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CFO Jimmy Patronis Meets with Jacksonville First Responders to Highlight Signing of Bill to Expand PTSD Benefits

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CFO Jimmy Patronis was joined today by Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry, Sen. Audrey Gibson, Rep. Cord Byrd, Rep. Tracie Davis, Rep. Jason Fischer, Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Chief Kurt Wilson and members of the fire service and law enforcement communities to highlight the signing of Senate Bill 376, expanding mental health benefits for first responders. Gov. Rick Scott signed the bill this week in Tampa surrounded by hundreds of first responders from across the state. SB 376 was sponsored by Sen. Lauren Book and Rep. Matt Willhite.

Four Arrested in Connection to 150 Stolen Guns, One Still Wanted

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Attorney General Pam Bondi’s Office of Statewide Prosecution, the Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement today announced the arrest of four men relating to more than 150 stolen firearms. The guns were stolen from stores in and around the Central Florida area. Authorities arrested, Richard Jernigan, 30, Robert Tilmon, 31, Raymond Williams, 28, and Jermeil Williams, 28, in connection to the burglaries. These men were allegedly involved in numerous armed burglaries of firearms and other valuable items for several years. Authorities are still searching for Kentric Collier, 28, in connection to the case.

“The ATF and the FDLE did a tremendous job in stopping a dangerous gun burglary ring targeting firearms dealers. The charges against these individuals are alarming—stealing guns to sell on our streets. My Office of Statewide Prosecution will aggressively prosecute this case to ensure justice is done,” said Attorney General Bondi.

“ATF’s primary focus is protecting the public by reducing violent crime”, said Special Agent in Charge Daryl McCrary. “ATF continues to aggressively pursue violent offenders and will continue to protect and serve communities with our law enforcement partners.”

Beginning in late 2016 and into 2017, ATF began investigating burglaries of Federal Firearms Licensees stores in and around the Central Florida area. A review of intelligence aided in determining some of the burglaries had similar distinguishing characteristics, such as the use of sledgehammers and pry bars to gain entry. The men are believed to be involved in more than five burglaries of FFLs that resulted in the loss of more than 150 firearms.

The investigation found that the suspects allegedly sold many of the firearms in the Orlando area within days of the burglaries. According to ATF, law enforcement has recovered approximately 35 of the 156 stolen firearms, most seized from prohibited individuals involved in previous violent criminal acts. These suspects are also allegedly involved in numerous burglaries targeting cash, electronics, firearm stores, jewelry, safes, and other valuable items in Orange, Polk, and Seminole counties

All five suspects face separate charges in connection to burglaries, grand theft of a firearm, grand theft and racketeering. The Altamonte Springs Police Department, the Longwood Police Department, the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, the Orlando Police Department and the Winter Park Police Department assisted in this investigation.

The Attorney General Office of Statewide Prosecution will prosecute the case.

Commissioner Adam Putnam Visits Volusia County Wildfire, Provides Update on Florida Wildfire Activity

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Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam today visited the Pioneer Trail fire in Volusia County and provided an update on Florida’s wildfire activity. ThePioneer Trail fire closed a portion of I-95 until earlier this morning and is currently 205 acres and 90 percent contained.

Currently, there are 57 active wildfires in Florida burning 32,031 acres.

Significant Wildfires in Florida:

  • Firebreak Fire, Gulf County: 8,000 acres and 25 percent contained.
  • Pioneer Trail Fire, Volusia County: 204 acres and 90 percent contained.
  • Old Blade Line Fire, Polk County: 450 acres and 60 percent contained.
  • Greenway Fire, Collier County: 16,876 acres and 70 percent contained.
  • Tall Pines 2 Fire, Miami-Dade County: 715 acres and 40 percent contained.
  • West Boundary Fire, Hendry County: 2,642 acres and 80 percent contained.
  • Dirt Road Fire, Miami-Dade County: 400 acres and 90 percent contained.

Additional Resources Deployed to Firebreak Fire:

  • State Firefighting Medium Bulldozers: 13
  • State Firefighting Heavy Bulldozers: 2
  • State Firefighter Fixed-Wing: 1
  • State Firefighting Super Huey Helicopter: 1

Resources Deployed to Southwest Florida:

  • State Firefighting Bulldozers: 12
  • Fire District & State Brush Trucks: 15
  • Fire District Water Tenders: 2
  • State Firefighting Super Huey Helicopter: 1
  • State Firefighter Fixed-Wing: 1

The Florida Forest Service is urging residents to be cautious with fire and heat sources and to remember the following:

  • Develop and implement a family wildfire action plan;
  • Call 911 or a local Florida Forest Service field unit office immediately in the event of a wildfire;
  • Obey Florida’s outdoor burning laws;
  • Never burn on windy days;
  • Always keep a water source and suppression tools on hand when burning yard debris;
  • Never leave an outdoor fire or hot grill unattended; and
  • Avoid parking vehicles on dry grass.

The Florida Forest Service, a division of the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, manages more than 1 million acres of state forests and provides forest management assistance on more than 17 million acres of private and community forests. The Florida Forest Service is also responsible for protecting homes, forestland and natural resources from the devastating effects of wildfire on more than 26 million acres.

Manny Diaz Statement on House Bill 359

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State Representative Manny Diaz today released the following statement regarding House Bill 359:

“I want to thank Governor Rick Scott for signing House Bill 359 into law yesterday. I was proud to be a prime co-sponsor of this bill that ensures that Florida dollars do not prop up the devastating communist regime in Venezuela. I also want to thank my colleagues, Senator René García and Representative Jeanette Nuñez, for their hard work on this important issue. Florida has done the right thing in standing with our brothers and sisters in Venezuela who are struggling under the oppressive Maduro regime as they continue to fight for freedom.”

ON THE WEB:  www.VoteMannyDiazJr.com

Paid by Manny Diaz Jr., Republican, for State Senator

Leadership Florida, Florida Press Association to Unveil Plans for General Election Debates

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MEDIA ADVISORY

With Florida poised to help shape the course of national policy for years to come, Leadership Florida and the Florida Press Association will unveil exciting plans for face-to-face televised debates between the two parties’ nominees in the general election races for Governor and for U.S. Senate. Debate organizers will hold a media conference call on Tuesday, April 3, at 10 a.m.

The debates will be broadcast statewide by local television stations in each of Florida’s 10 major media markets. Details will be unveiled on this April 3 call.

What: Media conference call re: general election debates for U.S. Senate & Governor

Call-In: Number: 1-888-392-4560
Code: 9979718

When: Tuesday, April 3
10:00 am

Who: Wendy Spencer, President & CEO, Leadership Florida
Beth Kigel, Board Chair, Leadership Florida
Dean Ridings, President & CEO, Florida Press Association
J. David Armstrong, President, Broward College
Caroline Taplett, President & General Manager, WPBF TV

Senator Denise Grimsley Announces April Mobile Office Hours

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

“Our office is traveling to provide help for those in need.  This is an opportunity to meet with my professional staff in person,” said Senator Grimsley.

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

DeSoto County Mobile Office Hours:
Wednesday, April 18th, 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, April 26th, 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:
Tuesday, April 10th, 2018
9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
Glades County Courthouse
1st Floor, Conference Room
500 Avenue J, SW
Moore Haven, FL 33471

Lee County Mobile Office Hours:
Thursday, April 26th, 2018
10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
The Shell Factory
Chamber of Commerce Office
2787 North Tamiami Trail
North Fort Myers, FL 33903

Okeechobee County Mobile Office Hours:
Tuesday, April 10th, 2018
1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Okeechobee Chamber of Commerce
55 South Parrott Avenue
Okeechobee, FL 34974

Polk County Mobile Office Hours:
Wednesday, April 18th, 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.

National Vietnam War Veterans Day Ceremony at Camp Blanding

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MEDIA ADVISORY

Major Gen. Michael Calhoun hosts Camp Blanding’s Vietnam War Veterans Day Ceremony at the Camp Blanding Museum tomorrow, March 29, at 3 p.m. Representative Ted Yoho will provide remarks and the keynote speaker will be Brig. Gen. (retired) Richard Capps, former Assistant Adjutant General-Army for the Florida National Guard.

WHAT: National Vietnam War Veterans Day Ceremony at Camp Blanding

WHEN: 3 p.m., Thursday, March 29.

WHERE: Camp Blanding Museum, 5629 State Rd. 16 West, Starke, FL 32091.

*Media are encouraged to arrive at least 30 minutes prior to the ceremony.

New JMI and Goldwater Policy Brief on Common Sense Solutions for Better Government

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A new policy brief by The James Madison Institute and the Goldwater Institute finds three opportunities for Florida lawmakers to reduce the growth of the regulatory state.

Entitled, “Structural Reform for a More Prosperous Florida: Common Sense Solutions for Better Government,” the brief touts three main reforms including the Right to Earn a Living Act, a state-based REINS Act and the Congressional Review Act.

“Florida succeeds when we provide an environment for prosperity for all, and when we allow individuals to pursue their passions and create economic growth. While Florida does a tremendous job relative to other states, there is always more we can pursue. In many ways, the regulatory system of the 20th Century needs to adapt to the innovations present in the 21st. That requires ever-consistent vigilance on the part of our policy makers to remove barriers to prosperity,” said JMI Vice President of Policy and report co-author, Sal Nuzzo.

Examining just the past 20 years, the Sunshine State consistently has one of the best business climates in the United States and our state government has one of the most efficient and effective operations in the entire country.

Still, Florida has room for improvement.

“There has been a growing trend toward prohibiting people from working in the job of their choice or starting a business without first seeking government approval—even if they pose no health or safety threat to the public,” Goldwater Institute Director of National Litigation, and co-author of the report, Jon Riches said. “Today, about one in four jobs require government permission, and these unnecessarily high barriers to entry are keeping Floridians and Americans across the country from earning a living. That’s not how the Land of Opportunity should work.”

The policy brief, “Structural Reform for a More Prosperous Florida: Common Sense Solutions for Better Government,” is available here.

FDLE arrests Gibsonton teen on child pornography possession

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Agents with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement today arrested 18-year-old Kyrston Jackson, of 12512 Kings Crossing Dr., Gibsonton, on 10 counts of possession of child pornography.

The investigation was launched after FDLE agents received a cyber tip about more than 150 videos being uploaded to a file hosting service on the Internet. The cyber tip revealed that the videos depicted child pornography. The videos were of children under the age of 12. After several subpoenas and search warrants, agents determined Jackson was the user of the account. He was arrested at his home.

Jackson was transported to the Hillsborough County Jail on a $75,000 bond. The Office of Statewide Prosecution will prosecute the case.

Gov. Rick Scott Highlights $4 Billion for Florida’s Environment, Participates in Turtle Release

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Governor Rick Scott today highlighted investments of more than $4 billion in the Securing Florida’s Future budget. Following the highlight, the Governor Scott participated in a turtle release at Sombrero Beach.

Since Governor Scott took office in 2011, investments to preserve Florida’s environment and protect the state’s iconic beaches, pristine springs and the Florida Everglades have increased by nearly $1 billion. This includes nearly $140 million in investments to protect the Florida Keys and its unique environment:

  • $102 million for Florida Keys Wastewater Treatment upgrades.
  • $24.5 million for Water Quality improvement in the Keys including Clean Marina programs.
  • $6.5 million for Florida Keys State Parks and Trails.
  • $5 million for Land Acquisition to continue protecting the Florida Keys.