Pace of Florida manatee deaths slows after record year

As bad as this year’s manatee deaths seem, for the moment, at least, last year was way worse. At least 261 manatees have died so far this year in Florida, through Feb. 11. Of those, 65 sea cows (about 25% of the total) have been in Brevard, according to the most recent statistics available from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Last year, 38 more manatees died in Brevard during the same period, about 13% fewer. Meanwhile, manatees have been starving in the Indian River Lagoon, as a result of decades of seagrass loss. [Source: WKMG]

Florida Trend Exclusive

Seas the Day: Miami's boat show is a glimpse into the future of the industry

The boating industry looks for another strong year in Florida and beyond, judging from interviews with manufacturers, vendors and startups at this week’s DiscoverBoating Miami International Boat Show. Demand has been so high that sales reps for South African catamaran maker Leopard, which has a U.S. office in Dania Beach in Broward, were telling shoppers the earliest they could get a boat would be 2024. [Source: Florida Trend]

As Dollywood workers get free tuition, Orlando theme parks largely lag in offering same benefit

In Orlando, the nation’s top theme park destination, Disney is the only company to provide comprehensive education benefits to employees upfront. Universal Orlando and SeaWorld offer tuition reimbursement, but details on their programs are scarce, and company spokespeople declined to provide further details. Hospitality workers are looking for better wages and benefits in an industry trying to rebuild its staffing numbers from the pandemic, and education programs are one way the companies are trying to attract applicants. [Source: Orlando Sentinel]

Can drones locate invasive Burmese pythons in Everglades?

In a state whose economy is largely dependent on embracing visitors and newcomers, at least one population has thrived despite being most unwelcome — Burmese pythons. Despite their size — the average one in Florida is around 10 feet long — the snakes are notoriously stealthy. They live in and around the Everglades, staying underwater and slithering up trees when they're not on the prowl for prey, such as raccoons, rats, rabbits, even alligators. [Source: Daytona Beach news Journal]

A flurry of new hospitals are on the way. Here’s an inside look at the building boom.

Hospital wars are heating up across the state — with private and public health systems building in new markets and expanding their existing properties. The flurry of activity is taking big-name health systems into neighborhoods that previously seemed off limits and giving way to the biggest construction and expansion undertakings in decades. Across the state, Floridians can expect health care closer to their homes than ever before: more free-standing emergency departments and smaller community hospitals. [Source: South Florida Sun-Sentinel]

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› Engineering company’s insurers settle with Surfside collapse victims [South Florida Sun-Sentinel]
The engineering company hired to do a safety check on the Surfside condo that later collapsed is settling lawsuits by the survivors and family members of victims. Morabito Consultants, whose inspection of the Champlain Towers South Condominium board in 2018 included warning of a “major error” in the building’s construction that left it open to water damage, announced Wednesday that its insurance companies would be compensating the families. The engineering company denied that it was in any way at fault, and said it had performed up to proper standards.

› Naples real estate giant acquires brokerage and rental business in Pinellas [Business Observer]
Premier Sotheby’s International Realty, based in Naples, is expanding in the Tampa region, with the acquisition of Sun Vista Realty and Sun Vista Rental, which have been operating along the beaches of Pinellas County for 40 years. Financial terms of the acquisition weren’t disclosed. The two owners, David Grieco and Michael Lynch, will remain active in the business as top sales professionals, according to a statement.

› At least $49 million needed to fill gaps in Orange’s ‘broken’ mental health system, review finds [Orlando Sentinel]
To address the gaps in Orange County’s “broken” mental and behavioral health system will take at least $49.7 million, better insurance coverage, training for emergency responders, more mobile crisis units, an increase in providers and housing for people who are mentally ill and homeless, according to a report released to Orange County Commissioners Tuesday.

› Miami-Dade plans massive redevelopment in downtown Miami [Miami Today]
County authorities are working to redevelop over 20 acres of the downtown Government Center to include a transit terminal, affordable housing, and community cultural facilities and schools. Procurement for the first phase is expected during or after summer, but many details are still being discussed as the project encompasses many county departments.

Go to page 2 for more stories ...

› Florida Senate scales back mail-in voting rules of elections bill [News Service of Florida]
Senate Republicans are revamping a controversial elections bill, including scaling back proposed changes to mail-in voting. Sponsor Travis Hutson, R-St. Augustine, filed a lengthy amendment Tuesday, as the Senate Appropriations Committee prepares to take up the bill (SB 524) on Thursday. The bill has drawn heavy attention and came after lawmakers last year made changes to the vote-by-mail process that have been challenged in federal court.

› Polk Museum of Art announces $6 million expansion [Tampa Bay Times]
The Polk Museum of Art at Florida Southern College announced it will undergo a $6 million dollar expansion. It will add 10,000 square feet of multipurpose space to the Lakeland museum. The two-story addition will add gallery, classroom and art laboratory space to the current 38,000-square-foot building.

› 3-tower Brickell residential blockbuster wins quick OK [Miami Today]
An entire city block in Brickell that’s remained vacant more than a decade is targeted for a large three-tower mixed-use development. With a current project name of 1420 S Miami Avenue, the owner-developers are promising more than 2.7 million square feet of floor area and 1,255 residential units, a mix of condos and rental apartments.

› More local flavor coming to Jacksonville International Airport's restaurant options [Florida Times-Union]
Travelers and visitors passing through Jacksonville International Airport may have noticed in recent months a handful of shuttered restaurants, especially outside the secured concourses at the Northside airport. There, full-service restaurant Sam Snead’s Tavern and food court mainstays Burger King and Great American Bagel are all closed, leaving Starbucks as the sole pre-security restaurant option to visitors.