Earlier this week, 39-year-old Heidi Kalous of Dunedin, FL pleaded guilty to conspiring and distributing a substance that contained a mixture of heroin, fentanyl, and acetyl fentanyl, causing the death of an individual. She faces a maximum penalty of life in federal prison. A sentencing date has not yet beenContinue Reading
In a follow-up on the 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) situation in Florida, state health officials report two individuals have died. According to the Florida Department of Health, the deceased individuals include a previously announced COVID-19 patient in Santa Rosa County and a new individual in their seventies that tested presumptiveContinue Reading
Since the emergence of COVID-19 in Florida, Governor Ron DeSantis has remained in constant communication with State Surgeon General Dr. Scott Rivkees, public health officials at the local, state and federal levels and executive agency leaders. On March 1, Governor DeSantis issued Executive Order 20-51 which directed Surgeon General Rivkees to declareContinue Reading
Coronavirus Yesterday, a $8.3 billion Coronavirus funding package was passed in the House of Representatives at a vote of 415-2. U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (FL14) made the following statement concerning the passage of H.R. 6074: “Today I supported a strong, strategic funding package for the Centers for Disease Control (CDC)Continue Reading
Tampa‘s real estate market is one of the best in the country for investors, according to a new study. Looking at major metropolitan areas, IPX1031 recently found that property investors stand to make a pretty penny in Tampa. The study analyzed five key metrics in big cities nationwide with populations over 300,000.Continue Reading
House Republican Whip Steve Scalise today announced he is supporting Amanda Makki in the race for Florida’s 13th Congressional District. “I am endorsing Amanda Makki because I know she will be a strong leader and true voice for the people of Florida’s 13th Congressional District,” said Whip Scalise. “Amanda’s grit andContinue Reading
More than fifty student activists organized by anti-abortion group Created Equal will be displaying large, graphic abortion photos and prenatal images at University of South Florida on March 4-5th, 2020. This will be just one of the stops throughout Florida on Created Equal’s Justice Ride — a week-long event drawingContinue Reading
OneBlood, the not-for-profit blood center serving Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia and Alabama says the coronavirus does not pose any known risk to blood donors in the United States during the donation process or from attending blood drives. OneBlood urges all eligible donors to keep their commitments to donateContinue Reading
29-year-old Tampa man, Andron McKinney, has been sentenced to seven years and eight months in federal prison for possessing a firearm and ammunition as a convicted felon. McKinney had pleaded guilty on November 29, 2019. According to court documents, subsequent to a traffic stop, law enforcement officers searched the carContinue Reading
A Health Advisory has been issued for Davis Island beach due to high bacteria levels. This should be considered a potential risk to the bathing public and swimming is not recommended. Samples taken Wednesday were above threshold for enterococci bacteria. The beach will be re-sampled, Wednesday, March 4, 2020. WhenContinue Reading
The Florida Department of Health has reported the first presumptive positive coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases in the state in Hillsborough County and Manatee County. The Hillsborough County case is an adult resident with a history of travel to Italy. This person is isolated and will continue to remain isolated untilContinue Reading
Thanks to the generosity of 262 organ donors and their families, LifeLink of Florida provided a record number of organs for transplant, with 756 organs transplanted during 2019. This marks the most organ donors facilitated by LifeLink of Florida during a year with nearly a 7% increase over last year. This increasedContinue Reading
Tampa Mayor Jane Castor along with Hillsborough County Commissioner Les Miller addressed public concerns about COVID-19 (coronavirus) during a press conference recently. She stressed that there are no known cases of the illness in the State of Florida but that the City of Tampa will work with its public healthContinue Reading
Sheriff Chad Chronister is pleased to announce that, once again, crime rates are down in Hillsborough County, despite the population increasing. As the population rose in Hillsborough County from 964,883 to 985,681 between 2018 to 2019, there were 1,260 fewer crimes in 2019. “In the last 13 years, I’m veryContinue Reading
Last week, State Surgeon General Dr. Scott Rivkees provided members of the Senate Health Policy Committee with an update on the latest available information regarding COVID-19 along with an overview of the extensive preparedness efforts currently being led by the Florida Department of Health’s (Department) fully-integrated public health system. InContinue Reading
Public computers are available for St. Pete residents to complete the 2020 Census at the following City of St. Petersburg sites: St. Petersburg Main Library (3745 9th Ave. N.) James W. Johnson Library (1059 18th Ave. S.) North Community Library (861 70th Ave. N.) South Community Library (2300 Roy Hanna Dr. S.) Mirror LakeContinue Reading
Florida gas prices jumped an average of 10 cents per gallon last week. Florida drivers went from paying an average price of $2.33 per gallon on Monday, to $2.42/g Wednesday. Although that was the highest daily average in two weeks, prices at the pump remain well below the highest price soContinue Reading
Liberty Counsel has filed a brief in the Court of Appeals responding to the city of Tampa’s counseling ban ordinance that a federal judge struck down. The lower court invalidated Tampa’s ordinance that prohibited licensed counselors from providing voluntary talk therapy to minors seeking help to reduce or eliminate theirContinue Reading
23-year-old Palm Harbor man, Cody Robert Schoh was sentenced to 7 years and 11 months in federal prison for receiving and possessing child pornography. According to court documents, the FBI began an investigation after receiving a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children that someone at Schoh’sContinue Reading
Amanda Makki received yet another major honor this week, being named as a Young Gun Contender by NRCC and House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy. This further sets her apart as the clear Republican frontrunner and the only candidate capable of unseating Charlie Crist in November. Makki was previously listed toContinue Reading
Today, Governor Ron DeSantis announced the unveiling of the “Salute Our Soldiers” Military Loan Program (SOS) that will be offered to veterans and active duty military personnel throughout the state. The announcement was made following a roundtable to discuss ongoing issues and initiatives that involve Florida’s military and veteran population.Continue Reading
