Florida

May 8, 2008 -- TALLAHASSEE, FL – Florida Attorney General Bill McCollum today announced that a Central Florida woman has been sentenced to 18 years in prison to be followed by 10 years of probation for participating in criminal mortgage fraud schemes.

Patricia C. Grant and her daughter, Geisha Morris, were previously found guilty by an Orange County jury for their role in a mortgage fraud ring that operated throughout Central and South Florida. The case was prosecuted by the Attorney General’s Office of Statewide Prosecution.    » read more »

May 7, 2008 -- “FPL’s proposal to modernize its power plants would reduce carbon dioxide emissions by millions of tons and help address the serious challenge of global climate change. This move continues FPL’s strong leadership role on the environment.

“FPL already has the lowest emissions profile of any utility in the state, and one of the lowest nationwide. Their leading position in wind and solar power is well known. I look forward to the state of Florida continuing its partnership with FPL to secure an even better environmental future for our children.”

Source: Florida Governor

April 30, 2008 -- The Department of Defense announced today the death of three soldiers who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.

They died April 28 in Baghdad, Iraq, of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked their forward operating base with indirect fire.

Killed were:

Pfc. Adam L. Marion, 26, of Mount Airy, North Carolina. He was assigned to the 171st Engineer Company, North Carolina Army National Guard, Saint Pauls, N.C.

Sgt. Marcus C. Mathes, 26, of Zephyrhills, Florida. He was assigned to the 94th Brigade Support Battalion, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry), located at Fort Polk, La.    » read more »

Investing in Florida’s green technology to be focus

April 29, 2008 -- TALLAHASSEE – Florida Governor Charlie Crist today announced the 2008 Serve to Preserve Florida Summit on Global Climate Change. The conference will be held June 25-26, 2008, at the Intercontinental Miami. Building on the foundation for Florida’s energy future began at last year’s summit, the 2008 summit will focus on stimulating economic development in clean technologies as well as “greening” Florida’s business community.

Florida everglades: Photo by Craig ONeal (CC)    » read more »

April 27, 2008 -- Chicago, IL - Barack Obama campaign spokesman, Hari Sevugan, released the following statement in response to Senator McCain's comments made earlier today in Florida:

"By sinking to a level that he specifically said he'd avoid, John McCain has broken his word to the American people and rendered hollow his promise of a respectful campaign. With each passing day, John McCain acts more and more like someone who's spent twenty-six years learning the divisive, distracting tactics of Washington. That's not the change that the American people are looking for."

MCCAIN SAID THAT HE KNOWS OBAMA DOES NOT AGREE WITH WRIGHT...    » read more »

INVEST program targets high-risk victims in five counties

April 17, 2008 -- TALLAHASSEE, FL – Florida Attorney General Bill McCollum today formally announced the expansion of a successful pilot program to address rising numbers of fatal domestic violence cases in Florida. The INVEST program, which stands for Intimate Violence Enhanced Services Team, provides intensive prevention and protection services to domestic abuse victims identified as at high risk for fatal attacks in Alachua, Duval, Orange, St. Lucie and Seminole Counties. These five counties had the highest rates of domestic violence fatalities in the state in 2006.    » read more »

April 17, 2008 -- TALLAHASSEE – Florida Lt. Governor Jeff Kottkamp today announced the steady decline in youth drug use since 2000, as he rolled out the results of the 2007 Florida Youth Substance Abuse Survey. The Florida Office of Drug Control Policy, state agencies, law enforcement and substance abuse prevention coalitions have partnered to reduce substance abuse across the state.

“Florida’s children are a treasure, one that we must protect,” said Lt. Governor Kottkamp. “Drug use threatens the safety and security of our children. The survey is vital to understanding how to prevent drug use.”

According to the survey, Florida’s youth drug use is down in 20 out of 21 areas measured. Among the findings:    » read more »

April 15, 2008 -- The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Spc. Arturo Huerta-Cruz, 23, of Clearwater, Florida, died April 14 in Tuz, Iraq, of wounds sustained when his vehicle encountered an improvised explosive device.

He was assigned to the 10th Brigade Support Battalion, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry), Fort Drum, N.Y.

Source: DOD

April 15, 2008 -- TALLAHASSEE – Florida Governor Charlie Crist today announced Florida’s participation in the American Diploma Project Network, a nationwide movement designed to improve preparation of high school students for the 21st century workforce. The Governor’s announcement came after discussing the benefits of participation with Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty.

“Florida has a proven record of improving student performance across all grade levels,” Governor Crist said.“By working collaboratively with other states, we can maximize our efforts on behalf of our students.”    » read more »

April 10, 2008 -- FORT MYERS – Florida Governor Charlie Crist today visited Lee Memorial Hospital in Fort Myers to discuss proposed legislation that will provide affordable health insurance for Florida’s uninsured. Senate Bill 2534, sponsored by Senator Durell Peaden of Crestview, would allow state government to negotiate with health insurers to develop affordable coverage for Florida’s 3.8 million uninsured individuals. Private health insurers have indicated that benefits packages would cost about $150 or less per month.    » read more »

April 10, 2008 -- The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Spc. Jeremiah C. Hughes, 26, of Jacksonville, Florida, died April 9 in Balad Iraq, of injuries sustained in a non-combat related incident in Abu Gharab, Iraq.

He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 21st Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team (Stryker), 25th Infantry Division, Schofield Barracks, Hawaii.

The incident is under investigation.

Source: DoD

April 09, 2008 -- The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Maj. Mark E. Rosenberg, 32, of Miami Lakes, Florida, died April 8 in Baghdad, Iraq of wounds suffered when his vehicle encountered an improvised explosive device.

He was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 29th Field Artillery Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Carson, Colo.

Source: DoD

April 08, 2008 -- The Department of Defense announced today the death of two soldiers who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.

They died April 6 in Baghdad, of wounds suffered when insurgents attacked their unit with indirect fire.

Killed were:

Col. Stephen K. Scott, 54, of New Market, Alabama. He was assigned to the 356th Quartermaster Battalion, Laurel, Miss., and

Maj. Stuart A. Wolfer, 36, of Coral Springs, Florida. He was assigned to the 11th Battalion, 104th Division, Boise, Idaho.

Source: DoD

April 8, 2008 -- TALLAHASSEE – Florida Governor Charlie Crist today met with business owners and individuals struggling to afford health insurance coverage as part of a Tallahassee Tuesday informal discussion at the Governor’s Mansion. The group talked about the Governor’s proposed health care legislation that can provide preventive, primary and urgent care benefits, including hospitalization, to uninsured Floridians ages 19 to 64.

Tampa General Hospital: Photo by Judy Malley (CC)    » read more »

April 04, 2008 -- The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Spc. Charles A. Jankowski, 24, of Panama City, Florida, died March 28, in Arab Jabour, Iraq, of wounds suffered when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle.

He was assigned to the 3rd Brigade Troops Battalion, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, Ga.

Source: DoD