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Positivity remains under 10% for almost 3 weeks
Despite a dump of almost 80,000 results, positivity is under 7% We are opening up long-term care facilites, including nursing homes and assisted living facilities,through a safety conscious,re-opening plan
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Governor Ron DeSantis Recognizes September as Florida Preparedness Month
Tallahassee, Fla. — Governor Ron DeSantis and the Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM) have proclaimed September as Florida Preparedness Month to highlight the critical need for Florida residents and visitors to be aware of and prepare for natural and man-made hazards.
“Ensuring every Floridian prepares for disasters is incredibly important,” said Governor DeSantis. “As we continue through a very active hurricane season, I encourage all residents and visitors to gather seven days of critical supplies and make a plan.”
“As we continue to respond to COVID-19 during the peak of hurricane season, it is more important than ever before for Floridians to prepare for all disasters,” said FDEM Director Jared Moskowitz. “During this active hurricane season, I urge everyone to have at least seven days of supplies and to know their zone and know their home. If a hurricane impacts our state, we need every Floridian to be ready and have a plan.”
The 2020 Atlantic Hurricane Season lasts until November 30. FDEM encourages every family and business to develop their disaster plans and always keep a stocked disaster supply kit, with enough supplies to last at least seven days. A disaster supply kit checklist is available to download here.
Floridians can develop their disaster plan specific for their family’s needs on the Division’s website here.
Florida Preparedness Month is recognized in conjunction with National Preparedness Month, which is observed every September by the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s “Ready” Campaign. This is a national public service campaign designed to educate and empower people to prepare for, respond to and mitigate emergencies. More information on National Preparedness Month can be found here.
To view Governor DeSantis’ proclamation for Florida Preparedness Month, please click here.
Florida Today
Here are updates about coronavirus cases in Brevard, according to the Florida Department of Health, as of Sept. 1, 2020.
For the first time since Aug. 14, Brevard has recorded coronavirus cases in the triple digits.
The county registered 144 cases Tuesday, Florida Department of Health data shows. On Aug. 14, the county had reported 100 cases. Brevard has not reported a number as high as 144 in a single day since July 25 with 142 cases.
In a news release, the FDOH said the number of cases reported Tuesday were inflated because of delayed reporting by Quest Diagnostics, which the department said is a violation of state law. The FDOH said that nearly 75,000 tests, some dating as far back as April, were added to the state's totals Tuesday.
As a result of the delay, the release stated the Florida Department of Health and the Florida Division of Emergency Management will be severing all ties with Quest.
FLORIDA: Nursing Home Visits Now Okay, COVID Rules Remain
BocaNewsNow.com
BOCA RATON, FL (BocaNewsNow.com) (Source: State of Florida Advisory Verbatim) — Florida Division of Emergency Management Director and State Coordinating Officer Jared Moskowitz issued an Emergency Order that lifts restrictions for visitation to nursing homes, assisted living facilities (ALFs), adult family-care homes, adult group homes and other long-term care facilities.
The Emergency Order requires all visitors to wear PPE pursuant to the most recent CDC guidelines, and those not making physical contact still must wear a mask. Per the Emergency Order, to accept general visitors, the facility must meet the following:
- No new facility-onset of resident COVID-19 cases within 14 days other than in a dedicated wing or unit that accepts COVID-19 cases from the community;
- If a staff member tests positive for COVID-19, the facility must immediately cease all indoor and outdoor visitation in the event that staff person was in the facility in the 10 days prior to the positive test;
- Sufficient staff to support management of visitors;
- Adequate PPE for facility staff;
- Adequate cleaning and disinfecting supplies; and
- Adequate capacity at referral hospitals for the facility.
WPTV
THE VILLAGES, Fla. — Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis spoke on a range of topics related to the coronavirus Monday afternoon during a visit to Central Florida.
The governor was joined by Dr. Scott Atlas, adviser to President Donald Trump on the coronavirus pandemic, during a visit to the UF Health The Villages Hospital.
DeSantis continued to reiterate that the state is headed in the right direction in the battle against the virus.
"The number of COVID positive patients that are currently hospitalized is down nearly 60 percent statewide from our July peek," DeSantis said.
Florida's new coronavirus cases on Monday dropped below 2,000, the lowest number since June 14.
The governor said the state will not impose the stringent lockdowns that Florida saw earlier this year.
Tampa Bay Times
Gov. Ron DeSantis announced yet another ...To continue reading, subscribe to The Tampa Bay Times. of Florida’s moratorium on evictions and foreclosures Monday evening, pushing back its expiration that was scheduled for 12:01 a.m. Tuesday morning.
The new expiration date is 12:01 a.m. on October 1.
The announcement of the extension was made around 8:45 p.m., but unlike past months, the governor had hinted earlier what his decision would be. DeSantis said he was likely to make the extension on Friday when he was asked about the order during an appearance in Fort Lauderdale.
“I will work on the moratorium. I think we probably will continue that,” he said.
DeSantis originally issued the moratorium on evictions and foreclosures on April 2, but he made modifications to it when he announced an extension at the end of July.
USA Today
Gov. Ron DeSantis moved quickly to name a new Secretary of the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity.
About 24 hours after the resignation of Ken Lawson, DeSantis tapped Cape Coral Representative Dane Eagle to lead the agency in charge of workforce development and economic incentives for businesses.
Eagle is term-limited out of office in November and last month lost a GOP primary for a Southwest Florida Congressional District to Naples Rep. Byron Donalds.
A commercial Realtor, Eagle served as the House Majority Leader the past two sessions in the Legislature. In that role he successfully worked to pass a GOP caucus’ agenda that included parental consent for an abortion, repeal of a certificate of need for new hospitals, and an expansion of school vouchers.
"Leader Eagle is an experienced legislator, a family man, and the right choice to lead DEO,” said Governor DeSantis.
“The Department has suffered some setbacks, but I have no doubt that Dane is up to the task. He is personable, enjoys broad bipartisan support, and I look forward to the many successes to come," said DeSantis.
Eagle said he is humbled and excited to join the DeSantis administration in serving the people of Florida.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is ordering state health agencies to cut ties with Quest Diagnostics, one of the country’s largest labs, after the company failed to report nearly 75,000 coronavirus tests in a timely manner, the state’s Department of Health said Tuesday.
The bulk of the 75,000 previously unreported tests are two-weeks old with some dating back as many as five months, the department of health said. The Department of Health said Quest informed everyone who tested positive of their results, despite the backlog in reporting onward to the state.
The governor’s office did not learn of the backlog in test results until Monday, the Department of Health said.
“The law requires all COVID-19 results to be reported to DOH in a timely manner. To drop this much unusable and stale data is irresponsible,” DeSantis said in a statement. “I believe that Quest has abdicated their ability to perform a testing function in Florida that the people can be confident in. As such I am directing all executive agencies to sever their COVID-19 testing relationships with Quest effective immediately.”
Jason Mahon, spokesman for the Florida Division of Emergency Management, said Quest was processed Covid-19 tests at a “limited number” of state-supported testing sites and will no longer be used at them.
“Whenever a lab does not fulfill its obligations to provide testing results with an acceptable turnaround time, or report those results to the state, the Division stops doing business with that lab,” he said in a statement to CNBC. He added that he has “no concerns” about transitioning to different labs.
Quest attributed the delay in reporting to a “technical issue,” adding that the affected test results are just 75,000 of the roughly 1.4 million coronavirus tests Quest has processed in Florida.
For eight months, the U.S. government leaders have operated the machinery of the COVID-19 pandemic following case counts of positive laboratory tests. But, in the middle of a pandemic, case counts are not a representative indicator of infectious disease in a population. Without a measure that is proportional to infection, resistant to ever-change testing criteria and comparable across places and times, the public will not understand how the pandemic is progressing and government leaders will make the wrong decisions.
So far, according to the CDC, the United States has seen two waves of the COVID-19 pandemic, a larger one in April and a smaller one in July. Hospitalizations, which are roughly proportional to infections, peaked at 10 per week per 100,000 people during the week beginning April 11th fell then rose again to 8 per week per 100,000 people during the week beginning July 11th. Case counts, on the other hand, more than doubled from a weekly average of 31,000 during the mid-April peak to 67,000 at the end of July. From the top of one wave to another, hospitalizations fell while case counts rose — changes in medical visits for COVID-19 symptoms and deaths aligned with changes in hospitalization rates.
If case counts are the measure of pandemic progress, the public will understandably see a situation worsening when case counts rise even though the severe consequences may be declining. And decision-makers may naturally react with alarm, tightening restrictions unnecessarily. The measure of the pandemic itself becomes harmful.
Governor Ron DeSantis Encourages Floridians to Travel Within the State to Help Tourism Recover
Daytona Beach, Fla. — Today, Governor Ron DeSantis and VISIT FLORIDA President & CEO Dana Young visited Daytona Beach to emphasize the critical importance of the tourism industry in Florida and to launch a new marketing campaign leading into the Labor Day holiday weekend.
“This new intrastate marketing campaign is the latest step we’re taking to help get people back to work,” said Governor DeSantis. “While the pandemic is not over, and safety remains paramount, we encourage Floridians to venture out of their homes to enjoy everything our beautiful state has to offer.”
“At VISIT FLORIDA, we are proud to launch an in-state advertising campaign that is aimed at helping every Florida community recover,” said VISIT FLORIDA President & CEO Dana Young. “Our tourism businesses have been severely impacted, but there is no doubt that our state is still the best place to live and the best destination for travelers. Together with Governor DeSantis, VISIT FLORIDA and our state’s tourism industry will not stop until we have fully recovered and every Floridian whose job was impacted by COVID-19 can get back to work as quickly as possible.”
Tourism is a foundational pillar of Florida’s economy, accounting for more than 1.5 million jobs and $91 billion in revenue in 2019. But, due to a global downturn in travel caused by COVID-19, Florida visitation dropped by more than 60 percent year-over-year in the second quarter of 2020.
In response, VISIT FLORIDA has launched an in-state tourism marketing campaign to support the state’s economic recovery and struggling tourism labor market. The campaign will remind Floridians that their home state offers world-class tourism opportunities that most people must travel to other states and countries to experience.
VISIT FLORIDA expects to begin marketing to attract travelers from outside of Florida in the near future. To learn more about VISIT FLORIDA’s in-state travel campaign, click here. To view the first advertisements for the campaign, click here and here.
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COVID-19 by the Numbers | COVID -19 Fatalities
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ICUs and Hospital Beds by the Numbers | Current as of 9/3/2020
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20.59%
% of ICU Beds Available Statewide
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39.03% % of Pediatric ICU Beds Available Statewide
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24.40% % of Available Hospital Beds Statewide
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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 Healthcare Administration
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Some Families Reunite With Nursing Home Residents As Visitation Rules Approved WUSF
Social-distanced visits have resumed at some long-term care facilities, but many family members hope to become "essential caregivers" so they can touch and hug their loved ones.
Some families have been able to see their loved ones in nursing homes and assisted living facilities face-to-face for the first time in months, now that the state has approved recommendations to resume visitation.
On Tuesday, Gov. Ron DeSantis signed off on the guidelines that a state task force provided last week. Some facilities had already started allowing limited visits ahead of the announcement.
Diane McMillen and her sister got a chance to spend time with their mother on Monday evening at the assisted living facility she lives at in Tampa.
They donned face shields and “air-hugged” their mom from six feet away on the patio. The home started allowing scheduled outdoor visits with safety precautions this week after the state task force included those in its recommendations.
Nearly six months of video calls and window visits were taking a toll on McMillen and her 85-year-old mother, who was suffering from isolation and depression.
Outside on the patio, she asked her mom how it felt to at least see her daughters in person and not through a screen.
Diane McMillen's mother, who is 85, was happy to see her daughters face-to-face rather than through a screen.
“It is nice,” her mom said, adding with a sigh, “It's nicer than not at all."
McMillen said as great as it felt to take the first steps towards a proper reunion, the visit was a bit awkward.
A staff member stood a short distance away supervising and asked them to leave as soon as their half hour was up. And McMillen said it was hard to not hug her mom or hold her hand.
“It just is not natural, it’s not normal to not be able to touch, greet, hug, and that’s the hardest part because when you walk away, that is the hardest part to get, that you have no human touch at all,” she said.
This was considered a general visit, which the state has stricter rules for.
General visitation is only allowed at facilities that have not had new cases of COVID-19 among residents or staff in the last two weeks. Up to five people can be approved as visitors, with only two allowed at a time. Social distancing and masks are required.
But the state is also now allowing "essential caregivers" who wear full PPE inside the facilities. They will help with things like bathing, feeding and emotional support, the latter a point of contention during the state task force meetings.
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Agency for Persons with Disabilities
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Local Company Builds Face Coverings for Special Needs Students Panama City News Herald Caleb has special needs — the kind that call for something other than a cloth over his face and nose to protect him from contracting COVID-19. His mother, Jennifer Owen, anticipated the need before school began two weeks ago.
"As a mom, I just felt like Caleb needed something more," she said. "I wanted him to have something he could wear to school and feel protected in — and have the teachers feel safe, too." Owen and her husband Will own Panama City boat part manufacturing company JetBoatPilot. The company halted its regular production back in April to produce face coverings as the need for personal protective equipment begun encroaching on the safety of health care workers and others. Owen now has developed a covering fit for all, particularly individuals who maintain close contact with others, such as teachers with students who have special needs that might find difficulty in wearing the commonly used cloth face masks. Dubbed the Figment Education Face Covering Kit, the face covering marries a mask and a type of shield, by attaching a curved lens to a headband that wraps around the entire face, protecting the eyes, nose, and mouth. It is lightweight, reusable, easily sanitized and eliminates the need for wearing cloth masks altogether. The company has donated well over a hundred masks to classrooms, medical offices and local health-related organizations. After being tested and approved for use, Owen introduced the face covering to the Bay County District Schools board at a recent meeting.
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CareerSource Research Coast Launches New Workforce Programs to Aid St. Lucie County Residents and Businesses Impacted by COVID-19 CareerSource Research Coast (CSRC) has launched new workforce training and development programs to support St. Lucie County residents and businesses economically impacted by COVID-19. Designed to prepare individuals with re-entering the workforce while also helping affected businesses avoid layoffs and/or upskill employees, Recover St. Lucie Workforce Training and Development programs are supported in partnership by CSRC, St. Lucie County, and the Economic Development Council of St. Lucie County (EDC) as part of the St. Lucie County CARES Economic Recovery programs. Funding for these programs were made possible by the St. Lucie County Board of County Commissioners, which has received federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act funds from the State of Florida. Under this initiative, eligible St. Lucie County residents transitioning from industries hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic may receive up to $5 thousand in scholarship grant funds for immediate, short-term training or certification for in-demand occupations. The industries hardest hit include but are not limited to hospitality, entertainment, food and beverage, and personal services. CSRC will also assist program participants with job placement. CSRC will also provide eligible St. Lucie County for-profit businesses with up to $10 thousand in grant funding for paid on-the-job training (OJT) programs to train or upskill new hires to meet new market demands. Program participants must have lost their job or had their hours reduced due to COVID-19. Businesses must be in recovery mode and open and operational in some fashion consistent with the governor’s guidelines, CDC guidance and market realities. CSRC will award grants on a tiered scale based on the total number of full-time participating employees. Apply online to learn more about the program and eligibility requirements.
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Department of Business and Professional Regulation
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Miami-Area Salon Offers Hair-Cutting Services Outdoors Miami Herald South Beach resident Emily Taylor was lucky enough to get a haircut right before the COVID-19 pandemic shutdown.
Usually, she keeps her hair shoulder-length. Right now, her hair reaches mid-back.
Her hair was “scary-looking,” said Taylor who wasn’t comfortable getting a haircut inside a salon because of the virus. “It has split ends.”
Then she saw an ad on social media about Hair Cuttery, 18237 Biscayne Blvd. in Aventura, offering outdoor curbside cuts.
“I considered cutting my own hair, but I have seen some horror stories on social media. I decided to leave it to the professionals,” Taylor said.
Last month, stylists began cutting hair in a tent at the parking lot of the Fresh Market shopping center. The tent had two chairs, 6 feet apart. Clients had their cuts between 9 a.m. and 11 a.m.; appointments were made online or by phone. (The salon, which reopened in June, also provides services indoors.)
Only the signature cut, which starts with a consultation to understand a client’s hair goals, were offered.
All the salon professionals had gone through a training session that highlighted proper safety protocols: While working on clients, stylists wore face masks, scrubs and gloves, and sanitized each chair.
To make sure the shop followed the proper guidelines, Hair Cuttery consulted with Leslie Roste, who is the national director of industry relations and education for BARBICIDE. The company makes disinfectant solutions used by barbers and cosmetologists, among other products. Roste is also a registered nurse.
The outdoors location has proven popular: In the two days after the pilot program was announced last month, 750 reservations were made.
SBDC Offers Workshop To Help Restaurants WUWF Pensacola
The restaurant industry has arguably suffered the most economic losses since the COVID-19 outbreak began.
And as the state and country reopen, restaurant operations can be dramatically different. To help navigate new challenges, the Small Business Development Center at the University of West Florida will host a three-part webinar “The Restaurant COVID-19 Playbook,” which begins Sept. 9.
The free, online webinar is just one of the resources the SBDC has offered during the pandemic, alongside virtual consulting sessions in the 10-county region. And while in-person workshops have been on hold, the virtual sessions have been successful, said John Emsing, business consultant at the center.
“It’s been great to continue delivering information to businesses,” he said. “And with the virtual workshops, we’ve seen an uptick in attendance. The scope is so much bigger.”
Emsing said the workshop on restaurant operations meets a demand the center has seen in the past several months. On March 20, Gov. Ron DeSantis ordered food establishments to suspend dine-in food and beverage consumption. Restaurants were allowed to reopen May 4 with indoor seating limited to 25% capacity, and by mid-May there were able to increase to 50% capacity. Bars are still closed to on-site alcohol consumption, although some have obtained restaurant licenses to stay open.
Restaurants and food service jobs make up about 12% of Florida’s employment, according to the National Restaurant Association.
As restaurants worked to quickly adapt to carry-out and delivery services, some have had to completely rethink operations, said Emsing.
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Department of Children and Families
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Introducing Elevate DCF
Under Secretary Chad Poppell, DCF’s goal has been to reduce the number of families in crisis by 20% by Summer 2021. While COVID-19 has drastically increased the number of families in crisis, DCF is still dedicated to reaching this goal and making families safer and stronger. One of DCF’s main strategies is to transform from a crisis response agency to one focused on front-end prevention services. To effectively execute this strategy, Secretary Poppell and his leadership team created Elevate DCF, a comprehensive project plan that will allow DCF employees and child welfare stakeholders from around the state to volunteer for a work group that’s dedicated to implementing a specific project (there are five total projects within the plan). This is an exciting opportunity for team members to play a role in DCF’s success and help the department better serve Florida families!
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Department of Elder Affairs
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Robotic Pets Ease Stress in Patients With Various Forms of Dementia Local10.com
POMPANO BEACH, Fla. – Robotics are improving our lives in many ways, from doctor-controlled devices in operating rooms to consumer-based gadgets that make daily chores easier. Now, robotic “pets” are benefiting people suffering from Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia, including Pompano Beach resident Jim Parris, whose wife Lynn was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 2010. “The area of the brain that controls memory is pretty much gone and it won’t be coming back,” Parris said. The couple has been together for 62 years, but now she hardly knows the man she married. “Sometimes she’ll know I’m Jim but not recognize that I’m her husband. She knows her husband’s name is Jim but sometimes we’re two different people,” he said. As the disease progressed over the years, Lynn easily became agitated, prone to fits of anger until the day a robotic cat came into her life.
“She sometimes calls it Angel, sometimes Baby. She’s not given it an official name,” Parris said. As the mechanical cat purrs, wags its tail, moves its head and rolls over for tummy rubs, Lynn laughs, smiles and even sings. The Robotic Pet Program is part of a coordinated effort involved with the Memory Disorder Center at Broward Health North.
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Division of Emergency Management
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Three Waves are Headed West in the Atlantic. Two Could Merge into Tropical Depression Miami Herald
The National Hurricane Center is tracking Tropical Storm Nana, which is moving westward near 18 mph. A hurricane watch is in effect for the coast of Belize. BY NOAA
As the Atlantic basin inches toward peak hurricane season, the National Hurricane Center is tracking three tropical waves, a tropical storm and a tropical depression.
Tropical Storm Nana, which briefly became the season’s fifth hurricane as it came ashore in Belize, was back down to a tropical storm Thursday morning with 60 mph winds, as of the 8 a.m. update. It was midway through northern Guatemala and headed toward the Pacific Ocean at about 15 mph, dumping enough rain on the region that flash flooding was a worry.
“Although the remnants of Nana are forecast to move into the east Pacific in about 36 hours, the model guidance is in good agreement that conditions in that area will not be conducive for regeneration,” forecasters wrote.
Tropical Storm Nana, which briefly became a hurricane Wednesday night, was passing through northern Guatemala Thursday morning.
Tropical Depression Omar is not long for this world. Forecasters, who’ve been tracking this disturbance since it formed off the coast of North Carolina and headed due east, said it’s likely to dissolve Thursday evening.
The hurricane center identified a new tropical wave Thursday morning.
The closest wave is about midway between Africa and the eastern Caribbean. Forecasters said gradual development is possible early next week and gave it a 40% chance of forming into a tropical depression in the next five days as another, larger wave passes to the north of it.
The hurricane center said the second wave, which was near Africa’s west coast, was developing slowly but is expected to merge with another tropical wave. Formation chances for the next five days are high at 70%.
The National Hurricane Center is tracking three tropical waves, one of which has a 70% chance of forming into a tropical depression in the next week. NHC
“A tropical depression is more likely to form early next week over the central tropical Atlantic where environmental conditions are forecast to be more favorable for development,” they wrote.
The final wave is forecast to move off Africa’s coast over the weekend and could develop a little over the next week. The hurricane center gave it a 20% shot at strengthening in the next five days.
The next storm names are Paulette and Rene.
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Department of Environmental Protection
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National Park Service
“This marks the last milestone toward the completion of the Tamiami Trail project. Directing more water south from Lake Okeechobee is key to Everglades restoration and projects like Tamiami Trail Next Steps are an integral part of that effort,” said Florida Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Noah Valenstein. “Thank you to the Trump Administration, Governor DeSantis and our dedicated partners for accelerating our efforts to complete this critical project.” Yesterday it was announced that the contract has been awarded to allow for the second and final phase of the Tamiami Trail Next Steps Project to begin. This critical project will improve water flow to one of the most over-drained wetlands within the Greater Everglades watershed. The Florida Department of Transportation awarded the contract to General Asphalt Jones Benitez Joint Venture. The $200 million Tamiami Trail Next Steps Project represents a new approach to collaboration between federal and state agencies by merging funding and expertise to achieve important regional transportation, sustainability, and Everglades restoration goals all in one project. Phase 2 of the project will focus on raising and reconstructing the remaining 6.7 miles of the eastern Tamiami Trail with features to further improve water conveyance, roadway safety, and stormwater treatment. Construction on Phase 2 is scheduled to begin in November 2020.
By the completion of Phase 2 at the end of 2024, water is expected to flow more freely with fewer impediments into Everglades National Park for the first time since the early 1900s. Significantly and safely increasing water flow into the park will rehydrate more than one million acres of park lands and stabilize the salinity and health of Florida Bay, which is critical to the success of the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP), and to achieving a restored Everglades.
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New COVID cases drop sharply in state, county The Palm Beach Post The number of new COVID-19 cases in Palm Beach County plunged again on Wednesday with 131 tallied by the Florida Department of Health. The drop, among the lowest reported since June, came a day after the number of cases reported in Florida artificially spiked after a lab dumped 75,000 cases at once.
Statewide, 2,402 new cases were reported. That is less than the daily average of 2,949 that were notched before Quest Diagnostics released the results of thousands of tests some of which dated back to April. Wednesday's increase means 633,442 people in the state have been diagnosed with the highly contagious respiratory disease, including 42,518 in the county. While the spread of the disease has slowed, Florida remains one of the nation’s hot spots. Only California and Texas have reported more cases, according to a coronavirus tracker operated by Johns Hopkins University. Another 130 fatalities were reported statewide. That is slightly higher than the average of 111 deaths that have been reported each day during the last week. However, the reporting of deaths lags so it’s unlikely the fatalities reported on Wednesday occurred within the past 24 hours.
An additional six deaths were reported in Palm Beach County. The fatalities included a 32-year-old man and two women, ages 48 and 61. The others ranged in age from 64 to 95. The state’s death toll stands at 11,651, including 1,151 who died in Palm Beach County. Gov. Ron DeSantis used the data dump to again raise questions about using the number of cases and the percentage of people testing positive to gauge the current state of the pandemic. Because labs, like Quest, don’t report test results promptly, the numbers don’t paint a true picture, he said during press conferences on Tuesday. However, health experts say, the percentage of people testing positive, is a key metric to determine the prevalence of the disease. On Wednesday, the positivity rate in Florida was 5.63%. It is the eighth day in the past two weeks that it has dropped below 6%. While state health officials say a rate below 10% is optimal, global pandemic experts say it should be below 5% before meaningful efforts can be taken to identify outbreaks and stop the spread of the deadly disease. The state hasn’t had a daily positivity rate above 10% since Aug. 11. The day after the county commission agreed to allow the partial reopening of movie theaters, bowling alleys and other entertainment venues, the daily positivity rate dropped to 4.2%. During the past two weeks, it has averaged 4.68% each day. With schools likely to soon allow students to return for in-classroom instruction, the rate becomes more important. The Florida Chapter of the America Academy of Pediatrics said the rate should consistently below 5% before schools reopen. While the two-week daily average is below 5%, it has been higher on five days, including on Thursday when it was 6.34%. Criticizing the positivity rate as unreliable because of the way labs report test results, DeSantis said he focuses on the visits to emergency rooms and hospital admissions. The number of people hospitalized continues to drop statewide while it has increased slightly in the county. There were 3,549 people hospitalized in Florida for treatment of COVID-19 on Wednesday morning, according to the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration. The numbers have been falling since they peaked in July with more than 9,500 people hospitalized. The number of people being treated at medical centers dropped to 180 over the weekend in the county and then climbed. There were 211 people hospitalized for treatment of COVID-19 on Wednesday morning, hospital regulators said. The numbers change throughout the day as people are admitted and discharged. The state doesn't publicly report how many people visit emergency rooms daily, complaining of COVID-19, symptoms. But a chart on its website shows the numbers have been falling each week since July, both statewide and in the county.
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Department of The Lottery
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Jacksonville Woman, 62, Wins $1 Million Prize in Florida Lottery Scratch-off Florida Times-Union
Another Jacksonville resident drove home with a Fastest Road to $1,000,000 scratch-off top prize, the Florida Lottery announced Tuesday.
Sandra Callen, 62, chose to receive her winnings as a one-time, lump-sum payment of $790,000, the Lottery said. She bought her $30 ticket from 10500 San Jose Blvd. Publix in Jacksonville.
The Fastest Road to $1,000,000 scratch-off game launched in February and features 155 top prizes of $1 million, 107 of which are still out there, according to the Lottery website.
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Department of Management Services
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Florida Department of Management Services Announces Upcoming E911 Grant Application Deadlines for Florida Counties
TALLAHASSEE, FL – Today, the Florida Department of Management Services (DMS) announced upcoming deadlines for Florida counties to apply for available grants to support the installation and maintenance of Enhanced 911 (E911) systems. All Florida counties are eligible to apply for funding through the E911 State Grant Program, and counties with populations of less than 75,000 are eligible to apply for additional funding through the Rural County Grant Program.
“Under Governor DeSantis’ leadership, we are committed to improving interoperability among emergency communication systems across our state,” said Secretary Jonathan Satter, Florida Department of Management Services. “These grants are available to all Florida counties – including additional assistance to our rural communities – to continue investing in a safer Florida.”
The deadline for counties to apply for funding through the E911 State Grant Program is Tuesday, September 8, 2020; the deadline for eligible counties to apply for Rural County Grant Program funding is Thursday, October 1, 2020.
Since January 2020, more than $5.3 million has been awarded to 33 Florida counties, including 25 rural counties, to advance public safety in Florida. Apply, or learn more about E911 grants and past award recipients here.
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State Employees, Mark Your Calendars for 2021 Plan Year Open Enrollment
The Florida Department of Management Services’ Division of State Group Insurance (DSGI), in collaboration with participating insurance vendors, is excited to launch the 2021 Open Enrollment Benefit Fair Webinar Series for state employees, streaming Monday, September 28 to Friday, October 30.
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In Case You Missed It: Florida Secretary of State Laurel M. Lee Announces New Website Celebrating the 100th Anniversary of Women’s Suffrage
Secretary of State Laurel M. Lee today announces the launch of a new website to commemorate and celebrate the 100th anniversary of women’s suffrage on August 26, the date that the 19th Amendment officially became part of the U.S. Constitution. The website CelebrateSuffrageFlorida.com includes history about the struggle for suffrage, profiles of some of the Floridians who engaged in the fight, information about upcoming related events and exhibits, and additional resources for further study.
“With the adoption of the 19th Amendment, women were finally afforded the right to vote after more than 70 years of struggle. The perseverance of the suffragists is inspiring and we must never take the right to vote for granted,” said Secretary Lee. “I invite everyone to explore the website to learn more about this important milestone in American history.”
Included on the website is a video in which Secretary Lee provides an historical overview of the suffrage movement in Florida. The website will be updated periodically to include information about additional exhibits and events that relate to women’s suffrage and women’s history. The website content was generated and designed by staff from many areas of the Department, including the Division of Historical Resources, the Office of External Affairs, and the Division of Library and Information Services.
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Department of Transportation
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Trump Administration, Florida Advance Final Phase Of Everglades Restoration Project CBS Miami
MIAMI (CBSMiami) – The Trump Administration announced Wednesday the awarding of a contract to allow for the second and final phase of the Tamiami Trail Next Steps Project to begin.
Officials said that the Florida Department of Transportation awarded the contract to General Asphalt Jones Benitez Joint Venture. Here is what officials said about the project:
“The $200 million Tamiami Trail Next Steps Project represents a new approach to collaboration between federal and state agencies by merging funding and expertise to achieve important regional transportation, sustainability, and Everglades restoration goals all in one project.”
“Phase 2 of the project will focus on raising and reconstructing the remaining 6.7 miles of the eastern Tamiami Trail with features to further improve water conveyance, roadway safety, and stormwater treatment. Construction on Phase 2 is scheduled to begin in November 2020.”
“The granting of this award is an exciting milestone in the completion of such a critical project for Everglades restoration,” said Margaret Everson, Counselor to the Secretary, exercising the delegated authority of the National Park Service Director. “This step is a wonderful example of how collaboration and coordination with our partners sets the stage for long-term restoration efforts.”
“From day one of my administration, Everglades restoration has been a top priority and today’s announcement is another major step forward in this critical mission,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “The final phase of the Tamiami Trail Next Steps project will allow for more clean water to be sent south to revitalize Florida Bay and improve the quality of our state’s waterways. I thank the Trump Administration for their ongoing support of not only our nation’s Everglades but also our larger goal to improve and protect all of Florida’s valuable water resources.”
DOT Launches Tracking Tool For AV TEST Initiative Transport Topics U.S. Department of Transportation officials unveiled an online tracking tool for the agency’s Automated Vehicle Transparency and Engagement for Safe Testing (AV TEST) Initiative on Sept. 2.
The publicly available tool provides data about on-road testing activities associated with automated driving systems throughout the country. Displayed as an interactive map, the tool allows users to view testing locations and learn details about the companies involved and the types of vehicles being tested. People also can view legislation and policies that states have developed regarding autonomous vehicles. The data has been voluntarily submitted by government agencies and private sector groups. Launched in June, the AV TEST initiative was designed to increase transparency and inform the public about automated vehicle technologies. It’s meant to facilitate engagement among government leaders, industry representatives and the public. “[The initiative] brings the department together with states, local governments and private sector stakeholders,” Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao said during the unveiling event. “[The platform] unlocks valuable information for state and local governments overseeing testing. It encourages developers to exercise better, safer practices, and it provides clarity on AV testing for communities all across the country.” National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Deputy Administrator James Owens said public trust will be key to the adoption of automated driving systems. During his remarks, he said DOT has held nine virtual events to discuss the initiative, attracting more than 3,000 industry representatives. Participating companies are Beep, Cruise, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, Local Motors, Navya, Nuro, Toyota, Uber and Waymo. The states involved are Arizona, California, Florida, Maryland, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas and Utah.
NASA Test Fires Booster Designed To Lift NASA’s Next Moon Rockets WMFE
NASA tested the solid rocket booster that will help send humans to the moon in the second half of the 2020s.
Two of these solid rocket boosters will help launch NASA’s SLS rocket from Kennedy Space Center, producing 75 percent of the rocket’s 9 million pounds of thrust at liftoff.
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A PICTURE TELLS A THOUSAND WORDS – A HUSBAND AND WIFE 5K ROAD RACE FINISH Florida Sports Foundation TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – It was the act of a gentleman; an act of a loving husband toward his wife of 59 years. At the 2005 Florida Senior Games 5K Road Race, held at The Villages Polo Grounds, Charlie Futrell crossed the finish line and turned around to backtrack the course to finish the race with his wife, Peggy. As they neared the finish line, with members of The Villages Cheerleading Squad encouraging them, Charlie (in the blue shorts and white ball cap) veered off to the right. His moved allowed Peggy could enjoy her moment with her arms raised in triumph to celebrate the accomplishment. After all, the 5K Road Race was only one of over 20 events during the week for Charlie. He also competed in swimming, cycling, and track & field events.
They each won gold medals in their age groups. Charlie’s gold medal came with a time of 45:32 in the 85-89 age group and Peggy’s time of 1:01:51 earned the gold in the 90-94 age group. By crossing the finish line, Peggy Futrell is one of only two female runners, in the 28-year history of the Games, to compete in the 5K Road Race in the 90-94 age group. Charlie’s is one of only six male runners to complete the race in the 85-89 age group or above. Two months prior to the 2005 Florida Senior Games, Charlie competed in the Triathlon World Championships in Honolulu, Hawaii, and was the only competitor in the 85-89 age group. That competition made it quite certain to him, he was the oldest triathlete in the world. “At age 85, I’m probably more into competition than anyone else my age in the country,” said Futrell, in December 2005. “If there is anyone my age in the country as competitive as me, I haven’t met them.” In competing in four sports, Futrell won 19 medals at the 2005 Games, four in cycling, one road race, six in swimming and eight in track and field events. Beginning in 1978, when Futrell “took up jogging,” through 2005, Futrell was in more than 80 triathlons and ran in over 400 road races by his estimate.
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Florida Department of Corrections
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FDC is proud to offer Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) courses at eight institutions across the state. Last year alone, 77 program graduates received HVAC certifications, many of whom secured post-release employment with the assistance of dedicated FDC instructors. At Walton CI, Mr. Mashburn arranged a pre-release phone interview for a program graduate (pictured below) which resulted in his immediate employment upon release! With a state-projected 27% growth rate for positions and a median wage of $20.70 per hour, HVAC CTE programming can be an important part of an inmate’s restoration back to their community.
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Florida Department of Law Enforcement
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FDLE Crime Lab turns around critical homicide evidence in 28 hours
On August 27, a homicide occurred in Tallahassee during a home invasion in which the victim was fatally shot. FDLE offered assistance to the Leon County Sheriff’s Office, who provided evidence from the case on Friday, August 28 at 3:20 p.m. The case was assigned to Jennifer Camp, FDLE Crime Laboratory Analyst, and she began working on the evidence that day. Krystyan Roper, Forensic Technologist, came into work on Saturday to do his part, and Maria Hiott, Crime Laboratory Analyst, came in to perform the second read of the data. Fran Wenhold, Crime Laboratory Analyst, came in to complete the technical review of the case file and to perform a remote State DNA Index System search. A DNA profile was obtained from the evidence that was left at the scene by the subject; entered into the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS) and a hit was obtained. Heather Parrish, Senior Crime Laboratory Analyst and Chris Carney, Crime Laboratory Analyst Supervisor, worked very quickly to provide the name of the subject associated with the hit. The name was provided to the Sheriff’s Office by 7:25 p.m. Saturday evening. On August 31, 2020, law enforcement located and arrested the primary murder suspect on outstanding warrants. The U.S. Marshals took the suspect into custody in Independence, Missouri. FDLE is proud of the fantastic work by the members of its FDLE Crime Lab and applauds the Leon County Sheriff's Office and the U.S. Marshals Task Force on quickly making this major arrest!
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Florida Department of Veterans' Affairs
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The Salute our Soldiers Military Loan Program offers military members and veterans 30-year, fixed-rate first mortgage loans at a lower rate and with several down payment assistance options. The program is available to borrowers who are purchasing a primary residence, meet income and purchase price limits, can qualify for a first mortgage loan, and successfully complete a homebuyer education course. For details, visit www.floridahousing.org or call (850) 488-4197.
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Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
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COLLIER COUNTY, Fla. (WFLA) – The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission rescued a stranded manatee at Tigertail Lagoon in Collier County recently.
According to the FWC Fish and Wildlife Research Institute, a FWC shorebird biologist called the wildlife alert hotline.
When experts arrived, they found the 10.5-foot female manatee. The animal was given a health assessment and photos and data were taken.
The FWC team determined the manatee was in good health. They stayed with her until water levels returned to a depth that she could swim out of the lagoon.
The research institute used the situation and photos on Facebook as a reminder that marine mammals strand for many reasons, but should never be pushed back and an expert should always be called.
If you see a stranded, injured or sick manatee, call the FWC Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-3922.
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Florida Housing Finance Corporation
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Escambia and Santa Rosa Counties Taking Applications for COVID-19 Housing Assistance Pensacola News Journal
Applications are now open for a rent, mortgage and utility assistance through Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.
Escambia County housing assistance Escambia County and the city of Pensacola are jointly taking applications to provide assistance to those impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic from now until Sept. 14 or until funds run out.
About $800,000 in funds from the Florida Housing Finance Corporation will be awarded to applicants in grants up to $3,000 per household.
The grants will be paid directly to landlords, mortgage or utility companies.
Applications are available online at myescambia.com/CARES or paper applications can be picked up at any West Florida Public Library, the Escambia County Neighborhood Enterprise Division at 221 Palafox Place in downtown Pensacola from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. or at the Brownsville Community Center at 3200 W. DeSoto St. from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Completed paper applications with attachments should be emailed to
EscambiaCaresRentandMortgage@myescambia.com, faxed to 850-595-0342, or dropped off at the Brownsville Community Center or Neighborhood Enterprise Division. Applicants needing assistance with completing applications should call 850-595-1642 for further guidance.
For further information, contact Meredith Reeves at 850-595-1642 or EscambiaCaresRentandMortgage@myescambia.com
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Top 3 US Airlines Dumping Change Fees to Entice Flyers Back to the Skies WINK News It wasn’t long ago that airlines were bringing in billions of dollars a year in change fees that could range up to $200 per person per flight. But it’ll be a long time before they charge a change fee again.
When the COVID-19 pandemic wiped out demand for air travel starting in March, the airlines responded by allowing passengers to change flight plans without paying fees. But those waived change fees have for the most part been temporary — until Sunday, when United announced it was dropping most of its change fees for good.
“When we hear from customers about where we can improve, getting rid of this fee is often the top request,” said United CEO Scott Kirby. “Following previous tough times, airlines made difficult decisions to survive, sometimes at the expense of customer service. United Airlines won’t be following that same playbook as we come out of this crisis.”
It didn’t take long for its two major rivals, Delta Air Lines and American Airlines, to follow suit. Both announced Monday afternoon that they would permanently drop most change fees as well.
“We’ve said before that we need to approach flexibility differently than this industry has in the past, and today’s announcement builds on that promise to ensure we’re offering industry-leading flexibility, space and care to our customers,” said Delta CEO Ed Bastian.
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Department of Economic Opportunity
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Department of Juvenile Justice
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Florida Department of Citrus
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Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles
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