Silver Airways Abruptly Stops Flying

Silver Airways announced early Wednesday that it is ceasing operations immediately and canceling all upcoming flights. The Hollywood-based regional airline told passengers in a statement not to go to the airport.

Silver filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in December 2024 and had a sale hearing set for yesterday afternoon. In a social media post, the airline said that the new owners have decided not to continue “flight operations in Florida, the Bahamas, and the Caribbean.”

Travelers with outstanding credit card purchases have been instructed to seek refunds through their credit card companies or travel agencies.

The airline was founded in 2011 and previously served Tampa, Orlando, Pensacola, Fort Lauderdale, Key West, and airports in the Caribbean and the Bahamas.

Republicans Win Special Elections

On Tuesday, voters in a Brevard County Special Election chose Republican candidates for the Florida Senate District 19 and Florida House District 32 seats.

Debbie Mayfield won her Florida Senate District 19 bid against Democrat Vance Ahrens, earning 54.5% of the vote. Mayfield has held the seat since Randy Fine was elected in November 2024. Fine resigned to fill a vacancy in the U.S. Congress in Florida’s 6th District.

Brian Hodgers won his bid for Mayfield’s former seat in Florida House District 32 over Democrat Juan Hinojosa, earning 55.4% of the vote.

Former Okaloosa County Commissioner Nathan Boyles won the House District 3 special election in Okaloosa and Santa Rosa counties over Democrat Dondre Wise with 67.5% of the vote. The Milton Republican succeeds former Rep. Joel Rudman, who resigned to run for an unsuccessful bid for Congress.

Backyard Pets in Peril

Florida pets can face risks from uncommon animals and reptiles even in their own backyards. At least two dogs fell victim this past week.

In Cape Coral, a dog called Kaylani caught an invasive green iguana in its backyard, killing it and carrying it around. Within a few days of the encounter, Kaylani couldn’t walk and was dragging her hind legs. She needed antibiotics and rest to recover.

Iguanas, which have been in Florida longer than most other nonnative species, can transmit salmonella through their feces and botulism after they have died.

In Tampa Bay, Zeus, a German shepherd, is on the mend after being grabbed and dragged into the water by an alligator. The reptile was seen ripping through the backyard fence before attacking Zeus, who managed to get away in the water and swim to land.

Once upon a time, we had to make lists and physically go to stores when needed. 

Sometimes we’d have to go to several stores or even shopping malls for what we needed. Then one day, out of the heavens, came Amazon.

For many of us, free shipping and access to exclusive shows and movies are enough reasons to fork over the $14.99 per month to get Prime. But if those reasons haven’t been enough to entice you to join Prime, maybe some of these lesser-known incentives will tempt you to sign up.

Here are nine of those perks.

➤ Tallahassee: Gov. Ron DeSantis signed six bills into law on Monday that focus on locations around the state. Then on Tuesday, he signed bills to increase protections for children against sexual crimes. (See Details)

➤ Starke: Anthony Wainwright, 54, received a lethal injection at Florida State Prison on Tuesday for the 1994 rape and murder of 23-year-old Carmen Gayheart, a nursing student and mother of two young children. (More)

➤ Tampa: City Councilwoman Gwendolyn Henderson, 60, died at home on Tuesday from natural causes. (See Photo)

➤ Volusia County: Blue Spring State Park officials are asking visitors to report anyone causing damage to the park after recent vandalism. The park reopened last month after a $5 million restoration project. (See Video)

➤ Collier County: Commissioners approved the next phase of a $56 million behavioral health center despite residents’ concerns. It will be the county’s largest mental health project to date. (More)

➤ Sumter County: Sheriff Pat Breeden says he could be forced to terminate law enforcement services for the city of Bushnell as early as next year due to unsustainable costs amidst increased calls and population growth. (More)

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➤ The Miami Hurricanes landed a commitment from Tampa-based football recruit Canon Pickett, beating out Florida for the talented offensive lineman. (More)

➤ The Orlando Magic are offering Jonathon Isaac, Cole Anthony, and a few first-round picks in the trade market with hopes of landing a rotational upgrade on the wing this offseason. (More)

➤ Florida Atlantic University’s athletic department announced that it has again surpassed its annual fundraising record, marking three consecutive years of beating the previous year’s mark. (More)

Yesterday’s results: MLB | NBA | WNBA | Soccer

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➤ The Jacksonville City Council unanimously approved a $20 million incentive package, including property tax rebates, for Otto Aviation to construct a business jet manufacturing plant and relocate its headquarters from Fort Worth, Texas. (More)

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Here are all nine perks you should be using!

➤ Florida judges are grappling with a surge in online threats, doxing, and harassment. (See Details)

➤ Drone footage captured two large sharks swimming near Clearwater off a causeway in Saint Joseph Sound. (See Video)

➤ A black bear in a Punta Gorda Isles neighborhood took a bath in a resident’s hot tub, removed the cushions off the couch underneath the lanai, and took a six-hour nap. (See Video)

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Do you have a lucky charm or special item that you carry with you?

1. Yes
2. No

Wednesday’s Results:

Would you purchase an electric vehicle?

1. Never: 35%
2. Maybe a hybrid: 32%
3. Yes: 17%
4. Already have: 16%

What was the Collins Bridge connecting Miami to Miami Beach replaced with in 1925?

Show me the answer