Victim impact statements take center stage in Parkland pre-trial hearing
When Nikolas Cruz told Broward Circuit Judge Elizabeth Scherer back in October that he was guilty of killing 17 Marjory Stoneman Douglas students and staff on Valentine’s Day 2018, it set up the upcoming penalty phase where 12 jurors will need to unanimously decide whether he should pay for those crimes with his life.
Broward school board now has 2 members who lost family in Parkland tragedy
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – After Debbi Hixon’s election win Tuesday night, there are now two family members of people who lost their lives at Marjory Stoneman Douglas who will be serving on the Broward School Board. But both of them want to make it clear: That association with MSD is not all they’re bringing to the board. Hixon, whose husband was killed in the Parkland mass shooting on Feb. 14, 2018, joins current board member Lori Alhadeff, who lost her 14-year-old daughter in the tragedy. “Being the wife of Chris, who was murdered at Marjory Stoneman Douglas, it gave me a stronger voice,” Hixon said. "The tragedy that happened at MSD and the loss of my daughter Alyssa definitely was the catalyst to make me want to be on the school board to make sure change happens and make school safety a top priority,” she said.
State files motion to deny Nikolas Cruz petition to keep visitation list private
PEMBROKE PARK, Fla. – Attorneys representing the State of Florida filed a motion on Tuesday regarding Marjory Stoneman Douglas confessed gunman Nikolas Cruz. The state’s motion is to deny Cruz’s efforts to keep the list of those visiting him in jail, including doctors, private from the view of the public and the State Attorney’s office. The visitation list is public record, and the court found that Cruz's attorneys were not convincing in their argument that the list be kept private. The motion read, in part:“The constitution and the Public Records Act do not authorize redacting the names of the experts visiting petitioner in jail. The petition is denied.”The Florida Supreme Court will rule on this motion at a later date.
MSD alumnus unveils powerful exhibit at Coral Springs Museum of Art
CORAL SPRINGS, Fla. - Marjory Stoneman Douglas alumnus and internationally published photographer Ian Witlen has unveiled his latest powerful exhibit at the Coral Springs Museum of Art, titled: "Anguish in the Aftermath: Examining a Mass Shooting." The audio-visual exhibition was first viewed by the public Saturday at the museum at 2855A Coral Springs Drive and a complimentary meet and greet reception with Witlen will be held Sept. 26 at 6 p.m. According to a news release about the exhibit, "Anguish in the Aftermath" is a collection of black and white portraits and audio recordings from each of the participants. The portraits are masterfully rendered and matched with the individual's heartbreaking account of the experience," said Julia Andrews, executive director of the Coral Springs Museum of Art. The Coral Springs Museum of Art is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.Click here for more information about the museum and Witlen's exhibit.
MSD Public Safety Commission meets as students head back to school
SUNRISE, Fla. - As students in Broward County returned to school Wednesday, the Marjory Stoneman Douglas Public Safety Commission met to continue its mission to help ensure school safety. "Since the Stoneman Douglas tragedy, these Parkland parents and spouses have helped change the national conversation," U.S. Rep. Ted Deutch, D-Fla., said. Alyssa's Law already passed in New Jersey and calls for a panic alarm in every public school. "If we would have had panic alarms in Marjory Stoneman Douglas, we would not have had 17 people murdered," he said. Parents and law enforcement leaders are also highlighting changes to threat assessment and officer and deputy training.
Stoneman Douglas seniors prepare for prom that will honor fallen classmates
PARKLAND, Fla. – Weeks after the worst day of their lives, seniors at Marjory Stoneman Douglas are getting ready for one of the most magical. Seniors at the school are preparing for the prom, promising it will be over the top. "Definitely sparkle," said Stoneman Douglas class president Julia Cordover. “It’s going to be the first thing they see when they walk in and it will be nice to remember them that way,” said senior class vice-president Lauren Hetzroni. The Westin Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort donated its ballroom and the cost of all food for the Stoneman Douglas prom, a total of about $50,000.