Latest news with #KeyLargo
CTV News
2 days ago
- Automotive
- CTV News
Tesla fails to end Florida lawsuit over fatal Model S crash
New York — Tesla failed to persuade a federal judge to end a lawsuit over the death of a woman struck after an Autopilot-equipped Model S ran off the road in Key Largo, Florida, paving the way for a possible trial next month. U.S. District Judge Beth Bloom in Miami said the estate of Naibel Benavides Leon, and her former boyfriend Dillon Angulo, may pursue design defect and failure to warn claims against billionaire Elon Musk's automaker, and seek punitive damages. A July 14 trial is scheduled. Lawyers for Tesla and the plaintiffs did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Tesla, based in Austin, Texas, has long faced questions about the safety of its self-driving technology. It has said its features are meant for 'fully attentive' drivers holding the steering wheel, and the features do not make its vehicles autonomous. The lawsuit concerned an April 25, 2019 incident where George McGee drove his 2019 Model S at about 62 miles an hour through an intersection into the victims' parked Chevrolet Tahoe, which they were standing beside on a shoulder. McGee had reached down to pick up a cellphone he dropped on his car's floorboard, and allegedly received no alerts as he ran a stop sign and stop light before hitting the SUV, which struck the victims. Benavides Leon was allegedly thrown 75 feet to her death, while Angulo suffered serious injuries. In a 98-page decision, Bloom said the plaintiffs offered sufficient evidence that Autopilot defects were a 'substantial factor' in their injuries. While McGee, who is not a defendant, conceded he was not driving safely, that didn't automatically make him solely responsible, 'particularly given McGee's testimony that he expected Autopilot to avoid the collision,' the judge wrote. Bloom said the failure to warn claim survived in part because Autopilot's risks might be hard to extract from the owner's manual on Model S touchscreens. The judge also dismissed manufacturing defect and negligent misrepresentation claims. The case is Benavides v Tesla Inc., U.S. District Court, Southern District of Florida, No. 21-21940. (Reporting by Jonathan Stempel, Editing by William Maclean)
Miami Herald
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Miami Herald
Walt Disney helped build a mini railroad that comes with this CA house for sale
A charming estate with major Hollywood ties has landed on the market in Tarzana, California. The property spans 17,181 square feet and has multiple structures, including a 12,170-square-foot primary home. While the residence is jaw-dropping, its connection with two of the most famous names to come out of the Golden Era of Tinseltown is one of its main appeals. Walt Disney and Academy Award-winning director John Huston are both linked to the property. The home was designed for Huston, who directed such films as 'The African Queen,' 'Key Largo,' 'Annie' and 'The Maltese Falcon,' but when it exchanged hands, it got even more magical. 'The estate at 4535 Vanalden Ave. was designed as a grand ranch that was even once visited by friend Frank Lloyd Wright. After Huston's ownership, the property was acquired in 1959 by Gordon and Holly McClean, who became stewards of its unique character for over 20 years,' a news release about the estate says. 'They were close friends of Walt Disney who helped build the miniature railroad complete with a 240-foot tunnel, elevated trestles, landscaped tracks, a working station with turntable, and dual tracks that can run steam, electric, and propane-powered engines.' The house became a hot spot for train enthusiasts and people who just wanted to take a ride on the famous mini-train. Other features of the home, per the listing and release, include: Barn with one bedroom and two bathroomsGuest cottageTrain stationStorage rooms 'Additional highlights include a pool that goes beneath the home, seven ponds, a tennis court, dog run, garden, children's play area, and a reimagined barn for entertaining complete with original reclaimed wood under the bar,' the release says. The listing is held by David Kramer with Compass and Paul Czako with Gussman Czako Estates. Tarzana is about a 20-mile drive northwest from Los Angeles.
Fox News
17-06-2025
- Health
- Fox News
Meet the 80-year-old man who held a plank for 50 minutes — and learn how he stays fit
Fitness experts say people should be able to hold a plank for anywhere from 20 seconds up to two minutes, depending on their age. An 80-year-old Florida man has blown that goal out of the water, recently holding a plank for a whopping 50 minutes — 100 times longer than the average recommendation for his age. Bob Schwartz held the plank — which is believed to be a record for his age — at the Ocean Reef Fitness Club in Key Largo. Luis Bracamonte, director of fitness and wellness at the club, said he witnessed Schwartz's feat, which earned him the nickname of "The Plankster." "To our knowledge, after extensive searching, it is the longest plank ever held by an 80-year-old," Bracamonte told Fox News Digital. "Mr. Schwartz is an extraordinary individual and a perfect example of a 'super-ager.'" A plank is an isometric move where the person holds a push-up position for a set period of time. It is often touted as an abdominal exercise, serving as an alternative to traditional sit-ups and crunches. In addition to strengthening stomach muscles, planks also work the arms, legs, chest and back, according to experts. Schwartz's planking journey began when Bracamonte set up a contest in 2016, where any member who could do a four-minute plank would get a free smoothie. Schwartz not only got his smoothie, but he won the contest, planking for just over 10 minutes. "Prior to that, one minute was probably my max, although by this time, my core was in pretty decent shape," he told Fox News Digital. As Schwartz continued to extend his planking times, he started researching online and discovered that his times were already longer than the records for his age bracket. "The over-80 record has been 15:03 since 2019, and the over-70 record was 38 minutes," he said. Schwartz applied to Guinness World Records, but was told that they don't recognize records by age group. "So in this internet age, you just post a video of your accomplishment and claim the title until somebody beats you," he said. "So during this year's fitness challenge, we decided to video my plank and post it." "The hardest part is just making the commitment to exercise, and staying with it long enough for it to become a habit." The passion for planking has become a family affair, as Schwartz's youngest grandson, who is 7 years old, has started joining him in plank challenges. Schwartz embraces planking as a convenient way to work virtually every major muscle in the body. "A plank can be done at home, without equipment, and in a short period of time," he noted. Schwartz has not been a lifelong fitness enthusiast — he didn't set foot in a gym until 2006, when he was 62 years old. After years of suffering from chronic back pain, he finally discovered the therapeutic effects of exercise. "Since I've been doing core exercises, I have never had a back issue," he told Fox News Digital. Schwartz started with a core and cycle class, eventually adding strength training sessions to his regimen. He also walks three miles each morning. "When I strength-train, I push myself as hard as I can," he said. "Many exercise sets end in muscle fail. I've been able to improve my stats every year, but it's getting much harder now." Schwartz said he also adheres to a "healthy-ish" diet, aiming for a minimum of one serving of fruit, two servings of vegetables, fish for at least one meal, and usually chicken (or occasionally pork or beef) for dinner. He also tries to minimize sugar and rarely drinks alcohol. "My blood pressure is the same as it's always been, and I'm not on any medications," he said. "I do take several supplements. My weight has not changed more than 10 pounds since I was 18." "The hardest part is just making the commitment to exercise, and staying with it long enough for it to become a habit and part of your lifestyle," he said. For those just getting started with planking and fitness in general, Schwartz recommends seeing a trainer to learn the proper form and minimize the chances of injury. For more Health articles, visit He also emphasized the importance of maintaining balance, especially in older age. "Pick up a foot as you stand in a line; move it around as you wait," he recommended. "A fall and a trip to the hospital at an advanced age can be devastating." Looking ahead, Schwartz said he hopes to continue exercising and maintaining his current fitness level. "I'm going to try and at least maintain it as best as I can until the end," he said. "I enjoy a lot of different activities, but they all require a modicum of strength and agility. So until they come up with that magic exercise pill, I guess I'll keep going to the gym."
Associated Press
03-06-2025
- Lifestyle
- Associated Press
Mother Ocean Fund Launches a Purpose-Driven App for All Scuba Divers
06/03/2025, Key Largo, Florida // PRODIGY: Feature Story // Joe Gonzalez, also known as Scuba Joe, founder of Mother Ocean Fund, has officially announced the launch of Aquatic Tribe, a powerful new marketplace app designed to connect divers with curated dive opportunities while fueling global ocean conservation efforts. More than just a tool for booking dives, Aquatic Tribe is scuba for a purpose, a platform that puts the planet before profit. 'We didn't just build an app,' said Gonzalez. 'We built a movement. Aquatic Tribe is about giving divers everywhere the ability to explore the ocean and protect it while they do. What we're doing is building a movement to make ocean conversation cool and easy.' Aquatic Tribe allows users to search, vet, and book dive trips in seconds, cutting through the time-consuming and confusing process divers often face. Whether one's wondering where they can go for a dive for the weekend or which dive shop has open spots on the same day, Aquatic Tribe delivers fast, tailored answers. Divers can filter listings by location, date, price, difficulty level, reef name, dive type, and more. Every diver is pre-vetted before they can even book, ensuring safety and confidence for both divers and dive operators. Dive shops and charters can list their offerings for free. A 10% convenience fee is added to bookings, and a significant portion of that fee is funneled directly into the Mother Ocean Fund, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit committed to ecological restoration and adaptive diving programs. At the heart of the app is a simple but powerful mission: to fund and facilitate ocean conservation efforts through scuba diving. Proceeds from Aquatic Tribe support initiatives like coral reef restoration dives, adaptive diver programs for people with disabilities, reef and pier clean-up excursions, shark conservation, and environmental awareness dives. Ultimately, Aquatic Tribe aims to get more fins in the water for free, offering no-cost ecological dives paid for by accumulated funds from the app and events like Ecopalooza, Mother Ocean Fund's music festival fundraiser. After a successful first event, organizers are now scouting locations in San Diego, Galveston, and South Florida for the next iteration. Aquatic Tribe offers more than convenience. It is a commitment to ocean stewardship and community building across party lines. By making diving accessible, traceable, and impactful, Joe Gonzalez and the Mother Ocean Fund are inviting the world to dive with purpose. 'This app isn't just for divers,' Gonzalez added. 'It's for anyone who cares about our oceans. Whether you're a beginner or a dive master, if you're part of the tribe, you're part of the solution. In a world filled with hate and ignorance, we're using love and brilliance to show people another way.' Media Contact Name: Kara Biery Email: [email protected] Source published by Submit Press Release >> Mother Ocean Fund Launches a Purpose-Driven App for All Scuba Divers
CBS News
17-05-2025
- CBS News
Two arrested for selling cocaine, fentanyl in Key Largo, sheriff's office says
Two people in Key Largo were arrested on Friday after allegedly selling drugs while a child was with them. Addison Lee Baumgardner, 37, and Shelby Lynn Baer, 33, were taken into custody by Monroe County deputies after they were spotted selling drugs in the 9800 block of the Overseas Highway, according to the sheriff's office. Baer's 6-year-child was with her at the time of the arrest, deputies said. Baumgardner was charged with multiple counts of trafficking fentanyl, trafficking cocaine, possession of cocaine, cocaine manufacturing, possession of a controlled substance, and possession of drug paraphernalia. Baer was charged with trafficking fentanyl and child neglect. The sheriff's office obtained a search warrant and the following items were seized. 2.3 ounces of fentanyl powder 105 fentanyl pills 8.7 grams of powder cocaine 1 gram of crack cocaine 36 grams of cocaine-liquid mixture 1 scale Multiple bags containing more than 100 assorted pills $976 cash in suspected drug proceeds Both Baumgardner and Baer were taken to jail. The child was turned over to the care of a family member and the Florida Department of Children and Families was notified.
