Pop America

Kid Spreads Panic On Cruise Ship For Wearing Grenade Belt

MIAMI (POP America)  --  Passengers onboard a cruise ship docked at the Port of Miami were placed on lockdown yesterday after a bomb scare was reported by federal officials.  Screeners with the Transportation Security Administration spotted what they thought was a grenade in the luggage of a passenger on Royal Caribbean's Freedom of the Seas.  The ship had just docked at the port after an eastern Caribbean cruise.  Officials quickly evacuated Terminal G of the port and passengers on the ship were not allowed to disembark as members of the bomb squad were called in to dispose of the device.  The all-clear was given when authorities determined the so-called "explosive" was actually a child's belt buckle shaped like a grenade.  Passengers were allowed to leave the ship a short time later.

Three Arrested After Stealing Parts From Public Toilets

HOLLYWOOD, FL (POP America)  --  The toilets are flushing again at a number of parks in Hollywood and Cooper City.  Police have busted a three-member gang they say is responsible for stealing high-priced flush valves from several toilets in the area.  The trio was arrested Wednesday after a ranger at John U. Lloyd State Park in Hollywood noticed them coming out of a public restroom. The thefts had caused a major stink in Broward County since taxpayers were having to foot the bill for the missing parts and because, without the valves, the toilets wouldn't flush.

Hedonistic Key West Allows Tattoo Parlors After 40 Year Ban

KEY WEST (POP America)  --  Tattoo ink is flowing again in Key West.  For the first time in 40-years, the city is allowing tattoo parlors to open up in the "almost anything goes" tourist town.  Tattooing was banned in the Southernmost City back in 1966 when leaders considered it a seedy activity and thought it was too accessible for drunken sailors.  Many believed the law was excessive since Key West is known worldwide for allowing hedonistic behavior during events like Fantasy Fest and Bike Week.  The ban was lifted after tattoo artists claimed the law violated their constitutional rights.  Two parlors opened up in the city yesterday with more sure to follow.  Among the first to get a tattoo was Inga the Swedish Bombshell, a local drag queen.

Naked Man Thought He Was At A Nude Beach

FORT WALTON BEACH, FL (POP America)  --  It was all an honest mistake.  That's what a Gulf Breeze man told authorities when he was caught exposing himself at a local beach.

A father and his 12-year-old son were walking along the waterfront when they spotted the man.  He was standing next to a pink and blue umbrella and talking on his cell phone, no doubt conducting important business.  As they got closer, they tell police that the 41-year-old man made no attempt to cover himself up.  "(We) were exposed to the suspect's rear end and his genitals," they said.

The naked man made a b-line for the nearest towel as soon as the police officer arrived.  He grabbed it and wrapped it around his waist.

The officer then questioned the man who admitted he didn't have anything on under his towel.  The suspect then said, "I thought this was a nude beach." 

Police plan to charge the man with indecent exposure.

7.9 Earthquake Rattles Peru; Kills At Least 17

LIMA (AP) -- A powerful earthquake shook Peru's coast near the capital on Wednesday, reportedly killing at least 17 people as it toppled buildings and caused many residents to flee homes. Authorities said the quake had generated a small tsunami but it wasn't destructive.

Peru's highly respected Cable news station Canal N reported that the 7.9 magnitude quake had caused a church to collapse in the city of Ica south of Lima, killing 17 people and injuring 70.

The U.S. Geological Survey said the earthquake hit at 6:40 p.m. (7:40 p.m. EDT) about 90 miles southeast of Lima at a depth of about 25 miles. Four strong aftershocks ranging from magnitudes of 5.4 to 5.9 were felt afterwards.

Tropical Storm Dean Gets Stronger; Could Become Hurricane By Weekend

MIAMI (Local 10) -- The National Hurricane Center said Tropical Storm Dean is continuing to intensify over the central tropical Atlantic.

At 5 p.m., the center of the tropical storm was located 2,343 miles east-southeast of Miami and moving west at 22 mph with winds at 65 mph with higher gusts. It is about 910 miles east of the Lesser Antilles.

"The National Hurricane Center does have it turning into a Category 1 hurricane sometime late Thursday or early Friday and transitioning sometime during the weekend into perhaps a Category 2 and 3," Local 10 meteorologist Megan Glaros said.

A hurricane watch may be required for portions of the Lesser Antilles later Wednesday or early Thursday.

"Right now, the storm will strengthen in the days to come. If it behaves, we'll have nothing to worry about," said Local 10 meteorologist Trent Aric.

Dean was moving over increasingly warmer waters, where atmospheric conditions could create a favorable environment for intensification into a hurricane, forecasters said. Forecasters maintain that it is too early to tell where Dean will go.

Visit To The Deering Estate At Cutler

Over the weekend, I had the chance to visit the Deering Estate at Cutler.  The estate consists of a three floor wooden house and a three floor stone mansion on a 440-acre property about 15 minutes south of downtown Miami. It was the home of Charles Deering, brother of millionaire industrialist James Deering. Charles used the property regularly between 1916 and 1927.