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Senator Denise Grimsley Announces May Mobile Office Hours

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Senator Denise Grimsley’s staff will hold “mobile office hours” during the month of May to assist constituents with state agency concerns.

“We are on the road again to provide help for those in need of assistance.  This is an opportunity to speak with my professional staff in person,” said Senator Grimsley.

The following are May mobile office hours for Senate District 26:

DeSoto County Mobile Office Hours:
Wednesday, May 23, 2018
10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
County Administration Building
2nd Floor, Conference Room
201 East Oak Street
Arcadia, FL 34266

Hardee County Mobile Office Hours:
Thursday, May 24th, 2018
1:15 p.m. – 2:15 p.m.
Hardee County Chamber of Commerce
135 E. Bay Street
Wauchula, FL 33873

Glades County Mobile Office Hours:
Thursday, May 17th, 2018
1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Glades County Courthouse
1st Floor, Conference Room
500 Avenue J, SW
Moore Haven, FL 33471

Lee County Mobile Office Hours:
Thursday, May 17th, 2018
1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
The Shell Factory
Chamber of Commerce Office
2787 North Tamiami Trail
North Fort Myers, FL 33903

Okeechobee County Mobile Office Hours:
Thursday, May 17th, 2018
10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Okeechobee Chamber of Commerce
55 South Parrott Avenue
Okeechobee, FL 34974

Polk County Mobile Office Hours:
Wednesday, May 16th, 2018
9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
Mulberry Library
1st Floor, Civic Center
905 NE 5th Street
Mulberry, FL 33860

10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Bartow Public Library
2150 S. Broadway Ave.
Bartow, FL 33830

1:15 p.m. – 2:15 p.m.
Fort Meade Community Center
10 SW 3rd Street
Fort Meade, FL 33841

Senator Denise Grimsley represents Senate District 26, which consists of DeSoto, Glades, Hardee, Highlands, Okeechobee, and parts of Charlotte, Lee, and Polk counties. Senator Grimsley served in the Florida House of Representatives from 2004-2012 and elected to the Florida Senate in 2012.

RoadWatch Advisory for I-75/ University Parkway Interchange in Sarasota and Manatee Counties

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SARASOTA/MANATEE

I-75 (SR 93) / University Parkway Diverging Diamond Interchange (DDI) Sarasota/Bradenton:  Construction project:

Temporary Night/Overnight Ramp Closure at I-75/University Parkway Interchange

Tuesday, May 1 through Thursday, May 3

Detour – I-75 Northbound On-Ramp Closure at the I-75/University Parkway Interchange: 

The contractor anticipates implementing a temporary detour route at the I-75/University Parkway interchange at night/overnight Tuesday, May 1 through Thursday, May 3 between 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. to repair asphalt pavement.

Motorists traveling on University Parkway wishing to travel north on I-75 are directed to enter southbound I-75, exit at Fruitville Road/Exit 210, travel east and enter northbound I-75 and continue north.

Improvements being made as part of this project consist of constructing a diverging diamond interchange, adding an auxiliary lane on northbound and southbound I-75, constructing new bridges on  I-75 over University Parkway, widening of University Parkway, widening of I-75 bridges over Errie Creek and Foley Creek, realignment of on-ramps and off-ramps at I-75/University Parkway, addition of ponds, drainage improvements, new lighting and signalization, construction of a noise wall on the west side of I-75, sidewalks, bike lanes, and pedestrian walkways. Expected completion is early 2018. The contractor is Prince Contracting, LLC. For additional information, please visit the project website at swflroads.com/i75/university.

Gov. Scott Honors more than 100 Veterans with Veterans Service Medal

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Governor Rick Scott today awarded 101 Florida veterans with the Governor’s Veterans Service Medal for their service to the state and nation. Since 2013, Governor Scott has awarded more than 13,000 veterans with the Governor’s Veterans Service Medal.

The following Florida veterans were highlighted during today’s ceremony:

Senior Chief Edwin Soto
Senior Chief Edwin Soto enlisted in the United States Navy in 1981. He served in the United States Navy for nearly 28 years, achieving the rank of Senior Chief Hospital Corpsman. He deployed to Iraq in 2004 and again in 2005 with the Marine Corps in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) and previously deployed to Desert Storm, providing medical support to Marines and Sailors. His awards are numerous and include: the Meritorious Service Medal, the Navy/Marine Corps Commendation Medal, four Navy/Marine Corps Achievement Medals, the Combat Action Ribbon, the Iraqi Campaign Medal, and nine Sea Service Deployments.

Sergeant Major Pedro Lorenzo Guerad
Sergeant Major Pedro Guerad was born in Cuba in 1954. In 1969, he left Cuba and came to the United States with his immediate family. In 1979, he joined the United States Army as a Combat Medic serving his initial assignment at Fort Riley, Kansas.  Throughout his 32-year career, Sergeant Major Guerad held a variety of positions, including serving in Iraq as the Sergeant Major of the Combat Support Hospital in Mosul. He culminated his career by serving as the Senior Enlisted Advisor for the Director of Medical Logistics, at Fort Sam Houston, Texas. Sergeant Major Guerad received many awards and decorations during his service including the Bronze Star Medal, the Legion of Merit, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Navy Achievement Medal, the U.S. Airborne Paratrooper Badge, the Uruguayan Jump Wings, and the Expert Field Medical Badge.

Florida Man Sentenced to 30 Years in Prison for Human Trafficking and Branding

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Attorney General Pam Bondi’s Office of Statewide Prosecution today secured a prison sentence for a man convicted of human trafficking and branding a victim. Friday, a Marion County Judge sentenced Ryan Gemelle Poole, 33, to 30 years in state prison. The sentence comes after the jury found Poole guilty of human trafficking, deriving support from prostitution, unlawful use of a two-way communications device to facilitate a felony, sexual battery and branding. This is Florida’s first conviction under the state’s branding statute.

“This disgusting human trafficker branded his victim, raped and forced her to perform sex acts. We will not allow this evil to persist in Florida, and today’s sentencing serves as a strong warning to anyone trying to enslave and traffic people in our state,” said Attorney General Pam Bondi. “I want to thank my Statewide Prosecutors Julie Sercus and Rita Peters for their resolve and determination to ensure this monster did not escape justice.”

The Marion County Sheriff’s Office began investigating Poole in 2016. The investigation revealed that Poole met the victim on a dating website and started a romantic relationship. Poole then began grooming the victim for prostitution by giving the victim cocaine and coercing the victim to work as a stripper. Soon Poole began selling the victim for sex, advertising on the now defunct Backpage.com website.  

Poole forced the victim to travel from Marion County to Alachua, Charlotte, Hillsborough and Orange counties for the purposes of prostitution for personal financial gain. In addition, Poole forced the victim to have his initials tattooed on the victim’s body—to signify the victim as property. In August 2016, the victim tried to escape and Poole raped the victim as punishment.  

The trial commenced on April 23, before the Honorable Anthony Tatti in Marion County.  After four days of testimony, including that of the victim and Poole, the jury found the defendant guilty on all charges.

Kathleen Peters Qualifies by Petition for Pinellas County Commission

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Kathleen Peters today earned a spot on the ballot for the Pinellas Board of County Commissioners in District 6, qualifying by petition method.
To be placed on the ballot for District 6, a candidate must either pay a qualifying fee or collect 1,690 signed petitions by voters in the district. The Pinellas County Supervisor of Elections verified 1,802 petitions from Peters, exceeding the required quota by 112.
“I am truly humbled by the outpouring of support from the voters of District 6,” Peters stated. “The feedback our team has received from door knocking and speaking directly to residents is loud and clear—we need to prioritize Pinellas over politics, and common-sense policies will prevail.”
Peters, who is currently serving her final term in the Florida House of Representatives, has vowed to protect Pinellas beaches and waters, enhance emergency management, continue to develop a coordinated system of care for mental health, and ensure that Pinellas County prioritizes job creation with its business-friendly climate.
District 6, currently represented by retiring Commissioner John Morroni, covers northeast St. Petersburg, Pinellas Park, Seminole and the barrier island beaches from Redington Shores to Tierra Verde.

Florida Sheriffs Association and Leaders to Honor Fallen Officers at Memorial Wall

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MEDIA ADVISORY

The Florida Sheriffs Association is holding its annual memorial ceremony to honor those who have given their lives in the line of duty. May is dedicated to remembering those who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty. Please join us to pay respects to these fallen heroes, their families, law enforcement colleagues and all the men and women who gave their lives in service to Florida’s citizens.

Established in 2002, the Florida Sheriffs Association incorporated the granite Memorial Wall to honor sheriff’s officers who had fallen in the line of duty. It is a tribute to remember the sheriffs and deputies who have dedicated their lives to serve and protect Floridians, while respecting those who have passed. On the wall is an engraved verse that embraces these fallen heroes and the sacrifices they have made: “Greater love hath no man than this, that he lay down his life for his friend.” John 15:13.

The names added to the Memorial Wall are:

  • Orange County Sheriff’s Office Deputy First Class Norman Lewis | End of Watch: Monday, January 9, 2017| Cause of Death: Motorcycle crash
  • Hardee County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Sheriff Julie Bridges | End of Watch: Sunday, September 10, 2017 | Cause of Death: Vehicle crash
  • St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office Captain Charlie Scavuzzo | End of Watch: Friday, September 15, 2017 | Cause of Death: Heart attack
  • Broward County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Michael Ryan | End of Watch: Sunday, December 31, 2017| Cause of Death: Heart attack

WHO: Florida Sheriffs, community & state leaders, policymakers, FSA leadership

WHERE: Memorial Wall at the Florida Sheriffs Association Headquarters
2617 Mahan Drive, Tallahassee, Florida 32308

WHEN: Monday, April 30, 2018 at 1:30 p.m.

SPEAKER: The Honorable Jimmy Patronis, Florida Chief Financial Officer

Southbound John Young Parkway Traffic Shift

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During the week of April 29, a traffic pattern change is expected on southbound State Road (S.R.) 423/John Young Parkway between S.R. 50/West Colonial Drive and Shader Road. The work is part of the department’s project to widen the road from four to six lanes.

The traffic shift will move southbound traffic east between Shader Road and Silver Star Road.

Electronic message boards and other signs will be used to direct traffic. Motorists are asked to be prepared for the changes and exercise extra caution when driving through the work zone.

Please note construction schedules may change due to weather or other circumstances. Updates will be available on the Florida Department of Transportation’s Central Florida website, CFLRoads.com.

Media inquiries should be directed to the FDOT Communications Office at 386-943-5479 or [email protected].

Grouper, hogfish fishing reopens May 1 in Atlantic, Monroe County waters

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The following species will reopen to recreational harvest May 1 in Florida state and federal waters of the Atlantic: hogfish; gag, black, red, yellowmouth and yellowfin grouper; scamp; red hind; rock hind; coney; and graysby.

Hogfish will remain open through Oct. 31, 2018, on the east coast of Florida as well as south and east of Cape Sable on the Gulf coast. The other species will remain open through Dec. 31, 2018, on the east coast of Florida and all state waters off Monroe County.

More information about hogfish and grouper bag and size limits, gear restrictions and fishing seasons, including a map of the Atlantic and Gulf grouper fishing boundaries, is available online at MyFWC.com/Fishing; select “Saltwater Fishing” then “Recreational Regulations.” 

Attorney General Bondi Urges Floridians to Help Combat Opioid Crisis

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Attorney General Pam Bondi is encouraging Floridians to help combat the national opioid crisis by participating in National Prescription Drug Take Back Day. Take back locations will be open across the state on Saturday, April 28, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. This event allows the public to take expired or no longer needed prescription drugs to local drop-off points for proper disposal.

“People struggling with addiction will do anything to get their hands on deadly drugs in search of a quick high––even going as far as rummaging through a relative’s medicine cabinet. That is why I urge everyone to get rid of your nonessential or outdated prescription drugs. Look in your medicine cabinet and if you come across any unused prescriptions, please take them to the nearest Drug Take Back location. This simple task will help us fight the opioid crisis and save lives,” said Attorney General Bondi.

The Drug Enforcement Administration conducts Drug Take-Backs in conjunction with state and local law enforcement. Floridians can find nearby participating locations by clicking, here.

Medicine take-back options are the preferred way to safely discard of most types of unneeded prescriptions. This option compared to disposal in the household trash or down the toilet is much safer for everyone. Flushing medicine down the toilet can bring harm to the environment, as well as, unintended human health risks. Consumers can visit the DEA’s website for more information about drug disposal.  

Orlando woman claims first top prize in new THE PRICE IS RIGHT Scratch-Off game

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The Florida Lottery announces that Nikki Smith, 35, of Orlando, claimed the first $1 million top prize in the new THE PRICE IS RIGHT Scratch-Off game at Florida Lottery Headquarters in Tallahassee. She chose to receive her winnings as a one-time, lump-sum payment of $770,000.00.

Smith already has big plans for her winnings, “The first thing I’m doing is buying a house!”

Smith purchased her winning ticket from Rightway Food Store, located at 5003 Old Winter Garden Road in Orlando. The retailer will receive a $2,000 bonus commission for selling the winning Scratch-Off ticket.

The $5 game, THE PRICE IS RIGHT, launched on April 19, 2018 and features more than $59 million in prizes, including six top prizes of $1 million! The game’s overall odds of winning are one-in-4.19.

Scratch-Offs are an important part of the Lottery’s portfolio of games, generating more than $784 million for the Educational Enhancement Trust Fund (EETF) in FY 2016-17, and comprising approximately 68 percent of ticket sales.