A quick look at what's making news around here:
- A Palm Beach County jury gave a not-guilty verdict to Allison Dinsmore, the 27-year-old teacher from Boynton Beach tried on felony animal-cruelty charges after leaving her two cats home alone, where they starved to death. [Palm Beach Post]
- The bodies found in the minivan in a canal along Alligator Alley are now believed to have been Nelta Jacques and her two daughters, who disappeared in 1999. The Broward County Medical Examiner also found fetal remains, suggesting that Jacques was pregnant. All indications are that their deaths were an accident. [WPLG-5]
- Former Broward County Commissioner Josephus Eggelletion gave a guilty plea to state corruption charges. His sentence will run concurrently with the two and a half years he received for his plea in the federal corruption case. [Sun-Sentinel]
- In the Fitzroy Salesman corruption trial, testimony by Miramar City Manager Robert Payton makes a good cautionary tale in how weak, unquestioning city employees can be coerced by greedy city commissioners. [Daily Pulp]
- The attorney for Thanksgiving killer Paul Michael Merhige is asking a Palm Beach County judge to seal evidence against him until after the trial, citing concerns for a fair trial. [Palm Beach Post]
- Thirty-six refugees from the Haiti earthquake who were caught trying to come to America have been released from a Pompano immigration facility, but only on the condition that they agree to be deported. [Miami Herald]