Chief Warrant Officers Earl R. Scott III, 24, of Jacksonville and Mathew C. Heffelfinger, 29, of Kimberly, Idaho, were killed in a helicopter crash in Tikrit, Iraq, on Sunday, the Defense Department said Tuesday. They were assigned to the 25th Infantry Division.
GAINESVILLE
Ex-building official to serve 61/2 years
A former Dixie County building inspector has been sentenced to 61/2 years in federal prison. U.S. District Judge Stephan P. Mickle sentenced Billy Keen on Monday for bribery and fraud. Keen was convicted of defrauding the county of federal grant money to renovate his home in Old Town. He also must forfeit the home and pay $32,010 in restitution. Keen and former Dixie County Commissioners John Driggers and Alton Land were convicted on charges of conspiracy, accepting bribes and lying to federal agents.
MANATEE
Boyfriend accused of submerging car
A Manatee man was charged with domestic battery and illegal dumping after authorities say he pushed his girlfriend's car into a river. The Manatee Sheriff's Office said Anthony R. Boggs, 36, and his live-in girlfriend were arguing in her car Sunday night when he kicked her out and drove off. Witnesses reported seeing Boggs a short time later at a nearby boat ramp, pushing the car toward the water. A dive team found the submerged vehicle. Deputies found the girlfriend safe.
BARTOW
Felony charge for texting driver
A man has been charged with a felony for an August texting-while-driving crash that cost a garbage collector his legs. The Polk Sheriff's Office charged Stephen Wade Horne, 26, on Monday with reckless driving causing serious bodily injury. On Aug. 25, Horne was driving east of Bartow while reportedly texting on his mobile phone when he rear-ended a stopped Florida Refuse garbage truck. Pinned between the vehicles was Emmanuel Mejia, 20, who ultimately lost both legs.
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