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Traffic Shift on John Young Parkway at Sand Lake Road in Orange County

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Drivers will encounter a traffic shift this week on John Young Parkway between Florida’s Turnpike and Commodity Circle/South Park Circle. Traffic will be shifted to the newly constructed outside lanes (see map below).

Because of the shift, the right turn lane from eastbound Sand Lake Road to southbound John Young Parkway will be open. In addition, the northernmost driveway to the Walmart shopping center will be re-opened.

The purpose of this traffic shift is to allow the contractor to work on the new “flyover” bridge for John Young Parkway over Sand Lake Road.

The work is part of a Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) project to widen and reconstruct State Road (S.R.) 482/Sand Lake Road from west of International Drive to east of Florida’s Turnpike.

Motorists are asked to use extra caution while driving in the area and be aware of the wider turning movements and relocated roadway markings (e.g., stop bars and pedestrian crosswalks) at the intersection.

Please note construction schedules may change due to weather or other unforeseen circumstances.

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

Volunteer Florida Announces Betty Mulligan as the 2018 Florida Volunteer of the Year

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Volunteer Florida, the Governor’s lead agency for volunteerism and national service in the state, is proud to announce Betty Mulligan as the 2018 Florida Volunteer of the Year. After 35 years of teaching, Betty dedicated her retirement to developing a free tutoring program in Martin County, allowing students to expand their vocabulary and improve their reading comprehension skills.

“Betty exemplifies selfless volunteerism and community service,” said Vivian Myrtetus, CEO of Volunteer Florida. “Her passion for literacy and her commitment to sharing it with an impressionable, influential generation of students is unparalleled in Florida and essential to the state’s continued success.”

Since 2017, Betty has worked with United Way of Martin County to enlist more than 80 tutors from the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP). RSVP, part of Senior Corps, is one of the largest volunteer networks in the nation for people 55 and older. In Martin County, these volunteers provide crucial one-on-one attention and instruction to more than 200 students at five different elementary schools every year.

Betty trains the tutors and monitors their hours, as well as the students’ progress and completes necessary paperwork. She ensures the program’s success by administering pre-tests, analyzing the students’ strengths and weaknesses, and creates individual lesson plans and specific goals. To measure results, Betty and her team of volunteers offer a post-test at the end of the school year. In 2015-2016, 92 percent of students in the program achieved or exceeded their goals, becoming fluent and often proficient readers, increasing their overall confidence and self-esteem.

In 2018, Betty plans to advance the program in Martin County by recruiting more than 100 tutors, providing early intervention to younger students and incorporating helpful technology, such as iPads.

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. 

The Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) engages Americans age 55 and older in a diverse range of volunteer activities. Volunteers tutor children, renovate homes, teach English to immigrants, assist victims of natural disasters, provide independent living services, recruit and manage other volunteers and serve their communities in many other ways. RSVP is a part of Senior Corps, a program administered the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS), the federal agency for volunteering, service and civic engagement. CNCS engages millions of Americans in citizen service through its AmeriCorps and Senior Corps programs and leads the nation’s volunteer and service efforts. For more information, visit nationalservice.gov.

Ballard Partners Promotes Carol Bracy to Managing Partner of Tallahassee Office

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Over half of firm’s senior leadership team are women and minorities

Ballard Partners, the powerhouse lobbying firm in Florida and Washington, D.C., proudly announces the promotion of Carol Bracy to managing partner of the firm’s Tallahassee office. In her new role, Bracy will continue to service clients with senior-level political, strategic and policy direction while overseeing all aspects of the office’s day-to-day operations.

An integral member of the Ballard Partners team for more than 10 years, Bracy most recently served as vice president, providing her government relations expertise to corporate, non-profit and public-sector clients on issues such as appropriations, economic development, emerging technologies, commerce, healthcare, education and regulatory matters.

“Carol has contributed significantly to the overall success of our firm over the last decade, and I am pleased to expand her leadership role in our Tallahassee office,” said Brian Ballard, president of Ballard Partners. “Carol’s promotion also represents our continued commitment to championing diversity and inclusion by ensuring broad diversity across our senior leadership team.”

“The expansion of my role at Ballard Partners is an exciting opportunity. I’m honored to be part of a successful organization that values and recognizes diverse talent and hard work,” said Carol Bracy.

Bracy previously served as chief of staff to former Lieutenant Governor Toni Jennings under the Bush/Jennings Administration and spent a decade representing Florida’s 67 counties as the interim executive director and legislative director for the Florida Association of Counties. In addition to her policy and legislative work, Bracy also serves as an executive board member of the Tallahassee nonprofit, Alzheimer’s Project, Inc.

To learn more about Ballard Partners’ leadership team, click here.

Greater amberjack season opens May 1 in Gulf state waters

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The greater amberjack recreational season in Gulf state waters will reopen to harvest May 1 and remain open through May 31. The season will reopen again Aug. 1 through Oct. 31.

Greater amberjack is overfished and undergoing overfishing, and the season has closed increasingly early in recent years due to federal quotas being met or exceeded. This new season structure adopted at the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) meeting in December will optimize recreational fishing opportunities in both the spring and fall while minimizing harvest during the spawning season, helping to rebuild the stock.

For more information on greater amberjack including size and bag limits and other regulations, visit MyFWC.com/Fishing and click on “Saltwater Fishing,” “Recreational Regulations” and “Amberjack.”

Senator Denise Grimsley Announces May Mobile Office Hours

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

“We are on the road again to provide help for those in need of assistance.  This is an opportunity to speak with my professional staff in person,” said Senator Grimsley.

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

DeSoto County Mobile Office Hours:
Wednesday, May 23, 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, May 24th, 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:
Thursday, May 17th, 2018
1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Glades County Courthouse
1st Floor, Conference Room
500 Avenue J, SW
Moore Haven, FL 33471

Lee County Mobile Office Hours:
Thursday, May 17th, 2018
1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
The Shell Factory
Chamber of Commerce Office
2787 North Tamiami Trail
North Fort Myers, FL 33903

Okeechobee County Mobile Office Hours:
Thursday, May 17th, 2018
10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Okeechobee Chamber of Commerce
55 South Parrott Avenue
Okeechobee, FL 34974

Polk County Mobile Office Hours:
Wednesday, May 16th, 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.

RoadWatch Advisory for I-75/ University Parkway Interchange in Sarasota and Manatee Counties

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SARASOTA/MANATEE

I-75 (SR 93) / University Parkway Diverging Diamond Interchange (DDI) Sarasota/Bradenton:  Construction project:

Temporary Night/Overnight Ramp Closure at I-75/University Parkway Interchange

Tuesday, May 1 through Thursday, May 3

Detour – I-75 Northbound On-Ramp Closure at the I-75/University Parkway Interchange: 

The contractor anticipates implementing a temporary detour route at the I-75/University Parkway interchange at night/overnight Tuesday, May 1 through Thursday, May 3 between 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. to repair asphalt pavement.

Motorists traveling on University Parkway wishing to travel north on I-75 are directed to enter southbound I-75, exit at Fruitville Road/Exit 210, travel east and enter northbound I-75 and continue north.

Improvements being made as part of this project consist of constructing a diverging diamond interchange, adding an auxiliary lane on northbound and southbound I-75, constructing new bridges on  I-75 over University Parkway, widening of University Parkway, widening of I-75 bridges over Errie Creek and Foley Creek, realignment of on-ramps and off-ramps at I-75/University Parkway, addition of ponds, drainage improvements, new lighting and signalization, construction of a noise wall on the west side of I-75, sidewalks, bike lanes, and pedestrian walkways. Expected completion is early 2018. The contractor is Prince Contracting, LLC. For additional information, please visit the project website at swflroads.com/i75/university.

Gov. Scott Honors more than 100 Veterans with Veterans Service Medal

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Governor Rick Scott today awarded 101 Florida veterans with the Governor’s Veterans Service Medal for their service to the state and nation. Since 2013, Governor Scott has awarded more than 13,000 veterans with the Governor’s Veterans Service Medal.

The following Florida veterans were highlighted during today’s ceremony:

Senior Chief Edwin Soto
Senior Chief Edwin Soto enlisted in the United States Navy in 1981. He served in the United States Navy for nearly 28 years, achieving the rank of Senior Chief Hospital Corpsman. He deployed to Iraq in 2004 and again in 2005 with the Marine Corps in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) and previously deployed to Desert Storm, providing medical support to Marines and Sailors. His awards are numerous and include: the Meritorious Service Medal, the Navy/Marine Corps Commendation Medal, four Navy/Marine Corps Achievement Medals, the Combat Action Ribbon, the Iraqi Campaign Medal, and nine Sea Service Deployments.

Sergeant Major Pedro Lorenzo Guerad
Sergeant Major Pedro Guerad was born in Cuba in 1954. In 1969, he left Cuba and came to the United States with his immediate family. In 1979, he joined the United States Army as a Combat Medic serving his initial assignment at Fort Riley, Kansas.  Throughout his 32-year career, Sergeant Major Guerad held a variety of positions, including serving in Iraq as the Sergeant Major of the Combat Support Hospital in Mosul. He culminated his career by serving as the Senior Enlisted Advisor for the Director of Medical Logistics, at Fort Sam Houston, Texas. Sergeant Major Guerad received many awards and decorations during his service including the Bronze Star Medal, the Legion of Merit, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Navy Achievement Medal, the U.S. Airborne Paratrooper Badge, the Uruguayan Jump Wings, and the Expert Field Medical Badge.

Florida Man Sentenced to 30 Years in Prison for Human Trafficking and Branding

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Attorney General Pam Bondi’s Office of Statewide Prosecution today secured a prison sentence for a man convicted of human trafficking and branding a victim. Friday, a Marion County Judge sentenced Ryan Gemelle Poole, 33, to 30 years in state prison. The sentence comes after the jury found Poole guilty of human trafficking, deriving support from prostitution, unlawful use of a two-way communications device to facilitate a felony, sexual battery and branding. This is Florida’s first conviction under the state’s branding statute.

“This disgusting human trafficker branded his victim, raped and forced her to perform sex acts. We will not allow this evil to persist in Florida, and today’s sentencing serves as a strong warning to anyone trying to enslave and traffic people in our state,” said Attorney General Pam Bondi. “I want to thank my Statewide Prosecutors Julie Sercus and Rita Peters for their resolve and determination to ensure this monster did not escape justice.”

The Marion County Sheriff’s Office began investigating Poole in 2016. The investigation revealed that Poole met the victim on a dating website and started a romantic relationship. Poole then began grooming the victim for prostitution by giving the victim cocaine and coercing the victim to work as a stripper. Soon Poole began selling the victim for sex, advertising on the now defunct Backpage.com website.  

Poole forced the victim to travel from Marion County to Alachua, Charlotte, Hillsborough and Orange counties for the purposes of prostitution for personal financial gain. In addition, Poole forced the victim to have his initials tattooed on the victim’s body—to signify the victim as property. In August 2016, the victim tried to escape and Poole raped the victim as punishment.  

The trial commenced on April 23, before the Honorable Anthony Tatti in Marion County.  After four days of testimony, including that of the victim and Poole, the jury found the defendant guilty on all charges.

Kathleen Peters Qualifies by Petition for Pinellas County Commission

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Kathleen Peters today earned a spot on the ballot for the Pinellas Board of County Commissioners in District 6, qualifying by petition method.
To be placed on the ballot for District 6, a candidate must either pay a qualifying fee or collect 1,690 signed petitions by voters in the district. The Pinellas County Supervisor of Elections verified 1,802 petitions from Peters, exceeding the required quota by 112.
“I am truly humbled by the outpouring of support from the voters of District 6,” Peters stated. “The feedback our team has received from door knocking and speaking directly to residents is loud and clear—we need to prioritize Pinellas over politics, and common-sense policies will prevail.”
Peters, who is currently serving her final term in the Florida House of Representatives, has vowed to protect Pinellas beaches and waters, enhance emergency management, continue to develop a coordinated system of care for mental health, and ensure that Pinellas County prioritizes job creation with its business-friendly climate.
District 6, currently represented by retiring Commissioner John Morroni, covers northeast St. Petersburg, Pinellas Park, Seminole and the barrier island beaches from Redington Shores to Tierra Verde.

Florida Sheriffs Association and Leaders to Honor Fallen Officers at Memorial Wall

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MEDIA ADVISORY

The Florida Sheriffs Association is holding its annual memorial ceremony to honor those who have given their lives in the line of duty. May is dedicated to remembering those who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty. Please join us to pay respects to these fallen heroes, their families, law enforcement colleagues and all the men and women who gave their lives in service to Florida’s citizens.

Established in 2002, the Florida Sheriffs Association incorporated the granite Memorial Wall to honor sheriff’s officers who had fallen in the line of duty. It is a tribute to remember the sheriffs and deputies who have dedicated their lives to serve and protect Floridians, while respecting those who have passed. On the wall is an engraved verse that embraces these fallen heroes and the sacrifices they have made: “Greater love hath no man than this, that he lay down his life for his friend.” John 15:13.

The names added to the Memorial Wall are:

  • Orange County Sheriff’s Office Deputy First Class Norman Lewis | End of Watch: Monday, January 9, 2017| Cause of Death: Motorcycle crash
  • Hardee County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Sheriff Julie Bridges | End of Watch: Sunday, September 10, 2017 | Cause of Death: Vehicle crash
  • St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office Captain Charlie Scavuzzo | End of Watch: Friday, September 15, 2017 | Cause of Death: Heart attack
  • Broward County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Michael Ryan | End of Watch: Sunday, December 31, 2017| Cause of Death: Heart attack

WHO: Florida Sheriffs, community & state leaders, policymakers, FSA leadership

WHERE: Memorial Wall at the Florida Sheriffs Association Headquarters
2617 Mahan Drive, Tallahassee, Florida 32308

WHEN: Monday, April 30, 2018 at 1:30 p.m.

SPEAKER: The Honorable Jimmy Patronis, Florida Chief Financial Officer