The Florida Lottery announces that Edward Rannin, 64, of Jacksonville, claimed a $2 million MEGA MILLIONS® prize from the drawing held on Friday, December 30, 2016. The winning Quick Pick ticket matched all five of the white ball numbers, but did not match the Mega Ball.
Rannin purchased his ticket from Winn Dixie, located at 12777 Atlantic Boulevard in Jacksonville. The retailer received a $2,000 bonus commission for selling the $2 million MEGA MILLIONS ticket. Total ticket sales for this series of MEGA MILLIONS rollovers generated more than $5.5 million for the Educational Enhancement Trust Fund (EETF).
The next MEGA MILLIONS drawing will be held Friday, January 6, at 11:00 p.m. ET with an estimated $117 million jackpot. MEGA MILLIONS drawings are broadcast on 17 carrier stations throughout the state. Drawings are also available for viewing on the Florida Lottery website. Winning numbers are available on the Lottery website, at retailers statewide and by phone at (850) 921-PLAY.
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Senator Tom Lee Files Bill to Give Patients Greater Flexibility and Access to Quality Primary Care
Senator Tom Lee (R–Thonotosassa) announced today the filing of SB 240, designed to improve access to direct primary care by giving physicians and their patients an alternative to the traditional third party, fee-for-service system.
In a direct primary care model, patients receive access to their physician for a flat monthly fee. A full range of comprehensive primary care visits and services are included under this contract, ranging from acute and urgent care to regular checkups, labs, preventative care and chronic disease management. SB 240 recognizes these arrangements, establishes protections for both the physicians and the patients, as well as defines them as outside the scope of state insurance regulation.
“Direct primary care offers an innovative solution and greater efficiency to a healthcare system plagued by exorbitant costs and a lack of accessible, quality care for the uninsured and underinsured,” Senator Lee said. “This type of free-market approach grants patients greater flexibility and expands access to concierge-level healthcare that was once available only to the wealthy.”
Direct primary care practices allow patients to establish a personal relationship with their doctor, diminishing the dependence on expensive surgeries, urgent care, emergency rooms and other preventable hospitalizations. Physicians are able to spend more time caring directly for their patients and significantly reduce operating expenses by cutting out the hassle and costs associated with billing a health insurance company.
“These arrangements empower Florida families by giving them more control and choice in how they pay for the care they need,” Senator Lee added.
New financial planning TV series to air on WDSC TV15
Daytona State College is producing a financial planning TV series called “Plan Stronger,” with up to 60 half-hour episodes supported by Holland Financial Inc. The shows will offer financial planning guidance and will air on the college’s public television station, WDSC TV15, beginning Jan. 9 at 7 p.m.
Filmed and produced by WDSC, the episodes feature scripts, dialogue, hosts and guests provided by Holland Financial. David Holland, company owner, author and financial columnist, will host the series, airing Mondays at 7 p.m. on WDSC TV15.
“We’re pleased to partner with experts in financial education to the benefit of our local and regional viewers,” said DSC President Tom LoBasso.
The first six episodes will focus on these topics and offer guest discussion:
- Diversification – Guest Nancy Anderson
- Women and their Finances – Guest Cary Carbonaro
- Estate Planning – Guest Matthew C. Shapiro, Attorney
- “Early” Retirement – Guest Nancy Anderson
- Financial Infidelity – Guest Cary Carbonaro
- Trusts – Guest Matthew C. Shapiro, Attorney
The programs, free of advertising, are produced to the professional broadcast standards of the Federal Communications Commission and the Public Broadcasting Service.
WDSC broadcasts in the Orlando-Daytona-Melbourne television market, an area that serves 3.2 million people and is the 19thlargest television market in the nation. Counties in the viewing area include Volusia, Flagler, Seminole, Brevard, Orange, Putnam, Marion, Lake and Osceola. More than 200,000 households view programs on WDSC each week.
WDSC TV15 supports the educational mission of Daytona State by serving as a living classroom for students in the Television Studio Production Certificate program and the upcoming Associate of Science in Broadcast Television Production degree. In these programs, students receive training in video and television studio production, set design, lighting, camera, audio and broadcast production. Through hands-on training with live programs, students gain experience in television and video production.
First Students Graduate from Florida Polytechnic University
Florida Polytechnic University graduated its first ever class during a historic commencement ceremony on campus Tuesday. Eighteen students received degrees in Innovation and Technology, Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, and Electrical Engineering.
Florida Poly was established to be an innovative institution and powerful resource for economic advancement, training the next generation to be leaders and entrepreneurs in high-tech industries. Dedicated exclusively to applied learning and research in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), Florida Poly delivers a project-based curriculum focused on solving real-world challenges in collaboration with industry partners.
“Our goal is to produce highly capable and successful graduates; individuals who hit the ground running whether it’s at a company or research institution. Our graduates have the drive and ability to continuously learn and to apply their learning toward solving problems that will improve technology and advance society,” said Florida Poly Provost Dr. Terry Parker. “I applaud these students, our inaugural class of graduates, for their achievement in acquiring their respective degrees, and I look forward to following their ongoing success.”
Florida Poly opened in August 2014 with just over 550 students, including first-time freshmen, transfers and graduate students. In fall 2016, the student population topped 1,300 with an average high school GPA of 3.78 and average ACT and SAT scores of 26 and 1,672 respectively. Graduating its first class is not only a historic milestone for Florida’s newest university, but a required step in the process toward achieving regional accreditation.
“These graduates are among Florida Poly’s earliest pioneers,” said Florida Poly President Dr. Randy K. Avent. “It took ambition, vision and an entrepreneurial spirt to come to a brand-new university, and I have no doubt they will carry those same qualities into the workforce as leaders and business starters in high tech. I’m so excited to see all they will do in the years to come.”
Fifteen graduates attended the ceremony to receive their degrees, which took place in the second-floor Commons area of the Innovation, Science and Technology (IST) Building in Lakeland.
Florida Poly Graduate Gabriela Martines was the featured student graduation speaker. She has already been hired by Millennium Engineering and Integration Company to work on a NASA contract. Martines said being part of the inaugural graduating class is something she will always remember.
“I felt like I was making history when I first came to Florida Poly, and I feel like I’m doing so again as a member of the first graduating class,” said Martines, who majored in Mechanical Engineering with a concentration in Motion Intelligence. “The entire Florida Poly experience has taught me that with vision, collaboration and hard work, people can create great, new things and really make an impact. That’s one of the biggest takeaways I’m going to reflect on time and time again as I grow in my career.”
JD Alexander, Florida Poly’s founder and former Chairman of the Florida Senate Budget Committee, delivered the Inaugural Graduation commencement address.
“Only five short years ago, Florida Polytechnic University was just an idea. Today, we’re graduating our first class,” said Alexander. “It’s a remarkable achievement that all of us should take a great degree of pride in – the faculty, staff, supporters, partners, and most importantly, the students.”
Tuesday’s Inaugural Graduation ceremony is one of many significant milestones Florida Poly reached over the past academic year. Others include:
- Enrolling more than 1,300 students – a record – for the fall 2016 semester.
- Achieving “Candidacy for Accreditation” status by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
- Partnering with the Florida Department of Transportation to create SunTrax, a high-tech hub for the research, development and testing of emerging transportation technologies.
- Signing international agreements with universities and organizations in Morocco and Brazil to create study abroad and faculty exchange programs.
About Florida Polytechnic University
Florida Polytechnic University is the newest member of the State University System of Florida. Dedicated exclusively to STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics), the University blends applied research with industry partnerships to give students an academically rigorous education with real-world relevance. Faculty experts at Florida Polytechnic University provide insightful analysis, opinions and comments about a broad range of STEM and higher education subjects. To connect with Florida Poly faculty, click here. The campus, located in Lakeland, Fla. along the I-4 High Tech Corridor, opened for classes in the fall of 2014.
Grand Prize Drawing Held Today in Holiday MILLIONAIRE RAFFLE
534 Prizes from $500 to $1 Million Were Won!
The Florida Lottery held the Grand Prize drawing for the Holiday MILLIONAIRE RAFFLE™ today . The one-million-dollar-winning ticket numbers, along with the location of where the tickets were purchased are listed below. In addition to the seven $1 million grand prizes, 527 other prizes ranging from $500 to $50,000 were awarded. All winning numbers are available on the Florida Lottery website at www.flalottery.com.
In addition to today’s drawing, the Holiday MILLIONAIRE RAFFLE offered 2,500 $50 instant win prizes and five weekly drawings in which a total of ten $10,000 prizes, 250 $1,000 prizes, and 1,000 $500 prizes were won. With only 750,000 tickets available, the game offered the best odds of winning $1 million among all Lottery games currently on sale. For more information about Holiday MILLIONAIRE RAFFLE, visit flalottery.com.
RoadWatch Advisory: I-4/SR 559 Lane & Ramp Closures in Polk County
Lane Closures on Eastbound I-4 and Westbound I-4 On-Ramp
CLOSED at the I-4/SR 559 Interchange, Exit 44
POLK COUNTY
I-4/SR 559 Interchange (Auburndale): Construction project:
Temporary intermittent single and double lane closures are in place at night/overnight Tuesday, January 3 on eastbound I-4 at the I-4/SR 559 interchange. Single lane closures begin at 8 p.m. and double lane closures begin at 10 p.m. Expect delays.
Detour – Westbound I-4 On-Ramp CLOSED at the I-4/SR 559 Interchange:
Wednesday, January 4. Details below:
The contractor anticipates a temporary detour route at the I-4/SR 559 interchange at night/overnight Wednesday, January 4 between 10 p.m. and 4 a.m. while crews place the final friction course on the ramp.
Motorists traveling on SR 559 wishing to enter westbound I-4 are directed to enter eastbound I-4, exit at CR 557/Lake Alfred, Exit 48, travel north on CR 557, enter westbound I-4, continue west on I-4.
Speeding fines double when workers are present. Project improvements include constructing a new bridge on SR 559 over I-4, expanding SR 559 from two lanes to four lanes from north of CR 559A to the westbound entrance ramp to I-4, shifting the eastbound lanes of I-4 to the south, installing lighting on SR 559, resurfacing the existing roadway, and improving drainage. Expected completion is early 2017. The contractor is Cone and Graham.
Commissioner Putnam Provides Tips for New Gym Memberships
Many Floridians want to kick-off healthier habits in the new year with memberships to health studios. Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam today provided tips to educate consumers on what to look for when signing a new membership.
“January is an extremely popular time for consumers to join gyms, and I encourage Floridians to do their homework to ensure they get the most out of their memberships,” said Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam.
Commissioner Putnam urges consumers to consider the following before signing a membership:
- Search the “Business/Complaint Lookup” at FreshFromFlorida.com or call 1-800-HELP-FLA (435-7352) to check if complaints were filed about the studio and how they were resolved.
- Don’t join the first time you visit. Use the gym first to make sure it meets your needs, then take the contract home and read it thoroughly before signing. Be sure to ask for clarification if you don’t understand something.
- It’s a good rule of thumb to avoid long contracts. Shop around to make sure you know what’s included in the membership.
- Service fees, such as registration fees, processing or start-up fees, may be required. However, it must be considered a “reasonable and fair service fee,” meaning no more than 10 percent of the contract price.
- Use a credit card, debit card or check to pay each month. Setting up an automatic withdrawal from checking accounts may result in problems if there is ever a dispute.
- The contract should include a provision for penalty-free cancellation in writing within three days, exclusive of holidays and weekends, of signing a contract.
Under Florida’s Health Studio Act, health studios are required to register with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and to provide a bond or other financial security to protect consumers’ funds if the gym expectantly moves or closes. Additionally, if a gym closes or moves its facilities more than five miles away, it must provide access to an alternate facility of equal quality within five miles of its original location at no additional cost.
For additional information on the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, to verify a health studio’s registration status or to file a complaint, contact the department at 1-800-HELP-FLA (435-7352), 1-800-FL-AYUDA (352-9832) for Spanish speakers, or visit FreshFromFlorida.com.
Florida Lottery reaches $6.2 billion in sales during calendar year 2016
The Florida Lottery has reached a new record of more than $6.2 billion in sales during calendar year 2016; surpassing the previous year’s sales by more than $411 million. The Lottery’s 2016 contributions to the state’s Educational Enhancement Trust Fund (EETF) are expected to reach $1.6 billion, a 7% increase over last year.
“Ending 2016 with this never before reached sales record is a tremendous accomplishment for the Florida Lottery,” said Secretary Tom Delacenserie. “Not only do our players and retailers benefit, but more importantly, these record-breaking sales help provide more opportunities for Florida students to ensure they receive the very best education possible.”
This year’s record sales of more than $6.2 billion resulted in the Florida Lottery transferring an average of $135 million toward education every month during 2016.
The Florida Lottery reinvests 98 percent of its revenue back into the state’s economy. With $1.6 billion generated for education, more than $3.9 billion paid to prize winners, and $342 million in retailer bonuses and commissions paid to Florida businesses, the contributions made by the Lottery this calendar year will go a long way in moving the state forward.
Senator Tom Lee Pledges to Repeal Florida's Sports Development Program
Senator Tom Lee (R–Thonotosassa) announced today he intends to repeal Florida Statute 288.11625, known as the Sports Development Program, which use sales tax dollars to pay for the construction, renovation or improvement of sports facilities.
“The Sports Development Program was ill-conceived and based on the false premise that these capital improvements are a boon for economic development,” Senator Lee said. “Professional teams are vying for taxpayer funds to pay for largely superficial facility upgrades, many of which are already in progress or completed. History has shown that team owners will make these investments without hardworking families having to foot the bill.”
Under the Sports Development Program, sporting projects and complexes seeking Florida tax revenue must submit proposals to be evaluated by the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity. Then the disbursement of funds must pass approval by the Florida Legislative Budget Commission. The state can award up to $13 million annually for all certified applicants. The maximum annual distribution for a single sports franchise facility is $3 million, and distributions can be made for up to 30 years.
Senator Bradley to Attend Legislative Delegation Hearings
State Senator Rob Bradley (R-Fleming Island) will be attending legislative delegation hearings this week in six of the eleven counties in Senate District 5. The hearings are held annually to afford local citizens and elected officials an opportunity to make legislative and budget requests to their elected state representatives. “These meetings are critical to our understanding of the needs of the communities we represent,” said Senator Bradley. “It helps us as we prepare to go to Tallahassee to advocate for the people and communities we represent.”
The delegation hearings being held this week include:
Wednesday, January 4th
Suwannee County – 9:00am-10:30am – Live Oak City Hall, Commission Room, Live Oak
Columbia County – 1:30pm-3:00pm – Trustees Bd Room, FL Gateway College, Lake City
Baker County – 4:00pm-5:00pm – Macclenny City Hall, Council Chamber, Macclenny
Thursday, January 5th
Lafayette County– 10:00am-Noon – County Commission Chamber, Courthouse, Mayo
Gilchrist County – 1:30pm-3:00pm – County Commission Room, Trenton
Dixie County – 4:00pm-5:30pm – County Commission Chamber, Courthouse, Cross City
All meetings are open to the public. For additional information, please contact the Senator’s office at (904)278-2085 or email [email protected].
