The Florida Lottery announces that Thomas Wagner, 60, of Port Charlotte, claimed a $1 million prize in the $10,000,000 WORLD CLASS CASH Scratch-Off game at Florida Lottery Headquarters in Tallahassee. He chose to receive his winnings in annual installments of $40,000.00 a year for 25 years. [Read more…] about Port Charlotte man is $1 million richer after playing $10,000,000 WORLD CLASS CASH Scratch-Off game
Government
Chairman Frelinghuysen Announces Rep. Rutherford to go to Appropriations Military Construction/VA Subcommittee
Other Change Includes Rep. John Rutherford to Move to
Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Subcommittee
House Appropriations Chairman Rodney Frelinghuysen today announced that Rep. Jeff Fortenberry will become the new Chairman of the Legislative Branch Appropriations Subcommittee. The post became available following the retirement of Rep. Charlie Dent.
“Representative Fortenberry is a valued member of the Appropriations Committee and has worked diligently over the years to make certain that each and every tax dollar under our care is used responsibly. His leadership and insight in his new role as Subcommittee Chairman will be essential to craft legislation that funds the Legislative Branch of our government, ensuring the proper functioning of our democratic process and the safety of those that work in and visit the Capitol complex every day,” Chairman Frelinghuysen said.
CFO Jimmy Patronis Tours Franklin County Fire Damage
Florida Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and State Fire Marshal Jimmy Patronis joined Franklin County Sheriff AJ “Tony” Smith, local emergency management officials and first responders to survey damage caused by the fire that ravaged the area since Sunday. CFO and State Fire Marshal Patronis also helped American Red Cross volunteers prepare meals for displaced families.
[Read more…] about CFO Jimmy Patronis Tours Franklin County Fire Damage
Items to watch for the upcoming Board of Governors’ meeting
Performance Funding: The Board of Governors will release the latest performance funding numbers for the State University System of Florida, including university progress on a variety of metrics, from four-year graduation rates to student success after graduation. The Governor and Legislature directed $560 million toward performance funding for the 2018-19 school year, to be disbursed based on university excellence or improvement. [Read more…] about Items to watch for the upcoming Board of Governors’ meeting
Senator Kelli Stargel announces June Mobile Office Hours
Community Office Hours
Senator Kelli Stargel’s staff will hold “mobile office hours” on Wednesday, June 25, 2018, to assist constituents with state agency concerns. “We want to be available to everyone in my district that may have a need of assistance. This is an opportunity to speak with my professional staff in person,” said Senator Stargel.
You can meet with Rachel Barnes at either of the following places:
10:00 – 11:30 at the Clermont City Hall, 2nd Floor conference room
2:00 – 4:00 at the Cooper Library, (2525 Oakley Seaver Dr,), 2nd Floor.
Please contact Rachel Barnes at 863-668-3028 or [email protected] if you want to schedule a meeting time with her so you have a dedicated time to meet.
Commissioner Adam Putnam Provides Update on Franklin County Wildfire
Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Adam Putnam issued the following update on the Lime Rock Road Fire in Franklin County:
Lime Rock Road Fire (Franklin County):
- Approximately 950 acres and 80 percent contained.
- Approximately 38 structures destroyed. Law enforcement officers with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services as well as the State Fire Marshall’s office will assess structure loss and damage today.
- Approximately 25 Florida Forest Service personnel are on scene with 7 dozers and 5 engines.
- The cause of the wildfire is under investigation.
“My thoughts and prayers go out to the families impacted by this devastating wildfire as well as the entire Franklin County community. First responders from across the region sprang into action and rushed to the scene of this fast-moving wildfire, helping to prevent even more destruction. Florida has a year-round wildfire season, and I encourage Floridians to be vigilant,” said Commissioner Adam Putnam.
The Florida Forest Service urges residents to be cautious with fire and heat sources and to remember the following:
- Develop and implement a family wildfire action plan;
- Call 911 or a local Florida Forest Service field unit office immediately in the event of a wildfire;
- Obey Florida’s outdoor burning laws;
- Never burn on windy days;
- Always keep a water source and suppression tools on hand when burning yard debris;
- Never leave an outdoor fire or hot grill unattended; and
- Avoid parking vehicles on dry grass.
The Florida Forest Service, a division of the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, manages more than 1 million acres of state forests and provides forest management assistance on more than 17 million acres of private and community forests. The Florida Forest Service is also responsible for protecting homes, forestland and natural resources from the devastating effects of wildfire on more than 26 million acres. Learn more at FloridaForestService.com.
For more information about the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, visit FreshFromFlorida.com.
Gov. Scott: FDOT Begins Process for Privately Funded High-Speed Rail from Orlando to Tampa
Governor Rick Scott today announced that the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) has begun the process to allow for private investment in a high-speed rail connection from Orlando to Tampa. [Read more…] about Gov. Scott: FDOT Begins Process for Privately Funded High-Speed Rail from Orlando to Tampa
Statement by Adam Putnam on Florida’s Upgraded Credit Rating, Fiscal Health
Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam released the following statement today after Moody’s Investors Service announced it updated Florida’s general obligation (GO) rating to Aaa from Aa1, giving Florida triple-A credit ratings from all three major credit rating agencies.
“Putting Florida’s economy back on track through strong fiscal management practices and reducing our state’s debt has been the top priority of Governor Scott, the Chief Financial Officer, the Attorney General and mine since taking our positions.
“Today, thanks to the hard work of many, Florida has triple-A credit ratings from all three major credit rating agencies and has paid down $9 billion in state debt.
“But Florida’s economic success story is not over and complacency is not a strategy, we must continue to do all that we can to make Florida’s economy and finances as strong and resilient as possible.”
For more information about the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, visit FreshFromFlorida.com.
Credit Card Skimming Criminal Ring Taken Down
Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam announced today that a multi-agency investigation, led by his Office of Agricultural Law Enforcement, successfully dismantled an extensive skimming and fuel theft ring in Kissimmee. [Read more…] about Credit Card Skimming Criminal Ring Taken Down
Sen. Bill Nelson to visit Homestead, Fla. facility for immigrant children Saturday
U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson (D-FL) will be in Homestead, Fla. Saturday to visit the Homestead Temporary Shelter for Unaccompanied Children and speak to some of the 94 children there who were separated from their families and find out exactly what’s being done to reunite them with their families. [Read more…] about Sen. Bill Nelson to visit Homestead, Fla. facility for immigrant children Saturday
