Governor Rick Scott today released the below statement following the Hillsborough County State Attorney’s Office’s announcement of criminal charges against the individuals who senselessly dragged a shark behind their boat at high speed. This decision is a result of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) law enforcement’s investigation.
Governor Scott said, “I was outraged by the sickening video of a shark being horribly abused earlier this year. Florida has no tolerance for this mistreatment, and I am proud of the hard work of FWC law enforcement during this investigation to hold these individuals accountable for their horrific actions.”
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Office of Agricultural Law Enforcement Arrests Levy County Man for Intentionally Starting Wildfire
The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ Office of Agricultural Law Enforcement today arrested Seth Myers, 19, of Levy County for intentionally starting a small wildfire in the midst of one of the busiest wildfire years, which burned more than 200,000 acres in total and prompted a declared State of Emergency, since 2011.
The Florida Forest Service found the small wildfire in unincorporated Levy County to be suspicious and contacted the Office of Agricultural Law Enforcement to investigate. Following the investigation, Agricultural Law Enforcement officers charged Myers with one count of intentionally burning land, a felony of the third degree. He was arrested without incident and transported to the Levy County Jail.
FWC charges 3 in connection to shark dragging video
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and Hillsborough County State Attorney’s Office announced charges against three individuals connected to a video of a shark being dragged behind a boat at high speed. The charges resulted from a four-month long investigation into the video and other disturbing images on social media involving shocking disregard for Florida’s natural resources.
“As we’ve said since this video and other images came to light, these actions have no place in Florida, where we treasure and conserve our natural resources for everyone,” said Commission Chairman Bo Rivard. “We appreciate the patience and support of the public as our law enforcement investigators worked with the Hillsborough County State Attorney’s Office to identify a number of serious violations that will be brought to the courts for adjudication. It is our hope these charges will send a clear message to others that this kind of behavior involving our fish and wildlife will not be tolerated.”
“The State Attorney’s Office is committed to holding these men accountable for having engaged in such senseless and unjustifiable animal cruelty. We thank the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission for their work in investigating these crimes, and we stand with them, along with Florida’s fishing and hunting communities, and all those who cherish our precious natural resources, in condemning the torture of our marine wildlife,” said Andrew H. Warren, State Attorney for the 13th Judicial Circuit.
During the course of the investigation, FWC officers confirmed numerous criminal violations, resulting in felony and misdemeanor charges. Investigators conducted exhaustive research into the suspects’ social media activity, conducted numerous interviews and spoke with a number of subject matter experts on sharks.
The public can help by reporting suspected violations to the FWC. To make a report, call the Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-FWCC (3922) or text [email protected].
The suspects and their charges are as follows:
Michael Wenzel (DOB 06/07/1996) of Palmetto, Florida
• Two felony counts of Aggravated Animal Cruelty (Third-degree felony).
• One misdemeanor count of Illegal Method of Take – Shark (Second-degree misdemeanor).
Robert Lee Benac (DOB 04/2/1989) of Bradenton, Florida
• Two felony counts of Aggravated Animal Cruelty (Third-degree felony).
• One misdemeanor count of Illegal Method of Take – Shark (Second-degree misdemeanor).
Spencer Heintz (DOB 10/14/1994) of Palmetto, Florida
• Two felony counts of Aggravated Animal Cruelty (Third-degree felony).
Commissioner Putnam to Present Florida-Grown Christmas Trees to Governor Scott and Cabinet
MEDIA ADVISORY
Continuing a long-standing tradition, Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam will present Governor Scott, Attorney General Bondi and Chief Financial Officer Patronis with Florida-grown Christmas trees tomorrow, Dec. 13. Bavarian Christmas Tree Farm in Tallahassee provided this year’s trees.
Every year, Floridians harvest approximately 16,000 trees from the state’s more than 100 Christmas tree farms.
Event: Capitol Christmas Tree Presentation Ceremony
Attendees: Governor Rick Scott
First Lady Ann Scott
Attorney General Pam Bondi
Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis
Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam
Franco and Sigrid Camacho, owners of Bavarian Christmas Tree Farm
Date: Wednesday, Dec. 13
Time: 8:30 a.m.
Location: Outside of the Executive Office of the Governor
Plaza Level, Capitol
Tallahassee, Fla.
CRC Announces 2018 Public Hearing Schedule
The Constitution Revision Commission (CRC) today announced its second statewide tour of public hearings to be held in 2018.
CRC Chairman Carlos Beruff, said, “As promised, the Constitution Revision Commission will be hitting the road again in 2018 to hold its second statewide tour of public hearings. This is a public driven process and upcoming public hearings will allow Floridians the opportunity to shape proposed constitutional revisions before they are placed on the ballot. We are noticing these public hearings months in advance to ensure Floridians are aware of these opportunities and can make the necessary arrangements to attend.”
The dates, times and locations for confirmed public hearings are outlined below. All public hearings are noticed from 1:00-7:00 PM local time. Floridians who fill out an appearance form by 7:00 PM local time will be given an opportunity to speak before the Commission.
CRC 2018 Public Hearing Schedule
South Florida Public Hearing
WHEN: Tuesday, February 6, 1:00-7:00 PM
WHERE: Nova Southeastern University
Rick Case Arena at the Don Taft University Center (UC)
3301 College Avenue
Fort Lauderdale (Broward County)
Central Florida Public Hearing
WHEN: Monday, February 19, 1:00-7:00 PM
WHERE: Eastern Florida State College
King Center
3865 North Wickham Road
Melbourne (Brevard County)
Northeast Florida Public Hearing
WHEN: Tuesday, February 20, 1:00-7:00 PM
WHERE: University of North Florida
Herbert University Center
12000 Alumni Drive
Jacksonville (Duval County)
Northwest Florida Public Hearing
WHEN: Tuesday, February 27, 1:00-7:00 PM Central Time
WHERE: University of West Florida
Conference Center & Ballroom
11000 University Parkway
Building 22
Pensacola (Escambia County)
Tampa Bay Area Public Hearing
WHEN: Tuesday, March 13, 1:00-7:00 PM
WHERE: University of South Florida – St. Petersburg
University Student Center
6th Ave S
St. Petersburg (Pinellas County)
Southwest Florida Public Hearing – To Be Determined
- The CRC is actively searching for a venue in greater Southwest Florida.
University of Tampa Fall Commencement Saturday, December 16
The University of Tampa will hold its 145th commencement on Saturday, Dec. 16, at 9:30 a.m. at the Florida State Fairgrounds, Expo Hall. The ceremony will include 502 graduates, including 386 bachelor’s degree candidates and 116 master’s degree candidates. The ceremony is free and open to the public.
The speaker for the ceremony, Gregg Bachman, professor of communication, will share “Four Lessons From Your Future” with the graduates. Bachmann was the recipient of the 2016-2017 Louise Loy Hunter Award, which is given annually by its previous recipients to a UT professor for excellence in teaching and cumulative contributions in service and scholarship.
Andrew Arnold, who is graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree in film and media arts, will introduce the speaker, and Haley Ward, who is graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree in writing, will deliver the challenge to the graduating class.
In the days leading up to the ceremony, several departments will hold hooding ceremonies for their master’s degree candidates:
- Thursday, Dec. 14:
- Department of Education hooding ceremony, 6 p.m., Plant Hall, Grand Salon
- Friday, Dec. 15:
- Department of Nursing hooding and pinning ceremony, noon, Plant Hall, Grand Salon (by invitation only)
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- Department of Health Sciences and Human Performance hooding ceremony, noon, Plant Hall, Music Room
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- Sykes College of Business hooding and awards ceremony, 6 p.m., Plant Hall, Fletcher Lounge
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- M.S. in Instructional Design and Technology hooding ceremony, 6 p.m., Plant Hall Music Room
To view a live webcast of Saturday’s commencement ceremony, CLICK HERE. Tweet at #utampa.
UT Graduates by the Numbers:
Total graduates = 502
Countries represented = 49
% of graduates from Florida = 49
Undergraduate Students
Total bachelor’s degree candidates = 386
Summa cum laude (GPA 4.0) = 1
Magna cum laude (GPA 3.75 or higher, but less than 4.0) = 28
Cum laude (GPA 3.5 or higher, but less than 3.75) = 59
Top 3 most popular undergraduate majors in this class = Accounting, Management and Criminology
Graduate Students
Total master’s candidates = 116
With honors (GPA 3.9 or higher, but less than 4.0) = 15
With highest honors (GPA 4.0) = 6
MBAs awarded = 35
Sen. Bill Nelson on CHIP funding
Following is a statement from U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson (D-FL) on Congress’s failure to reauthorize the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), which provides coverage for over 8.9 million children across the country, including nearly 400,000 in Florida:
“Congress needs to act now before thousands of children in Florida lose their health insurance. Sadly, it seems the Republican-controlled Congress is more focused on cutting taxes for multinational corporations, instead of providing health care to children in need. That’s not right. Congress needs to get its act together and start working for everyday people, not major corporations.”
Nelson cosponsored legislation – known as the KIDS Act of 2017 – that would reauthorize the CHIP program for five years.
Commissioner Adam H. Putnam to Address Rural Economic Development Summit
MEDIA ADVISORY
Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam tomorrow will address the Rural Economic Development Summit, which is hosted by the Florida Rural Economic Development Association, in St. Augustine.
Event: Commissioner Adam H. Putnam to address the Rural Economic Development Summit
Date: Wednesday, Dec. 13, 2017
Time: 5:45 p.m.
Location: Renaissance World Golf Village Resort
500 S. Legacy Trail
For more information or to access the Summit agenda, please contact Executive Director of the North Florida Economic Development Partnership Jeff Hendry at 850-443-7103 or [email protected].
Gov. Scott Applauds CRC for Passing Proposal to Make It Harder to Raise Taxes
Governor Rick Scott today made the following statement regarding the Constitution Revision Commission Finance and Taxation committee’s passage of a proposal that would make it harder for politicians to raise taxes and fees by requiring 2/3 majority vote by future legislatures to increase any taxes or fees. The proposal will be heard by the full CRC. If approved, Florida voters would have the opportunity to add this measure to the Florida Constitution.
Governor Scott said, “I want to thank the members of the CRC’s Finance and Taxation committee for protecting Florida families from unfair tax and fee increases by future politicians. As a businessman myself, I understand how the decisions made in Tallahassee can affect companies and families who rely on Florida’s low tax burden to succeed. I will also continue to work with the legislature to get this amendment on the ballot, and will stop at nothing to ensure that we continue to build on our success of cutting taxes more than 75 times during our time in office. I would also like to thank Commissioner Fred Karlinsky for sponsoring this amendment and fighting to ensure our state’s continued economic growth.”
Statement by Commissioner Adam Putnam on Updated Citrus Crop Forecast, Need for Federal Assistance
Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam released the following statement today after the U.S. Department of Agriculture released its monthly citrus crop forecast for the 2017-2018 season:
“While much of the state has recovered and moved on from Hurricane Irma, Florida’s citrus growers continue to grapple with the unprecedented damage, which is still unfolding in many groves. Florida’s growers need support and they need it as quickly as possible. I will continue to work with Governor Scott and leaders in Washington to get Florida’s growers the support and relief they need to rebuild.”
The USDA’s forecast of 46 million boxes of oranges for the 2017-2018 season is down four million boxes from the November estimate. Today’s forecast represents a decline of more than 80 percent since the peak of citrus production at 244 million boxes during the 1997-98 season.
In the wake of Hurricane Irma, Commissioner Putnam announced that Florida citrus sustained more than $760 million in damages. In weeks following Hurricane Irma, Commissioner Putnam joined Governor Rick Scott in Washington D.C to discuss the agricultural damage and to request federal assistance with Florida’s Congressional Delegation.
