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Rising MEGA MILLIONS® and POWERBALL® jackpots offer two chances to start the new year off right

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Multi-state Jackpots Offer a Combined $801 Million

The holidays may be over, but buzz continues to generate among players across the nation as jackpots for both multi-state games, MEGA MILLIONS® and POWERBALL®, continue to swell to a combined total of $801 million! The MEGA MILLIONS jackpot rolled to $361 million after Friday night’s drawing, and the POWERBALL jackpot rolled to $440 million after Saturday night’s drawing, the ninth largest in the game’s history.
With large jackpots like these, players are encouraged to sign the back of their tickets at the time of purchase and keep them in a safe place. Players should always check their tickets carefully because even if they don’t win the jackpot, they can still win cash prizes of up to $5 million with MEGA MILLIONS and of up to $2 million with POWERBALL.
POWERBALL jackpots start at $40 million and roll until the jackpot is won. Players win by matching the five white ball numbers (1-69) and the red POWERBALL (1-26). There are eight other ways to win non-jackpot prizes ranging from $4 to $1 million or up to $2 million if the ticket includes Power Play. The overall odds of winning a prize in the game are approximately one-in-24.87.
MEGA MILLIONS jackpots also start at $40 million and roll until the jackpot is won. Players win by matching the five white ball numbers (1-70) and the golden Mega Ball number (1-25). There are eight other ways to win non-jackpot prizes ranging from $2 to $1 million or up to $5 million if the ticket includes Megaplier. The overall odds of winning a prize in the game are approximately one-in-24.
Purchase your tickets at any of the Florida Lottery’s more than 13,000 authorized retailers for your chance to become Florida’s newest multi-millionaire. The Florida Lottery reminds all players to play responsibly, as it only takes one ticket to win. As with all Florida Lottery products, players must be 18 years or older to play.
ABOUT MEGA MILLIONS IN FLORIDA 
Since joining MEGA MILLIONS in 2013, the game has generated more than $292 million for education, and has awarded more than $291 million in prizes to 38.5 million players.
The next MEGA MILLIONS drawing will be held tonight, January 2, at 11:00 p.m. ET, tickets must be purchased by 10:00 p.m. ET to be eligible for this drawing. MEGA MILLIONS drawings are broadcast on 17 carrier stations throughout the state. Drawings are also available for viewing on the Florida Lottery website and our official YouTube channel. Winning numbers are available on the Lottery website, at retailers statewide and by phone at (850) 921-PLAY.
ABOUT POWERBALL IN FLORIDA
Since joining POWERBALL in 2009, the game has generated $1.77 billion in contributions to education statewide. Florida is among the top-selling POWERBALL states in the country, with more than 79 million winning tickets totaling more than $2.2 billion in prizes, including 12 jackpot winners. Florida was also one of the three states nationally to have a winner share in the world record-setting $1.586 billion POWERBALL jackpot in January 2016.
The next POWERBALL drawing will be held Wednesday, January 3, at 10:59 p.m. ET, tickets must be purchased by 10:00 p.m. ET to be eligible for this drawing. National POWERBALL drawings are broadcast live, in high-definition, from the Florida Lottery’s state of the art draw studio in Tallahassee.
ABOUT THE FLORIDA LOTTERY
The Florida Lottery is responsible for contributing more than $32 billion to education and sending more than 775,000 students to college through the Bright Futures Scholarship Program. The Florida Lottery reinvests 98 percent of its revenue back into Florida’s economy through prize payouts, commissions to more than 13,000 Florida retailers and contributions to education. Since 1988, Florida Lottery games have paid more than $53.6 billion in prizes and made more than 2,000 people millionaires. For more information, please visit www.flalottery.com.

Public Kick-Off Meetings for St. Johns River to Sea Loop Study Will be Held Soon

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The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) is conducting Public Kick-Off Meetings for the St. Johns River to Sea (SJR2C) Loop PD&E Study. The meetings will be offered on two different days with the same information presented. Times and dates are:

  • Wednesday, January 10, at the Brannon Civic Center, located at 105 S. Riverside Drive, New Smyrna Beach, FL 32168.
  • Thursday, January 11, at the Riverside Pavilion, located at 504 Big Tree Road, South Daytona, FL 32119.

The meetings will be held as an open house format from 5:30-7:30 p.m., with no formal presentation.
FDOT will present trail alternatives for U.S. 1, or another alternative route, from State Road 44 (Lytle Avenue) to Beville Road, approximately 12.5 miles. The meetings provide interested persons an opportunity to express their views concerning the social, economic and environmental impacts of the proposed design alternatives. Participants may review and discuss the study with FDOT staff at any time during the meetings. Information presented at the meetings will also be available on the study website, CFLroads.com (search by number 439865-1) by Wednesday, January 17.
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 via email at [email protected]. The environmental review, consultation and other actions required by applicable federal environmental laws for this project are being, or have been, carried out by the FDOT pursuant to 23 U.S.C. §327 and a Memorandum of Understanding dated December 14, 2016 and executed by the Federal Highway Administration and FDOT.
Persons who require special accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act or persons who require translation services (free of charge) should contact Heather Grubert, P.E., FDOT Project Manager, at 719 S. Woodland Blvd. – MS 501, DeLand, FL 32720, by phone 386-943-5540, 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 FDOT Communications Manager Steve Olson, 386-943-5479, [email protected].

Floridians’ Top 10 Consumer Complaints in 2017

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The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services released today the top 10 consumer complaints filed with the department in 2017. Complaints about violations of the state’s Do Not Call list were the most common, followed by complaints related to landlord/ tenant issues, fuel and gasoline, and motor vehicle repair. In addition, the department recovered $2,659,000 for Florida consumers in 2017.
“We are dedicated to protecting Florida’s consumers, and I’m proud that we recovered more than $2.6 million for Floridians this year,” said Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam. “Anyone can call our 1-800-HELP-FLA consumer hotline or visit FreshfromFlorida.com to file a complaint, find information about businesses and professionals and learn how to protect themselves from fraud and scams.”
In 2017, the department received 40,855 complaints and responded to 215,870 calls, 16,247 emails and 11,464 online chats from consumers. The top 10 complaints were:

  1. Do Not Call –19,112
  2. Landlord/Tenant – 2,164
  3. Fuel/Petroleum – 1,555
  4. Motor Vehicle Repair – 1,386
  5. Medical Billing – 1,253
  6. Communications – 1,160
  7. Other/Miscellaneous – 1,105
  8. Travel/Vacation Plans – 1,028
  9. Motor Vehicle/Sales Accessories – 1,021
  10. Construction – 973

The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services is the state’s clearinghouse for consumer complaints, protection and information. The call center is staffed with trained analysts who can respond to questions about programs and regulations under the department’s purview and provide information on a wide variety of topics or direct callers to the appropriate government agency.
Consumers who believe fraud has taken place can contact the department’s consumer protection and information hotline at 1-800-HELP-FLA (435-7352) or, for Spanish speakers, 1-800-FL-AYUDA (352-9832). For more information about the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, visit FreshFromFlorida.com.

Win now and win later with FLORIDA LOTTO® with EZMATCH™

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Win up to $500 Instantly!

The Florida Lottery is proud to announce that the exciting, optional add-on feature EZmatch™, will be available on FLORIDA LOTTO® purchases beginning Monday, January 1, 2018. Players who add EZmatch to their FLORIDA LOTTO purchases can win cash prizes of up to $500 instantly!
EZmatch gives FLORIDA LOTTO players the opportunity to win cash prizes instantly, for an additional $1 per play, and still have the chance to win millions more in the FLORIDA LOTTO drawing. When a player adds EZmatch to his or her FLORIDA LOTTO purchase, six EZmatch numbers and instant prize amounts will be printed on the ticket. If any of the EZmatch numbers match any of the FLORIDA LOTTO numbers on the ticket, the player instantly wins the prize amount shown.
All EZmatch prizes of less than $600 can be redeemed at any Florida Lottery retailer. Prizes of $600 or more must be claimed at a Florida Lottery district office. If an EZmatch prize is paid by a retailer before the applicable FLORIDA LOTTO drawing on the ticket has occurred, a continuation ticket will be provided to the player. EZmatch prizes may be claimed up to 180 days after the first draw date on the ticket.
FLORIDA LOTTO has been the Lottery’s flagship game since 1988, contributing more than $7.7 billion to education. FLORIDA LOTTO has the highest sales of any in state lotto game nationwide.
The next FLORIDA LOTTO drawing will be held tomorrow, December 30, 2017, at 11:15 p.m. ET, with a $10 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.

Certification of State House District 58 Special Election

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MEDIA ADVISORY

The Florida Department of State’s Division of Elections announces the following meeting of the Elections Canvassing Commission.
DATE AND TIME: Tuesday, January 2, 2018, 9:00 a.m.
LOCATION: Cabinet Meeting Room, LL03, The Capitol, Tallahassee, Florida
SUBJECT: Certification of State House District 58 Special Election
PARTICIPANTS: Members of the State Elections Canvassing Commission will include Governor Rick Scott, Attorney General Pam Bondi and Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis. All will be participating via phone.

Two players claim top prizes playing $500,000 GOLD RUSH DOUBLER Scratch-Off game

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The Florida Lottery announces that Ileana Castillo, 54, of Miami; and Jennifer Osburn, 46, of Lakeland, each claimed a top prize in the $500,000 GOLD RUSH DOUBLER Scratch-Off game at Florida Lottery Headquarters in Tallahassee.
Castillo purchased her winning ticket from Publix, located at 9105 South Dadeland Boulevard in Miami. Osburn purchased her winning ticket from Publix, located at 2515 South Florida Avenue in Lakeland.
The $5 Scratch-Off game, $500,000 GOLD RUSH DOUBLER, launched in January, and features more than $182.8 million in prizes, including 44 top prizes of $500,000. The game’s overall odds of winning are one-in-3.98.
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.

Senator Brandes files Prearrest Diversion Bill

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Bill would create circuit wide civil citation programs

Senator Jeff Brandes (R-St. Petersburg) today filed SB 1392, which will find a similar companion in the House with Representative Larry Ahern (R-Seminole). This bill directs all judicial circuits in the state to create and implement both an adult and a juvenile civil citation program. Participation in the programs will remain optional, but SB 1392 will ensure that every municipality has the opportunity to partake in a prearrest diversion program.
“Allowing civil citations for minor offenses committed by juveniles and adults has proven to be an effective tool for law enforcement by modifying the behavior of cited individuals without the scarlet letter of an arrest,” stated Senator Brandes. “This bill enhances this tool, requiring all judicial circuits implement a civil citation program, while maintaining the flexibility of local control and officer discretion.”
SB 1392 does not do away with any current programs. However, if an existing program does not meet certain criteria established by the circuit, it will need to adjust to comply. Senator Brandes believes civil citations are an important tool for law enforcement, as they will free up the court system to deal with more serious offenses, and this tool will provide individuals with an opportunity to face appropriate sanctions to reduce recidivism.
For more information on SB 1392 please click here.

Gov. Scott: Juvenile Arrests Drop to Historic 42-Year Low

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Governor Rick Scott announced today that the number of juvenile arrests continued to decline in 2016-2017 according to the latest delinquency report released by the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ). Statewide, juvenile arrests dropped another seven percent in the last fiscal year, a five-year decline of 24 percent, and a historic 42-year low in juvenile arrests.
Governor Scott said, “Our state has made significant strides in reforming our juvenile justice system and I am proud to announce today that juvenile arrests have dropped to a historic 42-year low. Today’s announcement would not be possible without Florida’s juvenile detention and probation officers, who work each day to redirect our youth to a successful path. I will be working with the legislature during the upcoming session to pass a 10 percent pay raise for juvenile detention and juvenile probation officers so we can reward them for their critical work.”
The five counties with the largest populations in Florida continue to show decreases in juvenile arrests over the last fiscal year. The county with the largest drop was Orange County with a 15 percent decrease, followed by Hillsborough County with a 14 percent reduction, Broward County with a seven percent decrease, Miami-Dade County with a seven percent decrease, and Palm Beach County with a four percent decline in juvenile arrests.
DJJ Secretary Christina Daly said, “More than six years ago, DJJ committed to improve Florida’s juvenile justice system through innovative and aggressive reforms. The continued decline in juvenile arrests year after year demonstrates our reform efforts are working. We will continue to work with law enforcement and our community partners to keep even more kids out of the juvenile justice system, provide the very best services for those that do come into our system, and work hard to help steer every youth down the right path.”
The current report, covering a five-year period, shows an overall decline in felony offenses, including a 15 percent decrease in murder/manslaughter arrests and a seven percent decrease in aggravated assault arrests. The report also shows a year-to-year four percent drop statewide in auto theft arrests, including a 19 percent year-to-year decrease in auto theft arrests in the Central Florida region. The report also shows a 14 percent decline in overall misdemeanor arrests.
To view the full report, click HERE.

Supreme Court launches podcast program ‘Beyond the Bench’

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A good conversation covers a lot of ground – and that can be heard in the inaugural podcast released today by the Florida Supreme Court, which features Chief Justice Jorge Labarga talking with Leon County Judge Nina Ashenafi-Richardson about why courts must communicate with the people they serve.
During their conversation, the two jurists also discuss the surprising benefit of jury service, Florida’s long-standing policy of allowing cameras in the courtroom, the importance of courts that are impartial and independent – and a couple of good movies.
The podcast series, “Beyond the Bench,” can be reached from the front page of the Court’s website, floridasupremecourt.org.
Florida’s sweeping Court Communication Plan, which the state’s high court unanimously approved in late 2015, calls for Florida’s courts to consider taking advantage of advances in communications technology, such as social media and podcasting. The plan also emphasizes the importance of time-proven principles of effective communication, such as building and maintaining relationships of trust with your audience.
“It’s imperative that people get to see how justice is being done,’’ Labarga says at one point during the podcast, repeating a point he has made before. “It’s not just that justice is done – it has to be seen to be done.”
Ashenafi-Richardson tells Labarga that “the word is getting out on Facebook, Twitter … it’s been exciting to see our circuits using technology to allow citizens and our young people to learn more about the courts and what we do.”
The Florida Supreme Court launched its Facebook page in the fall of 2016 and joined Twitter in 2009. Florida’s Ninth Judicial Circuit, which covers Orange and Osceola counties, launched a podcast in the summer of 2016. The 11th Judicial Circuit, which covers Miami-Dade County, has also started a podcast program. Most of Florida’s 26 court divisions – 20 Circuits, five District Courts of Appeal and the Supreme Court – have a presence on at least one social media platform. The Office of State Courts Administrator, which serves under the direction of Florida’s chief justice and its Supreme Court, is also active in social media.
The Communication Plan, “Delivering Our Message,” was drafted by the Judicial Management Council, an advisory body that includes judges, lawyers and non-lawyers. Ashenafi-Richardson is a member of the council and chaired the committee that developed the plan. In the podcast, she describes how the plan includes strategies and ideas for Florida’s courts to consider as they work on improving communication both internally and externally. As one example, she pointed to landlord-tenant clinics in the Second Judicial Circuit, which includes Tallahassee and surrounding rural counties, where the clerk of court and attorneys hold clinics to explain to landlords and tenants about the forms that are required in such cases.
“These are often the type of cases where they don’t want to hire an attorney – they can’t afford to hire an attorney (and) the costs are very low in terms of damages,’’ she said. “So these clinics are very helpful.”
Future Supreme Court podcasts will cover the work carried out by some of the departments at the Supreme Court, especially those that have the most interaction with the public, including the Clerk’s Office, the Library and the Public Information Office.
For more info visit Delivering Our Message and Social Media in Florida’s courts.

Publix and Procter & Gamble partner to #LightTheTorch for Special Olympics Florida

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From January 4 through 20, Publix customers and associates can
support Special Olympics by purchasing a Torch Icon at the register

Publix Super Markets and Procter & Gamble are helping customers save money all while supporting Special Olympics Florida.
From January 4 through 20, 2018, Publix customers and associates will be able to make a donation to Special Olympics Florida at the register and in turn will receive a special Torch Icon that includes exclusive savings on Procter & Gamble brands including Tide®, Gain®, Bounty®, Charmin®, Gillette®, Venus®, Pampers®, Luvs®, Olay®, Ivory®, Vicks DayQuil or NyQuil®. Donations can be made for as little as $1, $3, $5 or $10, and all donors will receive $14 in coupon savings.
“For 45 years, we have shared the vision of Special Olympics and have been proud supporters, along with our partners at Procter & Gamble, and our loyal customers,” said Maria Brous Publix director of media and community relations. “Together, since 1993, we have raised more than $40 million for Special Olympics. We take great pride in and thank our customers and associates for making a positive impact throughout the communities we serve.”
Special Olympics Florida offers life-changing opportunities for children and adults with intellectual disabilities to learn new skills, build confidence and achieve their fullest potential through sports training and competition. Special Olympics Florida serves more than 42,000 athletes who compete at local, state, national and worldwide levels. In addition to training and competition for these athletes, Special Olympics Florida provides $2 million in free medical exams for thousands of Floridians with intellectual disabilities through its health programs, including much needed access to free prescription glasses and hearing aids. Its Unified Champion Schools further spread the message of inclusion, respect and advocacy in 167 schools and 14 universities throughout Florida.
“Our athletes are able to achieve greatness on and off the playing field,” said Special Olympics Florida Chief Executive Officer Sherry Wheelock. “With support from Publix, Procter & Gamble and the thousands of Florida shoppers who donate at the register, we are able to reach more adults and children in Florida with opportunities, critical services and support they need to thrive.”
To learn more about Special Olympics Florida and the 2018 #LightTheTorch Publix campaign, click here.
About Special Olympics Florida
Special Olympics Florida provides year-round sports training, competition and health services to children and adults with intellectual disabilities, at no cost to the athletes or their caregivers, as a means to achieve physical fitness, self-esteem, socialization skills, and the life skills necessary to be productive, respected and contributing members of their communities. To learn more, visit specialolympicsflorida.org.