Digest

Dateline Florida

By Times Wires
Published September 6, 2007

Text messages tell Pasco deputies all about pot sales

A 17-year-old student at River Ridge High School in New Port Richey is accused of selling marijuana via text message. The teenager, whose name is being withheld because of his age, was arrested just after noon Tuesday and charged with possession of marijuana with intent to sell on school property. According to an arrest report, authorities searched his vehicle and found 10.8 grams of marijuana, rolling papers, an electronic scale and 150 empty plastic sandwich bags. The teen's case was connected with that of two others accused of illegally possessing prescription pills. According to a Pasco sheriff's incident report, one of the text messages went like this: "Yo ... there r 18 of em u will get em Tues." Another one: "Yo find me some of ur friends to buy bud i need to sel wat i have to get beaters s--- tomorow."

Excuse for burning home that stood 136 years: ghost

Two men accused of torching one of Central Florida's oldest homes told investigators they believed it was haunted, Mike Vitta, a detective with the State Fire Marshal's Office, told the Orlando Sentinel. Adam A. Allaire, 18, of Eustis and Jonathan M. Laurence, 22, of Tavares have been charged with arson and burglary in connection with Sunday's fire at the historic Woodlea House in Tavares. The home was built in 1871 by Melton Haynes, a Civil War captain, at a citrus grove on the shore of Lake Harris. In 2005, the city paid $50,000 to move the house to its current location. The city will discuss rebuilding the charred shell.

Roofers survive lightning strike

Three roofers atop a Coral Gables home were struck by lightning Tuesday, but they were lucky. They survived. At least six other people in South Florida have died from lightning strikes so far this year, the Miami Herald reported. Last year, lightning killed two people; one the year before that. Experts noted that sweaty outdoor workers like roofers are more at risk because they are wet in a dry, charged atmosphere. The men were in stable condition at a local hospital. The last death happened Aug. 13 when lightning struck a landscaper operating a weed trimmer.

[Last modified September 6, 2007, 00:55:25]