Crime & Public Safety
Tuesday, April 21, 2026 · Fort Walton Beach
Texting While Driving: What Fort Walton Beach Drivers Need to Know About Florida Law
Fort Walton Beach drivers need to understand Florida's texting and driving laws, which prohibit sending or reading texts while driving and include stricter rules in school and construction zones.
Teen Arrested in Deadly I-75 Hit-and-Run near Bradenton
An 18-year-old Florida man faces vehicular homicide charges after allegedly weaving a Ford Mustang into a fatal chain-reaction crash on I-75 in Manatee County. The collision killed a 34-year-old semi-truck driver from New Smyrna Beach and shut down southbound lanes for hours. Florida Highway Patrol released crash video showing the Mustang's reckless maneuver before the driver fled.[1][2][3]
Tuesday, April 21, 2026
DeLand Teens Sought for Foam Attack on Protected Gopher Tortoise
Two teenagers remain at large after allegedly spraying expanding foam into a gopher tortoise's mouth in DeLand, sparking outrage over cruelty to Florida's iconic protected species. The tortoise survived thanks to quick rescue efforts but highlights growing threats to wildlife in Volusia County. Authorities urge tips to identify the juveniles.
Tuesday, April 21, 2026