Freaky Florida: 15 Weird News Stories for the 500th Anniversary of the State’s Discovery

[steve2470]

http://newsfeed.time.com/2013/04/02/freaky-florida-15-weird-news-stories-for-the-500th-anniversary-of-the-states-discovery/

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This week in 1513, around the time of Easter, Juan Ponce de León became the first European to land on the Florida peninsula, which he claimed for Spain and named after the Pascua Florida — the Spanish term for the Easter season. It’s fitting that the Spanish explorer was actually searching for the legendary Fountain of Youth, since there is certainly something otherworldly about the land that later became the State of Florida — or at least there’s something in the water. Whatever it is, people do things differently in the Sunshine State — whether we’re talking about attacks by cannibals or by Taco Bell burritos, state-sanctioned python hunting or rogue manatee surfing. So sit back, picture yourself under a palm tree, and soak in the 15 freakiest stories of the past year from one of the most extraordinary states in the union.

Erik Brown, of Tampa, Fla., was charged with assault for attacking a 16-year-old boy with a burrito at Taco Bell on Feb. 14, NewsFeed reported. Police said the boy wasn’t injured, but he did have “burrito cheese, sauce, and meat all over his face,” per CBS Tampa Bay. He was scheduled to appear in court on Mar. 20 for his arraignment.

A woman was arrested for riding a manatee — also known as a sea cow — in Fort De Soto Park near St. Petersburg. And worse: she was caught on camera in the act. When the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office released a photo that someone took of the incident, the suspect, identified as Ana Gloria Garcia Gutierrez, turned herself in. The state’s Manatee Sanctuary Act says it is “unlawful” for “any person at any time, by any means, or in any manner intentionally or negligently to annoy, molest, harass, or disturb or attempt to molest, harass, or disturb” the endangered species. Gutierrez, who faced a possible fine of up to $500 or a six-month jail sentence, was released on $1,500 bail.

An estimated 1,600 fearless Floridians signed on for a month-long reptile eradication program dubbed the Python Challenge (Jan. 12-Feb. 10), sponsored by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission to raise awareness about the invasive species that has come to dominate much of the Everglades’ ecosystem. Out of the estimated 150,000 Burmese pythons in the state — some are pets set free by their owners — contestants caught 68, including one that measured 14 feet, 3 inches and one that was 10 feet, 6.8 inches, according to the Associated Press; both won the $1,000 First Place Prize for longest ones caught. The $1,500 prize for the most pythons nabbed went to a man who caught six and a man who caught eight.

*rest at link*

[darkangel218]

1. I wuv my state. No matter how wacky it is. :)

[steve2470]

2. me too ! nt

[ellenfl]

3. only 15? we've got many more than that! eom