DNA evidence leads to rape suspect’s arrest – Gainesville Police charged Roderick Kantrel Pittman, 28, of 2725 SW 27th Ave., with armed robbery, aggravated assault, aggravated battery and sexual assault, according to a GPD arrest report. Pittman was arrested Wednesday after police used DNA evidence from the blood on the knife he was carrying to link him to a Feb. 23 attempted rape at The Enclave Apartments. Police are still looking for the gun used to threaten the victim. The Independent Florida Alligator
Women drive off armed invader, deputies say – Two sisters and their mother disarmed a masked home invader early Sunday. The Marion County Sheriff’s Office identified Willie Allen Bias Sr., 37, the ex-husband of one of the sisters, as the invader. Carol Dickman, 27, asked if her ex-husband wanted to go outside and talk when he came into her bedroom with a loaded gun. Carol’s sister Ashley Falck, 21, ran into the bedroom and grabbed the gun from Bias. Dickman’s and Falck’s mother came into the bedroom with her gun threatening to kill Bias, and he ran from the house. Bias is in the Marion County Jail. The Ocala Star Banner
Before Smoke Rises at Vatican, It’s Romans vs. the Reformers – With the papal conclave beginning the selection of the next pope Tuesday, the cardinals are said to be forming divisions among who they feel would best represent the Roman Catholic Church. Amid the uproar of Vatican scandals, Roman cardinals are said to be supporting Cardinal Odilo Pedro Scherer, the Brazilian archbishop of São Paulo. While Cardinal Scherer is German, his selection would give the Catholic Church it’s first pope from Latin America. The reformers, led by the Americans and some influential Europeans, are reportedly backing Cardinal Angelo Scola, the Italian archbishop of Milan. As an Italian, Cardinal Scola is familiar with the Vatican bureaucracy, but is said to not be a part of it. Many cardinals say they are eager for a pope who comes from outside of Italy, and even Europe, to energize Catholics around the world. The New York Times
What does the future hold for Silver Springs? – Plans are underway to transform Silver Springs, known for its tourist attractions, into a Florida park system. The blueprint capitalizes on the springs’ qualities of a large freshwater spring and proximity to almost 500,000 acres of public land. The site will likely cover about 4,600 acres merged with the adjacent Silver River State Park. The Department of Environmental Protection has also proposed a lower entrance fee to the park that might help increase attendance. The Gainesville Sun
