By Laura C. Morel
Crime/Immigration Reporter
Got prescription drugs? The DEA will take them off your hands.
The Drug Enforcement Administration will hold its fourth National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day throughout the country April 28.
People with unwanted prescription drugs will be able to turn them into law enforcement at different locations for free. No questions will be asked and they can remain anonymous.
Since the DEA launched this initiative, nearly 1 million pounds of prescription drugs have been collected.
Fun fact: more Americans abuse prescription drugs than the number of those using cocaine, hallucinogens, and heroin combined, according to a media release.
There are Take-Back locations in Manatee and Sarasota counties. To find one near you, click here.
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
Saturday, April 14, 2012
From crime scenes to cookoffs
By Laura C. Morel
Crime/Immigration
From Tuesday through Friday, I'm the crime and immigration reporter for the Bradenton Herald.
But Saturday is my wildcard. I cover, well, everything else, including parades, festivals, fairs, rallies, contests, and the list goes on.
Food fests are also a big chunk of my Saturday coverage.
Today, I was the lucky reporter who covered the Gulf Coast Rhythm & Ribfest, which includes a barbecue ribs cookoff with both local and out-of-state cooks. I interviewed barbecue enthusiasts about their secrets to a good rib and a tasty sauce. Time and patience seemed to be key ingredients.
After two hours of interviews, I smelled like barbecue.
Earlier this month, I covered the annual Seafood Festival.
In late February, I covered the Cortez Commercial Fishing Festival. Food for sale included squid fries (delicious!) and smoked mullet.
And in the beginning of the year, I was among 12 teams of cooks who whispered to their team members so their opponents wouldn’t hear their beef brisket secrets.
The irony of it all? I can't even cook.
Crime/Immigration
From Tuesday through Friday, I'm the crime and immigration reporter for the Bradenton Herald.
But Saturday is my wildcard. I cover, well, everything else, including parades, festivals, fairs, rallies, contests, and the list goes on.
Food fests are also a big chunk of my Saturday coverage.
Today, I was the lucky reporter who covered the Gulf Coast Rhythm & Ribfest, which includes a barbecue ribs cookoff with both local and out-of-state cooks. I interviewed barbecue enthusiasts about their secrets to a good rib and a tasty sauce. Time and patience seemed to be key ingredients.
After two hours of interviews, I smelled like barbecue.
Earlier this month, I covered the annual Seafood Festival.
In late February, I covered the Cortez Commercial Fishing Festival. Food for sale included squid fries (delicious!) and smoked mullet.
And in the beginning of the year, I was among 12 teams of cooks who whispered to their team members so their opponents wouldn’t hear their beef brisket secrets.
The irony of it all? I can't even cook.
Thursday, March 29, 2012
Bradenton deputy chief walking into sunset
By Laura C. Morel
Crime/Immigration Reporter
Crime/Immigration Reporter
 |
| Bradenton police Deputy Chief Jeffrey Lewis at the luncheon on Tuesday. Earlier this year, I interviewed Bradenton police Deputy Chief Jeffrey Lewis about his 27-year career at the department. His retirement was coming up and he hoped to exit without much fuss from his colleagues. “I would just like to say my goodbyes and take one good look around and just walk off into the sunset,” Lewis told me during the interview. On Tuesday, the department held a small luncheon for the veteran police officer at the Kingdom of Life Church in Bradenton. Among those attending were Bradenton's police chief Michael Radzilowski and mayor Wayne Poston. Lewis will walk into the sunset Saturday, March 31, his last day at the department. |
Statement by missing Bradenton woman's family
By Laura C. Morel
Crime/Immigration Reporter
After the DNA from a severed leg that washed ashore in St. Petersburg matched that of Kelly Moriarty, a missing Bradenton woman, her family released a statement to the media.
Moriarty's disappearance is a case that crosses several counties and includes another missing woman, her girlfriend, Plant City resident Doris Carter.
Authorities are now focusing on the "missing pieces of this puzzle," as Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office spokesman Det. Larry McKinnon described the case Wednesday. The pieces include: authorities haven’t found a crime scene, the location of the rest of Moriarty’s remains is unknown, and Carter is still missing.
I'm now trying to find out as much as I can about the two women. If you are friends with either Moriarty or Carter, please give me a call, 941-745-7041, or email me at lmorel@bradenton.com.
Here's the full statement released by the Moriarty family:
Moriarty Statement
Crime/Immigration Reporter
After the DNA from a severed leg that washed ashore in St. Petersburg matched that of Kelly Moriarty, a missing Bradenton woman, her family released a statement to the media.
Moriarty's disappearance is a case that crosses several counties and includes another missing woman, her girlfriend, Plant City resident Doris Carter.
Authorities are now focusing on the "missing pieces of this puzzle," as Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office spokesman Det. Larry McKinnon described the case Wednesday. The pieces include: authorities haven’t found a crime scene, the location of the rest of Moriarty’s remains is unknown, and Carter is still missing.
I'm now trying to find out as much as I can about the two women. If you are friends with either Moriarty or Carter, please give me a call, 941-745-7041, or email me at lmorel@bradenton.com.
Here's the full statement released by the Moriarty family:
Moriarty Statement
Friday, March 16, 2012
Facts about Florida prisons
By Laura C. Morel
Crime/Immigration Reporter
While working on my story about Bradenton Bridge inmate Dianna Love, I conducted some research to learn more about Florida prisons.
I only used one statistic in my story, fearing I'd bog it down with numbers. But in case you're interested, here are some other stats that didn't make it into the story:
Crime/Immigration Reporter
While working on my story about Bradenton Bridge inmate Dianna Love, I conducted some research to learn more about Florida prisons.
I only used one statistic in my story, fearing I'd bog it down with numbers. But in case you're interested, here are some other stats that didn't make it into the story:
- Eighty-eight percent of inmates will one day be released.
- About 12,000 inmates will return to prison in three years.
- About 66 percent of Florida inmates need substance abuse treatment.
- Between 2007 and 2008, 82 percent of inmates were released without receiving any substance abuse treatment.
- Between 2007 and 2008, about 1,800 inmates received their GEDs.
For the full "Recidivism Reduction Strategic Plan" report, click here.
Thursday, March 15, 2012
Blaine Ross re-trial scheduled for May
By Laura C. Morel
Crime & Immigration Reporter
Mark your calendars: Blaine Ross's murder re-trial is coming up May 14, according to the Manatee Clerk of Courts website.
Ross, 29, is accused of beating his parents to death with a baseball bat in January 2004. In 2007, he was convicted of first-degree murder and robbery and was sentenced to death.
He was the first person in nearly 20 years sentenced to death in Manatee County.
But the Florida Supreme Court later ordered that Ross have a new trial after "justices ruled that Manatee County Sheriff’s Office Detective William Waldron violated Ross’ Miranda rights by taking him through several hours of grueling questioning without reading him his rights first. Miranda outlines a person’s right to remain silent and to obtain an attorney," a 2010 Bradenton Herald article reads.
Three dissenting judges pointed out that Ross signed a waiver of his rights just before confessing to the slayings, the article said.
Here's Ross's 2004 arrest report (to view in full screen, click on the toolbar's first button):
Blaine Ross PCA
Crime & Immigration Reporter
Mark your calendars: Blaine Ross's murder re-trial is coming up May 14, according to the Manatee Clerk of Courts website.
Ross, 29, is accused of beating his parents to death with a baseball bat in January 2004. In 2007, he was convicted of first-degree murder and robbery and was sentenced to death.
He was the first person in nearly 20 years sentenced to death in Manatee County.
But the Florida Supreme Court later ordered that Ross have a new trial after "justices ruled that Manatee County Sheriff’s Office Detective William Waldron violated Ross’ Miranda rights by taking him through several hours of grueling questioning without reading him his rights first. Miranda outlines a person’s right to remain silent and to obtain an attorney," a 2010 Bradenton Herald article reads.
Three dissenting judges pointed out that Ross signed a waiver of his rights just before confessing to the slayings, the article said.
Here's Ross's 2004 arrest report (to view in full screen, click on the toolbar's first button):
Blaine Ross PCA
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
Troopers watching out for impaired drivers on St. Patrick's Day
By Laura C. Morel
Crime/Immigration Reporter
Drunk drivers shouldn't bet on their luck this St. Patrick's Day.
Florida Highway Patrol troopers will be vigilant during the week leading up to the Irish holiday from March 10 to March 17, a media release said.
"We have a zero tolerance for impaired driving. Having a designated driver and planning ahead will make your trip safer," said FHP director Col. David Brierton in the release.
There were 18,000 alcohol-related traffic crashes in 2010, where more than 12,000 people were injured and nearly 800 were killed.
Crime/Immigration Reporter
Drunk drivers shouldn't bet on their luck this St. Patrick's Day.
Florida Highway Patrol troopers will be vigilant during the week leading up to the Irish holiday from March 10 to March 17, a media release said.
"We have a zero tolerance for impaired driving. Having a designated driver and planning ahead will make your trip safer," said FHP director Col. David Brierton in the release.
There were 18,000 alcohol-related traffic crashes in 2010, where more than 12,000 people were injured and nearly 800 were killed.
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