Mail-In Ballots Top 500,000 Across State
Tallahassee, FL – Voting in the Nov. 6 general election has already surpassed the half-million mark. Numbers posted Wednesday morning by the Florida Division of Elections show 554,350 people had cast vote-by-mail ballots. Also, the latest figures came as a number of counties hit hard last week by Hurricane Michael — Bay, Calhoun, Franklin, Gulf, Holmes, […]
Supreme Court Details Clash Over Education Ballot Measure
Tallahassee, FL – After saying last month that it was blocking a controversial education measure from the November ballot, the Florida Supreme Court has released details of the ruling that show sharp differences about a proposal that one justice said would have brought a “monumental” change to the state Constitution. Justices, in a 4-3 decision, said […]
Scott Seeks Backing On Medical Marijuana Appeal
Tallahassee, FL – With a 5 p.m. Friday deadline looming, Gov. Rick Scott has sought support from legislative leaders before appealing a Tallahassee judge’s order that critics say would create pandemonium in the state’s medical-marijuana industry if allowed to stand. Responding to Scott’s request, House Speaker Richard Corcoran, incoming Speaker Jose Oliva and other Republican House […]
Man Arrested After Stalking His Probation Officer
DeLand, FL – A man is arrested by Volusia County Sheriff’s Office after he was caught stalking his probation officer. 28-year-old Zachary Sievert was arrested by VCSO on Monday (October 25th) and was charged with aggravated stalking after he was found to have been stalking his probation officer. According to the report, it all started around 2 a.m. […]
VCSO Gets FDOT Grant In Time For Biketoberfest
Daytona Beach, FL – The Volusia County Sheriff’s Office gets a bit of financial help from the state in order to keep the roads safer, especially during the county’s twice-a-year motorcycle rallies. A $30,000 grant from the Florida Department of Transportation will help VCSO fund a year-long motorcycle safety effort with at least 70 separate […]
Pilot Sent To Hospital After Plane Crashes Into Ocean
UPDATE (10-17-18): NTSB officials put the plane on a trailer at about 10 a.m. today and have taken it off the beach. Earlier reporting below. UPDATE (10-16-18): Beach Safety Captain Tammy Malphurs has now identified the pilot as 75-year=old Richard Goosman. “The pilot advised he ran out of fuel,” Malphurs added. “He was flying from […]
Former Teacher Pleads Guilty To Sex Act With Student
New Smyrna Beach, FL – A former New Smyrna Beach Middle School teacher could get up to 10 years in prison after pleading guilty in court to having sex with a 14-year-old student and sending him naked photos. 27-year-old Stephanie Peterson pleaded guilty in court on Tuesday (October 16th) to two felonies, including lewd and […]
Justices Reject Challenge To Three Ballot Measures
Tallahassee, FL – Though one justice wrote that voters should “beware,” the Florida Supreme Court on Wednesday rejected a challenge to three proposed constitutional amendments on the November ballot — including a measure that seeks to ban offshore oil drilling and vaping in workplaces. Justices overturned a ruling by Leon County Circuit Judge Karen Gievers that […]
More Oversight Planned At UCF After Improper Spending
Tallahassee, FL – After the University of Central Florida improperly paid for building projects, the university system’s Board of Governors is moving forward with a plan that will require more oversight of so-called “carry-forward” funds that universities, unlike most state agencies, are allowed to accumulate. Syd Kitson, chairman of the board’s Budget and Finance Committee, […]
University Performance Funding Set For Changes
Tallahassee, FL – Florida university leaders want to revise the system’s performance-funding model, looking to eliminate a dreaded “bottom three” that annually denies state money to the lowest-performing schools. In this academic year, Florida A&M University, the University of North Florida and New College of Florida missed out on shares of $265 million in state performance […]
