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Special Prosecutor Mark Ober has charged 8 Sheriffs Deputies with Criiminal Manslaughter of a child in the death of Martin Lee Anderson last January. read the documents here:

information.pdf

gov-letter.pdf

Hear it here: Jeb Bush’s reaction to indictments 

med-examiner-letter.pdf

The Attorney General wants to know if restaurants are substituting cheaper fish for the grouper on their menu. Subpoenas have been issued to 16 restaurants across the state and more are coming to determine if the grouper on the menu was also what was on the plate. As Mike Vasilinda Reports, Those in the industry suspect the Grouper is only there half the time.

grouper-snoopers.mp3

Jeff Stilwell has been cooking and selling fish for 3 decades.

“This is haddock… nice and white. Cut it. Look at it. That would pass for grouper.”

He sells a lot of fish that isn’t grouper….he just believes you ought not call it something it isn’t.

“I say promote the fish and tell ‘em it’s as good as a grouper sandwich.”

Florida Attorney General and soon to be Governor Charlie Crist Agrees. He has issued subpoenas to 16 restaurants.

Crist says “We will utilize DNA in order to test the fish we subpoena to make sure that they are or are not grouper and if they’re not, then it’s probably a violation of Florida 501 statute which is unfair trade and deceptive practice.”

On this plate, cobia, grouper, pollack and haddock all appear similar. They tasted slightly different, but they close enough to be confusing. The reality is, when you’re ordering grouper, you may only be getting it about half the time.

The Florida fisting industry likes the crackdown. Bob Jones says cheap substitutions are hurting those trying to make an honest living.

“People don’t want to put on the menu that they’re selling (fish) from Vietnam. They want to say ‘you’re getting a great piece of Florida grouper.’ It’s not true in 50% of the cases.”

And as for what’s on your plate. If the price for grouper is too good to be true, Jeff Stilwell says it probably isn’t grouper.

Florida is once again garnering national attention for voting irregularities. The District 13 Congressional race wound up in a Tallahassee court room today where Circuit Judge William Gary has refused to speed up the discovery process in legal proceedings over who won the race. As Mike Vasilinda reports, the judge also turned down, at least temporarily, candidate Christine Jennings request to do an independent test on suspect voting machines.

vasilinda-11-21.mp3

Christine Jennings sat behind her lawyers, hoping the legal process will find enough votes to make her the winner in a Sarasota Congressional seat where she trails by 369 votes. Kendall Coffey, her attorney is calling it a test case for the nation. And he asked for the computer source code and an independent analysis of electronic voting machines to prove they didn’t count all of the votes.

“This is a case where the will of the voters of district 13 was defeated by machine error”.

More than 18 thousand votes weren’t cast or read by the machines in the congressional race. Attorneys for the Secretary of State and the Sarasota Elections Supervisor argued allowing independent tests was a mistake. Pete Antonacci called for the upmost caution, saying

“Everything that is done with these machines from this moment forward, judge, should be as fair open transparent and objective as possible.”

The judge refused to allow independent testing of the machines. Or to speed the case up.

Outside, Jennings attorney Coffey was putting the best face possible on the ruling.

“Frankly, we wanted more. We wanted this case to move very very quickly. It is our view that that still serves the interests of justice. Fortunately, nothing we were asking for was rejected.

As for Jennings….she was saying little.

“ I just want to make sure that every vote counts.”

The winner is supposed to take office January 3rd.

Jennings declined to comment when asked if she would seek a political solution, by asking Democrats in Congress to seat her instead of Buchanan if the legal process goes against her.

It has been nearly 11 months since 14 year old Martin Lee Anderson died in the Bay County Boot Camp. Anderson died after guards forced ammonia tablets up his nose and held his mouth. It took nearly six months to find the true cause of death, and a special prosecutor has been investigating since early summer. Ben Crump, the parent’s attorney, says the parents are frustrated.

“We will pray that the new administration won’t keep this matter going and stay the course like this DJJ administration has done, and the prosecutor will be told to end this investigation and arrest the people who killed Martin Lee Anderson. “

Martin Lee Anderson died within hours of arriving at the boot camp last January sixth. The state has since closed all existing boot camps.

A high level investigator for the Department of Juvenile Justice says he was fired for issuing a report in the Martin Lee Anderson case that condemned the actions of guards.. Steve Meredith was one of three initial investigators at the Bay County Book Camp when Anderson died last January. As Mike Vasilinda reports, Meredith and another co-worker who concluded guards acted improperly were fired, while a third investigator who disagreed kept her job.

Hear it here: DJJ Whistleblower

Martin Lee Anderson Died last January 6^th. His death is still under investigation and no charges have been filed. Steve Meredith was one of three investigators from the state who were first on the site to investigate the death. After seeing the boot camp beating on videotape, Meredith concluded guards acted improperly. He and another investigator who agreed were fired. Meredith says he assessed the death for his bosses on day one.

“The Secretary had asked a question about how bad this is, and I don’t remember the exact wording, but either I made the statement or he asked was this as bad as Rodney King? And I made the statement that absolutely, yes it was.”

A third investigator who disagreed with the other two is still working. Ben Crump, The Anderson Family Attorney who has filed suit against the state, says Meredith was let go because he will now be considered a hostile witness with less credibility than if he still worked for the State.

“and what Mr. Meredith was advising is that they violated the policy. They violated their policy of using these amonia tablets. This was two months before it was concluded

that this is what killed Matin Lee Anderson.

To this day, Steven Meredith says he has not been told why he was let go.

DJJ’s Cynthia Lorenzo says that’s not true and provided the following statement:

Mr. Steve Meredith’s termination by the department was entirely unrelated to the Martin Lee Anderson investigation. The department has advised Mr. Meredith of the reasons for the termination. Mr. Meredith was an at will employee who serves at the pleasure of the secretary as stated in Florida Statute Section 110.604. We have attached the termination letter that speaks for itself. meredith-termination.pdf

The state is purchasing 4470 acres of sensitive land outside Ocala and near Silver Springs. The 72 million dollar purchase was lauded by politicians and environmentalists who say it will go a long way in preserving Silver Springs. State Sneator Evelyn Lynn lauded the deal.

I don’t believe there’s any other state that’s shown such great determination and concern for making sure that our children have a future. Today I want to thank Avatar. They have been very, very responsible developers. Had they developed the land, they would have done a fine job, but they saw the need to make sure things in this area needed to be cared for, preserved, protected.”

The parcel will be purchased over a two year period. Half the money is available now… the other half will have to be approved by the legislature.

Come summer, 46 Square miles of the Dry Tortugas national management area will be off limits to all fishing. The Governor and State Cabinet today approved a resolution, telling the national Park Service to come back in three years with a study on whether the closure has increased fish stocks of grouper and snapper. Park Superintendent David Kimball thinks the closure balances fishing and long term goals.

“Our votes are for a restored fishery, resources for future generations, but the key is at this park to provide a balance of protection and visitor enjoyment and we think we can hit the target at this point.”

Another 150 square miles of the reserve is already off limits to fishing. The Coastal Conservation Association’s Ted Forsgren rgued before the Cabinet that catch and release fishing should have been allowed. <>

Banning all fishing whatsoever including catch and release fishing ought to be the last resort, not the first measure. What you see from all the fishery studies in the park, you see the large increases in snapper and grouper and so forth, while they allow recreational fishing, so we don’t see any reason to limit all types of recreational fishing at this park to do that.

The Park Service plans an educational campaign before actually closing the area to fishing. It is hoped the closure will allow fish to grow larger, producing more eggs and improving fish stocks. The Agreement to close the area is for five years before it must be renewed by the Cabinet.

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Governor Elect Charlie Crist today made his first trip back tot he state capitol since last weeks election. Crist took part in a Cabinet meeting where he was the only no vote on restricting fishing in the keys. As Mike Vasilinda reports, Crist answered questions about what comes next.
transition-story.mp3

Governor Jeb Bush is handing off the baton. He and Charlie Crist, Florida’s next governor, appeared together before a state cabinet meeting, where Bush explained a 30 year old tradition of pre Cabinet Press Gaggles.

“And one of the traditions, of course, that you can…I guess you could stop it…”
” It looks like a lot of fun, brother. I don’t know.” “…is to talk to the press every day there’s a cabinet meeting.”

Crist was immediately hit by tough questions on insurance rates and electronic voting machines.

Governor-elect… is it time to rethink electronic voting machines in Florida?”

“Ah…I don’t know. Let’s monitor what’s happening in Sarasota and let the Secretary of State do some great work down there.”

When Bush didn’t get a hand-out during the cabinet meeting, he joked about being a short timer.

“I didn’t get one.” Said the Governor. Ted Forsgren of the Coastal Conservation Association replied: “I’m sorry governor. I gave out four.”

“I’m a lame duck.”

Outside Bush was more forthcoming about his feelings. “In all seriousness, this is not a sad time for me. I’m really proud of him and I’m… you know… I’ve had a great ride.”
There are just over 40 days in Jeb Bush’s administration and while he clearly still holds the reins of power, you can feel that power shifting.

A full security detail is already assigned to the incoming Governor. For his part, Crist looks slightly tired. He has just over 6 weeks to organize a new government.

“This is sort of the first public appearance I’ve had. I’ve been busy and we’re gonna continue to work hard.” Said Crist.

The inauguration will take place January 2nd at noon on the Capitol steps.

The next six weeks will be busy ones for the governor elect. Charlie Crist has to assemble his team to run the various agencies of state government and come up with a new budget to submit to the state legislature.

Sounding more like a national politician, Governor Jeb Bush today said the Federal Government should do more to plan for pro democracy activities in a post Castro Cuba. Jeb noted that Castro appears frail on television. The governor says more money for Radio Marti and help for island insurgents would be steps forward.

Between 15 and 18 hundred World War Two veterans are now dying everyday. With so many funerals, there aren’t enough bugler’s to honor the deceased by playing  taps, so fake bugles or even boom boxes are used. Now a non profit  organization is stepping in to fill the void.

 bugler-story.mp3

World War II veteran James Bowen was laid to rest recently. From across the cemetery, taps rang out, courtesy of a volunteer bugler who drove a hundred miles to be there.

John Cooksey served in WWII with James Bowen. Say Bowen ”He served under Patton. “Is that right?” “His idol was George Patton.”

WW II vets are dying at the rate of ten thousand a week. With so many vets passing, many families are being forced to settle for either a fake bugle or a boom box to play taps. That’s where Bugles Across America comes in. This non profit organization of volunteer buglers tries to fill the shortage. For Jimmy Bowen’s grandson, William Sunday, says having a real bugler meant all the difference in the world.

“God bless. It’s an honor for me to be here.”

“Thank you”

“God bless you.”

“It really meant a lot to him… and to all of us here.”

“That’s why I do it is for ya’ll and for him.

Most volunteer buglers are former military and for them being a  part of Bugles across America is a way to continue serving.  Sgt John Grey says of the duty

“There are only 24 notes in taps and four different octaves is all there is. It’s the strongest 24 notes you’ll ever play.

The military only has 500 buglers… not enough to do the job… and that’s where the volunteers come in.

Bugles Across America has a web site where you can request a bugler or make a contribution: www.buglesacrossamerica.org