Florida News – Highlights from around the state – April 21st
Bottom Line: Your daily recap of the some of the biggest news from around the state that impacts you in South Florida.
- The US Army Corp of Engineers has officially approved the permit for the Stormwater Treatment Area, or runoff reservoir from Lake Okeechobee as part of the Everglades Restoration Project. The reservoir should help mitigate future discharges from Lake Okeechobee into Florida’s waterways. Governor DeSantis said the project will add hundreds of jobs in addition to the positive environmental impact and will begin Monday.
- According to the Sea Turtle Conservancy and Loggerhead Marine Life Center, the restricted beach access throughout South Florida during the pandemic has led to a boom in sea turtle nesting. Both organizations are reporting a significant increase in nests over prior seasons at this stage. Additionally, manatee deaths in Florida’s waterways are down 9% over the same time last year.
- According to Safewise.com, using a combination of violent and property crime stats the five safest cities in Florida are currently Marco Island, Weston, Key Biscayne, Parkland and North Palm Beach in that order. The least safe using those same categories are Opa Locka, Miami Beach, Daytona Beach, Cocoa Beach and Panama City.
- The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity announced $75 million is available to local governments through the Rebuild Florida Critical Facility Hardening Program. The money will be made available to local governments and non-profits which serve low to mid income areas. At least 50% of the money must be used in HUD designated distressed zones.
- Speaking of the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity... Federal unemployment processing shows Florida has been the slowest state to process unemployment claims in the country on back of the failings of the original unemployment website. Only 13% of claims received have been successfully processed.