Wednesday's Afternoon Update

What you need to know about Florida today

| 6/6/2018

Michelle R. Suskauer

John M. Stewart

Florida Bar announces leadership changes

West Palm Beach attorney Michelle R. Suskauer will be sworn in as the 70th president of The Florida Bar when the Bar holds its Annual Convention in Orlando. Vero Beach attorney John M. Stewart will be sworn in as president-elect. Suskauer is the sixth woman to serve as Bar president and is the first former public defender to hold the office. More in the news release from the Florida Bar.

Sharp drop expected for Florida avocado volumes

Florida is feeling the effects of Hurricane Irma on this year’s avocado season, with expectations that the early crop could be at just a third of the normal level. Brooks Tropicals marketing director Mary Ostlund told Fresh Fruit Portal the storm that hit the state in September “did a number” on south Florida groves, stressing the trees. More from Fresh Fruit Portal.

One year later, Clearwater’s downtown incentive program brings no deals

The Anchor Tenant Incentive Program unveiled in June 2017 offered $250,000 loans for start-up costs and building renovations that would not have to be paid back if the business stayed operating for at least five years. But one year after the program launched, not one penny of incentive funding has been awarded. More from the Tampa Bay Times.

Orlando's Earl Enterprises buys Italian-style chain Bertucci's

The Orlando-based owner of Planet Hollywood restaurants and Buca Di Beppo has purchased the bankrupt Bertucci’s chain, a string of Italian restaurants in the Northeast. Earl Enterprises founder Robert Earl said Tuesday that he was acquiring the chain for an undisclosed amount, including 58 restaurants in 11 states. More from the Orlando Sentinel.

Brazilian tourism recovering in Miami

It’s still a bit to early to determine Brazilian tourism numbers and spending in Miami so far this year, according to Rolando Aedo, chief operating officer at the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau. But “the unofficial numbers,” he said, “look very encouraging.” More from Miami Today.

County Snapshot
Hamilton County: A fertile address for agribusiness and more

Hamilton County is “Florida’s Front Porch” for start-ups, retailers, manufacturers, industry and increasingly agribusiness. Ample open acreage and shovel-ready land, logistical services, key infrastructure, a skilled workforce and Southern hospitality, all make Hamilton County the perfect patch to plant your roots and grow your business. [Sponsored report]

» Read the full story here.

Out of the Box
Mind-controlled robotic arm

Johnny Matheny of Port Richey, uses a Modular Prosthetic Limb, a new kind of neuroprosthetic, which he has been testing since 2017 at his home. Matheny has been using the technology to learn to play the piano, one of many skills he said he is working on since acquiring the prosthesis, which can restore a patient's ability to manipulate objects through a system that communicates thoughts of movement between the brain and the prosthesis using residual nerves at the amputation site.