News Update for 9/30/24
A fee agreement with Shepard, Smith, Kohlmyer & Hand, P.A. has been approved unanimously by the Avon Park Community Redevelopment Agency. It allows the provision of legal opinions on CRA related issues on an “as needed basis.” The possibility of hiring legal counsel for opinion in CRA issues, was first introduced by City Attorney Gerald Buhr in early September when a joint session was held. The counsel of Attorney Cliff Shepard was suggested, who has expansive expertise in working with the Florida Redevelopment Association and various CRA’s within the state. In an emailed letter sent by the firm it stated that the firm will assume responsibility for general legal services for the CRA, which can also include the attendance of CRA Board and CRA Advisory Board meetings, real estate transactions, and day-to-day legal services.
A new AI policy is in effect at South Florida State College. The college’s District Board of Trustees approved the AI Policy on Wednesday on its final reading. The policy centers around the ethical development and use of Artificial Intelligence within SFSC’s educational, administrative, and operational areas. According to the policy, integrating AI technologies into the curriculum helps to enhance educational outcomes and helps students to embrace the evolving technological landscape. The policy also aims to maintain accountability and to ensure ethical applications of AI that align with the college’s mission.
A woman is responsible for a brief scare in Orange County. Fire Rescue says a woman brought what appeared to be a grenade to Fire Station 50 in Orlando off 29th Street. She was told to leave the item outside the station and walk away. The bomb squad was called, and they found the grenade was a fake. No one was hurt. No charges have been announced.
Hurricane Helene may be responsible for the death of a former Volusia County deputy. The sheriff’s office announced yesterday that retired Deputy Jim Lau died Friday while on duty in Macon County, North Carolina during the storm. Lau served in the VSO from 1982 to 2005 in the Major Case and Crime Scene units. He leaves behind a daughter who still lives in Volusia County. According to the Macon County Sheriff’s Office, Lau’s truck wound up in a river and sank. They write on Facebook Lau was very liked and respected and known to be a hard worker, dependable and jumped in wherever help was needed.
At least 11 deaths in Florida are linked to Hurricane Helene. This according to Governor Ron DeSantis, who announced the figure during a late-Saturday-afternoon press conference in Taylor County. Administration officials say Helene’s powerful storm surge, which topped 15 feet, caused the “complete obliteration” of some of the state’s coastal areas. Meanwhile, authorities say it’s possible that additional Florida casualties may be announced over the next few days.
An astronaut is looking on the bright side after her dream of spaceflight was put on hold. Zena Cardman was supposed to be on the Crew 9 spacecraft that blasted off Saturday from Cape Canaveral. She and another astronaut, Stephanie Wilson, were scratched, though. That’ll free up room on the capsule for two other astronauts stuck at the International Space Station because of a problem with their own capsule. Wilson has been to space before, but this would have been Cardman’s first trip. She tells NASA TV it was hard not to watch that rocket lift off without thinking that’s my rocket and that’s my crew. She adds, though, she’s proud to say it’s her rocket and her crew.
Governor Ron DeSantis is activating the Florida Disaster Fund to help Florida residents impacted by Hurricane Helene. State officials in Tallahassee say donations to the Volunteer Florida Foundation are tax deductible. Donations can be made online via PayPal or by check to the Volunteer Florida Foundation.
The man authorities say was lying in wait in hopes of assassinating former President Trump on a golf course in Florida is expected to be arraigned today. Fifty-eight-year-old Ryan Routh was arrested earlier this month after a Secret Service agent reportedly spotted him hiding in the bushes with a rifle at Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach. He wasn’t able to fire off any shots, but he was able to flee the scene, only to later be apprehended.