FORT MYERS - The Coast Guard suspended its search Friday for three boaters who disappeared last weekend.
Neil Eddleman, 47, his son, Neil Alan Eddleman, 13, and Gary Lisk, 61, set out in a 24-foot boat Oct. 17 on a fishing trip to several shipwrecks 66 miles southwest of Naples. They were scheduled to return to their private dock by Saturday evening but never did.
Boats and aircraft have searched about 129,000 square miles in the Gulf of Mexico, an area larger than Nevada and Arizona combined.
"We have no idea what happened to these boaters, and physically, that doesn't happen," Coast Guard spokesman Robert Suddarth said. "This is more of a mystery because they were prepared to handle a catastrophic situation."
Sikes estate offers his home to Okaloosa County
CRESTVIEW - The estate of former U.S. Rep. Robert L.F. "Bob" Sikes' third wife has offered to give Okaloosa County the home of the man once famed as the "He Coon" of Florida Panhandle politics.
The late congressman's sister-in-law, Rita Chimiak, of Pensacola, said she has rejected private offers to sell the 125-acre homestead so it could be cleared for subdivisions.
Instead, she envisions the stately, two-story red brick home just outside the Crestview city limits as a place where people could enjoy the outdoors and view Sikes' memorabilia.
Chimiak, who represents the estate of the late Joan Sikes, is negotiating with Okaloosa officials to donate the house and up to 20 surrounding acres.
County Commissioner Sherry Campbell said it would fit well with Okaloosa's parks program. Details are yet to be completed.
Bob Sikes served in Congress from 1940 to 1978 and died in 1994. His "He Coon" moniker signified leadership and toughness in Panhandle folklore.
8-year-old bicyclist gets ticket for causing accident
BRADENTON - The parents of an 8-year-old boy say they refuse to pay a $34 ticket police gave him after he caused a traffic accident.
Second-grader Scott Montgomery has 30 days to pay Manatee County for the ticket written by a Bradenton police officer Wednesday.
Scott was riding a BMX bicycle in his neighborhood when he jumped a dirt mound with five of his friends, Bradenton police Lt. Sam Campbell said. He crossed paths with a 2001 Nissan and the car clipped the rear tire of the bike.
Scott, who wasn't wearing a helmet, escaped injury, though his bike flew onto the car hood and caused damage estimated at $500.
Officer Jeff Beckley cited him for violating the right of way.
"I'm going to not pay this ticket, and Scott's definitely not going to pay it," said Danielle McIntosh, the boy's mother. She added the only money her son has is the allowance he has been saving for a battery-operated miniature truck.
"He's an 8-year-old child. He does not understand what the right of way is," she said.
