On January 8, 2018, a complainant reported to the Wakulla County Sheriff’s Office that Laurie Faircloth had functioned as a caretaker for a 71 year old female, and financially exploited the elderly adult. The Criminal Investigations Division (CID) began conducting the investigation which involved financial complexities and crimes committed in both Wakulla and Leon Counties. [Read more…] about Wakulla County SO arrests woman for exploiting the elderly
Government
Gov. Scott: Florida Continues Making Record Investments in Springs Protection
Governor Rick Scott today announced that more than $450 million has been invested in Florida’s springs since 2011 – the highest amount of funding for springs under any Governor in Florida history. Today, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) submitted a plan to the Florida Legislature to invest $50 million in springs restoration from this year’s budget. When leveraged with funding from local partners, this plan proposes a total investment of nearly $86 million in 35 springs projects during the 2018-2019 fiscal year. DEP’s proposed plan focuses on projects critical for springs restoration, including investing $32 million in sewer and septic projects.
Governor Scott said, “Florida’s springs are one of our state’s most pristine natural treasures, which is why I’ve fought for record funding. Every dollar that we’re investing in these projects preserves our iconic springs and helps ensure that we are protecting Florida’s entire environment. I will never stop fighting for our springs and waterways.”
Under Governor Scott’s leadership, Florida has made historic progress protecting springs, including:
- Since 2011, the total investment in Florida’s springs is more than $450 million, the highest amount of funding under any Governor in Florida’s history;
- In 2016, Governor Scott signed the Legacy Florida bill, securing a dedicated source of funding for springs protection;
- Since 2011 and including this year’s plan, the projects implemented thanks to this historic funding will make a direct impact to protect springs and are expected to:
- Reduce more than 11 million pounds of nitrogen from Florida’s springs;
- Save 339 million gallons per day of water to improve spring flow;
- Protect more than 10,000 acres of land surrounding springs through strategic acquisitions.
DEP Secretary Noah Valenstein said, “The health of Florida’s springs is critical to our state’s environment, economy and communities. Thanks to Governor Scott and the Legislature, we continue to make record investments in projects to protect these amazing natural resources. We look forward to the Legislative Budget Commission approving this restoration plan that will allow us to continue to partner with Florida’s water management districts and local communities to protect our springs.”
DEP’s project plan is available HERE. Learn more about Florida’s springs and the work to restore them at myhomemysprings.org.
Mast, Army Corps to Host Working Group Meeting on Dry Season Water Management Strategies to Reduce Discharges
Fulfilling a commitment made at the South Florida Ecosystem Restoration Task Force Meeting in July, U.S. Congressman Brian Mast (FL-18), the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the South Florida Water Management District and others will hold a working group meeting on dry season water management strategies to reduce discharges on Friday, August 17, 2018 in Stuart, Fla. The meeting is open to the public and all are encouraged to attend.
WHO:
Rep. Mast
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
South Florida Water Management District
Department of the Interior
Other Federal, State and Local Officials
Environmental Experts
WHEN:
Friday, August 17, 2018
11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
*Media availability with Rep. Mast and Col. Jason Kirk to follow at 1:00 p.m.
WHERE:
Stuart City Hall
121 Southwest Flagler Avenue
Stuart, FL 34994
WHAT:
At the South Florida Ecosystem Restoration Task Force meeting on July 25, 2018, Rep. Mast testified about the need to alter dry season water management strategies to prevent the need for discharges during the wet season. Lowering water levels during the dry season would mitigate the need for discharges immediately and without needing to spend a single additional dollar of taxpayer money.
“Water is being held on Lake Okeechobee not just as it relates to risk management but as it relates to the benefit of a number of other entities to the detriment of an epicenter of population. This issue absolutely needs to be addressed in the short term. This is an emergency situation of health and welfare,” Rep. Mast testified.
At the meeting, Task Force Chairwoman Susan Combs committed to creating a sub-working group to examine dry season water management strategies, resulting in this meeting between Rep. Mast and federal, state and local officials. At the meeting, Rep. Mast will advocate for changes in dry season water management to prevent the need for devastating discharges that have been destroying the Treasure Coast. Since that meeting, Governor Rick Scott has also directed the South Florida Water Management District to analyze “actions that can be taken during dry season to reduce damaging discharges in the future.”
The meeting is open to the public and all residents concerned about the impact of discharges on our environment, economy and health are encouraged to attend.
Statement from Florida Senator Lauren Book, Child Sexual Abuse Survivor and Founder of Lauren’s Kids
Regarding Pennsylvania Grand Jury Interim Report
on Child Sexual Abuse by Roman Catholic Clergy
“The credible allegations of more than 1,000 victims of child sexual assault by Roman Catholic clergy throughout Pennsylvania are revolting. Over the course of 80 years, 300 predator priests were permitted to prey on their parishioners and their parishioners’ children, creating a scale of abuse never before documented. [Read more…] about Statement from Florida Senator Lauren Book, Child Sexual Abuse Survivor and Founder of Lauren’s Kids
CFO Jimmy Patronis: New Facebook Scam Could Cost You
Facebook has been looking to expand its business through partnerships with financial institutions across the nation to gain access to some of your financial data, including card transactions and checking account balances for customer service functions in the Messenger app. While this may add convenience to banking and other financial transactions, it could make your financial information vulnerable. A current scam includes criminals cloning accounts of your family and friends to steal photos and personal information, this move could put your financial information at risk. [Read more…] about CFO Jimmy Patronis: New Facebook Scam Could Cost You
Consumer Alert: Motor Vehicle Financing
Buying a new or used vehicle is exciting, and it can be easy to get swept up by a persuasive salesperson. The Florida Office of Financial Regulation (OFR) oversees motor vehicle retail installment sellers. The license authorizes its holder to offer installment payments to its customers, for the sale of motor vehicles to retail buyers. [Read more…] about Consumer Alert: Motor Vehicle Financing
ICYMI: News Service of Florida: State debt reduction called ‘sea change’
State debt reduction called ‘sea change’
News Service of Florida
August 14, 2018
Florida has reduced debt that helps finance initiatives like roads, schools and environmental projects by more than $7 billion over the past eight years, according to a new report from the state Division of Bond Finance. [Read more…] about ICYMI: News Service of Florida: State debt reduction called ‘sea change’
CFO Jimmy Patronis: $1 Million in Unclaimed Property for Florida Schools
As the new school year begins, Florida Chief Financial Officer (CFO) directed his Division of Unclaimed Property to work with Florida’s schools and school districts to reunite unclaimed property held for public and private K-12 schools, school boards, and districts in the state. This new “Back to School” unclaimed property initiative includes more than 4,600 unclaimed property accounts for schools and school entities. [Read more…] about CFO Jimmy Patronis: $1 Million in Unclaimed Property for Florida Schools
Florida Office of Financial Regulation Unveils New Website
The Florida Office of Financial Regulation today announced the unveiling of its new website, flofr.com. [Read more…] about Florida Office of Financial Regulation Unveils New Website
Governor Scott Activates Emergency Bridge Loan Program to Assist Small Businesses Impacted by Blue-Green Algae and Red Tide
Governor Rick Scott has directed the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) to activate the Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program to support small businesses who continue to be affected by the Lake Okeechobee algal bloom and impacts from naturally occurring red tide. The bridge loan program, managed by DEO, provides short-term, interest-free loans to small businesses experiencing physical or economic loss. [Read more…] about Governor Scott Activates Emergency Bridge Loan Program to Assist Small Businesses Impacted by Blue-Green Algae and Red Tide
