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Seminole State students win multiple awards at Florida speech/debate championship

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FCSAA Championship 2017

The Seminole State College of Florida Forensics Team. (L-R) Eliza Benedick, Shemuwel Russ, Yithrow Russ, Dr. Camesha Manzueta, Sebastian Hernandez, Rodrigo Alcala and Meredith Slack.

The Seminole State College of Florida Forensics Team (speech/debate) took home seven awards in the Florida College Systems Activities Association (FCSAA) Forensics Championship at Florida State College of Jacksonville on Feb. 2-4.
The team, which included students Rodrigo Alcala, Eliza Benedick, Sebastian Hernandez, Shemuwel Russ, Yithrow Russ and Meredith Slack, placed third in both Individual Events Sweepstakes and in Overall Team Sweepstakes. The team’s other awards in individual categories ranged from second to fifth place.
Intercollegiate forensics (speech/debate) consists of two classes of competition: debate and individual events, according to the FCSAA Forensics website. The debate events include Lincoln Douglas, Policy and Parliamentary. Individual events include poetry, screen plays, movie/radio scripts and platform speeches. There are also two categories of “limited preparation,” a situation where the student prepares the speech as part of the competition and is unaware of the topic until the event.
“The college’s team did an outstanding job representing our institution at the FCSAA Forensics Championship,” says Seminole State Director of Forensics Dr. Camesha Manzueta. “Each of the four students who competed in individual events won an award.”
Seminole State received additional recognition at the competition when Manzueta was named Coach of the Year for the state of Florida.
“The students and I consider it an honor and a privilege to represent our great institution, particularly within the Florida College System,” says Manzueta. “I am thankful for the great leadership of this College and the continuous support it offers to the well-rounded development of our students.”
Seminole State was one of seven FCS institutions that participated in the tournament.
For more information about the FCSAA Forensics Championship, including a list of this year’s winners, please visit the FCSAA Forensics website.

Deltona man turns $5 into $500,000 playing GOLD RUSH Scratch-Off game

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The Florida Lottery announces that Solomon Graham, 34, of Deltona, claimed a top prize in the $500,000 GOLD RUSH Scratch-Off game at Florida Lottery Headquarters in Tallahassee. He purchased his winning ticket from 7-Eleven, located at 839 Debary Avenue in Deltona.

The $5 Scratch-Off game, $500,000 GOLD RUSH, launched in January 2015. The game offers more than 7.5 million prizes ranging from $5 to $10,000 and top prizes of $500,000. The game’s overall odds of winning are one-in-4.23.

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.

ICYMI: Tampa Bay Times: A bad Medicaid plan for nursing homes

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By Steve Bahmer
Since the early 1980s, when the state Agency for Health Care Administration conducted its last major overhaul of the Medicaid payment system for nursing homes, the quality of care in Florida nursing homes has vastly improved.
Although there are still exceptions, Florida is no longer home to the flood of nursing home horror stories that Sunshine State residents heard so frequently, and from so many homes, in the early ’80s.
Improved regulatory oversight at AHCA and a payment system that rewarded nursing homes for providing high-quality care, among other factors, combined to slowly move Florida into the top tier of states in terms of nursing home quality.
In 2014, the organization Families for Better Care gave Florida nursing homes an A, one of only 10 states to receive that grade. It rated Florida fifth in the nation in terms of care quality. In its 2015 rankings of the nation’s best nursing homes, U.S. News & World Report listed Florida behind only California and Ohio for the number of 5-star nursing homes in the state.
This may all be about to change.
Earlier this month, AHCA submitted a plan to the governor and the Legislature for a new approach to nursing home Medicaid payments. The plan is intended to establish an equitable payment system that includes incentives for high-quality care, simplifies the payment process, controls costs and makes legislators’ budgeting for Medicaid spending on nursing homes more predictable.
What the plan will actually do is penalize the nursing homes that for the last three decades have invested in delivering the highest quality of care possible, while rewarding homes that have remained at the bottom of the quality barrel.
Under AHCA’s proposal, 143 nursing homes that are rated as 4- or 5-star homes would lose significant funding. Meanwhile, 86 nursing homes that received a 1- or 2-star rating would receive additional funding. In fact, a single nursing home chain would reap $16.5 million of that unearned windfall.
Clearly, this is neither equitable nor fair. Moreover, the proposal does nothing to control Medicaid spending on long-term care, or even to make budgeting meaningfully more predictable. The Legislature decides when to fund a rate increase for nursing homes, something it has not done since 2011, and the current payment system includes caps and limits on payments.
Quality care costs money, and those costs are largely driven by staffing levels — the number of nurses and nursing assistants who are available at any given time to care for a frail senior in a nursing home. The best way to ensure that nursing home residents receive quick, consistent, quality care is to ensure a sufficient number of skilled, caring, long-tenured staff to provide that care.
Under the AHCA proposal, however, nursing homes with the highest staffing levels would lose funding, while those with the lowest staffing would gain dollars.
Nursing home care is not improved, or even sustained, by stripping funding from those that have invested in delivering high quality and shifting it to those that, for whatever reason, have not chosen to make that investment. Despite claims in earlier news reports, the plan does not require that the low performers spend any of their new money on care, nor is there any mechanism in the plan to ensure that quality improves.
AHCA’s proposal is not likely to achieve any of the agency’s stated goals.
It is likely, however, to reverse 30 years of progress in improving quality in the homes that care for Florida’s most vulnerable seniors, and the Legislature simply must reject it.
Steve Bahmer is president and CEO of LeadingAge Florida, a nonprofit statewide association representing the full continuum of care for seniors with members ranging from nursing homes to assisted living facilities to continuing care retirement communities.

Gov. Rick Scott to Host Fighting for Florida Jobs Roundtable in Panama City

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Tomorrow, February 14th, Governor Rick Scott will host a Fighting for Florida Jobs Roundtable with business owners, economic development leaders, tourism leaders, and community members to discuss the local economic impact of VISIT FLORIDA and Enterprise Florida.
WHAT: Fighting for Florida Jobs Roundtable
WHEN: 8:30 AM CST
WHERE: Captain Anderson’s Restaurant
5551 North Lagoon Drive
Panama City, Florida 32408

Endangered tiny bird has big ally in UCF biologist

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The future of the tiny Florida Grasshopper Sparrow may rest on a hot-water blaster that safely fends off fire ants, which threaten the remaining 100 or so wild sparrows in Central Florida.
Joshua King, a self-described ant nerd, ecologist and entomologist at the University of Central Florida, received $15,500 from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Federation to use his diesel-powered, hot-water apparatus to blast ant nests that encroach on the endangered sparrows. The federation calls him when they find mounds near sparrow nests. He has published extensively on the life and impacts of fire ants throughout his career.
The endangered sparrow, named after one of their buzz-like calls that is reminiscent of a grasshopper, faces a perfect storm of threats including a lack of habitat thanks to human encroachment, weather extremes like flooding and a decrease in wildfires needed to keep the natural conditions the sparrow needs, King said. If that isn’t bad enough, Grasshopper Sparrow eggs and fledglings are natural prey for fire ants, one of the state’s most unpopular inhabitants.
The ants are omnivores, meaning they eat both plants and animals, and predators, using their strong jaws and venom-filled stingers to kill their victims before carrying them back to the colony to be devoured.
“Fire ants are a unique and challenging threat to the sparrows,” King said. “Once they detect a hatched, vulnerable sparrow chick they will attack incessantly until the parent birds are overwhelmed and give up trying to pick ants off their chicks. It is a heart-wrenchingly slow form of predation against which the parent birds have little chance to defend their young.”
King and his research team developed a trailer-based system with a tank holding up to 450 gallons of hot water that they take to locations threatened by fire ant infestation.
The apparatus includes the hot-water tank, a pumping system, a diesel motor, and a hose reel and wand. Using the wand to douse an individual ant mound with tens of gallons of near-boiling water is usually enough to put it out of business, King said.
King initially used the system at Fort De Soto Park on the west coast of Florida where his team eliminated nearly all the ant colonies that were a threat to sea turtle nests, also an endangered, protected species. The system could be used to protect other endangered species vulnerable to fire ants.
King said hot water is an ideal deterrent in environmentally sensitive areas. Chemical baits not only pose a health risk for additional wildlife and people, the intended fire ant targets can develop “bait-shyness” over time and stop consuming the insecticides. This reduces the effectiveness of chemical baits over time.
King and his team, including graduate students Leo Ohyama and Phil Shadegg, currently have one complete eradication system that they haul to Osceola County whenever wildlife managers receive reports of new mounds in a sparrow habitat.
Going forward, King and his team hope that the hot-water method will provide a low cost, non-toxic remedy to the fire ant problem for wildlife and land managers throughout the southeastern U.S. and Florida.
Reed Noss, UCF Provost’s Distinguished Research Professor of Biology, estimates the total population of sparrows remaining in the wild as no more than 100 and nearly all of them are in Central Florida. Noss is a former chair of the Florida Grasshopper Sparrow Working Group, which advises state and federal agencies, and has conducted several years of research on the species at Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park.
“The Florida Grasshopper Sparrow is one of the most endangered birds in the U.S. and it is in our own backyard,” Noss said. “We can and should be making efforts such as Dr. King’s to preserve them.”

Motorists can check Florida 511 for traffic information during Speedweeks in Daytona

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fdot-511

Free traffic system provides up-to-date information about driving conditions and travel times

With more than 100,000 spectators expected to pack the grandstand and infield at the Daytona International Speedway during the Speedweeks at Daytona 2017, the Florida Department of Transportation’s (FDOT) Florida 511 Traveler Information System can help stock car racing fans find the easiest route to the iconic racetrack.
Before hitting the road, visitors and residents can check Florida 511 for up-to-date traffic information about congestion, crashes, closures and construction on all of Florida’s interstates, toll roads and major metropolitan roadways.
And because the traffic information is free, Florida 511 may prove to be a motorsport fan’s best friend during the nine-day event that begins on Saturday, February 18 and culminates with the 59th running of the Daytona 500 race on Sunday, February 26.
The free Florida 511 mobile app, available on Google Play or the Apple App Store, features an interactive map showing traffic speeds and incidents on roadways around the user’s location. Users can also register for a My Florida 511 personalized services account and create custom door-to-door routes to favorite destinations. Each route includes travel time estimates, traffic incident information and the ability to schedule email or text alerts.
In addition to using the mobile app, motorists can:

  • Visit FL511.com for interactive roadway maps showing traffic congestion and crashes, travel times and traffic camera views.
  • Call 511 toll-free for updates.

FDOT encourages all drivers to check Florida 511 to travel safely and experience fewer delays. Check Florida 511 before leaving or have a passenger check during a commute to avoid using a phone while driving.

Catch a Florida Memory with 11-year-old Tristan

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2.13.2017 Tristan-Hill-LL-YlwTailSnap

11-year-old Tristan Hill with his catch of a yellowtail snapper.

Bucket list: That’s what 11-year-old Tristan Hill calls the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s (FWC) Saltwater Fish Life List. His goal is to catch all 71 species and he is already off to a great start.
Last fall, Tristan submitted photos of himself with 10 of the species on the list, allowing him to join the first tier of the Saltwater Fish Life List Club rewards program. He received a T-shirt and certificate for his efforts.
For Tristan though, participating is about more than earning prizes and recognition. Participation is about conservation and encouraging ethical angling by challenging fishers to target a diverse array of fish species.
“I hate seeing fish wasted. When I saw my first fish, it was gorgeous and my mind was blown,” said Tristan. “I don’t think I can give up on that. I think it would be amazing to catch all of them with my family.”
Tristan caught his first fish when he was 2 ½ years old in Fairbanks, Alaska. Living in Colorado at the time, his father, Josh, noticed that when Tristan wasn’t fishing, he just wasn’t happy. So Josh took matters into his own hands and began looking for a job near the water. The family of four, including Tristan’s little sister, moved to the Florida Keys in June 2016, purchased a boat and Josh began working at Lower Keys Tackle in an effort to learn more about the sport his son had taken such an interest in. Shortly afterward, they found out about the FWC’s Saltwater Angler Recognition Programs via Facebook.
“Tristan has a love and respect for fish, and is very passionate about them,” said his father, Josh. “He is the real deal. He is a master of fishing.”
Today, they fish every chance they get, and Tristan continues to mark fish off his list.
“It is way more fun than video games, and it is free food right off the water,” Tristan said.
So far, he has caught a bonnethead shark; blue runner; black grouper; white grunt; cero; great barracuda; and a gray, lane, yellowtail and mutton snapper. Since his first 10-fish submission to the Life List, he has also caught a tarpon and a reef shark.
Tristan hopes you will join him in participating in not only the Life List, but also the FWC’s two other Saltwater Angler Recognition Programs: Saltwater Reel Big Fish, which celebrates memorable-sized catches, and Saltwater Grand Slams, which award anglers for catching three different specified fish species within a 24-hour period.
You can keep track of Tristan’s pursuits on his Facebook page or at the Catch a Florida Memory Facebook page, Facebook.com/CatchaFLMemory.
For More Information
Participate today by visiting CatchaFloridaMemory.com. Anglers do not have to harvest their fish to be eligible for prizes and are encouraged to use proper fish handling techniques when practicing catch-and-release. For more information or if you are interested in becoming a partner, email [email protected] or call 850-487-0554.
 

Secretary Detzner Designates Ormond Beach Main Street as Florida Main Street Program of the Month

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Florida Department of State
Secretary of State Ken Detzner announced today that Ormond Beach Main Street has been designated the February 2017 Florida Main Street Program of the Month. Communities are selected based on their developmental achievements and participation in the Florida Main Street Program. This program has achieved a total of $144 million in public/private reinvestment since it’s designation in 1995. With the completion of 312 projects, Ormond Beach Main Street has helped create over 1,387 net new jobs to its Main Street area.
“Ormond Beach is a successful coastal Main Street program that has been thriving for over 20 years,” said Secretary Detzner. “With supportive downtown partnerships, Ormond Beach’s Main Street program has invigorated public participation and entrepreneurship within the historic commercial district.”
2.13.2017 ormond beach main street

A mini version of the Ormond Garage was built in 2013 to pay homage to the original building.
(Photo courtesy of historicshed.com)

Ormond Beach was originally populated by Native Americans who lived along the Halifax and Tomoka Rivers. Timucan villages were present at the time when French explorer Jacquez LeMoyne and Spanish Captain DePrado were there in the late 1500s. The area was eventually developed by sugar cane planters, ship builders, hoteliers, and railroad magnates. In the late 19th century and early 20thcentury Ormond Beach became known as a popular winter vacation destination. John Anderson and J.D. Price were investors who bought land and built the first wing of the Ormond Hotel which opened on New Year’s Day, January 1, 1888. They expanded their investment ventures and hired W.J Morgan to help promote auto racing on the beach. In 1903, Ormond Beach was the site of the first timed beach car race and since then has been known as the “birthplace of speed”. Henry Flagler built the Ormond Garage, “America’s Original Gasoline Alley” in 1905 to house the cars from France, Germany, England, as well as the U.S., that came to participate in the annual races. The garage burned down in 1976, but today a state historical marker commemorates the building site at 113 East Granada Boulevard. One of the area’s most famous resident was John D. Rockefeller, who purchased a winter cottage known as “the Casements” in 1918 and made Ormond Beach his home for over 19 years.
For more information about Ormond Beach Main Street or the Florida Main Street program visit OrmondBeachMainStreet.com or floridamainstreet.com or facebook.com/FloridaMainStreet.
About Florida Main Street
Florida Main Street is a program administered by the Division of Historical Resources under the Florida Department of State, which currently oversees 47 communities throughout the state. By implementing the National Main Street Center’s Four-Point Approach®, Florida Main Street encourages economic development within the context of historic preservation through the revitalization of Florida’s downtowns – the community’s heart and soul. Since the program’s inception in 1985, the Florida Main Street programs have cumulatively created 25,304 jobs, 8,180 new businesses and produced $2.5 billion in reinvestment.

Florida Highway Patrol to hold "Arrive Alive" press conference

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The Florida Highway Patrol, in partnership with the Florida Sheriffs Association and Florida Police Chiefs Association, will be hosting a press conference to discuss the statewide “Arrive Alive” initiative, which seeks to reduce fatalities on Florida’s roadways.
What: “Arrive Alive” press conference
Who: FHP Director, Colonel Gene Spaulding
Florida Sheriffs Association
Florida Police Chiefs Association
When: February 13, 2017
2:00 p.m. EDT
Where: Florida Sheriffs Association Headquarters
2617 Mahan Drive
Tallahassee, Florida 32308
The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles provides highway safety and security through excellence in service, education and enforcement. The Department is leading the way to a safer Florida through the efficient and professional execution of its core mission: the issuance of driver licenses, vehicle tags and titles and operation of the Florida Highway Patrol. To learn more about DHSMV and the services offered, visit www.flhsmv.gov, follow us on Twitter @FLHSMV or find us on Facebook. For safe driving tips and techniques, download the official Florida Driver License Handbook.

FLASCO to Host Educational Lunch Program on Living with Metastatic Breast Cancer

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The Florida Society of Clinical Oncology will host a Living with Metastatic Breast Cancer Luncheon, an event to educate the public about metastatic cancer, this Wednesday, February 15, at 11:00 a.m. on the 22nd floor of the Capitol Building. The event will include treatment and care-focused presentations from various cancer specialists from the Mayo Clinic Florida, Florida Cancer Specialists, and Tallahassee Memorial Cancer Center, as well as a Q&A session. Governor Rick Scott’s proclamation of February 2017 as Metastatic Breast Cancer Month will also be presented. In addition to these presentations, there will be a discussion on legislative priorities, such as the Mary Brogan Breast and Cervical Care Early Detection Program, and legislation regarding step therapy and patient access.

What: Living with Metastatic Breast Cancer Luncheon
When: Wednesday, February 15, 2017, at 11:00 a.m.
Who: Florida Society of Clinical Oncology
Saranya Chumsri, MD – Mayo Clinic Florida
Scott Tetreault, MD – Florida Cancer Specialists
Ovidiu Marina, MD – Tallahassee Memorial Cancer Center
Michael Diaz, MD – Florida Cancer Specialists
Dreama Taylor, RN, OCN – Tallahassee Memorial Cancer Center
Ashley Koroshec, MSW, LCSW – Tallahassee Memorial Cancer Center
Jeri Francoeur – Florida Breast Cancer Foundation
Where: Florida Capitol
22nd Floor
Tallahassee