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MEGA MILLIONS® jackpot surges to $458 million

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Fourth-Largest Jackpot in the Game’s History

The MEGA MILLIONS® jackpot has continued to roll since January 5, resulting in an estimated $458 million jackpot for the Tuesday, March 27, drawing. Florida players have a chance to become the state’s third MEGA MILLIONS jackpot winner by purchasing a $2 ticket at any of the more than 13,000 Lottery retailers statewide.

Since joining the multi-state MEGA MILLIONS game in 2013, Florida has had more than 39.8 million winning tickets totaling more than $586.6 million in prizes. Additionally, the game has generated more than $359 million for Florida students and schools.

In addition to the jackpot prize, players can win lower-tier prizes ranging from $2 to $5 million by matching any of the non-jackpot-winning combinations. There have been more than 974,000 Florida MEGA MILLIONS winners in this series of rollovers, winning more than $8 million in prizes.

Jackpot prize winners have the option to receive their winnings in 30 annual installments or as a one-time, lump-sum payment of $274 million. Jackpot prizes must be claimed within 60 days of the winning jackpot draw to receive the cash option. Winners have 180 days from the applicable drawing to claim their prize.

Tickets must be purchased by 10:00 p.m. ET on Tuesday to be eligible for the 11:00 p.m. ET drawing. MEGA MILLIONS drawings are broadcast on 17 Lottery carrier stations throughout the state. Drawings are also available for viewing on the Florida Lottery website, flalottery.com. Winning numbers can be found at retailers statewide, on the Lottery’s website and by phone at (850) 921-PLAY.

FWC provides tips for living with alligators

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The American alligator is a conservation success story. Florida has a healthy and stable alligator population, which is estimated at 1.3 million alligators of every size. They are an important part of Florida’s wetlands, but should be regarded with caution and respect.

Alligators become more active and visible during spring when temperatures rise and their metabolism increases. Although serious injuries caused by alligators are rare in Florida, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) recommends taking precautions when having fun in and around the water. Alligators inhabit all 67 counties in Florida and can be found anywhere there is standing water. Reduce the chances of conflicts with alligators by swimming only in designated swimming areas during daylight hours. Also keep pets on a leash and away from the water.

Because alligators control their body temperature by basking in the sun, they may be easily observed. However, the FWC urges people to keep their distance if they see one. And never feed alligators because it is dangerous and illegal.

The FWC places the highest priority on public safety and administers a Statewide Nuisance Alligator Program to address complaints concerning specific alligators. People concerned about an alligator should call the FWC’s toll-free Nuisance Alligator Hotline at 866-FWC-GATOR (392-4286). SNAP uses contracted nuisance alligator trappers throughout the state to remove alligators 4 feet in length or greater that are believed to pose a threat to people, pets or property. The FWC also works diligently to keep Floridians and visitors informed, including providing advice about Living with Alligators.

Learn more about alligators at MyFWC.com/Alligator.

Gov. Rick Scott to Highlight $4 Billion for Florida’s Environment

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MEDIA ADVISORY

Today, March 26th, Governor Rick Scott will highlight investments of more than $4 billion in the Securing Florida’s Future budget at Wekiwa Springs State Park. 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.

WHAT: Environment Budget Highlight

WHEN: 3:00 PM

WHERE: Ranger Academy at Wekiwa Springs State Park
1800 Wekiwa Circle
Apopka, Florida 32712

Monin donates $70,000 to Step Up For Students Scholarship Program

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Monin, Inc., producer of premium syrups, gourmet sauces, fruit purées and fruit smoothie mixes for coffees, iced teas, lemonades, cocktails and more, announced Wednesday a contribution of $70,000 to the Step Up For Students Scholarship Program, which serves lower-income children in Florida. The donation will fund 11 scholarships for the 2017-18 school year.

Bill Lombardo, CEO of Monin, announced the donation at a scholarship celebration event at Guardian Angels Catholic School in Clearwater, where 57 students use the tax-credit scholarship.

Following the scholarship donation announcement, the fifth-grade students at Guardian Angels participated in an activity making a school-themed lemonade and handcrafted soda with flavors provided by Monin.

This is the second consecutive year Monin has partnered with Step Up For Students, bringing the company’s total contribution to $130,000.

“Monin embraces the meaning of generosity and giving back to our community. Our partnership with Step Up For Students allows us to support and improve the lives of people in our Tampa Bay community through K-12 educational scholarships,” said Lombardo. “We are proud of our support of helping develop future leaders.”

Step Up helps administer the Florida Tax Credit Scholarship Program allowing recipients to choose between a scholarship to help with private school tuition and fees, or a transportation scholarship to attend an out-of-district public school.

“Providing access to educational options and finding the right learning environment for all students is vitally important today. We’re grateful that Monin joins us in our mission to provide these opportunities to families that otherwise would not be able to access them,” said Doug Tuthill, Step Up For Students president. “On behalf of Step Up and the families we serve, we thank Monin for your continued support.”

For the 2017-18 school year, Step Up For Students is serving about 100,000 students throughout Florida with tuition scholarships valued at up to $6,343 per student for kindergarten through fifth grade, $6,631 for sixth through eighth grade, and $6,920 for ninth through 12th grade. More than 1,700 private schools participate in the scholarship program statewide.

Florida Ahead of National Average in Reducing Antipsychotic Drug Use in Nursing Homes

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The Agency for Health Care Administration (Agency) today announced continued improvements in nursing homes, specifically in reducing the use of antipsychotic drugs for long-stay nursing home residents. Since the end of 2011, the use of antipsychotic drugs in Florida has fallen by nearly 10 percent. According to federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Florida has not only moved ahead of the national average overall, but also experienced one of the biggest declines in the use of these medications in the country. CMS has launched a national partnership to improve dementia care in nursing homes and lessen the prevalence of antipsychotic medications. The overall mission of the partnership is to increase the use of person-centered practices rather than using pharmaceuticals.

Agency Secretary Justin Senior said, “We are proud of the efforts of nursing homes in Florida to ensure that senior citizens are receiving the best possible care. We work closely with the nursing homes we regulate and industry partners to make continuous improvements to the level of care and customer service that residents receive. Florida continues to outpace the country in the quality of our nursing homes, and I want to thank all of our partners for their commitment to quality health care for some of our most vulnerable patients.”

To learn more about this initiative, click here.

Cooper City man gets birthday surprise playing $1,000 A WEEK FOR LIFE Scratch-Off game

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The Florida Lottery announces that Luis Taborda, of Cooper City, claimed a top prize in the $1,000 A WEEK FOR LIFE Scratch-Off game at Florida Lottery Headquarters in Tallahassee three days after celebrating his 57th birthday. He chose to receive his winnings as a one-time, lump-sum payment of $815,000.00.

Taborda purchased his winning ticket from Marigil Corporation, located at 2315 West 52nd Street in Hialeah. The retailer will receive a $2,000 bonus commission for selling the winning Scratch-Off ticket.

The $2 Scratch-Off game, $1,000 A WEEK FOR LIFE, launched in July and features more than 10 million winning tickets, including eight top prizes of $1,000 a week for life. The game’s overall odds of winning are one-in-4.43.

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.

FAMU Launches Search for Candidates for Five Key Academic Leadership Posts

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Florida A&M University (FAMU) is seeking exemplary candidates for several deans’ positions as well as the superintendent of the FAMU Developmental Research School.

A national search is underway for the deans of the School of Journalism & Graphic Communication; College of Education; College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences; and College of Science and Technology.

Interim Provost Rodner Wright encourages FAMU alumni and stakeholders to recommend candidates who will help FAMU achieve its strategic goals. Attracting and retaining world-class faculty is one of the six priorities in the University’s new five-year strategic plan, “FAMU Rising.”

“We are in search of candidates with visionary leadership,” said Wright. “We want executives who are highly qualified and academically respected in their fields. We are seeking individuals who are student-centered and driven to ensure their success.”

The journalism, pharmacy and education deanships were filled with interims in May 2017 and the science and technology deanship with an interim in February 2017. The superintendent of FAMU DRS position has had an interim since June 2016.

Wright said the goal is to have permanent leadership in place before the start of the fall 2018 semester. The deadline to apply is April 20, 2018, but candidates are encouraged to apply early.

In each of the deans’ positions, a terminal degree in the disciplines represented by the college is required as well as fundraising experience, strong interpersonal and communication skills and a focus on best educational practices.

Information about the search process for all positions, qualifications, and other details are available on FAMU’s Human Resources portal by clicking here.

FAMU has partnered with the Greenwood/Asher & Associates firm to conduct the searches.

Governor Rick Scott and First Lady Ann Scott Announce 2018 Black History Month Student and Teacher Contest Winners

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Student Essay Winners Receive a Four-Year Florida
College Plan from Florida Prepaid College Foundation

Governor Rick Scott and First Lady Ann Scott today announced the 2018 Black History Month student contest winners and Excellence in Education award recipients. This year’s theme was “A Celebration of Innovative African-American Leaders”and the winners were honored last night during the annual Black History Month awards ceremony at the Florida Governor’s Mansion. Black History Month is celebrated every year in Florida during the month of February.

Governor Scott said, “My wife, Ann, and I are honored to celebrate the 2018 Black History Month student and educator contest winners.  It’s great to recognize the hard work of these Florida students and educators and celebrate the contributions and achievements of African-Americans throughout our history.”

First Lady Ann Scott said, “It’s an honor to recognize this year’s Black History Month contest winners and thank all of the outstanding students who participated across the state. It is wonderful to see students taking advantage of this opportunity to earn a four-year Florida College Plan scholarship while learning about Florida’s innovative African-American leaders.”

Volunteer Florida Chief Executive Officer Vivian Myrtetus said, “It was a pleasure joining the Governor and First Lady tonight to recognize and celebrate the outstanding work of Florida students and teachers. We are so thankful to all our sponsors who made this important event possible—especially the Florida Prepaid College Foundation which provided three, four-year college scholarships to our essay contest winners.”

Education Commissioner Pam Stewart said, “It is an honor to join Governor Rick Scott and First Lady Ann Scott in celebrating Black History Month. I applaud these students and educators for the exceptional way in which they recognized the countless African-Americans who have and continue to contribute greatly to our state and nation.”

The 2018 Florida Black History Month theme was “A Celebration of Innovative African American Leaders.”

Award recipients are as follows:

Governor Scott and First Lady Ann Scott honored three outstanding educators with the Excellence in Education Award. These individuals were nominated by students and peers.

Excellence in Education Award winners:

  • Hubert Emile, Wicklow Elementary School in Seminole County.
  • Billy White, Cornerstone Charter Academy in Orange County.
  • Khalifa Stanford, I-Tech Thomas Edison Educational Center in Miami-Dade County.

The following student essay contest winners – one elementary, one middle, and one high school student – earned a four-year Florida College Plan scholarship provided by the Florida Prepaid College Foundation.  

Essay winners:

  • Maiya Bowers, 5th Grade, Florida Virtual Schools in Walton County.
  • Bianca Casher, 8th Grade, Miami Lakes Middle School in Miami-Dade County.
  • Raphael Brosula, 11th Grade, Strawberry Crest High School in Hillsborough County.

Student art contest winners:

  • Kana Reynolds, 1st Grade, Pembroke Pines Charter Elementary School in Broward County, for artwork entitled “Mary McLeod Bethune Opens Doors for Learning.”
  • Raheed Garner, 2nd Grade, JD Parker Elementary in Martin County for artwork entitled “Martin’s Big Words.”
  • Honorable mentions:
    • Julian Bowie, 1st Grade, Central Riverside Elementary School in Duval County, for artwork entitled “A Celebration of Innovative African American Leaders.”
    • Kevin Guo, 3rd Grade, Equestrian Trails Elementary School in Broward County, for artwork entitled “Peace on Earth.”

Volunteer Florida also recognized Champion of Service award winner Jordan Griffin, a Tallahassee Community College student who currently serves as president of the Black Male Achievers Program at TCC.

The Black History Month reception and awards are supported by Volunteer Florida, Florida Prepaid College Foundation, and more.

Volunteer Florida Recognizes Emergency Management Volunteers

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Earlier this week, during Volunteer Florida’s third annual emergency management partner convening meeting in Orlando, the organization recognized Heather Mazurkiewicz, Sonja Sanders and Bill Wealand for excellence in volunteerism.

Volunteer Florida CEO Vivian Myrtetus said, “Last year’s Hurricane Irma caused widespread devastation across the state. During this time of loss, we saw communities come together and we were reminded of the power of selflessness as so many people left behind their own families and homes to come to the aid of others. That spirit is reflected in the emergency management volunteers honored this week who have gone above and beyond the call of duty.”

Volunteer Florida Emergency Management Director Ken Skalitzky said, “Volunteers are critical to every community’s ability to respond to an emergency. They are at the front lines of an emergency situation from the time a threat emerges to well into the recovery phase. They are an integral part of the support systems that must be provided to those in need before, during and after an emergency situation. I commend Heather, Sonja and Bill for their exceptional commitment and dedication to their communities.”

The third annual emergency management partner convening meeting brought together more than 150 government, nonprofit and private sector emergency management leaders from more than 60 organizations across Florida.

About the Volunteers Recognized:

Heather Mazurkiewicz
Heather is the Public Education Officer for the North Collier Fire Control and Rescue District in Naples. She is the Program Manager for their Community Emergency Response Team (CERT). Before, during and after Hurricane Irma, Heather led her team to volunteer more than 2,000 hours. The volunteers were used to evacuate elderly persons to shelters, they also staffed shelters, phone banks, food and water distribution sites, conducted community assessments and distributed community safety messages door to door. Additionally, she has trained more than 200 new CERT volunteers since the hurricane and has more than 70 people attend her monthly alumni meetings. Heather also serves as a volunteer firefighter.

Sonja Sanders
Sonja is a volunteer with the American Red Cross. She began as a volunteer in 1990 at Eglin Air Force Base Hospital specializing in administrative support and patient care. She continues to volunteer with the American Red Cross serving as the disaster chair for the entire Disaster Leadership Team in the 10 northwestern counties of the Florida Panhandle. As the lead liaison to the Florida SECO, Sonja has deployed and responded to over 30 National Disaster Operations. Sonja was deployed in Tallahassee for Hurricane Irma for 13 weeks. She is also a nationally recognized Red Cross Disaster Instructor for multiple exercises that include training.

Bill Wealand
Bill started a disaster ministries program in Ohio through United Church of Christ (UCC). In 1998, he began a disaster ministries program in Florida through UCC. That same year, Bill became the UCC representative for the Florida VOAD. After Bill retired from United Church of Christ, he continued part time as the disaster ministries coordinator until 2017. In 2017, Bill began the emotional and spiritual care program through the Florida VOAD and coordinated his efforts through FEMA.

Nelson, FL lawmakers call on state to help communities facing economic hardship

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U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson (D-FL) and a group of Florida lawmakers sent a letter to Gov. Rick Scott Thursday urging him to designate communities in Florida facing the greatest amount of economic hardship as “opportunity zones,” to encourage more private investment and economic growth in those areas.

“One thing we should all be able to agree on is that more needs to be done to help expand economic opportunity in the state, particularly in those communities with limited access to affordable healthcare, quality education, and affordable housing,” the lawmakers wrote.

Under the tax code, governors can designate up to 25 percent of eligible low-income communities in each state as opportunity zones—whereby investors can get a tax break if they invest in the area.

The lawmakers went on to highlight areas of the state facing the greatest challenges: “As you know, many parts of Florida have not fared well over the last several years, including many rural areas and communities of color. Therefore, we ask that you designate areas as opportunities zones based on the amount of economic hardship they face—with special consideration for Historically Underutilized Business Zones (HUBZones) … areas with a readily retrain-able workforce, economically-depressed rural areas, and other areas that have not benefitted from some of the decisions made by state officials in recent years.”

There are over 1,699 low-income community census tracts in Florida, allowing Gov. Scott to designate more than 400 communities.

In addition to Nelson, the letter was signed by Florida Reps. Charlie Crist, Kathy Castor, Val Demings, Alcee Hastings, Al Lawson, Stephanie Murphy, Darren Soto and Debbie Wasserman Schultz.

Following is text of the letter and a .pdf copy is available here.

March 22, 2018

The Honorable Richard Scott
Governor, State of Florida
Plaza 05, The Capitol
400 South Monroe St.
Tallahassee, FL 32399-001

Dear Governor Scott,

We are writing about the designation of opportunity zones in Florida and the need to help communities facing economic hardship. One thing we should all be able to agree on is that more needs to be done to help expand economic opportunity in the state, particularly in those communities with limited access to affordable healthcare, quality education, and affordable housing.

As you know, many parts of Florida have not fared well over the last several years, including many rural areas and communities of color. Over 2.9 million Floridians live in poverty, including 21 percent of children in the state. Meanwhile, over 2.4 million Floridians lack health insurance and around 52 percent of the state is burdened with student loan debt, amounting to about $80 billion in total outstanding debt. Around 70 percent of low-income renters are stuck paying more than 40 percent of their income to rent, over 32,000 Floridians are known to be homeless—living on the street, in shelters, or in places deemed uninhabitable for humans—and far too many homeowners in the state still have underwater mortgages. All the while, since 2015, there’s been over 250 mass layoffs.

Federal law gives you the opportunity to fix this and finally give these communities the attention they deserve. Under the new tax law, you can designate 25 percent of eligible census tracts as opportunity zones—where investors can earn investment income tax-free and, in the process, help these communities emerge from years of neglect. Regardless of how you feel about the new tax law, we believe it’s important to work together to ensure the law is working in the best interests of those most in need, and not just for the well-connected.

Therefore, we ask that you designate areas as opportunities zones based on the amount of economic hardship they face—with special consideration for Historically Underutilized Business Zones (HUBZones), areas with attractive private investment opportunities that can leverage existing assets such as transit infrastructure and access to other investment incentive programs, areas with a readily retrain-able workforce, economically-depressed rural areas, and other areas that have not benefitted from some of the decisions made by state officials in recent years. In making this decision, we also ask that you listen to local leaders, who know their communities best.

We greatly appreciate your attention to this matter and stand ready to help you build a better and brighter Florida.

Sincerely,