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Wedgewood Golf Club Featured as Florida Historic Golf Trail Course of the Month

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Florida Department of State
Secretary of State Ken Detzner announced today that the Wedgewood Golf Club, located in the City of Lakeland in Polk County, has been chosen as the featured course on the Florida Historic Golf Trail for the month of March.
“We are pleased to feature the Wedgewood Golf Club as a partner on the Florida Historic Golf Trail,” said Secretary Detzner. “Since its opening in 1931, this course has hosted some of golf’s greatest players.”
3.9.2017 X Wedgewood Golf Club

Image Courtesy of Jack Collins

The Club is located on the former site of the National Home of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America. Construction of the golf course began in 1929. The golf course officially opened on January 1, 1931, with Charles W. Howe as the professional in charge. In 1983, the course reopened after a year’s worth of redesign by Lakeland golf course architect Ron Garl.
Today, the 18-hole, par-70 golf course features three sets of tees playing from 4,800 to 6,400 yards. The layout has plenty of sand, water and trees, and creates a terrific challenge for golfers of all ages and skill levels.
“We are excited and honored to be featured this month on the Florida Historic Golf Trail,” said Sun Shin, President of Wedgewood Golf Club. “Wedgewood’s history dates back to the 1920s. The course has hosted golf legends like Hogan, Sarazen, Snead and Bobby Jones as well as Arnie Palmer. Redesigned by Florida architect Ron Garl, this course is still challenging to all levels of players.”
For more information about the Wedgewood Golf Club or the Florida Historic Golf Trail program, visit Wedgewood Golf Club  , Florida Historic Golf Trail or Facebook.com/FloridaHistoricGolfTrail.
About The Florida Historic Golf Trail
Florida’s golf history, recognized as one of the oldest in the nation, dates back to the late 1800s when a number of early courses were created along with the development of railroads and hotels in the state. The Florida Historic Golf Trail is a collection of more than 50 historic, publicly accessible golf courses throughout the state that can still be played on today. Through the Florida Historic Golf Trail, golfers can play on courses designed by world-class architects and played by famous golfers such as Bobby Jones, Walter Hagen, Gene Sarazen, Babe Zaharias, Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus. Information about the history and current day contact information for each partner course can be found at FloridaHistoricGolfTrail.com. Find the historic course near you and Come Play on History! 
About The Division of Historical Resources
The Florida Department of State’s Division of Historical Resources (DHR) is responsible for preserving and promoting Florida’s historical, archaeological, and folk culture resources. The Division Director’s office oversees a grants-in-aid program to help preserve and maintain Florida’s historic buildings and archaeological sites; coordinates outreach programs such as the State Historic Markers program and the Florida Folklife program which identifies and promotes the state’s traditional culture. DHR directs historic preservation efforts throughout the state in cooperation with state and federal agencies, local governments, private organizations, and individuals. The Division Director serves as the State Historic Preservation Officer, acting as the liaison with the national historic preservation program conducted by the National Park Service. The Division is comprised of two Bureaus, archaeological research and historic preservation. For more information visit flheritage.com.

Groups file Clean Water Act suit against Pilgrim's Pride for polluting the Suwanee

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ENVIRONMENTAL GROUPS FILE CLEAN WATER ACT SUIT AGAINST WORLD’S SECOND LARGEST CHICKEN PRODUCER, PILGRIM’S PRIDE, FOR POLLUTING THE SUWANNEE RIVER

Groups Sue Live Oak Processing Plant for Polluting “Outstanding Florida Water”
With Toxic Wastewater in Violation of Permit Limits

Environment Florida announced today that it has filed a lawsuit in the United States District Court in Jacksonville against the second-largest chicken producer in the world, Pilgrim’s Pride, for alleged ongoing violations of the federal Clean Water Act at its poultry processing plant in Live Oak, Florida.
Filed in court today, the complaint alleges that the company has committed 1,377 days of Clean Water Act violations since 2012, by discharging wastewater that exceeds pollution standards by as much as triple the legal limits. The lawsuit is a major step towards restoring the health of the Suwannee River.
“Here is one of the world’s largest meat companies continually dumping pollution into one of Florida’s most beautiful rivers,” said Jennifer Rubiello, State Director of Environment Florida. “If our own state officials won’t step in and protect the Suwannee, then Environment Florida will.”
Pilgrim Pride’s pollution contributes to low dissolved oxygen levels and toxic algal blooms, which are serious environmental problems plaguing the Suwannee and other Florida waterways.  Moreover, some of Pilgrims’ alleged violations are for toxicity – meaning they can disrupt the survival, growth, and reproduction of aquatic organisms.
The middle Suwannee River is famous for its 62 freshwater springs, is home to several state parks, and is part of the Florida Trail and the Suwannee River Wilderness Trail, a paddling route with river camp locations which receives over 43,000 visitors a year. The area is very popular with hikers, fishermen, and boaters. The Suwannee River State Park, near the processing plant’s pollution discharge point, is home to some of the best backcountry paddling in the state and welcomes more than 35,000 visitors yearly.
Sierra Club has also given formal notice of intent to sue Pilgrim’s Pride, and will join as a co-plaintiff in the lawsuit after the 60-day waiting period mandated by the Clean Water Act.
“The Suwannee River is one of Florida’s jewels,” said Whitey Markle, a longtime member of the Suwannee-St. John’s Group of the Sierra Club.  “It is essential that we preserve this valuable river for the enjoyment of all Florida citizens and visitors to the Sunshine State.”
In fact, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection has designated the Suwannee River as one of Florida’s 41 “Special Waters” (a water of exceptional recreational or ecological significance) within the category of Outstanding Florida Waters.
“As a biologist, I research the springs of the Suwannee River, and as a nature lover I lead canoe trips on the Suwannee, so it is clear to me that any harm to this special natural resource is shameful,” said Bob Knight, Environment Florida member and President of the Board at the Florida Springs Institute. “I want to be able to take my grandchildren paddling down the Suwannee with me, which means any further pollution needs to stop.”
The allegations in the lawsuit only address discharges that allegedly violate Pilgrim’s Pride’s permit. But the total pollution from Live Oak facility is much larger: the company dumped 379,641 pounds of toxic pollution into the Suwannee River in 2014, according to data from U.S EPA’s Toxics Release Inventory.
Such dumping fits into a broader pattern of pollution by Pilgrims’ Pride and its parent company, the Brazilian-based meat giant JBS. Last summer, Environment America – of which Environment Florida is a state affiliate – published a national report documenting water pollution by major agribusiness firms. According to the Environment America report, JBS’ supply chain in the U.S. generate 45 million tons of manure, and its processing plants (including this Pilgrim’s one in Florida) dumped more than 37 million pounds of toxic pollution into waterways from 2010 to 2014.
Today’s Clean Water Act citizen enforcement suit is part of Environment America’s effort to reduce corporate agribusiness’s massive toll on America’s rivers and streams.
Environment Florida’s complaint seeks a federal court order requiring the Live Oak facility to comply with its Clean Water Act permit, as well as civil penalties against Pilgrim’s Pride to punish it for past violations and to deter future violations.
Pilgrim’s Pride Corporation has operations in 14 states, Mexico, and Puerto Rico and is a supplier to KFC, Wal-Mart, Publix, and Wendy’s and generated a revenue of $7.9 billion in 2016. The Live Oak facility processes live poultry into fresh and frozen chicken meat products, and operates a broiler hatchery to produce chicks for distribution to growers. Pilgrim’s Pride is part of Brazilian company JBS S.A., the largest meat company by sales in the world.
 

Be a citizen-scientist this horseshoe crab spawning season

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Spring is approaching and that means it is peak mating season for horseshoe crabs. Biologists with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) are asking the public to report horseshoe crab sightings.
Horseshoe crabs mate year-round, and spring is the peak season to see them in groups along the shore. To identify mating pairs, look for a smaller male on top of a larger female. Beachgoers will likely have the best luck spotting horseshoe crabs around high tide, within three days of a new or full moon. The next full moon is Sunday, March 12, and the new moon is Monday, March 27.
For 15 years, citizens have reported horseshoe crab sightings to the FWC, providing important information about population distribution. Although horseshoe crabs have been around for approximately 450 million years, their numbers have declined in recent decades due to overfishing and loss of habitat.
If you see a horseshoe crab on its back, gently pick it up (holding both sides of the shell) and release it back into the water. Simple actions like this help conserve this species and the countless other species that depend on it.
The FWC asks the public to report sightings through one of several options. Go to MyFWC.com/Contact and go to “Horseshoe Crab Nesting Activity” for the “Florida Horseshoe Crab Spawning Beach Survey” link. You can also report findings via email at [email protected] or by phone at 866-252-9326.
 

FDLE arrests mobile device consultant

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Inspectors with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement arrested FDLE government operations consultant John Leland Goelz on charges of grand theft and organized scheme to defraud.  Investigators believe Goelz, in his capacity as the agency’s mobile device consultant, purchased cell phones for himself and his family using FDLE’s mobile device contract.
FDLE began investigating Goelz after a member reported not being able to get an older cell phone upgraded.  As part of its mobile device contract, FDLE is eligible for a certain number of mobile device upgrades at discounted rates each year.  Goelz purchased 10 mobile devices for his personal use that should have been used to upgrade FDLE member phones.  By using FDLE’s contract, he was able to receive steep discounts on the phones he purchased.  The value lost to the agency was nearly $5,000.
FDLE is in the process of upgrading its procedures to ensure no changes are made regarding FDLE mobile phones without supervisory oversight.  Goelz, who was arrested Tuesday and booked into the Leon County Jail, is in the process of being terminated from FDLE.
The Office of the State Attorney, 2nd Judicial Circuit will prosecute this case.

Lyft Launches Ridesharing Service in Tallahassee

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Capital City becomes newest home to fastest growing ridesharing platform

Today Lyft, the fastest growing rideshare company in the US, is launching in Tallahassee, bringing its affordable, reliable rides to Florida’s capital city. To celebrate the arrival of Lyft, new passengers can use a special code LYFTLOVE17 to receive $5 off their first ride. Lyft is now available in just over 300 cities and continues to distinguish itself through its positive in-car experience, for both passengers and drivers.

“Tallahassee was proud to be one of the first cities in the state to approve favorable ridesharing laws, and we are excited that Lyft is now expanding into the Capital City,” said Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum. “So many areas of Florida have benefitted from the opportunities that ridesharing represents, for both passengers and drivers. The arrival of Lyft in our community will mean more jobs, and more transportation options for everyone from college students to working professionals to retirees. On behalf of all the citizens of Tallahassee, I’m pleased to welcome Lyft into our community.”

Added Leon County Commissioner John Dailey: “With our community continuing to grow throughout Leon County, our residents should have a full range of transportation options to meet their needs. Ridesharing is a safe and reliable option, and we’re pleased to see it expand with the addition of Lyft in our community.”

More than 700,000 drivers make their own flexible schedules and earn either a primary or supplemental income with Lyft. As the only rideshare platform to allow tips, Lyft drivers across the country have received more than $150 million in tips. Interested drivers can view the “Drive with Lyft” page to learn more about becoming part of the Lyft community.

“The arrival of Lyft in Tallahassee is another dynamic step forward,” said Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce President/CEO Sue Dick. “Our community has long embraced the latest developments in business and technology, and this announcement shows that Tallahassee remains at the cutting edge for its residents and visitors.”

Jaime Raczka, Lyft’s Head of Early Stage Markets and Expansion, voiced the company’s enthusiasm for beginning service in Tallahassee. “We’re excited to bring Lyft’s affordable, reliable rides to Tallahassee. Whether you use Lyft while enjoying a night out in Midtown, coming home from a Seminole game, or rushing to a meeting downtown, we look forward to being a part of the Capital City community for years to come.”

How Lyft Works:

  1. Request: Whether you’re riding solo or with friends, you’ve got options. Just tap request and a driver’s there.
  2. Ride: After just a few taps in the Lyft app, a carefully-screened driver will be on the way to you — just set your pickup point.
  3. Pay: When the ride ends, just pay and rate your driver through your phone.

Lyft was founded in June 2012 by Logan Green and John Zimmer to improve people’s lives with the world’s best transportation. Lyft is the fastest growing rideshare company in the U.S. and is available in just over 300 cities. Lyft is preferred by drivers and passengers for its safe and friendly experience and its commitment to effecting positive change for the future of our cities.

Nelson files bill to help seniors avoid high costs of post-hospital care

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U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson (D-FL) and others reintroduced legislation today to close a loophole in Medicare that is forcing some seniors to pay more to receive the care they need at a skilled nursing facility following a hospital visit.
Under existing law, Medicare will pay for a senior to receive post-hospitalization care at a skilled nursing facility if they were admitted to a hospital on an “inpatient” basis for at least three consecutive days.
However, if a hospital chooses to admit a senior under “observation status” instead, the time they spend in the hospital under that classification does not count toward that three-day minimum.
To fix this problem, the legislation Nelson filed today along with Sens. Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Susan Collins (R-ME) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) would allow seniors to count the time they spend in a hospital – whether as an “inpatient” or under “observation status” – toward the minimum three days required for Medicare to cover their skilled nursing facility care.
“Seniors have enough to worry about when they are taken to a hospital; they shouldn’t also have to worry about how the hospital is billing Medicare,” Nelson said. “This bill will help our seniors avoid the stress of potential unforeseen medical costs and focus on what’s most important: getting better.”
According to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), outpatient classification is intended for providers to run tests and evaluate patients in order to arrive at appropriate diagnoses and treatment plans, or to provide brief episodes of treatment. In a December 2016 report, the Office of the Inspector General of the Department of Health and Human Services found that an increased number of Medicare beneficiaries classified as outpatients are paying more for care that is substantively similar, and have limited access to skilled nursing facility care due to their patient status. For the purposes of counting inpatient days, CMS considers a person an “inpatient” on the first day that the patient is formally admitted to the hospital because of a doctor’s order; the last is the day before discharge.
The legislation Nelson filed today has been endorsed by more than 30 organizations, including: AARP, Alliance for Retired Americans, American Case Management Association, American Health Care Association, AMDA – The Society for Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Medicine, Center for Medicare Advocacy, LeadingAge, National Association of Elder Law Attorneys, National Association of State Long-Term Care Ombudsman Programs, National Center for Assisted Living, National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare, National Consumer Voice for Quality Long-Term Care and the Society of Hospital Medicine.

A copy of the senators’ legislation can be found here.

 

Explore Daytona State College during open houses, April and May

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Future students can enter a $500 scholarship drawing

Spring open houses at Daytona State College offer an open door to anyone interested in exploring a college education, advancing a career or re-tooling for a new job. Held at the college’s instruction sites, each session features a chance to win a $500 scholarship from the Daytona State Foundation.
Visitors can speak with college representatives about a full range of DSC programs including dual enrollment for high schoolers, associate of arts, associate of science, Bachelor of Applied Science in Supervision and Management, Bachelor of Science in Education, Bachelor of Science in Engineering Technology, Bachelor of Science in Information Technology, Bachelor of Science in Nursing and certificate programs. Financial Aid experts will also be on hand.
The Daytona State spring open houses will be held as follows:
Thursday, April 6, 5-7 p.m.
New Smyrna Beach-Edgewater Campus
Academic Hall, Rm. 109
940 10th Street, New Smyrna Beach
Tuesday, April 11, 5-7 p.m.
DeLand Campus
Bert Fish Hall
1155 County Rd. 4139, DeLand
Thursday, April 13, 5-7 p.m.
Flagler/Palm Coast Campus
Academic Hall (Bldg. 2), Rm. 106
3000 Palm Coast Parkway S.E., Palm Coast
Tuesday, April 18, 5-7 p.m.
Daytona Beach Campus
Hosseini Center
1200 W. International Speedway Blvd., Daytona Beach
Thursday, April 20, 5:30-7:30 p.m.
DSC’s News-Journal Center (NJC)
221 N. Beach St., Daytona Beach
FREE Jazz Concert at 7:30 p.m.
Tuesday, April 25, 5-7 p.m.
Deltona Campus
Fathi Hall
2351 Providence Blvd., Deltona
Thursday, May 4, 5-7 p.m.
Advanced Technology College (ATC)
1770 Technology Blvd., Daytona Beach
Refreshments will be provided and each Open House offers new applicants a chance to win a $500 Daytona State scholarship presented by the DSC Foundation. Two scholarship drawings per Open House; drawings will be at 5:45 p.m. and entrants must be present to win except for ATC and NJC events.
For more information, call (386) 506-4471 or email [email protected].
3.8.2017 spring open houses

Sen. Bill Nelson re: first meeting of new Cybersecurity subcommittee

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The Senate Armed Services Committee’s newly-formed subcommittee on cybersecurity convened for the first time Wednesday. The classified briefing took place earlier this afternoon in a secure room in the U.S. Capitol Building. U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson (D-FL), who was tapped to lead the panel alongside Sen. Mike Rounds (R-SD), issued the following statement after the meeting:
“We have to accept the fact that right now, countries like Russia and China can inflict serious damage on our critical infrastructure through cyberspace, despite our best efforts to defend ourselves. In order to protect ourselves as we build up our capabilities, we have to deter these countries by making the consequences of an attack so severe that they wouldn’t even consider attacking us in the first place.
“We have already suffered some very serious cyberattacks such as Russia’s recent interference in our elections and China and North Korea’s hacking of U.S. corporations on a near daily basis. Developing methods and plans to threaten what these countries value the most – in order to deter future attacks – is one of our top priorities.”

Collier County Wildfire Afternoon Update

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Commissioner Adam H. Putnam announced this afternoon that the Lee Williams Road Fire in Collier County is approximately 7,500 acres and is 40 percent contained.
Lee Williams Road Fire March 8, 2017 Morning Update
Location: Picayune Strand State Forest in Naples, Florida
Acreage: 7,500 approximately
Fire Started: Sunday 3/5/17: 2 pm
Cause: Under Investigation
Containment: 40%
Weather: Winds are coming out of the East and forecasted to shift out of the South
Today:
Afternoon fire activity is anticipated to increase as humidity decreases and wind gusts increase.  Firefighters are strategically placed in areas that embers are expected to be of concern while improving containment lines. Wildland firefighting bulldozers are continuing to suppress the wildfire, with shifting winds, as the cold front approaches.  

Mandatory Evacuations:
Evacuations were lifted for the Forest Glen community and the Aventine at Naples Apartments.
There are mandatory evacuations for the Club Naples RV Park, Panther Walk RV Park and Horse Stables in the Picayune Strand State Forest including Triple V and M & H Stables. Evacuations are still in place and residents are not allowed in these areas at this time. If asked to evacuate your home, be sure to bring your important family documents (birth certificates, wills, insurance policies), valuables and your family disaster supply kit. Your disaster supply kit should contain enough food, water and supplies to sustain your family for at least three days. Do not forget any medications or special items such as a first aid kit.
Reception Center:
A reception center has been established at the Golden Gate Community Center at 4701 Golden Gate Parkway, Naples, FL.
Road Closures (Due to smoke and poor visibility)

  • I-75 is closed mile marker 80 to mile marker 101 (both sides)
  • Intermittent road closures on County Road 951 (Collier Boulevard) between Golden Gate and Rattlesnake Hammock may be throughout the day.

Resources on Scene
Florida Forest Service:

  • Fifty- two state and federal firefighters
    • Engines – 9
    • Firefighting bulldozers  (medium) -26
    • Firefighting bulldozers (heavy) – 5
    • Helicopters – 3
    • Swamp buggies

Greater Naples Fire District and mutual aid companies:

  • Sixty-seven city and county firefighters
    • Brush Trucks – 2
    • Engines – 6
    • Water Tenders – 2
    • Chief Officers – 12

Agencies on Scene:

Florida Forest Service, Collier County Bureau of Emergency Services, West Sebring Volunteer Fire Department, Immokalee Fire Control District, City of Naples Fire-Rescue, Greater Naples Fire District, Marco Island Fire Department, North Collier Fire District, Collier County Emergency Medical Services, Collier County Sheriff, Punta Gorda Fire Department, Big Cypress National Park, Fakahatchee Strand Preserve State Park, Florida Highway Patrol, Seminole Tribe of Florida, and Florida Panther National Wildlife Refuge, Rukaree Bay National Wildlife Research.
More information and updates are available on the Collier County website, www.colliergov.net. A call center has been established (239) 252-8444.
The Florida Forest Service, a division of the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, manages more than 1 million acres of state forests, provides management assistance on more than 17 million acres of private and community forests, while protecting homes, forestland and natural resources from the devastating effects of wildfire on more than 26 million acres. Learn more at FloridaForestService.com.