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News & Notes

Briefs and news of note

By TIMES STAFF WRITER
Published August 12, 2006

Man arrested after 50 bats die in his yard

John A. Karbowski could have just sprayed around some Raid to chase away mosquitoes, but he had a better idea. Investigators from the state Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission say the Marion County man planned to establish a bat colony at his house in Belleview to eat any mosquitoes that tried to get near him. He told them he caught about 50 Southeastern myotis bats in a cave and put them in a cage in his yard - where they died because the bats lacked water and shelter from the sun. Investigators charged Karbowski, 23, with cruelty to animals and taking wildlife without a permit. They took him to a mosquito-free environment called the Marion County Jail.

Police chief in jail, accused of forgery

In Fort Pierce, the police chief has wound up in the slammer. Eugene Savage was booked Wednesday into the St. Lucie County jail after he was accused of forging his ex-wife's signature on a $5,800 real estate check. Savage, 57, has been chief since 1997. Now he's on unpaid administrative. His ex-wife is Gwendolyn Boyd, who knows a thing or two about police work: She's the police chief in North Miami.

Miami House race has room for one Planas

Down in Miami, a state House race has become something of a family feud. Republican Rep. Juan-Carlos "J.C." Planas sued his third cousin, Juan Enrique Planas, accusing him of improperly qualifying for the race, the Miami Herald reports. A judge agreed booted cousin Planas off the ballot but did not rule whether cousin Planas was trying to use the nickname "J.P." on the ballot as a way to confuse voters.

[Last modified August 12, 2006, 05:50:07]