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Florida Poly wins 1st NSF Research Grant

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Florida Polytechnic University was awarded its first National Science Foundation (NSF) grant to sponsor a cutting-edge research project proposed by Computer Science professors Dr. Luis Jaimes and Dr. Ilhan Akbas.

The research on Cyber-Physical Systems applications focuses on crowd-sensing (CS) to leverage the power of crowds to monitor a variable of interest such as temperature, pollution or state of infrastructure in smart cities. CS systems rely on the willingness of crowds to participate in the collection and reporting of data using sensors either embedded in autonomous vehicles or integrated in participants’ cellphones.

“The chances of winning this NSF grant were very low, but Florida Poly beat the odds,” said Dr. Jaimes, principal investigator. “There were many projects presented in the area of Cyber-Physical Systems and only two percent won a grant.”

The potential of crowdsourcing has been proven in fields like environmental science, transportation systems, and social science. Well-known examples include the mobile applications for community-based traffic and navigation, which help drivers take the most efficient routes based on information provided by other drivers.

This project addresses the problem of spatial and temporal coverage, particularly in isolated sub-regions where participants’ density is very low. This problem is tackled by the development of incentive mechanisms that assigns compensation for data collection based on the density of a given region.

“This technology will help us get more accurate and more up-to-date information on weather, traffic, or even pollen,” said Dr. Akbas. “Then people can make better decisions based on their individual needs, like changing their daily commute to reduce stress or avoid environmental conditions that represent a health risk.”

The $166,000 grant will help explore other potential applications for this research including autonomous vehicle scheduling and navigation, smart robots navigation and smart utilization of transportation resources.

“It’s very exciting to have the opportunity to develop this project in the next two years and be able to hire students to help us with the process,” said Dr. Jaimes.

“We’re confident the models and simulators that we create in this project will lead to future research in this very hot field,” concluded Dr. Akbas.

Big & Rich to Headline Star-Studded Lineup at 2018 Sugar Festival

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Top country music talent, great food and plenty of sweet treats will attract thousands to “America’s Sweetest Town” on St. Patrick’s Day for the 2018 Sugar Festival in Clewiston.

The festival will be held from 10 a.m. to 6:45 p.m. Saturday, March 17, at Civic Park on U.S. Hwy 27 in Clewiston. Admission is free. All media are invited to attend.

Now in its 32nd year, the Clewiston Sugar Festival celebrates the region’s annual sugarcane harvest and the important economic impact sugar has on Glades communities and Florida’s agricultural industry. This year’s presenting sponsor is U.S. Sugar, a Florida pioneer in the sustainable farming and processing of sugarcane, citrus, sweet corn, broccoli and green beans.

“The Clewiston Sugar Festival is a special time for our entire community to get together and recognize another successful season,” said Judy Sanchez, senior director of corporate communication and public affairs for U.S. Sugar. “We look forward to hosting guests from near and far and showing why Clewiston truly is ‘America’s Sweetest Town.’”

This year, the Clewiston Sugar Festival will include the Sugar Fest 5K Run, the Sweet Taste of Sugar baking contest, food vendors, arts and craft booths, tractor displays and a car show. On the main stage will be country performers Big & Rich (5:30 p.m.), Easton Corbin (3:45 p.m.), Brooke Eden (2:15 p.m.), Doug Stone (12:45 p.m.) and Cody Williams Band (11:30 a.m.).

The festival will feature appearances by Miss Sugar 2018 Keelyn Sanchez and Junior Miss Sugar Brianna Madrigal. Also on the schedule is pickle ball, horseshoe and cornhole tournaments. The Seminole Tribe of Florida is sponsoring a free Kids Park with bounce houses, inflatable slides and other activities. Additionally, the festival will feature an alligator wrestling show provided by Billie Swamp Safari.

Pre-festival activities start with a performance by the Alter Eagles, an Eagles tribute band, on the main stage at 7 p.m. Friday, March 16.

“This community event will have plenty of music, sweet food, arts and crafts and activities to offer people of all ages,” said Hillary Hyslope, executive director of the Clewiston Chamber of Commerce and a member of the Clewiston Sugar Festival committee. “Sugar Festival is Clewiston at its best: good music, food and people.”

In addition to U.S. Sugar and the Seminole Tribe of Florida, other sponsors include FPL and the Hendry County Tourist Development Council.

For more information about the Clewiston Sugar Festival, including a complete schedule of events, go to clewistonsugarfestival.net. Also visit our Sugar Festival page on Facebook @SugarFestival and follow us at #SugarFestival2018, #AmericasSweetestTown and #USSugar.

Canady Named Chief Justice-Elect of the Florida Supreme Court

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The Florida Supreme Court has named Justice Charles T. Canady of Lakeland, who has served in all three branches of state government, as its next Chief Justice. He will preside over Florida’s state courts system for a term starting July 1 and lasting through June 30, 2020.

“I look forward to continuing to serve the people and the judicial branch,” said Canady. “I have worked with so many outstanding Florida public servants for many years now, including my fellow Justices. I thank them for their trust in me and look forward to the work ahead.”

Canady, 63, becomes the 11th person in state history to serve two nonconsecutive terms as Chief Justice and the first to do so since 1973. Under Florida’s constitution, the Chief Justice is elected by the other members of the Supreme Court.

Court rules adopted in 2012 also established that selection of the chief justice should be based on managerial, administrative, and leadership abilities rather than being strictly based on seniority.

From 2010 to 2012, Canady became Florida’s 54th Chief Justice since statehood in his first term as head of the Supreme Court and the state judiciary. This July, he will succeed Justice Jorge Labarga, who will remain on the Court as a Justice

A 1976 graduate of Haverford College, Canady went on to attend Yale Law School and received his degree there in 1979. He was in private practice from 1979 through 1992.

In November 1984, he was elected to the Florida House of Representatives, serving three terms through November 1990. He later served in the U.S. House of Representatives from January 1993 through January 2001. His assignments there included membership on the House Judiciary Committee and Chair of the House Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution.

After leaving Congress, Canady became General Counsel to Gov. Jeb Bush, who later appointed him to Florida’s Second District Court of Appeal in November 2002.

On August 28, 2008, Gov. Charlie Crist appointed Canady to the Florida Supreme Court, where he took office on September 8, 2008. Canady is married to Jennifer Houghton and is the father of two children.

His web biography can found here.

Sen. Nelson hosts hearing to talk need for gun reform with survivors and families affected by gun violence

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As part of ongoing efforts to get Congress to act on gun control, U.S. Sen Bill Nelson (D-FL) hosted an emotional hearing today with those directly impacted by gun violence, including two members of the Parkland, FL community, who are calling on Congress to pass commonsense gun regulations.

David Hogg, a 17-year-old student from Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, FL, and Fred Guttenberg, father of Jaime Guttenberg, who was killed at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School just three weeks ago, both testified at the hearing, and called on Congress to take immediate action.

Nelson introduced the two Floridians, noting their incredible advocacy for gun violence prevention.

“David and his fellow classmates have taken this issue and made it the number one issue that they are talking about nationally. While David was the target of an ugly conspiracy – and that conspiracy came from the far right – he has not let that stop him from continuing to speak out on the need for legislation that prevents gun violence from taking more lives,” Nelson said. “Well, what Fred has done is he’s taken this devastating loss and he’s turned it into a platform for advocacy on gun violence prevention and the need to protect students and alumni from that school who are leading this movement.”

In the wake of the shooting in Parkland, a movement led by students and parents like David Hogg and Fred Guttenberg has swept across the country, and is now bringing their case to Congress.

“I have dedicated the rest of my life to fighting for the cause of gun safety. I will not stop. No other parent should ever go through what my family and 16 other families are going through,” Fred Guttenberg said in his testimony today. “What is unfathomable is how this is not unique to us. This had become something that was becoming way too common. This time, the gun rights crowd messed with the wrong community, the wrong kids, and the wrong dad.”

“Just three weeks ago gun violence took the lives of 17 people in Parkland, Florida and today we heard from a parent and student directly affected. It was incredibly powerful and heartbreaking and I am grateful for all the witnesses who shared their stories today,” Nelson said after the hearing. “What happened in Parkland should never happen again, and I stand with these students, parents and families in demanding action. We must come together now to get something done.”

The hearing today was intended to give members of the U.S. Senate the opportunity to hear directly from survivors and family members who lost loved ones due to gun violence.

Video of Sen. Nelson’s introduction and remarks can be found here.

A full video of the hearing, including witness testimony, can be found here.

Gov. Scott: Florida Ranked Best State in the Nation for Higher Education

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Governor Rick Scott today made the below statement regarding U.S. News & World Report again ranking Florida as the best state in the nation for higher education. The ranking was determined based on several factors, including the time it takes Florida students to complete two and four-year higher education programs, the cost of tuition and fees, and the burden of debt for college graduates. This is the second year in a row Florida has ranked number one. For information on the study, click HERE.

Governor Scott said, “It is great news that Florida has again ranked first in the nation for higher education. Over the past seven years, we have made major investments in our higher education system and challenged colleges and universities to become more affordable while fully preparing students to be ready for a great job upon graduation. A leading higher education system helps strengthen our state as the best place for families, students and job creators to succeed. We will continue to work together to hold the line on tuition and support our state colleges and universities so families and students can continue to achieve their dreams in Florida.”

North Port woman claims $1 million prize playing $5,000,000 MONOPOLY™ FLORIDA EDITION Scratch-Off game

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The Florida Lottery announces that Nataliya Brych, 41, of North Port, claimed a $1 million prize in the $5,000,000 MONOPOLY™ FLORIDA EDITION Scratch-Off game at the Florida Lottery Headquarters in Tallahassee. She chose to receive her winnings as a one-time, lump-sum payment of $770,000.00.

Brych purchased her winning ticket from Venice Shell, located at 4300 South Tamiami Trail in Venice. The retailer will receive a $2,000 bonus commission for selling the winning Scratch-Off ticket.

The $20 Scratch-Off game, $5,000,000 MONOPOLY FLORIDA EDITION, launched in July 2016, and features more than $346 million in prizes, including six top prizes of $5,000,000 and 20 prizes of $1 million! The game’s overall odds of winning are one-in-2.97.

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.

Statement by Commissioner Adam Putnam on Senate’s Passage of Credit Report Freeze Fee Legislation

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Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam released the following statement today after the Senate passed the Credit Report Freeze Fee Bill, House Bill 953.

“Protecting consumers’ hard-earned money from criminals is a top priority, and this legislation that removes the fee to freeze credit reports makes it easier for consumers to protect themselves from fraud,” stated Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam. “I thank Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis, Senator Jeff Brandes and Representative Shawn Harrison for spearheading this consumer protection effort.”

The Credit Report Freeze Fee Bill seeks to remove the fee that credit reporting agencies charge Floridians to freeze their credit. The bill also removes the paperwork requirements for victims of identity theft to freeze their credit without a fee.

CFO Jimmy Patronis’ Statement on Overwhelming Support of Eliminating the Credit Report Freeze Fee

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Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Jimmy Patronis issued the following statement regarding the unanimous passage of one of his top priorities, House Bill 953, eliminating the fee imposed on Floridians to freeze their credit. The bill will now be ready to head to Gov. Rick Scott for signature. 

“Recent reports indicate that Florida is the top state in the nation for consumer fraud, and ranks second for identity theft reports in 2017. We know one of the best ways to protect yourself from fraud is to freeze your credit. Today’s unanimous vote comes in the midst of National Consumer Protection Week and I’m proud Floridians will be able to more easily protect themselves from fraud.

“Thank you to Rep. Shawn Harrison, Sen. Jeffrey Brandes, and Commissioner Adam Putnam for their support of this good bill.” 

St. Petersburg man claims $2 million POWERBALL® prize

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The Florida Lottery announces that Joseph Brelsford, of St. Petersburg, claimed a $2 million prize from the POWERBALL® drawing held on March 3, 2018. The winning Quick Pick ticket matched all five of the white ball numbers, but did not match the Powerball.

Brelsford purchased the winning ticket from Sunoco, located at 6231 Haines Road North in St. Petersburg. The retailer will receive a $5,000 bonus commission for selling the winning POWERBALL ticket.

The POWERBALL jackpot has continued to roll since January, resulting in an estimated $348 million jackpot for the drawing to be held tonight, March 7, at 10:59 p.m. ET. National POWERBALL drawings are broadcast live, in high-definition, from the Florida Lottery’s state of the art draw studio in Tallahassee. Florida Lottery game 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.

Madison PD, FDLE investigate shooting death

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Investigators with Madison Police Department and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement are investigating the death of a woman, who was found shot in a vehicle that was parked and left abandoned at the Madison County Memorial Hospital this morning.

Shortly after investigators located a man with a gunshot wound. He is being treated at the hospital for a non-life-threatening injury. The incidents appear to be related.

Police continue to search for two others they believe were involved in the incident. The investigation continues. We will provide additional information as it becomes available.