Digest

New specialty license plates win approval

By Times Wires
Published September 20, 2007

TALLAHASSEE

Three new specialty license plates to promote stock car racing and aid military personnel and prison employees and their families won approval Wednesday from Gov. Charlie Crist and the Florida Cabinet. The specialty tags have an extra $25 fee that goes toward related organizations and institutions. The new Support Our Troops tag will raise money for state veterans homes and Support Our Troops Inc., a national group that provides financial assistance to service members and their families. Money raised from the NASCAR tag will be split between the NASCAR Foundation, which supports Florida-based charities, and the Florida Sports Foundation. Proceeds from the Corrections Foundation plate will support Department of Corrections programs and services.

JACKSONVILLE

Republican wins vacant House seat

Republican Charles McBurney won a special election for a state House seat, which became vacant when Rep. Mark Mahon was appointed to a judgeship in June. McBurney, 50, a former assistant state attorney and GOP activist, defeated Democrat Debra Jahns-Nelsen, winning 79 percent of the vote in Tuesday's election in District 16.

TRENTON

Non-combat injury kills soldier in Iraq

A 22-year-old soldier died in Iraq from a non-combat-related incident, military officials said Tuesday. Pfc. Brandon T. Thorsen of Trenton died Saturday, one day after he sustained the injuries, the Department of Defense said. Military officials did not release details of the incident, but Thorsen's father told the Gainesville Sun that his son died from a gunshot wound. Thorsen was assigned to the 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Bliss, Texas. He was posthumously promoted one rank to specialist and awarded the Bronze Star.

JACKSONVILLE

Pet lizard eats toy counterpart

Finley Collins, 7, thought her pet 12-inch bearded dragon might be giving birth when she noticed an unusual protrusion near its tail. But her father, Jeff Collins, feared it might be something more ominous and rushed Mushu to an animal hospital, where veterinarian John Rossi pulled out a 7-inch toy rubber lizard. "I've never extracted a lizard from another lizard before," he said, noting it passed through the entire gastrointestinal tract.

[Last modified September 20, 2007, 00:48:19]