(ORLANDO) — A delivery driver was dropping off a package at a Florida home when she was bitten by a highly venomous eastern diamondback rattlesnake, authorities said.
The woman was hospitalized in “very serious condition,” the Martin County Sheriff’s Office said.
The incident took place Monday evening in Palm City, about 40 miles north of West Palm Beach. The snake, which was coiled up near the front door, bit the driver as she put the customer’s package down and she “immediately became ill,” the sheriff’s office said.
The victim was last listed in serious but stable condition, a sheriff’s office spokesperson said Tuesday.
The highly venomous eastern diamondback is very common to the area, the sheriff’s office said.
The snakes are brown, yellow or tan, and they have black, brown and cream diamonds, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
They’re an average of 3 to 6 feet long. When coiled, an eastern diamondback “can strike up to two-thirds its body length to inject its prey with venom,” the FWC said.
To avoid a rattlesnake bite, sheriff’s office spokesperson Christine Weiss recommended to always look down while walking.
“If you are scrolling through a phone while walking or at all distracted, you might not see them until it’s too late,” she told ABC News via email.
“Rattlesnakes will typically rattle, or make a distinctive defensive noise if they are agitated, feel threatened or about to strike,” she added. “So if you are wearing ear pods and not listening to the outside element, you will not likely hear that warning.”
“Use caution when moving planters, pots, pieces of lumber or even tree limbs,” Weiss continued. “Expect them. They are here and there a lot of them.”
(NEW YORK) — Costco shoppers with an early craving for fall vegetables should check their fridge or freezer for pre-cut butternut squash that the big box retailer recently recalled due to possible E. coli contamination.
New Jersey-based food manufacturer Safeway Fresh Foods of Vineland, New Jersey, sent a letter to members, shared by Costco on the recalls page, who may have bought the affected product — 2-pound plastic clam shell containers of pre-cut organic butternut squash — from D.C., Maryland, Pennsylvania and Virginia Costco locations.
The wholesaler announced that impacted items bear the number #20522 above the barcode, and were purchased between Sept. 7 and Sept. 15, 2023.
The food producer wrote in its letter to Costco members that it had issued the recall “due to the discovery of E-Coli O45 in a single sample during routine testing by our Lab.”
“Only product with the 09/19/2023 date code is affected by this recall. If you have any product with this date code remaining, do not consume. Please return the item to your local Costco for a full refund,” said Howard Willis, Safeway Fresh Foods director of food safety.
People can become ill one to 10 days after consumption of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli — or STEC — bacteria, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Symptoms of infection include vomiting or diarrhea (sometimes bloody) that worsens over several days, according to the CDC, and most people recover within a week, though some may develop a more severe infection.
(NEW YORK) — The 150-year-old banyan tree that was heavily damaged in the Maui wildfire in August is beginning to sprout new leaves, a sign of hope and progress amid the ongoing recovery efforts in the historic town of Lahaina.
The 60-foot tall Indian banyan tree covers one quarter of a mile and shades nearly two-thirds of an acre, according to the Lahaina Restoration Foundation. It has become a beloved landmark in Lahaina.
Fresh leaves are now sprouting thanks to the local arborists who volunteered their time to save the tree, according to the Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources. The organization says the new growth indicates positive signs for the tree’s long-term recovery.
Arborist Steve Nimz of Tree Solutions Hawaii inspected the tree and “found no significant signs of singeing, charring or cracking on the main trunk or most of its more than 40 aerial roots,” according to local news outlet Honolulu Star-Advertiser. Nimz also found live tissue in the tree’s cambium and said the soil under the tree does not appear to be burned.
The outlet added that the ground surrounding the tree “has been aerated to improve drainage, and is getting regular servings of nutrient-rich “compost tea.”
The Lahaina Restoration Foundation says this is the largest banyan tree in the country and Lahaina’s courthouse square was renamed “Banyan Tree Park” in its honor.
The Lahaina wildfire, which is now 100% contained, has affected an estimated 2,170 acres. At least 97 people were killed and thousands of structures were destroyed in the blaze.
Lahaina, the former capital of the Kingdom of Hawaii, has been on the National Register of Historic Places since 1962 for its cultural and historical significance.
(NEW YORK) — Rudy Giuliani owes nearly $1.4 million to the law firm that defended him during numerous criminal, civil and Congressional investigations, the firm, Davidoff Butcher & Citron LLP, said in a new lawsuit filed Monday in New York.
Giuliani has paid $214,000 to the firm since November 2019, when he retained Robert Costello, a partner at the firm, the lawsuit said.
Costello represented Giuliani during criminal investigations in New York, Georgia and Washington, the House Jan. 6 investigation, 10 civil lawsuits in various state and federal courts, and disciplinary proceedings involving Giuliani’s law license.
“In breach of the Retainer Agreement, Defendant failed to pay Plaintiffs the balance of $1,360,196.10 of the total amount owed, although duly demanded,” the lawsuit said.
Giuliani made a payment to the firm last month in the amount of $10,000.
The lawsuit marks a stunning turn in the relationship between Giuliani and Costello, which dates back around 40 years when Giuliani was U.S. District Attorney in Manhattan and Costello was one of his deputies.
Costello declined to comment.
A spokesman for Giuliani did not immediately return a request for comment.
Giuliani recently pleaded not guilty to criminal charges in Fulton County, Georgia that accused him of conspiring with former President Donald Trump and 17 others to overturn the results of the state’s 2020 presidential election. He is represented by local counsel.
(NEW YORK) — An attorney defending former President Trump from charges that he falsified business records in New York has no conflict in the case despite prior dealings with Stormy Daniels, the adult film actress whose $130,000 hush payment by Trump is central to the case, a judge decided Monday.
In a letter to defense attorney Joe Tacopina, Judge Juan Merchan wrote that “there is no conflict,” as Tacopina himself told the court when Trump was arraigned earlier this year.
“I have said from Day One there is no conflict,” Tacopina said in a statement to ABC News following the judge’s decision. “Now the court has said the same.”
Tacopina had been contacted about representing Daniels prior to her choosing since-disgraced attorney Michael Avenatti, who was later convicted of stealing her book advance.
Trump in April pleaded not guilty to a 34-count indictment charging him with falsifying business records in connection with the hush money payment, which was made to Daniels days before the 2016 presidential election in order to keep her from going public about a long-denied affair.
The payment was arranged through Trump’s then-attorney Michael Cohen, and Trump is accused by the Manhattan district attorney’s office of falsifying the records related to his monthly reimbursements to Cohen.
Despite finding no conflict with Tacopina, the judge said he would “revisit this issue with Mr. Trump when he next appears virtually on Feb. 15, 2024.”
The judge also said Tacopina would not participate in any examination of Daniels if she is called as a witness at trial.
(LOS ANGELES) — A suspect has been arrested in the fatal shooting of a Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputy who was ambushed at a red light, authorities said.
The suspect, 29-year-old Kevin Salazar of Palmdale, barricaded himself inside a house for several hours before his arrest Monday morning, Sheriff Robert Luna said at a news conference.
Deputy Ryan Clinkunbroomer was fatally shot around 6 p.m. Saturday.
Clinkunbroomer, who was on duty, was in uniform and stopped at a red light outside the Palmdale Sheriff’s Station when a gray Toyota Corolla pulled up alongside his patrol car, authorities said.
After the Corolla drove away, Clinkunbroomer’s cruiser remained at the light, where a “good Samaritan discovered him unconscious in his vehicle and promptly alerted Palmdale Station personnel,” authorities said.
Clinkunbroomer, 30, was hospitalized and later died of his injuries, police said.
Clinkunbroomer was “ambushed by a coward,” the sheriff said Monday, adding that a motive is unknown.
“Ryan’s family will never see him again,” the sheriff said, overcome with emotion.
“Our son Ryan was a dedicated, hard-working deputy sheriff,” Clinkunbroomer’s family said in a statement read on Monday by the sheriff.
“Ryan was recently engaged to the love of his life,” his family said, and he made “the ultimate sacrifice.”
Investigators on Sunday had asked for information about the Toyota Corolla, which they described as a dark-colored sedan with a model year between 2006 and 2012. It was being sought as a “vehicle of interest,” according to a special bulletin.
Sharing details on the Corolla led investigators to the suspect and the car of interest, the sheriff said Monday.
Luna said Monday that authorities are confident they have the right suspect in custody, but the sheriff said he’s “still asking people to come forward and give us any piece of information they believe that they have” as the case moves to the prosecution phase. No other suspects are believed to be involved, the sheriff said.
Asked by ABC News if the attack was random, the sheriff said it was not clear.
“I have no doubt that our homicide investigators will get to the bottom of why something that makes absolutely no sense occurred,” he said.
Clinkunbroomer was an eight-year veteran of the sheriff’s office who “served the Palmdale and Antelope Valley communities without absolute distinction,” Luna wrote on social media.
“He was a third generation deputy. His father and grandfather served with us,” the sheriff wrote. “He was cowardly shot while working tirelessly to serve our community.”
“Our hearts go out to his family. We cannot fully understand their pain, but we will stand with them,” the sheriff said.
ABC’s Alex Stone reports:
ABC News’ Amanda M. Morris and Marilyn Heck contributed to this story.
(ORLANDO) — A 78-year-old Florida man allegedly shot and killed his neighbor who was trimming trees along their property lines, authorities said.
The shooting was reported around 7:13 p.m. Sunday in DeLeon Springs, about 45 miles north of Orlando, the Volusia Sheriff’s Office said.
The victim, 42-year-old Brian Ford, was trimming tree limbs along the fence line between two properties when his neighbor, 78-year-old Edward Druzolowski, “confronted him about being on his property,” according to the sheriff’s office.
Druzolowski later told police that “he threatened to shoot Ford, and when Ford didn’t leave, he shot him,” the sheriff’s office said in a statement.
Druzolowski was arrested for second-degree murder, authorities said.
(NEW YORK) — The operator of a New York City day care and her tenant have been held without bail following the “reckless, depraved” death of a 1-year-old boy and the exposure of three other children to fentanyl.
Nicholas Dominici, 1, died after he was exposed to the opioid at a Bronx day care on Friday, officials said. Three other young children were hospitalized.
Day care operator Grei Mendez and tenant Carlisto Acevedo Brito were arrested on charges including murder, manslaughter and assault.
At their Sunday night arraignments, the judge alleged Mendez and Brito were both flight risks.
The judge cited Mendez’s lack of citizenship, ties to the Dominican Republic and the seriousness of the charges leveled against her, which carry a potential of life in prison.
Mendez’s attorney said she was unaware drugs were being stored in her day care by Brito, her husband’s cousin, to whom she was renting a room for $200 a week.
“Her only crime was renting her room to someone who had a kilo,” attorney Andres Aranda said. “There is no evidence that she did anything but care properly for these children.”
The judge said Brito is a Dominican Republic national who is in the country illegally and is also a flight risk.
Prosecutors said the kilo of fentanyl was found in a hallway closet outside Brito’s room and that Mendez participated in the “reckless, depraved act” by renting him the room in the day care. Drug production equipment was also found inside the day care, police said.
Investigators said the children appeared to have been exposed over an extended period on Friday.
The day care, for children between 6 weeks and 12 years old, opened in January and just passed a surprise visit from city inspectors last week with no violations found, officials said.
Detectives are still seeking Mendez’s husband for questioning.
(LOS ANGELES) — A person of interest has been detained in the fatal shooting of a Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputy, law enforcement sources told ABC News.
Investigators described the murder as an ambush.
Deputy Ryan Clinkunbroomer was fatally shot around 6 p.m. Saturday after a gray Toyota Corolla pulled up alongside the patrol car he was driving, investigators said.
Clinkunbroomer, who had been on duty, was stopped at a red light outside the Palmdale Sheriff’s Station.
After the Corolla drove away, Clinkunbroomer’s cruiser remained at the light, where a “Good Samaritan discovered him unconscious in his vehicle and promptly alerted Palmdale Station personnel,” authorities said.
Clinkunbroomer, 30, was hospitalized and later died of his injuries, police said.
“This coward of cowards took his life while he waited at a red light,” Sheriff Robert Luna said during a press conference.
Investigators on Sunday asked for information about the Corolla, which they described as a dark-colored sedan with a model year between 2006 and 2012.
It was being sought as a “vehicle of interest,” according to a special bulletin.
“A widely circulated video from the incident also captured a secondary vehicle traveling alongside Deputy Clinkunbroomer’s patrol vehicle, which is of significant interest to our ongoing investigation,” the department said in a statement. “We ask for the public assistance locating the vehicle and its occupants.”
Authorities announced a $250,000 reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction.
ABC News’ Amanda M. Morris and Marilyn Heck contributed to this story.
Tamir Kalifa for The Washington Post via Getty Images
(MAUI, Hawaii) — The rebuilding process has begun across Maui following the devastating wildfires that killed 97 people and displaced thousands more.
The number of those who remain unaccounted for in the weeks since the disaster totals 31, down from an original count of 66, according to authorities.
Here is the latest news out of Maui as officials and residents alike move toward recovery following the tragedy.
Information on reentry into West Maui and Lahaina, financial and housing assistance and more can be found on Maui County’s www.MauiRecovers.org informational site.
The return of residents
Officials are expected to announce the first zones that residents will be allowed to reenter after the Environmental Protection Agency clears properties of hazardous materials.
Residents and property owners in those zones will be contacted to acquire passes for reentry, a process that will begin on Sept. 22, according to Maui officials. Reentry is expected to begin Sept. 25 “with residents escorted to the properties and provided personal protective equipment during the first two visits,” they said.
“I cannot stress the importance of supporting people going through this experience,” said Darryl Oliveira, interim administrator of the Maui Emergency Management Agency. “We also want to make sure they’re safe.”
Currently, the burn area is restricted to authorized personnel as federal agencies remove potentially dangerous ash and other debris. This could take months, officials have said, adding that this is “a coordinated effort to develop a plan for the safe return of residents.”
Anyone visiting properties in the burn area is urged to use Personal Protective Equipment for their safety. Visitors are urged by officials to check out bit.ly/WestMauiCaution to learn more about protective measures.
Residents of Lahaina, Kula and the surrounding areas should only use bottled water or potable water provided by tankers. The Department of Water Supply urges those on the island to check out the Water Advisory map for updates about drinking water quality: bit.ly/mauiwateradvisory.
West Maui could reopen on Oct. 8 to tourists, according to Hawaii Gov. Josh Green.
The death toll
The death toll now stands at 97.
Of the deceased, 69 have been identified. Eight others have been identified but authorities are in the process of contacting family members.
Fifty-six people remain unidentified.
Those who are unaccounted for
One hundred percent of the land area has been searched.
MPD urges those who have loved ones who are still missing to file a report by contacting the Maui Police Department at 808-244-6400 or emailing unaccounted@mpd.net.
Those reporting an unaccounted for person must be prepared to give the first and last name of the individual, their age, their last known location and last known physical place of residence.
Those who are not on Maui but are the immediate family member of a missing person connected to the Maui wildfires, and wish to provide a DNA sample to assist in the investigation, call the FBI Honolulu Division at (808) 566-4300 or email HN-COMMAND-POST@ic.fbi.gov.
Scam calls claiming to be from “DNA Services” should be reported to Maui Police Department’s non-emergency number at (808) 244-6400.
The fires
The Upcountry fire is 90% contained and has affected an estimated 1,081 acres.
The Kula fire is 96% contained and has affected an estimated 202 acres.
The Lahaina fire is 100% contained and has affected an estimated 2,170 acres.
Officials say that containment indicates what percentage of the fire perimeter has been enclosed by a control line. This reflects the opportunity for the fire to spread beyond its original border into new areas, according to Maui County officials.
The fires do not pose a threat, according to the Maui Fire Department.
The return of students
Officials have said they expect to start up schools right after the fall break if the air quality, water quality and soil quality are safe for students and staff.
Roughly 3,000 students from the four Lahaina public schools have been displaced in the fires.
Students from the unusable King Kamehameha III Elementary School will share a campus with the other local elementary school.
Resources
The Maui Disaster Support Call Center, launched by state and local officials, will act as a central assistance hub to inform community members in the aftermath of the Maui wildfires. The call center can be reached at (808) 727-1550 between 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. local time.
Similarly, an online centralized hub of resources and updated information can be found at mauinuistrong.info. There, people can find out how to donate, volunteer, or receive services in connection with the tragedy.
