SEMINOLE — Richard O. Jacobson Technical High School principal Martha Giancola had only been on the job for a few weeks when Hurricane Irma blew onto campus and blew away
LARGO â As part of the marking of Emergency Medical Services Week, Pinellas County commissioners heard the reading of a proclamation at their May 11 meeting, as well as the names of this yearâs EMS Professionals of the Year.
Among the honorees is Matt Albright, the 2021 Emergency Medical Dispatcher. He works at the regional 911 center. The title of Emergency Medical Technical of the Year went to Aaron Pearce, an EMT/field training officer at Sunstar Paramedics, and Paramedic of the Year is David Walker, firefighter/paramedic and continuing medical education instructor with St. Petersburg Fire Rescue.
It was a quiet meeting. Only two spoke in-person during the public comment period and two online.
Sunburn â The morning read of whatâs hot in Florida politics â 5.12.21
Good Wednesday morning.
According to a new poll, Florida voters overwhelmingly support the new Gaming Compact between the state and Seminole Tribe of Florida.
Gov.
Ron DeSantis and Seminole Tribe of Florida Chairman
Marcellus Osceola Jr. recently signed the new Gaming Compact, which would give the Tribe exclusive control of sports betting in Florida and allow pari-mutuels to offer sports betting under the tribeâs supervision.
In exchange, the state would receive a minimum of $2.5 billion in revenue in the first five years of the 30-year deal, with yearly amounts adjusted afterward.
Thousands more Florida students now eligible for vouchers
A roundup of Florida education news from around the state.
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Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, seated, celebrates after having signed a bill Tuesday, May 11, 2021, that increases eligibility to attend private schools at public expense, during a ceremony at St. John the Apostle School in Hialeah, Fla. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee) [ WILFREDO LEE | AP ]
Updated 2 hours ago
More than 20 years ago, Jeb Bush tried to implement taxpayer funded vouchers for Florida schoolchildren. His efforts foundered in the state Supreme Court. On Tuesday, he celebrated the state attaining and expanding on his goal, under Gov. Ron DeSantis. âThis is truly a historic and sweeping action to empower more families and ensure more of Floridaâs students can succeed,â Bush said after the signing of HB 1045. Read on for the latest on that story and other Florida education news.
CLEARWATER â Pinellas County government announced on Tuesday morning it was rescinding its ordinance requiring facial coverings and other safety protocols related to COVID-19.
The order that requires safety plans for large gatherings to be submitted to the county administrator also was rescinded.
In addition, public hearings on extending the local state of emergency and a public hearing on the ordinance previously scheduled on May 11 have been canceled.
The county says private businesses and organizations may still require that the public wear face coverings, practice social distancing or take other safety measures.
In addition, the Pinellas County School Board will continue with its safety protocols including masking and social distancing until 5 p.m. Wednesday, June 9, the last day of the school year.