Facing shortfall, fiscal hawk DeSantis reaches for a federal largesse
When Ron DeSantis was in Congress he abhorred federal spending so much he voted against an aid package to help the New York City region rebound from Hurricane Sandy. Now, as he faces a $2 billion COVID-19 shortfall as governor, he’s taking as much federal spending he can get. DeSantis said the unprecedented nature of the pandemic led to his change of heart on federal spending. More from the Orlando Sentinel and the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.
Florida lawmakers working on pandemic legal protections for health care workers
Florida lawmakers are trying to drum up support for liability protections for health care workers and long-term care facility staff who have been on the front lines fighting the pandemic. From PPE shortages, crowded COVID-19 wards and lockdowns at long-term care facilities, health care workers have faced numerous challenges over the past year. “They ran toward this crisis. They led, they cared for with dedication, with commitment,” said Mary Mayhew, President of the Florida Hospital Association. [Source: WJXT]
Florida launches campaign to reduce hit-and-run crashes
Even as the total number of hit-and-run crashes in Florida fell last year, the number of deaths resulting from those crashes rose by over 18 percent, according to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. As part of an effort to reduce the number of hit-and-run crashes and help close open cases, the state agency has launched a “Stay at the Scene” campaign for February, which is Hit-and-Run Awareness Month. The goal of the campaign is to educate drivers on what to do if they’re involved in a crash, the penalties for not staying at the scene and how to report tips to police. [Source: WJXT]
Gov. Ron DeSantis says drive-thru vaccinations are coming Florida as early as this week
Governor Ron Desantis hosted a press conference at The Villages Monday afternoon. He provided an update on the amount of vaccine doses coming to the state, including a new plan to start drive-thru vacciation sites. He said the state regularly receives 266,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccines and beginning Thursday, a drive-thru vaccination site at The Villages will become permanent. It’s expected to receive 400,000 doses. [Source: Orlando Sentinel]
Shuttered Florida entertainment venues may soon see relief
It took a months-long campaign for entertainment venue operators to get a promise of targeted federal relief during the coronavirus pandemic. Getting the money itself has taken even longer. But the U.S. Small Business Administration is close to finalizing details on how venues, movie theaters, concert promoters and others in the entertainment industry can collect their share of $15 billion in aid. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› Husband and wife both earn Venice employee of the year honors
Ron and Kelli Peyton, who met as high school sweethearts, became the first husband-and-wife pair to win city of Venice employee of the year awards. Ron won for 2017 in January 2018 and Kelly won for 2020 in January 2021. The nine-year-old program was started by Venice City Manager Ed Lavallee, who joked that the Peytons set a fairly high bar for other husband-and-wife teams to strive to reach.
› Tampa Bay makes the best of Super Bowl week amid economy that’s less than super
There have been four previous Super Bowls in Tampa, some amid war and economic distress, but none have faced the challenges this year’s event encounters because of the coronavirus pandemic and its fallout. Tickets for Sunday’s game are limited to about a third of the capacity of Raymond James Stadium. There will be no tailgating. While the usual fan festival and other side attractions are happening, masks and social distancing are required. Most player appearances will be remote.
› Universal: Blue Man Group won’t reopen in Orlando
Blue Man Group’s production at Universal Orlando has closed for good, the resort has confirmed. The show, featuring smooth-headed, silent, blue-painted men, had been dark since the resort closed in March for the coronavirus pandemic. “Blue Man Group will not be returning to Universal Orlando as we move to adjust our entertainment for the future,” said a statement from Universal Orlando.
› Stars love ‘em. So do housewives. For this Miami workshop, Cuban links are gold
Bad Bunny wears them. So do Daddy Yankee and Jay Z. Al Pacino had one slung around his neck in Scarface. Those thick, heavy gold (10 or 14 karat) chains have become the accessory of choice for many urban celebrities — not to mention regulars at cafecito windows through Hialeah. Miami Cuban links, as they are often called, can cost thousands of dollars, making them as much a symbol of status as luxury cars and fast yachts. While many local tiendas sell them, few make them on site.
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› Jan McArt, theater legend in South Florida, dies
Jan McArt, a community theater legend in South Florida who drew many accomplishments in the worlds of opera, Broadway, community theater and television, died Sunday, according to a colleague at the university where she worked. The Boca Raton woman’s impact on the local theater scene was considered prolific.
› More out-of-town financial execs spend millions on Miami Beach houses
Two more financial executives bought houses in Miami last week, proving that the inbound migration of investors is far from over. Byron Roth, chairperson and CEO of the California-based investment banking company Roth Capital Partners, and Jason Wright, partner at the New York-headquartered Apax Partners, bought houses in Miami Beach.
› New owners transform downtown Melbourne cafe into Nomad Market Eatery
When Francesco and Krystyna Savoia bought Nomad Cafe in downtown Melbourne in August 2019, Space Coast restaurants were thriving. The eclectic eatery, opened in 2012 by Megan and Otillio Gonzalez, had earned a reputation for fresh, farm-to-table food, and the Savoias were eager to continue that legacy while adding their own Italian flair to the food and atmosphere.
› Northeast Florida building permits surge 21.4%
There were 12,555 single-family residential building permits issued in Duval, Clay, Nassau and St. Johns counties last year, up 21.4% from 2019, according to data from the Northeast Florida Builders Association. NEFBA President Keith Ward of Thomas May Construction said despite the pandemic, builders were as busy as ever in 2020.