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Leading National Company Seeks License to Join Florida’s Medical Cannabis Program

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AGRiMED Industries Submits Application for State License

AGRiMED Industries, a fully integrated medical cannabis organization, has submitted its application for one of five new licenses to produce medical marijuana in Florida. The license would permit the company to grow and sell therapeutic pharmaceutical-grade cannabis products.
AGRiMED Industries, a Pennsylvania-based company, works to bring cannabis-derived medicine from cultivation to patient care. The company is recognized for its state-of-the-art greenhouse facilities, diverse leadership team, and extensive community involvement. This unique combination produced the high score among 177 applicants for one of Pennsylvania’s 12 medical-marijuana licenses last year.
Today, AGRiMED remains a leader in patient wellness, working to cultivate, process, and dispense pure, pesticide-free agricultural medicine to patients. The company hopes its track record of success and leading business strategies will place it at the forefront when Florida health officials make their selections at the end of the month.
Unlike many companies in the medical cannabis field, AGRiMED is minority-owned, and is deeply committed to supporting research into the use of cannabis for sickle cell anemia and working with historically black universities to provide training and internships to students for early experience in the industry. The company’s relationship with Lincoln University generates a knowledge center for cannabis-related research and development fueled by minority students, the first of its kind in the country.
ABOUT AGRiMED INDUSTRIES, LLC
AGRiMED Industries is a leading medical company committed to improving the health and wellness of ailing patients. With state-of-the-art greenhouse facilities and over 200 years of collective business and medical expertise, AGRiMED produces high-quality agricultural medicine with tremendous healing benefits. For more information on AGRiMED Industries visit, https://AGRiMEDindustries.com.

Scott Fennell Joins DFS as Deputy Chief Financial Officer

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TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – CFO Jimmy Patronis today announced that Scott Fennell has joined the Department of Financial Services as Deputy Chief Financial Officer over operations. In this capacity, Fennell will oversee the State of Florida’s accounting and auditing responsibilities, as well as the Department’s $299 million-dollar budget. Fennell most recently served as Chief Operating Officer at Enterprise Florida, Inc.

 CFO Patronis said, “Scott brings years of experience in managing multi-million dollar budgets to our Department, as well as vast knowledge of state government and the legislative process, making him a valued addition to our team. His skill set will undoubtedly help carry our agency into the future on solid financial footing.”

 Fennell joins the Department following nearly nine months of service as Enterprise Florida’s Chief Operating Officer, where he was responsible for leading the agency’s organizational and financial operations. Before joining Enterprise Florida, he spent four years at Career Source Florida, Inc., where he served as Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer. In that role, Fennell was responsible for the success of Florida’s 24 local workforce boards, as well as the agency’s $300 million-dollar budget. 

 Positions with the Florida Auditor General, the Executive Office of the Governor, and the Florida House of Representatives round out Fennell’s extensive work history.

 His first day on the job was Monday, September 25.

Stetson University and Peace Corps Announce New Partnership

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Stetson University and Peace Corps Announce New Partnership

Program offers professional development opportunities for intercultural work 

DELAND, Fla., Sept. 26, 2017 – Peace Corps and Stetson University announced a new partnership today centered on an undergraduate certificate program called Peace Corps Prep. Associate Director Chip Wheeler and Chief of Operations Erin Gibbs of the Peace Corps’ Office of Volunteer Recruitment and Selection and Wendy B. Libby, Ph.D., President of Stetson University announced the official launch of the Peace Corps Prep program during Stetson’s annual Values Day. 

 “We are pleased to announce the new Peace Corp Prep program on Values Day which is dedicated to Stetson’s commitment to its core values–personal growth, intellectual development and global citizenship,” said Elizabeth Boggs, Ed.D., Director of Career and Professional Development, Stetson University.  “Students in this program will have the opportunity to develop skills in a specific sector of international development, gain intercultural competence, and participate in organized community-engaged learning, leadership, and professional development programs offered through both coursework and experiences outside the classroom.”

Peace Corps Prep will be structured as an interdisciplinary certificate program housed in the Center for Career and Professional Development.  Students in the program will have the opportunity to participate in organized service-learning and leadership development programs via Stetson’s Center for Community Engagement. In addition, they will have the opportunity to study abroad on a variety of short-term or long-term programs to gain cross-cultural adaptation skills via Stetson’s Center for International Education.

“Students today have a passion for service,” Gibbs said. “Through the Peace Corps Prep program, they can build skills specifically targeted to Peace Corps service and careers in the international development and service communities.” 

The Peace Corps has Peace Corps Prep partnerships with more than 75 leading academic institutions nationwide. Established in 2007, the program aims to meet the demand for Peace Corps volunteers with a broad and relevant set of expertise, and to support schools’ efforts to provide substantive, globally focused experiences for their students. For more information, go to www.peacecorps.gov/pcprep. 

Earlier this month, Stetson University alumni Orion Maier departed for Morocco to begin training as a youth development volunteer. There are currently 16 Stetson University graduates serving as Peace Corps volunteers in Benin, Botswana, Cameroon, El Salvador, Ghana, Indonesia, Madagascar, Morocco, Mozambique, Nicaragua, Paraguay, Peru, Uganda and Vanuatu. Since the Peace Corps was founded in 1961, 95 Stetson University graduates have served overseas.

FDOT DISTRICT FIVE WORK PROGRAM PUBLIC HEARING AND MEETINGS

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FDOT DISTRICT FIVE WORK PROGRAM PUBLIC HEARING AND MEETINGS

FDOT Hearing Goes Online

DeLand – Beginning October 9, 2017  the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) District Five will hold a week-long online public hearing for its Tentative Five Year Work Program for Fiscal Years 2018/2019 through 2022/2023, which is used to forecast funds needed for transportation system improvements. The online hearing provides information on projects across nine counties in East-Central Florida.

The annual online public hearing will be held online October 9-13, 2017 at www.D5WPPH.com. The material will be available 24 hours a day, and can be reviewed any time during the online hearing dates.

The online public hearing and public information outreach will also include consideration of proposed projects for Florida’s Turnpike Enterprise. The work program outlines transportation improvements for all modes of transportation including:

                           Roadway

Multi-modal transit

                           Bicycle

Pedestrian

                           Freight

Aviation

                           Seaports

Space

                           Enhancement projects, such as trails

The five-year work program also provides clear direction on where to build projects, when to build projects, and how to fund projects. It is FDOT’s mission to provide a safe transportation system that ensures the mobility of people and goods, enhances economic prosperity, and preserves the quality of our environment and community.

Here is the schedule for the online public hearing, and the location for the public information outreach day. FDOT staff will be present at the Florida Department of Transportation District Office and available to answer questions.

ONLINE Public Hearing:

Florida Department of Transportation-District Five, Tentative Five Year Work Program for Fiscal Years 2018/2019 through 2022/2023
Dates: Monday-Friday, Oct. 9-13, 2017   
Location:  www.D5WPPH.com

Public Information Outreach: 
Date: Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2017  
Time: 4:30-6:30 p.m. 
Location: Florida Department of Transportation District Office- Cypress A & B Conference Rooms

                 719 S. Woodland Blvd.

                 DeLand, FL 32720 

Public participation is solicited without regard to race, color, national origin, age, sex, religion, disability or family status. Persons wishing to express their concerns relative to FDOT compliance with Title VI may do so by contacting Jennifer Smith, FDOT District Five Title VI Coordinator by phone at 386-943-5367, or via email at [email protected].

Persons with disabilities who require special accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act or persons who require translation services (free of charge) should contact Todd Davis Consultant Project Manager, by phone at 407-459-4066, or via email at [email protected]at least seven (7) days prior to the meeting. If you are hearing or speech impaired, please contact us by using the Florida Relay Service, 1-800-955-8771 (TDD) or 1-800-955-8770 (Voice).

Commenting options will be available during the online hearing. Written comments from all interested parties will be accepted by FDOT for a period of ten (10) days after the proceedings, ending October 23, 2017. Comments should be addressed to: Steve Martin, District Secretary 719 S. Woodland Boulevard, DeLand, Florida 32720. All comments will become part of the public record.

The presentation of the Department’s Tentative Five Year Work Program will be available at: www.D5WPPH.com. Need more information? Contact: Jamie Kersey, Florida Department of Transportation MPO Liaison, 719 S. Woodland Boulevard, DeLand, Florida, 32720, 386-943-5338, email: [email protected]

 Media inquiries should be directed to Steve Olson, FDOT Public Information Manager at 386-943-5479 or by email at[email protected].

www.fdot.gov

Gov. Scott: Florida Stands Ready to Help Puerto Rico Following Hurricane Maria

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Gov. Scott: Florida Stands Ready to Help Puerto Rico Following Hurricane Maria

Asks Florida State Colleges and Universities to Offer In-State Tuition to Students from Puerto Rico

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – Today, Governor Rick Scott reaffirmed Florida’s commitment to supporting Puerto Rico following the devastation caused by Hurricane Maria. The Governor has notified the Florida National Guard and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission (FWC) to be on standby for deployment following an official request for assistance from Puerto Rico, and the Florida National Guard is already actively assisting Puerto Rico with organizing and submitting relief requests. Governor Scott is asking Florida state colleges and universities to allow students displaced by the storm in Puerto Rico to be offered in-state tuition. Governor Scott also spoke with FEMA Administrator Brock Long today and with Puerto Rico Governor Ricardo Rossello before the storm made landfall last week to let them know that Florida stands ready to assist in any way possible throughout the recovery process.

 Governor Scott said, “The heartbreak that our friends in Puerto Rico are enduring following this devastating storm is unimaginable and our prayers are with every family who calls this beautiful island their home. This morning, I spoke with Brock Long to let him know that Florida stands ready to assist Puerto Rico in any way we can. Today, I directed the Florida National Guard and FWC to be prepared for deployment as soon as we receive a formal request for assistance from Puerto Rico. I am also asking all Florida state colleges and universities to offer in-state tuition to any student who was displaced from their home in Puerto Rico to make sure we are doing everything we can to help these families. 

“We know how important it is to share resources with our friends and neighbors during these times, and I was able to speak with Governor Rossello last week to tell him that Florida will provide whatever resources are needed to help families in Puerto Rico rebuild. Last week, I also had the opportunity to meet with Puerto Rican evacuees at Florida International University’s shelter and I was moved by their stories of strength and their determination to quickly return to and repair their homes. Their resilience after this tragedy is an inspiration to us all and Florida is proud to stand with Puerto Rico during this challenging time.”

Office Announces Submission of Proposed Rates for 2018 Federal PPACA Health Insurance Plans

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TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Today, the Office of Insurance Regulation announced the submission of proposed rates for 2018 Federal Patient Protection & Affordable Care Act (PPACA) health insurance plans. Rates for individual major medical plans which comply with the coverage requirements of PPACA may increase an average of 44.7% beginning on January 1, 2018. The majority of this increase – 31 percentage points – is directly attributable to Silver plans offered on the Exchange. Most consumers with the Silver plans will not see an out-of-pocket change, as the federal premium subsidy will also increase to absorb this extra cost. In fact, as noted in the documents linked below, a family of four earning $53,000, as well as an individual earning $27,000, may see a slight decrease in their out-of-pocket health insurance premium in 2018. Consumers enrolled in a Silver on-Exchange plan that do not receive a premium subsidy will have the option of purchasing a similar off-Exchange Silver plan without this extra cost. Plans other than the on-Exchange Silver plans will increase an average of 18%. In 2013, an unsubsidized plan comparable to an existing Silver plan would cost a family of four an average of $7,200. In 2018, the average unsubsidized cost for the same family totals $17,000.

While 2017 data is not yet available, federal reimbursements of cost-sharing reductions or payments directly to insurers totaled $1.3 billion in 2016, and premium subsidies received by Florida consumers enrolled in on-Exchange plans totaled $4.7 billion. 

For more information, see the documents provided below:

Per federal guidelines, a total of nine health insurance companies submitted rate filings for the Office’s review in June. There were 14 participating companies in 2017, 19 participating companies in 2016, and 21 participating companies in 2015. In 2018, Florida will have 42 counties that are served by only one carrier.

The rate filings consisted of individual major medical plans to be sold both on and off the Exchange. Federal review of the rate filing information has not been finalized by the Department of Health & Human Services and is subject to change. Further information can be obtained from each insurance company, the Federal Government website, the Office’s I-File Forms & Rates Filing Search System, and the Office’s Federal Health Care Insurance Reform webpage.

About the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation
The Florida Office of Insurance Regulation has primary responsibility for regulation, compliance and enforcement of statutes related to the business of insurance and the monitoring of industry markets. For more information about the Office, please visit www.floir.com or follow us on Twitter @FLOIR_comm and Facebook.  

DCF PROVIDES GUIDANCE FOR THOSE APPLYING FOR DISASTER SNAP

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TALLAHASSEE – The Florida Department of Children and Families’ (DCF) will open the first Disaster SNAP (or Food for Florida) sites this week and reminds Floridians seeking disaster food assistance of important details prior to visiting a Food for Florida site. To qualify for the Food for Florida Disaster Food Assistance Program, individuals must have lived or worked in one of the 48declared counties on September 5, and NOT be a customer in the regular food assistance program.  

Individuals and authorized representatives are strongly encouraged to pre-register online. Pre-registration is a brief application process that adds your information to the system in advance of your local site visit. This application is available here, at the Food for Florida website. Pre-registering on the day prior to visiting your local Food for Florida site will allow for faster processing of your application on-site.  

All Food for Florida dates and locations will be posted on the Site Locations link on the Food for Florida website. Service at site locations will be organized by day according to the first letter of your last name. Each site’s alphabetical serving order is listed on the site locations webpage. This program is not first come, first serve. Everyone’s application will be taken and processed at their appropriate county location. 

One EBT card per eligible household will be issued so only the applicant needs to visit the local Food for Florida site in person. Additional individuals attending may contribute to longer lines and extended service times. 

To make your visit to your local Food for Florida site as convenient as possible, remember these important items:

  • Fill out the initial application the day before visiting your local site via the pre-registration link at the Food for Florida website.
  • Only one applicant needs to visit the site in person as only one EBT card will be issued per eligible household.
  • Visit the local site on the indicated date for your last name. 
  • Current food assistance participants should not visit the local Food for Florida site or pre-register; additional September/October benefits will be added to your EBT card within five days of your county’s Food for Florida site opening.

Food for Florida sites will open across the state over the next five weeks to serve eligible Floridians who lived or worked in the 48 counties FEMA declared for Individual Assistance following damage from Hurricane Irma. Sites are opening on specific dates based on the infrastructure required to support a Food for Florida operation, such as venue size, power, and accessibility, as well as community resources available to purchase and safely store food.  

For more information, visit the Food for Florida website.  

GOV. SCOTT TO PROPOSE MAJOR LEGISLATION AND $50 MILLION INVESTMENT TO COMBAT OPIOID ABUSE

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BRADENTON, Fla. – Today, Governor Rick Scott announced that during the upcoming legislative session, he will propose major legislation and more than $50 million as part of his 2018-2019 recommended budget to combat opioid abuse in Florida.

The proposed legislation will include:

  • Placing a three-day limit on prescribed opioids, unless strict conditions are met for a seven-day supply;
  • Requiring all healthcare professionals that prescribe or dispense medication to participate in the Florida Prescription Drug Monitoring Program, a statewide database that monitors controlled substance prescriptions; and
  • Additional reforms to fight unlicensed pain management clinics, require continuing education courses on responsibly prescribing opioids, and create new opportunities for federal grant funding.

The proposed investment of more than $50 million will include funding for:

  • Substance abuse treatment;
  • Counseling and recovery services; and
  • The Florida Violent Crime and Drug Control Council.

Governor Scott said, “We made a commitment here in Florida to do everything possible to support our communities and fight the national opioid epidemic, and while we have taken major steps to fight this crisis, more must be done. Today, I am proud to announce that I will propose major legislation during the upcoming legislative session and more than $50 million in my recommended budget to combat opioid abuse in our state. 

“As I travel the state, I have met many families who are dealing with the heartache of drug addiction. Growing up, my own family dealt with the struggle of substance abuse and I know firsthand how this painful issue causes families to worry and pray for help and healing. As states across the country continue to fight this national epidemic, we must make sure Florida is doing our part to help vulnerable individuals and keep our families safe.

“These proposals will make a major impact on limiting the chance of drug addiction, reducing the ability for dangerous drugs to spread in our communities, giving vulnerable Floridians the support they need, and ensuring our hardworking law enforcement officers have the resources to protect Floridians. I look forward to working with President Negron, Speaker Corcoran and the entire Legislature to pass this impactful legislation and major investment. I would also like to thank Attorney General Pam Bondi for her focus on this issue and her commitment to keeping our families safe. We will continue to work closely with our federal, state and local partners throughout this fight.”

Attorney General Pam Bondi said, “We are in the midst of a national opioid crisis claiming lives in Florida, and we must do everything we can to stop drug abuse and save lives. I want to thank Governor Scott for proposing these legislative initiatives that will help stop addiction before it begins. It will take an all-hands-on-deck strategy, not only in Florida, but nationwide to address this crisis destroying American families.”

Senate President Joe Negron said, “The Senate is committed to working with our partners across the state to combat opioid abuse, and I appreciate Governor Scott’s leadership on this serious issue. The Senate looks forward to working with Governor Scott and our colleagues in the Florida House as we continue to do all we can to protect Florida communities from this national epidemic.”

House Speaker Richard Corcoran said, “The State of Florida is fully dedicated to protecting our families and communities from the national opioid epidemic. I look forward to continuing to work together with Governor Scott and my fellow Legislators to ensure our families, healthcare professionals and law enforcement officers have all the resources they need in this fight.” 

Representative Jim Boyd, “I was proud to join Governor Scott today to announce these important proposals to combat opioid abuse across our state. We will continue to work to protect every family in Florida.”

More details on the Governor’s proposed legislation and funding to combat opioid abuse will be made available in the coming weeks.

Secretary Detzner Highlights National Voter Registration Day in Florida

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TALLAHASSEE, Fla.– Today, Florida Secretary of State Ken Detzner announced the observance of Tuesday, September 26 as National Voter Registration Day in Florida. National Voter Registration Day is observed each year to encourage Americans to register to vote and make their voices heard at the ballot box.

“As Florida’s Chief Elections Officer, my goal is 100 percent voter participation in every election and I encourage all eligible Floridians to celebrate National Voter Registration Day by checking their voter registration status to ensure they are registered to vote,” said Secretary of State Ken Detzner. “If you are not yet registered, there are multiple ways to complete your voter registration or make changes to your existing voter registration to ensure your information is up-to-date.”

Floridians can look-up their voter registration status online at dos.myflorida.com/elections. There are several ways eligible Floridians can register to vote. Eligible Floridians can apply through:

·         Any Supervisor of Elections’ office.

·         Any office, including a tax collector’s office, that issues driver licenses or Florida identification cards.

·         The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicle’s online website GoRenew.com for renewing a driver license or state identification card.

·         Any voter registration agency such as a public assistance office or public library.

The department is also on track to implement Online Voter Registration by October 1, 2017 as required by Florida law.

For more information about registering and voting, please visit dos.myflorida.com/elections, call the department’s Voter Assistance Hotline at 1.866.308.6739, or contact your local Supervisor of Elections office for assistance.

 About the Division of Elections
The Florida Department of State’s Division of Elections supports the Secretary of State, Florida’s Chief Elections Officer, in ensuring that Florida has fair and accurate elections. The Division’s three bureaus; the Bureau of Election Records, Bureau of Voter Registration Services, and Bureau of Voting Systems Certification, have several responsibilities in the areas of legal compliance and elections administration to ensure that Florida’s election laws are uniformly interpreted and implemented. The Division also assists local Supervisors of Elections in their duties, and promotes enhanced public awareness and participation in the electoral process. For more information about Florida’s elections, visit dos.myflorida.com/elections/.

UNF Coggin College of Business Stages First Annual Gala

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The University of North Florida Coggin College of Business presents its first annual gala, “Celebrating Milestones and Memories,” from 6 to 10 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 21, in the Student Union Ballroom, Building 58W, Room 3703, in the UNF campus.

Coggin College is celebrating the many milestones and memories that have made the College what it is today. Coggin is commemorating the 10th anniversary of its nationally recognized flagship programs—International Business as well as Transportation and Logistics. It’s also celebrating more than a decade of success by its Career Management Center. Coggin has also been recognized as a “Best Business School” in the country for 10 years by Princeton Review. 

The evening will kick off at 6 p.m. with cocktails, music and a silent auction, followed by dinner and an awards presentation at 7:30 p.m. Following the awards presentation, there will be dancing and dessert. Cost for the event is $150. Dress attire is cocktail, black tie optional.

Three awards—Community Advocate Award, Coggin Distinguished Alumni Award and the Coggin Young Alumni Service Award—will be presented to the Energy Authority, Anna Brosche and Benjamin Freedman.

The Energy Authority is the recipient of the Community Advocate Award, which recognizes an individual or company for his/her/their role as an advocate for Coggin in the community. The nominee makes a significant contribution to Coggin and/or the University through their time, resources, talents and dedication.  

UNF alumna Anna Brosche will be receiving the Coggin Distinguished Alumni Award, an honor that recognizes alumni from the College for superior professional achievement. To be nominated for this award, a Coggin graduate must have attained the highest level of professional accomplishment, making significant contributions to his or her profession, community and/or society; and has consistently maintained the pursuit of excellence as a representative and graduate of UNF.

Alumnus Benjamin Freedman will be given the Coggin Young Alumni Service Award, which is presented to Coggin alums for outstanding professional achievement in their chosen career field, service to and impact on the College, University and their community. To be nominated for this award, a nominee must be 35 or younger and someone who has attained the highest level of professional accomplishment; made significant contributions to his or her profession, community and/or society; and has consistently maintained the pursuit of excellence as a representative and graduate of UNF.

To register for the event, visit https://www.alumni.unf.edu/netcommunity/coggin-college-of-business-gala. For more information, contact Teresa Nichols, Coggin College director of development, at (904) 620-1833.

With more than 3,800 students, the Coggin College’s mission is to educate and develop business professionals through rigorous, relevant accredited degree programs offered by faculty devoted to student learning and engaged in scholarly activities.Since 1976, the Coggin College of Business has been accredited by AACSB—only one in five business schools are awarded the accreditation, which honors the best business schools in the world. The AACSB is the world leader in accreditation for business education.

UNF, a nationally ranked university located on an environmentally beautiful campus, offers students who are dedicated to enriching the lives of others the opportunity to build their own futures through a well-rounded education.