Capital Soup

Florida News Straight From the Source

You are here: Home / Archives for Featured

Featured

Gulf gray triggerfish opens March 1 with new bag and size limits

Posted on

The recreational gray triggerfish season will reopen to harvest in Gulf state and federal waters March 1. When the season reopens, the daily bag limit will be one fish per person (previously two fish per person) and the minimum size limit will be 15 inches fork length (previously 14 inches fork length). These changes were made at the July 2017 Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) meeting and are consistent with changes made in federal waters. The changes also include an annual January through February recreational closure in Gulf state waters in addition to the annual June and July spawning closure.

These federal consistency measures should help maintain fishing opportunities for gray triggerfish in state and federal waters for 2018 and the future.          

If you plan to fish for gray triggerfish in Gulf state or federal waters from a private recreational vessel, you must sign up as a Gulf Reef Fish Angler (annual renewal is required). To learn more, visit MyFWC.com/Fishing and click on “Saltwater Fishing,” “Recreational Regulations” and “Gulf Reef Fish Survey” under “Reef Fish.” Sign up today at GoOutdoorsFlorida.com.

Learn more about gray triggerfish at MyFWC.com/Fishing by clicking on “Saltwater Fishing,” “Recreational Regulations” and “Triggerfish.”  

Senator Linda Stewart Files Amendments Banning Assault Weapons and High Capacity Magazines

Posted on

State Senator Linda Stewart (D-Orlando) has filed two amendments to confront the urgent need for gun safety reform onto bills presently scheduled for a floor vote this morning. Both amendments ban the sale of civilian versions of military assault weapons and the high capacity magazines that make them so lethal. For the past two years, Senator Stewart has relentlessly pushed to enact gun violence prevention legislation. The amendments filed Tuesday afternoon ensure that the 17 souls lost in the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School massacre were not in vain, but instead are a call to action. Each amendment revises SB 1048 and HB 55, bills that were designed to promote the proliferation of firearms in Florida, including in schools.

“These bills quintessentially reflect how out-of-touch our state legislature has become,” said Senator Stewart. “My amendments are simple: Ban high-capacity magazines and weapons of mass murder. If you stand for life and family values, how can you sit idly as children are being slaughtered and lives are being forever shattered? How can we, as lawmakers charged with the safety and well-being of our state’s citizens, continue to do nothing?”

Senators will convene in the Senate Chamber at 10:00 AM on Wednesday, February 21, 2018. The amendments are intended to prevent weapons specifically designed to deliver high rates of lethal gunfire without the need to pause and reload from falling into the hands of people such as the shooter who carried out the MSD High School massacre. Students from MSD High School will be present in the gallery before they join the Rally Supporting Gun Safety Reforms.

NASA Astronaut Nicole Stott Discusses Space Experiences at UNF

Posted on

The University of North Florida’s Center for Advancement of Women in Engineering celebrates International Women’s Week with the fourth annual Women Leaders in STEM Conference, featuring keynote speaker Nicole Stott, a NASA astronaut and artist, at 9 a.m. Tuesday, March 6, at the Adam W. Herbert University Center, Building 43.

Stott will be sharing her incredible experiences in space, inspiring women and sharing the importance of STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math) and the inclusion of women in the field. Following the lecture, there will be a panel discussion of prominent engineering leaders at 10:15 a.m. and a networking event at 11:15 a.m. Panelists will share their experiences and how they have earned respect as women in a male-dominated discipline.

“We’re excited that astronaut Stott, engineering leaders and so many members of the Jacksonville community are joining efforts with the Center to inspire more women to pursue engineering and help them advance,” said Dr. Alexandra Schonning, director of The Center for the Advancement of Women in Engineering. “We’re better as a community, and companies thrive, when we’re inclusive of diverse people. We need more women in engineering, so this is a step in the right direction.”

A NASA veteran, Stott’s experience includes two spaceflights and 104 days spent living and working in space on both the Space Shuttle and the International Space Station. She first joined NASA at the Kennedy Space Center in 1988 as an operations engineer in the Orbiter Processing Facility and later joined the Johnson Space Center team as a member of the NASA Aircraft Operations Division, where she served as a flight simulation engineer flying on the Shuttle Training Aircraft and helping train astronaut pilots to land the Space Shuttle.

In 2009, Stott launched on her first spaceflight to the International Space Station with the crew of Discovery STS128 and participated in the first spacewalk of that mission. While she was still living on the ISS during her first spaceflight, she was assigned to her second spaceflight, which became the final flight of the Space Shuttle Discovery.

A heavily decorated astronaut and engineer, Stott is the recipient of NASA Space Flight, Distinguished Service and Exceptional Achievement Medals; the Russian Medal of Merit for Space; Florida Aviation Hall of Fame Inductee; and distinguished excellence awards from her alma maters Embry Riddle Aeronautical University and the University of Central Florida.

Stott retired from her 27-year career with NASA in 2015 and has embarked on her next adventure as an artist. She combines her spaceflight experience and artwork to inspire creative thinking about solutions to our planetary challenges to raise awareness of the surprising interplay between science and art as well as to promote the work being done every day in space to improve life here on Earth.

The lecture is free; however registration and an e-ticket is required and can be obtained at unf.edu/lectures. For more information about this event, contact Jessica Russell, engineering administrative secretary, at (904) 620-1390 or email [email protected].

The Center for the Advancement of Women in Engineering focuses on increasing recruitment, retention, and advancement of women in Engineering though outreach activities in the K12 community, a coaching program for engineering students, and conferences for the engineering professionals. For more information, visit unf.edu/cawe.

Florida Coalition to Prevent Gun Violence, LWV to Hold Rally To Ban Assault Weapons

Posted on

In the wake of yet another horrific massacre in our state and as students’ outraged voices join the growing cry demanding action, the Florida Coalition to Prevent Gun Violence and the League of Women Voters of Florida are holding a Rally to Support Gun Safety Reform at noon today on the steps of the Historic Florida Capitol.
Since planning the rally, the actions of many of our state legislators have dramatically demonstrated why voices must be raised. As the country – and in fact, the world – watched, the Florida House of Representatives defeated a move to debate a ban on assault weapons on Tuesday, just days after the shooting. Also watching in person from the gallery: Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School students.
“First, they were witnesses to the murders of their friends and then they were witnesses to a shocking vote by their elected officials,” said Patricia Brigham, Coalition co-chair and 1st vice president of the state League. “You could hear them sobbing as a contingency of legislators proved they care more about the gun lobby than the lives of our children.”
For the past two legislative sessions, the Coalition and League have supported a ban on the sale of military-style assault weapons and large-capacity magazines.
Rep. Carlos Guillermo Smith and Sen. Linda Stewart have introduced bills calling for these bans, but neither have been placed on their legislative committees’ agenda to be heard.
At today’s rally, dozens of students, many who have spoken passionately and eloquently in recent days, will lead the charge for meaningful change. Afterward, petitions that contain thousands of signatures calling for the assault weapon and large-capacity magazine bans will be delivered to Gov. Rick Scott.
 “We demand these bills be heard – and passed,” said Brigham. “What possible argument can be made that legislation designed to loosen gun laws get a full airing year after year, while smart gun safety bills languish? Our legislators are literally allowing our residents – our children – to be slaughtered.”
The fact that the 19-year-old who killed 17 at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School last week legally bought the AR-15 rifle he used for the premeditated murders should be catalyst enough to move our legislators to action.
“After the latest horrific tragedy in Parkland, Gov. Scott and the Florida Legislature must act now to ban military-style assault weapons and large-capacity magazines,” said Andy Pelosi, co-chair of the Coalition and director of The Campaign to Keep Guns Off Campus. “Our students and staff need to know that they are safe. The time for action is now.”
The rally will include a number of speakers, including students, Sen. Gary Farmer, Rep. Smith, Angie Gallo of Florida PTA, Brigham, and the Rev. Joe Parramore.
The Florida Coalition to Prevent Gun Violence was created by the League of Women Voters of Florida after the Pulse shooting to promote smart gun legislation. It has grown to include more than 120 local, state, and national organizations and includes such diverse groups as the Hispanic Federation, the Florida PTA, Equality Florida, the Interfaith Council of Central Florida, and Doctors for America.

Commissioner Adam Putnam’s Statement on Roundtable Discussion and Workshop

Posted on

Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam today participated in both Governor Rick Scott’s roundtable discussion and the workshop with Florida’s law enforcement community. Commissioner Putnam issued the following statement:

“I’m grateful to the Governor for his leadership in bringing people together today to focus on how we can keep our children safe. As a father of four children in public school, this tragedy hits mighty close to home.

“When someone sees something and says something, there ought to be an expectation that someone is going to do something about it. Any artificial barriers that exist between schools, law enforcement, mental health professionals and the FBI ought to be identified and swept away. There are too many instances where those barriers are standing in the way of safety, and that’s just not acceptable.

“Our kids and our teachers deserve to be in a safe learning environment. And we ought to give them that.”

Harris Corporation EWeek Celebration Inspires Wonder in Engineering

Posted on

Harris Corporation (NYSE:HRS) employees will design, build and problem-solve during a series of events marking National Engineers Week, or EWeek, at Harris locations around the United States and the world.

Part of a national event organized by the National Society of Professional Engineers, Harris EWeek runs from Feb. 20-24 and is designed to recognize and celebrate the achievements of the 7,700 engineers and scientists at Harris.

“Engineering is at the heart of what we do at Harris – solving our customers’ most critical challenges with technical innovations that touch millions of lives every day,” Harris Chairman, President and CEO William M. Brown said. “This year’s theme – Inspiring Wonder – highlights the impact of engineers in our industry and around the world.”

Activities include the Harris Engineering Olympics, Quadcopter Challenge, a cardboard boat Lagoon Challenge in Palm Bay, Florida, as well as a 3-D printed bridge challenge and sailing simulation competition. To help inspire a new generation of innovators, the company has invited students involved in regional Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) programs to participate in select events.

Harris will also recognize significant accomplishments of individual teams of engineers and scientists. Foremost among those is naming Chris Mackey the 2018 Harris Fellow, the company’s highest recognition for engineering and technical achievement. Mackey, a Senior Scientist whose technical leadership has been instrumental in the development of the electronic architecture for many of Harris’ most critical communication systems, is the 26th employee to receive the distinguished award since it was established in 2000.

Harris has a 123-year legacy of innovation and annually invests an industry-leading 5 percent of its revenue in research and development. Harris and its employees each year contribute millions of dollars and volunteer thousands of hours in STEM-related outreach.

Youth Advocacy Leaders From Around the State Gather at Capitol

Posted on

Each year, Florida Network of Youth and Family Services’ executives from its member agencies and shelters across the state converge at the Capitol to meet one-on-one with legislators regarding key issues involving at-risk youth and their families.

Starting yesterday, February 19, through February 21, “Hill Day” will take place allowing executives to be the voice of their communities’ children, while thanking their senators and representatives for supporting “Children and Families in Need of Services” and statewide prevention services.

This year, the Florida Network and its advocates are urging lawmakers to secure reoccurring funding for the SNAP (Stop Now and Plan) program – a behavioral model that provides a framework for teaching youth struggling with disruptive behavior issues and their parents effective self-control and problem-solving skills – as well as provide additional funding for new SNAP sites. Currently, SNAP is in six counties throughout Florida.

Throughout Hill Day, leaders also will discuss prevention services for critical issues surrounding Florida youth and families, such as human trafficking, domestic violence and juvenile delinquency prevention.

Public Input Opportunity for Malabar Road (S.R. 514) Proposed Improvements

Posted on

The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) will hold a public hearing for the Malabar Road (State Road (S.R.) 514) Project Development and Environment (PD&E) study from Babcock Street to
U.S. 1 in Brevard County on Wednesday, Feb. 28 beginning at 5 p.m. at the City of Palm Bay Council Chambers. The meeting will be an open house format until a presentation at 6 p.m., followed by public comments.

FDOT will present the recommended build alternative to widen Malabar Road from Babcock Street to U.S. 1 from a two-lane roadway to a four-lane roadway where warranted. The project will also change the Access Classification of Malabar Road from Class 3, which does not prevent turns for traffic traveling in opposite directions, to Class 5, which prevents turns across the median of a divided highway. Chapter 335.199, Florida Statutes, requires a public hearing to present the proposed access classification change when any project on the state highway system closes or modifies an existing access.

The hearing is being conducted to give interested persons an opportunity to express their views concerning the location, conceptual design, social, economic, and environmental effects of the proposed improvements. Persons wishing to submit written statements, in place of or in addition to oral statements, may do so at the hearing or by sending them to Lorena Cucek, FDOT District Five MS 501, 719 S. Woodland Boulevard, DeLand, FL 32720. All statements postmarked no later than March 13, 2018 will become a part of the public hearing record.

The draft environmental and engineering reports are available for review through March 13, 2018 at the following locations:

  1. Franklin T. DeGrodt Library, 6475 Minton Road SW, Palm Bay, FL 32908
  2. Malabar Town Hall, 2725 Malabar Road, Malabar, FL 32950-4427
  3. The study website – www.sr514malabar.com

Public participation is sought without regard to race, color, national origin, age, sex, religion, disability or family status. Persons wishing to express their concerns relative to FDOT compliance with Title VI may do so by contacting Jennifer Smith, FDOT District Five Title VI Coordinator to [email protected].

Persons who require special accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act or persons who require translation services (free of charge) should contact Lorena Cucek, FDOT Project Manager, at 719 S. Woodland Boulevard – MS 501, DeLand, FL 32720, by phone 386-943-5392, or by email to [email protected]. If you are hearing or speech impaired, please contact us by using the Florida Relay Service, 1-800-955-8771 (TDD) or 1-800-955-8770 (Voice).

Media inquiries should be directed to the FDOT District Five Communications Office, 386-943-5479 /[email protected].

Summerfield man claims $10 million fortune playing Florida Lottery Scratch-Off game

Posted on

The Florida Lottery announces that William Smith, 54, of Summerfield, claimed the third of four $10 million top prizes in the $10,000,000 FORTUNE Scratch-Off game at Florida Lottery Headquarters in Tallahassee. He chose to receive his winnings as a one-time, lump-sum payment of $7,348,000.00.

Smith purchased his winning ticket from Lake Weir Qwik King Food Store, located at 3820 Southeast Lake Weir Avenue in Ocala. The retailer will receive a $20,000 bonus commission for selling the winning Scratch-Off ticket.

The $25 Scratch-Off game, $10,000,000 FORTUNE, features more than $623 million in total cash prizes, including 46 prizes of $1 million and four prizes of $10 million. The game’s overall odds of winning are one-in-2.88.

Scratch-Off games 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.

CRC Public Hearing in Jacksonville at UNF Herbert University Center

Posted on

The Constitution Revision Commission (CRC) invites all interested Floridians to participate in a public hearing being held today at the University of North Florida’s Adam W. Herbert University Center from 1:00-7:00 PM. This is the third public hearing being held on the CRC’s 2018 “Road to the Ballot” public hearing tour.

Public hearings are free events open to all Floridians who would like to attend. No tickets or RSVPs are required. Free public parking will be provided. Floridians planning to attend the public hearing are respectfully requested to observe the CRC Public Hearing Participation Guidelines.

WHAT: Northeast Florida Public Hearing of the Constitution Revision Commission

WHEN: TODAY, Tuesday, February 20, 1:00 – 7:00 PM (Doors open at Noon)

WHERE: University of North Florida
Adam W. Herbert University Center
12000 Alumni Drive
Jacksonville, FL 32224

PARKING: Free parking is available to the public in Lot 16 adjacent to the University Center.
PARKING MAP LINK (PDF)
GOOGLE MAP LINK

SIGN-UP TO SPEAK: To speak at a CRC public hearing, Floridians must fill out an appearance form and hand it in to CRC staff at the Citizen Services Desk. The appearance form is available online at flcrc.gov and printed copies are available at public hearings. Appearance forms will not be accepted in advance of the public hearing.

Public speakers will be called in the order in which appearance forms are received by CRC staff at the Citizen Services Desk at the public hearing. The Citizen Services Desk will be open to accept appearance forms starting at 12:00 PM (Noon). Appearance forms received by 7:00 PM will be accepted.

Additional information for the February 20 public hearing is available online at flcrc.gov/Meetings/PublicHearings.