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News briefs from around Florida

 
Published Nov. 1, 2014

WALDO

Last 3 speeding tickets dismissed

A judge in North Florida has dismissed the last three speeding tickets written by police officers from a small town with a notorious reputation as a speed trap.

The move came after officials in Waldo on Oct. 1 disbanded its small police force after the state launched an investigation into ticket quotas and other issues.

The Alachua County Sheriff's Office has taken over policing the town, between Jacksonville and Gainesville, and says deputies will still pull over anyone caught speeding.

The Gainesville Sun reports that court records show 104 Waldo police tickets were dismissed between Sept. 1 and Thursday.

Although the city no longer has its own officers, Waldo will still receive money accrued from tickets written by sheriff's deputies within city limits.

WINTER HAVEN

Alleged abuse caught on camera

Police say a hidden camera inside an alarm clock captured images of two certified nursing assistants at Palm Garden of Winter Haven nursing home abusing a 76-year-old Alzheimer's patient.

The Lakeland Ledger reports the man's son put the camera inside the room after noticing unexplained bruises on his father's arms and legs. Police found three incidents of abuse on Oct. 7, Oct. 16 and Oct. 24.

On Wednesday night, police arrested Yashika Zenobiaha Jones, 28, on two counts of felony battery on a person over 65.

On Thursday, Rose Dorlean Blaise, 35, was arrested on one count of felony battery of a person over 65.

Jones' bail was set at $100,000. Blaise was being held without bail.

ORLANDO

Man springs to grab purse snatcher

A man who was heading to the gym chased down a would-be purse snatcher after he attacked a 76-year-old woman outside an Orlando Winn-Dixie.

Kendrick Taylor told WESH that he heard the woman screaming for help on Wednesday and ran after the man. He held him while other witnesses called police. Taylor says he thought of his grandmother as he ran after the robber. John Zachary DesJardin, 23, was arrested on charges of attempted robbery and battery on a person over 65. He was already on probation for unrelated charges and remained in the Orange County Jail on Friday.

The woman suffered minor injuries. Her niece told WESH that the family is thankful for Taylor and others who came to her defense.

WASHINGTON

Former Rep. Radel's record expunged

Former Florida Rep. Trey Radel, who resigned in January after pleading guilty to cocaine possession, has had his record expunged.

Radel had been told that if he successfully completed probation, the charge against him would be dismissed and he could apply to have his record expunged.

U.S. Attorney's Office spokesman William Miller said Friday that Radel completed all the conditions of his probation and was granted an early termination of it in July. Miller said Radel then asked to have his case dismissed and his record expunged, and prosecutors agreed with the request. Radel was elected in 2012 to represent Florida's 19th Congressional District, which covers Fort Myers to Marco Island. The Republican was arrested in 2013 after buying drugs from an undercover officer in Washington.

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Times wires