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Florida News
Index of Stories
2014
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Florida
News 2014
(scroll down)
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Posted December 30, 2014 05:15 am | Public News
Service
TALAHASSEE,
FL – Nationwide, as many as 800 people die in car
crashes involving a drunk driver every December.
It's why this month is one of the most dangerous
times on the nation's roads and why
organizations such as Mothers Against Drunk
Driving are working hard to make sure people
take precautions so they don't hurt themselves
or someone else. Jan Withers is the national
president of MADD.
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Posted December 29, 2014 06:40 am
COLUMBIA - HAMILTON - SUWANNEE COUNTY, FL –
Last Monday, December 22, the State Attorney empanelled
a grand jury to hear matters concerning the Suwannee
Valley Transit Authority. Ten days before, on December
12, 2014, the Florida DOT, Office of Inspector General
(OIG) released its long awaited Advisory Report on the
Suwannee Valley Transit Authority (SVTA).
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Posted
Dec. 23, 2014 05:45 am | Public News Service
ORLANDO,
FL– With all the food, festivities and decorations of
the holiday season, keeping Fluffy or Fido safe
can be a challenge. But furry family members
should be just fine as long as their owners
follow some simple precautions. K.C. Theisen,
director of pet care issues with the Humane
Society of the United States, says bowls of
candy or snacks left sitting out can cause
health issues for pets.
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Posted December 18, 2014 03:25 pm | (2
comments)
COLUMBIA COUNTY, FL –
The Suwannee Valley Transit Authority (SVTA) was
front and center at the Columbia County
Commission (County 5 or The 5) last night. Once
again, the SVTA ran out of money. Records that
were not made available to the public in advance
of the meeting, in violation of the County
Charter, show that on December 1 the SVTA was
$50,600 behind in its bills. The request from
the SVTA for a $50,000 grant from Columbia
County's taxpayers made it onto the County's
agenda. There was no explanation how it got
there.
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Posted December 15, 2014 06:25 am | Public News
Service
TALLAHASSEE,
FL– While the holidays are a happy time for many, the
stress associated with family obligations and dynamics
can be the "lump of coal" in some people's Christmas
stockings. According to the American Psychological
Association, fatigue and stress are the top sources of
negative feelings during this time of year. Sometimes,
said clinical social worker and psychotherapist Lisa
Ferentz, the best thing to do is simply not participate
in a potentially stressful situation.
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Posted December 12, 2014 07:55 am
COLUMBIA COUNTY,
FL– Last night, the attendees at the North Central
Florida Planning Council's (NCFRPC) monthly meeting were
enlightened by FDOT's Roosevelt Petihomme as he
explained the availability of Federal funds for local
government controlled projects for environmental
mitigation and community improvement. The Planning Council's Executive Director, Scott
Koons, explained that FDOT's Roosevelt Petihomme was at
the meeting to encourage more participation in the
agency's Local Area Program.
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Posted December
10, 2014 08:20 am |
Public News Service
TAMPA,
FL– How should the windfall of billions be spent that
will be available to Gulf states such as Florida
as a result of the Deepwater Horizon spill?
According to a report released today by the
National Wildlife Federation, the answer is to
get to the heart of the water source.
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Dec. 9, 2014 07:29 am Public News Service
TALLAHASSEE,
FL– Before filling the stockings of little loved ones
this holiday season, you might want to consider a recent
annual report that lists potential toy dangers. Pam
Clough, campaign organizer for the U.S. Public Interest
Research Group says PIRG has released its Trouble in
Toyland report for 29 years now..
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December 1, 2014 10:59 am | Public News Service
TALLAHASSEE,
FL– Today marks the observance of World AIDS Day, and it
comes as the number of people in Florida living
with HIV continues to grow. Fifty-nine hundred
were diagnosed in 2013; 1,000 more than the year
before. Florida ranks second nationally in the
number of new cases.
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Nov. 26, 2014 08:10 am | Public News Service
TALLAHASSEE,
FL– Whether it's Miami, Orlando, Jacksonville or Tampa,
Florida airports will be bustling this week with
folks catching flights to their Thanksgiving
destinations. While the thought of delays or
cancellations may be stressful, airline
passengers can take comfort in knowing they have
some protections under the law. Abe Scarr,
spokesperson with the Public Interest Research
Group, says most people don't fly often and may
be unaware of their rights as a passenger.
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Nov. 25, 2014 07:15 am | Public News Service
TALLAHASSEE,
FL– A decision expected Tuesday from Florida's Public
Service Commission (PSC) could impact how much
the state's consumers pay for energy usage for
years to come. Kelly Martin, senior campaign
representative for the Sierra Club's Beyond Coal
campaign, says if big power companies get their
wish, consumers will be getting a lump of coal.
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Nov. 24, 2014 06:59 am | Public News Service
TAMPA,
FL– Shoppers will be out this week in search of deep
discounts at Florida's big-box stores, but some
workers at the world's largest private employer
want to remind shoppers that, in their view,
Walmart's low prices come at a cost. Starting
today, employees of some central Florida
Walmarts plan to walk off their jobs in protest
of what they say are low wages and unfair
working conditions. Nancy Reynolds has worked at
the Merritt Island Walmart for seven years and
says she wants shoppers to consider what goes on
behind the scenes when they shop.
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Nov. 21, 2014 08:55 am Public News Service
MIAMI,
FL– "What's next?" is the question on the minds of
thousands of Floridians today after President Obama's
announcement Thursday night of an executive order
regarding the future of as many as 5 million
undocumented immigrants.
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Nov. 12, 2014 07:30 am | Public News Service
TALLAHASEE,
FL– Florida often focuses its efforts on helping the
state's youngest residents, but a new report
indicates helping their parents and caregivers
at the same time will return big dividends. The
Annie E. Casey Foundation report on creating
opportunities for young families outlines a
two-generation approach including job training,
affordable child...
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Nov. 06, 2014 07:50 am
Public News Service
TALLAHASEE,
FL– The Sunshine State is anything but for more than
445,000 children who do not have health
insurance. A new report released today by the
Georgetown Center for Children and Families in
Washington ranks the state fifth in the country
when it comes to its high rate of uninsured
children.
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Posted Nov. 05, 2014 06:50 am |
Public News Service
TALLAHASEE,
FL– Floridians are waking up today to discover the
outcome of their state and local races. While there may
also seem to be a reprieve from the barrage of campaign
ads, candidates and their staffs are hard at work
preparing for the 2016 presidential election.
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Oct. 31, 2014 05:50 am | Public News Service
TALLAHASEE,
FL– Ghosts, goblins, and monsters will be
walking Florida neighborhoods in search of
candy. While Halloween is a time for fun and
treats, it's also a night full of dangerous
situations. Dawne Gardner, injury prevention
coordinator at Cincinnati Children's Hospital
Medical Center, says a child is four times more
likely to be hit and killed by a car on
"beggar's night" than any other time.
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Posted October 29, 2014 07:25 am | Public News
Service
ST. MARKS, FL– Florida neighborhoods will be
invaded by Halloween costumes of all sorts on
Friday, including the ever-popular butterfly
costume. But real-life butterflies - namely
monarchs on their annual migration from the
north to Mexico - arrived later than normal this
year at their migration stop at St. Marks
Wildlife Refuge.
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Posted October 27, 2014 08:35 am
TALLAHASSEE, FL– Not long ago, the airwaves were filled
with predictions health-care reform would be a disaster
for taxpayers and consumers. That hasn't happened. According to the Congressional Budget Office, the
Affordable Care Act (ACA), often referred to as
"Obamacare," will cut the federal budget deficit by a
$100 billion. That despite adding health coverage for
about 10 million people by federal estimates.
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Posted October 23, 2014 07:52 am
TALLAHASSEE, FL - Marty Monroe credits medical
marijuana for getting her through the toughest
moments of cancer. She and other advocates want
Florida patients to have the option to use
medical marijuana if it's prescribed by their
doctor. Amendment 2, on the Nov. 4 ballot, would
legalize the use of medical marijuana in
Florida. Monroe went through seven rounds of
chemotherapy and says the herb helped her body
recover so she could continue...
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Oct. 22, 2014 06:40 am | Public News Service
TALLAHASSEE, FL - Today, Florida Power and Light
(FPL) will appear before the state's Public
Service Commission to ask for Florida tax
dollars to fund its efforts to fight an
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposal
to close existing loopholes in the Clean Water
Act.
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Posted October 21, 2014 05:59 am
MIAMI, FL – While the federal Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention and the medical community
scramble to get a handle on the spread of Ebola in the
U.S., low-wage workers at Florida's airports are
concerned about the risks.
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Posted October 17, 2014 07:40 am | Public News
Service
|
 North FL Broadband Authority: The Termination
Bad Feelings – No Kind Words – Broke
Posted October 10, 2014 03:10 pm | Part II of the
NFBA on Death Row
NORTH CENTRAL, FL – Almost 4 years after it began,
the North Florida Broadband Authority (NFBA) is winding
down, broke, and seemingly without a future, as it
helplessly awaits its fate, hoping someone else will bail
it out. The NFBA squandered a $30,000,000 Obama stimulus
funded Broadband Technology Opportunity Grant (BTOP) to
build a wireless middle mile broadband network in North
Central Florida to most places that already had, or were
soon to have, wired internet connections. Country folks,
living in the boondocks, without internet service, were
never the intended recipients of the grant.
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Oct. 08, 2014 06:35 am | Public News Service
TALLAHASSEE, FL - They've become online
celebrities for their plain-spoken views about
politics and the fact they share the same last
name with a couple of guys whose views are polar
opposites. The Koch Sisters are the labor
movement's down-home answer to the Koch
Brothers, billionaires who have become famous
for big contributions to ultra-conservative
political causes.
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Posted October 7, 2014 03:20 pm | Part I
LAKE CITY, FL –
The North Florida Broadband Authority made a brief
appearance on the Lake City, City Council agenda last
night to formalize a backroom decision designed to cover
up City Manager Wendell Johnson's failure to advise them
of the downward spiraling difficulties of the Authority,
when without a word, they voted to withdraw from the
Authority. What the secretive Johnson, along with his
silent City Council, didn't tell the public was that
last Monday in City Hall the fate of the failed
$30,000,000 Obama Stimulus funded broadband project was
sealed and the NFBA was put on death row.
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Posted October 6, 2014 02:45 pm
LAKE CITY, FL – 13 days short of three years ago
today, with the $30,000,000 Obama Stimulus
funded North Florida Broadband Authority (NFBA)
shut down by the Feds for reorganization, Lake
City's City Manager, Wendell Johnson, told the
NFBA Board the Federal Government's
reorganization plan "sounds like a Chinese Fire
Drill." He continued, "We all know what's gotta
be done." Tonight, City Manager Johnson is
asking the City Council to pass a resolution
withdrawing from the NFBA. The resolution gives
no reason.
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Posted
October 2, 2014 07:15 am
COLUMBIA
COUNTY, FL – Businesses in the City of Lake City and
Columbia County will protect the Ichetucknee
Springs through a water conservation initiative
funded by Springs Grants funding paid for with
tax dollars. The grant funding was passed by the
legislature and signed into law by Governor
Scott. According to the Water Management
District, "The project is estimated to save 32
million gallons per year, benefitting the
Ichetucknee Springs as well as other springs in
the Lower Santa Fe River."
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Posted October 1, 2014 07:35 am | Public News
Service
TALLAHASSEE, FL - How can you boost your bottom
line in 2015? A report released today indicates
the answer for some could be a career change.
Technology careers are paying big dividends
compared with other job sectors. The report from
human resources consulting firm Robert Half
International projects almost a 6 percent
increase in starting salaries in the technology
field.
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Sept. 25, 2014 | Public News Service
TALLAHASSEE,
FL - Florida's nickname may be the "Sunshine State," but
that feeling might not always extend to the folks who
live here.
|
 Calls
for More Funding for Childhood Cancer Research
Sept. 19, 2014 |
Public News Service
TALLAHASSEE, FL -
It's Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. The
American Cancer Society is urging that more
resources be dedicated to caring for the overall
well-being of child cancer patients and their
families.
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September 10, 2014 08:10 am | Public News Service
TALLAHASSEE, FL -
Florida parents are among those feeling the effects of
the state's decision to turn down federal dollars to
expand Medicaid. A new report by the Urban
Institute examines the impact to the more than 800,000
Floridians who fall into the coverage gap; they don't
qualify for publicly funded-health coverage or an
insurance policy through the Affordable Care Act.
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September 8, 2014 08:10 am | Public News
Service
TALLAHASSEE, FL - Time is quickly running out
for Florida farmers who want to continue
receiving federal assistance to improve soil,
water, air and habitat on their land. Since the
Conservation Stewardship Program was launched
five years ago, more than 60-million farm acres
nationwide have been enrolled. Sophia Kruszewski,
policy specialist with the National Sustainable
Agriculture Coalition, says the program isn't
about helping farmers avoid environmental harm;
it's about enhancing and improving what
conservation-minded farmers already do.
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Sept. 5, 2014 08:20 am | Public News Service
TALLAHASSEE, FL - BP now stands to pay up to $17
billion in Clean Water Act fines after a judge
on Thursday ruled the oil company was "grossly
negligent" in its conduct leading up to the
Deepwater Horizon explosion in 2010.
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Posted August 29, 2014 12:45 pm
MIAMI – "No employee should be required to
endure sexually degrading, abusive conduct as a
condition of employment," said EEOC attorney
Robert E. Weisberg. As a result of alleged
conduct that violates Title VII of the 1964
Civil Rights Act, the U.S. Equal Employment
Opportunity Commission (EEOC) filed two separate
sexual harassment law suits against two Florida
companies that employ agricultural workers:
Windmill Farms Nursery, Inc.; and Moreno Farms,
Inc.
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August 28, 2014 07:45 am | Public News
Service
NEW SMYRNA BEACH, Fla. - This Labor Day weekend,
thousands of Floridians and visitors may feel
more than just the sting of a sunburn. Jellyfish
are hanging around beaches, with at least 400
people stung last weekend alone. While the
toxin-tentacled animal has long been a part of
beach-life, "jellyfish blooms" are becoming more
common due to warming temperatures at the water
surface and other factors related to climate
change.
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Posted August 27, 2014 12:05 am
I had the displeasure of having to ride SVTA
vans and buses for years until the new federally
mandated medical plans forced me to change
health care providers. I now have rides provided
by a better company, and I am no longer
confronted by the following SVTA events: rides
totally missed; late pickups; four hour waits;
riding around for hours; and riding in vehicles
not in proper repair.
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August 26, 2014 04:55 am | Public News
Service
JACKSONVILLE, FL -
Every day thousands of children in Florida
arrive at school with dental pain and tooth
decay. The Florida Dental Association reminds
parents of the importance of a preventive
cleaning as school starts. The U.S. Department
of Health and Human Services estimates that more
than 51 million school hours are lost each year
because of dental-related health problems,
making it the number one reason for missed
school.
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Posted August 19, 2014 11:59 pm
COLUMBIA-HAMILTON-SUWANNEE – The Suwannee Valley
Transit Authority (SVTA) is supposed to ensure
the availability of efficient, cost-effective
and quality transportation services for
transportation disadvantaged persons, who
because of income, age, or disability can't
transport themselves. Since the mid 80s, the
SVTA has been overseen by Columbia County's
Ronald Williams and since 2011 the Authority has
been spinning out of control.
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August 19, 2014 08:00 am | Public New
Service
TALLAHASSEE, FL -
With the Florida primary one week from today,
Governor Rick Scott has a slight lead over
Democratic opponent Charlie Crist, according to
a survey released Tuesday by AARP Florida.
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Posted August 15, 2014 07:30 am | Public New Service
TALLAHASSEE, FL -
The state's largest energy provider -
Florida Power & Light - got the OK this week to ask
customers for a $9 donation to fund solar installations
in the state.
While the plan, approved by the state's Public Service
Commission (PSC), sounds like a step towards cleaner
energy, clean energy advocates are questioning the fine
print.
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August 13, 2014 05:45 am | Public News Service
TALLAHASSEE, FL -
As details emerge about the reported suicide of
actor and comedian Robin Williams on Monday,
family members and friends acknowledge he was
suffering from a long battle with depression.
Many Florida families suffer the same anguish,
and suicide is the ninth leading cause of death
in the state.
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Posted August 07, 2014 08:20 am
JACKSONVILLE, FL -
Are Floridians happy? Yes, at least when compared with
people in other parts of the country, researchers say. A
working paper from researchers using data from the
Center for Disease Control and Prevention's Behavioral
Risk Factor Surveillance System lists the happiest and
unhappiest cities in the country. Three Florida cities -
Jacksonville, West Palm Beach and Naples - made the top
of the list when it comes to happiest cities.
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August
04, 2014 07:45 am | Public News Service
TALLAHASSEE, FL - In Florida and across the nation,
August marks the start of National Breastfeeding Month.
It has supporters touting the benefits of mother's milk,
often called "nature's perfect baby food." Marian
Tompson, who founded the organization La Leche League,
says mothers who are able to breastfeed can reduce their
risk for diabetes, cardiovascular conditions and some
forms of cancer. For the baby, she says, there are a
variety of health benefits as well, including as a
stronger immune system, better motor development and
fewer allergies.
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July 31, 2014 08:20 am | Public News Service
TALLAHASSEE, FL - The Environmental Protection Agency is
taking public comments on rules designed to cut carbon
pollution from power plants by nearly one-third from
2005 levels. Supporters say the new regulations also
would save thousands of lives a year - and critics say
the carbon pollution limits would have a devastating
economic impact. But former EPA administrator Carol
Browner said a healthy environment actually makes the
economy healthier. She cited one study that found
clean-air rules saved the United States about $1.3
trillion in 2010. (Photo: Air pollution in China, CNN)
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Posted July 31, 2014 07:30 am
LIVE
OAK, FL – The Suwannee River Water Management
District (SRWMD) has launched a springs
dashboard that provides an at-a-glance view of
water quality and flow, and contributing factors
affecting the first magnitude springs and
associated rivers.
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Posted July 29, 2014 06:30 am
WASHINGTON, DC – 58 million beneficiaries of Social
Security received $812 billion in benefits in 2013.
Yesterday, the Social Security Board of Trustees
released its annual report on the long-term financial
status of the Social Security Trust Funds. It is mostly
good news. The Trustees projected that Social Security
will be able to pay full benefits until the year 2033
and that Social Security remains well funded. However,
the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) Trust
Fund will become depleted in 2016 unless Congress acts.
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July 28, 2014 09:28 am
Senator Nelson and members of the Florida
congressional delegation sent a letter to
President Obama expressing their opposition to
the Administration's desire to conduct seismic
air gun testing for oil and gas in the Atlantic
Ocean and other news from Senator Nelson.
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July 28, 2014 05:30 am | Public News
Service
TALLAHASSEE, FL - A bill signed into law this summer
expands Florida's Tax Credit Scholarship program, but
the Florida Education Association has sued the state,
challenging the voucher program. More than 2,6 million
children attend Florida public schools, but only a
fraction - 50,000 - take advantage of the Tax Credit
Scholarship program. That number is expected to grow as
a result of the new law, but the Florida Education
Association is claiming it violates the state
constitution. FEA Vice President Joanne McCall explained
the teachers' position.
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July 25, 2014 08:45 pm
CLAY COUNTY, FL – Officers with the Florida Fish
and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC)
arrested two Clay County teenagers Friday
morning on charges of torturing a gopher
tortoise.
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July 25, 2014 07:30 am
VERO BEACH, FL - "Let them go, let them go!" Insert the
melody from the song from Disney's hit movie, "Frozen."
This weekend, Florida's Sea Turtle Conservancy will do
just that, as it releases two loggerheads -
appropriately named "Anna" and "Elsa" - as part of the
group's 2014 "Tour de Turtles migration marathon" at
Disney's Vero Beach Resort and Melbourne Beach.
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July 21, 2014 08:45 am | Public News Service
TALLAHASSEE, FL - As more food choices labeled
'gluten-free' show up on store shelves across
the state, some people are warning that it
doesn't automatically mean it's a healthy
choice.
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July 18, 2014 01:10 pm
Public News Service
MIAMI, FL - This weekend, thousands of people
will enjoy Florida's beaches, but many may not
realize the saltwater they're swimming in is
becoming increasingly acidic.
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July 10, 2014 07:35 am | Public News Service
PANAMA CITY, FL - The federal government is
considering a proposal to open up new areas of
the Gulf of Mexico to natural gas and oil
production.
The proposed areas include a section near the
Florida coast, and another closer to the Alabama
border.
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Posted July 9, 2014 10:10 am | Public New Service
TALLAHASSEE,
FL – A coalition of 90 citizens' groups is continuing
their fight to convince Florida lawmakers to
expand Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act.
Health Care for Florida Now is asking citizens
to ask their representatives to expand the
program to provide coverage for those who find
themselves in a "coverage gap."
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Posted July 7, 2014 03:30 am
Public News Service
TALLAHASSEE,
FL – It's a parent's worst nightmare, but it happens
every summer. Kids suffer heatstroke after being left in
hot cars. In some cases, they die.
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Posted July 3, 2014 08:59 am
COLUMBIA COUNTY, FL –Last week's economic development
presentation by the North Central Florida
Regional Planning Council's senior planner,
Steve Dopp, highlighted a little known fact: The
Planning Council is the conduit for millions of
dollars of federal grant dollars coming into the
region.
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Posted July 2, 2014 06:15 am | Public News Service
TAMPA,
FL – Thousands of boaters will be enjoying
Florida waters this weekend, but they're not the
only ones. Manatees also are quite common this
time of year, as they migrate to their feeding
and resting areas for the summer - and getting
hit by boats is the leading cause of their
injuries and deaths.
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Posted June 28, 2014 01:45 am
NPR
defines plagiarism: "Plagiarism – taking someone
else’s work and intentionally presenting it as if it is
your own – is theft." The Lake City Reporter (LCR) is
Columbia County/Lake City's only daily print newspaper.
It is the self proclaimed cheerleader for Columbia
County/Lake City. It continually uses other people's
news without attribution. The Suwannee River Water
Management District's press release on rainfall is re
printed below. The boxes on the right are from the June
27 LCR article titled: Rainfall 25 percent higher in
SRWMC. Like Columbia County's infamous politicians, it's
about time the LCR straightened up its act. (Pub-Stew
Lilker) Now about that rain.
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Posted June 25, 2014 07:10 am | Public News
Service
TALLAHASSEE, FL - It's mark-up time this week
for the federal budget. But there's concern
among some that opponents of restoring tougher
clean water regulations will try to knock out
Environmental Protection Agency funding that
impacts drinking water in Florida.
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Posted June 21, 2014, 09:15 pm
COLUMBIA COUNTY, FL – On October 6, 2008,
present Lake Shore Hospital Manager, Jackson P.
"Jack" Berry, was Chairman of the Lake Shore
Hospital Authority (LSHA). Mr. Berry, who had
repeatedly demonstrated that he did not like
answering questions, had been stonewalling this
reporter's questions for some time. On the night
of October 6, 2008, your reporter posed a
question to the Board. When no one answered your
reporter inquired if the Board was allowed to
answer. Mr. Berry responded, ""If they’re free,
white and over twenty-one."
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Posted
June 19, 2014 09:25 am
Orlando, Florida – United States Attorney A. Lee
Bentley, III announced yesterday that Taylor
Blake Martin (22, Alabama) and Seth Andrew
Stephenson (22, Rockledge) were sentenced by
U.S. Magistrate Judge Gregory J. Kelly. Martin
and Stephenson previously pleaded guilty to
harassing an endangered species. According to
court documents, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service became aware of a video posted on
Facebook that showed one individual luring two
manatees to a dock with a water hose and another
individual jump off of a boat dock and
“cannonball” an adult manatee and a calf.
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Posted June 18, 2014 07:15 am
Fireworks represent a hallmark of July
4th celebrations, but consumer fireworks are
extremely dangerous, causing thousands of
injuries and fires each year. That’s why
the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)
urges the public to only attend professional
fireworks displays put on by trained
professionals. According to the Consumer Product
Safety Commission’s (CPSC) 2012 Fireworks Annual
Report, U.S. hospital emergency rooms saw an
estimated 8,700 people for fireworks-related
injuries in 2012.
|
 World
Sea Turtle Day: FL Plays Major Role
June 16, 2014 04:45 am | Public News Service
GAINESVILLE, FL - Today is Florida's wildlife
advocates are coming out of their shells to
speak out on the importance of sea turtles to
the world's ecosystem. It is World Sea Turtle
Day, and according to the Sea Turtle
Conservancy, the Sunshine State is home to most
of the sea turtle nesting habitat on the
continent.
|
June 12, 2014 10:55 am | Public News Service
TALLAHASSEE, FL - The race for governor in
Florida is heating up almost as fast as the
temperature, and now Democratic candidate
Charlie Crist has the backing of the state's
largest labor federation as he vies to compete
with incumbent Gov. Rick Scott.
|
June 06, 2014 09:05 am | Public News Service
SNEADS, FL - Producing the electricity that
powers Florida homes can have a negative impact
on the state's water supply. That's the charge
in a lawsuit filed Thursday against Gulf Power
Co., alleging the company is in violation of the
Clean Water Act.
|
June 05, 2014 07:59 am | Public News Service
TALLAHASSEE, FL -
A spokesperson for the Florida Wildlife
Commission says the state is waiting for an
appeals court decision on whether it should
continue to enforce the state's landmark net
ban, and what type of nets can be used. The net
ban was added as an amendment to the state
constitution in 1994 with the support of 72
percent of Florida voters, but since then some
commercial fishermen have argued the ban has
impacted their livelihood.
|
May 27, 2014 04:05 am |
Public News Service
PORT ORANGE,
FL - Campaign season is kicking up, with the Florida
primaries approaching this summer, and on the
ballot will be a handful of candidates who have
never held public office before. Instead, their
experience comes from their jobs as police
officers, municipal workers and teachers. They
are part of a program from the Florida AFL-CIO
that hosts candidate training classes to
encourage union members who are active in their
community to run for local office.
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Posted May 27, 2014 03:00 am
COLUMBIA COUNTY, FL – Last Thursday's meeting of
the North Central Regional Planning Council had as the
evening's keynote speaker, its Executive Director, Scott
Koons. Mr. Koons told the gathering that the NCFRPC is
comprised of 11 counties and 33 municipalities and is
geographically the largest in the state covering 7,000
sq. miles with a population of "around 500,000."
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Posted
May 22, 2014 08:59 am | Public News Service
TALLAHASSE,
FL - These days it's not uncommon to find Floridians
reading product labels, but they might be curious to
know the products' ingredients that aren't listed.
Legislation before Congress claims to offer consumers
greater protection against potentially harmful
chemicals. But Kathy Aterno, Florida director of the
Clean Water Action and Clean Water Fund, says the bill
would move the country backwards in terms of
protection.
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Posted
May 21, 2014 08:59 am |
Public News Service
ORLANDO,
FL - Four Florida metro areas - Orlando, Tampa,
Jacksonville and Miami - top a nationwide list
of metropolitan areas deemed most dangerous to
pedestrians. The report - Dangerous By Design -
released today by Smart Growth America -
highlights the number of people killed annually
while walking or bicycling on roadways.
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Posted May 14, 2014 10:55 am
LIVE OAK, FL –
Last night's Suwannee Valley Transit Authority
(SVTA) meeting was a two hour and thirty two
minute marathon in a packed, almost sweltering
room. The contentiousness that earmarked the
reign of the recently departed Administrator
Gwen Pra and Operations Manager Bill Steele is
subsiding as Interim Administrator Teresa
Fortner, with the help of the Commission for the
Disadvantaged (CTD), guides the agency through
choppy waters. The CTD has been taking a
hands-on role righting the SVTA so that people
in the tri-county area of Columbia, Hamilton,
and Suwannee Counties who need transportation
services, have it. A proposal to cut off
Saturday transportation for the area's dialysis
patients was squelched by Columbia County's
Bucky Nash.
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 Protecting Florida's Migrant Birds: For Many the
Trip Begins in Canada
May 6, 2014 12:50 pm Public News Service
TALLAHASSEE,
FL - Most of Florida's "snowbirds" have hopped on I-95
for the drive north. Meanwhile, birds of the feathered
variety have done the same, but it's what is greeting
them at home that has scientists concerned.
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 Posted
May 1, 2014 04:00 pm
COLUMBIA COUNTY, FL – The legendary Columbia
County 5, The 5, was poised tonight to vote to
replace the North Central Florida Regional
Planning Council (NCFRPC) as the Designated
Planning Agency for the Transportation
Disadvantaged (TD) with the Suwannee Valley
Transit Authority (SVTA). Buried in tonight's
consent agenda was a resolution which stated:
"The Board requests the Florida Commission for
the Transportation Disadvantaged to designate
the Suwannee Valley Transit Authority as the
Designated Official Planning Agency for the
regional service area of Columbia, Hamilton and
Suwannee Counties." The NCFRPC is presently the
planning agency for the TD program.
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May 1, 2014 08:45 am
This week's news briefs include: restoration of
the Everglades; Florida Medicade expansion;
affordable prescriptions; and more.
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Posted April 30, 2014 11:55 pm
LIVE OAK, FL – It was business as usual at the
Suwannee Valley Transit Authority (SVTA) last night.
Despite being advised last month by the Board that the
agendas and agenda materials were to be made public
before the meetings, there were no agendas available at
the meeting and none were sent to the commissioners or
the folks who requested them. When it was pointed out to
the Chairman, Columbia County Commissioner Ronald
Williams, he refused to make them available.
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Posted
April 29, 2014 08:05 am | Public News Service
TALAHASSEE, FL –Tens of thousands of people are
signing petitions of protest about a plan being
considered by the FCC, which would allow broadband
Internet providers to give content providers, like
Netflix or ESPN, faster download speeds for higher
prices - prices that would no doubt be passed on to
customers.
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Florida: 13th on the list of Fortune 500
companies
Posted April 26, 2014 03:30 am |
1 comment
COLUMBIA
COUNTY, FL – Last year's Dept. of Economic
Opportunity (DEO) budget was
$891,519,498.Thursday night's North Central
Florida Regional Planning Council (NCFRPC)
greeted DEO's Strategic Planner, Noel Munson, as
its monthly guest speaker. He introduced the
Planning Council to Florida's 5 Year Strategic
Plan for Economic Development. Mr. Munson, an
MBA, has been with
DEO since February, 2013. He began his
presentation, "In 2011 we were charged with
developing a 5 year state wide plan for economic
development. The plan was released in July of
2013. The plan uses the Florida Chamber's Six
Pillars of the future economy as its
organizational framework."
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Posted April 24, 2014 07:50 am
COLUMBIA COUNTY, FL – For the last two and a half
years the Suwannee Valley Transit Authority (SVTA) Board
Chairman, Ronald Williams, the SVTA Administrator, Gwen
Pra, and Director of Operations, William H. Steele,
claimed that the SVTA was running like a well oiled
machine and they were the great saviors who brought the
SVTA back from the brink of extinction. Any employee
who disagreed with the company line and knew the real
truth about the $2,000,000 of debt overseen by Chairman
Williams was fired or demoted. Non employees who
disagreed were vilified, libeled, slandered, and/or
stalked. While this was going on, Chairman Ronald
Williams and the rest of the SVTA Board sat back and did
nothing.
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April 21, 2014 10:50 am | Capitol News Service
Imagine being sent to death row for poisoning your seven
children knowing you were innocent. That’s what happened
to James Richardson in the small town of Arcadia (90
miles southwest of Tampa), in 1968. Now, after nearly 40
years, Richardson is fighting to be compensated for his
wrongful conviction.
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Posted
April 16, 2014 07:35 am
Key West, FL – Joseph Franko, 35, of Romulus,
Michigan, was sentenced yesterday in Key West
for conspiring to purchase, transport, harvest
and sell sea fans, ornamental tropical fish and
alligators, knowing the wildlife was taken,
possessed, transported, sold, and intended to be
sold in violation of the laws and regulations of
Florida and the United States.
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Posted April 15, 2014 08:15 am
COLUMBIA
COUNTY, FL – Today is income tax day in what's left of
America. Where does your money go? How much do
Floridians pay the Federal Government? Ask Florida's
Governor, Rick Scott, and he will tell you Florida is a
low tax state. Florida is number 15 on the list of
Average Federal Income Taxes Paid by State according
to
National Priorities Project.
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Posted April
11, 2014 08:30 am |
Public News Service
TALLAHASSEE,
FL - Today the Florida Senate is scheduled to consider a
bill that would bring the state in compliance after two
Supreme Court decisions determined the state's juvenile
sentencing laws are unconstitutional.
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April 5, 2014 01:45 pm
Senator Rubio discusses: ObamaCare; Veteran
Affairs reform; Syrian War Crimes
Accountability Act; and Internet
Transition.
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April
3, 2014 09:31 am |
Public News Service
TALLAHASSEE,
FL - In just four years, children of color are expected
to outpace the number of white children in the
United States, according to the Census Bureau. A
new report from the Annie E. Casey Foundation
asks if those children will be prepared to
succeed in their classrooms and beyond.
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April 3, 2014 08:45 am
This week's news briefs include: the Paycheck
Fairness Act; Minimum Wage Fairness Act; Food
and Oil Speculation; and the murder of Peace
Corps volunteer, Kate Puzy.
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Posted April 1, 2014 04:05 am
COLUMBIA COUNTY, FL – Mark Reichert, Assistant
Executive Director of the Florida Transportation
Commission, told the Planning Council, "Driving
an electric vehicle is synonymous with splicing
into your neighbor's cable system." Looking
forward, the Florida DOT is facing serious
funding issues. Mr. Reichert said, "If
Florida is going to be able to take care of its
transportation infrastructure needs it will not
be able to continue to rely on the fuel tax as
the State's primary transportation revenue
source."
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March 28, 2014 04:30 am |
Public News Service
(1 comment)
MIAMI,
FL - Lolita is a captive whale at the Miami Seaquarium
who has been performing tricks for 43 years - and she
could get a shot at retirement.
Today is the last day the U.S. Government takes public
comments on the matter.
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March 27, 2014 09:59 am| Public News Service
TALLAHASSEE, FL - For more than a decade, 20 million
wetland acres and 2 million miles of streams - including
many in Florida - were left unprotected, despite the
federal Clean Water Act. Experts say the gap in coverage
was the unintended result of two U.S. Supreme Court
decisions.
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Posted March 21, 2014 07:45 am | Public News
Service
TALLAHASSEE, FL - Emergency contraception is
supposed to be available over-the-counter for
teen girls, but research shows many still face
barriers to obtaining it. Dr. Tracey Wilkinson
is a pediatrician and the lead author of the
study, which posed a couple of simple questions
to more than 900 pharmacies across the country.
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March 18, 2014 07:55 am | Public News Service
With
spring set to officially arrive later this week,
many people across Florida are in the mood to do
some cleaning, and with a few simple tips, the
process doesn't need to be so daunting.
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Posted March 13, 2014 01:05 pm
SUWANNEE COUNTY, FL – Yesterday afternoon, the
Observer confirmed that on March 6, the Florida
Department of Transportation (FDOT) informed
Columbia County Commissioner and Chairman of the
Suwannee Valley Transit Authority (SVTA), Ronald
Williams, the Authority is going under the
microscope. The FDOT and the Agency for Health
Care Administration (AHCA) Offices of Inspector
General (OIG) are initiating an examination of
the Authority. During Monday night's SVTA
meeting, Chairman Williams did not mention a
word about the audit/investigation.
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Posted March 11, 2014 01:30 pm
SUWANNEE COUNTY, FL – Last night the Suwannee
Valley Transit Authority (SVTA) Board, chaired
for as long as anyone can remember by Columbia
County Commissioner Ronald Williams, met at SVTA
headquarters. Having received the stamp of
approval from Chairman Williams, the SVTA
continued to maintain a level of secrecy that
has given the agency, along with the Lake Shore
Hospital Authority, a reputation as one of the
two most secretive public agencies in Florida.
Agendas and supporting material had been
available only to board members. Electronic
delivery of documents had still not been
discovered by the SVTA's
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March 4, 2014 07:35 am | Public News Service
TALLAHASSEE, FL -
There's good news and bad news from a report released
today by the Food Research and Action Center. More
children are now starting the day with school breakfast,
compared with recent years, but Florida still is missing
more than half of its eligible children. The increase in
accessibility is attributed to innovative programs in
some Florida school districts.
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Posted March 3, 2014 03:20 pm
The Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission
TALLAHASSEE, FL – More sea turtles nest on Florida’s
sandy beaches than on any other U.S. coastline.
Biologists at the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation
Commission (FWC) hope the 2014 nesting season that
started March 1 will be as successful as others in
recent years.
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Feb. 28, 2014 07:45 am | Public News Service
TALLAHASSEE, FL -
Fracking isn't even legal in Florida, but state
lawmakers have revived two bills that together
would exempt oil and natural gas companies from
disclosing the chemicals used in the extraction
process, citing "trade secrets." That is, if
hydraulic fracturing does become legal.
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Posted February 28, 2014 06:35 am | Part II
COLUMBIA COUNTY,
FL – The Observer caught up with the Small County
Coalition's Chris Doolin as he left the Planning Council
meeting and headed back to Tallahassee. Mr. Doolin spent
a few minutes answering questions about the challenges
facing Florida's small counties and a final question
about the $88 million dollars of Obama Stimulus money
that came to Florida for Broadband and the North Florida
Broadband Authority.
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Posted February 27, 2014 05:15 am | Part I
COLUMBIA COUNTY,
FL – Last week's monthly meeting of the North
Central Florida Regional Planning Council in Lake City
brought together representatives from 11 counties in the
region. Legislative issues confronting
Florida's 37 small counties were presented by Florida's
Small County Coalition veteran consultant/lobbyist,
Chris Doolin, who covered topics affecting counties with
a population of less than 150,000. Mr. Doolan told the
group, "In a legislative session the top
priority is to protect what you have."
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Feb. 21, 2014 02:45 pm
COLLIER
COUNTY, FL – A team of panther biologists
rescued an approximately week-old Florida
panther kitten at the Florida Panther National
Wildlife Refuge in Collier County in
mid-January.
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Posted February 18, 2014 11:25 am
The Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press
has joined the Coalition for Court Transparency
(CCT), a group of media and legal organizations
focused on urging the U.S. Supreme Court to
allow live video of oral arguments.
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Posted February 18, 2014 06:55 am | Public News
Service
TALLAHASSEE, FL - Your car will remind you to
check the oil, but experts say it's also
important to check what's carrying your most
precious cargo. The CDC says in a new report
that child deaths in car crashes have declined
by 43 percent over ten years, but there's still
work to do, because in a third of accidents that
claimed the life of a child age 12 or younger,
the child was not properly restrained.
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Feb. 10, 2014 07:40 am | Florida News Service
TALLAHASSEE, FL -
Florida commercial fishermen are working to
overturn a 20-year-old amendment to the state
constitution that limits the gear they can use.
The Net Ban Amendment was put in place in 1994
to stop the use of entangling nets and large
small-mesh nets to capture entire schools of
fish. Some fishermen who count on fishing for
their livelihood continue to oppose the law, but
according to Preston Robertson, general counsel
for the Florida Wildlife Federation, overturning
the "Net Ban" would move Florida backward in
terms of protecting the state's wildlife.
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Feb 5, 2014 04:15 am | Public News Service
TALLAHASSEE, FL -
The disposal of coal ash in Florida will become a
black-and-white issue starting in December. The
Environmental Protection Agency has announced plans to
finalize the first-ever federal regulations for disposal
of waste generated by coal-fired power plants - waste
that contains toxins.
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Posted February 03, 2014 08:55 am
FLORIDA – A recent study titled, "Where Is The Land Of
Opportunity? The Geography of Intergenerational Mobility
In the Unites States," points a damning finger at
Florida. The study found that African Americans have
less than a 6% chance for upward financial mobility,
while Jacksonville's African American children rank #4
in the nation in the lack of financial mobility. The
study found that the leading causes of poverty
stagnation are: segregation, income inequality, local
school quality, social capital, and family structure.
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Posted Jan. 31, 2014 07:45 am | Public News
Service
DAVENPORT, FL – Nosey the elephant is in trouble,
according to animal welfare activists who have been
working to get the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)
to revoke the exhibitor's license of the Davenport-based
circus that owns her. Delcianna Winders, an attorney
with the PETA Foundation, says Hugo Tommy Liebel, who
does business as The Great American Family Circus, has
been cited for almost 200 violations of the Animal
Welfare Act.
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Jan. 30, 2014 06:30 am | Public News Service
TALLAHASSEE,
FL This November, Florida voters will have the
chance to take part in a historic vote. Legacy
Amendment would be largest land, water
conservation effort in U.S. history
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Posted January 29, 2014 12:45 pm | Public News
Service
TALLAHASSEE, FL - Six out of 10 fourth-graders in
Florida aren't reading at grade level, according to a
new report on early reading proficiency from the Annie
E. Casey Foundation. The state is doing slightly better
than the national average, and the report credited
Florida's voluntary pre-kindergarten program offered to
all 4-year-olds.
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Posted January 28, 2014 05:15 pm
COLUMBIA COUNTY, FL – GasBuddy, a national
gasoline price tracking service, reported
earlier today that the best time to "Fill It Up"
in Florida, as well as across the nation is
surprisingly over the weekend.
|
 Florida Citizens Unite in the Fight for
Clean Water
Jan. 24, 2014 08:50 am | Public News Service
JACKSONVILLE, FL - Green slime outbreaks on
Florida beaches and waterways are becoming a
constant occurrence and now groups of
citizens, environmentalists, and leaders are
uniting to fight the problem. On Wednesday,
environmental representatives in 16 Florida
cities spoke out against the pollution that
is causing the problem.
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Posted January 24, 2014 07:45 am
COLUMBIA COUNTY, FL – The North Central Florida Regional
Planning Council met for its monthly business
meeting last night in Lake City. The Council's
guest speaker, Republican Keith Perry, District
21 Florida House of Representatives (Alachua,
Gilchrist, Dixie County) spoke about the
struggle of moderate income families trying to
keep up with the rising cost of living, and the
U.S. Constitution. He said, "Nobody understands
the founding principles."
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Posted January 21, 2014 09:40 am | Public News
Service
TALLAHASSEE, FL - With a little more than two months to
go in the open-enrollment period for the Affordable Care
Act, community organizers say the biggest obstacle for
consumers is not the Healthcare.gov website, but a lack
of awareness about financial assistance. According to
Erin Knott of Enroll America, many Floridians her group
has worked with are well aware that "Care" is available
under the ACA, but the "Affordable" part takes some
convincing.
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Posted January 18, 2014 7:45 pm
There was a consistent decline in unemployment
rate last year, opening at 7.9% in January down
to an all-time year low of 7% in November. But
the figure is still higher than when we started
2008 at 5% a few months before the subprime
crisis hit. Many more Americans would like to
land a job, but would they love these jobs to
literally die for?
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Excessive Drinking in FL Costs Billions
Added Dangers for Women Who Binge Drink
Jan. 15, 2014 06:55 am | Public News Service
TALLAHASSEE, FL - At least 38 million Americans drink
too much, according to a new report from the CDC, and
experts say the costs and dangers of binge drinking are
especially acute for women.
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Holiday Celebration: See a Drunk - Dial *FHP220x178_P5133931.jpg)
Suwannee Valley TA Pays $257,318 in Exempt OT
Taking the Bite Out of Holiday Dangers for Pets
Columbia County 5 Bails Out Suwannee Valley TA After It
Runs Out of Money - Again: Gives $50,000
Family
& Holidays: Sometimes Less is More
FDOT's Petihomme Enlightens Planning Council on Fed
Funds for Hometown Projects
Billions Available for FL Gulf Restoration
Report
Highlights Unsafe Toys in Time for Xma
Florida
HIV Cases Rank 2nd Highest in Nation
Holiday
Air Travel? Know Your Passenger Rights
Obama's
Executive Order Could Affect Up to 900,000 Florida
Immigrants
Helping FL's Youngest Residents - A Family Affair
445,000 FL Children Uninsured
No
Rest For the Weary: Eyes
on FL for 2016
It's Halloween: Expert Tips to Keep Kids Safe
Florida's Monarchs On the Move
FPL
Seeks Public Funds to Fight Clean Water Rules
Happy Birthday Clean Water Act: Legislation Turned 42
Saturday
"Koch
Sisters" Use Notorious Name as Platform
Funding To Protect Ichetucknee Springs
Health
Coverage Gap Impacts Florida Parents
Conservation Dollars Available for Florida Farmers
Jellyfish
Invade FL Beaches: The Sting of Climate Change
I
Had The Displeasure of Having To Ride SVTA
Dental
Problems Number One Reason FL Kids Miss School
Scott
Leading Crist In AARP Voter Survey
Robin Williams' Star Power Shines Light on
Suicide, Depression
New
Research Gives Floridians Something to Smile About
"National Breastfeeding Month" is Here
SRWMD Launches Springs Dashboard With Manatee Springs -
More To Come
Feds Report Social Security On Solid Ground, Disability
Insurance Trust Fund - Immediate Issues
Controversy
Surrounds FL's Tax Credit Scholarship Program
2
teens arrested for torturing a gopher tortoise
SRWMD: Rainfall 25% Higher Than Average
In 2014 Blacks Don't Vote On The Lake Shore Hospital
Authority Board: There Are None
U.S. Magistrate Sentences Two Men For Harassing
Manatees: YouTube Video Removes All Doubt
Conservationists: Overturning Net Ban is Fishing for
Trouble
Wanted:
Candidate - Career Politicians Need Not Apply
North Central Florida Regional Planning Council:
Executive Director Presents Year End
Wrap Up
Chemical
Legislation: Reading Between Lines, Underneath Label
Suwannee Valley TA: Dialysis Patients Riding On Saturday
for Another Month
Suwannee Valley Transit Authority:
Here They Go Again - Good Government, What's That?
'Internet Freedom' Showdown Brewing
FL's
Strategic Plan for Economic Development Updated by DEO's
Noel Munson
Suwannee Valley
Transit Authority
Compensating Wrongly Convicted James Richardson
Feds Net Illegal Traffickers of Florida Marine Life: US
Attorney Prosecutes Michigan Residents
U.S.
Sen. Marco Rubio
Update 
Report Shines Light on Racial Disparities for FL
Children
FL DOT: High Mileage Cars Affecting Revenue
Last Day for Public Comments to “Free Lolita”
FL
Water Protection: Proposed Rule Would Close Gap
Some
FL Pharmacies Dispensing
Contraception Misinformation
Spring Cleaning in Florida,
Get Rid of the Clutter
Suwannee Valley TA Moves Into 21st
Century Commissioner Nash Says, "No Mas" to Secrecy
249,000
Eligible FL Children Missing Breakfast
Citizen Watchdog Group:
Veteran Consultant/Lobbyist Presents Major Issues
Confronting FL's 37 Small Counties
Biologists Rescue Panther Kitten In Collier County
Reminder:
Check Child Safety Seats
EPA:
No More Shades of Gray for Coal Ash in FL
Florida's Amdt. 1 On Nov. Ballot
