SUMMARY: The City of St. Augustine has filed an eminent domain lawsuit against owners of two properties near Lincolnville to acquire land for the Lake Maria Sanchez Flood Mitigation and Drainage Improvements Project. Funded by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, the project aims to reduce flooding in about 200 acres of the city’s historic downtown. Planned upgrades include enhancing stormwater systems on Granada, Cordova, and Bridge Streets, building a new pump station and flood wall near the properties, and installing one-way tide check valves. The case is currently in St. Johns County court.

Read the full article

The post City of St. Augustine files eminent domain lawsuit against property owners amid flood mitigation project dispute appeared first on www.news4jax.com

SUMMARY: Florida’s new migrant detention facility, nicknamed “Alligator Alcatraz,” opened in the Everglades with capacity for 3,000 detainees, beginning to receive hundreds tonight. Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier emphasized swift processing and due process. The facility drew support from Republicans but strong opposition from Democrats and environmentalists concerned about the Everglades’ impact and human rights. Critics urge Governor DeSantis to halt construction and conduct environmental reviews. Meanwhile, a second facility at Camp Blanding, housing 2,000 detainees, is planned soon. Despite protests, state and federal leaders remain committed, with Florida funding \$450 million and expecting federal reimbursement.

Read the full article

The post Hundreds will enter ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ tonight: Florida AG appeared first on www.abcactionnews.com

SUMMARY: A pretrial hearing is being held today for Stephan Stearns, accused of sexually abusing and killing 13-year-old Maddie Soto. The current case focuses on sexual assault charges, with Stearns facing six counts including sexual battery, molestation, and possession of child pornography. The trial has faced multiple delays; it was postponed from May to July as attorneys requested more preparation time. A key issue is whether evidence from Stearns’ cell phone, obtained without a warrant, will be admissible. The defense argues consent was limited, while prosecutors say urgent evidence destruction justified their actions. A judge’s ruling on the evidence is pending.

Today, there will be a pre-trial hearing in the Stephan Sterns case. Sterns is accused of killing and sexually abusing 13-year-old Maddie Soto. FOX 35’s Amanda McKenzie shares updates on the case.

FOX 35 Orlando delivers breaking news, live events, investigations, politics, entertainment, business news and local stories from Orlando, Florida and across the nation.

Subscribe to FOX 35 News: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuXT13wiqK56NR7QSfDWpvg?sub_confirmation=1

Watch more Good Day Orlando on YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLzmRitN2dDZsTTMUdYGl-4zVShYmWjLyH

Watch more FOX 35 News video: https://fox35orlando.com/

Watch FOX 35 News live: https://fox35orlando.com/live

Download the FOX 35 Orlando News & Weather app: https://www.fox35orlando.com/apps

Follow FOX 35 News on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram: @fox35orlando

Subscribe to the FOX 35 News newsletter: https://www.fox35orlando.com/email

Source