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Positivity rate has been below 5% for 3 straight days and below 10% for 3 weeks
Available ICU and hospital bed capacity continues to increase
Work search requirements have been waived for reemployment assistance and SNAP & TANF benefits
High school sports are back - Governor DeSantis flipped the coin to kick-off the state's first high school football game Friday night in Suwannee County
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TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Gov. Ron DeSantis on Friday demanded that local officials provide information about “all actions” county governments, city commissions or other boards or commissions have taken regarding the coronavirus.
The governor requested that local government officials submit “a complete response of information in writing” about any orders, including “regulations, rules, commands or restrictions on persons, businesses or other entities” related to COVID-19.
DeSantis demanded “the full text” of any orders and amendments; any “enforcement guidance” provided to law enforcement agencies; and “the possible amount of the fine or penalty” or the length of imprisonment for violations of orders.
DeSantis also is seeking the number of citations and the numbers and amount of fines or penalties, as well as “specific information on any arrests and imprisonments due to violations of any such order.”
Friday’s directive came as the numbers of COVID-19 cases and virus-related deaths in the state continue to climb.
The Republican governor has refused to issue a statewide face-mask mandate, deferring to local officials. As coronavirus cases in the state began to spike in mid-June, DeSantis said whether to wear face coverings should be a personal decision.
“This has to be voluntarily because the Constitution is not suspended just because there is a virus,” the governor told reporters on June 19. “You do have a right to protest, you have a right to go to religious service, all these other things.”
DeSantis’ demand for the information came a day after he met with bar and brewery owners in St. Petersburg to discuss possible reopening plans for drinking establishments, which have been shuttered unless they also sell food.
Although DeSantis often has said local officials should be in charge of social distancing and face masks mandates, the governor on Thursday questioned local governments’ decisions to close beaches in March.
“It was not evidence-based. There was hysteria base to do it,” DeSantis claimed. “We never did that statewide in Florida. We gave the communities the options to keep them running. And in the places that did, that had no discernible difference on the epidemic.”
DeSantis and the meeting attendees weren’t wearing face masks during Thursday’s roundtable event, although a local ordinance requires people to wear masks in businesses that are open to the public.
St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Kriseman scolded DeSantis on social media for not abiding by the city’s mandate.
“Here’s an example of what not to do, especially in Pinellas County and St. Petersburg, where our mask mandate & policies have led the way in the fight against COVID,” Kriseman, a Democrat, tweeted Thursday. “We believe in science here, governor. We also believe in leading by example.”
As average daily COVID-19 case increases hover just under 3,000 over the last week, Florida is moving closer to a number cited by health experts as a standard for reopening.
Many experts say safely moving forward with reopening should be done when the state dips below a positivity rate of 5% when averaged over a two-week period.
When a massive data dump this week from a national lab is removed from the equation, Florida is averaging about 5.6% positivity over the last 14 days for new cases in Florida residents, according to data from the state health department.
On Friday, Florida’s percent positivity for new cases was 5.99%, according to data reported Saturday. Florida added another 3,656 cases to reach 643,867 confirmed cases of coronavirus since the pandemic began.
Removing outlier data from the massive Quest labs data dump on Tuesday, Florida continues to average just under 3,000 new cases a day over the last week.
Statewide, Florida added 60 deaths to bring the state’s total to 11,963 since the pandemic began.
Among those deaths were two Duval County women -- ages 58 and 76 -- and two Nassau County women -- ages 65 and 88.
Jacksonville has now reported 270 deaths related to coronavirus since the pandemic began, and Nassau County has reported 24.
Florida health officials announced Tuesday before releasing the daily update that the state has severed ties with Quest Diagnostics, one of the country’s largest health testing providers, after the company failed to submit timely results of 75,000 COVID-19 test results, some dating as far back as April.
Gov. Ron DeSantis called the company’s failure “egregious.”
The company blamed the delay on “technical issues,” saying in a statement that “the issue has since been resolved.”
The company said there were no unusual delays in notifying people of their test results.
Notwithstanding Tuesday’s outlier jump in cases from the Quest dump, Florida’s daily case increases seem to have leveled off somewhat as school districts across the state settle in to the new school year and long-term care facilities prepare to welcome visitors for the first time in months.
Recommendations from a panel tasked with coming up with new rules for long-term care visitation include allowing every resident to designate two “essential” caregivers and two “compassionate” caregivers who would have access to the residents.
In terms of general visitation, residents will be allowed to designate up to five general visitors, though no more than two will be allowed to visit at a time.
SARASOTA, Fla. (WWSB) - Gov. Ron DeSantis issued an executive order that will extend the deadline for students graduating in the 2019-20 school year to earn the minimum qualifying SAT or ACT score to earn a Bright Futures scholarship.
The deadline has been extended until Dec. 1.
Students across Florida who either need to earn a qualifying score or wanted to take either the SAT or ACT again to earn a higher score, will now have that opportunity. Many students had not been able to sit for the exams due to COVID-19.
In June, Commissioner of Education Richard Corcoran issued an emergency order that extended the deadline to earn a qualifying score to July 31. However, while a few thousand rising college students were able to leverage these June and July opportunities, not all ACT test sites were able to remain open and the College Board (SAT) chose to not offer any testing opportunities.
DeSantis Visits High School Football Game in Live Oak
(WSVN) - Gov. Ron DeSantis was on the gridiron making a cameo appearance as high school sports ramp up.
DeSantis stopped by a high school football game in Live Oak Friday night.
He was more than happy to participate with the return of energetic crowds cheering on their teams face to face.
“Well, obviously we wanted the flexibility, freedom to choose to play. That’s what we wanted, and there are some counties that are lagging a little bit, but they’re gonna have to go because you see what’s going on here, you see people being able to play. There’s players down there and families are saying, ‘Wait a minute, this is our chance. We wanna go,’ so I think you’re gonna see sports all throughout all 67 counties very soon,” DeSantis said.
With Suwannee County’s optional mask policy, there was a lack of face coverings on the stands.
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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 9/8/2020
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25.93%
% of ICU Beds Available Statewide
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41.00% % of Pediatric ICU Beds Available Statewide
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28.31% % of Available Hospital Beds Statewide
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IN CASE YOU MISSED IT Governor DeSantis Holds Roundtable Regarding Bars and Breweries in St. Pete
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Agency for Health Care Administration
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Coronavirus: Florida's Deaths, COVID-19 Rate Continue to Drop The Florida Times-Union Florida again recorded decreasing COVID-19 cases, deaths and positivity percentage in the Florida Department of Health's Labor Day report on the coronavirus pandemic.
Across the state, Florida recorded 22 additional deaths, raising the cumulative total to 12,023. Those include 11,871 Florida residents and 152 from outside the state.
The Florida Department of Health recorded one additional death for Northeast Florida, listed as an 88-year-old man.
Positive tests increased by 1,838, for a cumulative total of 648,269. Not since June 15, with an addition of 1,758 cases, had Florida added so few cases in a daily report.
Although test volume fell to its lowest level for one week, the positivity rate in laboratory results received Sunday dropped to 6.35 percent — Florida's lowest percentage since 5.36 percent on June 13.
The positivity rate in Duval County held at 3.91 percent, within one-hundredth of percentage point of its rate for each of the past three days. Clay County's positivity rate dropped to 5.42 percent, that county's lowest level since Aug. 23.
Those low levels, though, were not uniform across the region. St. Johns County rose to 8.59 percent, its highest level since surpassing 10 percent on Aug. 10. Putnam County continued a slow increase to 7.78 percent, as did Nassau County to 9.85 percent.
Baker County's positivity rate jumped to 24 percent, although test sample size was extremely low with only 50 tests received.
Duval County reported 99 additional cases, for a total of 27,734. St. Johns County added 41 cases, Nassau County 23, Clay County 19, Baker County 12 and Putnam County eight.
The Agency for Health Care Administration recorded a continuing drop in the state's active COVID-19 hospitalizations, down to 3,160 as of 1 p.m. Monday — seven fewer than Sunday.
With 199 current COVID-19 hospitalizations, Duval County's count increased by one. For other nearby counties, Baker County listed 30, unchanged from Sunday; Clay County, 35, down one; Nassau County, two, down three; Putnam County, two, unchanged; St. Johns County, seven, down three.
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Agency for Persons with Disabilities
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'Everybody Deserves to Use the Beach': Jupiter Will Build 3 ADA-Compliant Beach Crossovers The Palm Beach Post Coming this winter to State Road A1A: more wheelchair-accessible beach access points. Jupiter Town Council members have authorized spending as much as $565,000 to reconstruct three of the town's dune crossovers so they comply with standards set by the Americans with Disabilities Act. The ramps will be at beach access points 31, 45 and 48, all south of Carlin Park in the area widely known as the Jupiter dog beach. Jupiter currently maintains 18 beach access points, none of which are ADA compliant, according to town engineer Thomas Hernandez. However, the town says there are wheelchair-accessible paths maintained by the county at Ocean Cay Park and Carlin Park as well as near the Jupiter Inlet. "It's important to me that we ensure there's opportunities for people who may have disabilities to enjoy the sights and sounds and really the health benefits of being near the ocean," Vice Mayor Ilan Kaufer said. Work by Stuart-based Brothers' Construction will take place between November and the end of February, a period in which other dune crossovers have been replaced in recent years.
Officials chose the sites based on ADA parking availability and size constraints. Thomas Driscoll, the town's director of engineering, parks and public works, told council members last month that there's generally a 10- or 11-foot drop from A1A to the beach, requiring about 200 feet of ramp. The ramps are a good start, but Kevin Mullin wants the town to also place wheelchair-accessible mats in the sand at the foot of the crossovers. Mullin is president of the nonprofit Unlimited Abilities Foundation, which has worked to set up these mats at seven locations throughout Palm Beach County, including near the Jupiter Inlet. The foundation also recently donated a floating beach wheelchair to the county for use near the inlet. "A crossover gets you to the sand. That's great," Mullin said. "But most people in wheelchairs want to get on the sand." Elderly beachgoers and parents pushing baby strollers could use ramps and mats, Mullin noted. Kaufer wants the town to look into adding mats to at least one crossover. "Truth be told, everybody deserves the right to get to the beach," Mullin said. "It's one of the most beautiful assets we have in South Florida."
Karen Gray, executive director of Friends of Jupiter Beach, a nonprofit central in keeping Jupiter's beachfront clean and dog-friendly, said she expects the new crossovers to get considerable use. "We get quite a few calls from people asking about that, people that want to come and they can't come unless they have access," Gray said. Jupiter's plans previously included a fourth ADA-compliant crossover at beach access point 52. But that component was scrapped due to concerns over how it would hold up in the future. "Really it's suffered some pretty significant erosion the past two years," Driscoll said in August of the area around that access point. He speculated that the Jupiter Reef Club, which juts out across the beach, could be intensifying the weathering process.
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Department of Business and Professional Regulation
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Veterans Seek to Open Charlie Foxtrot Brewing as First Brewery in North Port Sarasota Herald Tribune
NORTH PORT – Nicolas York and Timothy Price first met in 2012 while deployed to Afghanistan. York, an infantryman, and Price, a medic, developed a friendship that lasted beyond that to become the foundation of Charlie Foxtrot Brewing – a fledgling business that may just become the first brewery to open in North Port.
The pair, who have been working with the city to find an appropriate place to open, saw one setback related to COVID-19 when an initial investor backed out to keep their own business afloat.
York noted that they have tried other crowdfunding sources to raise the roughly $60,000 needed to secure a loan to open the business but are currently polishing their business plan and courting other private investors, in hope of securing finances by October.
Price, who has been working in the craft beer industry in Asheville, North Carolina, and his wife have closed on a house and are moving to North Port in a month.
“We’re trying to get it so we’re open no later than July of next year, just due to the time frame it takes to have the equipment set up and the licensing complete,” York said.
So far, Price has produced between 200 and 300 gallons of beer – both to develop prototypes and for sampling.
“So far, everything we have done that has gone out is successful,” said York, who added that Asheville is currently one of the premiere sites for craft breweries in the country.
According to Ashevilleblog.com, the city is home to more than 20 craft breweries.
That makes Asheville a great place for Price to polish his craft but not the best place for Charlie Foxtrot Brewing to take flight.
York noted that they scoped out Fort Myers, partly because of the college scene, as well as Cape Coral, but found North Port, with its growing population, median age of 45, as well as a welcoming community the perfect place to start.
The lure of being the first brewer in town has appeal, too, York admitted.
“We decided that North Port was going to be the target,” he added. “So far, it’s been very well accepted from the city and everyone we’ve talked to.
“We’re not the first ones that have looked at it, but we are going to be the first ones who will actually succeed.”
North Port Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Bill Gunnin said that Charlie Foxtrot will be a perfect fit in North Port. The business is already active in chamber activities as well as in volunteering in the community.
“We’ve done ribbon-cuttings with them; we are about as ecstatic as we can be,” Gunnin said. “The cool thing about it is, they’re willing to partner with other people to help with events. They’re already a very good community partner.
“Craft brewing is just so popular with everyone around the country, it’s going to bring a whole new crowd to North Port and make North Port more visible,” he added.
The willingness to partner with other people is an extension of the philosophy York ascribes to craft brewing enthusiasts.
“That’s what craft breweries are about; it’s about community involvement and bringing that sense of community of brotherhood to the areas.”
That sense of brotherhood is what drew York and Price to each other and, in York’s case, helped ease dealing with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder upon returning from Afghanistan.
One aspect of Charlie Foxtrot’s founding is its support of and partnership with the Delray Beach, Florida-based nonprofit The 22 Project.
The 22 Project was founded to help provide advanced medical treatment to reduce the risk of depression and suicide faced by returning veterans.
It takes its name from a 2012 determination by the Department of Veterans Affairs Mental Health Services Suicide Prevention Program that 22 veterans commit suicide every day in this country.
York noticed during his own transition from military service that the connection with others – even family members – “you don’t have that same connection as with your battle buddies.”
Connecting over craft beer, he said, led to building friendships and trust.
“That’s what causes a lot of veteran suicide, that’s what we’re hoping to help combat, to bring people together to have that shared joy, whether they come for the beer or trying to meet people.”
To support the 22 Project, Charlie Foxtrot will dedicate 22% of the profits made from its main beer, 22 Troop Lager, as well as the profits from related merchandise sales to the nonprofit.
In addition to the 22 Troop Lager, the plan is to debut with a Pale Ale, Imperial Stout, Abbey Double, Blonde Ale, Porter and an IPA on tap, and rotate in small batch brews, based on seasonal crops.
All that would be available at a tasting room next to the brewery.
Beer sales would be in traditional two-ounce flights, four and six packs to go, as well as growlers.
Eventually, the duo hope to sign on with a local distributor.
For now, though, there’s a matter of finding a suitable location to set up shop.
North Port’s current Unified Land Development Code doesn’t really have a classification where one could locate a brewery with a tasting room.
A brewery could be located on industrial land, but not a tasting room.
North Port Economic Development Manager Mel Thomas noted that an upcoming code rewrite should fix that and streamline the process.
The city still must conduct public outreach and collect feedback on the proposed code changes – currently planned for December – before the proposal can advance to the Planning and Zoning Advisory Board for review and eventually be vetted by the North Port City Commission for review and approval.
That would mean the soonest a new code could be implemented is April.
Charlie Foxtrot also could apply for a special exception, if they find a perfect location.
Thomas notes that others have explored the possibility of locating a brewery in North Port, though COVID-19 has slowed their plans, too.
Meanwhile, York and Price have been persevering and doing the little things to become ingrained into the community.
For example Charlie Foxtrot is sponsoring a Sept. 13 cleanup at Englewood Beach that’s organized by Team Doogie Sports & Social Club.
“They really love North Port and are pretty determined that they want to settle here,” Thomas said. “Their business model is amazing; it’s a company we’d like to attract,” she added. “I’m excited. I think he’s got a story to tell, I think he’s got a way to make his story a reality.
“I’d like to be there when it happens.”
Interested?
• For more information on Charlie Foxtrot Brewing, visit https://www.charliefoxtrotbrewing.com or https://www.facebook.com/CharlieFoxtrotBrewing/ on Facebook or @charliefoxtrotbrewing on Instagram.
• For more information on The 22 Project, visit https://www.support22project.org/.
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Department of Children and Families
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Department of Economic Opportunity
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TALLAHASSEE — Gov. Ron DeSantis is suspending Florida unemployment work search requirements for another two months, he announced Friday, less than 48 hours after they were set to resume.
Until Dec. 5, Floridians won’t have to obey the state’s strict work search quotas, which require applicants to report five new job searches per week to keep their benefits.
Florida’s economy is showing signs of a recovery, with the number of new claims falling to 39,335 for the week ending Aug. 29, the lowest since the beginning of the pandemic. More than 400,000 Floridians received benefits that week.
DeSantis started waiving the work search requirements at the beginning of the pandemic, so that Floridians could more easily qualify for benefits. He’s renewed the waiver a handful of times.
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Florida Atlantic University’s Coronavirus Response is Working | Opinion Sun Sentinel
As a long-time FAU Trustee, I’m tremendously proud of Florida Atlantic University leadership for the outstanding planning and implementation of the Fall 2020 Reopening Plan. We are in week two of classes and week three since students began moving back to campus, both with great success metrics. FAU has about 72% housing occupancy and about 16% of classes have an in-person option.
We fully intend to grow the in-person classes as the metrics improve. By comparison, housing occupancy at UNC-Chapel Hill started at 60% and dropped to 15.1%, and FAU fares better than hundreds of U.S. college campuses that moved fully online, as documented in The Chronicle of Higher Education. The residential component is particularly important — countless studies indicate that students who live on campus are more likely to successfully finish college. Moreover, in pandemic times such as these, the residential component is critical to the collegiate experience. In addition, having students on campus greatly contributes to South Florida’s economic success.
Because of the strong leadership of Gov. Ron DeSantis and his team, FAU’s experience in hosting one of the first local COVID testing sites, directly on our campus, enabled local testing and more data gathering to help us continuously update our plan. President John Kelly and VP Administrative Affairs Stacy Volnick created a reopening plan that covers a breadth of campus issues from academics to athletics to residential, and was approved by the Florida Board of Governors on June 23.
FAU employs a data-driven process, relying on data from the CDC, Florida Department of Health, on-campus testing and communication with the Florida Department of Emergency Management. University leadership created a conservative quarantine and isolation plan that is a model for other universities. FAU has come a long way in the past five years, and our success in reopening for the fall semester cements our standing as America’s Fasting Improving University.
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Department of Elder Affairs
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Emergency Utilities Assistance Offered to Seniors to Pay Energy Bills in Time of Need The Apopka Voice Senior Resource Alliance-led effort supports seniors amid ongoing COVID-19 pandemic
From Senior Resource Alliance
Central Floridians living with at least one resident who is age 60 or older might be eligible for energy bill assistance during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Emergency Home Energy Assistance for the Elderly Program (EHEAP) helps eligible seniors pay energy bills in an emergency. The program is 100% federally funded through a grant by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and was created in partnership with the Department of Elder Affairs, Senior Resource Alliance and its partner agencies, along with Central Florida utilities. EHEAP-eligible residents can receive up to $2,000 for multiple energy bills while funds are available.
“We must continue to take care of our beloved elderly population,” said Karla Radka, President and CEO of the Senior Resource Alliance. “We are thankful for this partnership with the Central Florida utility companies, not only so that we can supply financial assistance, but also ultimately provide seniors with the comfort and peace of mind they need.”
Utility categories eligible for heating/cooling bill assistance include electricity, natural gas, propane, wood/coal and refillable fuels. Benefits may also be used for:
Pre-paying energy bills
Purchasing blankets, portable fans, space heaters and window air conditioners
Repairing existing heating/cooling unit
Deposits to connect or restore energy
Late fees and disconnect/reconnect fees
Charges from a now-closed account previously held by the elder resident
Payment to landlord when utility costs are included in rent
Temporary emergency shelter due to an energy-related crisis
Orlando Utilities Commission, Duke Energy and Kissimmee Utility Authority have agreed to partner to promote EHEAP to their customers.
To qualify for EHEAP, applicants must be age 60 or older and reside in a home located in Orange, Seminole, Osceola or Brevard county. The energy bill does not need to be in the elder’s name to qualify, but the elder will need to provide proof of residence, such as a driver’s license or other identification. The applicant must also meet income requirements and be experiencing a home energy crisis, such as disconnection, delinquency or past due bills.
Those interested must fill out and submit the application located at SeniorResourceAlliance.org/EHEAP. For questions and more information, please contact (407) 514-1804.
Serving the community since 1995, The Senior Resource Alliance (SRA) is the Area Agency on Aging of Central Florida, which covers Brevard, Orange, Osceola, and Seminole Counties. The agency is the local resource for accessing the many services and programs of the state and federal government available to senior citizens, their caregivers and family members. SRA is also an objective clearinghouse for information and services offered by local, state and national organizations. For more information, visit SeniorResourceAlliance.org.
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Department of Environmental Protection
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DEP Continues to Protect Field Staff with COVID Kits for Vehicles
Indian River Lagoon Aquatic Preserve created “COVID Kits” for all of the vehicles at the preserve. The kits include gloves, masks and sanitizer that can be used by staff to ensure CDC Guidelines are always followed for the protection of the public and DEP staff. This practice is part of DEP's statewide effort to prevent the spread of COVID-19, while allowing visitors to continue to safely enjoy Florida's natural resources.
DEP to Hold Biosolids Rulemaking Workshop on Sept. 18
As part of the implementation of Senate Bill 712, the Clean Waterways Act, the Department of Environmental Protection will be holding a virtual workshop on Sept. 18, 2020, from 9 a.m. to noon. There will be opportunity for the public to provide comments on proposed amendments to Chapter 62-640, F.A.C., which regulates and ensures the proper treatment, management and use of biosolids. The workshop will be held by webinar to continue to maintain public comment in the regulatory process while protecting the public and staff due to challenges presented by COVID-19. The draft amendments incorporate biosolids provisions from Chapter 2020-150, Laws of Florida, and revise monitoring and permitting criteria for the land application and management of biosolids. More information including a copy of the agenda and webinar registration link may also be found on the DEP biosolids rulemaking webpage.
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Florida Reports Lowest Positive COVID-19 Cases in Months Source First Coast News
The Florida Health Department is reporting 1,838 new COVID-19 cases in the state this Labor Day, which is the lowest daily positive cases reported in almost three months.
It's the fewest number of cases since June 15's 1,758 cases, according to the dashboard.
The positive percentage rate is also under 5 percent for the second consecutive day. There now have been a total of 648,269 positive COVID-19 cases with the median age testing positive being 40 years old. According to Monday morning's numbers, 22 people also died after testing positive for the virus, bringing the death total to 11,871 Floridians and 152 non-residents. This continues a pattern of shrinking caseloads and declining death rates for months. In Duval County, the numbers for Monday's positive cases are not out at the time this article was published. However, the county did see less than 200 reported positive cases over the weekend (99 on Saturday and 99 on Sunday. Friday reported 142 positive cases.) The total number of positive cases witnessed in Duval is 27,431 with the median age being 28 and 272 deaths.
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Department of The Lottery
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Kruger claimed the prize using a secured drop box located at Florida Lottery Headquarters in Tallahassee. He chose to receive his winnings in a one-time, lump-sum payment of $140,145,006. Kruger bought his jackpot-winning Quick Pick ticket from Publix, located at 4770 N. Congress Ave. in Boynton Beach. The retailer will receive a $100,000 bonus commission for selling the jackpot-winning ticket. It was the nation’s lone winning ticket in that day's Powerball drawing — a number combination of 2-6-18-36-37, with a Powerball number of 21 and a Power Play rating of 2 — sold at Publix.
The $168.5 million prize is believed to be the highest lottery game payout in Palm Beach County. The payout was more than twice the jackpot of the only previous winning Powerball ticket sold in Palm Beach County. A Broward County woman won $73.8 million in 2010 after buying her winning ticket at a Publix on Southern Boulevard in Royal Palm Beach. To help protect employees and players during the COVID-19 outbreak, Florida Lottery Headquarters and district offices are closed to the public until further notice. Kruger used the lotto's secured dropbox located at each district office. Winners can also mail tickets to Florida Lottery Headquarters or their nearest district office. All claim deadlines have been extended, giving players the option to hold on to winning tickets and wait to claim any prizes until Lottery offices reopen to the public. The next drawing will be held at 10:59 p.m. Saturday, with an estimated $66 million jackpot.
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Department of Transportation
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Almost $100 Million Awarded to Miami-Dade BRT Project Intelligent Transport The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Transit Administration (FTA) recently announced a $99.9 million grant to the Miami-Dade County Department of Transportation and Public Works (DTPW) for the South Corridor Rapid Transit Project in Miami-Dade County, Florida.
“This nearly $100 million federal investment will provide South Florida residents increased access to jobs, healthcare, educational opportunities, and other vital services,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao. The Miami-Dade County project is a 20-mile Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) line to be constructed by DTPW along the existing South Dade busway from the Dadeland South Metrorail Station to SW 344th Street in Florida City. The total cost of the project is $299.9 million with $99.9 million in funding provided through FTA’s Capital Investment Grants (CIG) Program.
“FTA is proud to join our partners in Florida to improve public transportation in Miami,” said FTA Deputy Administrator K. Jane Williams. “The South Corridor Rapid Transit project will provide fast and efficient service, improving mobility and travel times in this busy corridor.
“This federal investment is an economic boost for Miami-Dade County as the project will create jobs and help communities recover from the COVID-19 public health emergency.” Funding for the South Dade Corridor project is provided through FTA’s CIG Program, which provides funding for major transit infrastructure projects nationwide. Projects accepted into the programme must go through a multi-year, multi-step process according to requirements in law to be eligible for consideration to receive programme funds. FTA has advanced funding for 39 new CIG projects throughout the nation under this Administration since 20 January 2017, totalling approximately $9.7 billion in funding commitments. With this grant announcement, this Administration has executed 25 CIG funding agreements totalling $5.9 billion in CIG funding. SpaceX’s Elon Musk Recognizes Port Canaveral For Role in Returning Astronauts to Space From American Soil Space Coast News.com BREVARD COUNTY • PORT CANAVERAL, FLORIDA – SpaceX founder and CEO Elon Musk gave Port Canaveral a special shout-out and recognized the Port’s special role in the effort to return astronauts to space from American soil. “On May 30, 2020, SpaceX launched NASA Astronauts Robert Behnken and Doug Hurley aboard the SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule on a Falcon rocket from Launch Pad 39-A in Florida as part of the NASA Commercial Crew program,” said Musk. “This launch marked the return of a human launch capability on a United States rocket and capsule. I want to thank you, personally, for your dedication and hard work during the last several years to make this accomplishment possible.” Musk went on to say, “I know you and your team faced numerous challenges over the course of the program, including a recent global pandemic and economic shutdown, but your perseverance has made an undeniable difference to our Nation. “This launch is the start of a new era of commercial space exploration, the first time astronauts were launched by a private company, which is an important step in SpaceX’s guiding mission to make life multi-planetary. We must do everything in our power to ensure that the light of human consciousness is not extinguished from this universe, and in that effort, we are honored to have you as a partner.” New Bridge Into Key West Nears Completion Keys News Weekly The Cow Key Bridge overhaul started in March, just as the COVID pandemic brought Florida Keys tourism, schools — and traffic — to a virtual standstill. The timeframe offered a silver lining to the coronavirus closures, as the anticipated traffic nightmares were not an issue while visitors were prevented from entering the island chain. Traffic tie-ups started when the Keys reopened to tourists on June 1, but have remained significantly less of a problem than expected prior to the pandemic. The Florida Department of Transportation is managing and funding the $6.2 million repairs to and replacement of the bridge that separates Key West from neighboring Stock Island. According to FDOT’s Aug. 29 update, the project is now in its second and final phase, with work expected to be complete “in late 2020.” “Crews successfully poured and completed the new bridge deck,” the update states. “Bridge barrier walls and rails are scheduled to be completed in the coming month, although the schedule may change due to bad weather or other unexpected conditions.” FDOT officials also issue a notice to mariners about vessel access under the bridge. “Construction crews are working in the water and overhead,” the update states. “Bridge spans 2, 3 and 4 are blocked by barges. For the safety of mariners and the construction crew, mariners should use other spans for passage or consider an alternate route. Please use caution and pay close attention to no-wake zone signs.” . More information is available from U.S. Coast Guard Sector Key West at 305-292-8727.
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Local Officials Celebrate New PPE Company Northwest Florida Daily News American Elite Personal Protective Equipment, a newly-established enterprise stood up to address the dire need for U.S.-manufactured materials for the personal protective equipment market in the United States, has selected Fort Walton Beach for its new operations. A subsidiary of American Elite Molding, America’s leading manufacturer of cable ties, American Elite PPE will begin production of melt blown polypropylene, the critical filter medium used in medical grade face masks and gowns. The company has leased a 14,000-square-foot facility at 161 Hill Ave. in the Fort Walton Beach Commerce & Technology Park. The Economic Development Council of Okaloosa County assisted American Elite PPE with identifying the required facility, finalizing local incentive agreements and securing regulatory approvals. The company will create 50 new jobs over the next two years at 115% of the county’s average wage — news that was celebrated by state and local leaders. “We appreciate American Elite PPE’s innovation and agility,” Gov. Ron DeSantis said in a news release. “American-made products, originating from right here in Florida, will not only produce reliable, time-essential goods, but help us emerge from this economic downturn stronger than ever before.”
“Through these tough times, businesses are finding the competitive edge they need in Florida,” said Jamal Sowell, president and CEO of Enterprise Florida Inc. “We are doubling down on our efforts to encourage expansion, production and support good paying jobs for the citizens of Florida.” Fort Walton Beach Mayor Dick Rynearson said he is happy to welcome American Elite PPE to the city. “The company’s decision to locate in our city is evidence of our efforts to bring value to our business community and aligns with our vision and master plan for the Commerce and Technology Park,” Rynearson said. “I am pleased to see continued investments in our city and look forward to more announcements like this in the future.” Okaloosa County Commission Chairman Trey Goodwin said the county “is proud to play a part in rebuilding American manufacturing right here in northwest Florida. The investment from American Elite PPE will benefit our community as a whole with high-paying jobs and help protect us from COVID-19.” The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the fact that the supply of materials used to make personal protective equipment comes primarily from offshore manufacturers, and the risks of that have become apparent as widespread delays, shortages and quality issues have occurred, EDC officials said. They said the key to highly effective masks and gowns is the layer of melt blown polypropylene. This material filters very small particles and organisms efficiently while allowing enough porosity to breathe easily. American Elite PPE is gaining U.S. control of this crucial product by investing in its own manufacturing facility and establishing a U.S.-based supply chain, EDC officials said.
“No longer will China control the supply of this vitally important material,” said Bob Sires, founder and CEO of American Elite Molding. “We believe that during this crisis, it’s vital for the U.S. to secure a reliable, sustainable source of PPE material supply for critical healthcare needs, and for Americans to buy from U.S. businesses to support our economy and our workers. This new initiative delivers on both counts.”
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Florida Department of Corrections
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Profiles In Corrections: Correctional Probation Senior Supervisor
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Florida Department of Law Enforcement
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Tampa Bay CART Receives Certification from U.S. Department of Justice FDLE PIO
In November 2019, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Tampa Bay Child Abduction Response Team (CART) concluded the certification assessment process with a practical mock exercise concerning a child abduction, in order to meet the standards, criteria, and protocols of the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention
Child Abduction Response Teams are multi-agency and multi-jurisdiction response teams staffed with law enforcement, search and rescue, and support personnel specifically trained to respond when children go missing or are abducted. With a single phone call to any of FDLE’s Regional Operations Centers, local law enforcement agencies have immediate access to experts in child abduction investigations and personnel trained in the incident command system.
The exercise in November 2019 allowed the Tampa Bay CART to effectively execute a multi-agency CART response to a simulated child abduction. On January 21, 2020, it was recognized and became a certified CART. In August 2020, Tampa Bay CART received the certificate which exemplifies the hard work of FDLE and our partner agencies and the preparedness shown for an unfortunate activation for a child abduction.
The U.S. Department of Justice noted: “We are excited to recognize and acknowledge the FDLE Tampa Bay Regional CART Operations Center as being certified under the established guidelines and standards. Compliance with the standards and performance of the child abduction exercise clearly demonstrate that the FDLE Tampa Bay Regional CART Operations Center is prepared to respond if a child goes missing, endangered or abducted and further establishes a professional standard for excellence.”
In addition, AMBER and Missing Child Alerts are an important tool in the safe recovery of missing and endangered children across Florida. Citizens can now receive AMBER and Missing Child Alerts through text messages as well as email by visiting https://member.everbridge.net/index/892807736727806.
Additional resources include KidSmartz (http://www.kidsmartz.org/) and NetSmartz (http://www.netsmartz.org) which feature interactive, educational programs of the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children that provide age-appropriate resources to help teach children how to be safer on and offline. The websites include programs designed for children, parents and guardians, educators and law enforcement.
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Florida Department of Veterans' Affairs
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Florida State Parks Offer Veteran Discount Passes
The Florida Department of Environmental Protection provides a 25-percent discount on the purchase of Individual and Family annual passes to Florida’s State Parks for all active duty and honorably discharged veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces, National Guard or Reserve units of the U.S. Armed Forces or National Guard. Honorably discharged veterans with service-related disabilities, surviving spouses of members of the U.S. military who have fallen in combat, and parents of members of the U.S. military who have fallen in combat are eligible to receive a free-for-life Military Entrance Pass. Discounted annual passes and the military pass can only be obtained at a Florida State Park with a staffed ranger station, ticket counter or museum. For specific details regarding proof of eligibility, call (850) 245-2157 or visit www.FloridaStateParks.org. Information about COVID-19 rules, limitations and facility closures in Florida State Parks can be found at https://www.floridastateparks.org/learn/safety-updates.
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Florida Division of Emergency Management
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Merritt Brown Middle School Sees Progress After Hurricane Michael WMBB PANAMA CITY, Fla. (WMBB)– After Hurricane Michael, Merritt Brown Middle School has had to operate out of modulars as their campus was severely damaged by the storm.
This academic year, construction has progressed enough that students and teachers are able to actually move into their former school building once again.
According to a Facebook post by Bay District Schools, as of Friday, all the modulars were removed from the campus as their brick and mortar building is now completely reoccupied.
The school district has not yet said what leaders of Merritt Brown Middle School will now use that space for, but several ideas are being discussed.
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Florida Housing Finance Corporation
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TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – The Board of Directors for the Florida Housing Finance Corporation (Florida Housing) approved the remaining $45 million of the $120 million to local governments to assist Floridians impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic with rental and mortgage assistance.
Additional funds were previously approved by the CARES Act to help tenants living at multifamily and special needs developments in Florida Housing’s rental housing portfolio.
“We strongly encourage Florida families who have been affected by this pandemic and need rental or mortgage assistance to reach out to housing offices within their local governments for more information on how they might receive assistance,” said Governor DeSantis. “As we continue to implement additional funding resources, our work with Florida Housing aims to alleviate some of the stress we know individuals are facing as a result of COVID-19.”
Impacted homeowners and renters can still apply for funding assistance through their local governments.
For more information on the program, click here.
The toll-free Coronavirus Relief Fund for Impacted Homeowners and Renters Information Line is available from 9 am – 7 pm for those who would like to speak directly with a representative: 1-888-362-7885.
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Florida Tourist Hot Spots Welcome In-State Travelers WLRN
Gov. Ron DeSantis is backing Visit Florida's decision to encourage in-state tourism. The agency is hoping its new marketing campaign will boost local economies hit hard by the coronavirus.
Tarpon Springs is a city located on Florida's gulf coast. Known for its sponge docks and Greek cuisine, the community relies heavily on tourism.
"We were in a great economy here in Tarpon Springs. But during the lockdown, it's just like every other place, [the] economy was [a] standstill," Tarpon Springs Mayor Chris Alahouzos says.
The city has always depended on out of state tourism, but now there are more in-state visitors.
"They're coming from different places, anywhere from the southern side of Venice, all the way up to Crystal Beach, and Lakeland, Winter Haven, all of these—even from Orlando they're coming down to Tarpon," Alahouzos says.
Visit Florida markets tourism for the state. Its CEO Dana Young says her group sees data that suggests more people are willing to travel close to home.
"We made a decision to start our tourism marketing toward our Florida residents and just encouraging them to take staycations or short road trips," Young says.
Young explains that's not something Visit Florida typically does. She says usually her group focuses on bringing out-of-state and international tourists into Florida. Rolando Aedo is with the Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau. He says in-state tourism is needed to get the local economy back on its feet.
"This year more than ever because of a lot of the travel restrictions and airline restrictions—targeting local tourists and tourists in the drive markets has been the foundation of our recovery strategy here in Miami," Aedo says.
But he says in-state tourism is only a short-term solution. For long-term sustainability, the city has to lure back international and out-of-state travelers.
"Especially a destination like Miami, [it] gets 30% to 40% of its business from international visitors, and international visitors, they stay longer, and they spend a lot more," Aedo says.
He says as soon as flight restrictions lift, his group plans to focus on bringing international travelers into Miami. As for Visit Florida, Young says it plans to start marketing to out-of-state people in a few weeks.
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Helping Survivors of Hurricane Laura
One of the best ways that individuals can help those affected by Hurricane Laura is by donating monetarily.
During disasters, cash can be transported instantly and can be used to purchase essential supplies that are needed for both response and recovery activities. For more information about where to donate or how to affiliate with a volunteer organization, we recommend reaching out to Louisiana and Texas’ state service commissions.
Similar to Volunteer Florida, Volunteer Louisiana and One Star Foundation in Texas coordinate volunteers and donations before, during and after disaster.
For more information, please visit www.volunteerlouisiana.gov and www.onestarfoundation.org.
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Department of Juvenile Justice
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Department of Management Services
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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 Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
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