Wednesday, October 24, 2012

MONROE COUNTY

Hearing for ex-firefighter

Local fire union president and former county firefighter John Hamburger was in a hearing with county officials all day Tuesday trying to get his job back.

Fire Chief Jim Callahan says Hamburger was fired in December for being insubordinate.

Hamburger says it was retaliation for reporting that an off-duty Trauma Star helicopter medic allegedly took some medical supplies from the Sheriff's Office Marathon hangar to treat a colleague.

Callahan said only basic medical supplies were taken and that the flight medic has not been disciplined. He added Tuesday that any decision on Hamburger's job could take up to a few months.

KEY WEST

Hit-and-run driver sought

Police are asking the public for help in finding a truck driver who hit two pedestrians and left the scene Oct. 4 on the 1500 block of Washington St.

He was described as a white man with brown hair and close-shaven beard who was driving a small, white late 1990s or early 2000s model pickup when he hit two women, who were walking east, from behind. One woman's leg was injured and the other broke some teeth; they drove themselves to the hospital.

They said the driver tried not to hit them, and briefly stopped afterward and said he would soon return, but never did.

Police ask anyone with information to call 305-809-1111 or Crime Stoppers of the Florida Keys at 1-800-346-8477.

BOCA CHICA KEY

Military traffic increases

Air traffic is expected to be heavy through mid-November as fighter jets and other aircraft from at least seven squadrons will visit Naval Air Station Key West, said spokeswoman Trice Denny.

F/A-18 Hornets and Super Hornets from four different Strike Fighter Squadrons are expected, and Carrier Air 8, based at Oceana, Va., also is in town. Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron 124 with E-2C Hawkeyes and jets from Fighter Composite Squadron 12 also are here, Denny said.

Boca Chica Field generally draws more activity in winter as weather up North often is not ideal for training.