By Compiled from Times wires
Published May 8, 2003
PANAMA CITY, Fla. - Bay County commissioners declined to delay action on plans to relocate Panama City's airport to a site west of the city on property to be donated by Florida's largest private landowner, the St. Joe Co.
Commissioner Mike Ropa suggested holding off until October, but none of the four other board members supported that proposal Tuesday. The board then set a public hearing June 12 on changing the zoning of the 4,000-acre site from agricultural and timberland to airport and industrial uses.
Critics of the proposed move question the need relocate an airport that has relatively little commercial traffic to a site surrounded by St. Joe-owned property. It is estimated that the new airport would to cost state, federal and local governments $210-million.
Alligator bites handler during Gatorland show
KISSIMMEE - A handler at Gatorland was bitten by an alligator during a wrestling performance Wednesday.
The injury to Nathan Sweeting, 27, was not life-threatening, said Michelle Harris, a spokeswoman for the alligator-themed tourist attraction. He was taken to a hospital for stitches. Harris said she didn't know where the alligator bit him.
Social workers visited mom before infant killed
LAKELAND - The 18-year-old mother of a sickly baby and rambunctious toddler refused a social worker's help hours before she fatally beat the infant, officials said.
Department of Children and Families documents on the death of month-old De'Anna Gilbert show a handful of social workers tried to help Brandylon Gilbert with the stress of parenthood, but didn't believe the children were in any danger.
Brandylon Gilbert told police she punched her daughter on the forehead twice April 4 because she was feeling stress about personal issues and annoyed by De'Anna's crying, according to a Polk County sheriff's report. Gilbert, of Babson Park, faces life in prison if convicted of first-degree murder.
State records show that a handful of social workers and counselors tried to help Gilbert, citing a range of parenting problems. But while they assigned an "intermediate" risk to the children, DCF investigators said there was no need to shelter the children or force Gilbert to accept services.
Gulf Coast Community Care, a private agency under contract to the state child welfare agency, visited Gilbert at home as late as April 4, hours before De'Anna's death. Gilbert called 911 shortly after midnight April 5 to report that her daughter had stopped breathing.
