Mick's Morning News- Tuesday

DeSantis Awards Funding To Military Communities

(Tallahassee, FL) -- More than two-million dollars is helping military communities in Florida. Governor Ron DeSantis made the announcement yesterday saying the money from the Defense Infrastructure Grant Program will support service members and their families, while boosting the state's economic growth. The funding will help pay for projects at Patrick Space Force Base, Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, NAS Jacksonville, and Naval Station Mayport. DeSantis says Florida is the most military- and veteran-friendly state in the nation. More than 23-million dollars has been allocated to support these communities since 2019.

School Principal Arrested In Marion County

(Ocala, FL) --A school principal is facing criminal charges in Marion County. The sheriff's office announced yesterday that Dontay Akeem Prophet was arrested Saturday for aggravated child abuse and false imprisonment of a child under 13. The 33-year-old Prophet was principal at Destiny Leadership Academy where the alleged incident took place on Friday. Deputies say there was a physical disturbance between the student and Prophet, and Prophet prevented the child from leaving the room for over 40 minutes. Surveillance footage apparently shows him grabbing the student, restraining him on the ground and employing a chokehold. Prophet's also accused of twisting the boy's ankle and slapping his face. He is being held without bond, and the school tells Fox 35 News he longer works there.

Coast Guard Rescues Three Off Pinellas County

(Clearwater, FL) --Three people and a dog are safe thanks to the Coast Guard. Coast Guard Southeast announced yesterday that crews rescued three people and a dog about 35 miles west of Clearwater. Their 47-foot boat was taking on water when they called for help. A helicopter crew and a boat crew arrived, and a rescue swimmer swam two people to the Coast Guard boat. Other Coast Guard members boarded the boat that was taking on water and saw a broken window. They used a mattress and boat hooks to plug and shore the window and effectively stop the flooding. The boat and passengers were taken to the Clearwater Harbor Marina, and no injuries were reported. A Coast Guard official says part of their training is to improvise in an emergency, and improvise is exactly what they did.      

Norfolk Man Finds Grenade In Backyard

(Norfolk, VA) --A Norfolk man is getting to keep a unique artifact after it turned up in his backyard over the weekend. Andrew Taunton says he was digging up a shrub on Saturday when he picked up an odd-shaped rock. Turns out the rock was actually a World War Two-era grenade. His call to dispatchers led to a huge response from police, fire and bomb squad personnel. The item was examined and no threat was found. 

Today in History

2010, Space Shuttle Atlantis lifted off for its final planned flight in the space shuttle program after a quarter century of service.

1973, America's first space station Skylab One launched into orbit on this date. 

1969, the last Chevrolet Corvair rolled of the line at the Willow Run assembly plant in Ypsilanti, Michigan.

1948, Israel was proclaimed an independent state.

1804, the Lewis and Clark Expedition left St. Louis, Missouri on a mission to explore the Northwest from the Mississippi River to the Pacific Ocean.