JACKSONVILLE - Episcopalian leader Bishop Frank Griswold will not attend a new Florida bishop's confirmation after friction surfaced over Griswold's endorsement of a gay bishop in New Hampshire.
Griswold sent word to the Episcopal Diocese of Florida that he would not attend the Nov. 1 confirmation of John Howard as Bishop of Florida, said the Rev. Canon Ellis Brust of the Episcopal Diocese of Florida. Bishop Charles Jenkins of Louisiana will replace the embattled Episcopalian leader as chief consecrator at the event.
Earlier this month, the Roman Catholic Diocese of St. Augustine, based in Jacksonville, withdrew its invitation for the Episcopalian Diocese to use its largest church for the ceremony because Griswold was due to officiate.
Advocates for migrant workers to receive honor
FORT MYERS - Three leaders of a group that works to protect the rights of migrant workers have been selected to receive a human rights award.
Julia Gabriel, Lucas Benitez and Romeo Ramirez of the Coalition of Immokalee Workers will receive the Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Award - and $30,000 - on Nov. 20 in Washington, the group said.
According to RFK Memorial officials, Gabriel, Benitez and Ramirez have helped free more than 1,000 workers held against their will by employers. The coalition's work led to convictions on slavery charges for several farm owners and operators.
The award was established in 1984. Thirty-four people from 20 countries have received it. Gabriel, Benitez and Ramirez are the first recipients to be associated with a U.S. organization.
Runaway emu could be amorous, owner warns
DE FUNIAK SPRINGS - He stands 6 feet, weighs 300 pounds and may be looking for love, says the owner of an ostrich-like emu on the loose in the Florida Panhandle.
The flightless bird escaped from his pen Wednesday and remained at large Thursday, said Walton County sheriff's Capt. Danny Glidewell.
Jeff Crawford, who has raised the emu for eight years, said the bird could be dangerous.
"I don't want to be held liable if that sex-crazed thing does something to somebody," Crawford said. "I want people to know he's running around out there."
Crawford said the emu was spooked and jumped the fence when a neighbor hauled a large trailer down their rural road.
Country club comptroller allegedly stole $1-million
JACKSONVILLE - The former comptroller of the San Jose Country Club was arrested Thursday on charges that he embezzled almost $1-million over four years, State Attorney Harry Shorstein said.
William Bradley Dietz, 47, allegedly stole $999,539 from the country club by using club credit cards, forging several checks and misusing a line of credit account to funnel money to his own use.
The investigation began Sept. 19 after the club discovered missing funds after Dietz's resignation.
