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UT STUDENTS HOST “FAIR-STYLE” HURRICANE FUNDRAISER ON WEDNESDAY

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UT STUDENTS HOST “FAIR-STYLE” HURRICANE FUNDRAISER ON WEDNESDAY

Mechanical bull riding, other activities to encourage campus-wide donations

TAMPA — A fair-style fundraiser to support Hurricane Harvey, Irma and Maria disaster relief efforts — featuring a lighthearted nod to Texas with mechanical bull riding — will be held at UT on Wednesday, Sept. 27.

The event will be held in the courtyard behind the Vaughn Center from 10 a.m.–3 p.m. It is a student-coordinated event, sponsored by UT’s PEACE Volunteer Center, Student Productions and Student Government.

Additionally, approximately 20 student organizations will host activities to encourage students to donate to the effort.

All funds will be donated to the Red Cross, and physical donations will be collected by a local nonprofit.

Media is welcome to cover the event. Please contact the Office of Public Information and Publication, or the fundraiser organizers ([email protected]), with any questions.

CFO Patronis Extends Insurance Professional Continuing Education Deadline to Assist with Hurricane Irma Recovery

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TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – To help accelerate Hurricane Irma recovery efforts across Florida, CFO Patronis today announced an extension of continuing education deadlines for licensed insurance professionals in Florida. Continuing education deadlines are set by the licensee’s birthday month, and any licensee with a deadline in September, October or November will now have an extended deadline of December 31, 2017, to complete their continuing education requirements.

CFO Patronis said, “My primary goal is to get Floridians back on their feet and back to normal life as quickly as possible, and allowing insurance professionals to continue their work in the field – instead of stopping to complete office work – will allow more insurance claims to be adjusted and paid out faster. Continuing education is important in all professions, and it will be completed, but I believe that granting this extension is in the best interest of our state.”

Currently, more than 500,000 insurance claims have been filed following Hurricane Irma, totaling estimated losses of more than $3 billion. 470,000 of those claims remain open, further proving the necessity of allowing insurance agents, adjusters and customer representatives to focus on their post-storm work.

The extension applies to all insurance professional licensees that require continuing education, including insurance adjusters, agents and customer representatives. No form or application process is required to be approved for this extension. The Department of Financial Services’ Division of Insurance Agent & Agency Services is updating its online database to automatically reflect the updated deadline.

To learn more, visit www.myfloridacfo.com/Division/Agents.

GOVERNOR RICK SCOTT’S SCHEDULE FOR MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2017 

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GOVERNOR RICK SCOTT’S SCHEDULE

FOR

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2017 

9:15am                       TOUR OF HURRICANE IRMA IMPACTS IN THE FLORIDA KEYS

Location:         Blue Gill Lane

                        Cudjoe Key, FL 33042

10:30am                     MEETING WITH LOCAL OFFICIALS ON HURRICANE IRMA RESPONSE AND RECOVERY

Location:         Marathon City Hall

Address:          9806 Overseas Highway

                        Marathon, FL 33050 

3:00pm                       FIRST RESPONDERS APPRECIATION EVENT

Location:         Miami Police College Auditorium

Address:          350 Northwest 2nd Avenue

                        Miami, FL 33128

 

LT. GOVERNOR LOPEZ-CANTERA’S SCHEDULE

FOR

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2017

1:00-5:00pm              TOUR OF HURRICANE IRMA IMPACTS IN COLLIER COUNTY

Location:         Ochopee, FL                          

Princeton Review Names UNF ‘Best in the Southeast’ College

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For the ninth consecutive year, the University of North Florida is one of the best colleges in the Southeast, according to The Princeton Review. The nationally-known education services company recommends UNF in its “Best in the Southeast” list for 2018.

Only 140 colleges and universities in 12 Southeastern states made the “Best in the Southeast” list for 2018. The list is part of the company’s website feature, “2018 Best Colleges: Region by Region.”

“We’re thrilled that UNF is being recognized as an all-around outstanding academic institution within the Southeast by The Princeton Review,” said UNF President John Delaney. “This prestigious recognition affirms the tremendous on-going effort UNF has put forth to build one of the finest universities in the state.”

The Princeton Review editors made their selections based on data the company collected from its survey of administrators at several hundred colleges in each region as well as its staff visits to schools over the year and the perspectives of college counselors and advisors whose opinions the company solicits.

“We chose UNF and the other institutions we name as ‘regional best’ colleges mainly for their excellent academic programs,” said Robert Franek, Princeton Review’s senior vice president and publisher.

The Princeton Review survey asks students attending the schools to rate their own schools on several issues—from the accessibility of their professors to the quality of their science lab facilities—and answer questions about themselves, fellow students and campus life.

Students at the University say, “There is no typical student at UNF.” Filled with “friendly” people, UNF possesses “all the aspects of a huge state college with a much more laid back feel.” Professors were praised for their accessibility, with students reporting that they’ve “never had a situation where a professor was unavailable.” Students also say at UNF, “you’re not a number, you’re a person.”

The Princeton Review doesn’t rank the 658 colleges in its “2018 Best Colleges: Region by Region” list hierarchically or in various categories. The 140 colleges that The Princeton Review chose for its “Best in the Southeast” 2018 list are located in 12 states: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia. 

The Princeton Review also designated 229 colleges in the Northeast, 127 in the West, and 158 in the Midwest as best in their locales on the company’s “2018 Best Colleges: Region by Region” lists. Collectively, the 658 colleges on The Princeton Review’s “regional best” list constitute about 25 percent of the nation’s 2,500 four-year colleges.

The Princeton Review is an education services company known for its test-prep courses, tutoring, books and other student resources. For more information, visit www.princetonreview.com.

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.

Gov. Scott Visits Utility Linemen in Collier County

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IMMOKALEE, Fla. – Today, Governor Rick Scott visited utility linemen in Collier County to thank them for their work restoring power to Florida homes and businesses. This week, Governor Scott announced that the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) will accept official utility workers’ identification in lieu of a Florida freshwater or saltwater fishing license through June 30, 2018, and that the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is offering free day-passes to Florida State Parks that can be used on an unlimited basis until October 2018 for all utility workers.

Governor Scott Discusses Hurricane Irma Recovery Efforts in the Florida Keys

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MARATHON, Fla. – Today, Governor Rick Scott visited Monroe County to discuss Hurricane Irma recovery efforts with state and local officials and thank first responders, law enforcement and utility workers for their commitment to Florida families. Since Hurricane Irma moved through the state, Governor Scott has visited communities in the Florida Keys, Southwest Florida and Northeast Florida to tour local impacts, thank law enforcement and first responders and discuss recovery efforts with local leaders. 

Governor Scott also announced that the license-free freshwater and saltwater fishing offer made to Florida’s law enforcement and first responders to include utility workers. Read more HERE.

KKK Members Sentenced in Plot to Murder Former Inmate

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TALLAHASSEE, Fla.—Attorney General Pam Bondi’s Office of Statewide Prosecution secured the sentencing of two members of the Traditionalist American Knights of the Ku Klux Klan for conspiracy to commit first degree murder. The Honorable Wesley R. Douglas sentenced David Elliot Moran, 49, and Charles Thomas Newcomb, 45, both to 12 years in prison for plotting to kill a former inmate.

“Florida is a safer state with these Klansmen behind bars,” said Attorney General Bondi. “Hate groups have no place in a civilized society and when members of these organizations plot violence and murder—we will be there to ensure justice is served and our citizens are protected.” 

“The members of the North Florida Joint Terrorism Task Force (NFJTTF) combined their exceptional talent, skills and knowledge to work as a cohesive team and successfully disrupt this conspiracy,” said Charles P. Spencer, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Jacksonville Division.  “This case would not have been possible without the collaboration of our partnering law enforcement agencies, and we thank them for their dedication to this case.”

“These sentencings mark the conclusion of a successful investigation that stopped a plot to murder a man,” said HSI Tampa Special Agent in Charge James C. Spero. “This case is a classic example of local, state and federal law enforcement partners working together to make our communities safer.”

The two men were arrested in 2015 along with defendant Thomas Jordan Driver, 27, following an investigation by members of the North Florida Joint Terrorism Task Force, led by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Homeland Security Investigation, with assistance from additional federal, state and local law enforcement agencies. Newcomb, Moran and Driver enlisted an FBI informant to kill a former inmate as retaliation for a fight between the former inmate and Driver. At the time of the murder conspiracy, Driver and Moran worked for the Florida Department of Corrections correctional officers, and Newcomb was a former correctional officer. 

In March 2017, Driver pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit murder and was sentenced to four years in prison.

Attorney General Bondi’s Office of Statewide Prosecution prosecuted these cases. Members of the Joint Terrorism Task Force that participated in the investigation include the Federal Bureau of Investigation Jacksonville Division, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations, Florida Department of Corrections Office of Inspector General, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, Naval Criminal Investigative Service, , Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Florida Highway Patrol, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office and the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office. 

PSC Hearing on Retiring St. Johns River Power Park Scheduled for Monday

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TALLAHASSEE—The Florida Public Service Commission (PSC) will conduct a hearing Monday, September 25, 2017, on Florida Power & Light Company’s (FPL) petition for approval to shut down the St. Johns River Power Park (SJRPP) at the end of this year. The plant’s retirement is expected to provide environmental benefits and save FPL customers millions of dollars. 

FPL and the Office of Public Counsel, which represents consumers, filed a settlement agreement for resolving all issues in the case.  The PSC may consider the settlement agreement during the hearing.

SJRPP is a coal-fired power plant jointly owned by FPL and JEA, the municipally-owned electric provider for the City of Jacksonville.

The hearing is scheduled for the following time and location:

Monday September 25, 2017

1:30 p.m.

Betty Easley Conference Center

Joseph P. Cresse Hearing Room (Room 148)

4075 Esplanade Way

Tallahassee, Florida

For additional information, visit www.floridapsc.com.

Follow the PSC on Twitter, @floridapsc.

FMPA Board Names Jody Finklea as FMPA General Counsel

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FMPA Board Names Jody Finklea as FMPA General Counsel

Finklea to advise statewide power agency and local municipals on electric utility issues

 ORLANDO, Fla. – Florida Municipal Power Agency’s (FMPA) Board of Directors selected Jody Lamar Finklea as its next General Counsel and Chief Legal Officer, replacing Fred Bryant, who announced his plans last month to retire.

“FMPA is fortunate to have someone with Jody’s knowledge and expertise,” said Bill Conrad, FMPA’s Chairman of the Board of Directors. “Jody has a deep understanding of Florida law and its application to utilities and cities. He knows FMPA’s business in depth, making this transition seamless.”

Finklea joined FMPA in 2001 and has held several positions during his tenure. Most recently, he served as Deputy General Counsel and Manager of Legal Affairs.

As FMPA’s General Counsel, Finklea will continue to represent the Florida Municipal Electric Association (FMEA), as requested by FMEA and its Board of Directors, on utility issues that could impact members of both organizations. Most of FMPA’s members are also members of FMEA, so this partnership provides value to both organizations.

 Finklea holds a bachelor’s degree in philosophy from The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., a master’s degree in public administration from the University of North Florida and a juris doctor degree from The Florida State University College of Law. He is admitted to The Florida Bar and is board certified as an expert in city, county and local government law.

Finklea is active in the American Public Power Association (APPA) and serves as the 2017 Chairman of APPA’s Legal Section. In 2011, Finklea was recognized by APPA as a Rising Star in Public Power. He holds a rating of AV-Preeminent by Martindale-Hubbell peer review attorney ratings.

Traffic shifts slated for U.S. 27 in Clermont

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Lake County – During the week of Sept. 25, northbound and southbound traffic will be moved to the newly built northbound lanes on U.S. 27 (State Road 25) between Boggy Marsh and Lake Louisa roads. The nighttime traffic shifts will occur on two separate days.

Once traffic is completely shifted to the new pavement, the contractor, Ranger Construction Industries, will begin building the new southbound lanes.

The work is part of a Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) project to widen U.S. 27 from a four-lane rural street to a six-lane suburban highway from Boggy Marsh Road to 1,000 feet north of Lake Louisa Road.

Please note the work schedule may change due to weather or other unexpected conditions. Project updates will be posted to the FDOT’s Central Florida website, www.cflroads.com.

For media-related questions, please contact the Public Information Office at 386-943-5497 or [email protected].

The FDOT urges all motorists to use caution near any road construction. Please slow down and stay alert when driving through work zones.