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Wednesday's Daily Pulse
What you need to know about Florida today
Tropical Storm Dorian gathering strength, could hit Florida as Category 2 hurricane
Tropical Storm Dorian is gathering strength and could make landfall as a Category 2 hurricane on Florida’s east coast Sunday or Monday, according to the National Hurricane Center. The latest advisory moves the projected path farther to the north. However, a great deal of uncertainty remains in the intensity forecast due to differences in the models. More from the Tampa Bay Times, the South Florida Sun-Sentinel, and the Orlando Sentinel.
See also:
» Almost two years after Hurricane Maria, Puerto Rico may face crucial test from Dorian
Thousands of Florida drivers charged monthly for toll roads they never used
A Florida Department of Transportation y spokesperson said the state tolling system has a 99.5 percent success rate. But with millions of cars using toll roads, that adds up to about 96,000 mistakes every month. The state highway department said using a SunPass transponder reduces errors and can save drivers up to 25 percent on tolls. Drivers who think they may have been billed in error can contact SunPass directly through www.sunpass.com. [Source: WFTS]
Florida farmers work together to change the narrative about climate change and agriculture
Through the Florida Climate-Smart Agriculture Working Group, Lynetta Griner is opening a discussion and developing a solution with fellow farmers across the state of Florida about a previously avoided topic — climate change. “We don’t talk about who’s causing anything,” Griner, a timber and cattle producer, said. “We just talk about how to respond, how to adapt so we can remain a viable operation. Agriculture is so important to the state of Florida.” [Source: Panama City News-Herald]
Slow summer tourism in Sarasota could be a ‘red tide hangover’
Summer season in Sarasota County is experiencing what the head of the local tourism bureau calls a “red tide hangover.” Hotel occupancy fell by 7.1% in June, down to 63% from 70.1% in June of last year. May occupancy was basically flat at 64.5%, following several months of steady occupancy and average room rate prices during the winter tourism season. The average room rate for June was $157.19, 3.8% less than June of 2018. In May, the average room rate fell by 3.7% to $165.74. [Source: Sarasota Herald-Tribune]
It’s your last chance to buy or change your hurricane insurance
South Florida is in Tropical Storm Dorian’s forecast cone, but it’s still not too late to buy or change your homeowners insurance. Better hurry though. Most homeowners insurance, including wind protection coverage also known as hurricane insurance, can be purchased until the National Hurricane Center issues an official watch or warning for a targeted county, according to Mark Friedlander, Florida communications consultant for the industry-funded Insurance Information Institute. [Source: South Florida Sun-Sentinel]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› Fundraising for Jacksonville’s Emerald Trail nears $1 million
An “emerald necklace” of trails has been talked about for so many years in Jacksonville that it’s taken on a fairy-tale sheen in the annals of urban planning. On Monday, Groundwork Jacksonville announced several hundred thousand dollars in private donations that will help get the long-discussed plan into ground-breaking mode.
› Longwood’s greyhound track sells; future development could remake city
Longwood’s Sanford Orlando Kennel Club — one of the last greyhound racing tracks in the state — is under contract for sale to an Atlanta-based developer, potentially opening more than 32 acres to housing, retail or office space in a way that could change the complexion of the city.
› Is green the new black? Sustainable fashion has begun to take root in Miami
Walk any mall and stores scream out to you: Buy me, I’m pretty, I’m cheap, buy more, of course you need that ninth pair of sneakers. A Miami fashion entrepreneur believes consumers are ready for something different. Next month, a large store selling only sustainable fashion and beauty brands is set to open in Little Haiti.
› Someone needs to watch Florida’s dwindling scallop population. Enter the ‘scallop sitters’
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission estimated that only two scallops lived in every 200 square meters of Hernando County waters this year, down from 3.5 last year. In Citrus County, the drop was even more severe, from 21.1 scallops per 200 square meters last year to 4.3 this year. The Pasco County count this year was 6.4 per 200 square meters, a slight bump from last year’s 6.1.
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