NAPLES, Fla. – Governor Rick Scott made the following statement this morning regarding last night’s law enforcement related shootings in Kissimmee and Jacksonville that resulted in the loss of Kissimmee Police Officer Matthew Baxter. Two state troopers were also shot in Pennsylvania last night.
Governor Rick Scott said, “Last night, I learned of two separate incidents in Florida where four law enforcement officers where shot – in Kissimmee and in Jacksonville. We also learned that two state troopers were shot in Pennsylvania as well.
“Unfortunately, a member of the Kissimmee Police Department lost his life. Kissimmee Police Department Officer Matthew Baxter was a married father of three and a dedicated law enforcement hero in Central Florida. The violence last night also left another member of the Kissimmee Police Department, Sgt. Sam Howard, in grave condition. We are praying for his recovery and the recovery of all law enforcement injured last night, including the two officers from the Jacksonville Police Department.
“Let me be very clear – last night’s violence against our law enforcement community is reprehensible and has no place in our state. Florida has zero tolerance for violence and we will not accept hatred for one second. In Florida, justice is swiftly served against anyone who attacks our law enforcement officers.
“Today, I join every Floridian to honor these law enforcement officers, their brothers and sisters in uniform, and their families. My heart breaks for Matthew’s family. May Matthew’s service and the service of our law enforcement community be a constant reminder of the sacrifice of those who serve to keep us safe. Following last night’s shootings I have been in touch with local law enforcement and community officials to let them know that our state supports them every step of the way.”
“The best thing about Florida is the people who live here. Every day I meet peaceful, loving, and thoughtful people who love the Sunshine State. I am proud that we live in a safe state, and our crime rate is at a 46-year low because of our hard-working law enforcement officers.”
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Update: Gulf County bay scallop season opening remains postponed
The bay scallop season off Gulf County remains postponed due to a naturally occurring algae bloom in St. Joseph Bay. The season postponement will continue until scallop samples test safe for human consumption.
Any updates in status of this fishery will be posted on the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) bay scallop webpage, which can be found at MyFWC.com/Fishing by clicking on “Saltwater Fishing,” “Recreational Regulations” and “Bay Scallops.”
The bay scallop season postponement includes all state waters from the Mexico Beach Canal in Bay County through the westernmost point of St. Vincent Island in Franklin County.
All other areas currently open for bay scallop recreational harvest remain unaffected, including the popular scalloping areas of St. Marks, Steinhatchee and Crystal River.
This algae bloom should not impact other recreational activities on St. Joseph Bay.
Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services had also issued a closure for the harvest of all clams (including pen shells), mussels and oysters in St. Joseph Bay. For information on reopenings of clam, mussel or oyster harvest, visit the FDACS website at FreshFromFlorida.com and search “Shellfish Harvesting Area Information” in the search bar at the top right, select the search result with the same name, then click on “open/close status.”
FWC staff will continue working with other state agencies and the local community as this season closure progresses.
ABOUT PSEUDO-NITZSCHIA:
Pseudo-nitzschia, the organism responsible for the bloom and delayed opening of the season, is a naturally occurring microscopic alga that in some cases can produce domoic acid, which can negatively impact marine mammals and seabirds and can cause amnesic shellfish poisoning in humans if contaminated shellfish, including mussels, oysters, clams, and scallops, are consumed. ASP can cause both gastrointestinal issues, such as nausea and upset stomach, as well as neurological issues such as short-term memory loss. Domoic acid has been confirmed in seawater and scallop samples from St. Joseph Bay. Domoic acid does not impact finfish directly, but fish should be rinsed well, filleted and skinned prior to being eaten. The best way to protect yourself is to heed closure warnings and not consume shellfish from the closed areas.
If you are experiencing symptoms of ASP, contact your primary care provider. You may also want to contact the Florida Poison Control Hotline at 800-222-1222. For Department of Health questions, call 850-245-4250.
GOVERNOR RICK SCOTT’S SCHEDULE FOR MONDAY, AUGUST 21, 2017
8:20am STAFF AND CALL TIME (VIA PHONE)
9:00-9:45am STAFF AND CALL TIME
Location: Fort Myers, FL
10:00am STEVENS CONSTRUCTION JOB GROWTH HIGHLIGHT
Location: Stevens Construction
Address: 6208 Whiskey Creek Drive
Fort Myers, FL 33919
11:05-11:30am STAFF AND CALL TIME (VIA PHONE)
1:15-1:30pm STAFF AND CALL TIME
Location: Fort Lauderdale, FL
3:15-4:15pm STAFF AND CALL TIME
Location: Fort Lauderdale, FL
6:00pm ENTERPRISE FLORIDA BOARD MEETING RECEPTION AND DINNER
Location: Embraer Fort Lauderdale Facility
Address: 276 SW 34th Street
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33315
- GOVERNOR LOPEZ-CANTERA’S SCHEDULE
FOR
MONDAY, AUGUST 21, 2017
8:00am-5:00pm ENTERPRISE FLORIDA BOARD MEETINGS
6:00pm WAKE FOR THE HONORABLE JORGE RODRIGUEZ-CHOMAT
MOVE-IN DAY AT UT IS ON THURSDAY, AUG. 24
TAMPA — Many new University of Tampa residential students will move into their residence hall rooms on Thursday, Aug. 24.
Photographers and reporters are welcome to photograph and interview students in common areas on campus. Members of the media are not allowed in non-public residence hall floors and rooms without prior consent from the Office of Public Information and Publications.
Nearly 2,000 students will be checking in and moving their belongings into their room — with help from family, friends and UT professional and student staff — in one of 11 residence halls on campus.
For more information, contact the Office of Public Information and Publications at (813) 253-6232.
TWO PLAYERS CLAIM TOP PRIZES PLAYING THE $500,000 GOLD RUSH DOUBLER SCRATCH-OFF GAME
TALLAHASSEE – The Florida Lottery announces that Terry Strickland, 57, of Ocklawaha; and Nicole Johnson, 48, of Orlando, each claimed a top prize in the $500,000 GOLD RUSH DOUBLER Scratch-Off game at Florida Lottery Headquarters in Tallahassee.
Strickland purchased his winning ticket from Meadors Qwik King Food Store, located at 18236 Southeast 95th Street Road in Ocklawaha. Johnson purchased her winning ticket from Publix, located at 7640 Sand Lake Road in Orlando.
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-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.
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 visit www.flalottery.com.
CONTACT:
FLORIDA LOTTERY COMMUNICATIONS
(850) 487-7727
www.flalottery.com
Now's Your Chance to Reshape Florida's Constitution
Do you have an idea for a policy that would make Florida a better place?
If so, the deadline to submit it to a group that could help make it a reality may be fast approaching.
The Florida Constitution Revision Commission — a body convened every 20 years to recommend amendments to the state Constitution — has recommended Sept. 22 as the deadline for members of the public to propose amendments they’d like to see on the November 2018 ballot.
Proposals can address any aspect of legal, social and legislative policy, and are collectively intended to represent ways to improve quality of life, health and prosperity for all Floridians. The CRC has been collecting suggestions at public forums throughout the state in its “Floridians Speak, We Listen” tour, as well accepting them online.
“We’re trying to get as much public input as possible,” said Timothy Cerio, chair of the CRC Rules and Administration Committee.
Cerio said more than 1,000 public proposals have already been submitted, and the proposed deadline — which will be voted on by the commission Sept. 19 — is to ensure the commission will have enough time to review and consider each submission.
Read the entire article here.
ABOUT THE FLORIDA CONSTITUTION REVISION COMMISSION (CRC)
Once every twenty years, Florida’s Constitution provides for the creation of a thirty-seven member revision commission for the purpose of reviewing Florida’s Constitution and proposing changes for voter consideration. The Constitution Revision Commission (CRC) meets for approximately one year, traveling the State of Florida, identifying issues, performing research and possibly recommending changes to the Constitution. Any amendments proposed by the CRC would be placed on the 2018 General Election ballot. For additional information, visit flcrc.gov. Follow the CRC on Twitter (@FloridaCRC) and Instagram (@FloridaCRC). Like the CRC on Facebook (@FloridaCRC).
| Contact: Meredith Beatrice [email protected] (850) 508-5204 |
Law enforcement leaders graduate from Florida Leadership Academy
The Florida Criminal Justice Executive Institute announces the graduation today of 37 first-line supervisors from the 39th Florida Leadership Academy Class on August 18, 2017. These graduates serve in leadership roles representing 31 criminal justice agencies throughout the state.
The graduates met for four week-long sessions at the Gainesville Police Department in Gainesville, Florida. They learned skills necessary to support the needs of their agencies and their communities as they prepare for future challenges.
The goal of the Florida Leadership Academy is to prepare first-line supervisors in criminal justice organizations to exemplify the character and integrity expected of criminal justice professionals and to examine the various components necessary to being an efficient leader.
Below is a list of graduates from the 39th Florida Leadership Academy.
William Andersen
Orange County Corrections
Mark Barley
Santa Fe College Police Department
Donald Buie, Jr.
Marion County Sheriff’s Office
Christopher Cardwell
Gainesville Police Department
Jason David Cook
Florida Department of Law Enforcement
Ronnie Daniels
Columbia County Sheriff’s Office
Jacqueline Danzig
Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office
Daniel Diaz
Daytona Beach Police Department
Benjamin Dunlap
Escambia County Sheriff’s Office
Casey Eades
Ocala Police Department
Robert Fanelli
Gainesville Police Department
Frank Fuentes
Coconut Creek Police Department
Tocarra Gainer
Columbia County Sheriff’s Office
Amy Gamber
Seminole County Sheriff’s Office
Cole Glaser
Putnam County Sheriff’s Office
Robert Hart, Jr.
Lake County Sheriff’s Office
Amy Hayes
Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission
Michael Hurlocker
Alachua County Sheriff’s Office
Frank Kinsey
Alachua County Sheriff’s Office
John Konopka, Jr.
Florida Office of the Attorney General
Kimon Koungras
Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office
Kenneth Lamb
Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office
Javon Murphy
Florida Highway Patrol
Peter Osterrieder
University of Central Florida Police Department
Robin Patterson
Nassau County Sheriff’s Office
Billie Phillips III
Daytona Beach Shores Department of Public Safety
Michael Rosa
Pasco County Sheriff’s Office
Kellie Smith
Florida Department of Corrections
Jennifer Taylor
Flagler County Sheriff’s Office
Kevin Valade
Coconut Creek Police Department
Anthony Vizzini
Ocala Police Department
David Wallace
Polk County Sheriff’s Office
Richard Warner
St. Augustine Police Department
James Wills
St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office
Kimberly Wise
Highlands County Sheriff’s Office
Marcia Wolford
Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office
Erik Zabik
Seminole County Sheriff’s Office
The Florida Criminal Justice Executive Institute, which is housed within the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and affiliated with the State University System, was established in 1990 by the Florida Legislature to address the need for an innovative and multi-faceted approach to the education and training of criminal justice professionals.
Windermere Mayor Gary Bruhn Installed as President of Florida League of Mayors
Windermere Mayor to Serve as President of
Prestigious Statewide Mayors Organization
Gary Bruhn, mayor of the City of Windermere in Orange County, was installed as president of the Florida League of Mayors (FLM) at the organization’s annual business meeting. He will serve a one-year term leading the FLM.
“Mayor Bruhn has been an active member of the Florida League of Mayors for many years and is ready to lead this organization,” said FLM Executive Director Scott Dudley. “Mayors play a critical role in creating the quality of life our residents have come to expect from Florida’s cities and I look forward to working with Mayor Bruhn in his new role as president.”
Mayor Bruhn is serving his fifth term on the FLM Board of Directors. He is also a member of the Florida League of Cities Board of Directors and the West Orange Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, and serves on the Florida League of Cities Municipal Administration Legislative Committee.
He is also a member and past chairman of the Municipal Advisory Committee for Metroplan, the metropolitan traffic planning organization for Orange, Osceola, and Seminole Counties. Mayor Bruhn is a past president and member of the Tri-County League of Cities Board of Directors serving Orange, Osceola, and Seminole Counties.
Mayor Bruhn was a recipient of the Florida League of Cities inaugural 2009 Home Rule Hero Award. He is retired from Lockheed Martin where he worked for almost three decades as an information technology manager coordinating application maintenance and development across many program areas including missiles, space, aeronautics and homeland security.
The Florida League of Mayors is an organization for mayors, founded and developed by mayors. Only mayors are eligible for membership. The organization provides the mayors of Florida with the ability to explore, in great depth, areas of mutual concern and opportunity. Governed by a 21-member Board of Directors and staffed by the Florida League of Cities, the Florida League of Mayors forges a powerful voice that serves Florida’ cities well. For more information, visit www.floridamayors.org.
Gov. Scott: Florida Doubles Job Creation Promise with 1.4 Million New Jobs
Unemployment Rate Remains at Ten-Year Low
Governor Rick Scott announced that Florida businesses have created 1,422,700 private sector jobs since Governor Scott has been in office, doubling his 2010 promise to create 700,000 jobs in seven years. More than 26,000 private-sector jobs were created in July and the unemployment rate remained at the lowest rate in a decade, 4.1 percent. Governor Scott made the announcement at Morgan Auto Group, a Florida-based dealership with more than 23 locations across the state. Morgan Auto Group currently employs 2,000 Floridians, including more than 185 employees at their Brandon Honda location in Tampa. Governor Scott also highlighted his proposed amendment to the Florida Constitution that will require a supermajority vote by future Florida legislatures to raise any taxes or fees.
Governor Scott said, “Over the past six and a half years, we have worked relentlessly to cut taxes, reduce burdensome regulations and completely turn around Florida’s economy. Our goal was to create 700,000 jobs in seven years and while we were proud to reach that ambitious goal three years early, we did not slow down. I am proud to announce today that after cutting taxes more than 75 times, Florida businesses have created more than 1.4 million new jobs, officially doubling our promise to create 700,000 jobs in seven years.
“While our efforts to cut taxes have helped save Floridians and job creators more than $7 billion, we must make sure our progress is not undone. That is why, during the upcoming legislative session, I will fight to give voters the opportunity to amend the Florida Constitution to require a supermajority vote by future state legislatures to raise any taxes or fees. Together, we can make sure future generations are not burdened with unfair taxes and that our state remains a national leader in job creation and opportunity.”
For the 64th consecutive month, Florida’s annual job growth rate of 2.9 percent is exceeding the nation’s rate of 1.7 percent. As of July, Florida’s unemployment rate had dropped 6.6 percentage points since December 2010, while the national rate declined by only 5 percentage points in the same time period. In the last year, 296,000 people entered Florida’s labor force, a growth of 3 percent, almost four times the national labor force growth rate of only 0.8 percent.
Cissy Proctor, Executive Director of the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity, said, “Florida’s unemployment rate has been consistently low. I am proud that in the last year, so many Floridians have achieved financial stability through new job opportunities. This shows that the Sunshine State’s economy is stronger than ever and Floridians are able to find a good job, start a business or grow their career in this great state.”
Other positive economic indicators include:
- Private-sector industries gaining the most jobs over-the-year were:
- Construction with 35,800 new jobs;
- Education and health services with 35,600 new jobs;
- Professional and business services with 35,400 new jobs;
- Leisure and hospitality with 32,900 new jobs; and
- Trade, transportation and utilities with 30,600 new jobs.
- Florida job postings showed 240,443 openings in July 2017.
- In July, Florida’s 24 regional workforce boards reported 23,168 Floridians, including 1,367 veterans, were placed in jobs.
To view the July 2017 employment data, click here.
FDOE and CVI Central Florida to Promote Summer Reading for Local Students with Visual Impairments
The Florida Department of Education teamed up with the Center for the Visually Impaired of Central Florida to help local blind and visually impaired students experience the joys of summer reading and learn about the upcoming solar eclipse.
“It is critical that all Florida students read throughout the summer to maintain and enhance the skills they gained during the school year,” said Commissioner of Education Pam Stewart. “The timing of this partnership is particularly important as it enabled these students to take part in the excitement surrounding the solar eclipse. This is a great example of state and local entities working together to benefit Florida students, and we are thrilled to join in the fun.”
Participants, ages 6-12, were provided embossed braille excerpts of children’s books and teaching tools from the National Library Service (NLS). NASA also presented participants with a braille tactile map, to learn about the upcoming solar eclipse, which will take place August 21.
Using the national 2017 Collaborative Summer Library Program’s theme, “Build a Better World,” the reading program kept the traditional goal of encouraging reading during summer vacation, while concurrently building a community among visually impaired children. “Build a Better World” exposed the students to engineering, architecture and astronomy in the reading materials and crafts. The students also enjoyed the merits of volunteering in their community by donating a project to a cause – creating dog toys for the local animal shelter.
“The ‘Build a Better World’ summer reading program offered students an enhanced learning environment and provided them with the opportunity to engage with their peers, participate in hands-on activities and learn more about STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) fields,” said Division of Blind Services Director Robert Doyle. “This collaboration brought together the expertise and resources of organizations that are committed to the betterment of the blind and visually impaired community.”
The NLS Braille and Talking Book Library has more than 2.4 million items (audio books, braille, large print, etc.) available. The NLS Braille and Audio Download (BARD) collection contains 97,324 books, 17,086 braille and 80,238 digital. There are nearly 32,000 patrons, individuals and institutions, around the state enrolled in the Florida Talking Books network. For more information about the Division of Blind Services, visit dbs.myflorida.com.
For more information about the Florida Department of Education, visit www.fldoe.org.
