Docked boat explodes; owner hospitalized

AVENTURA

Authorities are investigating the explosion of a 28-foot boat in an Aventura marina Sunday.

Its owner, whose name has not been released, was hospitalized with burn injuries. The fire started after he tried to start up the pleasure boat at about 11:30 a.m. It was docked at the High Life Marina. Miami-Dade Fire Rescue officials say two nearby vessels were also heavily damaged.

MIAMI

Boy flown to hospital after injury on cruise

U.S. Coast Guard officials say they evacuated a 9-year-old boy from a cruise ship about 40 miles south of Key West and flew him to Miami after he severed his finger.

Officials say a Coast Guard rescue crew landed a helicopter on Royal Caribbean's Freedom of the Seas on Saturday and took the boy and his father onboard. The two were flown to Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami. It was not immediately known how the boy was injured.

ORLANDO

Orange County sheriff won't seek re-election

Orange County Sheriff Kevin Beary, 50, will not seek a fifth term in the job he has held for 15 years.

The state Ethics Commission is looking into his creation of a nonprofit homeland-security venture with several aides. Beary told the Orlando Sentinel he has confidence he will be cleared of any wrongdoing. Hewill retire at year's end with at least 75 percent of his $155,000 salary.

[Last modified January 14, 2008, 00:23:11]