Construction of the new roundabout on U.S. 1 at Old Dixie Highway near Bunnell will move into the next construction phase on Monday, Nov. 18 marking the start of a new traffic pattern on U.S. 1. [Read more…] about New Traffic Pattern for Northbound and Southbound U.S. 1
Government
Governor Ron DeSantis Appoints Randall Hunt as Secretary of the Florida Lottery
Governor Ron DeSantis today announced the appointment of Randall Hunt as secretary of the Florida Lottery. [Read more…] about Governor Ron DeSantis Appoints Randall Hunt as Secretary of the Florida Lottery
EB I-4 Exit Ramp to South Street Closing on Nov. 15 and 16
Closure scheduled to begin as soon as 10 p.m. on Friday and end by 9 p.m. on Saturday
The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) is temporarily closing the eastbound Interstate 4 (I-4) ramp to South St. (Exit 82B) as soon as 10 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 15, and reopening it by 9 p.m. the following day. [Read more…] about EB I-4 Exit Ramp to South Street Closing on Nov. 15 and 16
Governor Ron DeSantis Announces Continued Positive Economic Indicators for Florida
Governor Ron DeSantis today announced Florida continues to show positive economic indicators. [Read more…] about Governor Ron DeSantis Announces Continued Positive Economic Indicators for Florida
First Lady Casey DeSantis Joins Volunteer Florida to Launch Official Volunteer Opportunities Platform
First Lady Casey DeSantis today joined Volunteer Florida CEO Clay Ingram to announce that Florida’s official volunteer opportunities platform, Volunteer Connect, has launched to the public.
As part of First Lady DeSantis’ Hope for Healing Florida initiative, Volunteer Connect will provide a one-stop platform for Floridians to engage in community service with 501(c)(3) organizations and governmental entities that work with volunteers. The platform was created for organizations to register, train and post opportunities. Currently, the platform is displaying more than 230 active opportunities across the state, with more being added daily.
“Volunteers provide a unique service by helping others and contributing to our communities,” said First Lady Casey DeSantis. “Volunteer Connect is a platform that will help align volunteers with an organization that meets their interests and complements their skill sets. Volunteering is a fundamental civic responsibility that benefits all and really binds our communities together. I am thrilled that Volunteer Connect will help make it easier for Floridians to continue to provide extraordinary service to those in need.”
“At Volunteer Florida, we recognized the need for an innovative and modern platform to connect nonprofits and governmental entities with volunteers,” said Volunteer Florida CEO Clay Ingram. “Both groups spend countless hours searching for each other, often with frustration and no net benefit. We are proud to launch Volunteer Connect as an easy-to-use solution, so that more people in Florida will accept our challenge and provide support to their communities. Everyone has a skill that is beneficial to a nonprofit, and by way of this centralized hub, we hope to not only make connections, but also shed light on the incredible need for volunteers.”
“Volunteers are the backbone of the Special Olympics movement,” said Special Olympics Florida President and CEO Sherry Wheelock. “We are grateful to the First Lady and Volunteer Florida for recognizing the need for a platform to better connect us with people in our community who are willing to serve.”
Eligible organizations can sign up with the site to more easily recruit and better manage volunteers. Volunteers can take advantage of user-friendly search features, including the ability to search opportunities by date, location, issue area, age or populations served.
Organizations of all sizes are welcome to use the platform. Service opportunities are diverse and range from lending executive expertise to nonprofits, supporting animal and rescue efforts, restoring shorelines through the planting of native flora, to helping communities rebuild after a disaster.
In addition to connecting volunteers to needs in their community, Volunteer Connect also ensures a better volunteer experience through virtual volunteer management training for organizations and education about service for volunteers.
Volunteer Connect is powered by Volunteer Florida. To search for volunteer opportunities in your community, register your organization, or to learn more, visit volunteerflorida.org or sign up for Volunteer Florida’s newsletter by clicking here.
Governor Ron DeSantis Announces New Florida Classroom Teacher and Florida School Principal Bonus Programs
Governor Ron DeSantis today announced a proposal that would replace the Best and Brightest bonus program with the new Florida Classroom Teacher and Florida School Principal Bonus Programs to better reward teachers and principals for their hard work and dedication. [Read more…] about Governor Ron DeSantis Announces New Florida Classroom Teacher and Florida School Principal Bonus Programs
Detour Scheduled on Ronald Reagan Boulevard Starting Friday
From 8:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 15 to 6:30 a.m. Monday, Nov. 18, motorists traveling eastbound on Ronald Reagan Boulevard (County Road (C.R.) 427) should expect a traffic pattern change that includes a detour. [Read more…] about Detour Scheduled on Ronald Reagan Boulevard Starting Friday
Feedback Opportunity for Improvements at State Road (S.R.) 44 at Eddie Road and Ingham Road
The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) invites all interested persons to a public hearing regarding proposed safety improvements on S.R. 44 at the intersections of Eddie Road and Ingham Roads. [Read more…] about Feedback Opportunity for Improvements at State Road (S.R.) 44 at Eddie Road and Ingham Road
Representative Smith Re-Introduces Assault Weapon & Large Capacity Magazine Ban
HB 627 continues ongoing efforts to curb mass shootings post-Pulse; Parkland
Representative Carlos Guillermo Smith (D-Orlando) re-introduced legislation for the fourth consecutive session to ban the civilian purchase of military-style assault weapons and large capacity magazines in the wake of horrific mass shootings that continue to grip the state and nation. Companion legislation will be filed by Senator Gary Farmer (D-Broward).
The legislation was first introduced by Rep. Smith in 2017, after 49 mostly LGBTQ people of color were killed at the mass shooting at Pulse nightclub in Orlando on June 12, 2016. Calls for a legislative hearing on the proposal grew stronger immediately after 17 people were murdered in Parkland at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School on February 14, 2018.
Even as horrific mass shootings continue to grip the state and the nation, Republican leaders have continually blocked efforts to place the bill on a committee agenda for vote, workshop or debate. Amendments to the MSD HS Public Safety Act introduced by Rep. Smith and others in 2018 with similar restrictions on assault weapons failed on mostly party lines.
Recent polling shows a majority of Floridians continue to support an assault weapons ban.1 Advocates for gun violence prevention have launched a constitutional amendment initiative to put the issue before voters in 2020. As 72% of voters think Florida needs to do more to address gun violence, now is the time to enact this life-saving legislation.
Representative Carlos Guillermo Smith offered the following statement:
“We owe it to the victims and families of Pulse, MSD and of everyday gun violence to keep assault weapons off our streets. As Orlando and Parkland communities know all too well, easy access to weapons of war has destroyed the lives of innocent people and families. Several other states and even entire countries have taken action to ban assault weapons after horrific mass shootings in their communities. Why not Florida? It’s past time to hear the bills.”
Senator Gary Farmer offered the following statement:
“This legislation will save lives; we’ve known this for years. Doing nothing is simply unacceptable anymore. I’m proud to stand with Representative Smith in proposing a solution that will undoubtedly reduce gun violence in Florida, just as similar bills have in California, Connecticut, Hawaii, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and New York. It’s time for Florida to step up and stop the sale of these dangerous military-style weapons.”
According to a February 20th poll from MSNBC, 67 percent of Americans support an assault weapons ban. A poll from Florida Atlantic University reports that 70 percent of Florida voters favor an assault weapons ban. bawnfl.org/mission.htm
Dr. Danielle Thomas, Legislative Chair of the Florida PTA, offered the following statement:
“Florida PTA’s mission is to make every child’s potential a reality – which we fail to do with every child we lose to gun violence, especially to semi-automatic military style weapons. We strongly advocate for this good bill and a ban on all military style semi-automatic weapons.
Angie Gallo, Co-chair of the Florida Coalition to Prevent Gun Violence offered this statement:
“The Florida Coalition to Prevent Gun Violence applauds Representative Smith and Senator Farmer for continuing to support and sponsor the assault weapons ban bill. These weapons of mass destruction have no place on our streets or in our communities. We have lost too many lives and endured too much pain. It needs to stop.”
Brandon Wolf, survivor of the Pulse Nightclub shooting, and representative of Equality Florida, offered the following statement:
“Assault weapons, like the Sig Sauer MCX used to murder my friends, have become the gold standard for mass shootings – giving dangerous and violent people limitless license for carnage. No more militarizing hatred. No more empty thoughts and hollow prayers. It’s time to end this reign of terror and get weapons meant for the battlefield off our streets.”
FAMU MMERI Forum Radio Episode Features Florida Sen. Darryl Rouson Discussing His Support for Medical Marijuana
This week’s episode of Florida A&M University’s (FAMU) MMERI Forum Radio gives listeners some insight into how FAMU became a partner in the state’s efforts to raise awareness about medical marijuana and the impact of illegal marijuana use among minority communities. [Read more…] about FAMU MMERI Forum Radio Episode Features Florida Sen. Darryl Rouson Discussing His Support for Medical Marijuana