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Gov. Rick Scott and Attorney General Pam Bondi: Debris Removal Stalemate Unacceptable

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NAPLES, Fla. – After hearing several complaints from county administrators, city mayors and other local elected officials about debris removal contractors not performing their duties to remove debris in accordance with their pre-storm contracts, Governor Rick Scott and Attorney General Pam Bondi released the following statement. Governor Scott is calling on debris removal companies from Florida and across the country who are willing to help at a fair price to contact the Florida Department of Transportation HERE.

Governor Scott said, “I have been speaking regularly with city and county leaders to make sure our communities have the resources they need to prepare, respond and recover from this massive storm. One of our top focuses has been on making sure debris from the storm is quickly cleared so families can get back to their homes, power can be turned on, and communities can rebuild. This week, I have heard from many local communities from across the state that believe they are being price gouged by debris removal contractors. Many mayors have told me there are companies not following contracts by removing debris.

“We will not tolerate any attempt by businesses to take advantage of our communities during their time of need, especially in the wake of a natural disaster like Hurricane Irma. I want to thank Attorney General Pam Bondi for her tireless work on behalf of Floridians and appreciate her ensuring that our taxpayers are protected. 

“Today, I am also asking debris removal companies in Florida and across the country who can provide services to our counties in need at a fair price to contact the Florida Department of Transportation so FDOT can immediately connect these businesses with counties in need. We will continue to do all we can to help ensure communities get cleaned up.”

Attorney General Pam Bondi said, “These contractors should honor their promises to Floridians and do their jobs when they are needed most. Exploiting this crisis at taxpayer expense is outrageous and will not be tolerated. I will work closely with the Governor, cities and counties to ensure contracts are honored and communities restored. Regardless of whether something is unlawful, this is a morality issue impacting fellow Floridians in a time of need.”

Gov. Scott Congratulates Orlando International Airport for Top Ranking in North America

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SANFORD, Fla. – Governor Rick Scott congratulated Orlando International Airport for receiving the top ranking for consumer satisfaction among mega airports by J.D. Power’s 2017 North America Airport Satisfaction Study.

Governor Scott said, “Florida is proud to be home to North America’s top airport for customer satisfaction. We’ve made significant investments to improve Orlando International so it can continue to provide jobs and economic opportunities for Central Florida families. Florida’s growing economy continues to allow us to prioritize investments so Florida can be home to some of the world’s best transportation infrastructure.”

Governor Scott has lead significant state investments in Orlando International Airport related to enhancing the airport experience:

  • $198.4 million for the South terminal complex construction;
  • $28.3 million in the main terminal ticket lobby expansion, renovations and improvements;
  • $2.7 million invested for the Federal Inspection Station expansion and renovations, including four new gates for large international aircraft; and
  • $275,000 for the reconfiguration and improvements of the east and west TSA checkpoints.

Orlando International airport has more than 43 million annual passengers, making it the second busiest airport in Florida and 13th busiest in the U.S. With the state’s most domestic routes and non-stop service to 57 international destinations, MCO provides global access for business and leisure interests. Orlando International Airport generates $31 billion in direct and indirect revenue for the regional economy.

Commissioner Adam Putnam Serves Breakfast at Beauclerc Elementary School

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JACKSONVILLE, Fla.–Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam today served breakfast at Beauclerc Elementary School in Jacksonville, Fla., to raise awareness about free school meals in 48 counties affected by Hurricane Irma.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture accepted a request to allow all students in 48 counties subject to a FEMA Major Disaster Declaration access to free school meals through the National School Lunch Program. These changes, in effect through Oct. 20, will potentially impact over 3,000 schools and 2.5 million children. The department is requesting additional flexibilities as counties are being declared major disaster areas and as requests are submitted by counties. 

All students in the following counties can access free school meals through the National School Lunch Program from Sept.18–Oct. 20, 2017: Charlotte, Collier, Hillsborough, Lee, Manatee, Miami-Dade, Monroe, Pinellas, Broward, Palm Beach, Glades, Hendry, Sarasota, Clay, Duval, Flagler, Putnam, St. Johns, Brevard, Citrus, DeSoto, Hardee, Hernando, Highlands, Indian River, Lake, Marion, Martin, Okeechobee, Orange, Osceola, Pasco, Polk, St. Lucie, Seminole, Sumter, Volusia, Alachua, Baker, Bradford, Columbia, Dixie, Gilchrist, Lafayette, Levy, Nassau, Suwannee and Union.

Multi-disciplinary performance to be held at Crisp-Ellert Art Museum during Art Walk

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St. Augustine, Fla. – Two new media artists, a poet and an engineer have collaborated to create a 20-minute mix of live video, text, animation and sound that prompts audiences to consider what experiences are “live” and to reimagine their most familiar selves. The multi-disciplinary performance, by Matt Roberts, Dengke Chen, Terri Witek, alongside sound engineer Amandine Pras, is titled “implement for removing foreign bodies” and will be held at Flagler College’s Crisp-Ellert Art Museum on Friday, Oct. 6 at 7 p.m., in conjunction with First Friday Art Walk.

Matt Roberts is a new media artist specializing in locative media, physical computing, augmented reality and real-time video performance. His work has been featured internationally, including exhibitions in Taiwan, Brazil, Canada, Argentina, Italy, Mexico and nationally in New York, San Francisco, Miami and Chicago. In 2015, his collaboration Dream Garden, with poet Terri Witek, was performed at Orlando’s Art in Odd Places, and has since been featured through the United States and abroad, in Santa Fe, New Mexico; Manizales, Colombia; Porto and Lisbon, Portugal; and Austin Peay State University, Clarksville, Tennessee. In May 2016, Roberts was nominated for the Florida Prize in Contemporary Art by the Orlando Museum of Art, where his work was also on view. Roberts received his MFA from the University of Illinois at Chicago, and is currently an associate professor of Digital Art at Stetson University, in DeLand, Florida. 

Dengke Chen’s creative art works involve 2-D and 3-D animation, illustration and augmented reality interaction. His work has been presented in festivals and exhibitions throughout the United States, Europe and China. Chen received his bachelor’s degree in animation from China Central Academy of Fine Arts, and his MFA in New Media from Pennsylvania State University. He is currently an assistant professor in the Department of Creative Arts at Stetson University.

Terri Witek is the author of five books of poems, most recently “Body Switch.” Her poetry often traces the breakages between words and images, and has been included in American Poetry Review, Poetry, Slate, Hudson Review, and many other journals and anthologies. She has collaborated with Brazilian visual artist Cyriaco Lopes since 2005; their works together include museum and gallery shows, performance and site-specific projects featured internationally in New York, Seoul, Miami, Lisbon and Rio de Janeiro.  Collaborations with Roberts use augmented reality technology for smart phones to poetically map cities and have been featured in Manizales (Colombia), Glasgow, Vancouver, Lisbon, Miami, Santa Fe and Orlando. Witek is the Sullivan Chair in Creative Writing at Stetson University, where she directs their undergraduate Creative Writing program, and with Lopes teaches Poetry in the Expanded Field in Stetson University’s low-residency MFA of the Americas.  

For further information on the exhibition and related programs, please visit the website at www.flagler.edu/crispellert, or contact Julie Dickover at 904-826-8530 or [email protected].  The museum’s hours are Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Saturday, 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. 

 

Gov. Scott Announces License-Free Freshwater and Saltwater Fishing for Florida Law Enforcement and First Responders

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SANFORD, Fla. – Today, Governor Rick Scott announced that Florida’s law enforcement officers and first responders will be able to enjoy license-free freshwater and saltwater fishing beginning today through June 30, 2018. This is in recognition of their lifesaving work preparing and responding to Hurricane Irma. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) will accept official first responder identification in lieu of a Florida fishing license during this period. The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is also offering free day-passes to Florida State Parks that can be used on an unlimited basis until October 2018 for all law enforcement officers, first responders and utility workers.

 Governor Scott said, “Before and after Hurricane Irma, Florida’s brave law enforcement officers and first responders have been tirelessly working around the clock to meet the needs of our families and communities. Even as their own families were evacuating or working to begin the recovery process, they have been putting their own lives on the line to keep our state safe. We owe these brave heroes a debt of gratitude, and I am proud to announce this license-free fishing opportunity as a gesture of appreciation and recognition for their service to our state.”

Brian Yablonski, FWC Chairman, said, “These true heroes of hurricane response efforts will be able to enjoy Florida’s world class freshwater and saltwater fishing opportunities without buying a fishing license. It is our hope this small token of appreciation will give these dedicated men and women an opportunity to get a break from stressful recovery work so they can relax and enjoy good times fishing with family and friends.”

Tip Line established in nursing home investigation

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HOLLYWOOD, Fla. – Hollywood Police Department, along with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, are investigating the patient deaths from the Hollywood Hills Rehabilitation Center at 1200 N. 35th Avenue in Hollywood, Florida.

A tip line has been established and investigators are asking anyone with information about the deaths or the Hollywood Hills Rehabilitation Center between the dates of 9/9/17 and 9/13/17, please call FDLE toll free at (866) 452-3461.

For Further Information Contact:

Miranda Grossman

Hollywood Police Department

Phone: 954-967-4279

PALM COAST WOMAN CLAIMS TOP PRIZE IN THE $500,000 GOLD RUSH DOUBLER SCRATCH-OFF GAME

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TALLAHASSEE – The Florida Lottery announces that Rosemarie Ismaili, 64, of Palm Coast, claimed a top prize in the $500,000 GOLD RUSH DOUBLER Scratch-Off game at Florida Lottery Headquarters in Tallahassee. She purchased her winning ticket from Publix, located at 250 Palm Coast Parkway Northeast in Palm Coast. 

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.

ABOUT THE FLORIDA LOTTERY

The Florida Lottery is responsible for contributing more than $32 billion to education and sending more than 750,000 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 $52.4 billion in prizes and made more than 1,900 people millionaires. For more information, please visitwww.flalottery.com.

Unique gene therapy prevents, reverses multiple sclerosis in animal model

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GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Multiple sclerosis can be inhibited or reversed using a novel gene therapy technique that stops the disease’s immune response in mouse models, University of Florida Health researchers have found.

By combining a brain-protein gene and an existing medication, the researchers were able to prevent the mouse version of multiple sclerosis. Likewise, the treatments produced near-complete remission in the animal models. The findings, which researchers said have significant potential for treating multiple sclerosis and other autoimmune disorders, are published today (Sept. 21) in the journal Molecular Therapy.

Multiple sclerosis affects about 2.3 million people worldwide and is the most common neurological disease in young adults. The incurable disorder starts when the immune system attacks the myelin sheath surrounding nerve fibers, making them misfire and leading to problems with muscle weakness, vision, speech and muscle coordination.

The researchers used a harmless virus, known as an adeno-associated virus, to deliver a gene responsible for a brain protein into the livers of the mouse models. The virus sparked production of so-called regulatory T cells, which suppress the immune system attack that defines multiple sclerosis. The gene was targeted to the liver because it has the ability to induce immune tolerance.

“Using a clinically tested gene therapy platform, we are able to induce very specific regulatory cells that target the self-reactive cells that are responsible for causing multiple sclerosis,” said Brad E. Hoffman, Ph.D., an assistant professor in the departments of pediatrics and neuroscience at the University of Florida College of Medicine.

The protein, myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein, was found to be effective in preventing and reversing muscular dystrophy on its own. A group of five mouse models that received the gene therapy did not develop experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis, which is the mouse equivalent of multiple sclerosis in humans. In another experiment, all but one mouse model showed a significant reversal of the disease eight days after a single gene therapy treatment.

Hoffman said he was also encouraged by the treatment’s longevity. After seven months, the mouse models that were treated with gene therapy showed no signs of disease, compared with a group of untreated mouse models that had neurological problems after 14 days.

When the protein was combined with rapamycin — a drug used to coat heart stents and prevent organ transplant rejection — its effectiveness was further improved, the researchers found. The drug was chosen because it allows helpful regulatory T-cells to proliferate while blocking undesirable effector T-cells, Hoffman said.

Among the mouse models that were given rapamycin and the gene therapy, 71 percent and 80 percent went into near-complete remission after having hind-limb paralysis. That, Hoffman said, shows the combination can be especially effective at stopping rapidly progressing paralysis.

While researchers have established how gene therapy stimulates regulatory T cells in the liver, Hoffman said little else is known about the detailed mechanics of how that process works.

Before the therapy can be tested in humans during a clinical trial, further research involving other preclinical models will be needed, Hoffman said. Researchers also need to target the full suite of proteins that are implicated in multiple sclerosis, he added.

Still, Hoffman said he is extremely optimistic that the gene therapy can be effective in humans.

“If we can provide long-term remission for people and a long-term quality of life, that is a very promising outcome,” he said.

The research was funded by grants from the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, the National Institutes of Health and the Children’s Miracle Network.

DSC’s Small Business Development Center offers statewide post-Irma resources

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DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Daytona State College features the Florida Small Business Development Center (FSBDC) at DSC. The center works to assist small and mid-sized businesses in the region. In that light, the DSC center is sharing important disaster relief and assistance information offered by FSBDC to support the business community affected by Hurricane IRMA.

The announcement below details state and federal assistance available and the best and fastest way to access it, as well as how the FSBDC can help. Please contact DSC’s FSBDC with questions or for assistance, (386) 506-4723.

State, Federal Disaster Loan Programs Activated to Aid Businesses Impacted by Hurricane Irma

Recommended First Step: Businesses to Complete Disaster Assessment

Florida businesses impacted by Hurricane Irma may now apply for various state and federal disaster loan programs. As a principal responder in the state’s Emergency Support Function for Business and Industry, the Florida SBDC stands ready to assist businesses with disaster loan applications and with other post-disaster challenges.

State Assistance

Gov. Rick Scott activated the Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program to provide short-term, interest-free loans to businesses damaged by the storm.

Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program

Administered by the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) in partnership with the Florida SBDC Network and Florida First Capital Finance Corporation (FFCFC), the Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan helps businesses bridge the gap between the time damage is incurred and when a business secures other financial resources, including payment of insurance claims or longer-term Small Business Administration loans. Up to $10 million has been allocated for the program.

Under the program, eligible small businesses in all 67 Florida counties with two to 100 employees may apply for short-term, interest-free loans for $1,000 to $25,000 for 90- or 180-day terms. To be eligible, a business must have been established prior to Sept. 4, 2017, and demonstrate economic injury or physical damage as a result of Hurricane Irma.

To Apply for a Bridge Loan

Visit www.floridadisasterloan.org for more information and to apply for the Florida Emergency Bridge Loan program. The deadline to apply is Oct. 31, 2017.

Business Damage Assessment Survey

DEO is assessing the damage caused by the storm. Small businesses that have incurred losses due to Hurricane Irma are asked to complete a Business Damage Assessment Survey. The survey will help the State Emergency Response Team determine the needs and level of assistance for impacted businesses. To take the survey, please visit www.flvbeoc.org. 

Federal Assistance

Following President Trump’s major disaster declaration, impacted businesses may now apply for low-interest loans through the U.S. Small Business Administration.

Through the declaration, businesses and nonprofits in Brevard, Broward, Charlotte, Citrus, Clay, Collier, Desoto, Duval, Flagler, Glades, Hardee, Hendry, Hernando, Highlands, Hillsborough, Indian River, Lake, Lee, Manatee, Marion, Martin, Miami-Dade, Monroe, Okeechobee, Orange, Osceola, Palm Beach, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Putnam, Sarasota, Saint Johns, Saint Lucie, Seminole, Sumter and Volusia counties in Florida are eligible for both Physical and Economic Injury Disaster Loans from the SBA.

Business Physical Disaster Loan Program

Business Physical Disaster Loans are intended to help repair or replace disaster-damaged property. Businesses and nonprofit organizations may apply for up to $2 million to repair or replace property, including real estate, equipment, inventory, machinery and other business assets.

Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program

Businesses in qualifying adjacent counties may apply for up to $2 million for working capital through the SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan program. The Economic Injury Disaster Loan program provides working capital loans to help small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture, and to help most private, nonprofit organizations meet financial obligations and operating expenses through the disaster recovery period.

Interest rates are as low as 3.305 percent for businesses and 2.5 percent for nonprofit organizations. The SBA customizes loan amounts and terms up to a maximum of 30 years for each applicant.

Applicants may also be eligible for a loan amount increase up to 20 percent of their physical damages to protect property from future damage, including adding a safe room or storm shelter.

To Apply for Physical and Economic Injury Loans

Businesses must first register with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) at www.disasterassistance.gov, or by mobile device at m.fema.gov or call the toll-free helpline at (800) 621-3362. Those who use 711-Relay or Video Relay Services should call (800) 621-3362 (800-462-7585 TTY). Upon registration with FEMA, businesses may apply for a disaster loan a number of ways:

The filing deadline to return applications for physical property damage is November 9, 2017. The deadline to return economic injury applications is June 11, 2018.

Florida SBDC Network Stands Ready to Assist

The Florida SBDC Network supports disaster preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation through its Business Continuation Services. As part of the network’s service offering, the Florida SBDC will also be deploying its Mobile Assistance Centers (MACs) into affected communities to deliver small business owners on-site assistance with loan applications and with other post-disaster challenges. The Florida SBDC is working with state and federal officials to determine the MACs’ locations and will release that information soon.

For questions about the Emergency Bridge Loan Program, the U.S. SBA Physical and Economic Injury Loan Programs and how the Florida SBDC can help, please contact the Florida SBDC Network at (850) 898-3489 or [email protected]. The phone line will be answered during regular business hours; all voice mails and emails will be responded to within 24 hours.

About the Florida SBDC at UCF

With its main office in the National Entrepreneur Center located at the Fashion Square Mall in Orlando, the Florida SBDC at the University of Central Florida (FSBDC at UCF) is part of the UCF Office of Research& Commercialization and the Florida SBDC Network (FSBDC Network). The FSBDC at UCF provides business seminars and no-cost, one-on-one business consultation to emerging and established businesses. The FSBDC at UCF serves an eight-county area that includes Brevard, Flagler, Lake, Orange, Osceola, Seminole, Sumter, and Volusia counties and maintains 10 service centers across Central Florida.

In 2015, the FSBDC at UCF served over 2,400 entrepreneurs in Central Florida through consulting and training, resulting in nearly 6,700 jobs created, retained or saved; $980 million in sales growth; $92.7 million in capital formation; $154.6 million in government contract awards; and 120 new businesses started.

About the Florida SBDC Network

The FSBDC at DSC is a member of the Florida SBDC Network, a statewide partnership program nationally accredited by the Association of America’s SBDCs and funded in part by the U.S. Small Business Administration, Defense Logistics Agency, State of Florida and other private and public partners, with the University of West Florida serving as the network’s lead host institution. Florida SBDC services are extended to the public on a nondiscriminatory basis. Language assistance services are available for limited English proficient individuals. All opinions, conclusions, and/or recommendations expressed herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the she SBA or other funding partners.

For over 35 years, the FSBDC Network has nourished a statewide partnership between higher education and economic development organizations, dedicated to providing emerging and established business owners with management and technical assistance, enabling overall growth and increased profitability for the businesses and economic prosperity for the state. The FSBDC Network is a statewide service system of 41 centers with 60 outreach locations, including the FSBDC at DSC.

Since 2011, Florida SBDCs served almost 75,000 entrepreneurs and small business owners through consulting and training, resulting in 252,955 jobs created, retained or saved; $33.3 billion in sales growth; $1.4 billion in capital accessed; $2.6 billion in government contract awards; and 4,159 new businesses started.

Gov. Scott to Thank Law Enforcement and First Responders in Seminole County

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SANFORD, Fla. – Today, September 21st, Governor Rick Scott will visit the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office Professional Development Center to thank local law enforcement, emergency management officials and first responders  for their commitment to Florida families before, during and after Hurricane Irma.

WHAT:                   Hurricane Irma First Responder Appreciation Event

WHEN:                   3:00 PM

 WHERE:                 Seminole County Sheriff’s Office Professional Development Center

2772 Depot Avenue

Sanford, FL 32773