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- Today, Governor Ron DeSantis announced that the first Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan has been approved for a business impacted by Hurricane Sally. The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) will provide the loan to Brett Hinely, owner of Bluewater Bay Marina in Niceville, Florida. The loan was approved in a short, four business day review process after the loan program was activated on Wednesday, September 23, 2020.
- Last Night, Governor Ron DeSantis issued Executive Order 20-246. Executive Order 20-246 assists the transition to Phase 3 by providing local government bodies with an additional one-month period to conduct their meetings virtually and can be found here.
- Yesterday Evening, Governor DeSantis permitted Executive Order 20-211 to expire.The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently enacted a nationwide residential evictions Order that provides federal eviction relief to persons who submit a valid Declaration to their landlord regarding their inability to pay rent and can be found here.
- Yesterday Morning, Governor Ron DeSantis spoke at the Enterprise Florida Board of Directors Meeting to discuss Florida Phase Three Re-Opening Strategies and Florida's economy.
- Also First Lady Casey DeSantis, as chair of the Florida Children and Youth Cabinet, led Cabinet members in a discussion of the mental health ramifications of the COVID-19 pandemic on Florida’s college students. The First Lady called for members to analyze and amplify state college and universities’ responses to the social and emotional challenges brought on by the mitigation efforts and policies put in place to address the virus. Watch it here.
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WWSB
SARASOTA, Fla. (WWSB) - Today, Governor DeSantis issued Executive Order 20-246 (Local Government Public Meetings) and permitted Executive Order 20-211 (Mortgage Foreclosure and Eviction Relief).
The State of Florida recently entered Phase 3 of the Governor’s plan for Florida’s recovery from COVID-19. Executive Order 20-246 assists the transition to Phase 3 by providing local government bodies with an additional one-month period to conduct their meetings virtually. Local government bodies should prepare to meet in person as required by Florida law beginning November 1, 2020....
Florida Politics
County and city government boards will have one more month to hold online meetings after Gov. Ron DeSantis issued an executive order issuing a final extension to the social distancing precaution before in-person meetings must resume.
Since March, the Governor has authorized local governments to hold their meetings remotely, an order he has periodically extended. But the latest extension comes with the caveat that government boards should be prepared for in-person meetings beginning Nov. 1....
There will be 24 new laws that will go into effect in Florida starting Thursday, October 1.
The changes are among 206 bills that cleared the House and Senate before the session ended March 19. Of those bills, a new state budget was signed into law by Governor Ron DeSantis along with over 200 other laws pending approval by the governor. DeSantis also signed license plate changes into law on a batch on Saturday, September 19.
The process for legislation to become law may be lengthy and takes several steps. Either house may originate of legislation; however, the processes differ slightly between houses. Either a legislator, citizen or a group of citizens or legislators may suggest for a law to become effective...
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Download or share any of these social media graphics below for your personal, business, or agency use.
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Agency for Health Care Administration
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When nursing homes and assisted living facilities closed back in March, so did their hair salons, leaving many long-term care residents without hair care for months. But now, with the limited reopening, some facilities are resuming those services.
76-year-old MaryEllen Ganey is a resident of Grand Villa of Largo. Before her appointment Monday morning, she hadn’t gotten a haircut in six months. Ganey said she missed chatting with stylist Laurie McPherson and also was in great need of the confidence that comes with getting your hair cut and styled...
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Agency for Persons with Disabilities
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'Chariots of Love' Changing Lives of Mobility Challenged Children WPTV
Changing the lives of mobility challenged children in need is the mission of a Palm Beach County woman. Valerie Mathieu works tirelessly to purchase and repair wheelchairs for handicapped children. Years ago, she was volunteering at the Royal Palm School for special needs children in Lantana. "I just became aware of the condition of some of the wheelchairs and I was really surprised," Mathieu said. "There would be duct tape or disrepair on a child's wheelchair and it didn't make sense to me. Insurance didn't cover things and a lot of these children didn't have insurance."
That's when Mathieu decided to do more and her nonprofit group, "Chariots of Love," was born.
"We serve children with disabilities across the United States," Mathieu said. "Anyone through the age of 21 or up we provide wheelchair repairs." Since its inception in 2010, "Chariots of Love" has gifted 120 children a new or refurbished wheelchair or retrofitted one the child already had to better suit his or her needs...
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Department of Business and Professional Regulation
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After months of operating well under capacity, restaurants and bars are allowed to fully reopen in Florida.
For businesses in South Walton, the pandemic hit hard.
“At 50 percent, you’re not doing what you’re supposed to be doing when you’re at 100 percent, and of course it happened right before spring break and everything went down from there and it just hurt. It hurt a lot of us in this business,” said Ken Duenas, executive chef at Pescado.
Now that they can fully reopen, those in the restaurant business said they are hoping to make up at least some of their losses, even outside the peak tourism months.....
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Department of Children and Families
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DCF Providing Additional Support for SNAP Recipients Impacted by Hurricane Sally
Under the direction of Governor Ron DeSantis, DCF announced that Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients impacted by Hurricane Sally will receive additional support.
Mass replacements will be issued for SNAP recipients in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties due to the significant loss of power associated with the storm. Fifty percent of each household’s food assistance benefits received between September 1 and September 15 will be automatically replaced, and for those benefits issued between August 16 and August 28, there will be a 25 percent automatic replacement.
DCF has also extended the 10-day timeframe for current SNAP recipients in the following counties: Bay, Calhoun, Escambia, Franklin, Gulf, Gadsden, Holmes, Jackson, Liberty, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa, Walton, and Washington to request replacement funds for food items lost during the storm.
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Department of Environmental Protection
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DEP’s Florida Geological Survey receives $100,000 Grant
DEP’s Florida Geological Survey (FGS) received a $100,000 grant for a new project, Geologic Mapping in the Trail Ridge Placers - Florida Focus Area. Over the two year funding period, FGS will conduct geologic mapping to better understand the geology of Northeast Florida where heavy mineral sands are known to exist. These heavy mineral sands contain titanium, rare earth elements and zircon, which are all considered critical mineral resources that the country relies on and sustain Florida's economy. Geologists with the FGS participated in a technical working group to help delineate areas within the southeastern United States where these mineral commodities might exist. This work is vital to the future of Florida's natural resource management and could potentially result in the discovery of highly valuable mineral deposits.
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Department of Economic Opportunity
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Governor Ron DeSantis Announces First Emergency Bridge Loan for Small Business Impacted by Hurricane Sally
Tallahassee, Fla. – Today, Governor Ron DeSantis announced that the first Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan has been approved for a business impacted by Hurricane Sally. The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) will provide the loan to Brett Hinely, owner of Bluewater Bay Marina in Niceville, Florida. The loan was approved in a short, four business day review process after the loan program was activated on Wednesday, September 23, 2020. “Supporting businesses and helping employees get back to work is an important step toward helping Florida families, businesses and communities recover from the impacts of Hurricane Sally,” said Governor DeSantis. “I am pleased to provide these loans to impacted businesses as quickly as possible.” The Department administers the Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program in partnership with the Florida SBDC Network and Florida First Capital Finance Corporation to provide cash flow to businesses economically impacted by Hurricane Sally. The short-term, interest-free loans help bridge the gap between the time the economic impact occurred and when a business secures other financing, including Small Business Administration (SBA) loans or commercially available loans, payment of insurance claims or other available resources. “Governor DeSantis’ leadership and focus on supporting businesses and communities impacted by Hurricane Sally has been essential to helping Northwest Florida return to normal,” said Florida Department of Economic Opportunity Executive Director Dane Eagle. “We appreciate our partners at the Florida SBDC Network and Florida First Capital Finance Corporation, who have helped us review and approve these loans quickly to ensure those businesses are able to access this critical funding. Our team will continue to do all we can to help small businesses and families recover.” Up to $5 million has been allocated for the Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan program. Small business owners with two to 100 employees located in Escambia, Okaloosa and Santa Rosa counties affected by Hurricane Sally can apply for short-term loans up to $50,000. To be eligible, a business must have been established prior to September 14, 2020, and demonstrate economic injury or physical damage as a result of Hurricane Sally. The application period is open until November 14, 2020, or until all available funds are expended. Businesses can apply at www.FloridaJobs.org/EBL. The Department continues to encourage businesses in Northwest Florida that have been impacted by Hurricane Sally to complete the Business Damage Assessment survey at FloridaDisaster.biz. Select “Hurricane Sally” from the drop-down menu on the survey page. Response to the Business Damage Assessment survey is not an application for assistance. Businesses interested in the bridge loan program must fill out a bridge loan application...
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Department of Elder Affairs
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Virtual Brain Bus: Understanding Alzheimer’s and Dementia will be held on Thursday, Oct. 8, from 1 to 2 p.m. The Alzheimer’s Association Virtual Brain Bus is here to help. This statewide outreach initiative raises awareness about Alzheimer’s and related dementia from any device connected to the internet. Programs are led by trained dementia experts and will address the benefits of early detection, early diagnosis, brain health, risk reduction, how to receive an accurate diagnosis and the latest advancements in Alzheimer’s research. Brain Bus is funded in partnership with the State of Florida Department of Elder Affairs, Area Agency on Aging of Pasco-Pinellas, Inc....
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Tallahassee, Fla. — The World Heart Federation is promoting their annual World Heart Day which raises awareness for cardiovascular health and highlights ways to prevent cardiovascular disease.
Heart disease causes approximately one in four deaths and is the leading cause of death in both the United States and Florida. About half of all Americans are at risk for heart disease due to high blood pressure, high cholesterol and smoking.
“Today we celebrate World Heart Day and encourage Floridians to make their heart health a priority,” said Lieutenant Governor Jeanette Nuñez. “As the number one cause of death, cardiovascular disease affects numerous Florida families. Let us all do our part to prevent cardiovascular disease for us and our loved ones.”
“World Heart Day serves as a reminder that heart health is important for everyone,” said State Surgeon General Dr. Scott Rivkees. “Every person can lower their risk of preventable cardiovascular disease by seeing a health care provider for screenings, practicing healthy behaviors daily, exercising and getting 7-9 hours of sleep...."
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Department of Management Services
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Government Leaders Explore Technology’s Role in a COVID-19 Florida and Beyond Florida Politics
State government leaders highlighted the roles technology and innovation play Wednesday at a time when the COVID-19 pandemic has elevated the need for an interconnected Florida.
The state has more than 100,000 contractors and state employees across various departments and agencies, many of whom were forced to work from home at some point during the pandemic. With that many workers and overlapping agency tasks, legislative, policy and agency leaders said Wednesday that technology can soften the workload and eliminate redundancies in services and data management.
Recovering from the state unemployment system’s failures earlier this year became an early topic of the conversation between The Southern Group’s Rachel Cone and leaders in the process.
Chris Spencer, Gov. Ron DeSantis‘ policy and budget director, said the state successfully used automation to assist Reemployment Assistance office staff by working through basic tasks.
“It’s not replacing people,” Spencer said. “It’s making the people you have more efficient and reducing the cost the state has to incur in overtime and other types of areas around the state.”
Department of Management Services Secretary Jonathan Satter, who DeSantis tasked during the employment crisis to right the state’s sinking unemployment ship, said the state did a remarkable job in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic in light of the rigidness of government.
“State government is like an aircraft carrier,” Satter said. “You just can’t turn it around really quickly. You have to make your way...."
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Department of Transportation
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Dynamic Envelopes Coming to Some Pinellas Railroad Crossings ABC Action News
PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. — Drivers in Pinellas County are finding new white markings at some railroad crossings. Crews have been installing “dynamic envelopes” in eight spots. The work is part of the Florida Department of Transportation's Operation STRIDE (Statewide Traffic and Railroad Initiative using Dynamic Envelopes). ABC Action News first reported on the initiative in December 2019. The goal is to prevent deaths on or near rail crossings. The purpose of the white connecting X’s is to catch the eye of motorists, bicyclists and pedestrians and keep them out of the "danger zone." Any person or object within the dynamic envelope object could be hit when the train passes. “We want to let everybody know, do not get near that dynamic envelope,” said Kris Carson, FDOT spokesperson. “That’s the clearance the train needs to pass safely through the area so we’re hoping this really makes a difference...."
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Consumer Confidence Rebounds in Florida and Nationwide Sarasota Herald-Tribune
Consumer confidence rallied in Florida this month, but it remains well below pre-coronavirus levels.
Consumers, whose spending drives the state economy, showed more optimism about future economic conditions and whether now is a good time to buy a big-ticket item, according to the University of Florida’s Consumer Sentiment Index for September released on Tuesday.
The index had declined the previous two months, with consumers in August expressing a level of pessimism about their financial situations that hit a 6½-year low...
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Florida Department of Corrections
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FDC’s Volunteer of the Month is Kenneth Munds!
Some may recognize Kenny as the former lead singer of the award-winning country music band, Brush Arbor. But FDC knows Kenny as a loyal volunteer chaplain and facilitator at Madison Correctional Institution.
Kenny is a humble servant who has traveled nationally to share his story through Kenny Munds Ministry. With his guitar at his side, Kenny is always happy to sing a song of inspiration and share his story of overcoming drug and alcohol abuse. Madison CI recently named him Volunteer of the Year. He facilitates bible study classes, leads worship services, and assists with “Celebrate Life” coursework where inmates read and study spiritual literature and perform other assignments.
“He’s one of the most dependable volunteers we have. We can always count on Kenny to show up if one of our other volunteers can’t make it … He is very dependable, and he genuinely loves what he does,” said Chaplain Tookes of Madison CI.
Although he’s no longer opening for legends like Jonny Cash, he is still “walking the line” of a model volunteer and faithful advisor for many at Madison CI. Learn more about Kenny’s ministry at www.kennymundsministry.org.
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Florida Department of Law Enforcement
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FDLE, Collier County SO Arrest Homicide Fugitive From Puerto Rico FDLE PIO
Special agents with the FDLE Fort Myers Regional Operations Center and deputies from the Collier County Sheriff’s Office arrested Luis Enriquez Ortiz-Rodriguez, 23, of Collier County, this week on multiple outstanding arrest warrants. Ortiz-Rodriguez was wanted in Puerto Rico for homicide. He also had active arrest warrants in Virginia for shooting a firearm from a vehicle, reckless handling of a firearm and possession of marijuana.
FDLE agents received a tip in mid-September that Ortiz-Rodriguez was residing in Southwest Florida. An exhaustive investigation led agents to the Tuscan Isle Apartments in Collier County where Ortiz-Rodriguez was located and arrested without incident....
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Florida Department of Veterans' Affairs
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VA Awards Lease for Daytona Beach VA Multi-Specialty Clinic
The Orlando VA Healthcare System has awarded the lease for the Daytona Beach VA Multi-Specialty Clinic. Carnegie Management and Development Corporation will build and lease the new clinic. The Daytona Beach VA Multi-Specialty Clinic will be located off Williamson Blvd, just south of Technology Blvd (West of N. Williamson Blvd. and North of LPGA Blvd.), Daytona Beach, FL 32124.
The new clinic, a part of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, will provide 106,826 net square feet of space, which allow services to be located in one facility. Services provided at the clinic will include primary care, mental health, specialty services, and support services such as radiology and lab. Parking at the new clinic will include 750 spaces.
The Daytona Beach VA Multi-Specialty Clinic design and construction is expected to take 26 months and be completed towards the end of calendar year 2022. Once construction is complete, the VA will install equipment and furniture prior to the clinic’s activation, and relocation of staff and services. Patients will be seen at the clinic in summer of 2023.
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Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
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Citrus County Chronicle
Florida’s black bears are packing on weight for their upcoming hibernation in the winter.
Their fall meal outings can have them rummaging for food in the wrong places, like the trash cans of a household or business, increasing the risk of human interaction.
“Often food from a garbage can provides bears with more calories in a shorter amount of time than foraging in the woods,” a Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) news release stated....
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Tampa Airport 1st in Nation to Offer Passengers COVID Testing WFLA
TAMPA -- In a first of its kind pilot program in the US, Tampa International Airport plans to offer COVID-19 testing to all its arriving and departing passengers.
The testing partner is the Baycare organization, which operates several hospitals in and around the Tampa area. Baycare's Chief Medical Officer, Dr Nishant Anand, says they'll offer two tests... the PCR, which is considered the gold standard, involves that long swab that goes way up into a nostril. It looks for coronavirus DNA and takes about two days to turn around. The other test is slightly less accurate but can deliver results in 15 minutes or less....
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Volunteer Leadership Virtual Convening
Volunteer Florida is excited to host its first-ever volunteer leadership convening. The Volunteer Leadership Virtual Convening: Volunteer Engagement for Changing Communities will be hosted virtually October 27-29, 2020. This no-cost event will cover a broad range of topics that will engage nonprofits, governmental entities and leaders from across the state.
For more information, including registration, please visit: https://www.volunteerflorida.org/volunteer-convening-2020/.
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Department of Juvenile Justice
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Department of The Lottery
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Division of Emergency Management
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Florida Department of Citrus
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Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles
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Florida Housing Finance Corporation
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