18,496 Pounds of Cocaine Offloaded

U.S. Coast Guard vessel seizures in the past three weeks have resulted in roughly 18,496 pounds of cocaine being offloaded at Port Everglades from a total of six boats.

Four interdictions resulted in over $133.5 million worth of seized cocaine from the international waters of the Eastern Pacific Ocean. The operation started on Jan. 25 and included go-fast vessels carrying approximately 17,750 pounds of cocaine.

Last week, the U.S. Coast Guard, a Fort Lauderdale law enforcement boat crew, and Customs and Border Protection K9 unit officers seized 746 pounds of cocaine, worth about $5.6 million, from two vessels that were off Port Everglades.

House Proposes New Prison

The Florida House’s proposed budget for 2026-27 includes $127 million to begin construction of a new 4,800-bed prison and a 600-bed hospital unit. Funding would come from the General Revenue Fund and could be used for cash payments, debt service, and bond-related costs.

The plan reflects a 2023 KPMG audit that concluded Florida’s corrections system needs a new facility of the same size to address bed shortages. No site has been named, though prior reports identified potential locations in Homestead, Polk, and Bradford counties.

The accompanying bill (PCB JUB 26-02) would authorize up to $250 million for capital improvements and require recommendations on closing outdated, understaffed prisons once new construction is complete.

A Senate criminal justice budget proposal includes $52 million for new correctional housing units at Lancaster Correctional Institution in Gilchrist County, but does not include a new prison.

Boca Raton Cold Case Victim Identified

The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office identified a late 1970s homicide victim as Patricia Ann Ritchie, 24, of Harrisonburg, Virginia. Her remains were discovered in a wooded part of suburban Boca Raton nearly 48 years ago.

Construction workers found skeletal remains on Jan. 18, 1978. Investigators worked with limited information, knowing only that the victim was a white female between the ages of 17 and 29 whose death was the result of a homicide.

The breakthrough began in July 2024, when the sheriff’s office partnered with Othram, a Texas-based private laboratory specializing in overcoming forensic DNA barriers.

By August 2025, Othram provided cold-case detectives with investigative leads rooted in genealogical research, prompting detectives to interview potential family members and collect DNA reference samples.

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➤ Collier County: A small plane with two people on board crashed Sunday in the water near Port of the Islands. The pilot survived, but the passenger did not. The FAA is investigating. (See Video)

➤ Volusia County: Law enforcement from as far away as Orange County gathered in Daytona Beach Sunday to provide protection for hundreds of thousands of race fans at the Daytona 500. (More)

➤ Orlando: Shootings, burglaries, motor vehicle thefts, and weapon violations in the city each decreased more than 40% over the last three years. Violent crimes were reduced by 12%. Homicides were the largest decrease at 68%, with 10 homicides recorded in 2025. (More)

➤ Polk County: Fire Rescue crews responded to more than 30 brush fires throughout the county on Sunday. The largest fire burned over 400 acres near State Road 60 in the River Ranch area. (More)

➤ Meanwhile, four small brush fires consuming 10 total acres forced the shutdown of I-95 in Port Orange and Daytona Beach on Sunday and resulted in 20 burned vehicles at the Crazy Horse Campground. (See Video)

➤ Palm Beach County: Lawmakers are considering bills to scale back the use of the ExpressVote voting system used by the county’s early voters in 2024. If passed, the measure would also impact Duval and Lee counties. (More)

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➤ The Miami Dolphins released pass rusher Bradley Chubb and wide receiver Tyreek Hill yesterday as they continue to shed payroll. (More)

➤ Florida men’s basketball climbed two spots to No. 12 in this week’s AP poll, the only Florida team in the Top 25. (See Poll)

➤ Buccaneers linebacker Lavonte David is mulling retirement after 14 seasons in the NFL: “If I’m not thinking I’m the best out there on the field, there’s no point in me going out there to play.” (More)

➤ USF men’s basketball beat FAU 83-81 in an overtime thriller thanks to a 27-point performance by Wes Enis. The Bulls have now won four straight, while the Owls are on a six-game losing streak. (More)

Yesterday’s Results: Olympics | NCAAM | NCAAW | NCAAB | NCAASB | Soccer

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➤ The Seahorse Restaurant in Pass-A-Grille Beach, an iconic 88-year-old establishment, is open again after rebuilding. It was severely damaged by hurricanes Milton and Helene in 2024. (More)

➤ Florida’s hospitals generated $198.6 billion in total economic output in 2023 and supported nearly 977,000 jobs statewide when accounting for indirect and induced effects, according to an economic impact report. (More)

➤ Air Transat, a Canadian airline, cancelled all flights to the U.S. for the 2026 summer season for its two U.S. destinations: Fort Lauderdale and Orlando. (More)

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➤ A Jacksonville police officer saved a woman from a burning car. Her car had been struck by a stolen vehicle driven by a carjacker, who had taken the car with a 1-year-old inside. The carjacker was arrested, and the baby was recovered. (See Bodycam Footage)

➤ Crew-12 docked with the International Space Station on Valentine’s Day after a 34-hour commute from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. (More)

➤ The 2026 Firestone Grand Prix will speed through the streets of St. Petersburg from Feb. 26 to March 1, kicking off the 2026 IndyCar season. (See Guide)

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Have you ever been to Canada?

1. Yes
2. No
3. I lived there

Monday’s Results:

Do you have pet insurance?

1. No: 42%
2. Don’t have a pet: 38%
3. Yes: 20%

What is the name of Florida’s highest natural point?

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