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Women at Volunteer Florida Lead by Example in Local Community

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Volunteer Florida, the state agency responsible for promoting volunteerism and national service, boasts a staff of accomplished women, many of whom were recently recognized for their dedication to serving the community.

“I am extremely proud of these women,” said Vivian Myrtetus, CEO of Volunteer Florida. “They exemplify the values of Volunteer Florida both at work and in their spare time.”

National Service Programs Director, Cat Keen, is a former honoree of the Tallahassee Democrat’s “25 Women You Need to Know,” and she was recently elected as Vice President of Club 25. This nonprofit organization is comprised of other honorees who donate their time, resources and expertise to empower women and make Tallahassee a better place for all to live.

Cat was also selected to participate in the upcoming class of Leadership Tallahassee, a year-long program designed to encourage interaction among local leaders and facilitate community involvement, including rigorous curriculum, assessments and mentoring.

Deputy Director of Emergency Management, Marcia Warfel, was chosen to serve as a Community Catalyst – an agent of change who helps implement a community-wide project to support Tallahassee’s economic mobility – by the Knight Creative Communities Institute. Additionally, she was also recognized as one of the “25 Women You Need to Know,” as well as a Women of Distinction through the Girls Scouts of the Florida Panhandle.

The following are other recent achievements among Volunteer Florida employees:

  • Anitra Thomas, AmeriCorps Program Manager, was also honored at Tallahassee Community College’s Women’s History Month program.
  • Volunteer Generation Fund Manager, Audrey Kidwell, was appointed to serve on the Tallahassee/Leon County Animal Shelter Advisory Board.
  • Jane Atkinson, AmeriCorps Program Manager, was selected to join the Advisory Board of UKirk, the Presbyterian Church Campus Ministry at Florida State University.

Volunteer Florida is the Governor’s lead agency for volunteerism and national service in Florida, administering more than $32 million in federal, state and local funding to deliver high-impact national service and volunteer programs in Florida. Volunteer Florida promotes and encourages volunteerism to meet critical needs across the state, and also serves as Florida’s lead agency for volunteers and donations before, during and after disasters. For more information, please visit volunteerflorida.org.

Florida Department of Corrections Cuts To “Re-Entry Programs” Result in Hundreds of Lost Jobs and Treatment Services

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MEDIA ADVISORY

The Florida Alcohol and Drug Abuse Association, Bridges International, United Way of Broward County, The Transition House, SMA Behavioral Health and Fellowship Living Facilities will be holding a press conference at a work-release facility in Pompano Beach on Tuesday, May 22, 2018. The facility that once housed over 100 therapeutic beds now stands vacant due to cuts recently made by the Florida Department of Corrections (DOC). DOC cut the programs to find additional dollars to fund other healthcare programs. The DOC cuts will also mean hundreds of lost jobs.

Without intervention by the Governor or the Legislature, the cuts are scheduled to be implemented within the week.

WHO: Florida Alcohol and Drug Abuse Association, Bridges International, United Way of Broward County, The Transition House, SMA Behavioral Health, Fellowship Living Facilities

WHAT: Impact of DOC Cuts to Community Correctional Treatment Programs

WHEN: Tuesday, May 22 at 10:00 a.m.

WHERE: The Turning Point Bridge Community Release Center
400 SW 2nd Street
Pompano Beach, FL 33060

***Please note there will also be a brief tour of the, now empty, dormitory.

Combee for Congress Proud to Announce Key Hillsborough County Endorsements

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Florida State Representative Lawrence McClure, Former State Representatives Rachel Burgin and Carl Carpenter, and Mayor of Temple Terrace Dr. Mel Jurado have announced their support of Neil Combee for Florida Congressional District 15.

“Neil is a proven conservative who has worked tirelessly to see our country and President Trump succeed. As a rancher, Neil is uniquely qualified to advocate for our agricultural industry. I am proud to endorse Neil Combee to represent us in Washington,” Representative Lawrence McClure said.

Fmr. State Representative Rachel Burgin said, “Neil Combee is a man with true grit. We need champions in Washington who will stand up and fight for their constituents back home. With his proven track record in public service, and his strong agricultural background, I believe Neil Combee is the best person to fight for our freedom and personal liberties in Washington, D.C.”

“I’ve seen a lot of Congressmen come and go. Neil Combee is the real deal and is the only candidate that can keep the liberals at bay,” Fmr. State Rep. Carl Carpenter said.

“I have been privileged to work alongside Neil Combee on policy and governance issues. What I know about N.E.I.L.:
N.o-nonsense — not about ‘yaption’, but about ‘action’
E.xcellence — high standards, with an expectation of results
I.ntegrity– character-driven
L.eadership– specifically, Neil is a servant-leader, focused on delivering what benefits others, not self.
This is why I support Neil Combee to be our next Congressman,” Temple Terrace Mayor Dr. Mel Jurado stated.

“The momentum is continuing to build, and I am so excited to have these great folks in Hillsborough give their endorsements. They will go a long way to helping us win this Primary,” Neil Combee responded.

These endorsements join the growing list of endorsements by State Rep. Ben Albritton, State Rep. Mike LaRosa, State Rep. Josie Tomkow, Fmr. State Rep. John Wood, Mayor Tim Pospichal of Auburndale, Mayor Joe LaCascia of Polk City, Former State Senator and Former Florida State House Representative J.D. Alexander, Former State Attorney Jerry Hill, Former Polk County Commissioner and Former Mayor of Auburndale Jack Myers, Former Polk County Commissioner Jerry Carter, Former Lakeland City Commissioner Don Gifford, Former Polk County Commissioner and member of the Southwest Florida Water Management District Governing Board Paul Senft, Lake County Sheriff Peyton Grinnell, Lake County Property Appraiser Carey Baker, Florida State Senator Dennis Baxley, and Lake County Commissioner Sean Parks. There will be many more to come.

Paid for by Friends of Neil Combee

Mayor Roberto Martell Endorses Diaz

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As he adds his name to a growing list of area mayors endorsing Diaz, the Town
of Medley Mayor says Diaz is fully prepared for leadership in the Florida Senate

The Manny Diaz Campaign today announced the endorsement of Roberto Martell, Mayor of the Town of Medley. Diaz has represented District 103 in the Florida House of Representatives since 2012 and is seeking the District 36 seat in the state senate. Martell joins a growing number of Miami-Dade County mayors in backing Diaz’s Senate bid.

“There is no question that Manny Diaz is fully prepared to be an outstanding senator,” said Martell. “His time in the Florida House has been characterized by forward thinking, hard work, and attention to constituent needs. He has been a strong partner for the Town of Medley, and I look forward to continuing to work with him.”

After being elected to the Medley Town Council in 2008, Martell was elected Mayor in 2012 and re-elected in 2016. Governor Rick Scott appointed him to the Metropolitan Planning Organization of Miami-Dade County in 2016. Since starting Martell Construction in 1987, he has earned a reputation in the industry for honesty and a high level of expertise. He founded the Town of Medley Chamber of Commerce in 2010 and is the recipient of numerous awards and recognitions for his public service.

“Mayor Martell is an outstanding leader,” said Diaz. “It’s been a privilege to work with him on behalf of the citizens of Medley, and I’m honored by his endorsement. I look forward to continuing to partner with him and all the local leaders in Miami-Dade County.”

In addition to Martell, Diaz has also been endorsed by several other Miami-Dade mayors, including Mayor Carlos Hernandez of Hialeah; Mayor JC Bermudez of Doral; Mayor Yioset De La Cruz of Hialeah Gardens; and Mayor Manny Cid of Miami Lakes.

ON THE WEB:  votemannydiazjr.com

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

Gov. Scott: $3.5 Million in Florida Defense Grants Awarded for Military Community

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Governor Scott today announced nearly $3.5 million will be awarded to support community projects at military installations across the state. The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) administers the Defense Infrastructure Grant Program and the Defense Reinvestment Grant Program, which protects Florida’s military bases by providing funding for local infrastructure and land acquisition needs, as well as assisting communities surrounding military instillations in diversifying their economies. Florida’s military installations contribute more than $84.9 billion in economic impact and the defense industry supports nearly 800,000 jobs in the state.

Governor Scott said, “Florida is the most military-friendly state in the nation, and as a Navy Veteran myself, I am proud to announce our state will be providing nearly $3.5 million in additional defense grants dedicated to supporting Florida’s military communities. Our military installations are the backbone of many great Florida communities.”

Cissy Proctor, Executive Director of the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity, said, “Defense communities play a large role in Florida’s robust economy. We are proud to invest in our military installations and the local communities they support.”

Defense Infrastructure Grants are awarded to communities for improving areas surrounding military installations. This will positively impact an area’s military value and its community. The 2018-2019 Defense Infrastructure Grants were awarded to defense partners in Bay, Brevard, Clay, Duval, Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.

Defense Reinvestment Grants are provided to communities to help support the needs of a military installation or to help expand the community’s non-defense economy. The 2018-2019 Defense Reinvestment Grants were awarded to defense partners in Bay, Brevard, Clay, Duval, Escambia, Hillsborough, Miami-Dade, Okaloosa, Orange, Santa Rosa and Walton counties.

Click here to learn more about the award winners.

Win millions instantly with three new Scratch-Off games from the Florida Lottery

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The Florida Lottery introduces three new Scratch-Off games today that offer more than $103 million in total cash prizes. The games, POWER 5’S, MONEY BAGS, and DICE DOUBLER, range in price from $1 to $5. All Lottery retailers are expected to have these new tickets in stock and available for purchase within 72 hours.

The $5 game, POWER 5’S, features more than $59 million in cash prizes, including ten top prizes of $250,000! Overall odds of winning are one-in-4.03.

Win up to $30,000 instantly with MONEY BAGS! This $2 game features over $32.7 million in prizes, including ten top prizes of $30,000. Overall odds of winning are one-in-4.36.

For just $1, players can win up to $5,000 with DICE DOUBLER. There are more than four million winning tickets totaling over $12.5 million in cash prizes! The game’s overall odds of winning are one-in-4.87.

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

PSC Urges Floridians to Prepare for 2018 Hurricane Season

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With last year’s Atlantic storm season among the strongest, the Florida Public Service Commission (PSC) urges residents to prepare now for the 2018 hurricane season, which runs from June 1 to November 30.

“Hurricane preparedness should top our to-do lists,” said PSC Chairman Art Graham.  “Preparation is the best protection against dangerous storms. Build an emergency storm supply kit, gather important utility contact information, and prepare your home to help keep your family protected.”

Chairman Graham said the PSC’s website has planning tools to assist consumers with hurricane season preparation. The PSC’s “Hurricane House,” in English and Spanish, includes 19 preparation tips for your home and your family, from planning an evacuation route, to installing carbon monoxide detectors and dealing with downed power lines. You can also find a consumer tip on making a hurricane kit, as well as a consumer tip on storm preparation.

The PSC also ensures the state’s electric utilities are prepared for storm season. Utility storm plans are designed to minimize outages and help communities, businesses, and families return to normalcy as quickly as possible. The plans include PSC-mandated storm preparedness initiatives:

  • facility inspections, maintenance, and repairs;
  • vegetation management;
  • flooding and storm surge mitigation;
  • wooden pole inspections; and
  • coordination with other utilities, government, and community groups.

In October 2017, the PSC opened a docket to review utilities’ storm preparation and restoration experiences. Information was gathered in the docket and through utility presentations at a PSC workshop on May 2-3.  The information will be used to complete a report and recommendations for further reducing outages and restoration times, expected to be presented to the Commission at a June 19 Internal Affairs Meeting.

The workshop agenda, fact sheet on storm preparedness and restoration initiatives, and utility presentations can be found here. You can view the archived workshop video here.

St. Augustine woman claims top prize in new FLORIDA 20X THE CASH Scratch-Off game

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The Florida Lottery announces that Felicia Carswell, 52, of St. Augustine, claimed a $1 million top prize in the FLORIDA 20X THE CASH 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.

Carswell purchased her winning ticket from Shell, located at 216 South Ponce de Leon Boulevard in St. Augustine. The retailer will receive a $2,000 bonus commission for selling the winning Scratch-Off ticket.

The new $5 game, FLORIDA 20X THE CASH, launched on January 15, and features 14 top prizes of $1 million, and more than $110 million in cash prizes. The game’s overall odds of winning are one-in-4.22.

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.

Combee for Congress Proud to Announce Third Wave of Endorsements

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Lake County Sheriff Peyton Grinnell, Lake County Property Appraiser Carey Baker, Florida State Senator Dennis Baxley, and Lake County Commissioner Sean Parks have announced their support of Neil Combee for Florida Congressional District 15.

Lake County Sheriff Peyton Grinnell says, “It is important to me that we have someone in Congress that will support those of us who protect the community. I have no doubt that Neil Combee will fight for law enforcement personnel and others who keep our country safe.”

“Keeping costs down for homeowners and simplifying the tax system for everyone is very important to me, and I know Neil will fight to do this in Washington. Additionally, I know Neil is committed to supporting our military, veterans, and our 2nd Amendment rights. I’m proud to support Neil for Congress,” Lake County Property Appraiser Carey Baker stated.

“Neil is the best person for this job because of his service. No candidate will fight to Make America Great Again and help the President on Capitol Hill like Neil Combee. That’s why I’m behind Combee for Congress 100%,” State Senator Dennis Baxley stated.

Lake County Commissioner Sean Parks said, “I’m endorsing Neil Combee for Congress because of his history of fighting for the average person, and for working to keep Florida and this country good for small business and workers.”

“To have these key folks in Lake County support me and my campaign means the world to me. I have great respect for all of them, and it warms my heart to know that these great leaders in Lake County believe in me and my campaign to be the next congressman for Florida’s 15th Congressional District,” Neil Combee responded.

These endorsements join the growing list of endorsements by State Rep. Ben Albritton, State Rep. Mike LaRosa, State Rep. Josie Tomkow, Fmr. State Rep. John Wood, Mayor Tim Pospichal of Auburndale, Mayor Joe LaCascia of Polk City, Former State Senator and Former Florida State House Representative J.D. Alexander, Former State Attorney Jerry Hill, Former Polk County Commissioner and Former Mayor of Auburndale Jack Myers, Former Polk County Commissioner Jerry Carter, Former Lakeland City Commissioner Don Gifford, and Former Polk County Commissioner and member of the Southwest Florida Water Management District Paul Senft. There will be many more to come.

Paid for by Friends of Neil Combee