News on the go

By Times Wires
Published February 25, 2008

Key Largo

Stranded whale Gets expert 24-hour care

Marine mammal experts ran tests and drew blood Sunday from a 101/2-foot long pygmy sperm whale after the animal stranded off the Florida Keys. The male whale was found Saturday off Islamorada and transferred to the Marine Mammal Conservancy in Key Largo, where volunteers hope to eventually release the animal. "We've taken blood work, cultures, sent off blood to test for viruses and have done an electrocardiogram," said Robert Lingenfelser, conservancy president. "We've got endoscopes and ultrasound scheduled, so we still have a lot of testing to do on this guy." The roughly 1,000-pound whale is in critical condition, but officials say he is swimming a little on his own. "He's still dehydrated," Lingenfelser said. "We're giving him fluids every four hours and giving him a bit of a fish soup to start putting protein in him." Volunteers will be with the whale 24 hours a day helping to support and comfort him in the rehabilitation lagoon.

Manatee county

Deputies: Naked man puts up fight

A 65-year-old man was arrested Saturday night after deputies received a call he was walking around people's yards naked in the 6800 block of Wagon Wheel Circle, according to the Manatee County Sheriff's Office. Duncan Kirk of Bradenton was arrested after he was sprayed with pepper spray and stunned twice. Kirk was charged with loitering, prowling and resisting arrest. Witnesses told deputies Kirk was out in the neighborhood about 7:30 p.m. When deputies approached Kirk, he attempted to flee, according to the report. When deputies attempted to place him under arrest, he began fighting, the report said. He was then sprayed, but continued to resist. The deputy then stunned him once on the back, which allowed him to place one handcuff on Kirk, the report said. It took a second stun to secure Kirk.

Holiday

Surrenders end standoff in Pasco

Two men who were inside a barricaded home surrendered to authorities just after 7 a.m. Sunday, ending a two-hour standoff. Pasco County sheriff's deputies and SWAT team members responded to the scene. According to authorities, the men barricaded themselves inside a home on Redwood Drive. As many as eight houses in the neighborhood were evacuated while officials blocked off all access into the area. The home is near U.S. 19 and Darlington Road in southern Pasco.

[Last modified February 24, 2008, 23:20:46]