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Avoid distracted driving (and a ticket) with these smartphone apps
Read full article: Avoid distracted driving (and a ticket) with these smartphone appsNow that Florida’s law enforcement officers will be ticketing drivers for texting and driving it might be a good time to download a smartphone app so you can put the phone down and focus on the road. Florida’s new distracted driving law began July 1, but motorists were given a six-month period during which warnings were issued for people spotted texting while driving. On Jan. 1, law enforcement officers will begin issuing tickets if drivers are handling their phones in hands-free zones, including school and construction areas. To help you avoid a costly ticket and drive safely we’ve compiled a list of 12 smartphone apps that can help you achieve that goal. Read on below for information about apps to help you avoid distracted driving.
Central Florida pediatricians prescribing books during wellness exams
Read full article: Central Florida pediatricians prescribing books during wellness examsWINTER GARDEN, Fla. – Doctors are prescribing some patients in Central Florida books during their annual wellness exams. "What we've found as pediatricians, that parents don't realize how early on they can start reading to their children," Dr. Genevieve McKinley said. McKinley said the doctors work with parents using a developmental milestone chart to help track their progress in the program. According to the program, parents can start reading to their babies as soon as they arrive home from the hospital. As children grow they will begin to recognize books using eye contact, pointing to pictures and orienting books right side up.
Using your phone in school, construction zones is now illegal
Read full article: Using your phone in school, construction zones is now illegalORLANDO, Fla. – Better keep your hands off that cellphone if you are driving near a school or in a construction zone in Florida. As of Tuesday, it is against the law to hold a cellphone while driving through a school or construction zone. Florida Highway Patrol Lt. Kim Montes said law enforcement agencies across the state won't start issuing tickets until Jan. 1. “We don’t want to see a child hit or killed because somebody was on their phone,” Montes said. [MORE: What you can, can't do with your phone while driving | These Smartphone Apps are helping combat distracted driving]Watch News 6 for more coverage.
Florida lawmaker files bill to require drivers to put down phones
Read full article: Florida lawmaker files bill to require drivers to put down phonesTALLAHASSEE, Fla. – The same Florida lawmaker who championed the state's new law that prohibits texting while driving is now behind a new effort that would force Florida motorists to put their phones down completely. Rep. Emily Slosberg, D-Boca Raton, filed a bill Monday that would outlaw driving while “manually holding or otherwise touching a wireless communications device," according to the News Service of Florida. The proposal was filed a day before the hands-free part of Florida's new texting and driving law, which makes it illegal for drivers to hold a phone in school and construction zones, goes into effect. Texting while driving became illegal on July 1. Florida Highway Patrol officials said that between July 1 and Sept. 17, troopers issued 438 warnings while law enforcement agencies across the state have given out 542 citations.
Here's how many Florida drivers have been ticketed for texting and driving
Read full article: Here's how many Florida drivers have been ticketed for texting and drivingORLANDO, Fla. – Recently released numbers show that hundreds of drivers across the Sunshine State have been ticketed or warned since Florida's new texting and driving law went into effect. Florida Highway Patrol troopers began issuing warnings on July 1, when texting while driving officially became illegal in Florida. Representatives with Florida Highway Patrol delivered their report Wednesday to members of the Florida House of Representatives Transportation and Infrastructure subcommittee. [READ: Florida texting and driving statistics]"I think it's low, principally because it's new," Florida Representative Geraldine Thompson said. News 6 was a major force behind helping to get the new law banning texting and driving enacted with an initiative called Driving Change.
Live music fills the air, heals the soul at Orlando VA Medical Center
Read full article: Live music fills the air, heals the soul at Orlando VA Medical CenterBut twice a day he takes a break in the "Healing Gardens," an atrium in the center of the facility. As the sun casts shadows on palm trees, visitors, patients and medical center staff gather to hear him play. I absolutely love that.”Veterans including Louis Holland love the sound, too. After Holland expressed an interest in playing, Sproul gave him his old saxophone so he could learn. “Just play soulfully, and you’ll touch a veteran, you’ll touch anybody.”DECEMBER 2019 UPDATE:Sproul performed his VA Holiday Salute Musical Performance in front of a packed auditorium on Dec. 13, 2019.
News 6 rides with trooper warning drivers about new texting and driving law
Read full article: News 6 rides with trooper warning drivers about new texting and driving lawThe new texting while driving law went into effect on Monday. Florida’s new distracted driving law makes texting behind the wheel a primary offense, which means if a law enforcement officer sees you on your phone while operating a vehicle, they can pull you over. [RELATED: Police issue reminder about new texting and driving law in Florida | Gov. However, Drach said not all law enforcement agencies are offering the same grace period when it comes to texting while driving. [READ MORE: Here's what happened when Iowa implemented texting and driving law | Winter Park police: 'Don't be a clown.
What you can, can't do with your phone while driving
Read full article: What you can, can't do with your phone while drivingORLANDO, Fla. – Florida’s law enforcement officers can pull over drivers suspected of texting and driving starting Monday. Florida’s new distracted driving law makes texting behind the wheel a primary offense, which means if a law enforcement officer sees you on your phone while operating a vehicle they can pull you over. [RELATED: News 6 anchor Matt Austin testifies for distracted driving bill | 5 things to know about Florida's texting and driving bill | Timeline: News 6 Driving Change ]Gov. You will not be penalized for receiving a message while you’re driving or glancing at your phone when you receive one unless you’re in a hands-free zone. Law enforcement would rather you use Bluetooth, but you can still physically answer phone calls on your phone with no penalties unless you’re in a hands-free zone.
These smartphone apps can help you avoid distracted driving
Read full article: These smartphone apps can help you avoid distracted drivingBeginning July 1, Florida’s law enforcement officers will be able to pull over drivers suspected of texting and driving. To help you avoid a ticket and drive safely we’ve compiled a list of smartphone apps that allow you to put the phone down and focus on the road. Read more about 12 apps to help you avoid distracted driving below.
Police issue reminder about new texting and driving law in Florida
Read full article: Police issue reminder about new texting and driving law in FloridaMOUNT DORA, Fla. – Mount Dora police on Thursday posted a video reminding drivers that texting and driving in Florida will become a primary offense July 1. "We want to pass along some information you need to know while you're driving. News 6 led the Driving Change campaign after anchor Matt Austin was injured in a crash by a distracted driver. During Austin’s overnight stay in the hospital, the responding officer to the crash told him the driver had been texting. News 6 anchor Matt Austin details crash]It was then that Austin learned that in Florida, texting and driving was a secondary offense and officers could not issue tickets unless they witnessed the driver texting and driving and witnessed the driver also breaking another law.
How Driving Change was a News 6 team effort
Read full article: How Driving Change was a News 6 team effortRon DeSantis signed HB107, a bill passed by the House and Senate to make texting and driving a primary offense in the state of Florida. It's the day that Florida took the first positive step in six long years to make its roads safer. For almost three years, News 6 has been working to Drive Change through our years-long campaign to push politicians to change the law. We’ve posted more than a hundred stories to our Driving Change page – stories that we hoped would lead to this day. To them and many others who have helped us get to this day, we say this was a team effort.
Floridians react to new texting and driving law
Read full article: Floridians react to new texting and driving lawRon DeSantis signed a bill into law Friday morning that will allow law enforcement officers to pull over drivers who are texting and driving. Florida is among the last few states to implement such a law, and it's been years in the making. The new law not only elevates texting and driving to a primary offense, but also makes it illegal for drivers to hold a cellphone in either a school zone or a marked construction zone. Though the new law allows police officers to proactively make the roads safer, the fines for texting and driving stay the same. News 6 asked its audience how texting and driving has impacted their lives and they shared the following stories.
Driving Change: News 6 gets results with new texting law
Read full article: Driving Change: News 6 gets results with new texting lawThe new law will make texting and driving a primary offense, which allows law enforcement officers to stop motorists who are texting while driving and write them citations. Florida was one of only four states left in the country in which texting and driving was not a primary offense. “It was a long and hard fight,” News 6 anchor Matt Austin said. Austin’s journey to drive change began the very next day, a journey News 6 has called “Driving Change.” The initiative's goal was to make texting and driving a primary offense in the state of Florida. “We started by bringing awareness to the holes in the current texting and driving law,” WKMG’s News Director Allison McGinley said.
Gov. DeSantis signs texting and driving bill into law, saving ‘countless lives’
Read full article: Gov. DeSantis signs texting and driving bill into law, saving ‘countless lives’Ron DeSantis signed a bill into law Friday morning that will allow law enforcement officers to pull over drivers who are texting and driving. Though the new law allows police officers to proactively make the roads safer, the fines for texting and driving stay the same. 5 things to know about Florida's texting and driving billBefore signing the bill, DeSantis cited some of the statistics about distracted driving crashes. Since 2013, lawmakers have sponsored 31 different pieces of legislation to strengthen Florida’s texting and driving law. Simpson compared the texting and driving bill to the seat belt bill during the 1980s.
Driver avoids sentence 3 years after causing deadly crash
Read full article: Driver avoids sentence 3 years after causing deadly crashFROSTPROOF, Fla. – Three years after a judge ordered Daniel Lloyd Lightsey to perform community service for causing a deadly crash by driving carelessly, court officials have seen no evidence the driver has completed any of his sentence. "All I want to see is that he does the community service," Waldron said. This time, the judge suspended Lightsey's driver's license for six months and issued him a $1,000 fine as the law required. Until both the financial and community service requirements were satisfied, Lightsey's driver's license was supposed to remain suspended. A copy of Lightsey’s driving record obtained by News 6 from FLHSMV indicated his “Driver Privilege is VALID."
Florida considers banning all forms of distracted driving
Read full article: Florida considers banning all forms of distracted drivingORLANDO, Fla. – Florida could outlaw drivers from putting on makeup, using smartphones, reading or other activities that distract them on the road. The Senate Innovation, Industry and Technology Committee unanimously approved a distracted driving bill Wednesday after hearing stories from people who have lost relatives in car crashes. Right now, it is illegal to text and drive in Florida, but drivers can only be ticketed if they are pulled over for another reason. The bill, sponsored by Republican Sen. Wilton Simpson, would make distracted driving a primary offense, meaning law enforcement wouldn't need another reason to ticket a driver. If enacted, Florida would ease into the law by creating a three-month period where law enforcement would only give warnings.
Driving change: You soon can be ticketed for texting and driving in Florida
Read full article: Driving change: You soon can be ticketed for texting and driving in FloridaRon DeSantis signed a bill Friday morning making texting and driving a primary offense in the state of Florida. News 6 has been behind the Driving Change effort ever since anchor Matt Austin was injured in a crash. Since 2013, lawmakers have sponsored 31 different pieces of legislation to strengthen Florida’s texting and driving law. On Sept. 9, 2016, News 6 anchor Matt Austin was waiting for a traffic light to turn green when a vehicle slammed into his car. [VIDEO BELOW: Florida passes texting and driving bill]
5 things to know about Florida's texting and driving bill
Read full article: 5 things to know about Florida's texting and driving billORLANDO, Fla. – Through an initiative called Driving Change, News 6 has advocated for years for stricter texting and driving laws to make Florida roads safer. The Florida House voted overwhelmingly Monday to send a bill to make texting and driving a primary traffic offense to Gov. [RELATED: News 6 Driving Change timeline | News 6 anchor Matt Austin testifies for distracted driving bill | Could 2019 be the year Florida passes tougher distracted driving laws?] Bonus: When the bill becomes lawOnce HB 107 has been signed by the presiding officers, the bill will go to the governor. DeSantis will have seven days to sign the bill, veto the bill or let it become law without his signature.
When's the deadline for Gov. DeSantis to sign distracted driving bill?
Read full article: When's the deadline for Gov. DeSantis to sign distracted driving bill?So, with the bill passed, when is Gov. When HB 107 passed the House a second time -- the first version was amended by the Senate -- News 6 originally reported DeSantis would have seven days to sign the bill or it would automatically become a law. In Florida, as stated, the governor does have seven days to sign a bill or veto it, otherwise the bill automatically becomes a law. And if a lot of bills went through in the final days of the session, that could take some time. If you want to find out more about the whole process, read and click the excerpts below from the Florida Senate’s website:What is the deadline for the Governor to sign a bill?
Florida on precipice of enforceable texting and driving law
Read full article: Florida on precipice of enforceable texting and driving law“Law enforcement has been pushing for making texting and driving a primary offense for several years now and are glad this is finally getting to the governor’s desk.”Since 2013, Florida has had secondary enforcement of texting and driving. Demings, a former Orange County sheriff, has long been an advocate for a tougher texting and driving law. “I’m a supporter that texting and driving should be a primary offense,” he added. Missouri only enforces texting and driving for drivers younger than 21; Montana has no texting and driving law. Law enforcement officers would be able to start ticketing motorists Jan. 1, 2020.
Florida House vote sends texting and driving bill to governor's desk
Read full article: Florida House vote sends texting and driving bill to governor's deskORLANDO, Fla. – UPDATE: The Florida House voted Monday to approve a bill to ban texting and driving. News 6 has advocated for three years for stricter texting and driving laws to make Florida's roads safer. The Florida House are going to vote on the amended House Bill 107 Monday afternoon. Ahead of the vote, advocates are rejoicing about how far the distracted driving bill has come. [RELATED: News 6 Driving Change timeline | News 6 anchor Matt Austin testifies for distracted driving bill | Could 2019 be the year Florida passes tougher distracted driving laws?]
Orange County school board member heading to Capitol ahead of texting and driving bill vote
Read full article: Orange County school board member heading to Capitol ahead of texting and driving bill voteORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – News 6's efforts to drive change are coming to a major vote this week that would make the state's texting and driving law stricter. The state House of Representatives is expected to vote on House Bill 107, the texting and driving bill, on Monday. The organization spent the last several years pushing to make the state's texting and driving law stricter. [RELATED: News 6 Driving Change timeline | News 6 anchor Matt Austin testifies for distracted driving bill | Could 2019 be the year Florida passes tougher distracted driving laws?] HB 107 would make texting and driving an primary offense, which means an officer could pull you over if you're caught texting and driving.
Senate passes amended House bill aimed at ending distracted driving
Read full article: Senate passes amended House bill aimed at ending distracted drivingTALLAHASSEE, Fla. – UPDATE: The Florida Senate has passed House Bill 107, aimed at fighting distracted driving, after amending it. After the amendments were approved, the Senate voted 33-5 to pass the bill and send it back to the House for approval. This all comes after the Senate dumped its own bill, Senate Bill 76, and adopted the House bill in an attempt to find common ground between the pieces of legislation so that one will eventually end up on the governor's desk. PREVIOUS STORY:A Florida state senator has filed an amendment to a distracted driving bill seeking common ground to get legislation to the governor’s desk. The state Senate could consider the amendment to HB 107; move to debate and then vote on the bill.
Florida texting and driving bill stalls in Senate; where does that leave Florida drivers?
Read full article: Florida texting and driving bill stalls in Senate; where does that leave Florida drivers?On Tuesday, the House passed its version of a stricter texting and driving bill by a vote on 104-9. The House bill would take texting and driving from a secondary offense to a primary offense. On the Senate side, SB 76 was scheduled to be voted on today, but was pulled at the last minute. • The House bill goes to the Senate and Senate puts SB 76 on it and sends it back to the House. “I’ve been coming to Tallahassee for 10 years to try and get a texting bill passed,” said Augello, “I don’t want to keep coming back.
Florida Senate delays consideration of distracted driving bills
Read full article: Florida Senate delays consideration of distracted driving billsLawmakers in Tallahassee Tuesday heard two important bills aimed at ending distracted driving, with the House passing House Bill 107. While both bills would make texting and driving a primary offense, there are differences between House Bill 107 and Senate Bill 76. The Senate bill, sponsored by Sen. Wilton Simpson, R-Trilby, goes even further when it comes to safety behind the wheel, mandating that drivers use only hands-free devices. Austin and News 6 have since been committed to continuing the station's Driving Change initiative and making the roads safer for everyone in the Sunshine State. During the first meeting, Simpson read the Senate bill in front of the full chamber and there were no amendments or objections.
Driving Change: Florida distracted driving bill passes final committee vote
Read full article: Driving Change: Florida distracted driving bill passes final committee voteTALLAHASSEE, Fla. – The Florida Senate bill that would allow law enforcement to pull over drivers for texting and driving passed its final Senate committee. It's the farthest a distracted driving bill has gone in Tallahassee. Senate Bill 76 passed the Rules Committee Wednesday afternoon and is now heading to the Florida Senate floor for debate. [Driving Change: News 6 anchor Matt Austin testifies for distracted driving bill | Distracted driving blamed for rise in traffic deaths, injuries]The final committee vote Wednesday means Florida is very close -- once again -- to passing a stricter texting and driving bill. News 6 has championed stricter distracted driving laws in Florida for the last three years.
News 6 anchor Matt Austin testifies for distracted driving bill
Read full article: News 6 anchor Matt Austin testifies for distracted driving billTALLAHASSEE, Fla. – The state House version of a new distracted driving bill had its first committee meeting Tuesday. The state Senate adaptation (SB 76) was approved around 4 p.m. Monday by the Senate’s Judiciary Committee. News 6 anchor Matt Austin has been one of the most outspoken proponents of the bipartisan bill. Austin told his story during a transportation and infrastructure subcommittee meeting Tuesday in Tallahassee. “This whole crisis we have in our state right now of texting and driving wound up in my back seat,” Austin said.
Lake Mary students create portraits of children for Memory Project
Read full article: Lake Mary students create portraits of children for Memory ProjectLAKE MARY, Fla. – Lake Mary High School art students are giving a special gift to children in Puerto Rico through a worldwide project. The Memory Project began in 2004. The goal is to cultivate kindness by inviting artists to create portraits of children who have gone through difficult times. Art teacher Karen LeBlanc said her class was given the option of creating portraits for students either in Puerto Rico or Colombia and chose Puerto Rico. Since 2004, The Memory Project has created more than 130,000 portraits for children in 47 countries.
Seminole jury awards $3.8M to woman in texting-and-driving crash
Read full article: Seminole jury awards $3.8M to woman in texting-and-driving crashSEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. – A woman permanently injured in a Winter Park crash was awarded $3.8 million by a Seminole County jury last week in a suit against her insurer Geico, according to a spokesperson for Morgan and Morgan. Her lawyers said the driver was texting and driving at the time of the crash. She continues to undergo physical therapy and was recently told she will need neck surgery, according to Morgan and Morgan. Her attorneys sued for damages and last week a Seminole County jury awarded her a $3.8 million verdict for the injuries she suffered. Florida state Rep. Jackie Toledo filled a bill that would ban Florida drivers from holding their phones while behind the wheel.
Students get free school supplies during 'Grant a Wish' event
Read full article: Students get free school supplies during 'Grant a Wish' eventThe "Grant a Wish" event recognizes three students who were nominated by their teachers for excelling in school even during challenging times. News 6 anchor Bridgett Ellison emceed "Grant a Wish" along with AGFT President Jane Thompson. The high school student honored is Deyverson Fillistin. He began at Oak Ridge High School in 2017, having only moved to the U.S. five months prior. It provides a free store for teachers and is our area's largest provider of school supplies.
'Hands-free' Florida bill would allow drivers to 'tap' cellphones
Read full article: 'Hands-free' Florida bill would allow drivers to 'tap' cellphonesORLANDO, Fla. – One day after Florida state Rep. Jackie Toledo announced she will file a bill that would ban Florida drivers from holding their phones while behind the wheel, she clarified that drivers would be allowed "one tap." Toledo (R-Tampa) said drivers could tap their phone to answer or decline a call but not program an address, Google something or send text messages. News 6 traffic safety expert Trooper Steve Montiero answered questions from viewers and readers about the proposed law. Do you have a question about traffic safety, roadways or law enforcement? Click here to submit questions for News 6 traffic safety expert Steve Montiero.
Bill would ban Florida drivers from touching, holding cellphone
Read full article: Bill would ban Florida drivers from touching, holding cellphoneTAMPA, Fla. – Florida state Rep. Jackie Toledo, R-Tampa, on Monday introduced a new bill that would ban drivers from holding or touching a cellphone. Brooke Scherer, the mother of 9-year-old Logan Scherer, who was killed in a distracted driving crash, attended the announcement. House Bill 107 has companion bill in the Senate, would make holding a phone -- not just texting and driving -- a primary offense in Florida. News 6 has also been working to raise awareness of Florida's distracted driving laws for two years. Because it's a secondary offense, drivers can only be cited for being on their phone if they're pulled over for another reason.
Driving Change: Florida lawmakers file 2 bills to curb distracted driving
Read full article: Driving Change: Florida lawmakers file 2 bills to curb distracted drivingTALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Three months before the official start of the 2019 Florida legislative session, two state politicians are wasting no time trying to toughen up Florida’s lax texting and driving law. Trilby’s bill, SB 76, is dubbed the “Florida Ban on Wireless Communications Devices While Driving Law.”Slosberg’s bill, HB 45, has a much simpler name: the “Hands-Free Florida Law.”“The No. Last year the Florida House passed its version of a tougher distracted driving bill but the Senate version stalled in the Senate Appropriations Committee, which was chaired by Republican State Sen. For the third year in a row, Slosberg has sponsored anti-texting and driving legislation. Georgia recently passed a similar hands-free-only bill that went into effect on July 1.
Orange County most dangerous place in Florida for distracted driving
Read full article: Orange County most dangerous place in Florida for distracted drivingIn 2013, Orange County had 5,390 distracted driving crashes. “It’d be very fair to say that Orange County is a very dangerous place to drive,” said ValuePenguin research analyst Bailey Peterson. In 2013, 19 vehicle fatalities in Orange County were linked to distracted driving, according to the FHSMV. Over those five years, 106 people have died in Orange County because of distracted driving. Bradley told News 6’s Matt Austin earlier this year, “I’m open to having discussions next session about ways we can deal with distracted driving” despite spiking the Senate distracted driving bill in 2018.
Sheriff Demings talks about Orange County's distracted driving record
Read full article: Sheriff Demings talks about Orange County's distracted driving recordOrange County Sheriff Jerry Demings recently spoke to News 6 about the county's distracted driving record. According to FHSMV, there were only 74 tickets specifically written by state, county and city police in Orange County in 2017 for texting and driving. The numbers we got from the state were almost 7,000 distracted driving crashes in 2017 [in Orange County]. Austin: In 2013 the number of distracted driving crashes were down here [Austin points to a chart from our infographic with the number of distracted driving crashes at 39,143]. Today it's up 28 percent [the chart shows 2017 distracted driving crashes at 50,190].
Q&A: Is Orange County the worst in Florida for distracted drivers?
Read full article: Q&A: Is Orange County the worst in Florida for distracted drivers?According to ValuePenguin’s findings, two other Central Florida counties were close to having the fewest distracted driving crashes. So, judging by both these factors, Orange County ranked as the third worst county in Florida for distracted driving. Peterson: Orange County ranked as the third worst county in Florida for distracted driving which isn't necessarily a huge surprise considering it had the highest number of distracted driving crashes of any county in the state. WKMG: And even when just looking at the overall amount of distracted driving crashes regardless of population, Orange County didn’t do well? Read more Driving Change coverage:Sheriff Demings talks about Orange County's distracted driving recordResearch shows Orange County has highest totals of crashes, deaths in Florida
Orlando pilot gives students hands-on aviation experience
Read full article: Orlando pilot gives students hands-on aviation experienceORLANDO, Fla. – Pilot Mike McKenzie feels most at home on the flight line at Orlando Executive Airport. Inspired by the Tuskegee Airmen, McKenzie founded Vision of Flight, a nonprofit, where students as young as 12 who might not normally be exposed to aviation get hands-on experience. Ryan Dewitt is a Vision of Flight mentor and pilot who sees much of his younger self in the youths who come through the program. “I was the kid who always had to go up to the front of the plane to see the pilot,” Dewitt said. Ethan Smith, a 13-year-old program participant, said he's been enjoying his time at Vision of Flight so far.
Seminole Science STEM Charter School starts students coding on day 1
Read full article: Seminole Science STEM Charter School starts students coding on day 1SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. – When it comes to career planning, students at Seminole Science STEM Charter School are ahead of the game, with human coding classes available for students as young as kindergarten. Teacher Kevin Grece runs the school's science, technology, engineering and math lab. He said the idea is to get students interested in real-world concepts they can build on into high school and beyond. Grece said to the casual observer, it may look pretty easy, but a lot of science goes into making the perfect program. "We get to do programming, which can be used later in life because there are many computer engineering jobs and coding jobs, which you may have to edit apps used for work," Telang said.
College Park's fallen landmark, The Jump Tree, inspires school project
Read full article: College Park's fallen landmark, The Jump Tree, inspires school projectAmong the fallen oaks and pines was a landmark in the College Park neighborhood of Orlando, known as the "Jump Tree." Full Screen 1 / 27 Photos of the College Park Jump Tree, the subject of a school research project after it was knocked down during Hurricane Irma in 2017. Everyone had a story to share about the tree, West said. Research on the school project began soon after the idea. The idea of just swinging from a jump tree is just something that connects all the generations.
Crimeline gets 10,000 tips per year
Read full article: Crimeline gets 10,000 tips per yearThe caller is a tipster, one of 10,000 people to call Crimeline every year and one that may provide the big break a detective needs. Crimeline executive director Barb Bergin said when News 6 asks viewers to call Crimeline, they do, almost always. "Our phones are ringing at 5 and 6 p.m. when you're on the news so we know that that relationship is very important in getting valued tips," Bergin said. The tips often help solve cases both big and small, Bergin said. Bergin said Crimeline helped solve 39 crimes just last month.
Getting Results Award: Coalition Flag Football League
Read full article: Getting Results Award: Coalition Flag Football LeagueOne man is using his passion for the game to get results in homeless kids lives. Mark Cavalleri picks up a group of kids each week from the Coaltion for the Homeless in Orlando every Saturday. His league is called the Coalition Flag Football League, or the CFFL. Cavalleri and a group of volunteers feed the kids and give them tons of love. Mark Cavalleri is this week's "Getting Results" award winner.
Scams targeting seniors on the rise in Brevard County
Read full article: Scams targeting seniors on the rise in Brevard CountyBREVARD COUNTY, Fla. – Lt. Glen Hamann of the the Titusville Police Department rattles off three scams in row to the seniors seated in front of him. Hamann is speaking at SeniorFest in Melbourne, an event created and designed specifically for seniors. Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey was a guest speaker at Senior Fest. He said law enforcement in Brevard County meets regularly with seniors to teach them how to protect themselves. Hamann also warned of scammers calling to say that a senior has won a prize but must pay taxes first.
Getting Results Award winner: Founder of Computers Advancing Education
Read full article: Getting Results Award winner: Founder of Computers Advancing EducationTitusville, FLA. – A look inside the lab at Computers Advancing Education in Titusville can be overwhelming. The nonprofit recycles donated computers, giving them away for free to needy students. Tucked inside the former Whispering Hills Elementary School cafeteria, volunteers repair, dismantle and rebuild laptop and desktop computers. To date Freebie says they have given given away more than 31,000 computers to students around the globe. If you would like more information about Computers Advancing Education or would like to donate go to: computersadvancingeducation.org
Getting Results Award winner: Toy Drive coordinator
Read full article: Getting Results Award winner: Toy Drive coordinatorORLANDO, Fla. – Gary Walsh of Bright House Networks is this week's News 6 Getting Results Award winner. The group will spend the next three days wrapping more than three thousand gifts collected throughout the year. "If there's anyone getting results, it's Gary Walsh," he says. In total, Walsh says the employees of Bright House Networks donated nearly $50,000 worth of toys this season. She spoke of the children and families that will benefit from the generosity of the Bright House employees.
Cocktails and Chemo founder receives Getting Results Award from News 6
Read full article: Cocktails and Chemo founder receives Getting Results Award from News 6ORLANDO, Fla. – Amanda Evans-Clark is this week's Getting Results Award winner. Clark is the founder of Cocktails and Chemo, a support group for what she calls the often forgotten caregivers of cancer patients. Clark used her experience, as tough as it was -- and still is -- to form Cocktails and Chemo, named for the weekly treatments she and her husband turned into dates. "Just for the person who had to totally put their life on hold because someone they love is very sick. "I nominated Amanda because I think she's doing amazing things despite this awful thing that happened in her life," Cook says.
Getting Results Award winner: Dueling Dragons' founder
Read full article: Getting Results Award winner: Dueling Dragons' founderIt was the first time she heard the term "invisible kids," kids who haven't gotten into trouble but live in at-risk environments. "All of the kids that have completed a season,and a season is ten months long, a long time, they've all stayed in school. She started it and you know, lets actually do something to help these kids and improve relations with police. He says he's enjoyed getting to know the officers on a more personal level, not just a passing patrol car through his neighborhood. Actually get to know the officers have lives just like they do.
Getting Results Award winner: Habitat for Humanity volunteer
Read full article: Getting Results Award winner: Habitat for Humanity volunteerORLANDO, Fla. – Habitat for Humanity volunteer, Marshall Dancy, is this week's Getting Results Award winner. And for Dancy that's a good thing. "He's been working for Habitat for a long time and he's amazing how he gets the stuff done." Jenifer Gallagher, senior director of Resource Development for Habitat for Humanity Orlando, says Dancy stands out as a leader and embodies the volunteering spirit. They could be the next "Getting Results Award" winner.
Getting Results Award winner: Florida Milk Bank Director
Read full article: Getting Results Award winner: Florida Milk Bank DirectorORLANDO, Fla. – Karen Kesler, executive director of the Mother's Milk Bank of Florida, is the News 6 Getting Results Award winner of the week. Kesler had the vision for a Florida milk bank five years ago. I thought why don't we have a milk bank in Florida and we started working on bringing one here." We follow the guidelines of the human milk banking association of North America which sets standards so it's very safe." Kessler hopes having a local milk bank will raise awareness of the need and inspire more moms to donate.
News 6 recognizes Central Floridians who are Getting Results
Read full article: News 6 recognizes Central Floridians who are Getting ResultsORLANDO, Fla. – News 6 wants to recognize the people in Central Florida who are Getting Results and making a difference in our community. [SUBMIT YOUR NOMINEE: Fill out this form ]Each week, News 6 anchor Matt Austin will feature a Central Floridian who goes above and beyond to make our community better. News 6 wants viewers to nominate someone they know who stands out as an inspiration for others. Winners will be awarded a News 6 Getting Results plaque and $100 cash. Fill out this form to nominate someone who is Getting Results.