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Tag: Sasha Teman

  • Central Florida man reflects on Challenger disaster 40 years later

    ORANGE CITY, Fla. — Wednesday marks the 40th anniversary of one of the darkest days for NASA — the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster.

    All seven astronauts on board were killed when the shuttle broke apart 73 seconds after lifting off from Kennedy Space Center on Jan. 28, 1986. 

    What You Need To Know

    • Wednesday marks 40 years since the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster on Jan. 28, 1986

    • Just over a minute after lifting off, the Challenger broke apart, killing all seven astronauts on board
    • Volusia County resident and space enthusiast Jeffrey Ault, who captured it all on his Super 8 camera, says he remembers the tragedy like it was yesterday


    Many people across Florida and the country watched as it all unfolded, including Volusia County resident Jeffrey Ault, who says he remembers that day like it was yesterday.

    Ault was one of many on the shoreline of the Banana River near Port Canaveral who were watching the launch live that day.

    He says he was the only person to have shot it all on a Super 8 movie camera.

    Although Ault says it was a memorable January day, it was for all the wrong reasons.

    Challenger crew members: Michael J. Smith, front row left, Francis R. “Dick” Scobee, Ronald E. McNair; Ellison S. Onizuka, back row left, S. Christa McAuliffe, Gregory B. Jarvis, and Judith A. Resnik. On Jan. 28, 1986, they lost their lives when the space shuttle Challenger blew up after liftoff. (NASA)

    Like many space enthusiasts, Ault says he followed the Apollo program and built rocket models ever since he was a kid. So, to witness a tragedy like the Challenger explosion was devastating for him.

    It was also his first time seeing a launch in person. 

    One thing that Ault says he remembers very clearly is how cold it was that day.

    He says the launch had been delayed several times because of weather concerns, and that he didn’t know whether it was going to happen.

    Even though the Challenger launch resulted in tragedy, Ault says a lot still can be learned from it to this day.

    “I think the space program — back with the Apollo program, the Space Shuttle program — brought Americans together, brought people from all over the world together,” he says. “And hopefully, as we move forward, maybe we could get some of that unity and positive feeling back throughout this country.”

    Ault says he will never forget the speech that then-President Ronald Reagan made in honor of those who died in the tragedy, and to remind Americans what astronauts put on the line every time they go into space.

    “You really have to give credit to the masterminds, the engineers who work on this, and then the brave astronauts that are putting their lives at risk for this travel,” Ault says. “And the Challenger taught us that it is very dangerous.”

    To keep their memories alive, the NASA Day of Remembrance ceremony is held every year around the time of the Challenger disaster. This year, it took place on Jan. 22.

    The event serves to memorialize the lives lost not only in the Challenger tragedy, but the seven astronauts who died aboard the Space Shuttle Columbia, which broke up during re-entry on Feb. 1, 2003, and the three astronauts from Apollo 1, who died when a fire broke out in their capsule during preflight testing on Jan. 27, 1967.

    Sasha Teman

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  • Central Florida man reflects on Challenger disaster 40 years later

    ORANGE CITY, Fla. — Wednesday marks the 40th anniversary of one of the darkest days for NASA — the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster.

    All seven astronauts on board were killed when the shuttle broke apart 73 seconds after lifting off from Kennedy Space Center on Jan. 28, 1986. 

    What You Need To Know

    • Wednesday marks 40 years since the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster on Jan. 28, 1986

    • Just over a minute after lifting off, the Challenger broke apart, killing all seven astronauts on board
    • Volusia County resident and space enthusiast Jeffrey Ault, who captured it all on his Super 8 camera, says he remembers the tragedy like it was yesterday


    Many people across Florida and the country watched as it all unfolded, including Volusia County resident Jeffrey Ault, who says he remembers that day like it was yesterday.

    Ault was one of many on the shoreline of the Banana River near Port Canaveral who were watching the launch live that day.

    He says he was the only person to have shot it all on a Super 8 movie camera.

    Although Ault says it was a memorable January day, it was for all the wrong reasons.

    Challenger crew members: Michael J. Smith, front row left, Francis R. “Dick” Scobee, Ronald E. McNair; Ellison S. Onizuka, back row left, S. Christa McAuliffe, Gregory B. Jarvis, and Judith A. Resnik. On Jan. 28, 1986, they lost their lives when the space shuttle Challenger blew up after liftoff. (NASA)

    Like many space enthusiasts, Ault says he followed the Apollo program and built rocket models ever since he was a kid. So, to witness a tragedy like the Challenger explosion was devastating for him.

    It was also his first time seeing a launch in person. 

    One thing that Ault says he remembers very clearly is how cold it was that day.

    He says the launch had been delayed several times because of weather concerns, and that he didn’t know whether it was going to happen.

    Even though the Challenger launch resulted in tragedy, Ault says a lot still can be learned from it to this day.

    “I think the space program — back with the Apollo program, the Space Shuttle program — brought Americans together, brought people from all over the world together,” he says. “And hopefully, as we move forward, maybe we could get some of that unity and positive feeling back throughout this country.”

    Ault says he will never forget the speech that then-President Ronald Reagan made in honor of those who died in the tragedy, and to remind Americans what astronauts put on the line every time they go into space.

    “You really have to give credit to the masterminds, the engineers who work on this, and then the brave astronauts that are putting their lives at risk for this travel,” Ault says. “And the Challenger taught us that it is very dangerous.”

    To keep their memories alive, the NASA Day of Remembrance ceremony is held every year around the time of the Challenger disaster. This year, it took place on Jan. 22.

    The event serves to memorialize the lives lost not only in the Challenger tragedy, but the seven astronauts who died aboard the Space Shuttle Columbia, which broke up during re-entry on Feb. 1, 2003, and the three astronauts from Apollo 1, who died when a fire broke out in their capsule during preflight testing on Jan. 27, 1967.

    Sasha Teman

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  • Air Force clears SpaceX to build Starship launch pad at Cape Canaveral

    CAPE CANAVERAL SPACE FORCE STATION — The U.S. Department of the Air Force gave SpaceX approval to build a launch and landing pad for its Starship at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station’s Space Launch Complex 37.

    What You Need To Know

    • SpaceX is one step closer to bringing Starship launches from Texas to Brevard County
    • Starship could launch up to 76 missions annually and conduct up to 152 booster landings
    • Super Heavy is the rocket booster part of the vehicle; the spacecraft is called Starship
    • When they are joined together, they are called Starship

    After months of input from the community, the decision was posted on the Air Force’s website, and it is the official green light SpaceX needed to bring its Starship to Brevard County.

    The rocket booster is called Super Heavy and the spacecraft is called Starship. When they are joined together, they are collectively called Starship.

    SpaceX confirmed on X that construction for the launch pad is already underway for Starship, which will return humans to the moon in NASA’s Artemis missions.

    Once that work is complete, the plan is for SpaceX to have three launch pads on the Space Coast.

    The company said the goal is to conduct both national security and future missions under the Artemis banner.

    There was some concern about Starship coming to Florida, with public meetings being held that included discussions on environmental impacts.

    The Department of the Air Force says it plans on implementing mitigation measures to account for environmental impacts associated with these new plans.

    In this case, mitigation requires habitat restoration.

    This decision still requires an additional analysis of the impact that Starship could have on aviation in Florida.

    Pending that analysis, Starship could launch up to 76 missions annually and conduct up to 152 booster landings.

    Space Launch Complex 37’s history

    The Space Launch Complex 37 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station has a long history, with the original plan being to support the Apollo program.

    Originally named Launch Complex 37, it was built during the Apollo era where Launch Pad 37A was never used, but it was Launch Pad 37B that saw all the action: From Saturn 1 and Saturn 1B launches to Delta IV and Delta IV Heavy takeoffs from 2002 to 2024.

    For more than 20 years, Space Launch Complex 37 was also home to Boeing’s Delta rockets until about six months ago.

    In June 2025, the blockhouse where the Delta rockets were stored at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station came tumbling down.

    At the time, Emre Kelly, media operations chief for Space Launch Delta 45, explained that once United Launch Alliance’s (ULA) lease of Space Launch Complex 37 expired, the infrastructure at the launch site was turned over to the U.S. Air Force.

    Kelly said the demolition of Space Launch Complex 37 was authorized by the U.S. Air Force “as being in the best interest of the government.”

    Sasha Teman, Anthony Leone

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  • 4.2 million Floridians to hit the road this Thanksgiving

    SANFORD, Fla. — Millions across the country are gearing up for the busiest travel period of the year.

    This year, AAA is projecting that there will be 4.2 million Floridians traveling by car for Thanksgiving, which is up by 2% compared to last year.

    Florida Highway Patrol officials say this is because people are changing their plans following recent airline disruptions caused by the government shutdown.

    As officials brace for the upcoming travel period, safety remains top of mind.

    What You Need To Know

    • 4.2 million Floridians expected to hit the road during busy Thanksgiving travel period this year

    • FDOT and FHP officials are reminding drivers to keep safety top of mind this next week

    • Busiest travel days are Tuesday, Wednesday, and Sunday after Thanksgiving


    FDOT officials are reminding drivers to avoid any distractions and to be prepared.

    “Buckle up every time you get behind the wheel. Make sure that you are avoiding distractions. You don’t need to look at your text messages while you’re driving. You can wait until you stop, until you pull over at the next rest area,” FDOT District 5 Public Information Director Cindi Lane said.

    Lane said distracted driving attributed to 43% of last year’s road fatalities.

    In the event of a roadside emergency, whether it’s an accident or a flat-tire, drivers are being reminded to call the *FHP or *347 number for roadside assistance.

    Road Ranger Program Manager Garrett Popovich warned, “Be prepared. You’re going to encounter traffic. There’s no way around that. Plan your trip. Make sure your vehicle has plenty of fuel — your tires are properly inflated.”

    Meanwhile, the Florida Highway Patrol will increase the number of state troopers on the roads to keep an eye out for reckless drivers.

    “The number one cause of crashes and fatalities here in Florida is reckless driving, so that’s making sure that you put that GPS in before you start driving. Give yourself plenty of time before you hit the road so that you have that extra buffer of time so you’re not tailgating, you’re not speeding,” FHP Public Affairs Officer Lt. Tara Crescenzi explained.

    Crescenzi also urges drivers to call *347 if they see reckless driving on the road.

    AAA expects the busiest road travel days to be Tuesday, Wednesday, and the Sunday after Thanksgiving.

    Sasha Teman

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  • USDA secretary: SNAP recipients set to receive food payments by Monday at latest

    ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — As states across the country scramble to issue the full SNAP benefits that nearly 42 million nationwide and 2.9 million in the Sunshine State depend upon, U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke L. Rollins said Thursday that most recipients will receive their payments by Monday at the latest.

    Although the restoration of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) after the 43-day government shutdown will provide relief, many people are still likely to experience food insecurity afterward, according to a local nonprofit leader.

    What You Need To Know

    • SNAP recipients can expect to receive full benefits again by Monday, according to the U.S. Agriculture secretary

    • But for many, the fear of not knowing where they will get their next meal remains

    • One widowed, single mother who is dependent on SNAP says she struggled to keep food on the table for her and her 14-year-old son during the government shutdown

    • Meanwhile, the leader of one local nonprofit says that food insecurity and demand have not been so high since the COVID-19 pandemic


    Single widowed mother Jen Hall, who is a SNAP recipient, described the past month as “challenging” as she struggled to put food on the table for her and her 14-year-old son.

    Even before the government shutdown, however, Hall says her SNAP benefits were shrinking. In order to be deemed eligible for SNAP, she has to recertify every six months. But the last time she recertified prior to the shutdown, her monthly allowance dropped from around $160 to just $24 a month.

    “It was a challenge to not know when things are coming,” Hall says. “We’ve got the holidays coming up. There’s lots of things coming up, but also, every day people need to eat.”

    Hall is permanently disabled and still grieving the loss of her husband, who passed away last year because of health complications following a workplace incident in 2022.

    She says that her husband’s lack of adequate healthcare contributed to his death, which is why she firmly believes that food and healthcare are two basic human rights to which everybody should have access.

    “When we’re looking at the government shutdown, it’s important to frame that as the choice was people dying from lack of healthcare or people going hungry, and both of those are lose-lose situations, and I happen to be one of those people who sits on both sides of those,” Hall says. “My husband died from lack of adequate healthcare. I would die if I lost health insurance, and I have no idea how I am going to continue to feed my son and I.”

    Hall was in a car accident that left her permanently disabled years ago. Today, she relies on Medicare and Medicaid to get care. She says she has not been able to find a job because of the nature of her medical conditions.

    “The other concern is that if I do attempt employment, there’s a good chance I will lose my health insurance, and without my health insurance, I will die,” she says.

    During the shutdown, Hall sought help from the Hope CommUnity Center in Apopka, which provides an emergency food pantry to community members in need, including SNAP recipients like her.

    Central Florida nonprofits like the Hope CommUnity Center are still short on food donations, leaders say.

    “Food insecurity is even larger than what it was during the (COVID-19) pandemic,” Hope CommUnity Center Executive Director Felipe Sousa-Lazaballet says.

    The increase in demand was exacerbated by recent federal cuts that forced them to be entirely dependent on donations from local churches and other nonprofits, he says.

    The most demand Sousa-Lazaballet has seen comes from Social Security recipients and single mothers like Hall, he says.

    “The majority of the people that we’re supporting are actually U.S. citizens who are in incredible need, and it is incredibly sad that in the richest country in the world, people are going hungry right now,” he says.

    Sousa-Lazaballet is encouraging people to donate to local food drives or to nonprofits within their communities to help nonprofits fill the food insecurity gaps.

    Sasha Teman

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  • Family and attorney to speak after weekend reopening of Stardust Racers

    ORLANDO, Fla. — On Monday afternoon, the lawyer and family members of the man who died after riding a roller coaster at Epic Universe will speak out.

    Kevin Rodriguez Zavala’s family and attorney Ben Crump will address their concerns at noon at the Crowne Plaza in downtown Orlando, according to a press release from Crump’s website.

    Zavala’s family said they are “horrified” that Universal Orlando reopened Stardust Racers this past weekend, stated the press release.

    Crump will condemn Universal’s decision to reopen the Stardust Racers. He is demanding that Universal pause the reopening to preserve evidence.

    He said he wants his experts to inspect the ride and that if that’s not done, he will take his fight to court.

    In the days after Zavala’s death, Universal Orlando Resort sent a letter to employees that said the roller coaster functioned properly and employees followed proper procedures the night of Zavala’s death.

    The medical examiner said the 32-year-old died from multiple blunt impact injuries.

    An incident report from the Orange County Sheriff’s Office shows Zavala had a pre-existing spinal injury.

    Last week, Crump spoke out, saying an employee at the park helped Zavala get on the roller coaster.

    Spectrum News 13 reached out to Universal Orlando Resort for comment Monday morning and are awaiting a response.

    Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Communications Director Aaron Keller sent the following message to Spectrum News via email: 

    “Following the incident, Universal contacted the department as required by Florida Law and voluntarily invited the department to observe all testing and inspections, which exceeded state requirements. Today, Universal informed the department that they intend to reopen Stardust Racers on Saturday afternoon, October 4.”

    Sasha Teman

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  • Family and lawyer to speak out against Stardust Racers reopening

    ORLANDO, Fla. — On Monday afternoon, the lawyer and family members of the man who died after riding a roller coaster at Epic Universe will speak out.

    Kevin Rodriguez Zavala’s family and attorney Ben Crump will address their concerns at noon at the Crowne Plaza in downtown Orlando, according to a press release from Crump’s website.

    Zavala’s family said they are “horrified” that Universal Orlando reopened Stardust Racers this past weekend, stated the press release.

    Crump will condemn Universal’s decision to reopen the Stardust Racers. He is demanding that Universal pause the reopening to preserve evidence.

    He said he wants his experts to inspect the ride and that if that’s not done, he will take his fight to court.

    In the days after Zavala’s death, Universal Orlando Resort sent a letter to employees that said the roller coaster functioned properly and employees followed proper procedures the night of Zavala’s death.

    The medical examiner said the 32-year-old died from multiple blunt impact injuries.

    An incident report from the Orange County Sheriff’s Office shows Zavala had a pre-existing spinal injury.

    Last week, Crump spoke out, saying an employee at the park helped Zavala get on the roller coaster.

    Spectrum News 13 reached out to Universal Orlando Resort for comment Monday morning and are awaiting a response.

    Sasha Teman

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  • Open carry in Florida starts today for gun owners

    STATEWIDE — As of Thursday, all legal Florida gun owners will be allowed to carry their weapons openly.

    This comes a few weeks after a district court of appeals ruled Florida’s open carry ban was unconstitutional.

    What You Need To Know

    • Although open carry is now legal, a sheriff wants to remind gun owners that they cannot just carry their guns everywhere

    •  RELATED coverage:


    For weeks now, various law enforcement agencies have been taking to social media to inform the public on how they will approach this.

    Osceola County’s interim Sheriff Christopher Blackmon, for instance, put out a statement saying his deputies would adjust their enforcement practices accordingly. And he reiterated that his priority is the safety of the public.

    Although open carry is now legal, Blackmon wants to remind gun owners that they cannot just carry their guns everywhere.

    Blackmon says this includes law enforcement and government buildings, schools, private property and businesses.

    “You still have to be a responsible gun owner and a gun handler,” he said. “You can’t be threatening somebody with a gun, and you can’t even pull a gun out and wave it or show because again you’re displaying a firearm and that’s not the intent of the law.”

    If the laws are not followed, gun owners would face consequences.

    When the ruling came down, Florida’s Attorney General James Uthmeier took to social media, saying the ban was unconstitutional and that his office supported the decision by the three-judge panel First District Court of Appeals.

    One organization that encourages people to be responsible gun owners is Orlando Carry.

    Lead instructor Luis Feliciano said even though he believes in a person’s right to open carry, he or she must take it upon themselves to get the proper training for their sake and for the safety of others.

    Other groups have been against open carry.

    “Rather than prioritizing the safety of Floridians, Attorney General Uthmeier handed extremists a win by pushing for more guns in more places, like concerts, polling places, and churches. Open carry escalates tensions, has repeatedly been used by extremists as an intimidation tactic, and introduces ambiguity into moments of crisis that make it harder for law enforcement to do their jobs,” said Nick Suplina, SVP of Law & Policy at Everytown for Gun Safety. “If more guns made us safer, America would be the safest nation in the world. Instead, thanks to weak gun laws and actions like we’ve seen from AG Ultmeier, the United States has 26 times the gun homicide rate of our peers.”

    “Attorney General Uthmeier is refusing to defend a critical law, going against the advice of state law enforcement and ultimately, putting our lives at risk,” said Jennifer Massey, a volunteer with the Florida chapter of Moms Demand Action. “This is a complete dereliction of duty and at the end of the day, our kids, communities and law enforcement will pay the price while we strip a decades-old law from the books meant to help keep us all safe.”

    Sasha Teman

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  • Ocala special election to fill mayor and District 3 seats

    OCALA, Fla. — The city of Ocala is holding a special election Tuesday to elect a new mayor and fill the city council seat for District 3.

    What You Need To Know

    • An Ocala special election is being held for mayor and District 3 seats

    • Incumbent Mayor Ben Marciano faces 20-year-old Zackary Feliciano

    • District 3 council member Jay Musleh faces Mark Clark and TamBoura Jenkins

    • Polls close at 7 p.m.

    Mayoral elections occur every two years, as outlined in the city’s charter, while elections for city council members occur every four years.

    Ocala Mayor Ben Marciano will face off against 20-year-old candidate Zackary ‘Arbor’ Feliciano in the special election.

    District 3 council member Jay Musleh has served since 2012 and will face two challengers: retired Air Force officer Mark Clark and community advocate TamBoura Jenkins.

    While District seats 1 and 5 are up for re-election, council members Barry Mansfield and James Hilty Sr. are running unchallenged and will remain the representatives for District 1 and 5.   

    Marciano said he’s proud of what he’s accomplished in the past two years and hopes to continue.   

    Since one of the mayor’s responsibilities is to oversee the police department, he said reducing crime in Ocala was a major focus during his first term.

    “We actually reduced crime by 5% with 5% growth,” he said, adding that the city has had no murders in the past 15 months.

    One initiative he introduced to help with that crime reduction was a community policing program, which allowed Marciano to work alongside the community to solve crimes.

    Another big focus of his was improving the mental and physical health of his community.

    “We are one of the most unhealthy cities in the state of Florida,” he said.

    One way he aimed to address that issue was by introducing a digital platform called Healthy Ocala, giving the community an easy way to find all the mental health resources.

    “People had no idea where to go to find help. We have thousands of people using that platform every month, so I’m really excited about that,” Marciano said.

    Another big initiative he took part in was opening two new homeless shelters and addressing addiction issues in the community.

    Now, he’s working to support Ocala’s growing population.

    “Right now, we’ve experienced a lot of growth issues. People are complaining about the growth. I think growth is good, but it’s got to be good growth. There’s a lot more things for people to do now, a lot more high-paying jobs. We had a lot of affordable housing issues, but now, because we have been able to build apartments, people are lowering the rates, so people can get into affordable housing. But right now, we need to look at infrastructure and how can we support this growth? So that’s going to be a major focus of mine. Looking at our roadways, looking at the infrastructure, and how can we make it so that there’s not some of the congestion issues that I’m hearing from our citizens?” he explained.

    Spectrum News reached out to his opponent but has not received a response.

    Based on his campaign website, Feliciano is focusing his campaign on a more affordable Ocala.

    Among his top priorities are housing reform and land conservation, which he aims to address by reducing suburban sprawl.

    Feliciano said his focus is to maintain Ocala’s “idyllic natural beauty, strong culture and affordability,” despite the growth in its population.

    On the affordability note, Feliciano also focused his campaign on making health care accessible to residents, adding that “nobody should have to choose between their health and finances.”

    Other priorities outlined on his website deal with homelessness, ending the city’s agreement with ICE and raising property taxes on corporations that have 1,500 employees or more to help small businesses.

    The mayor’s position does not have a vote on the city council but does have veto power and oversees the police department. A mayor’s salary is capped at $550 a month.

    City council members oversee the city manager, attorney, clerk and auditor and make other community decisions. They earn $250 a month.

    Polling places will close at 7 p.m.

    Sasha Teman

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  • OCPS to adopt its final budget amid possible loss of 7,000 students

    ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — Orange County Public School board members will approve the budget for the 2025-2026 school year Tuesday evening.

    It’s been a tumultuous last couple of months as the district works to adjust its funding following a dip in student enrollment and state funding.

    What You Need To Know

    • OCPS set to adopt its final budget for 2025-26 school year

    • This comes amid a looming budget shortfall due to a loss in student enrollment

    • The district is already projecting a loss of more than 3,000 students, which could result in a $28 million decrease in state funding

    • A 10-day attendance count revealed over 3,600 students weren’t in class, meaning the district could lose even more money
    • Board members will reconvene on Tuesday for the final public budget hearing at the Orange County Public School building, beginning at 5 p.m.


    Last month, OCPS Chief Communications Officer Scott Howat said there are two major challenges the district faces.

    First, OCPS is simply not keeping up with inflationary costs.

    Howat says per-student funding has increased by 1.5% while inflation has gone up by 3%, which could affect various factors like teachers’ salaries and services offered in the classroom.

    The second challenge deals with student enrollment.

    For the past several months, the district has projected a decline of 3,023 students, which could lead to a loss of more than $28 million in funding from the state.

    Howat says declining birth rates and school vouchers have exacerbated the drop in enrollment.

    The proposed adopted budget outlines that “while general revenue funding for traditional public and charter schools declined, appropriations for private school vouchers, under the Family Empowerment Scholarship Program, increased by nearly $1.1 billion highlighting a clear shift in funding priorities.”

    Last month, Howat said that the district can deal with the loss through staffing level changes, referring to a $1 million property tax levied by Orange County taxpayers.

    Even though this system has helped them stay afloat in the past, overall, the district is dealing with shortfalls.

    Meanwhile, Orange County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Maria Vazquez told reporters last month on the first day of school that the district still has a lot to offer.

    “Once our families are with us, we’re able to retain the vast, vast majority of them and some of the lower enrollments are for incoming kindergarteners and individuals that have not been to OCPS and what I would say is go to your local public school, ask for a tour, look at all the programs that are available,” she says.

    Another big drop in enrolment expected

    A spokesperson with OCPS said the 10-day attendance count, which occurs right after school starts, rendered an additional 3,604 students missing from the classrooms.

    This means the district could be looking at a drop of nearly 7,000 students this school year.

    Although the district is still figuring out why there is a significant drop in enrollment, they have reason to believe that immigrant families fearful of sending their kids to school could be fueling the decline.

    OCPS officials say that last February, the district noted a decline of 3,000 migrant and immigrant students, which makes up 45% of the total 6,627 students.

    Even though it is too early to tell what the financial losses will look like at the state level, the district says it will look into adjusting teachers’ positions based on enrollment and need through what they call “leveling.”

    Meaning, teachers may be transferred to other schools in the district that need a position filled.

    School officials also said that “in an effort to make sure that all current employees affected are placed in positions within the district,” there will be a pause on the hiring of “new” instructional staff for now.

    This hiring freeze will not affect classified, administrative, or transportation positions.

    In April, OCPS partnered with Caissa Public Strategy LLC, a recruitment firm, to try to get students who left the district to return to the schools.

    OCPS says before understanding what those figures look like, students need to be registered and in attendance for 30 days before the contract can consider them “returned,” which is expected to occur at some point in October.

    The next student headcount is set to take place in October. The district expects more students to enroll and/or return to school after Labor Day, which is what they say, “traditionally happens.”

    Board members will reconvene on Tuesday for the final public budget hearing at the Orange County Public School building, beginning at 5 p.m.

    Sasha Teman

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  • Hundreds across Central Florida gather for ‘Workers over Billionaires’ protests

    SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. — Hundreds of protesters across several Central Florida counties came out to make their voices heard on Labor Day.

    From DeLand to Casselberry, protesters of all ages showed up in numbers, holding signs supporting workers’ rights and denouncing the Trump administration.

    It’s part of the nationwide ‘Workers over Billionaires’ protests taking place across the country to demand fair wages and benefits for working class citizens.

    What You Need To Know

    • Nationwide “Workers Over Billionaires” protests took place in various Central Florida counties

    • Protests advocated for workers’ rights in Orange, Seminole and Volusia Counties

    • In Casselberry, over 300 people rallied together for the protest along SR 17-92 while holding signs and chanting

    • Dozens of protesters participated in the 50501 organization’s car caravan to “stand with workers” in Orange County 

    In Casselberry, over 300 protesters filled the sidewalks along 17-92 while chanting and holding signs advocating for workers’ rights.

    While some protests took place in the morning, others took a different form in the afternoon.

    The 50501 organization invited the public Monday evening to take part in a car caravan as part of the nationwide movement.

    Protesters were encouraged to tape posters reading messages like “We all deserve a good life” and “Workers over Billionaires” on their windows as they drove around in support of worker organizing.

    On a day that serves to honor the achievements of those in the labor force, hundreds across various central Florida counties took to the streets to advocate for workers and demand more from the Trump administration.

    “It is Labor Day, and it’s important to talk about the role of workers and how unions have built an America where we have vacation, where we have holidays, where we have wages that you can live on,” says Seminole County Democratic Party Vice-Chair, Deborah Poulalion, who was also one of the event organizers.

    Protesters from Seminole County put their arms together to demand better working conditions for those who need them the most.

    Among those protesters looking to help workers is Steve Barnes.

    He sits on the Central Florida Democratic Labor Caucus; a brand-new organization that defends workers’ rights in Orange, Osceola, Seminole and Lake Counties.

    “It’s really important for us to make sure we hear from people who are union members, working families, what issues are important to them so that we can advocate for them in the legislature and with elected officials,” explains Barnes.

    His goal, he says, is to bridge the gap between the Democratic Party and labor unions in the area, which he hopes to keep on doing through these protests, which started gaining momentum early this year after the “Protest to Protect Democracy.” 

    “Our biggest one was No Kings Day. It was a big national event but every time we have one of these, we get 300-400 people,” explains Seminole County Democratic Party Vice-Chair, Deborah Poulalion.

    Seminole County resident and protester Erin Kutner has also noticed these protests’ growing attention over the last several months.

    “Coming out to these protests fills your hope cup because you see that you’re not alone and not only the people who are showing up but you see the reaction we’re getting from all these people,” she says.

    And it unites all types of people, like protester Nelson Roe, who has been a Republican his entire life. 

    “I believe in a lot of traditional stuff, I consider myself a Christian, and I think it probably says a lot that I’m out here protesting Donald Trump’s administration and probably tells you how strongly I feel about it that I’m willing to do that,” says Roe.

    Another 100 or so protesters gathered for the same cause in DeLand on Labor Day morning from 10 AM-12 PM.

    “Seems like we’re going to have to put our bootstraps on and keep fighting. As I said, all the things, the attacks to health care, right? The attacks to our families. The attacks on working people in general are uncalled for, right,” Political Director for 1199 Service Employees International Union Coy Jones said.

    Jones said 1199 SEIU represents more than 45,000 members and retirees across the state, focusing on healthcare jobs.

    “We are seeing devastating cuts to health care in ways that we have never seen before. We already had a staffing crisis inside of our facilities. It’s even worse now. The fact that we have ICE raids. Our hospital workers are concerned about being targeted while they’re at work,” Jones said.

    Jones said what brought her and others to the Labor Day “Workers Over Billionaires” event is concern for the future of workplace security for millions of people nationwide.

    “We are we are the engine of this economy. We keep things moving. An attack on us is an attack on all. So, we’re out here. We want to make sure that families are first. We want to make sure we’re taxing the billionaires, and we want to make sure we take care of our families,” Jones said.

    “At the end of the day, all of our issues are connected, and history has shown that when we all unite together, we are more powerful,” Obsidian Tiburón said, an Orlando 50501 member.

    Tiburón said workers’ rights, specifically those from Disney Springs who work under the parent company Patina, are crucial now more than ever.

    Corey Hill, from Orlando 50501 and an organizer of the car caravan event, echoed the same message.

    “We very frequently say one struggle, one fight at our events, because ultimately, a lot of the source of pain for us is interconnected,” Hill said, referencing his concerns over the Trump administration.

    Specifically, Hill and others cited anger over job cuts, ICE raids, healthcare cuts, concerns for LGBTQ+ community’s rights, and more as reasons for hosting the event.

    “All of these things are related to the sort of oppression that you’re seeing in the workplace, is related to what you’re seeing, where masked agents of the state are kidnaping people off the streets. These are all human rights violations,” Hill said.

    Those who participated in the Orlando caravan drove all the way to Disney World to advocate for better worker contracts and treatment for those who specifically are working under the umbrella company Patina at Disney Springs.

    Unite Here Local 737 said there have been recent discussions of a potential strike vote for patina workers.

    Jordan Mead, Sasha Teman

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  • FAA hears concerns over Starship plans at Kennedy Space Center

    CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — SpaceX is looking to bring its Starship operations to Brevard County very soon.

    But launches and landings at the Kennedy Space Center could restrict public access to Playalinda Beach for at least 60 days out of the year.

    That’s why the Federal Aviation Administration is seeking input from the community after concerns have come to light.

    The agency began a series of meetings on Tuesday to give residents an opportunity to voice their concerns to FAA officials.  

    What You Need To Know

    • Space X’s Starship plans to expand operations to Brevard County soon

    • Some Brevard residents expressed concerns over the expansion of restricted zones for rocket launches

    • Such restrictions could lead to the closure of Playalinda Beach for at least 60 days out of the year

    • The FAA is holding a series of public meetings to gather community input on these ongoing plans


    SpaceX plans to launch Starship-Super Heavy 44 times a year from from pad 39A, and the FAA is reviewing many factors, like the environmental impacts to the noise level. (Starship is the spacecraft, while the Super Heavy is the rocket booster. When they are stacked together, they are collectively called Starship.)

    Community members like Robyn Memphis are concerned about SpaceX’s latest operations, given that the FAA is planning for the potential closure of Playalinda Beach for at least 60 days out of the year.

    “If you look at 60 days out of 365 days a year, that’s quite a few days of closures,” she said.

    More than two weeks ago, Memphis created a Change.org petition over how the restrictions are applied. It already has more than 3,100 signatures.

    “This isn’t a fixed amount of days that they’re proposing as, of course, we understand knowing things about rockets that it could be a lot more and is likely to be a lot more, and to go off of that, essentially the biggest concern there that arose is they aren’t necessarily citing safety as the issue for these closures. They largely chalk it up as logistical factors,” said Memphis, a Brevard County resident and avid beachgoer to Playalinda Beach.

    She said the community deserves more transparency regarding those logistical factors and what those entail regarding safety.

    In the draft of its 50-page Environmental Impact Statement, the FAA stated, “The actual duration of a closure associated with publicly accessible areas may be longer due to logistical aspects.”

    Launch scrubs and weather delays could also affect those beach closures, according to the FAA.

    Neither SpaceX nor the FAA can quantify how many days that would account for yet.

    The FAA warns the launches and landings would also have a major impact on air travel, to make sure airplanes don’t encounter any hazards during a SpaceX mission.

    “The average expected flight delay for launches would last approximately 40 minutes and could last up to 2 hours,” according to the FAA impact statement.

    Starship’s reentry over the Florida peninsula, the FAA found, could cause not only flight delays and re-routes, but also ground stops at multiple airports, including Orlando and Tampa International airports. That’s concerning to Titusville’s Susan Adair, who attended Tuesday’s meeting near the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex.

    “What’s going to happen to the tourism system in Florida coming in or other things? They’re going to be delayed from what I’m gathering or the potential to be delayed for quite a while,” said Adair.

    Then there are noise and vibration concerns.

    “The likelihood of people exposed to noise being awakened indoors would be as high 82 percent during late-night operations,” according to the FAA impact statement.

    Another meeting attendee, Barbara Evans, lives on the Indian River Lagoon across from the space center. Evans is used to her house vibrating during launches, but the frequency of Starship has her worried.

    “There’s the sonic booms in the middle night, I was awakened the other night, everybody was, they heard (the sonic boom) in Winter Park I was told,” Evans said.

    Her primary concern, however, is Playalinda Beach, a battle that she and her late-husband fought before, in the 1980s.

    “We are for the space industry,” she said, “(It) brings a lot of jobs here, it brings a lot of education to the world, we just need to coexist. It doesn’t need to be either or. NASA built us a road once, set a precedent, they can do it again”

    Two additional in-person meetings will take place at the same times on Thursday, Aug. 28, at the Radisson Conference Center in Cape Canaveral.

    A virtual meeting will also take place on Wednesday, Sept 3.

    Community members will have the opportunity to speak for 3 minutes each to share their concerns about the ongoing plans for Starship.

    • Thursday, August 28, 2025
      • 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM and 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM 
      • Radisson Conference Center, Grande Caribbean
      • 8701 Astronaut Boulevard, Cape Canaveral
    • Wednesday, September 3, 2025
      • 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM 
      • Virtual via Zoom webinar
      • FAA’s website has details on accessing the webinar

    Sasha Teman, Jerry Hume

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  • Volusia County votes to move forward with beach horseback riding proposal

    ORMOND-BY-THE-SEA, Fla. — Volusia County beaches could soon welcome horseback riders under a proposal that council members approved to move forward with on Tuesday night. 

    The county council voted 5-2 to proceed with a beach horseback riding proposal in the northern part of the county before an ordinance is presented to members. 

    The council asked staff to bring back the proposal with some options to questions the council had regarding waste, safety, locations, parking, permitting, regulations, etc. 

    Volusia County Council member Troy Kent suggested for horses to wear bags that catch their waste. However, the pros and cons of mandating bags will be addressed.  

    What You Need To Know

    • Members of the Volusia County Council are looking into implementing beach horseback riding in northern parts of the county

    • The two locations being considered are Al Weeks North Shore Park and the Neptune Beach Approach
    • Council members plan to discuss regulatory requirements, programs that already exist, potential impacts and implementation strategies before moving forward with the plan
    • Some factors they will have to consider include access to parking, environmental impacts and waste management


    If the plan was to be implemented, nine miles of coastline at the Al Weeks North Shore Park in Ormond-by-the-Sea would serve as a riding corridor from Flagler County line to Granada Boulevard.

    The other location of interest for this proposal is at the Neptune Beach Approach. However, the more popular location seemed to be Al Weeks North Shore Park. 

    But before anything official can happen, discussions took place since both of the proposed areas are within a Natural Beach Management Area — which require a close monitoring of turtle nests and the potential impact on protected species.

    Council member Kent is behind the idea and he says parts of the county already allow for beach-side driving and dogs on the beach.

    That is why he believes that allowing beach horseback riding would be a great addition.

    Another council member was concerned about the implementation of horses on the beach and taking away nine miles of the beach for residents and visitors.

    Right now, eight counties across the Sunshine State allow beach horseback riding, including Flagler and St. Johns counties. According to the county, these programs typically feature permits, designated areas and times, trailer parking and low-tide restrictions with fees that range from free to $200 annually.

    Recommendations for the proposal include:

    • Implementing beach horseback riding in non-beach driving areas
    • Only allowing it during daylight hours
    • Operating outside of sea turtle nesting season
    • Ensuring that horses are ridden below the high tide and not interfering with turtle nests
    • Ensuring that horse owners are responsible for their horses’ waste

    Members heard from Jessica Fentress, Volusia County Coastal Director, and two residents — one of which owned a horseback riding business — before voting to advance the proposal to a trial stage.

    Since it passed, Kent said he will direct county staff to bring the matter back as an ordinance, which could be taken up by the county council in the next six to eight weeks. They will likely approve a trial period for beach horseback riding. 

    View the council discussion from 5:48 to 6:42:



    Sasha Teman

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  • FDOT hosts workshop to discuss SunRail extension to Polk County

    POLK COUNTY, Fla. — As the Sunshine State continues to grow, so does demand for public transportation.

    The SunRail commuter rail service could make its way into Polk County sooner rather than later.

    The Florida Department of Transportation is hosting a special workshop to discuss what a possible extension would mean for local leaders and residents in Haines City.

    What You Need To Know

    • FDOT staff host a special workshop to discuss plans to extend SunRail commuter service to Polk County

    • Polk County is one of the fastest-growing counties in the country, with a projected population growth of over 1.2 million people by 2050

    • FDOT says an extension of the commuter service is necessary “to support this growth”

    • The 16-mile extension would extend service to Haines City, with stations in the Loughman and Davenport areas
    • A Project Development and Environmental (PD&E) study is currently underway to assess costs, benefits and environmental factors


    Polk County is one of the fastest-growing counties in the country, with a projected population growth of nearly 1.2 million people by 2050.

    According to FDOT, more than half of this growth is projected to take place in the northeastern portion of the county.

    To account for this growth, it’s seeking to expand the SunRail commuter service to Haines City, with two additional stations in Loughman and Davenport.

    FDOT staff discussed what it calls Transit Oriented Development (TOD) concepts with elected officials and local planners.

    This concept focuses on a variety of factors, including “designing areas that are within a quarter- to half-mile of transit stations to promote transit use” and how it could benefit those who choose to walk or bike.

    “For communities investing in transit like SunRail, growth must align with TOD principles to maximize ridership,” says FDOT Communications Specialist Patricia Pichette.

    Factors like the design of streets, development, parking, housing, and jobs within walking distance of stations strongly influence the use of public transit like SunRail, according to FDOT.

    The workshop also provided the public an opportunity to engage in an open discussion with FDOT staff and ask questions.

    Right now, SunRail operates over 61 miles, with 17 stations connecting the Greater Orlando region, from Volusia County down to Osceola County.

    Some of those service areas include DeLand, Winter Park, Orlando, Kissimmee and Poinciana.

    Poinciana is currently the southernmost point of the station.

    A first public meeting to discuss the SunRail extension Project Development and Environmental Study (PD&E) is scheduled for late September.

    The study, which is still in its early stages, will look at expansion benefits, environmental factors, preliminary conceptual costs and funding strategies.

    It will also serve as a way for FDOT staff to examine economic development opportunities and ways by which it could help improve mobility.

    Sasha Teman

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  • FHP says stolen vehicle chase ended in a crash on Lee Road in Orange County

    ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — The Florida Highway Patrol responded to a three-vehicle crash in Orange County on Lee Road Thursday morning following a stolen car chase that started in Polk County, officials said.

    Officials say six passengers — ages 13 to 17 years old — were inside the suspected stolen vehicle.

    FHP said the 18-year-old driver of the stolen vehicle refused to stop, which led to a chase across county lines.

    Officials said troopers initiated a pit maneuver as the vehicle drove into Orange County. The driver ended up traveling the wrong way on Lee Road, striking a Honda and Chevy Malibu.

    Officials said the crash caused traffic delays for hours Thursday morning. They also said all three drivers were transported to the hospital.

    No other information has been released at this time. 

    Sasha Teman

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  • Founder of special needs program in custody over sexual abuse allegations

    Founder of special needs program in custody over sexual abuse allegations

    SANFORD, Fla. — On Wednesday, the founder of a Sanford organization that works with people with special needs was arrested.

    James “Jamie” Bernard Grover of the Special Needs Advocacy Program (SNAP) is accused of sexual abuse of a minor, and investigators from the FBI say they believe there could be more victims.

    Grover is being held in custody, at least until his next scheduled hearing at 10 a.m. Sept. 11.

    The 62-year-old Volusia County man also worked as a group director for Autism on the Seas, an international organization that coordinates cruise vacations for adults and families with special needs. That organization said Grover has not cruised with them since 2013.

    What You Need To Know

    • The founder of an organization designed to help children and families with special needs, James “Jamie” Grover, is in custody since Wednesday on charges of sexually abusing multiple young boys

    • According to FBI Tampa’s investigation, Grover ran the Special Needs Advocacy Program (SNAP) at Seminole Towne Center Mall in Sanford

    • The mother of a victim filed a complaint to the FBI in July, after filing an initial report to the Sanford Police Department

    • According to FBI investigators, Grover is accused of sexually abusing multiple young boys, including one with special needs


    On July 25, FBI Tampa received an online complaint from one of the alleged victim’s mothers, accusing Grover of committing “a sexual act” on her son aboard a Carnival cruise ship in May 2023.

    In the complaint made to the FBI, Grover is accused of committing sexual acts with several victims from 2010 until this year.

    Investigators claim a second mother came forward with similar sexual abuse allegations against Grover shortly after and reported the incident to the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office in June.

    According to that criminal claimant report, this second victim met Grover while volunteering at the SNAP organization and claimed to have also been sexually assaulted on a cruise back in 2022 when he was a minor.

    The criminal claimant report also included a detailed account from an interview conducted by the Sanford Police Department and Volusia County Sheriff’s Office with Grover, who denied touching the victim in any sexual manner.

    However, he did admit that he spoke to one of the alleged victims about masturbation once, which he said was educational, according to the criminal claimant report.

    Legal expert David Haas said he’s seen his share of sexual abuse cases in his day, but nothing that compares to a case like this.

    “To set up a nonprofit to potentially lure these kinds of younger kids in is certainly different, and what sets this case apart, depending on if the allegations can prove obviously,” Haas said.

    The FBI has opened a tip line, as agents are looking to speak with any other potential victims.

    Potential victims are encouraged to fill out an online form to provide more information to help in the investigation, through this website.

    Sasha Teman

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  • Survivors and family members weigh in on Pulse memorial

    Survivors and family members weigh in on Pulse memorial

    ORLANDO, Fla. — The city of Orlando’s Pulse Memorial Advisory Committee convened for the third time on Wednesday.

    The 18-member committee consists of victim’s families, survivors and other stakeholders who will come up with a plan to create a permanent memorial to honor the lives of the 49 Pulse Nightclub shooting victims.

    Wednesday’s meeting was an opportunity to hear more from survivors and family members who aren’t on the committee.

    While some tuned in virtually, others took a seat at the table alongside committee members and the lead facilitator of the project, Dr. Larry Schooler.

    To help facilitate the process for Spanish speaking mothers who attended the meeting virtually, Schooler introduced facilitator and mediator, Rafael Montalvo, to assist as a translator for those who aren’t on the committee and who want to have their say in the discussion.

    What You Need To Know

    • The Pulse Memorial Advisory Committee considered the opinions of survivors and family members who aren’t in the committee during their third meeting Wednesday

    • Community members shared their input on two main talking points surrounding the future of the Pulse building and whether first responders should be included in the memorial

    • Members also addressed a need for a timeline and a buget for the memorial project going forward

    • The next Pulse Memorial Advisory Committee meeting is set to take place at Orlando City Hall Thursday, Aug. 22, from 4 to 8 p.m.


    As discussions over the future of the permanent Pulse memorial continue, the priority during Wednesday night’s committee meeting was to give survivors and family members who lost a loved one a voice.

    Among those survivors was Stephanie Kersten, who Schooler invited to take a seat at the table alongside committee members.

    “As a survivor, I still feel so guilty every day. So I agree with the process should be mainly in the hands of the angel’s families. I love being able to have a say as a survivor, but in the end, we were not the ones that were lost,” Kersten said, as she wiped tears from her face.

    Even though Kersten doesn’t sit on the committee, she was invited to share her input and provide suggestions for the permanent memorial.

    So was Robert Pressley. 

    “For several years, I sat back and let people do what I should’ve been doing, which is advocate for my mom because she’s not here. I’m not here to take anything away from any survivor. My brother’s a survivor and I know he goes through it all the time,” Pressley said.

    Pressley’s mother Brenda was killed, and his brother Isaiah was injured in the shooting. 

    Now, he’s taking part in the discussion so he and others can have a place to celebrate the lives of their loved ones and make the memorial a place of collective healing.

    Kersten said what she wants is “to make this place all what it was about was for others to be happy to feel like themselves and to love one another.”

    Survivors, family members and committee members all provided input on two main talking points surrounding the future of the Pulse building and whether first responders who were there that night should also get included in the memorial. 

    Most agreed that the building should be demolished, and first responders should not be included.

    Family member of a survivor and committee member, Carlitos Diaz Rodriguez said, “I personally think that we should not keep the building. It’s super triggering for community members and families, it’s not a secret.”

    Pulse Memorial Advisory Committee members gathered for their third meeting on Aug. 21 to hear from survivors and family members who are not on the committee. (Spectrum News/Sasha Teman)

    There were two main concerns that came to light during the meeting.

    The first entailed a need to have a timeline so that survivors and loved ones can “start the healing process,” as was described by Kersten.

    The second concern most community members agreed on was a need for a budget for the project.

    However, Diaz Rodriguez said he is confident the city will find the funding to build the memorial. He is more concerned about how long the project will take.

    “I’m more concerned about the timeline because I’m hearing the families say, ‘Hello it’s been 8 years. We’ve been waiting for so long.’ And now thinking about that again, we’re kind of like starting from zero with these conversations,” he said.

    Schooler said the committee can discuss what will happen to the building during the September meetings set for Wednesday, Sept. 25, and Thursday, Sept. 26.

    The 4th Pulse Memorial Advisory Committee Meeting will take place at Orlando City Hall on Thursday, Aug. 22, from 4 to 8 p.m.

    Sasha Teman

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  • Central Florida woman arrested in Turks and Caicos back home in Orlando

    Central Florida woman arrested in Turks and Caicos back home in Orlando

    ORLANDO, Fla. — A Central Florida woman arrived home in Orlando Thursday evening after being detained in Turks and Caicos for nearly two months.

    What You Need To Know

    • Sharitta Grier arrived home in Orlando Thursday after being detained in Turks in Caicos for nearly two months

    • She was arrested on May 16 after airport authorities found two bullets in her carry-on during a routine search

    • She was fined $1,500 and given a 23-week suspended sentence before flying home

    • Previous Stories: 

    Sharitta Grier was arrested on May 16 on one count of possession of ammunition when authorities at the Providenciales International Airport found two bullets in her carry-on during a routine search. 

    Grier, who said she didn’t know the ammunition was in her luggage, was on her way from a Mother’s Day trip and was leaving the islands at the time. 

    Since then, she had been staying at an Airbnb with two other Americans going through the same situation.

    During her sentencing hearing Thursday, she was fined $1,500 before flying home and given a 23-week suspended sentence. She had faced a potential 12-year prison sentence.

    Turks and Caicos tightened its gun laws in 2022 after a jump in gun violence and weapons trafficking.

    Grier was one of five Americans accused of bringing various amounts of ammunition to the Turks and Caicos in recent months. The U.S. State Department has cautioned travelers to the islands to be vigilant about keeping guns and ammunition out of their luggage.

    Grier was the last of the five to receive her sentence. The other four Americans had already returned to the U.S.

    Grier’s return home was filled with emotion as dozens of family and friends gathered with signs at the Orlando International Airport for her arrival. 

    While some cried tears of joy, others thanked God that she made it home in one piece after more than 50 days.

    Blessed and overwhelmed is how Grier said she felt after reuniting home to her loved ones. Her two priorities for the moment included spending time with her family and eating some good food, she said.

    However, she did say they experience has made her think twice when traveling and encourages others to be extra careful to avoid getting caught up in a situation like hers. 

    “Take their time. Check their luggage. You know, just be careful. Be very careful because other states, other countries got different laws than we do so that’s very serious,” she said. 

    She said she was so scared from the overall experience, that she left her luggage at the airport in Turks and Caicos. 

    “I was scared to bring that luggage back. When I got to the airport, something just clicked. I just couldn’t do it,” said Grier.

    Overall, Grier said she was satisfied with the legal outcome. 

    Spectrum News Staff

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