the child’s toy car behind the SUV. The toy caw was attached by a pair of dog leashes to the SUV.

According to the arrest report, the girl was “wearing a swim suit only and had no protective gear on whatsoever.”

Deputies estimate that the Hot Wheels Car was traveling at 5-10 miles per hour when Bertoni and Belinda were stopped.

According to the arrest report, there was a strong alcohol odor coming from Paul, the driver of the SUV, who refused to perform a field sobriety test. The girl’s grandmother, Belinda, was riding in the back cargo area of vehicle with the rear hatch open cheering her on as she was being pulled behind the vehicle.

Belinda’s son, Justin Oetting and the child’s father, arrived on the scene and took custody of the 7-year-old.

“Are you f*****g stupid, you should know better,” Oetting said to his mother, according to the arrest report.

Paul and Belinda Berloni were booked into the Sarasota County Jail.