FORT MYERS, Florida, Sept. 21 -- The U.S. Justice Department's Drug Enforcement Administration's Miami Division issued the following news release: United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announced that Durand Dijuon Demetiu Colbert (34, Fort Myers) has pleaded guilty to conspiracy with the intent to distribute methamphetamine and fentanyl, possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, and attempted possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Colbert faces a minimum mandatory penalty  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 21 -- The U.S. Department of Defense issued the following remarks on Sept. 19, 2024, by Deputy Secretary Kathleen Hicks for the DOD Suicide Prevention Recognition Ceremony: * * * Good afternoon, everyone. And thank you for being here today to recognize the incredible efforts underway--around the world--to prevent suicide and support the health and wellbeing of service members and their families. Over the last four years, I've had the opportunity to travel across the country  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 21 -- The Environmental Protection Agency issued the following news release: MIAMI, Fla. (September 20, 2024) -- Today, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) officials, including Region 4 Chief of Staff John Nicholson, joined Miccosukee Chairman, Talbert Cypress, at a press event to recognize a $15 million grant to the Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida for community-driven solutions to cut climate pollution. "We are excited to announce the award of this Climate Poll  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 16 -- The U.S. Department of Justice's Federal Bureau of Investigation issued the following remarks by Special Agent in Charge Jeffrey Veltri on updates to the assassination attempt investigation in West Palm Beach, Florida: * * * Good afternoon. For quick introduction, my name is Jeffrey Veltri, and I am the special agent in charge of the FBI's Miami Field Office. The FBI immediately responded to the scene here in West Palm Beach, Florida, and we are investigating this matt  more

AMELIA ISLAND, Florida, Sept. 20 -- The Federal Communications Commission issued the following remarks on Sept. 19, 2024, by Commissioner Geoffrey Starks at Competitive Carriers Association annual convention: * * * This is my first annual convention since you were named president and CEO so before I get started, I'd like to give you a well-deserved congratulations. You're a tireless advocate for your members and I've appreciated working with you on our shared priority of supporting a competiti  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 21 -- The Federal Communications Commission's Wireline Competition Bureau issued the following public notice (WC Docket No. 24-305) on Sept. 20, 2024: * * * Re: Copper Retirement Network Change Certification Received BellSouth Telecommunications, LLC d/b/a AT&T Florida (AT&T), an incumbent local exchange carrier (LEC), has filed certification that public notice of network change(s) involving the retirement of copper has been provided through its publicly accessible Internet   more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 20 -- The U.S. Department of Homeland Security Federal Emergency Management Agency issued the following news release: TALLAHASSEE, Fla. FEMA Disaster Survivor Assistance crews continue to work in Florida neighborhoods helping people apply for FEMA assistance after Hurricane Debby. The crews have worked in Alachua, Columbia, Dixie, Gilchrist, Hamilton, Jefferson, Lafayette, Levy, Madison, Manatee, Sarasota, Suwannee and Taylor counties. Now they are beginning work in Baker, Ci  more

MIAMI, Florida, Sept. 21 -- The U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, Markenzy Lapointe, issued the following news release: An indictment has been unsealed charging 12 defendants, including members of international criminal gangs MS-13, Sur-13, and the Mexican Mafia, with drug offenses in and around Broward and Miami-Dade Counties in the Southern District of Florida. The twelve-count indictment charges Edgar Garcia-Velasquez, a/k/a "Diablo," 34, a citizen of Honduras, Francisco R  more

MACDILL AIR FORCE BASE, Florida, Sept. 20 -- The U.S. Central Command issued the following news release: In the past 24 hours, U.S. Central Command (USCENTCOM) forces successfully destroyed one Iranian-backed Houthi uncrewed aerial vehicle launched from Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen over the Red Sea. It was determined this system presented an imminent threat to U.S. and coalition forces, and merchant vessels in the region. This action was taken to protect freedom of navigation and make inte  more

TAMPA, Florida, Sept. 21 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Florida issued the following news release on Sept. 20, 2024: United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces that Willie F. Murray, Jr. (55, West Park) today pleaded guilty to wire fraud and aggravated identity theft. Murray faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison for the wire fraud offense and a consecutive two years' imprisonment for the aggravated identity theft offense. Murray has also ag  more