Potential 'bomb cyclone' threatens holiday travel plans in and out of Florida
A dangerous blizzard moving across the U.S. could become a "bomb cyclone" with damaging winds that is also spreading toward the East Coast and creating a travel nightmare for millions ahead of the Christmas holiday weekend. The winter storm is expected to spawn a widespread flash freeze in the Plains, Midwest and East as heavy rain is followed by temperatures rapidly falling below freezing all the way to Florida and along the Gulf Coast. Forecasters are calling it a once-in-a-generation storm and it has already delayed a few flights coming into Orlando, Florida. [Source: WOFL]
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» Arctic blast to bring iguana-freezing temps to South Florida — just in time for Christmas
Florida researchers test ‘holy grail’ tech that could end chemo for some cancer patients
People with colorectal cancer, the fourth most common cancer in the U.S., are often prescribed unnecessary chemotherapy after their cancer is completely gone. The hope is that some patients can be spared after clinical trials of high-technology treatments end and are evaluated in a few years. For decades, doctors have removed people’s colorectal tumors and decided whether their patients needed subsequent chemotherapy by considering several risk factors. This method was imprecise and sometimes people who didn’t need chemotherapy got it anyway. [Source: Orlando Sentinel]
Florida airports expected to set records during holidays
The holiday travel season this year is expected to rival the busiest seasons before the pandemic at Florida's two most bustling airports, which will see millions of travelers passing through them, officials said. Orlando International Airport, the state's busiest airport and the seventh busiest airport in the U.S. last year, is expected to host 2.9 million passengers during a period that started in mid-December and extends through the first few days of the new year. Miami International Airport is expected to host 2.5 million passengers for a holiday travel period that lasts from Dec. 21 through Jan. 6, which is Three Kings' Day, the final Christmas celebration observed by many Christians in Latin America and Spain. [Source: NBC Miami]
Hurricane Ian flood insurance payments reach $1.46 billion
The National Flood Insurance Program has paid more than $1.46 billion to policyholders who sustained damage in Hurricane Ian, as the total continues to steadily climb, the Federal Emergency Management Agency said Monday. The total was up from about $1.2 billion a week earlier and from $882 million on Dec. 1. The program has received about 45,300 claims from the Category 4 hurricane, which made landfall Sept. 28 in Southwest Florida and crossed the state. [Source: News Service of Florida]
Four Florida cities listed among the fastest-growing ‘Boomtowns’ in America
Four Florida cities were listed among the fastest-growing municipalities in the United States in a report by SmartAsset. The financial information website conducted a study that examined 494 of the largest cities in the U.S. for their population growth, income, housing, and other categories. Their study found that the West and the South made up most of the top 50 fastest-growing cities, with Nampa, Idaho being their number one “boomtown.” [Source: WKRG]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› Watch out Santa: Gift-giving drones take to Tampa skies
Just in time for the last-minute holiday shopping rush, Walmart has launched its DroneUp network — a drone delivery service — at four stores in the Tampa Bay region. According to a news release, delivery via done is available only to customers who live within a mile of the participating stores in Brandon, New Port Richey, Tampa and Valrico. For a delivery fee of $3.99, drones can deliver items weighing up to 10 pounds in 30 minutes or less.
› Ex-SeaWorld Orlando president to lead Visit Orlando board
Former SeaWorld Orlando President Terry Prather has been appointed to chair Visit Orlando’s board of directors, the public-private marketing group announced this week. Prather will chair the board through 2024. He is the chief operating officer at Lift Orlando, a nonprofit working to revitalize the neighborhoods around Camping World Stadium, and led SeaWorld Orlando from 2010 to 2015.
› Largest U.S. law firm opening Miami office at 830 Brickell, city’s priciest office tower
The nation’s biggest law firm by revenue has signed a landmark office lease at the highly coveted 830 Brickell tower, another sign Miami’s commercial real estate market continues to heat up as the professional-services sector follows technology and finance firms to South Florida. Kirkland & Ellis confirmed Monday it agreed to occupy 115,000 square feet over six of the building’s 55 floors, giving the law firm with large offices in New York and Chicago the biggest presence in Miami’s premier office tower that commands rents up to $150 a square foot.
› Sarasota-Manatee's most notable retail newcomers of 2022
There's no question that Florida has been a longtime hot spot for growth, but it's not just new residents who are flocking to the Sunshine State. Sarasota in particular has become a must-enter market for some of the biggest names in retail. This year, Sarasota-Bradenton saw lots of new players in the shopping and entertainment scene, including fast-food restaurants, high-end family fun spots and some big names in home decor.
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› Spring training returns (temporarily) to St. Pete with the Rays
There won’t be any palm trees or pelicans. And certainly no view of sailboats over the leftfield wall. But 15 years after their final exhibition game at picturesque Al Lang Field, the Rays will have spring training games at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg in 2023. The team’s spring home in Port Charlotte was heavily damaged by Hurricane Ian in late September, so team and Charlotte County officials made the decision several weeks ago to temporarily relocate while cleanup and repairs were made at the stadium and surrounding facilities.
› UF Health to open new neighborhood hospital in Ocala
University of Florida Health is bringing its warm patient care and nationally recognized medical expertise to Ocala with a new neighborhood hospital.The 150,000-square-foot hospital will include 10 emergency department rooms, 10 inpatient rooms, a medical imaging center, four surgical operating rooms and other features.
› Fort Lauderdale’s Huizenga Park on tap for a big makeover. Here’s your first look.
Even parks get old. Lose their vibe. Need an update. And that’s precisely why Huizenga Plaza, the riverfront oasis in the heart of bustling downtown Fort Lauderdale, is about to get an extreme makeover that will cost $15 million, not including a new restaurant that will be built by an as-yet-unnamed developer.
› Jacksonville animal sanctuary to close, citing financial pressures
After a long financial struggle, Celestial Farms, a 12-year-old farm animal sanctuary and educational center on Jacksonville's Northside, will close at year's end. The property will be sold and the 200 or so horses, cows, pigs, chickens, ducks, sheep and other animals in residence will be up for adoption by the public or relocated to other animal rescues and farms, according to statements on the nonprofit's website and Facebook page.