Killer whale at SeaWorld Orlando gets longer toothbrush

ORLANDO

Killer whale gets longer toothbrush

SeaWorld trainers will stand farther from the killer whale that drowned a trainer last month while getting its teeth brushed. Now trainers will have a 2-foot extension to brush Tilikum's teeth three times a day. Forty-year-old Dawn Brancheau was killed after being thrashed underwater by the whale Feb. 24.

DEERFIELD BEACH

Teen still in coma after beating

A 15-year-old Deerfield Beach girl remained in critical condition with massive head injuries two days after she was beaten by a student with whom she had been trading heated text messages, authorities said. Josie Lou Ratley was in a drug-induced coma after surgery to remove part of her skull. Wayne Treacy, 15, has been charged with attempted premeditated murder.

TALLAHASSEE

New face on FSU board of trustees

Gov. Charlie Crist replaced Jim Smith on the Florida State University board of trustees. Smith overstayed his four-year term by three years because Crist didn't name a successor. But in a press release issued after 6 p.m. Friday, Crist appointed another old FSU classmate, Brent W. Sembler, the son of former Ambassador Mel Sembler.

TALLAHASSEE

Complaint from activist dropped

A rules complaint against state Rep. Ron Saunders, D-Key West, was dismissed by House Rules Committee Chairman Bill Galvano this week. Tea Party activist James K. Barnes filed the rules complaint against Saunders. Galvano said the complaint was insufficient because it wasn't made under oath, didn't meet time limits and provided inadequate evidence.

Times staff and wires