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US 41 and Gulfstream Avenue Intersection Improvement Public Information Meeting

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The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), District One, invites you to attend a public information meeting to discuss the construction of a roundabout at the intersection of US 41 and Gulfstream Avenue in the City of Sarasota.

The meeting is from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. (open house format) on Tuesday, March 27, 2018 in the Sarasota Municipal Auditorium, 801 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, FL.

At this public meeting, FDOT will display for your review information about the proposed roundabout. The meeting will be an open house format where people can ask questions and provide comments to FDOT representatives in a one-on-one setting. FDOT will accept written comments during the meeting.

FDOT is sending notices to property owners located within at least 300 feet of the intersection, including residents along Sunset Drive and Golden Gate Point. We encourage all interested people to attend and express their views regarding the project and information presented.

FDOT solicits public participation without regard to race, color, national origin, age, sex, religion, disability, or family status. People who require special accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act or who require translation services (free of charge) should contact Jamie Schley, Title VI Coordinator, at 863-519-2573 or by email at [email protected] at least seven days prior to the public meeting.

First Lady Ann Scott to visit Clay County schools

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MEDIA ADVISORY

Tomorrow, March 21, First Lady Ann Scott will read to students and share her passion for reading and literacy at elementary schools in Clay County.

WHAT: First Lady Ann Scott School Visits

WHEN: March 21, 2018
8:45 am

WHERE: Charles E. Bennett Elementary School
1 South Oakridge Avenue
Green Cove Springs, FL 32043

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WHEN: 10:25 am

WHERE: Doctors Inlet Elementary School
2634 County Road 220
Middleburg, FL 32068

***

WHEN: 1:15 pm

WHERE: Grove Park Elementary School
1643 Miller Street
Orange Park, FL 32073

For more information about the Florida Department of Education, visit fldoe.org.

Statement by CRC Commissioner Tim Cerio regarding passage of Proposal 96 on the floor

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Following the passage of Constitution Revision Commission (CRC) Proposal 96 on the floor, Commissioner Tim Cerio, Proposal 96 sponsor, issued the following statement:

“I would like to extend my sincere thanks to my fellow Constitution Revision Commissioners for their support of Proposal 96, Marsy’s Law for Florida, during today’s floor vote. After spending the past two months traveling the state of Florida for the CRC’s public hearings, we heard somber stories from countless crime victims and victims’ advocates about the pain victims and their families endure in the criminal justice system. Florida voters have made it overwhelmingly clear they want the chance to vote for victims’ rights laws on the 2018 ballot, and now we are one step closer to giving Floridians a voice on this important policy decision.

I am especially grateful for our Proposal 96 co-sponsors, Commissioners Patricia Levesque, Darlene Jordan, Fred Karlinsky, Rep. Jeanette Nuñez, Brecht Heuchan, Belinda Keiser, Jacqui Thurlow-Lippisch and Sen. Darryl Rouson, for their unwavering dedication to bringing balance to Florida’s criminal justice system through Marsy’s Law for Florida.”

About Marsy’s Law
Marsy’s Law is named after Marsalee “Marsy” Nicholas of California who was stalked and killed by her ex-boyfriend in 1983. Only one week after her death, Marsy’s mother and brother, Henry T. Nicholas, walked into a grocery store where they were confronted by the accused murderer. The family, who had just come from a visit to Marsy’s grave, was unaware that the accused had been released on bail.  In an effort to honor his sister, Dr. Nicholas, co-founder of Broadcom Corporation, has made it his mission to give victims and their families constitutional protections and equal rights. He formed Marsy’s Law for All in 2009, providing expertise and resources to victims’ rights organizations nationwide.

Ozark, Alabama woman claims $8 million FLORIDA LOTTO® jackpot

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The Florida Lottery announces that Cassandra Holmes, 57, of Ozark, Alabama, claimed the $8 million FLORIDA LOTTO® jackpot from the drawing held on March 14, 2018, at Florida Lottery Headquarters in Tallahassee.

Holmes chose to receive the winnings as a one-time, lump-sum payment of $5,335,428.13. The jackpot-winning Quick Pick ticket was purchased from Fortune Liquors, located at 5878 Highway 231 in Campbellton. The retailer will receive a bonus commission of $50,000 for selling the jackpot-winning FLORIDA LOTTO ticket.

The next FLORIDA LOTTO drawing will be held tomorrow, March 21, 2018, at 11:15 p.m. ET, with a $2.5 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.

FAMU’s First Lady Hosts Empowerment Health Fair in Honor of Women’s History Month

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Florida A&M University’s (FAMU) First Lady Sharon Robinson, who is a healthcare practitioner, is launching her first initiative since her husband, Larry Robinson, Ph.D., became the permanent president of FAMU.

Mrs. Robinson is hosting “Sound the Alarm: Empowering Women Through Healthy Life Choices,” on Friday, March 23, 2018, from 1:30 p.m. to 4 p.m., at the FAMU Hansel E. Tookes Recreation Center. The event is free and open to the public.

The health fair is designed to raise awareness about the health issues that are impacting women.

“I continue to be alarmed by the increasing number of women suffering from preventable chronic diseases associated with obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and stress, all of which are high-risk factors for heart disease — the leading cause of death among women in the United States,” she said, adding that the event was inspired by the 2018 National Women’s History Month theme,  “Nevertheless She Persisted: Honoring Women Who Fight All Forms of Discrimination Against Women.”

“(It) brought to my mind that we must be physically and mentally fit to take on the challenges of each day,” said Mrs. Robinson.

The event will include:

  • A health promotion fair featuring healthcare professionals and students from FAMU and across the Big Bend, community partners, movement stations, health screenings and giveaways (1:30 p.m. – 4 p.m.)
  • A health awareness session and activewear fashion showcase (2:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.)
  • Zumba fitness activities (3:30 p.m. – 4 p.m.)

Throughout the event, community leaders and medical experts will enlighten, encourage and empower women, while offering simple solutions to help them take small steps to stay healthy or start on a journey to healthier lives.

Mrs. Robinson is encouraging participants to donate women’s beauty and hygiene products for distribution to the Refuge House and Tallahassee Homeless Shelter.

Community members can RSVP for the event at famuwhm.eventbrite.com.

For more information, contact [email protected] or call (850) 599-3413.

Community Foundation of Sarasota County Grants $21,553 in Funding to Support Programs that Serve Disadvantaged Women

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The Community Foundation of Sarasota County awarded $21,553 from the Margaret L. Bates Fund to local human services organizations working with an emphasis in the advancement of women, specifically disadvantaged women. Each year the Community Foundation allocates a number of grants to support organizations working in this field through the endowed fund.

This year Harvest House is one of the nonprofit recipients, and the funding will go towards their New Heights Program, which helps disadvantaged young women and men transition out of homelessness like Alexis Manna.

After her parents divorced and her father was arrested, Alexis had been haunted most of her life by domestic abuse and toxic stress in her home. Her mother’s boyfriend had drug issues, and police and child services were constantly in and out of their house. At the age of seventeen, Alexis gained the courage to stand up to her mother and tell her how she felt about what was happening in their home.

However, things took a turn for the worst when her mother sided with the boyfriend and kicked Alexis out onto the streets. She had moved around for a while staying with other family, however not much was different. After hearing about the New Heights Program at school, she looked into it and quickly found that she was able to stay at Harvest House. The program has gifted her a safe place to stay and allowed her to focus on school and her other goal, which is to enroll in the Culinary Arts Program at Suncoast Technical College after graduating high school.

“My mother would say to me ‘You will never graduate. You will never be anything in life,’” says Manna, now aged 18. “Not only will I prove her wrong, but I will be a great role model for my younger sisters and brothers to look up to.”

The fund was named and established by Dr. Margaret L. Bates, who was a former professor and provost of New College of Florida. In addition to her work with students, faculty and administration at the college, she devoted significant time to organizations in the community including the Women’s Resource Center, United Nations Association, and the Sarasota Institute of Lifelong Learning. She passed away in 2009.

This year’s awardees are as follows:

Catholic Charities Diocese of Venice – Our Mother’s House – $2,000 to provide counseling to their mothers to address long standing and pervasive issued such as untreated trauma, abuse and neglect, depression, grief and loss, domestic violence and the effects of profound poverty.  This funding will support one mother and her children for the first month in the program. 

First Step of Sarasota – $3,480 to support the Crossroads program, by providing a minimum of 13 women who enter their programs a physiological and health evaluation, which is necessary to properly diagnose any mental or health issues and provide medication. 

Harvest Tabernacle of Sarasota (Harvest House) – $7,500 to support one 18-24 year-old woman in the New Heights Program, by providing wrap around case management and support services for those who are homeless and may have aged out of foster care.

In the Pink Boutique – $1,000 to provide funding Project HEAR (Hope, Education, Assistance & Respect) by providing educational support to disadvantaged female breast cancer patients in Sarasota County.  The program also provides post-surgical products free of charge.

New College of Florida Foundation – $1,653 to provide supplementary funding to New College students seeking grants for independent studies for research and travel for women meeting the fund criteria.  This is in collaboration with the Zonta Club of Sarasota.

Second Chance Last Opportunity – $2,420 to support the Sister Circles’ Skill-building Intervention Program which empowers, promotes and supports disadvantaged women in Sarasota County.  The program is an 8-week class covering job readiness, communication, health and wellness, allowing them to become more self-sufficient .  

Women’s Resource Center of Sarasota County – $3,500 to provide 50-60 hours of individual mental health counseling to clients in Sarasota and Venice.

About the Community Foundation of Sarasota County
The Community Foundation is a public charity founded in 1979 by the Southwest Florida Estate Planning Council as a resource for caring individuals and the causes they support, enabling them to make a charitable impact on the community. With assets of over $333 million in more than 1,400 charitable funds, the Community Foundation awarded grants and scholarships totaling more than $33 million dollars this past year in the areas of education, health and human services, the arts, animal welfare, and the environment. Since our founding, more than $217 million has been invested back into the community through grants and scholarships. For more information, visit CFSarasota.org.

Atlantic Beach man claims $1.4 million LUCKY MONEY™ jackpot

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The Florida Lottery announces that Alvin Marvin, 59, of Atlantic Beach, claimed the $1.4 million LUCKY MONEY™ jackpot from the March 13, 2018, drawing at Florida Lottery Headquarters in Tallahassee. He chose to receive his winnings as a one-time, lump-sum payment of $1,003,262.96.

Marvin purchased his winning ticket at Publix, located at 630 Atlantic Boulevard in Neptune Beach. The retailer received a bonus commission of $1,000 for selling the jackpot-winning ticket.

The next LUCKY MONEY drawing will be held tonight, March 20, 2018, at 11:15 p.m. ET, with a $550,000 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.

Perdido Key’s Palacio Condominiums Receives PSC’s Triple E Award

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Emerald-green waters and sugar-sand beaches abound at Palacio at Perdido Condominiums. Sustaining the area’s beauty for future residents and guests is one reason property managers at ResortQuest by Wyndym Vacation Rentals are implementing new ways to use less energy. Their successful energy efficiency efforts have earned them the Florida Public Service Commission’s (PSC) 2018 first quarter Triple E Award.

“As a peninsular state, Florida’s beautiful coastline draws visitors from near and far,” said PSC Chairman Art Graham. “We applaud businesses like Palacio Condominiums that actively limit their energy footprint, which in turn lowers their operating costs and helps sustain Florida’s tourist economy.”

Working with their local utility–Gulf Power Company–Palacio Condominiums installed several energy efficiency upgrades over two years, from June 2013 to December 2015. Projects to reduce their energy use included LED interior lighting, ceiling insulation, reflective roofing, geothermal heating/cooling, and geothermal pool/spa heating systems.

“Our commitment to an energy efficiency business approach paid off, since we have saved $43,000 in energy costs each year since 2013,” said Roger Feldman, ResortQuest Association Manager, Perdido Key. “Working with Gulf Power to implement energy efficient operating strategies helped us conserve without compromising the comfort of our residents and guests.”

“We work very closely with business customers to provide recommendations that will save them energy and money,” said Jeff Rogers, Gulf Power spokesperson. “Palacio Condominiums implemented many of the measures we recommended and are saving significantly on their energy costs.”

Covering the state’s five major geographic areas, each quarter the PSC presents its Triple E Award to a local business that has accomplished superior energy efficiency.  Look for past Triple E Award recipients under Hot Topics on the PSC’s homepage, floridapsc.com. The PSC encourages cost-effective conservation and renewable energy to reduce the use of fossil fuels and defer the need for new generating capacity through the Florida Energy Efficiency and Conservation Act.

About Palacio Condominiums
Located directly on the Gulf of Mexico, Palacio Condominiums feature a hot tub, gazebo with beach walkover, fitness center, and tennis courts. ResortQuest by Wyndham Vacation Rentals offers resort condo, townhome, and private vacation home rentals in Northwest Florida, including gulf-front condos and full-service resorts. For more information, please call (850) 261-3938, or visit wyndhamvacationrentals.com.

Orlando man has 1 million reasons to smile this spring

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Claims prize from the new FLORIDA 100X THE CASH Scratch-Off game!

The Florida Lottery announces that Tuan Nguyen, 45, of Orlando, claimed a $1 million prize in the new FLORIDA 100X THE CASH Scratch-Off game at Florida Lottery Headquarters in Tallahassee. He chose to receive his winnings as a one-time, lump-sum payment of $770,000.00.

Nguyen purchased his winning ticket from Publix, located at 4250 North Alafaya Trail #148 in Oviedo. The retailer will receive a $2,000 bonus commission for selling the winning Scratch-Off ticket.

The new $30 game, FLORIDA 100X THE CASH, launched on February 26, and features eight top prizes of $15 million – the largest Scratch-Off top prize ever offered by the Florida Lottery! The game also offers 20 prizes of $1 million. Overall odds of winning are one-in-2.59.

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.

Appointments to Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Commission Announced

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Governor Scott Names Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri as Chairman

Governor Rick Scott, Senate President Joe Negron and House Speaker Richard Corcoran today announced appointments to the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Commission within the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. Governor Scott also named Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri as Chairman. The Commission was established by SB 7026, the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Act, signed into law by Governor Scott.

Governor Scott said, “I’m proud to appoint five dedicated Floridians to the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Commission including fathers of two of the victims who were critical in helping a bill get passed quickly. Since the shooting in Parkland, our number one focus has been to make our schools safer while doing everything possible to ensure a tragedy like this never happens again. I’m confident that these appointees will continue the work that has already started in our state to keep our students safe.”

Senate President Joe Negron said, “The Senate appointees include a former classroom teacher and nationally-recognized child advocate, a school board member, a law enforcement officer, a retired school resource officer, and a renowned mental health treatment clinician. This diverse cross-section of professional experience and subject matter expertise, will serve the state well as the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Commission embarks on the critically important task before it. We can never replace the 17 lives lost, and we can never erase the traumatic experience that lives on in the memories of those who survived this horrific attack. However, this Commission will help ensure we do everything we can to reduce the possibility of a tragedy like this ever happening again.”

House Speaker Richard Corcoran said, “I’m honored to appoint five members to the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Commission. The work and recommendations of this commission will, I believe, serve as a model for the nation in addressing school safety and protecting individual liberty. The appointees to the commission bring decades of experience in law enforcement, prosecution, and training civilians to handle firearms and protect a school. Most importantly, an appointee, Max Schachter, brings the tragic experience of being a father who lost his son in that day’s awful events and who is driven to ensure it never happens to another family ever again. I thank those willing to participate, I commend the courage of the family members who will take on this task, and pray that all the efforts of this commission will meet with success.”

Governor Scott’s appointees are as follows:

Sheriff Larry Ashley, of Okaloosa, is the Okaloosa County Sheriff.  Sheriff Ashley has nearly thirty years of law enforcement experience and has earned numerous awards and commendations during his career. He participated in the Governor’s emergency meetings to help develop the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Act.

Superintendent Desmond Blackburn, Ph.D., of Brevard County is the Superintendent of Brevard Public Schools. He previously served as a teacher, principal, district trainer, director of school improvement, an area superintendent, and as the chief school performance and accountability office for the Broward County School District. Superintendent Blackburn participated in the Governor’s emergency meetings to help develop the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Act.

Chief Kevin Lystad, of Miami Shores, is the Chief of the Miami Shores Police Department. He is the President of the Florida Police Chiefs Association. Chief Lystad will serve as Vice Chair of the Commission.

Ryan Petty, of Parkland, is the father of Aliana Petty, who was murdered at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. He played an integral role in ensuring the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Act moved through the Florida Legislature.

Andrew Pollack, of Parkland, is the father of Meadow Pollack, who was murdered at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. Following the shooting, Pollack met with local, state, and federal officials, including Governor Scott, to help create a plan to keep our schools safe.

In addition, Florida Department of Law Enforcement Commissioner Rick Swearingen will serve as a member of the commission, and the following members shall serve as ex officio members:

  • Florida Department of Education Commissioner Pam Stewart
  • Florida Department of Children and Families Secretary Mike Carroll
  • Florida Department of Juvenile Justice Secretary Christina Daly
  • Florida Agency for Health Care Administration Secretary Justin Senior

President Negron’s appointees are as follows:

State Senator Lauren Book, M.S. Ed, is an internationally respected and renowned child advocate, former classroom teacher and best-selling author. In 2016, she was elected to represent State Senate District 32, which includes portions of Broward County.

Douglas Dodd is a member of the Citrus County School Board. He served in the Citrus County Sheriff’s Office for over 26 years, retiring as a captain. During his career in law enforcement, Mr. Dodd served as a school resource officer for ten years.

James Harpring is the undersheriff for Indian River County and serves as general counsel to the Sheriff’s Department. He also works as an adjunct professor at Indian River State College and as an instructor at the Treasure Coast Law Enforcement Academy.

Melissa Larkin-Skinner, MA, LMHC, is the Chief Executive Officer at Centerstone Florida. As a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, she has nearly 25 years of experience in mental health and addictions treatment programs including hospital, outpatient, crisis, community based, forensic and child welfare services.

Marsha Powers is a member of the Martin County School Board. She was elected to the School Board in 2012 and re-elected subsequently.

House Speaker Richard Corcoran’s appointees are as follows:

Max Schachter is the father of Alex Schacter, who was murdered at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. Following the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, Schachter advocated for school safety improvements and urged members of the Florida Legislature to enact effective legislation.

Sheriff Grady Judd is the Sheriff of Polk County. Prior to becoming Sheriff in 2004, Sheriff Judd graduated from the FBI National Academy, as well as several other prestigious law enforcement academies, and taught 23 years at both the University of South Florida and Florida Southern College.

Sheriff Bob Gualtieri is the Sheriff of Pinellas County and has served with the Pinellas County Sheriff’s office for 35 years. Sheriff Gualtieri also serves on the board of directors for the Florida Sheriff’s Association (FSA), the Major County Sheriff’s Association (MCSA) and the Boys and Girls Clubs of the Suncoast.

Chief Asst. State Attorney Mr. Bruce Bartlett – Serving in the State Attorney’s Office for over 22 years, Mr. Bartlett has prosecuted or taken part in the prosecutions of some of Pinellas’ most notorious criminals.  He has practiced since 1979 and is a graduate of  Stetson University College of Law. 

Chief Chris Nelson currently serves as the Chief of Police for the City of Auburndale, a position he has held since 2012. A graduate of Bartow High School, he started his law enforcement career as a patrol officer with the Bartow Police Department.