Digest

Subdivision's former use causes problem

Orlando

Some in an Orlando-area neighborhood are being asked to leave their homes as crews search for explosives.

The homes and a middle school were built on a former Army bombing range. No one knew until July, when the Army Corps of Engineers held a public meeting.

So far, at least five pieces of live, World War II-era ammunition and artillery rounds have been found and detonated on ranchland.

Lennar Homes asked residents of its subdivision to leave between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. while the search continues.

Jacksonville

Duval decides to dump schools chief

The Duval County School Board has voted to get rid of its school superintendent.

Official termination papers are in the works for Joseph Wise. His contract, which runs through October 2009,says he can be fired only if the board rules that he failed to perform his duties or for serious misconduct that is "injurious" to the school system.

Wise had recently made changes to his administration without the School Board's approval.

The vote to terminate him came after Wise called for the resignation of a board member.

Sunrise

Caretaker accused in killing of 2-year-old

A woman was charged with murdering a 2-year-old girl she was caring for by hitting her so hard that she fell and cracked her head open, authorities said.

Tyra L. Williams, 29, confessed to hitting the girl in anger, but other injuries also point to sexual abuse, said police Lt. Robert Voss.

Williams was caring for the girl in her apartment while the child's mother completed a Florida prison term. The girl had been in Williams' care since shortly after her birth, authorities said.

[Last modified October 16, 2007, 23:23:43]