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Gov. Scott Attends Pasco County Sheriff’s Office Law Enforcement Memorial Service

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Governor Rick Scott today attended the annual Pasco County Sheriff’s Office Law Enforcement Memorial Service to honor the officers who have died in the line of duty in Pasco County. At the ceremony, Gov. Scott emphasized the importance of supporting and thanking our law enforcement officers.

Gov. Scott said, “Our law enforcement officers leave their families and go to work every day to protect others. We truly cannot thank these men and women enough for the life-saving work they do to protect the families in our state. We will never forget the sacrifice of all those brave men and women who have died in the line of duty.”

Commissioner Adam Putnam Reminds Floridians to Report Arson During National Arson Awareness Week

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This Arson Awareness Week, May 6-12, Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam and the Florida Forest Service are reminding Floridians to help prevent wildfires by reporting suspected arson. Since the beginning of 2018, arsonists have started approximately 236 wildfires in Florida that have burned more than 4,620 acres.

“Unfortunately, man-made fires have exacerbated an already active wildfire season this year due to continuing drought conditions,” said Commissioner Adam H. Putnam, “With the help of Floridians, we can stop arsonists in their tracks and protect residents, property and wildlife from wildfire.”

The willful, malicious or intentional burning of forest, grass or woodlands not owned by the person burning is a felony punishable by a fine of up to $5,000, five years in prison or both.

“If you see suspicious activity, report it. The best way to stop arsonists is to let them know you’re watching,” said Jim Karels, State Forester and Director of the Florida Forest Service. “We will not tolerate anyone who intentionally endangers Floridians and our visitors.”

To report suspicious wildfire activity, contact the Florida Forestry Arson Alert Association at 1-800-342-5869 or your local Florida Forest Service field unit. Callers can remain anonymous, and information that leads to the apprehension of an arsonist could result in a reward of up to $5,000. When reporting suspected wildland arson activity, callers should remember the following tips:

  • After calling 911, call 1-800-342-5869;
  • Do not approach the suspect;
  • Identify vehicle descriptions and license plates;
  • Identify physical descriptions of suspects; and
  • Identify the location where the suspicious behavior was observed.

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.

Ronald Reagan Boulevard Lane Closures Scheduled for Tonight

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Lane closures are scheduled along westbound Ronald Reagan Boulevard/County Road (C.R.) 427 at U.S. 17/92 beginning Friday, May 4, from about 8:30 p.m. through 6:30 a.m. on Monday May 7. The contractor will close two through lanes and one of the left turn lanes to place concrete pavement.

During the work, drivers continuing west on Ronald Reagan Boulevard, and those turning right onto U.S. 17/92, will use the right turn lane. (Please see map below).

The work is part of a Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) project to widen U.S. 17/92 from four to six lanes from Shepard Road to Lake Mary Boulevard.

Please note construction schedules may change due to weather or other circumstances. Electronic message boards will be used to alert motorists to lane closures and detours, and updates will be available on the FDOT’s Central Florida website CFLRoads.com.

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

FDOT advises drivers to slow down and use extra caution in construction zones.

PSC Sets Hearing on TECO’s Solar Project Cost Recovery

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The Florida Public Service Commission (PSC) will hold a hearing to consider Tampa Electric Company’s (TECO) petition for cost recovery for two solar projects on Tuesday, May 8, 2018, at 1:30 p.m.

As part of TECO’s 2017 Settlement Agreement, the utility can seek approval to recover costs for up to 150 megawatts of new solar generation, in service by September 1, 2018, through a Solar Base Rate Adjustment. Located in Polk County, the Payne Creek project is a 70.3 MW solar facility, and the Balm project is a 74.4 MW solar facility in Hillsborough County.

During the hearing, all parties can present testimony and other evidence to support their positions.

The hearing is scheduled for the following time and location:

Tuesday, May 8, 2018
1:30 p.m.
Betty Easley Conference Center
Joseph P. Cresse Hearing Room (Room 148)
4075 Esplanade Way
Tallahassee, Florida

Wednesday, May 9, 2018, is reserved for continuation of the hearing, if needed. The starting time of the next day’s session will be announced at the conclusion of the prior day. The hearing may adjourn early if all testimony is concluded.

Major Solar Energy Project Announced by Florida Municipal Utilities

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Project will be one of the largest municipal-backed solar projects in the nation

Florida Municipal Power Agency (FMPA), in conjunction with 12 Florida municipal electric utilities and NextEra Florida Renewables, LLC, today announced plans for a large-scale solar energy project to provide renewable energy for customers in the most cost-effective way.

“We are working hard to lower the cost of solar power, so that we can provide emissions-free electricity for customers and add to our already low emissions generation portfolio,” said FMPA’s Jacob Williams, general manager and CEO of the Orlando-based wholesale power agency. “Building a large project, like this, helps make solar more cost effective.”

The 12 cities that will purchase power from the project include Alachua, Bartow, Beaches Energy Services (Jacksonville Beach), Fort Pierce Utilities Authority, Homestead, Keys Energy Services (Key West), Kissimmee Utility Authority, Lake Worth, Ocala, Orlando Utilities Commission, Wauchula and Winter Park.

Largest Municipal-Backed Solar Project
This joint effort, known as the Florida Municipal Solar Project, is one of the largest municipal-backed solar projects in the United States. Approximately 900,000 solar panels will be installed on three solar sites expected to be built in Osceola and Orange Counties.

Combined, the three solar sites will total approximately 1,200 acres, or the equivalent of 900 football fields filled with solar panels. Total electricity output will be 223.5 megawatts, which is enough energy to power 45,000 typical Florida homes. Each solar site is designed to generate 74.5 megawatts.

Large-Scale Solar More Cost Effective
With 12 cities working together, they can collectively build larger, more efficient solar installations. The power output from this project will be equal to 37,250 average-size rooftop solar systems.

In addition, the ground-mounted solar panels for this project will be installed with a computer-controlled tracking system to follow the sun daily as it moves from east to west, maximizing power output.

As a result, the cost of solar energy from this project is about one-third the cost of a typical private, rooftop system.

Cost of Solar Power Competitive
The utilities will be able to continue to keep electricity rates affordable because the cost of solar energy from this project is competitive with other forms of power generation.

Another benefit of this project is that there is no up-front cost to the cities for participating. They will only pay for power when it is produced.

Power to Flow in 2020
FMPA is serving as the project coordinator, and the 12 municipal utilities, who are member-owners of FMPA, will purchase power from the project.

The builder, owner and operator of the solar farms is Florida-based NextEra Florida Renewables, LLC, whose parent company is the world’s largest generator of renewable energy from the wind and sun.

After an estimated 18-month permitting process, construction is expected to begin in early 2020 and should be operational by June 30, 2020.

Ceremonial Signing Event
The Florida Municipal Solar Project was announced at an event held today at the Florida Solar Energy Center in Cocoa. Representatives from FMPA, NextEra Florida Renewables, LLC, and the 12 municipal electric utilities took part in a ceremonial signing of the project agreement and inscribed their names on a solar panel.

For more information on the Florida Solar Municipal Project or FMPA, visit fmpa.com.

Iowa man arrested on Florida theft of sneakers, cars totaling more than $50,000

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An Iowa man has been arrested by the Emmet County Sheriff’s Office based on an affidavit filed by FDLE agents for felony grand theft.

Michael Lane Tolan, 24, of 909 2nd Avenue South, Estherville, IA, was taken into custody by deputies and will be extradited to Seminole County to face the felony grand theft charge, which stems from more than $50,000 in illegitimate sneaker, sportswear and car purchases.

An investigation was launched after FDLE received information from the Lantana Police Department that Tolan had stolen from car dealerships and retail stores throughout the state. The investigation revealed Tolan went to several Orlando area locations of a retail chain and made more than $33,000 in illegitimate purchases of sneakers and clothing.

The investigation also revealed that Tolan fraudulently purchased two used cars at separate dealerships. In some transactions, Tolan manipulated the credit card machine causing it to generate a receipt even though the purchase wasn’t valid. Other fraudulent purchases included used cars and a hotel stay.

The Lantanta Police Department and the Daytona Beach Police Department assisted in the investigation.

Tolan is being held on a no-bond status pending extradition. The case will be prosecuted by Attorney General Pam Bondi’s Office of Statewide Prosecution.

Top Local African-American Duval County Public School Students Honored at UNF

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Outstanding African-American students in the Duval County Public Schools were honored for academic excellence and community impact at the 34th annual High Potential Youth Recognition Awards Program last night at the University of North Florida Fine Arts Center Lazzara Performance Hall.

The top eight high school seniors received one-time academic scholarships and include Sandrilla Awad Elkarim, Atlantic Coast High School; Eric Mitchell, Paxon School for Advanced Studies; Alonna Turner, Alexis Williams and Victoria Laws, Robert E. Lee High School; Nkosi Alexander-Williams, Sandalwood High School; Mahelet Dalke, Samuel W. Wolfson High School; and Sydney Lewis, Stanton College Preparatory.

Alexander-Williams and Awad Elkarim are also committed to attend UNF and are recipients of the Jacksonville Commitment Scholarship. Awad Elkarim has a 4.0 recalculated GPA and was also presented the Dr. Caroline Annette Cody Memorial Scholarship Award, while Alexander-Williams, who graduated with a 4.73 recalculated GPA, enters the UNF Hicks Honors College with an associate’s degree.

UNF presented scholarships along with the Dr. Caroline Annette Cody Memorial Foundation, Dr. James A. Joyner, III Memorial Foundation, The Gary Legacy Scholarship, Ralph and Jeannine Frasier Scholarship and the Jack and Jill of America. A new scholarship, the Conqueror’s Award, was awarded to honor exceptional students with learning disabilities who have conquered some of life’s greatest challenges.

More than 830 students with a GPA of 3.50 or above were invited to the program and were recognized with gift certificates and prizes. Melanie Lawson, WJXT Ch. 4 morning anchor, served as the master of ceremonies, while Charles Griggs, 100 Black Men of Jacksonville president, gave the keynote speech.

The program is a joint venture between UNF, DCPS and Gamma Beta Boule, the local member boule of Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity. Business partnership donors are PGA TOUR, Inc., Florida Blue, The Gary Firm, The Renaissance Group and Southern King Holdings, LLC.

Since its inception 34 years ago, the annual High Potential Youth Recognition Awards Program has honored the top African-American students in Jacksonville. Through partnerships and joint ventures, it has provided more than $1 million in scholarship money to honor students for outstanding academic achievement and extracurricular community involvement.

Florida PSC Commission Conference on Tuesday

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The Florida Public Service Commission (PSC) will hold a Commission Conference on Tuesday, May 8, 2018, at 9:30 a.m. Items scheduled for consideration can be found here. Public comment may be taken on any item noticed for public participation.

The Commission Conference is scheduled for the following time and location:

Tuesday, May 8, 2018
9:30 a.m.
Betty Easley Conference Center
Joseph P. Cresse Hearing Room (Room 148)
4075 Esplanade Way
Tallahassee, Florida

The Commission Conference will be broadcast on the Florida Channel (check your local listing) and is available online at floridapsc.com (look for the “Watch Live Broadcast” icon on the left side of the webpage).

Javier Enriquez Announces Run for House District 114

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A lifelong resident of the district, Enriquez is
running on a conservative, pro-jobs platform

Miami native Javier Enriquez today announced his candidacy for the District 114 seat in the Florida House of Representatives. Enriquez, a Republican, is an attorney and partner at Jeffrey and Enriquez, PLLC. He is a lifelong resident of District 114, which includes part of Miami-Dade County.

“District 114 has always been my home, it would be an honor and a privilege to serve my friends and neighbors in Tallahassee,” said Enriquez. “I am committed to supporting policies that foster economic growth, empower the middle class, and help families and small businesses get ahead. Our campaign is off to a great start. I am looking forward to meeting and connecting with the residents of my district to see how I can better serve them in Tallahassee. I am confident that together we can continue to build a stronger economy, a stronger community, and a stronger Florida.”

Enriquez graduated cum laude from the University of Miami School of Law, where he was President of the Federalist Society and served on the SBA Supreme Court throughout his time there. He also earned a bachelor’s degree and a Master of Public Administration degree from the University of Miami, which is located in District 114.

As a practicing local attorney, Enriquez concentrates his practice on marital and family law and also has experience in election law, commercial litigation, and employment litigation. He is admitted to practice before all courts in the State of Florida, the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida, and the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit.

He is actively involved in the community, including as a board member for the Knights of Columbus Coral Gables Council, Gables Chili Fest, Gulliver Schools Alumni Advisory Council, and the United Nations Women’s Miami Chapter.

Paid by Javier Enriquez, Republican, for State Representative