At its April 20 meeting in Tallahassee, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) approved closing Gulf state waters to recreational harvest of greater amberjack for the remainder of 2017, starting April 22. This is consistent with the amberjack closure in Gulf federal waters that went into effect March 24, 2017. Both state and federal waters will reopen Jan. 1, 2018.
“While there are not a lot of amberjack caught in state waters, this is a chance to take a step back and see what is happening with the fishery and help ensure future fishing opportunities,” said Commissioner Chuck Roberts.
These closures were put into place because NOAA Fisheries estimates that the annual federal recreational quota was met. The quota is the amount of fish that can be caught each year while maintaining a sustainable fishery. Closing state waters for the rest of 2017 will help minimize chances of a quota overage. Federal rules require that any harvest in excess of the amberjack quota must be deducted from the next year’s quota, which can result in a shortened federal season.
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Florida Utilities Present Hurricane Preparedness, Storm Customer Communication Plans to PSC
Florida’s electric utilities and emergency management updated the Florida Public Service Commission (PSC) today on their storm preparation efforts, saying they are ready for the 2017 Hurricane Season that begins June 1.
The CEOs of Florida’s five investor-owned utilities, along with executives from the Florida Electric Cooperatives Association, the Florida Municipal Electric Association, and the Florida Division of Emergency Management also discussed how customer needs are met during and after storm-related events, including restoration and communication efforts.
“Ongoing hurricane preparedness initiatives have improved Florida utilities’ overall storm hardening efforts and response and restoration times, as we saw during last year’s storm season,” said PSC Chairman Julie Brown. “Today’s Annual Hurricane Preparedness Briefing confirms that our utilities use the latest technology and lessons learned to better prepare for any upcoming weather event that threatens Florida.”
Beginning in 2006, the PSC required the state’s investor-owned utilities to implement an aggressive vegetation management cycle for all major distribution circuits, incorporate a transmission inspection program, and an eight-year inspection cycle for all wooden poles. Some utilities have replaced wooden poles with concrete poles that can withstand 140-mile-per-hour winds.
Today’s presentations demonstrated how customer communications and thoughtful preparation can improve outage restoration times. The following executives shared their hurricane preparedness plans:
- Eric Silagy, CEO, Florida Power & Light Company
- Harry Sideris, State President, Duke Energy Florida, LLC
- Gordon Gillette, CEO, Tampa Electric Company
- Stan Connally, CEO, Gulf Power Company
- Jeff Householder, President, Florida Public Utilities Company
- Bill Willingham, General Manager, Florida Electric Cooperatives Association
- Amy Zubaly, Interim Executive Director, Florida Municipal Electric Association
UNIVERSITY OF TAMPA WILL HOST THE U.S. NATIONAL CHEMISTRY OLYMPIAD COMPETITION ON APRIL 24
TAMPA — Seven high school chemistry students will participate in the U.S. National Chemistry Olympiad (USNCO) competition at The University of Tampa on Monday, April 24, from 8 a.m.–3 p.m. The seven top scorers were selected out of more than 200 students from 20 public and private high schools in Tampa and the surrounding areas who participated in the recent local American Chemical Society (ACS) Chemathon examination.
The USNCO is a multi-tiered competition that tests the students’ knowledge and skills in chemistry. The three-part, 4.5-hour exam consists of a multiple choice section (Part I), a problem solving component (Part II) and a laboratory practical (Part III). The 20 top-scoring students in the country will be selected to attend a study camp where they will try to earn a place on the national team to represent the United States at the 49th International Chemistry Olympiad in Nakhon Pathom, Thailand, July 6–15, 2017.
Both the ACS Chemathon examination and the USNCO are annual events coordinated by the UT Department of Chemistry, Biochemistry and Physics and the ACS Tampa Bay local section. They are done in partnership with the Florida Department of Education through the support of the science supervisors of Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco, Hernando, Manatee and Sarasota County Schools.
For more information, contact Susan Del Valle, UT assistant professor of chemistry, at (813) 257-3208. The media is welcome to attend. The lab portion, which offers the best opportunity for photos, will be held from 1:30–3 p.m. in the Organic Chemistry Lab in the Science Annex.
Ibram X. Kendi Presents Social Justice Lecture at Stetson University
DELAND, Fla., April 20, 2017 – As part of its continuing Social Justice Lecture Series, Stetson University will host a lecture by Ibram X. Kendi, Ph. D., titled “Black Students and the Redefinition of Racist Ideas.” The New York Times best-selling author and award-winning historian will discuss the history of racist and antiracist ideas and movements in America. The lecture will be held Thursday, April 27 at 8 p.m. in Stetson’s Marshall and Vera Lea Rinker Welcome Center, 529 N. Woodland Blvd., DeLand, FL 32723. The event is free and open to the public.
Earlier in the day Kendi will join Rajni Shanker-Brown, Ph. D, associate professor of education at Stetson, for a discussion on racism and activism in the Rinker Auditorium in the Lynn Business Center, 345 N. Woodland Blvd., DeLand, FL 32723 from noon to 1 p.m.
Kendi’s book Stamped from the Beginning: The Definitive History of Racist Ideas in America won the 2016 National Book Award for Nonfiction and was named a finalist for the 2016 National Book Critics Circle Award. Described as “engrossing and relentless” by The Washington Post, Stamped was named to Best Books of 2016 lists in the Boston Globe, Kirkus, The Root, Chicago Review of Books, and Buzzfeed. Stamped has been nominated for the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Literary Work in Nonfiction.
Kendi is also the author of the award-winning book The Black Campus Movement: Black Students and the Racial Reconstitution of Higher Education, 1965-1972. He has published 14 essays in journals and books, as well as many op-eds in publications including The New York Times, Salon, New York Daily News, The Huffington Post, and The Chronicle of Higher Education. In addition, he is the associate editor of the leading online platform for public scholarship on Black life, Black Perspectives. A graduate of Florida A&M University and Temple University, Kendi is an assistant professor of African American history at the University of Florida.
Stetson University launched the Social Justice Lecture series in fall 2013 to explore issues central to the university’s mission and values — those that speak to human freedom, personal and social responsibility, the connections we have with each other, and the obligations that flow from our shared humanity. The series engages communities in intensive exploration of social justice issues by inviting accomplished leaders to Stetson University to enrich community understanding of those issues and, in doing so, motivate participants to effect social change through community engagement and civic responsibility.
Kendi’s book Stamped from the Beginning: The Definitive History of Racist Ideas in America won the 2016 National Book Award for Nonfiction and was named a finalist for the 2016 National Book Critics Circle Award. Described as “engrossing and relentless” by The Washington Post, Stamped was named to Best Books of 2016 lists in the Boston Globe, Kirkus, The Root, Chicago Review of Books, and Buzzfeed. Stamped has been nominated for the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Literary Work in Nonfiction.
Kendi is also the author of the award-winning book The Black Campus Movement: Black Students and the Racial Reconstitution of Higher Education, 1965-1972. He has published 14 essays in journals and books, as well as many op-eds in publications including The New York Times, Salon, New York Daily News, The Huffington Post, and The Chronicle of Higher Education. In addition, he is the associate editor of the leading online platform for public scholarship on Black life, Black Perspectives. A graduate of Florida A&M University and Temple University, Kendi is an assistant professor of African American history at the University of Florida.
Stetson University launched the Social Justice Lecture series in fall 2013 to explore issues central to the university’s mission and values — those that speak to human freedom, personal and social responsibility, the connections we have with each other, and the obligations that flow from our shared humanity. The series engages communities in intensive exploration of social justice issues by inviting accomplished leaders to Stetson University to enrich community understanding of those issues and, in doing so, motivate participants to effect social change through community engagement and civic responsibility.
I-75 Northbound Off-Ramp and I-75 Northbound On-Ramp at I-75/University Parkway Interchange CLOSED
SARASOTA/MANATEE
I-75 (SR 93) / University Parkway Diverging Diamond Interchange (DDI) (Sarasota/Bradenton): Construction Project:
Detour – I-75 Northbound Off-Ramp and Northbound On-Ramp CLOSED Sunday, April 23. Details Below:
As part of the northbound I-75 traffic shift to the newly constructed northbound bridge, anticipated to take place Sunday, April 23 at the I-75/University Parkway interchange, the I-75 northbound off-ramp and the I-75 northbound on-ramp are closed at night/overnight, Sunday, April 23 from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m.
Motorists traveling north on I-75 wishing to exit at University Parkway are directed to continue north on I-75, exit at SR 70 westbound, enter southbound I-75 and exit at University Parkway/Exit 213.
Motorists traveling on University Parkway wishing to travel north on I-75 are directed to enter southbound I-75, exit at Fruitville Road/Exit 210, travel east and enter northbound I-75 and continue north on I-75.
Improvements being made as part of this project consist of constructing a diverging diamond interchange, adding an auxiliary lane on northbound and southbound I-75, constructing new bridges on I-75 over University Parkway, widening of University Parkway, widening of I-75 bridges over Errie Creek and Foley Creek, realignment of on-ramps and off-ramps at I-75/University Parkway, addition of ponds, drainage improvements, new lighting and signalization, construction of a noise wall on the west side of I-75, sidewalks, bike lanes, and pedestrian walkways. Expected completion is fall 2017. The contractor is Prince Contracting, LLC. For additional information, please visit the project website at http://www.swflroads.com/i75/university/
JACKSONVILLE MAN CLAIMS $1 MILLION PRIZE IN THE $10,000,000 WORLD CLASS CASH SCRATCH-OFF GAME
TALLAHASSEE – The Florida Lottery announces that Duoc Nguyen, 33, of Jacksonville, claimed a $1 million prize in the $10,000,000 WORLD CLASS CASH Scratch-Off game at Florida Lottery Headquarters in Tallahassee. He chose to receive his winnings as a one-time, lump-sum payment of $748,000.00.
Nguyen purchased his winning ticket from Gate Gas Station, located at 8251 Southside Boulevard in Jacksonville. The retailer will receive a $2,000 bonus commission for selling the winning Scratch-Off ticket.
The new $25 game, $10,000,000 WORLD CLASS CASH, launched in February and features more than $549 million in total cash prizes, including two top prizes of $10 million and 46 prizes of $1 million! Overall odds of winning are one-in-2.89.
Scratch-Off games are an important part of the Lottery’s portfolio of games, comprising approximately 65 percent of ticket sales and generating more than $734 million for the Educational Enhancement Trust Fund (EETF) in fiscal year 2015-16.
Rutherford Introduces the Julian Woods Yellow Ribbon Program Expansion Act
JACKSONVILLE, FL. – Congressman John Rutherford introduced legislation to expand eligibility for the Yellow Ribbon Program to recipients of the Fry Scholarship, a scholarship which allows service members who are killed in the line of duty to transfer their education benefits to surviving spouses and children. Currently, the Yellow Ribbon Program allows higher education institutions to cover additional tuition costs for service members utilizing their GI benefits, if the cost of attendance is above the cap set by the Post-9/11 GI bill. Unfortunately, dependents utilizing the Fry Scholarship are not eligible for this additional financial assistance. This means that surviving spouses and children of those who have died in the line of duty have fewer options for where they may use their education benefits.
The Julian Woods Yellow Ribbon Program Expansion Act would fix this discrepancy and allow those on the Fry Scholarship to be eligible to participate in the Yellow Ribbon Program. It is only right to provide the families of those who have made the ultimate sacrifice the greatest opportunity to succeed in their education.
In naming this bill, Congressman Rutherford recognizes Petty Officer 3rd Class Julian Woods, a Jacksonville native and Hospital Corpsman in Fallujah during Operation Iraqi Freedom. Petty Officer Woods was killed by enemy fire when rushing to the aid of a fallen soldier. He is a true American hero who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to a very grateful nation. No one can understand this sacrifice better than the young daughter Petty Officer Woods left behind. His daughter is now of age to attend college, and without passage of this legislation, she will be limited in the colleges she may attend under the Fry Scholarship.
Congressman John Rutherford said, “Empowering the family members of our servicemen and women strengthens our communities, invigorates our institutions, and brightens our future. Petty Officer Woods was an American hero, and we are forever indebted to the countless sacrifices made by our servicemen and women just like him. I believe it is our duty to make sure their families have the support they deserve, and I am proud to introduce this bipartisan legislation that expands education opportunities for the loved ones of the courageous service members who have died in defense of our freedoms.”
Carolyn Woods, mother of Petty Officer 3rd Class Julian Woods, said, “Any work Congress does to enhance opportunities for the families of those who lost a loved one in the line of duty is of incredible importance. Julian was a hero for our nation and our family, and I am proud his legacy remains in the Julian Woods Yellow Ribbon Expansion Act. I thank Congressman Rutherford for recognizing Julian, his daughter, and our family and hope this bill helps many families like ours.”
The original co-sponsor, Congressman Scott Peters, said, “San Diego is a proud military town that is home to not just thousands of brave service members, but their families as well. Military families make tremendous sacrifices in service to our country and deserve our gratitude and our support. Extending the Yellow Ribbon Program to surviving family members is a common sense way to keep our promise to military families that we will support them after their loved one falls in the line of duty.”
Jared Lyon, CEO of Student Veterans of America, said, “SVA stands with many other organizations in strong support of this legislation that would allow the dependents of a service member killed in action to access Yellow Ribbon Program benefits. The Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry Scholarship goes to families that have made the ultimate sacrifice for their country; we believe they’ve more than earned the right to attend a school of their choice without comparatively minor tuition costs hampering their success.”
Michael Little, Director of Legislative Affairs for the Association of the United States Navy, said, “On behalf of the Association of the United States Navy, we would like to pledge our support for H.R. 2103. This bill would amend title 38, United States Code, to include the Frye Scholarship in the Yellow Ribbon G.I. Education Enhancement Program. Thank you for taking an active role in such an important issue to the military and veteran community by working to improve the lives and careers of those who served our great nation.”
FWC updates management efforts as number of nesting eagles continues to increase
The bald eagle is one of the great conservation success stories. The bald eagle was removed from state listing in 2008 and since that time, the number of nesting eagles in Florida has continued to increase. With a healthy eagle population, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is updating management efforts and conservation actions.
Historically, bald eagles have faced many challenges. Habitat destruction, shooting, poisoning and pesticides greatly reduced eagle numbers in the United States. The Florida eagle population has soared since the FWC began conducting nest surveys in 1972.
“That first year there were only 88 bald eagle nests documented in the state,” said Dr. Brad Gruver, leader of the FWC’s Species Conservation Planning Section. “Thanks to conservation efforts of the FWC, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and other partners, there are now an estimated 1,500 nesting pairs in Florida. Florida has more nesting eagles than any other state except Alaska and Minnesota.”
At its April 20 meeting, FWC staff presented the Commission with an update on the status of bald eagles in Florida as well as recommendations for revisions to Florida’s rule and management plan for bald eagles.
Staff recommended eliminating the redundancy of obtaining both state and federal permits for activities with the potential to disturb or “take” bald eagles or their nests. Under the recommendations, a state permit will not be needed as conservation will be ensured by the recently established federal permitting process.
The FWC will now focus on completing a new Species Action Plan to replace the management plan. The Species Action Plan will reflect the FWC’s continued commitment to the conservation of bald eagles in Florida. The FWC will work with stakeholders on the draft plan later this year.
“The FWC remains committed to the conservation of this magnificent bird,” said Gruver. “We will continue our efforts to educate the public about bald eagles, provide law enforcement protections and monitor the status of the eagle population to ensure it remains stable or increasing.”
For more information on how the FWC is working to conserve eagles, visit MyFWC.com/Eagle. To learn more about Species Action Plans, go to MyFWC.com/Imperiled and click on “Species Action Plans” on the left side of the page.
Flagler College alumni to return to campus for Alumni Weekend
St. Augustine, Fla. – Approximately 400 Saints will return to their alma mater May 4 to 7 to reconnect with their Flagler family during the college’s annual Alumni Weekend. Alumni will reunite with old friends at Markland’s festive party, enjoy a family campus picnic and pool party and surf the waves of St. Augustine Beach during the Hugh Shaw Memorial Surf Contest. Outstanding alumni will also be recognized during the Alumni Awards Luncheon on Friday, May 5.
The four-day long event will be promoting its third annual “Giving Day,” a campaign to raise funds for “Flagler Fund – Academic Programming,” which directly benefits students and helps to create an exceptional experience for them in the classroom. The Flagler College Board of Trustees challenges alumni, donors and friends to honor retiring President William T. Abare, Jr., by matching their lead gift of $25,000. All gifts made during Alumni Weekend count toward Giving Day, held on Tuesday, May 9.
For more information on “Giving Day,” visit here.
For more information on the service awards that will be presented during the alumni awards luncheon, visit here.
For more general information on alumni weekend, visit here.
Agricultural Law Enforcement Officers Apprehend Emmanuel Saint Fleur, Wanted Murder Suspect at Interstate Rest Stop
TALLAHASSEE, Fla.– Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam today announced that officers with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ Office of Agricultural Law Enforcement arrested wanted murder suspect Emmanuel Saint Fleur after he passed through an agriculture interdiction station on Interstate 10 in Madison County. Fleur was wanted by the Miami Gardens Police Department on charges of first-degree murder, two counts of attempted murder with a firearm, and burglary with an assault while armed.
“Our agricultural law enforcement officers serve day in and day out to protect Floridians and visitors from a variety of threats,” said Commissioner Putnam. “Thanks to the hard work of our officers, Florida is safer with this criminal in custody.”
On April 19, 2017, officers working at agricultural inspection station on Interstate 10 in Live Oak, Suwannee County, were alerted to a stolen truck that had just passed through the inspection station. Agricultural law enforcement officers apprehended the truck at the rest area on Interstate 10 in Madison County and subsequently identified the driver as Emmanuel Saint Fleur, 34, of Miami, Florida.
When confronted concerning the reported stolen status of the truck, Fleur confessed to having stolen the 2006 International truck from a former employer in the Fort Lauderdale area and told the officers that there was a firearm inside of the truck. Officers retrieved the firearm and confirmed it was a stolen weapon. Fleur then admitted that he had shot two people in South Florida.
Saint Fleur was arrested pursuant to the active warrant and on charges of grand theft of a motor vehicle, grand theft of a firearm, carrying a concealed firearm, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, each felonies of the third degree, and a first-degree misdemeanor charge of theft of a credit card.
Saint Fleur was transported to the Madison County Jail where he is being held on a no-bond status pending extradition to Miami-Dade County.
Arrested: Emmanuel R. Saint Fleur,
DOB: 12/18/1982
Address: 5601 NW 2nd Avenue, #813, Miami, Florida, 33127
Charges:
Out-of-County Warrant (1st degree murder, et al.) §901.04, Florida Statutes, Capital Felony
Grand Theft / Firearm §812.014(2)(C)5, Felony 3rd Degree
Grand Theft / Motor Vehicle §812.014(2)(C)6, Felony 3rd Degree
Carrying Concealed Firearm §790.01(2), Felony 3rd DegreePossession of Firearm During Felony §790.07(2), Felony 3rd Degree
Theft of Credit Card §817.60(1), Misdemeanor 1st Degree
The Office of Agricultural Law Enforcement protects Florida’s agriculture and consumers through law enforcement in support of all the regulatory aspects of the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. For more information, visit FreshFromFlorida.com.
