TALLAHASSEE - A state court says the agency that oversees gambling at card rooms that operate at horse and dog tracks exceeded its authority when it attempted to limit jackpots and establish other regulations.
Lawyers for Calder Race Course in Miami and Dania Jai-Alai in Broward County challenged the Division of Pari-Mutuel Wagering's rules last year. They say the decision will make it easier for the racetracks and jai alai frontons to compete with Indian gaming.
The 1st District Court of Appeal in Tallahassee on Friday upheld a decision issued in December 2004 by Administrative Law Judge Barbara J. Staros.
Staros said the state wagering division's attempt to limit jackpots in poker games, prohibit entry fees for players and other regulations were "arbitrary and capricious."
Wilbur Brewton, an attorney for Calder and Dania Jai-Alai, said the decision will allow poker tournaments.
The state agency must pay reasonable costs and attorney fees incurred by the parimutuels.
Meg Shannon, director of communications at the Department of Business and Professional Regulation, said the agency is reviewing the decision and its options.
Pembroke Pines soldier killed by mine in Iraq
PEMBROKE PINES - A soldier from Pembroke Pines was killed in Iraq when a land mine exploded near his Humvee, the Pentagon announced Tuesday.
Army Pfc. Kenny D. Rojas, 21, was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division, based at Fort Stewart, Ga.
The announcement said Rojas was on patrol Saturday near Bayji when he was killed. Bayji is about 150 miles northwest of Baghdad.
Couple donate $5-million for UF's Graham Center
GAINESVILLE - A Winter Park developer and his wife are donating $5-million to the University of Florida for the construction of a building to house the Bob Graham Center for Public Service.
Jim Pugh, chairman of Epoch Properties, and Alexis Pugh made the donation to the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences for the building, to be named Jim and Alexis Pugh Hall.
Pugh said he and Graham, a former governor and senator, have been friends for more than 50 years. They were fraternity brothers at UF, where Pugh earned his bachelor's degree in building construction in 1963.
With anticipated matching state funds, construction could start as early as summer.
Epoch Properties builds hotels, time shares and rental housing. Graham is working with UF and the University of Miami to create two centers focusing on public leadership, the Americas and homeland security.
Some bottled water given Wilma victims was spoiled
FORT LAUDERDALE - Health officials issued a recall Tuesday for spoiled bottled water distributed to residents after Hurricane Wilma hit last week.
A distribution center noticed that the bottled Nirvana water, manufactured by Prime Inc. of Syracuse, N.Y., appeared to have algae in it, said Doris Williams, a spokeswoman for Broward County emergency operations.
The water was quarantined so it would not get to other distribution sites. There were no immediate reports of related illness.
