September 19, 2018
Here are five local stories surrounding the Bay Area.
DNA Evidence Solves Cold Case
According to the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, Luke Fleming, 39, was arrested on Sunday for the sexual battery and murder of Debora Dalzell in 1999.
Dalzell was found dead in her Sarasota home after concerned co-workers alerted the authorities of her absence.
A Virginia company used DNA phenotyping, a process of predicting a person’s physical appearance, to create a picture of what the alleged assailant would have looked like.
The Sheriff’s office used the information to track down Fleming, who according to detectives, lived within walking distance from the crime scene.
Detectives then obtained Fleming’s DNA to test the evidence taken from the crime scene. Fleming is believed to be the murderer.
Detectives are still investigating.
Semi Truck Crash
A Florida Highway Patrol official reported that a traffic accident involving a semi truck killed someone early Wednesday morning on I-75.
The accident was called in around 4:30 a.m. at mile marker 228.
The truck was headed northbound on I-275 to the I-75 transfer ramp when it hit a pylon, according to FHP.
The ramp was closed off for an investigation and was reopened around 8:50 a.m. No structural damage has been reported.
Supplies for Hurricane Florence Victims
Local restaurant business plans to send supplied for the victims of the hurricane.
The Beachside Hospitality Group is looking to fill trucks with the following items:
Water
Diapers
Bleach
Cleaning Supplies
Non-Perishable Food
Flashlights
Candles
Batteries
Toiletries
Hand Sanitizer
First Aid Items
Utility Knives
New Pillows & Blankets
Formula
Baby Food
Donations can be dropped off at three of their restaurants. The group hopes they can fill the truck and send it out this weekend.
For additional information about helping support North Carolina’s hurricane victims, contact Julia Cassino at JuliaC@BSHGRP.com
Two New Social Media Pages
Hillsborough County Sheriff’s office adds two new social media pages in Spanish.
Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister announces new Facebook and Twitter pages on Wednesday morning.
About thirty percent of the county’s population is Hispanic. The sheriff’s office said this is an effort to better communicate with local residents.
Chipotle Donates to Children’s Hospitals
Chipotle Mexican Grill is fundraising for children’s medical centers.
Hillsborough County Chipotles will donate to Shriners Hospital. Pinellas County Chipotles will donate to Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital.
The fundraiser lasts until the restaurants close. Mentioning the children’s hospitals while purchasing a meal will ensure proceeds are sent to the medical centers.
Anchor: Nada Blassy
Prompter: Angie Romero
Audio: Galen Martin
Technical Director: Katlyn Brieskorn
Director: Dakota Galvin
Camera Operator: Valezka Nava
Floor Manager: Helen Leon
Graphics: Sherra Parent
Graduate Assistant: Kelsey Baker
Faculty Advisor: Cathy Gugerty
