The Florida Lottery is introducing the new $10 game, WHEEL OF FORTUNE today, featuring more than $75 million in cash prizes, including four top prizes of $2 million! The game’s overall odds of winning are one-in-4.04.
And, beginning April 19, players will have the opportunity to win ten free WHEEL OF FORTUNE Scratch-Off tickets by putting their puzzle-solving skills to the test during the WHEEL OF FORTUNE Facebook contest. Participants must correctly solve the WHEEL OF FORTUNE puzzle provided during each entry period. Three winners will be randomly selected each week from the correct responses, for a total of 12 winners. Visit www.flalottery.com for complete rules.
The Florida Lottery also launched three additional Scratch-Off games today that offer more than $118 million in instant prizes. All Lottery retailers are expected to have these new tickets in stock and available for purchase within 72 hours.
The newest $5 game, TOPAZ 10’s, offers more than $73 million in prizes, including 16 top prizes of $250,000! Overall odds of winning are one-in-4.01.
For just $2, players can win up to $30,000 with $30 GRAND. There are more than 5 million winning tickets totaling more than $32 million in cash prizes! The game’s overall odds of winning are one-in-4.37.
CASH ON THE SPOT, the newest $1 game, features more than $12 million in cash prizes, including 84 top prizes of $5,000! The game’s overall odds of winning are one-in-4.88.
Scratch-Off games are an important part of the Florida 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.
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UT's Undergraduate Research Celebration Begins April 14
Though research is often thought of as something for faculty or graduate students, participating in a research project as an undergraduate gives students a better understanding of their field and the opportunity to develop relationships with faculty.
From April 14–28, The University of Tampa will celebrate undergraduate research with a series of events:
- Friday, April 14: Sykes College of Business Student Research Day. Students from the Sykes College of Business will present their current or recently completed research projects in a poster format. Poster presentations will be held in the Cass Gym from 2–4 p.m.
- Thursday, April 20, and Friday, April 21: Honors Undergraduate Research Fellows presentations. The Honors Program Undergraduate Research Fellows will be officially recognized and give oral presentations of their findings. Presentations begin at 1 p.m. on April 20 and at 4 p.m. April 21 in Reeves Theater.
- Wednesday, April 26: College of Social Sciences, Mathematics and Education Undergraduate Research Conference. CSSME students will present original, empirical research within an area of the disciplines represented in the college. The event will be held in Plant Hall, Fletcher Lounge from 4–6 p.m.
- Friday, April 28: College of Natural and Health Sciences Undergraduate Research Symposium. CNHS students will present their current or recently completed research projects in a poster format. The keynote presentation, “Virus Hunting in the Age of Metagenomics: Exploring Active Infections, Environmental Reservoirs and Transmission Mechanisms” by Mya Breitbart, associate professor in the University of South Florida College of Marine Science, will be held on the ninth floor of the Vaughn Center from 2–3 p.m., followed by poster presentations from 3–5 p.m.
In addition, on Saturday, April 22, the University will host its annual Human Rights Conference. Organized by UT’s Human Rights Think Tank, the conference is dedicated to the understanding, analysis and promotion of the global human rights movement. Presentations will be made by students, professors and human rights activists. The keynote speakers are Amy Benson and Scott Squire, co-directors of the documentary Drawing the Tiger. The conference will be held on the ninth floor of the Vaughn Center from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
For more information, go to www.ut.edu/urc.
Gov. Scott Declares State of Emergency Following Increased Wildfires Across the State
Governor Rick Scott today issued Executive Order 17-120 declaring a state of emergency in Florida following the recent wildfires across the state and the high potential for increased wildfires to continue this year. Forecasts predict hotter and drier conditions than normal in Florida during the coming months. Florida wildfires have already burned 250 percent more acreage during the first three months of 2017 than during the same time period last year. There are currently more than 100 active wildfires across more than 20,000 acres in Florida.
Governor Scott said, “As wildfires impact our state, our incredible firefighters and first responders have bravely rushed to aid our communities and worked tirelessly to protect our homes and families. Last month I traveled to Collier County with Commissioner Putnam to see the impacts of one of these wildfires firsthand and we have continued to monitor the growing number of fires across the state. I’ve continued to be in contact with Commissioner Putnam and local officials about the wildfires across the state and today I am declaring a state of emergency in Florida to ensure we are ready to respond to and prepare for these fires.
“Much of Central and South Florida are approaching drought-like conditions and the chances for wildfires are continuing to increase with hotter temperatures and low rainfall. This may only get worse as we enter the hotter summer months and it is crucial that we take every action right now to be prepared. It is incredibly important that wildfire response is swift and deliberate and this state of emergency will make it easier for our state, regional and local agencies to quickly work together to protect our families, visitors and communities.”
Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam said, “Wildfires are burning more than 20,000 acres in Florida right now, and we haven’t seen this active of a season since 2011. From St. George Island in the Panhandle to a wildfire just north of one of the world’s most famous tourist attractions in Orlando, we’re seeing that every area of our state is susceptible to wildfire. I thank Governor Scott for signing this executive order, which will ensure we have every resource available to us to combat these wildfires to protect life, property and wildlife. May God bless our brave firefighters who are working tirelessly to protect us.”
Autonomous Model Vehicles Built by Florida Poly Students Compete in Grand Prix-style Final Exam
MEDIA ADVISORY
WHAT: Self-driving model cars designed and built by Florida Polytechnic University students who are enrolled in the University’s first “Autonomous Systems and Self-Driving Vehicles” course will race in an exciting, Grand Prix-style final exam.
The exam will take place on Wednesday, April 19 at 2 p.m. inside the Innovation Science and Technology (IST) Building on the Florida Poly campus in Lakeland.
Three teams of students will test the self-driving model vehicles they’ve spent the semester engineering on two challenging courses inside the IST Building. Before the exam, students will practice and map the courses using simultaneous mapping and location (SLAM) technology. Once the exam begins at 2 p.m., each car will be required to drive the course on its own demonstrating fast autonomous navigation in complex environments.
WHO: Dr. Dean Bushey, Autonomous Systems course professor; various students who took the course.
WHEN: Wednesday, April 19, Noon – 3 p.m.
Noon – 2 p.m.: Students will map the Simultaneous Mapping Location (SLAM)
2 – 3 p.m.: Final Exam Grand Prix
WHERE: Florida Polytechnic University
IST Building – Second-floor Commons
4700 Research Way
Lakeland, Fla. 33805-8531
VISUALS: Autonomous model vehicles, engineered by students, racing the two courses; Interviews and photo opportunities with Dr. Bushey and students.
MEDIA CONTACT: Crystal L. Lauderdale, Director, Marketing and Communications
863.874.8444 (office)
[email protected]
University of North Florida Appoints Three New College Deans
The University of North Florida announces the appointment of three new deans, Drs. Curt Lox, George Rainbolt and Jeff Chamberlain, who will be joining the University faculty this summer.
Lox will be the dean of the Brooks College of Health, starting the end of May, while Rainbolt will be the dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, beginning in July. Beginning in August, Chamberlain will be the dean of the Hicks Honors College.
“I’m pleased to welcome three outstanding deans to the University administrative team as each dean has proven to be an effective advocate for faculty and students,” said Dr. Earle Traynham, provost in the Division of Academic Affairs at UNF. “I’m confident that Drs. George Rainbolt, Jeff Chamberlain and Curt Lox will bring to their respective positions a collaborative nature, strong leadership and experience in strategic planning.”
For the past two decades, Lox has worked at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville as a kinesiology and health education professor and as dean of the School of Education, Health and Human Behavior. He has served on the editorial review boards for the Collegiate Press and the Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology. Currently, Lox is a member of the Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi.
He serves as a sport psychology consultant to the United States Martial Arts Team, St. Louis Steamers and the University of California Riverside Department of Intercollegiate Athletics, to name a few. Lox earned his doctorate from the University of Illinois and his master’s degree from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio.
Dr. Pam Chally, former BCH dean, retired in late March but will return in October to serve as the University’s interim provost. Dr. Cathy Christie, BCH associate dean, is serving as acting dean to bridge the gap between Chally leaving and Lox starting the new post.
Rainbolt comes from Georgia State University, where he’s chair of the Department of Philosophy. Dr. Madeline Zavodny, his wife, will be joining the Coggin College of Business faculty as an economics professor. While at GSU, Rainbolt implemented an innovative plan to allow faculty to shift their teaching responsibilities between semesters to free up more time for research and also worked to help faculty members gain external funding.
He has held several international positions, including Visiting Professor, Shanghai University in Shanghai, China; Visiting Scholar, College Internationale de Philosophie in Paris; and Visiting Scholar, Universität Bielefeld in Bielefeld, Germany. Rainbolt earned both his doctorate and master’s degree from the University of Arizona and a bachelor’s degree from Oberlin College.
For the past 10 years, Chamberlain served as the director of the Frederik Meijer Honors College at Grand Valley State University in Allendale, Michigan. Previously, he was a professor of history at the University of St. Francis in Joliet, Illinois. His areas of teaching interests include social, political and intellectual as well as Ecclesiastical History of Tudor/Stuart and Georgian England.
Chamberlain has authored such books as “Accommodating High Churchmen: The Clergy of Sussex” and “Changes and Chances.” He earned his doctorate from the University of Chicago and earned two master’s degrees from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, while his bachelor’s degree came from Bryan College.
The current Honors Director, Dr. Jeff Michelman, will be returning as a UNF faculty member, after working for the past several years elevating the Honors Program to a College.
UNF, a nationally ranked university located on an environmentally beautiful campus, offers students who are dedicated to enriching the lives of others the opportunity to build their own futures through a well-rounded education.
Governor Rick Scott Appoints Christopher Joson as a Special Officer of CSX Transportation
Governor Rick Scott today announced the appointment of Christopher Joson as a Special Officer of CSX Transportation.
Joson, 35, of Fleming Island, currently serves as a Special Agent with the CSX Transportation Police, and previously served as a Police Officer with the Palatka County Sheriff’s Office. Joson received a Bachelor’s degree from the University of North Florida. He is appointed to a vacant seat for a term beginning on April 10, 2017, and ending at the pleasure of the Governor.
DEO Staff Plant Pinwheels to Raise Awareness of Child Abuse Prevention
MEDIA ADVISORY
On Tuesday, April 11, 2017, Florida Department of Economic Opportunity Executive Director Cissy Proctor will plant a pinwheel garden with DEO staff, demonstrating the agency’s commitment to helping raise awareness of child abuse prevention in Florida. Pinwheels for Prevention is coordinated by Prevent Child Abuse Florida, the Ounce of Prevention Fund of Florida and the Florida Department of Children and Families. The campaign highlights the many resources available to provide support for Florida families so children have the opportunity to live healthy, happy lives.
Who: DEO Executive Director Cissy Proctor
DCF Assistant Secretary for Child Welfare JoShonda Guerrier
Prevent Child Abuse Florida Training/Fundraising Specialist, Nydia Ntouda
When: 3:00 – 3:30 p.m.
Tuesday, April 11, 2017
Where: Department of Economic Opportunity
Caldwell Building Steps at Intersection of Madison Street and Monroe Street
107 Madison Street
Tallahassee, FL
Gov. Scott Announces Will Spicola to Join CRC staff, Daniel Nordby to Join Governor's Office
Governor Rick Scott announced today that William N. Spicola, current General Counsel for the Executive Office of the Governor, will be joining the Constitution Revision Commission as General Counsel on April 17, 2017.
Governor Rick Scott said, “Will has been a valuable member of my team and has done an outstanding job leading efforts to appoint qualified judges to the bench, including our newest Supreme Court Justice, Justice Alan Lawson. The CRC only comes once every 20 years and it is an incredible honor that Will has the opportunity to serve in such an important role for the future of our state. I have enjoyed working with Will over the many years he has served in my Administration and know that he will do a tremendous job in this leadership role at the CRC.”
Daniel Nordby will be joining the Governor’s Office as General Counsel beginning April 17, 2017. He has been a partner at Shutts and Bowen since 2014 where he has focused on election law, constitutional law, and Florida administrative law. Prior to practicing law in the private sector, Nordby served as General Counsel to the Florida House of Representatives from 2012 to 2014 and General Counsel to Florida’s Secretary of State from 2011 to 2012. In 2012, Governor Scott appointed him to the Florida Supreme Court Judicial Nominating Commission. Nordby received his bachelor’s and law degrees from the University of Florida.
Governor Scott continued, “Daniel Nordby has had a distinguished legal career in both the public and private sectors and has provided exceptional leadership as one of my appointees to the Supreme Court Judicial Nominating Commission. He did a great job leading legal efforts at the Florida Department of State when I was first elected, and I am glad that he is joining my Administration again where he will undoubtedly serve Florida families well.”
CRC Chair Carlos Beruff Announces Will Spicola as General Counsel
Carlos Beruff, the chairman of the Constitution Revision Commission (CRC), announced that Will Spicola, who currently serves as Governor Rick Scott’s General Counsel, will serve as the General Counsel for the CRC beginning on April 17. The General Counsel is responsible for serving the legal needs of the Commission.
CRC Chairman Carlos Beruff, said, “Will Spicola brings tremendous value to this historic process. Will has had an extensive career serving Florida families in various positions in state government and as the General Counsel for Governor Rick Scott. His expertise and guidance will help ensure the CRC proposes meaningful amendments to our state’s constitution that reflect the issues that matter most to Florida families and businesses.”
Will Spicola, said, “Joining the CRC team is an honor and a tremendous opportunity. I look forward to working with Chairman Beruff and the Commission on this historic journey to review and revise Florida’s Constitution.”
Spicola has served in the Governor’s Office as General Counsel since April 2016. Previously, he served as the General Counsel at the Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) from January 2015 to April 2016. He has also served in other roles throughout DPBR including Director of the Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco and the Chief Attorney in the Division of Pari-Mutuel Wagering. From 2012 to 2013, Spicola worked as a Senior Attorney at the Office of Insurance Regulation. Spicola also served as an Assistant State Attorney in the 2nd Judicial Circuit of Florida. He earned his bachelor’s and law degree from the University of Florida.
ABOUT THE FLORIDA CONSTITUTION REVISION COMMISSION
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 Commission 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 Commission would be placed on the 2018 General Election ballot. For additional information, visit FLCRC.GOV. Follow the CRC on Twitter @FloridaCRC and like the CRC on Facebook @FloridaCRC.
Two more arrested in Medicaid fraud scheme
Attorney General Pam Bondi’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, the Leon County Sheriff’s Office and the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office today announced the arrests of Danielle Richardson, 42, and Vickram Thakur, 50, in connection to a Medicaid fraud scheme. Richardson and Thakur are former employees of DS Connections, Inc., a targeted case management company headquartered in Winter Park, with offices in Clermont and Tallahassee. These two arrests are the ninth and tenth arrests of former DS Connections employees since January 2015 for Medicaid fraud.
According to the MFCU investigation, Richardson and Thakur caused thousands of dollars in unauthorized targeted case management services to be billed to the state’s Medicaid program.
Thakur is charged with one count of scheme to defraud less than $20,000. If convicted, Thakur faces up to five years in prison and $15,000 in fines and restitution. Richardson is charged with 10 counts of grand theft. If convicted, Richardson faces up to a hundred years in prison and $75,000 in fines and restitution.
The Attorney General’s Office will prosecute this case through an agreement with the State Attorney’s Office for the Second Judicial Circuit of Florida. The MFCU investigation is ongoing and more arrests are probable.
For more information about the previous arrests, click here, here and here.
The Florida Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit investigates and prosecutes providers that intentionally defraud the state’s Medicaid program through fraudulent billing practices. Medicaid fraud essentially steals from Florida’s taxpayers. From Jan. 2011 to the present, Attorney General Bondi’s MFCU has obtained more than $689 million in settlements and judgments. Additionally, the MFCU investigates allegations of patient abuse, neglect, and exploitation in facilities receiving payments under the Medicaid program.
