Monday, January 21, 2013
A petition with more than 37,000 signatures to allow the Sunshine State to withdraw from the United States has been denied. What do you think, St. Pete?
It looks like the United States will be stuck with Florida whether folks in the Sunshine State like it or not. A petition before the White House to allow Florida to peacefully secede from the United States was denied Friday by the White House. More than 37,000 people had signed the petition, and similar petitions in eight other states, including Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Alabama, Tennessee, Louisiana, and Texas. Also denied was a petition to deport everyone who had signed a similar petition. Secession was put out of the realm of state rights after the Civil War, partially through the 14th Amendment, Slate reports, and a Supreme Court interpretation confirmed as much in 2010, according to Politico.com. Those arguments are …
Monday, December 10, 2012
Are you in favor of such a law? Do you think it goes too far, or not far enough?
Florida could soon join 39 other states that have banned texting while driving. A bill filed last week by state Rep. Doug Holder, R-Sarasota, would make texting while driving a secondary offense under which a driver can receive a citation, but only after he or she is pulled over for a primary offense such as speeding or reckless driving, TBO.com reports. The bill doesn't prohibit all use of handheld devices while driving, as some state laws do, and cell phone calls would still be permitted. "If you are texting while driving, you are 23 times more likely to have an accident," Holder told TBO. "I think the timing is right. I think we are going to get something passed." Are you in favor of such a law in Florida? Do you think it goes too far, …
Monday, June 25, 2012
A Level 1 state of emergency, the lowest declaration, is in effect as Tropical Storm Debby brings rain, winds and flooding to Florida.
Florida Gov. Rick Scott declared a state of emergency Monday afternoon as the state deals with the effects of Tropical Storm Debby. Scott declared a Level 1 state of emergency, the lowest, which activates storm operations in all 67 counties, the Tampa Bay Times reports. Scott receieved a briefing on the storm's effects before advising Floridians "to be safe, avoid non-essential driving, pay close attention to weather reports and stay away from downed power lines," according to the Times. "I think the most important thing is, one, just use common sense. Be careful," Scott said. "If you're close to a beach, be very cautious. Look at all the beach advisories. If there's any standing water, if there's any flooding, don't drive into it. Be very…
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
During Florida’s Great Freeze temperatures dipped to an all time low, the impacts of which were felt for years after.
This year’s unseasonably warm winter will likely go down in the record books as one of the warmest we’ve had. And, anyone who has lived in Florida knows from summer to winter our weather can drastically change — something to which most of us have grown accustomed. However, these drastic changes in weather often had severe consequences to our early pioneers, and during the winter of 1894-1895, these consequences were witnessed first-hand during Florida’s Great Freeze. Fruit was frozen on the trees, farmers lost their crops, and land values plummeted — it would take years for an economic recovery following this devastating freeze. December 29, 1894 — The First Front The first severe cold weather event of Florida’s Great Freeze swept over the…
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
The proposal would start charging people for cost of labor if a public records request takes longer than 15 minutes to fulfill.
Getting your hands on city documents could get more expensive if the New Port Richey City Council agrees to a set of charges for producing public records. The council is set to discuss a resolution setting fees for the labor of any city worker involved with answering a request for public records. Under the proposal, your first 15 minutes are free. You start paying if getting the requested records takes longer. The resolution also would determine that three days is a reasonable amount of time to provide the records a person requests. Council members started asking about a formal public documents policy after attending a December revenue-enhancement presentation by the Florida League of Cities. The council workshop starts at 6 p.m. Tuesday …
Saturday, April 2, 2011
Learn what someone can be punished for. Naming it for what it is helps you to stand up and protect yourself.
“He threw me into a wall after dragging me by my hair, but he didn’t punch me with his fist.” It may not seem like it, but this anecdote is just one example of reportable domestic violence. It was given to me by Terri O’Brien of Sunrise of Pasco County, a domestic violence and sexual assault center. Knowing what counts as domestic violence can be difficult. I thought it would be helpful to know what guidelines and definitions help police and courts punish abusers. Here is what I learned about Florida’s legal definition of domestic violence ( Fl.S.S. 741.28): “Domestic Violence” means any assault, aggravated assault, battery, aggravated battery, sexual assault, sexual battery, stalking, aggravated stalking, kidnapping, false imprisonment …
kathy B
1:36 pm on Tuesday, January 22, 2013
Only 37,000 people out of the entire state of Florida signed the petition. How is that representative of the whole states wishes? I never even knew there was any discussion on the subject. more ›