Stranded python hunters rescued from Broward Everglades




















Two python hunters were rescued Thursday afternoon by Broward Sheriff Fire Rescue after they became stranded and disoriented in the Everglades.

According to Broward Sheriff Fire Rescue spokesman Mike Jachles, a call came in shortly before 4 p.m. that the hunters, 22 and 25 years old and from Tennessee, were stranded 15 miles west of U.S. 27 near the Broward-Palm Beach County line.

“It doesn’t seem like they were familiar with the area,” Jachles said. “They underestimated the conditions. We had temperature in the 80s. “





The men, suffering from exhaustion and dehydration, complained of lightheadedness and weakness when air rescue located them. They were taken two miles from where they were found and treated by firefighters and paramedics.

“Fortunately our helicopter and rescue crews got to them before it would have gotten much worse,” Jachles said.

The victims, thought to be staying in their car, refused to be taken to a hospital for further treatment.

Jachles could not confirm that they were taking part in the ongoing “Python Challenge,” which began last month and offers cash prizes to hunters who kill the most, and longest, Burmese pythons, which have infested the Everglades in recent years.





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Psycho cop loves Tebow








A crazed former LA cop with a grudge against his fellow officers has gone on a killing spree after writing a bizarre Facebook manifesto in which he denounced his enemies — but also proclaimed his love of Tim Tebow, “The Hangover” and “Shark Week.”

Christopher Dorner, 33, is believed to have shot three cops yesterday, killing one, days after he allegedly shot and killed the daughter of a fellow cop and her fiancé over the weekend.

Dorner was still at large last night after his pickup truck was found burnt out in Big Bear, Calif., about 80 miles east of where the rampage started in Irvine.





SNAPPED: Police inspect an LAPD cruiser shot yesterday during a gunfight with a man believed to have been ex-cop Christopher Dorner (left), who was at large last night after allegedly going on a killing spree.

Reuters/Getty Images





SNAPPED: Police inspect an LAPD cruiser shot yesterday during a gunfight with a man believed to have been ex-cop Christopher Dorner (left), who was at large last night after allegedly going on a killing spree.





He began his spree after posting a screed online in which he named targets for execution and bragged about how tough he is.

“The Violence of action will be HIGH . . . Whatever pre-planned responses you have established for a scenario like me, shelve it,” the rant reads.

The maniacal manifesto also had some encouraging words for Jets quarterback Tim Tebow.

“Tebow, I really wanted to see you take charge of an offense again and the game. You are not a good QB by today’s standards, but you are a great football player who knows how to lead a team and WIN,” he wrote. “You will be ‘Tebowing’ when you reach your next team. I have faith in you. Get out of that circus they call the Jets.”

He also made some pop-culture critiques.

“It’s kind of sad I won’t be around to view and enjoy The Hangover III. What an awesome trilogy,” he mused.

He added, “Damn, gonna miss shark week.”

Ironically, he also ripped the head of the NRA, Wayne LaPierre, calling him a “vile and inhumane piece of s--t.”

The madman also sent a note to CNN journalist Anderson Cooper referring to former NYPD and LAPD Commissioner Bill Bratton.

Cooper said last night that the note came with a bullet-hole-ridden coin. It arrived at his office earlier this month. The packaging read, “Thanks, but no thanks Will Bratton.”

Bratton oversaw the LAPD during Dorner’s tenure.

Dorner is wanted for slaying Monica Quan and her fiancé, Keith Lawrence, on Sunday in Irvine, authorities said.

Quan was the daughter of a former police captain who represented Dorner in a disciplinary hearing, cops said. Dorner was axed from the force in 2008 for making false statements.

And yesterday, cops guarding one of his targets chased a car they believed was being driven by Dorner. One cop was grazed in an exchange of gunfire.

Later, a driver, again thought to be Dorner, ambushed two Riverside cops in a car. One was shot dead, another wounded.

During the manhunt, cops reportedly shot two bystanders.

In his Web rant, Dorner said the rampage was a “necessary evil” to “reclaim my name.”

He also weighed in on his favorite personalities:

* To “Curb Your Enthusiasm” creator Larry David: “I agree. 72-82 degrees is way too hot in a residence. 68 degrees is perfect.”

* “Gov. Chris Christie. What can I say? You’re the only person I would like to see in the White House in 2016 other than Hillary.”

* “Charlie Sheen, you’re effin awesome.”










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Miami startup that turns text to video receives $1 million in seed funding




















Guide, a new technology startup based in Miami, announced Tuesday it has closed a $1 million round of seed funding from investors including the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, Sapient Corp., MTV founder Bob Pitman, actor and producer Omar Epps, and early Google employee Steve Schimmel. The Knight Foundation is supporting Guide through its new early-stage venture fund, the Knight Enterprise Fund.

Led by CEO and founder Freddie Laker and COO Leslie Bradshaw, Guide’s team of seven is focused on turning online news, social streams and blogs into video for users who may be cooking, exercising, commuting or getting ready in the morning. The free application offers consumers a selection of about 20 “anchors” — including a dog, a robot and an anime character — that will read the article and present the accompanying photos, pull-out information and video clips in its video presentation. Revenue drivers for Guide could include in-app purchases, advertising-based anchors and customizations from publishers, said Laker, a former vice president at SapientNitro.

Laker and his team plan to launch a public beta next month, which they plan to do with a splash at the huge technology conference South by Southwest (SXSW) in Austin, Texas.





Read more about Guide here on the Starting Gate blog. Follow Nancy Dahlberg on Twitter @ndahlberg





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Judge angered after learning mentally ill Miami man was placed in assisted living facility, and escaped




















After Cristobal Abreu was arrested when he allegedly stabbed a Hialeah SWAT officer with a large barbecue fork in December 2009, doctors deemed his mind too ravaged by mental illness to stand trial.

For years, he bounced around mental-health facilities.

Then a stay at a Miami Gardens assisted-living facility, where funds for his medications ran out and his mental state deteriorated, ended last month when the 72-year-old Abreu was shipped without a judge’s permission to Jackson North Medical Center.





Then last week, a Jackson caseworker — again, without permission from the court — sent him to an ALF in Little Havana.

Abreu promptly escaped.

“I’m free! I’m free,” he yelled as he shuffled away from the San Martin de Porras facility on Tuesday, according to lawyers and court personnel who described the episode over two days in court this week.

Abreu’s ping-ponging treatment drew the ire of Miami-Dade Circuit Judge Ellen Sue Venzer, who has now ordered hospital and state-contracted mental-health administrators to court Friday to explain what happened.

“The system is broken,” Venzer said angrily in court this week, adding: “What would have happened if Mr. Abreu had decompensated and gone out and hurt somebody else in our community?”

Abreu’s escape was short-lived: Police quickly detained him, committing him back to Jackson Memorial Hospital for an involuntary psychiatric evaluation.

The unusual episode underscores what mental-health advocates in Miami-Dade’s criminal-justice system say has been a recurring problem: “incompetent” defendants are often shuffled between facilities without the knowledge of the court tasked with supervising them.

ALFs mostly house the elderly and other people with mental-health issues or disabilities. It is not unusual for incompetent defendants, usually nonviolent ones, to be placed at an ALF in a residential neighborhood.

“The people in the social services arena have to recognize that a court order is sacrosanct,” Miami-Dade State Attorney Katherine Fernández Rundle said Wednesday. “I really understand the judge’s ire. She has the absolute right to be livid with everyone in the system.”

Subpoenaed to appear before the judge on Friday: representatives from Jackson, the South Florida Behavioral Network, which contracts with the state to manage cases of the mentally ill defendants, and the New Horizons Community Mental Health Center, which monitored Abreu’s case.

A lawyer for the Florida Department of Children & Families will also appear.

“It sounds like all these different agencies are treating these individuals like hot potatoes,” Venzer said in court Wednesday.

Abreu was initially arrested in December 2009 on charges of attempted murder and aggravated battery of a law enforcement officer. The attempted murder charge was later dropped; the SWAT officer was not hurt because the knife pierced his shield.

During a jailhouse interview with a psychologist, the incoherent Abreu admitted that he sometimes hears voices and sees visions of “flowers [and] gold diamonds.”

The court determined that Abreu was incompetent to proceed to trial, meaning he could not assist his lawyer in defending the accusations.

After stays in several other facilities, Abreu wound up in November at the Graceful Gardens ALF, 18101 NW 47th Ct.





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Justin Timberlake Reveals New Album Cover for 20 20 Experience

We're one step closer to The 20/20 Experience!

Justin Timberlake just dropped a major treat for his fans on Twitter, revealing the cover art and tracklisting to his upcoming solo album, The 20/20 Experience.

"I wanted you guys to see this first!!!," wrote Timberlake with a link to the cover (featuring the singer dressed to the nines behind a phoropter) and song titles.

Pics: Justin & Jessica's Long Road to the Altar

Check out the full tracklisting below:

-Pusher Love Girl

-Suit & Tie

-Don't Hold The Wall

-Strawberry Bubblegum

-Tunnel Vision

-Spaceship Coupe

-That Girl
Let The Groove Get In

-Mirrors

-Blue Ocean Floor

The 20/20 Experience hits stores on March 19.

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Monopoly ‘token’ interest

PAWTUCKET, RI — Scottie dog has a new nemesis in Monopoly after fans voted in an online contest to add a cat token to the game, replacing the iron, toymaker Hasbro Inc. announced yesterday.

The results were revealed after the shoe, wheelbarrow and iron were neck and neck for elimination in the final hours of voting.

The vote on Facebook closed just before midnight on Tuesday. Other pieces contending for a spot included a robot, diamond ring, helicopter and guitar.

“We put five new tokens out for our fans to vote on, and there were a lot of fans of the many different tokens, but I think there were a lot of cat lovers in the world that reached out and voted,” said Jonathan Berkowitz, vice president for Hasbro gaming marketing.




CAT’S MEOW: Game piece that’s replacing the iron.


CAT’S MEOW: Game piece that’s replacing the iron.



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Greenberg Traurig shuffles leadership




















Law firm Greenberg Traurig on Tuesday announced a new management lineup that includes naming Hilarie Bass as the first female president in the firm’s history.

Bass, one of the firm’s Miami shareholders, most recently had been global operating shareholder. She will share the presidency with Brian L. Duffy, a Denver shareholder who has been global litigation chair, a position previously held by Bass.

As part of the shuffle, Miami shareholders Cesar L. Alvarez and Matt Gorson move to co-chairs and Larry Hoffman becomes founding chair. Alvarez previously served as executive chair, Gorson as president and Hoffman as chair.





These were just some of the new leadership changes announced by Greenberg’s Chief Executive Richard A. Rosenbaum. The firm began a leadership transition plan in 2010 when Rosenbaum took over the helm of the firm that today includes about 1,750 attorneys in 35 offices in the United States, Latin America, Europe, the Middle East and Asia.

“We are pleased to have so many talented leaders and performers, not just those with titles,” Rosenbaum said in a statement. “We have never been about titles or politics, and titles do not create leaders. We and others already in place in our regions, offices and practices form a seamless team focused on respecting and serving our clients and lawyers.”

Rosenbaum, who will remain in his post, also announced four new vice presidents:

• Ernest Greer, Managing Shareholder of the firm’s Atlanta office.

• Brad Kaufman, Co-Chair of the National Securities Litigation Practice, leader of the firm’s Associate Development Program and a Palm Beach County shareholder.

• Patricia Menendez-Cambo, Chair of the Global Practice, Co-Chair of the Infrastructure and Project Finance Practice and a Miami shareholder.

• Keith Shapiro, Chair of the Chicago office and Co-Chair of the Business Reorganization Practice.





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Miami Heat has scholarships for graduation high school seniors




















The Miami Heat is offering South Florida high school seniors college scholarships for the 2013-2014 school year.

Four scholarships of $2,500 each will go to seniors who excel in academics and community service.

One of the four scholarships is reserved for a student who plays sports.





Applicants must have at least a 3.2 grade point average by their final semester in high school, attend school in Miami-Dade, Broward or Palm Beach counties, be accepted to an accredited four-year college or university and demonstrate financial need.

Applications are available at nba.com/heat/community/community_education_scholarships.html and must be submitted by April 6.





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Bachelor Recap: Tierra a Victim of the Elements Again

Tonight's episode marks the second time Bachelor contestant Tierra has been in need of rescue from her Prince Charming (and an EMT crew), for those keeping score.

The rugged outdoors was the theme of Tuesday's show, as the girls were split apart into two one-on-one dates and a group date involving the treacherous elements of snowy Alberta, Canada.

Pics: 'The Bachelor' Scorecard (Did the Relationships Sizzle or Fizzle?)

While Catherine's exploratory snow bus outing and Desiree's 400-ft mountain descent made for thrilling excursions, Sean's frozen swim date with the other seven ladies took the cake for the night's most exhilarating adventure.

Only six volunteered (minus Selma) to brave the icy waters and most came out of the plunge feeling a buzz from the frozen feat. That is, everyone except Tierra. The resident bad gal of the group immediately came down with a case of apparent hypothermia and was whisked away by medical crew to Sean's dismay.

He later visited the ailing Tierra back at her hotel, urging her to spend the night recovering rather than attend the party, but she ultimately ignores his advice and crashes cocktail time.

Despite the unexpected intrusion, the girls are less perturbed than would have been expected. Unfortunately, during a private moment with Sarah, Sean comes to realize that he's been forcing a connection and sends her home.

Related: 'Bachelor' Sean Questions Tierra's Motives

During the night, Sean hits new milestones with AshLee, Lesley and Selma, who finally succumbs to a smooch on national television, despite her disapproving parents.

Apparently, the kiss wasn't enough to keep her in the game. Sean sent Selma home along with Daniella during the rose ceremony.

Catherine and Desiree were safe to date another day as they were both awarded roses during their one-on-ones.

Tune in to The Bachelor next Monday on ABC as Sean and the final six slip on their bikinis and hit the sunny St Croix Virgin Islands.

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Slain cop's father collapses in court








The trial of Peter Figoski’s alleged killers was thrown into chaos yesterday when the slain cop’s dad suddenly slumped over in the Brooklyn courtroom.

Figoski’s ex-wife, Paulette, first noticed Frank Figoski, 79, staring blankly ahead, his shoulders hunched over, in his seat during the grilling of a turncoat accomplice of the two men on trial. She began waving her hand in front of his face.

When he didn’t respond, police-union President Pat Lynch and one of Frank’s sons leaped out of their seats to help.

The two men and other police officers laid Frank across the bench, where he regained consciousness.





UNBEARABLE GRIEF: Frank Figoski (above), dad of slain cop Peter Figoski, yesterday in court, where he later fainted.

Gregory P. Mango





UNBEARABLE GRIEF: Frank Figoski (above), dad of slain cop Peter Figoski, yesterday in court, where he later fainted.




Peter Figoski

AP



Peter Figoski





The dad was taken by an ambulance to Long Island College Hospital accompanied by his wife, two sons and several officers.

He was to stay overnight for observation.

When the trial resumed, Judge Alan Marrus told the packed courtroom that he “seems to be doing fine.”

“It was just a culmination of over a year’s worth of heartache,” said cop and PBA trustee John Giangrasso, who helped Frank Figoski into the ambulance.

“No father, especially at his age, should have to go through what this man and his family have gone through in the past 14 months.”

The elderly man’s health scare came a day after Mary Ann Figoski, 79, his wife and Peter Figoski’s mom, broke down in tears as prosecutors showed photos of their son’s bloodstained badge and uniform.

Yesterday’s drama came as crook-turned-rat Ariel Tejada was being grilled by the defense.

Tejada, 23, is testifying against career criminal and alleged cop killer Lamont Pride, 28, and getaway driver Michael Velez, 22. Pride and Velez both face murder charges in Peter Figoski’s slaying.

Pride and Velez stared down the snitch, who flipped on them in exchange for a lighter sentence, when he waltzed into court to take the stand.

Tejada revealed that Pride racked his gun before storming the East New York apartment and that Velez knew about the robbery and even asked for a cut.

“Trouble said, ‘Can I get PC?’ meaning profit, percentage,” Tejada testified, using Velez’s nickname and street slang.

“Liar,” Velez mouthed to his lawyer.

Velez claims that he didn’t know Pride was armed or that he and the other thugs were planning to rob the drug dealer.

Career criminal Tejada, the son of an MTA bus driver and a registered nurse, cliamed that Pride wanted to rob drug dealers along with him and ringleader Nelson “Nels” Morales in order to earn some cash.

The prosecution rested after Tejada’s testimony.

Additional reporting by Larry Celona

jsaul@nypost.com










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