SANFORD, Fla. (WOFL FOX 35) – The City of Sanford is getting excited about a new plan to develop near the waterfront. They are calling the three-block project, the “catalyst”. City Manager Norton Bonaparte says, “Wow, this is really going to transform Sanford. We call it the catalyst site because we see the development taking…
DetailsSergeant Robert Mark of the Apopka Police Department is the proverbial salt of the earth. He is the type of person that needs to be cloned and sprinkled throughout a community. Mark retired yesterday after 50-plus-years of service in law enforcement. “Sergeant Mark was a well-respected mentor to dozens of Apopka police officers,” said Apopka…
DetailsPORT ORANGE – Do you think the city police department should get more funding? How about the city parks? Or maybe you would suggest City Council members get a raise … or not. City officials are reaching out to residents for their input on planning the city’s budget for the coming year. For the second…
DetailsMULBERRY – Mulberry is facing an estimated $8 million in repairs to its aging wastewater system to stop stormwater from pouring through its cracks, but that cost isn’t expected to impact customer rates. City Manager Rick Johnson said grant funding should cover the lion’s share of the repairs, and recent efficiency measures have trimmed the…
DetailsThere was deafening silence from sugar executives Friday in the wake of Sen. Bill Nelson’s suggestion the government seize their land to save Treasure Coast waters from algae blooms that are suffocating sea life and forcing people to wear masks because of the stench. Representatives of Florida Crystals did not respond to emails and calls…
DetailsIt seems odd to find heroes in the middle of a crisis that has no immediate solution. Heroes are supposed to sweep in and save the day — and I don’t believe anybody is going to be able to quick-fix the punishing fresh water releases from Lake Okeechobee. But I’d like to say a word…
DetailsThe blue-green algae outbreak is dissipating in the waters near Palm Beach, according to Deputy Town Manager Jay Boodheshwar. “We’ve seen a decrease in visible algae in the Intracoastal,” he said Friday. “We haven’t seen anything south of the C-51 Canal. Everything is north.” Coastal Coordinator Rob Weber inspected sections of the town shoreline Friday…
DetailsThe city of Orlando has promised to get more than $17 million in donations to victims of the Pulse nightclub shooting by Oct. 1. The OneOrlando Fund Board, whose 15 members were also announced Friday, will hold two town hall meetings Aug. 4 “to get feedback from the victim’s families, survivors and the Orlando community”…
DetailsAt the Northwest Florida League of Cities Summer Gala, Tallahassee City Commissioner Gil Ziffer was honored with the Florida League of Cities’ Home Rule Hero Award. This award recognizes Commissioner Ziffer’s tireless efforts to advance the League’s legislative agenda and help protect home rule powers of Florida cities. Home rule powers allow local cities and…
DetailsLike most pioneers of great cities and buzzing communities, Jeffrey Ross has had an incredible career and life. Ross came to Miami by way of Los Angeles, where he first entered the restaurant industry with his critically acclaimed seafood market and restaurant, Bayshore. He sold it 10 years later to, “take a break” and freelanced…
DetailsTo encourage redevelopment on six thoroughfares in the Bradenton area, the Manatee County Commission took an initial step Tuesday by amending its long-range land-use plan to allow significant increases in potential homes per acre and square footages for offices and retail. The intent is to encourage redevelopment of declining properties, such as vacant shopping centers,…
DetailsAlthough she is not sure what it eventually will be called, Habitat Gastronomy on the Creek is the working name for the culinary park Rebecca Maddox plans for the vacant commercial lot across Haldeman Creek from her Three60 Market. “Right now, this is just a working title because it’s going to have fabulous food. I…
Details