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Two feared dead after boat sinks

By TIMES STAFF and TIMES WIRES
Published November 14, 2006

EUSTIS

Two children missing after their family's boat sank in a Central Florida lake Sunday night were feared dead Monday.

The search for Eric and Katelin Singleton, ages 8 and 2, on Lake Yale changed from rescue to recovery. "A miracle is possible, but based on the witness statements, the weather conditions, air, water temps, we feel too much time has gone by," Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Officer Kat Kelley said Monday night.

Eric and Katelin were on the lake with their father, mother and an infant sibling when the 16-foot boat quickly sank. Kelley said the father, Eric Singleton, 36, swam to shore with the infant, then slogged more than a mile through swampland to the nearest home for help. The mother was later found floating in the water with a life jacket.

TALLAHASSEE

Pruitt's aide choices noted for cool heads

Ken Pruitt, who is expected to inherit a fractious Republican caucus when he is elected president of Florida's Senate next week, on Monday named two of the chamber's most even-keeled members as top lieutenants.

Pruitt, R-Port St. Lucie, picked Lisa Carlton, R-Osprey, as president pro tempore, and Dan Webster, R-Winter Garden, as majority leader.

Carlton, a native Floridian from a prominent ranching family, and Webster, a former House speaker, are regarded by colleagues as two of the chamber's most even-handed members who were rarely drawn into the infighting that erupted among the 26-member GOP caucus this spring over who would lead the chamber after Pruitt.

Pruitt said in a news release that voters made it "loud and clear on Election Day" that they want elected officials to "pull together" and solve problems.

Sen. Steve Geller of Hallandale Beach, who leads the chamber's 14 Democrats, praised the picks, saying, "I've worked with both for many years and know them to be good and fair people."

HOMESTEAD

Suspect found dead after long standoff

A man wanted in connection with shooting at police officers over the weekend barricaded himself in a home Monday and fired a high-powered weapon at officers in a nearly nine-hour standoff before he was found dead, authorities said.

Police would not say how the suspect died. They said officers did not fire any shots into the home.

The discovery of the body ended a daylong standoff in which negotiators fruitlessly sought to communicate with the suspect, helicopters whirred overhead and officers were pinned to the ground by gunfire.

Police refused to let some residents of the area return home.

A middle school and two elementary schools were locked down during the day, with children being released only to their parents.

The suspect was wanted in connection with shots fired at two Florida City police officers during a chase Saturday, authorities said.

[Last modified November 14, 2006, 00:27:37]