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LAKE WORTH - Health officials declared a malaria alert Tuesday in suburbs of Lake Worth, and were calling all 38,000 households to recommend protection against mosquitoes.
Two local men were diagnosed with malaria Saturday, triggering the Palm Beach County Health Department to issue the alert.
Mosquitoes pick up the parasite by biting a sick person, then pass it on by biting others after a week or more of incubation. Humans cannot pass it to each other.
The Health Department is calling every household within 16 square miles of the men's homes to recommend people avoid going outside at dusk and dawn, wear long sleeves and pants outdoors, use insect repellent with DEET and eliminate standing water.
Couple avoid prosecution for chaining boys to bedBARTOW - A Kathleen woman and her ex-husband on Tuesday avoided prosecution on child abuse charges for chaining her two teenage sons to their beds to try to stop their criminal behavior.
Karen Abe, 35, and Allen Abe, 62, agreed to requirements that they undergo psychological evaluations, attend parenting classes and counseling, and complete any required treatment.
Polk County sheriff's deputies arrested the pair on May 17 on charges of aggravated child abuse after learning they had chained Karen Abe's two sons, ages 13 and 15, to their beds so they would not sneak out of the house at night while she was at work.
Earlier in May the boys were arrested for allegedly stealing a neighbor's car.
State Attorney Jerry Hill said the case called for getting the family help, not prosecution.
Half of $80.9-million Lotto jackpot claimed by coupleTALLAHASSEE - A Hollywood, Fla., couple Tuesday claimed half of last weekend's $80.9-million Lotto jackpot with a ticket they bought in Fort Myers, lottery officials said.
Amy and William Wildstein decided to take 30 annual installments of about $1,349,000 each.
The other winning ticket was purchased in Miami and has not yet been redeemed.
Judge rules city can cite papers' street vendorsMIAMI - Newspaper vendors can be ticketed for selling papers in the street, a judge ruled, rejecting a claim that the First Amendment rights of the papers and readers are being violated.
In a decision released Tuesday, U.S. District Judge Patricia Seitz ruled that a Florida law used by Hollywood police to ticket South Florida Sun-Sentinel and Miami Herald street vendors promotes a valid interest in public safety.
Police cited the papers' vendors on March 25. The papers sued the city and asked Seitz to block enforcement of the law pending a trial. She refused.
She said sales would be permitted if vendors stay on medians or sidewalks and off the street.