To some, the smell is almost inescapable.
“It’s a really strong chemical smell, similar to turpentine or Pine Sol,” said Ben Thompson, who has lived 13 years in his house in Jacksonville’s Murray Hill area. He said the odor there, which comes and goes erratically, has gotten stronger in the past few years and harder to ignore.
“Previously, you had the option to retreat into your house,” Thompson said. “Now, it’s such an invasive thing that you’ll be lying in bed and smell it.”
Since fall, the odor, which can irritate throats and sinuses and trigger dull headaches, has sparked waves of complaints to City Hall, a class-action lawsuit and anxiety over whether whatever people are smelling is harmful.
LYNN HAVEN Lynn Haven is set to open its largest park in March after almost a year of construction.
Called the Lynn Haven Bayou Park & Preserve, the 98-acre property is located along County 2321 and will feature picnic pavilions, waterfront boardwalks, a kayak launch, walking trail, Frisbee golf course, playground and restrooms, said Ty Farris, director of parks and grounds for Lynn Haven.
Farris said that while the entrance of the park was located along County 2321, the city didn t want to release its exact location yet. Especially during the COVID era that we re currently living in, I think the outdoors are the perfect place for people to be able to get out and enjoy (themselves) without having to worry much, Farris said.
The Islamorada Village Council moved one step closer to finding a new manager and is considering a no-bid social media contract with a firm several councilmen used during their campaigns.
WLRN
Racoon Point was constructed in the 1970s and is one of two oil drilling sites in Big Cypress. Burnett Oil wants to expand drilling in the preserve to two additional locations.
A Texas company conducting controversial oil exploration in the Big Cypress National Preserve wants to expand operations and hopes to start drilling by 2022.
According to applications submitted to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection last week, Burnett Oil Co. has asked to construct two new roads and drilling pads about a mile east of Raccoon Point one of two drilling sites constructed in the 1970s and south of Interstate 75. The work would cover more than 30 acres.
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Berger Singerman Adds Environmental Atty As Partner
Law360 (February 5, 2021, 3:32 PM EST) Florida law firm Berger Singerman LLP has added a former Oertel Fernandez Bryant & Atkinson PA attorney with a background in environmental law as a partner in the firm s government and regulatory and dispute resolution practices based out of Tallahassee.
The firm announced Feb. 1 that Sidney C. Bigham III is working with clients in areas such as environmental and land use law, disputes over public procurement, and civil and administrative issues, Berger Singerman said.
Prior to working with Oertel Fernandez, Bigham was a senior attorney for the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, according to his LinkedIn profile.