The Florida Department of Law Enforcement and the Collier County Sheriff’s Office today arrested Sammy Hamilton, 84, a former mayor of Everglades City, of 316 N. Storter Ave, for one count of grand theft and 16 counts of official misconduct.
Collier County
Gov. Scott Appoints Crystal Kinzel to the Collier County Clerk of the Circuit Court
Governor Rick Scott today announced the appointment of Crystal Kinzel to the Collier County Clerk of the Circuit Court. She will fill a vacancy created by the death of Dwight Brock, beginning June 20, 2018.
Kinzel, 62, of Naples, is the Chief Deputy Clerk of the Collier County Clerk of the Circuit Court and received a business administration degree from George Washington University. She is appointed for a term beginning June 20, 2018, and ending November 13, 2018.
Commissioner Adam Putnam Visits Collier County Wildfires
Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam today visited the Greenway Fire in Collier County. The Greenway Fire is 16,876 acres and is 50 percent contained.
Currently, there are 52 active wildfires in Florida burning 27,870 acres.
Significant Wildfires in Florida:
- Greenway Fire (Collier County): 16,876 acres and 50 percent contained.
- Flag Pond Fire (Collier County): 2,578, 100 percent contained.
- West Boundary Fire (Hendry County): 2,629 acres and 80 percent contained
- Firebreak (Gulf County): 2,000 acres and 45 percent contained.
- Shamrock Dr. Fire (Lee County): 20 acres and 100 percent contained.
Resources Deployed to Southwest Florida:
- State Firefighting Bulldozers: 11
- Fire District & State Brush Trucks: 15
- Fire District Water Tenders: 2
- State Firefighting Super Huey Helicopter: 1
- State Firefighter Fixed-Wing: 1
The Florida Forest Service is urging 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.
Commissioner Adam Putnam to Visit Collier County Wildfires, Host Media Availability
MEDIA ADVISORY
Tomorrow, March 28th, Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam will visit the Greenway Fire in Collier County and provide an update on wildfire activity and Florida Forest Service response efforts. The Greenway Fire is currently 16,794 acres and 50 percent contained.
Event: Media availability on wildfire activity and response efforts
Date: Wednesday, March 28, 2018
Time: 9:45 a.m.
Location: Florida Forest Service Incident Command Post
950 Sabal Palm Road
Naples, Florida 34114
For more information about the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, visit FreshFromFlorida.com or call 1-800-HELP-FLA.
Collier County Superintendent Honored as 2017 Lavan Dukes District Leader of the Year
At a meeting of the State Board of Education, Commissioner of Education Pam Stewart today named Collier County Superintendent Dr. Kamela Patton the 2017 Lavan Dukes District Data Leader of the Year. As a result of Dr. Patton’s leadership over the last six years, Collier County Public Schools has made tremendous progress through a data-driven focus on continuous improvement.
“Dr. Kamela Patton’s techniques are a great example of the way data can be used to help teachers and administrators provide students with the best education experience possible, and Collier County students are benefitting greatly,” said Commissioner of Education Pam Stewart. “What I appreciate most is the fact that she has opened her doors and offered other districts the opportunity to learn about the student-focused strategies that have worked in Collier County so they too can help students reach their full potential. It is truly an honor to recognize Dr. Patton today, and I look forward to witnessing her ongoing success.”
Of the 67 school districts, Collier’s district grades ranking has risen to 5th in 2017 from 33rd in 2011. Through strategic and systematic monitoring to ensure students’ needs are met, the “A”-rated district has also experienced a 15.7 percent increase in its high school graduation rate, from 72.5 percent in 2010-11 to 88.2 percent in 2016-17.
Upon her arrival, Dr. Patton introduced “Data Dialogues,” which are collaborative and targeted conversations between school and district leaders that have resulted in tremendous gains. Three times per year, following state and local benchmark assessments, school leaders analyze and reflect upon data. This allows school leaders, teachers, students and parents to review the data and determine the best approaches to maximize student impact.
During her tenure, Dr. Patton has implemented the Naviance College and Career Readiness platform for grades 6-12, which includes a Family Connection platform that helps students research colleges, scholarships, careers and more. In addition, she has implemented recruitment, retention and professional development systems to create a strong administrator pool for those aspiring to be instructional leaders.
The Lavan Dukes District Data Leader of the Year Program highlights the critical role district superintendents play in supporting and encouraging the use of data to improve students’ college and career readiness. The award is named after Lavan Dukes to honor longtime Department of Education employee Garnet Lavan Dukes for his numerous contributions to public education on both the state and national levels.
For more information about the award, visit District Data Leader.
Commissioner Adam Putnam Provides Update on Wildfire Activity in Collier County, Across State
The Florida Forest Service and local first responders continue efforts to contain three large wildfires in rural Collier County and more than 45 other wildfires across the state. While Florida has received recent rainfall, drought conditions and increased wildfire danger throughout the state are expected to continue for the foreseeable future. The Florida Forest Service has battled over 700 wildfires across the state in 2018.
“Florida’s wildland firefighters are prepared to battle increasingly hazardous wildfires across the state. Today, the Florida Forest Service is doing everything in its power to suppress and contain current wildfires in anticipation of very poor weather conditions tomorrow, especially in southwest Florida. It’s imperative that Floridians are cautious with fire to help protect Florida’s residents, natural resources and wildland firefighters,” said Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam.
Large Wildfires in Collier County:
The Florida Forest Service is deploying additional aviation and heavy equipment resources to support response efforts to the following wildfires:
- 116th Avenue Southeast Fire: 8,063 acres and 50 percent contained.
- Greenway Fire: 7,239 acres and 25 percent contained.
- West Boundary Fire: 2,800 acres and 50 percent contained.
The Florida Forest Service is urging 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.
Commissioner Adam Putnam Announces Extension of Free School Meals for All Students in Three Florida Counties
Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam announced today that the U.S. Department of Agriculture has accepted the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ request to extend access to free school meals through November 30 for all students in Monroe, Collier and Lee counties, which are still recovering from Hurricane Irma and subject to a FEMA Major Disaster Declaration. Collier, Lee and Monroe counties have 191 schools and 138,000 students.
Parents or guardians looking for additional info can contact the department at 1-800-504-6609 or [email protected].
Gov. Scott Visits Utility Linemen in Collier County
IMMOKALEE, Fla. – Today, Governor Rick Scott visited utility linemen in Collier County to thank them for their work restoring power to Florida homes and businesses. This week, Governor Scott announced that the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) will accept official utility workers’ identification in lieu of a Florida freshwater or saltwater fishing license through June 30, 2018, and that the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is offering free day-passes to Florida State Parks that can be used on an unlimited basis until October 2018 for all utility workers.
Gov. Scott to Discuss Hurricane Irma Recovery Efforts in Collier County
MEDIA ADVISORY
Today, September 18th, Governor Rick Scott will meet with state and local officials in Collier County to discuss Hurricane Irma response and recovery efforts.
WHAT: Meeting on Hurricane Irma Response and Recovery
WHEN: 3:00 PM
WHERE: Collier County Emergency Management
8075 Lely Cultural Parkway
Naples, FL 34113
Gov. Scott and First Lady Ann Scott Tour Hurricane Irma Damage with President Donald Trump
Governor Rick Scott and First Lady Ann Scott joined President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence to tour damage caused by Hurricane Irma in Collier County.
