Citrus Sheriff Prendergast issues statement on Hurricane and evacuations

By Citrus County Sheriff Mike Prendergast Hurricane Idalia is expected to impact Citrus County sometime Tuesday.  Winds are predicted to be Category 3 Hurricane strength, that means 129 miles per hour.  Catastrophic life threating storm surge up to 11 feet above ground level is expected. A mandatory evacuation has been ordered for all of those in Zone A.  Zone A...

Water District monitors Tropical Storm Idalia

Emergency Operations Center at Level 2 activation Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) officials are monitoring Tropical Storm Idalia and have raised the activation level of the District’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC) to Level 2 as of 7 a.m. Monday. The EOC provides direction regarding District activities before, during and after an emergency event. The District is continuing to monitor...

CF receives $5 million commitment from Citrus County Hospital Board

OCALA, Fla. (Aug. 24, 2023) — The College of Central Florida has received a $5 million commitment from the Citrus County Hospital Board to support its Debbie Ressler Nursing Program. The college plans to use the funds to cover the costs of tuition for Citrus County residents who enroll in the Associate Degree in Nursing program as well as add...

FWC recognizes Pasco County landowner for wildlife conservation efforts

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) recently recognized the outstanding wildlife habitat management efforts of private landowner Jake English of Pasco County. The recognition is part of the Wildlife Habitat Recognition Program, meant to formally honor exemplary landowners by gifting them with a sign to display on their property and a certificate recognizing their habitat conservation efforts. English...

Florida bill could give residents $1.2B in tax relief

(The Center Square) — The Florida Legislature could be poised to pass a massive $1.2 billion tax package bill that would give residents both permanent and temporary relief Senate Bill 7062 is a tax package that incorporates the tax cut proposals by Gov. Ron DeSantis that could provide Floridians with more over $3 billion in tax breaks if he signs...

New entry in property, casualty insurance coverage

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – The Florida Office of Insurance Regulation (OIR) has approved Tailrow Insurance Company’s application for the issuance of a permit to become an authorized domestic insurer and write homeowners mutli-peril line of insurance in Florida. Tailrow Insurance Company is the first company to be approved to become an authorized property and casualty domestic insurer following legislative reforms addressing...

Hotels on hiring spree with better wages, benefits, flexibility

By: American Hotel Association (AHLA) Survey: 79% of hotels report staffing shortages WASHINGTON (Feb. 27, 2023) – As nearly 80% of hotels experience staffing shortages, hoteliers are offering potential hires a host of incentives to fill vacancies, according to a new survey of hoteliers conducted by the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA). Seventy-one percent of respondents are increasing wages,...

FWC continues to monitor avian influenza across Florida

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) continues to monitor bird mortalities suspected to be attributed to Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza throughout Florida. This strain has been documented in the United States since 2021 and was detected for the first time in Florida in January 2022. The FWC has documented the virus in 37 counties and a variety of...

DeSantis signs bill to strip Disney of self-governance privileges

The Center Square — The Walt Disney Company has officially lost its cozy relationship with Florida. Gov. Ron DeSantis held a news conference Monday in Lake Buena Vista to sign House Bill 9B that will put an end to many of Disney’s governance privileges with the Reedy Creek Improvement District. Critics charge that Disney will retain much of its tax...

Report: Hotel-generated state and local tax revenue to reach new highs in 2023

Hotels on hiring spree to meet demand as occupancy nears 2019 levels By American Hotel & Lodging Association | Special Report WASHINGTON (Feb. 21, 2023) – Hotel-generated state and local tax revenue will reach new heights nationally ($46.71 billion) and in states across the nation this year, according to state-by-state projections released today by the American Hotel & Lodging Association...