South Florida may move to Phase 2 soon, governor says
South Florida is on the verge of moving to Phase 2 of reopening from COVID-19 restrictions, allowing more flexibility for restaurants, stores and attractions, Gov. Ron DeSantis said Wednesday. Citing “significant downward trends” in coronavirus cases, the governor said he is discussing the move with all three counties — Broward, Palm Beach and Miami-Dade. According to guidelines from the state, a Phase 2 reopening allows certain businesses and retail establishments to operate at reduced capacities. [Source: South Florida Sun-Sentinel]
See also:
» PBC mayor raises idea of more business reopenings
More than 10,000 have died from COVID-19 in Florida
More than 10,000 people have now died from COVID-19 in Florida, according to the latest state data released Wednesday. Florida, which has tallied over 5,000 deaths just since July 18, became the fifth U.S. state to reach the grim milestone of at least 10,000 deaths. It’s New York, New Jersey, California, Texas and now Florida. [Source: South Florida Sun-Sentinel]
Florida Trend Exclusive
Steven Yerrid is a Florida Icon
The Tampa trial lawyer tells us: "The lawyers on the other side may feel bad if they lose a $100-million case, but if I lose a case and I look at a widow with four children and know they’re going out of that courtroom probably never having another case, probably being on their own with absolutely no help but my legal representation, it consumes the life force out of me." [Source: Florida Trend]
Business shows cement Canada-Florida trade ties
Canada is one of Florida’s top trading partners, and the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement that took effect July 1 will continue to bring that relationship into the 21st century, said Susan Harper, Canada’s consul general in Miami. Multiple trade shows and events were planned to bolster that partnership this year, she continued, and many of these events will be moved online due to Covid. [Source: Miami Today]
Meteorologists eyeing 3 — yes, 3 — tropical systems in the Atlantic
The National Hurricane Center is monitoring three systems in the Atlantic that all have a chance of forming into tropical depressions or storms this week. Yes, three systems. But so far Florida is in the path of just one of the storms — Invest 98L, also called “Disturbance 2″ by meteorologists — is churning in the Atlantic. More from the Tampa Bay Times and Miami Herald.
See also:
» Tropical Depression 13 is first of 3 Atlantic systems to strengthen. Florida is in its path.
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› In Fort Lauderdale, new restaurant-bars to rise from two historic churches
A pair of Fort Lauderdale churches with histories stretching back nearly 100 years are being transformed into new places to congregate over bread and wine, finding second lives as restaurant-bars in two downtown neighborhoods bustling with youthful activity.
› New Smyrna Beach lagoon offers social-distancing-friendly alternative to Florida theme parks
In New Smyrna Beach, you can get an up-close-and-personal look at species like manatees and dolphins that you’re more likely to see on postcards elsewhere in the state. But that kind of access comes with downsides.
› Socially distanced concerts at Al Lang Stadium? It could happen
There’s no firm timetable on when live music will return to the Mahaffey Theater in St. Petersburg. In the meantime, though, Bill Edwards wants to stage a show next door. The head of Big 3 Entertainment, which operates the city-owned theater, said he’s floated the idea of throwing socially distanced concerts at Al Lang Stadium, similar to those that have taken place in other cities around the world during the coronavirus pandemic.
› To combat disease-spreading mosquitoes in the Keys, leaders vote to unleash lab bugs
Florida Keys officials have voted to allow the experimental release of millions of genetically modified mosquitoes into a yet-to-be-decided area of the island chain. The trial’s aim is to significantly reduce or eliminate the local population of Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, which are known to spread deadly diseases like Zika, chikungunya and Dengue fever.
Go to page 2 for more stories ...
› More movie theaters in South Florida plan on reopening Friday
If you’re missing the communal experience of seeing a summer blockbuster movie in an actual cineplex, then you might just get your wish. Well, at least in Broward County. It’s there that movie theaters are allowed to reopen, as long as they get a plan approved by the county that shows how they intend to follow coronavirus mandates.
› Sarasota airport passenger traffic increases 18% in July
Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport passenger traffic has increased 18% from 52,845 passengers in June to 62,405 passengers in July. Despite the increase, traffic at SRQ is down 57.6% compared to July 2019, according to a press release. Year-to-date figures show airport passenger traffic is down 32% with 776,430 passengers using the airport so far this year.
› Jacksonville issues permit for Darifair Innovation and Technical Center
The city issued a permit Aug. 18 for Darifair Foods LLC to put down the foundation for its Southside Innovation and Technical Center in Flagler Center. The foundation permit shows a job cost of $15 million. Stellar Group Inc. is the contractor. Darifair is a Jacksonville-based food-science company based in Mandarin at 4131 Sunbeam Road. It now occupies a 13,500-square-foot office building.
› Another co-working company is coming, this time to a sleepy slice of Wynwood
Yet another new co-working company is expanding to Miami, the city with the largest concentration of flexible space in the country. Its new home? A dicey slice of Wynwood. Spring Place, a co-working company with locations in Beverly Hills and Manhattan’s SoHo, is moving into the vacant 34,214-square-foot two-story building at 2143 NW First Ave.