Around the state

Congress crafts reprieve for 'John F. Kennedy'

By wire services
Published May 4, 2005

WASHINGTON - House and Senate negotiators in Congress have agreed on a bill that provides a reprieve to the USS John F. Kennedy based at Jacksonville.

An $82-billion spending bill for the Iraq war will prevent the Navy from retiring the aircraft carrier for at least a year, said Rep. C.W. Bill Young, R-Indian Shores. That will allow the Navy to begin planning some modifications to the Mayport Naval Station port so a new nuclear carrier can replace the steam-powered ship. "It means the Kennedy has a future," Young said.

OCALA - Frederick Fretz, a convicted child molester charged with taking an 11-year-old boy with him to Georgia, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court here Tuesday to kidnapping.

The U.S. Attorney's Office will recommend that Fretz, 42, receive a 20-year prison sentence. The maximum would be life in prison.

Fretz picked the boy up from Dunnellon Elementary School on Jan. 18 and told him his father had been arrested and they were leaving the state, according to an FBI criminal complaint. The boy was found unharmed three days later in a wooded area in northwest Georgia.

BRADENTON - Classes were delayed for about 1,000 Bayshore High School students Monday after someone glued the room locks overnight.

More than 75 locks had to be drilled open while students missed the first two classes of the day.

School security cameras recorded two hooded persons on the grounds before dawn Monday. Sheriff's deputies expect to get help identifying suspects, and burglary and vandalism charges are likely, officials said.

A locksmith estimated repairs will cost $6,000-plus.

[Last modified May 4, 2005, 00:56:08]