Florida News Straight From the Source
Texting and driving can not only hurt you and your passengers, but it also puts everyone on the road in danger. [Read more…] about FDOT Partners with Seminole County Agencies to Remind Drivers About New Cell Phone Law
The Florida Lottery announces that Christopher Baird, of Chuluota, claimed a $1 million prize in the $5 MONOPOLY™JACKPOT Scratch-Off game at the Florida Lottery Headquarters in Tallahassee. [Read more…] about Seminole County Man Claims $1 Million Prize in the $5 MONOPOLY™ JACKPOT Scratch-Off Game
The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) is announcing that tolls are being suspended on the Seminole County section S.R. 417, which extends from Interstate 4 (I-4) to Aloma Avenue at the Orange County line. This is to assist travelers who are trying to avoid major traffic congestion due to a natural gas leak, which has closed a section of I-4 in both directions in Seminole County, near S.R. 436 in Altamonte Springs. FDOT is urging drivers to avoid the area or seek alternate routes, including S.R. 417 in Seminole County.
[Read more…] about Tolls Waived on State Road (S.R.) 417 in Seminole County
The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) will hold a public hearing on proposed improvements along State Road (S.R.) 15/600 (U.S. 17/92) from north of Lake Mary Boulevard to north of Airport Boulevard, which includes intersection improvements at Airport Boulevard. The hearing will be on Tuesday, June 19, at the Seminole County Public Safety Administration Building from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., with a public comment period following a presentation. [Read more…] about Public Hearing on Widening U.S. 17/92 from north of Lake Mary Boulevard to north of Airport Boulevard in Seminole County
Drivers are advised of upcoming nighttime ramp closures with detours on Interstate 4 (I-4) at County Road (C.R.) 46A in Seminole County and Interstate 95 (I-95) at U.S. 1 in Volusia County.
Monday through Thursday from about 10 p.m. to 6 a.m., the C.R. 46A exit ramp from the I-4 westbound collector distributor road will be closed to accommodate guardrail installation. Traffic will be directed to stay on I-4 westbound to Lake Mary Boulevard and access I-4 eastbound to the C.R. 46A exit.
Ramp closures on I-95 at the U.S. 1 interchange (Exit 273) in northern Volusia County also are scheduled early next week; and, will affect the I-95 northbound off ramp to U.S. 1 and the I-95 southbound on ramp from U.S. 1. Each ramp will be closed one night from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. to allow workers to install bases for new interchange lighting. Traffic will be detoured using Old Dixie Highway (Exit 278).
Please note construction schedules may change due to weather or other circumstances. Electronic message boards will be used to alert motorists to lane closures and detours, and updates will be available on the FDOT’s Central Florida website CFLRoads.com.
Media inquiries should be directed to the FDOT Communications Office at 386-943-5479 or [email protected].
FDOT advises drivers to slow down and use extra caution in construction zones.
Orlando North, Seminole County, today announced the launch of the Grand Outreach Program for young adults in foster care, in partnership with the Grand Tour Foundation, a non-profit organization which provides educational programs to students pursuing careers in the hospitality and tourism industries, and IMPOWER, a leading non-profit mental health and child well-being organization dedicated to empowering the lives of those in need.
The Grand Outreach Program helps Central Florida’s young adults participating in independent living programs prepare for a full-time job in Florida’s flourishing hospitality industry through training and mentorship.
“Central Florida is the center for hospitality with dozens of theme parks, hotels, restaurants and attractions, and Florida boasts more than 1.4 million tourism-related jobs,” said Gui Cunha, Tourism Manager for Orlando North Seminole County Tourism. “We are proud to partner with the Grand Tour Foundation and IMPOWER to help these disadvantaged young adults start a career in the hospitality industry, which can lead to life-long success.”
“There are no shortage of opportunities in the hospitality industry. Many hotel general managers started off as bellhops and worked their way to the top,” added Rosangela Parker, Travel Trade Representative for Orlando North Seminole County Tourism.
The six-week program provides an introduction into customer service, front-of-house service, food preparation, etiquette and interview preparation. Once completed with the course, participants will have a resume, certificate of completion and a network of industry professionals to provide mentorship.
“Only about 50 percent of youth in the foster care system graduate from high school, which often leaves them at a significant disadvantage once they leave or age out. This program gives these young adults and other homeless youth the tools they need to reach their full potential and to obtain a successful career,” said Marcie Dearth, Vice President of External Relations for IMPOWER.
Open to those ages 18-24 at risk of homelessness or with a foster care history, the cost-free course will occur three times per year, during the fall, spring, and summer. This allows participants to be ready for hire during the peak tourism seasons.
The program will also guide the individuals through the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association certification course for additional training.
“We have a tremendous opportunity to make a difference in the lives of disadvantaged young adults, and we are honored to provide resources and education for this new program,” said Dr. Mary Jo Ross, Executive Director of the Grand Tour Foundation and retired Professor at the University of Central Florida Rosen College of Hospitality Management. “Central Florida has a wonderful hospitality community, and we are excited to provide program participants with the training needed to work in the industry.”
Orlando North, Seminole County is the destination marketing organization for Seminole County, FL. For more information, please visit http://doorlandonorth.com/.
IMPOWER is a leading non-profit mental health and child well-being organization dedicated to empowering the lives of those in need. For more information, please visit https://www.impowerfl.org/.
The Grand Tour Foundation is a non-profit organization purposed to provide educational programs to students pursuing careers in the hospitality and tourism industries. For more information, please visit http://grandtourfoundation.org/.
SANFORD, Fla. – Today, Governor Rick Scott visited the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office Professional Development Center to thank local law enforcement, emergency management officials and first responders for their commitment to Florida families before, during and after Hurricane Irma. The Governor also announced that Florida’s law enforcement officers and first responders will be able to enjoy license-free freshwater and saltwater fishing beginning today through June 30, 2018.
Since Hurricane Irma moved through the state, Governor Scott has visited communities in the Florida Keys, Southwest Florida and Northeast Florida to thank law enforcement and first responders and discuss recovery efforts with local leaders. See updated statewide Hurricane Irma response and recovery efforts HERE.
SANFORD, Fla. – Today, September 21st, Governor Rick Scott will visit the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office Professional Development Center to thank local law enforcement, emergency management officials and first responders for their commitment to Florida families before, during and after Hurricane Irma.
WHAT: Hurricane Irma First Responder Appreciation Event
WHEN: 3:00 PM
WHERE: Seminole County Sheriff’s Office Professional Development Center
2772 Depot Avenue
Sanford, FL 32773
The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) will hold a public information meeting about the I-4 Beyond the Ultimate (BtU) design project in Seminole County. The purpose of this meeting is to provide a project update and present the preliminary design concepts. The meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, April 25, 2017, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Sanford City Hall, Utilities Training Room, 300 North Park Avenue, Sanford, Florida 32771. The meeting is an informal open house where project displays will be available for review. A brief looping presentation and other information will be available throughout the evening, and project staff will be available to discuss the project and answer questions.
The project involves the build-out of the interstate to its ultimate condition from one mile east of S.R. 434 to east of U.S. 17-92 in Seminole County, Florida. This project is also referred to as Segment 3 of BtU. The proposed improvements include widening the existing six-lane divided interstate to a 10-lane divided urban interstate. The design proposes the addition of two new Express Lanes and three non-tolled general use lanes in each direction. The four dynamically tolled, Express Lanes (two in each direction) will be priced according to traffic conditions. A barrier wall between the adjacent shoulders will separate the express lanes from the general-use lanes. One auxiliary lane will be provided in some areas in both directions.
Persons with disabilities who require accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), or persons who require translation services (free of charge) should contact Ms. Beata Stys-Palasz, P.E., FDOT Project Manager, by phone at 386-943-5418, or by email at [email protected], at least seven (7) days prior to the meeting. If you are hearing or speech impaired, please contact us by using the Florida Relay Service, 1-800-955-8771 (TDD) or 1-800-955-8770 (Voice).
Public participation is solicited without regard to race, color, national origin, age, sex, religion, disability or family status. Persons wishing to express their concerns relative to FDOT compliance with Title VI may do so by contacting Jennifer Smith, FDOT District Five Title VI Coordinator, by phone at 386-943-5367, or via email at [email protected].
The environmental review, consultation, and other actions required by applicable federal environmental laws for this project are being, or have been, carried out by the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) pursuant to 23 U.S.C. §327 and a Memorandum of Understanding dated December 14, 2016, and executed by the Federal Highway Administration and FDOT.
For media related questions, please contact the FDOT Public Information Office at 386-943-5473 / [email protected].
Additional information is available on the project website at www.i4express.com.
The Florida Department of Transportation urges drivers to not text and drive, and to always wear a seatbelt.
Attorney General Pam Bondi’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations and the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office today announced the arrests of two Seminole County women for allegedly defrauding the Medicaid program out of more than $4 million. Maria Navarro, 44, owner of Angels Creative Children Therapy, and office manager Judith Benech, 37, allegedly billed Medicaid for behavioral therapy services for disabled children that the defendants never provided.
“Fraudulent billing is one of the most common forms of Medicaid fraud, and we will not allow unscrupulous individuals to defraud the Medicaid program,” said Attorney General Bondi. “Using disabled children to fraudulently bill Medicaid is despicable, but thanks to the collaborative efforts of my Medicaid Fraud Control Unit and our local and federal partners, this scheme has been stopped and those responsible will be held accountable.”
The Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit began investigating Benech and Navarro after receiving information from the parent of a child Medicaid recipient, who noticed an unusually high amount of Medicaid billing on their explanation of benefits. According to the investigation, the defendants billed eight hours a day for services supposedly provided to a school that is not open long enough for such billing. A review of billing records revealed that Angels Creative Children Therapy allegedly inflated the Medicaid invoices to reflect eight hours of one-to-one therapy per child every day when the children rarely, if ever, received such therapy. Not only did Angels Creative Children Therapy allegedly fail to provide vital therapy to the children, but also significantly over billed for the services not provided, drawing millions from Medicaid resources.
Benech and Navarro each face one count of Medicaid provider fraud and one count of organized scheme to defraud, both first-degree felonies. If convicted, Benech and Navarro face up to 30 years in prison and more than $59,000 in fines and restitution. The State Attorney’s Office for the Ninth Judicial Circuit will prosecute the case. Attorney General Bondi’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations investigated the case.
The Florida Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit investigates and prosecutes providers that intentionally defraud the state’s Medicaid program through fraudulent billing practices. Medicaid fraud essentially steals from Florida’s taxpayers. From Jan. 2011 to the present, Attorney General Bondi’s MFCU has obtained more than $500 million in settlements and judgments. Additionally, the MFCU investigates allegations of patient abuse, neglect, and exploitation in facilities receiving payments under the Medicaid program.
