The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services today announced that Duval County students will enjoy Florida-grown strawberries during school meals throughout the remainder of growing season. The department’s Farm to School program helped facilitate Duval County Public Schools’ purchase of approximately 8,800 pounds of Florida strawberries from Wish Farms, located in Plant City, Fla.
Harris Wishnatzki began selling produce from a pushcart in 1900, which led to starting a wholesale business in 1922. Over the last 90 years, Wishtnatzki’s family helped Wish Farms evolve by adopting innovative practices. Wish Farms grows conventional and organic strawberry varieties and utilizes “How’s My Picking?” This patented tool ties consumer feedback to specific information from each day’s harvest to ensure quality. Today, Wish Farms is owned by third generation family owner, Gary Wishnatzki.
The Farm to School program also helped connect the Columbia County School District’s distributor with multiple growers in Hillsborough County to facilitate a purchase of more than 650 pounds of strawberries.
The Farm to School program connects K-12 schools with Florida farmers and growers to provide locally grown produce to students during school meals. Since 2015, the Farm to School program has facilitated the purchase of nearly 600,000 pounds of fresh, seasonal produce to Florida schools through opportunity buys.
The Farm to School program positively impacts local economies, reduces transportation costs and helps preserve farms and farmland. Producers interested in providing fresh fruit and vegetables to local schools should contact Beth Spratt at 850-617-7419 or [email protected].
For more information about the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, visit FreshFromFlorida.com.
Senator Tom Lee Files Legislation to Protect Florida's Seniors from Financial Fraud
Senator Tom Lee (R-Thonotosassa) announced today the filing of the “Protecting Florida Seniors from Financial Fraud Act,” a piece of legislation devised to safeguard Floridians in Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRCs).
“Unfortunately, the conduct of a few bad actors, specifically the management of one CCRC in my community, has highlighted the need to increase oversight of these organizations,” Senator Lee said. “Current statute does not adequately protect residents and employees against facility insolvency, loss of provider assets, and loss of resident investments. It’s essential to address these issues to ensure CCRCs can fulfill their obligations to one of the most vulnerable segments of our population.”
There are 71 licensed CCRCs in Florida serving more than 31,000 residents. The Office of Insurance Regulation (Office) is responsible for regulating a CCRC’s financial solvency, residency contracts, and the disclosures made to prospective residents.
“So many seniors pour their life savings into the promise of one-stop care during their retirement years—care that CCRCs promise to them,” said CFO Jeff Atwater. “It’s shameful to see a few bad players misuse and abuse that money and promise, stealing their life savings and leaving them without a viable, long-term alternative. These common sense solutions will put added protections in place, and I support this consumer-centric legislation.”
The legislation, sponsored by Representative Cyndi Stevenson in the House, requires CCRCs to retain reserves to protect residents and their families, increases the Office’s authority to prohibit hazardous practices and transactions, streamlines the acquisition process to reduce the burdens on applicants, and creates an “impairment” framework to allow for earlier intervention to prevent harm to Florida consumers and their investments.
“Recent events have brought to light weaknesses in the CCRC industry and its regulation,” said Representative Stevenson. “I am introducing this legislation to strengthen the industry and protect residents. I’ve worked closely with the Office of Insurance Regulation, the CFO, and Senator Lee to craft a bill that balances the interests of residents and the needs of the industry, and that provides new authority to protect the substantial investments made and the long-term promises exchanged. The bill streamlines regulation while enhancing protections where they matter most.”
“The decision to join a CCRC represents a substantial investment of assets, time and trust for a resident and their family. I applaud Senator Lee and Representative Stevenson’s sponsorship of this important legislation to further strengthen protections for these residents by increasing financial safeguards and fixing provisions under current law that act as a deterrent to regulatory oversight for those with bad intentions,” said Insurance Commissioner David Altmaier.
Gov. Rick Scott to Host Fighting for Florida Jobs Roundtable in Hialeah
Tomorrow, March 2, Governor Rick Scott will host a Fighting for Florida Jobs Roundtable with business owners, economic development leaders, tourism leaders, and community members to discuss the local economic impact of VISIT FLORIDA and Enterprise Florida.
WHAT: Fighting for Florida Jobs Roundtable
WHEN: 4:00 PM
WHERE: La Carreta Restaurant
5350 West 16th. Avenue, 2nd. Floor
Hialeah, FL 33012
Miami man claims share of $1.6 million LUCKY MONEY jackpot
The Florida Lottery announces that Luis Gonzalez, 56, of Miami, claimed his $800,000 share of the $1.6 million LUCKY MONEY™ jackpot from the February 7, 2017, drawing at Florida Lottery Headquarters in Tallahassee. The other jackpot-winning ticket, also purchased in Miami, was claimed on February 13, 2017.
Gonzalez chose to receive his winnings as a one-time, lump-sum payment of $585,612.51. He purchased his winning LUCKY MONEY ticket from Supertony Oil Inc., located at 13701 Southwest 42nd Street in Miami.
Total ticket sales for this LUCKY MONEY jackpot generated more than $1.75 million for the Educational Enhancement Trust Fund.
The next LUCKY MONEY drawing will be tonight, February 28, 2017, at 11:15 p.m. ET, with a $700,000 jackpot. The LUCKY MONEY drawings are broadcast on 17 carrier stations throughout the state. Winning numbers are available on the Lottery website, at retailers statewide and by phone at (850) 921-PLAY.
Media Advisory: Women's History Month Community Luncheon
Tallahassee’s biggest celebration of Women’s History Month.
Local history-making women and girls to be recognized.
On Thursday, March 2, 2017 more than 200 people will attend the sold-out Women’s History Month Community Luncheon event hosted by The Oasis Center for Women & Girls to kick-off Women’s History Month.
The event will be emceed by Tallahassee/Leon County Commission on the Status of Women and Girls Chair, Paula DeBoles-Johnson, awards will be presented by Representative Loranne Ausley, keynote presentation by Ms. Althemese Barnes, and proclamations declaring March as Women’s History Month in both Tallahassee and Leon County will be presented by City Commissioner Nancy Miller and County Commissioner Kristin Dozier. There will be a special musical performance by Rachel Hillman.
Eight local women and girls will be recognized at the event in honor of their contributions which have shaped history, including Taylor Biro, Dr. Charmane Caldwell, Alexandra Dotson, Dr. Andrea Friall, Merry Ann Frisby, Rebecca Kelly-Manders, Patricia McCray, and Barbara Wescott.
Who: The Oasis Center for Women & Girls
What: Women’s History Month Community Luncheon
When: Thursday, March 2, 2017, 11:30 am – 1 pm
Where: St. John’s Episcopal Church, 211 N Monroe St, Tallahassee, FL 32301
KTC Enterprises Partnership claims $13 million FLORIDA LOTTO jackpot
The Florida Lottery announces that the Managing Partner of KTC Enterprises Partnership, Brian Tamoney, 63, of Boca Raton, claimed the $13 million FLORIDA LOTTO® jackpot from the drawing held on February 1, 2017.
KTC Enterprises Partnership chose to receive the winnings as a one-time, lump-sum payment of $8,804,471.00. The jackpot-winning FLORIDA LOTTO Quick Pick ticket was purchased from Publix, located at 1968 Northeast 5th Avenue in Boca Raton. The retailer received a bonus commission of $65,000 for selling the jackpot-winning FLORIDA LOTTO ticket. Total ticket sales for this jackpot generated more than $11 million for the Educational Enhancement Trust Fund (EETF).
The next FLORIDA LOTTO drawing will be held Wednesday, March 1, 2017, at 11:15 p.m. ET, with a $9 million jackpot. FLORIDA LOTTO drawings are broadcast on 17 carrier stations throughout the state. Drawings are also available for viewing on the Florida Lottery website. Winning numbers are available on the Lottery website, at retailers statewide and by phone at (850) 921-PLAY.
Gov. Rick Scott Appoints Carlos Beruff as Chairman to Florida Constitution Revision Commission
Governor Rick Scott announced today the appointment of Carlos Beruff as Chairman to the Florida Constitution Revision Commission (CRC). The other 14 members appointed by the Governor to the 37–member Commission will be announced in the coming days. The CRC convenes every 20 years to review Florida’s Constitution and propose potential changes to be approved by Florida voters. Any potential changes to the constitution proposed by the Florida Constitution Revision Commission will be on the ballot to be voted on by Florida residents in November 2018.
Governor Scott said, “I am proud today to appoint Carlos Beruff as Chairman of the Florida Constitution Revision Commission. Carlos is a lifelong Floridian who has lived the American dream in our great state. A son of Cuban immigrants, Carlos started out as a small business owner and over three decades, grew his company and provided jobs to thousands of Floridians along the way. My goal for the CRC is to fight for policies that will ensure a strong future for Florida and I know Carlos also shares this vision. As we undertake this historic review, I am hopeful that this Commission will propose policies that build a legacy upon which the families and businesses in our great state will thrive for generations to come.”
Carlos Beruff, Chairman
The son of Cuban immigrants, Carlos Beruff is a native Floridian whose business sense and hard work have allowed him to build an incredibly successful career in both his private business and the public sector. At age 22, Mr. Beruff started his first business and over time, Medallion Home became one of the most respected companies in Manatee and Sarasota Counties. During his more than 35-year career as a business owner, Mr. Beruff has built more than 2,000 homes and developed, owned and managed dozens of other properties, employing thousands of people in the process.
In addition to his work in the private sector, Mr. Beruff has volunteered his business experience, giving back to his community to bring real solutions to the problems facing Floridians. Mr. Beruff has previously served on the Board of Trustees of the State College of Florida (SCF) and the Southwest Florida Water Management District, helping these organizations to cut government bureaucracy and wasteful spending – saving millions in taxpayer dollars. Mr. Beruff also served as the Chairman for Governor Scott’s Commission on Healthcare and Hospital Funding. Currently, Mr. Beruff is a commissioner on the Sarasota Manatee Airport Authority Board, a position he was appointed to in 2008 and reappointed to by Governor Rick Scott.
Mr. Beruff is a member of the National Home Builders Association and the Home Builders Association Manatee-Sarasota. He has served on the Board of Directors for Junior Achievement Sarasota/Manatee and the Boys and Girls Club of Manatee.
State Sen. Daphne Campbell Files Bill to Add Mental Health Evaluation Criteria Requirement for Firearms License
Across the nation, mental illness and guns have collided with increasing frequency, laying waste to hundreds of lives and leaving grieving families to pick up the pieces.
Determined to put a dent in those numbers, State Senator Daphne Campbell (D-Miami) has filed SB 956, which would require the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services to add a mental health evaluation component to an application for a license to carry a concealed weapon or firearm.
“My bill will require a mental health evaluation to be conducted by a clinical psychologist or psychiatrist. Too many times, we’ve seen the tragic consequences of the mentally unstable wielding a gun and the innocent victims who have paid the price for the madness. This is a basic measure to determine the mental stability of those seeking to carry a weapon,” said Senator Campbell.
Currently anyone can apply for a license to carry concealed weapons and their mental health is not a consideration. “This has to change. We must do more to protect our citizens and to prevent gun violence and the many tragedies we have seen repeated over and over. When the Federal government fails to pass legislation, then we must tackle this issue state-by-state,” said Senator Campbell.
A study conducted by the University of Nevada-Reno and Harvard School of Public Health found that the homicide rate in America is 25 times higher than in comparable nations. And the most common form of gun abuse is not from mass shootings, but from abusive domestic partners. “The violence must end. Senseless deaths have to cease. Tragedies must be prevented. This bill will add a commonsense requirement to the issuing of firearm permits as a measure to protect the most vulnerable victims of gun violence,” said Senator Campbell.
Data on gun homicides and now fatal shootings are available to the public thanks to the Gun Violence Archive. You can find data on shootings that have occurred in your vicinity with your address by clicking here.
$218,000 FANTASY 5 ticket set to expire
The Florida Lottery today announced that a FANTASY 5® top prize-winning ticket worth $218,465.68 remains unclaimed. The 180-day deadline to claim the top prize is Wednesday, March 15, 2017, at midnight ET.
The winning FANTASY 5 numbers for the September 16, 2016, drawing were:
02 – 04 – 09 – 21 – 35
The winning free Quick Pick ticket was sold at Discount Beverage, located at 304 U.S. Highway 17-92 North in Davenport. Players who may have purchased a FANTASY 5 ticket at this retail location are encouraged to check their tickets for the September 16 drawing.
While any Florida Lottery retailer can validate the winning ticket, the FANTASY 5 top prize must be claimed at a Florida Lottery district office or at Florida Lottery Headquarters in Tallahassee. Players can obtain additional information by calling the Lottery’s Customer Service Department at (850) 487-7787 or visiting the Florida Lottery’s website at www.flalottery.com.
FANTASY 5 is a pari-mutuel game in which players win the top prize by matching 5-of-5 winning numbers drawn in any order. Additionally, players win cash prizes or a free Quick Pick ticket by matching two, three or four of the numbers drawn in the official drawing for the date played. If there is no top prize winner, the money in the top prize pool rolls down and is shared among players who match 4-of-5 or 3-of-5 winning numbers.
Since the game’s inception, more than 705 million FANTASY 5 winners have won more than $4 billion in prizes. Of these, more than 51,000 players have won top prizes totaling more than $2.3 billion.
Super heroes to host free Community Associations Day event
The Community Associations Institute (CAI) of West Florida, a non-profit organization that provides education and resources for community associations, is scheduled to host their annual Community Associations Day (CA Day) event on Thursday, Mar. 9, from 8:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. in the Bradenton Area Convention Center.
CA Day is one of the largest annual educational expositions in the area and will feature board certification classes, prizes, legal Q&A sessions and booths from over 170 local businesses. The event is free to attend, however due to high-demand, organizers urge attendees to pre-register here.
The theme for this year’s CA Day is ‘Be A Community Super Hero.’ Those visiting the event are likely to see caped crusaders attending the booths and are welcome to dress up like their favorite super hero to get in on the fun.
In addition to meeting community heroes from their area, attendees should expect to gain valuable knowledge about how to get involved in their own community association or start a career in association management.
“We are so excited to host this event for the community and thankful for the sponsors that make it possible,” said Karin Mayfield, executive director of CAI West Florida. “Quite often, many of our classes end up being standing room only, so it is important for those planning on coming out to pre-register.”
To learn more about CAI West Florida or CA Day, please visit www.caiwestflorida.org/site_home.cfm.
About CAI West Florida
CAI West Florida is the local chapter of CAI, a national organization that provides education and resources for community associations. The chapter is proud to have served Manatee, Sarasota and Desoto counties for over 29 years and now has approximately 750 members who are involved with condominium associations, co-ops and homeowners associations.
About CAI
CAI (Community Associations Institute) is a national non-profit membership organization dedicated to fostering vibrant, competent, harmonious common-interest communities. Founded in 1973, CAI and its 60+ chapters provide education, tools and resources to the volunteers who govern communities and the professionals who support them. CAI’s 30,000-plus members include community association volunteer leaders (homeowners), professional association managers and management firms, and other professionals who provide products and services to community associations.
