Toxic wastewater reservoir on verge of collapse in Florida could cause catastrophic event By Li Cohen Toxic wastewater reservoir in Florida may collapse
Hundreds of residents in Manatee County, Florida, were ordered to evacuate their homes over Easter weekend as officials feared that a wastewater pond could collapse at any time. On Saturday, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis declared a state of emergency for the area.
County officials said the pond, located at the former Piney Point phosphate processing plant, had a significant leak, according to CBS affiliate WTSP-TV.
The Manatee County Public Safety Department told people near the plant to evacuate due to an imminent uncontrolled release of wastewater.
Itâs time to fix the staffing crisis in Floridaâs prisons | Column
Florida has an incredibly high turnover of correctional officers due to their extreme workloads.
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The idea to consolidate some Florida prisons can be explored properly and publicly with appropriate emphasis on local communities and the well-being of correctional officers, while minimizing the disruption to inmates and their families.
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Over the past year, there has been a great deal of public debate about the problems facing Floridaâs prison system, with little attention paid to the staffing crisis at the Florida Department of Corrections and the impact it has on the brave men and women serving on the front lines.
Some Duval County inmates vaccinated; newly eligible inmates still waiting
Inmates in state prisons also getting shots
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JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – After an outbreak that infected hundreds and the deaths of three inmates, more than two dozen people incarcerated at the Jacksonville Pre-Trial Detention Facility have been vaccinated against COVID-19.
The medical contractor for the jail, Armor Correctional Health Services, said Tuesday that 70 inmates who were either older than 64 or “acutely ill” were offered the Moderna vaccine on March 15. A spokesperson for Armor said 35 of those inmates accepted the shot.
Since March 15, Florida Gov. Ron Desantis has expanded eligibility for the COVID-19 vaccine. A week after inmates at the Duval County jail were vaccinated, DeSantis dropped the age of eligibility to those 50 and older. DeSantis dropped the age criteria again to those 40 and older the next week. On Monday, eligibility in Florida was extended to all adults 18
Tuesday s Daily Pulse | 4/6/2021
Florida tourism: Experts look forward to post-pandemic times (again)
A year ago, reeling from extended shutdowns due to the coronavirus pandemic, tourism experts were asked to predict changes coming in their fields. For the most part, what they anticipated did come to pass . although projected time frames often turned out to be optimistic. Now, those the same experts have been asked to dust off those crystal balls and to reflect on their comments from a year ago. [Source: Orlando Sentinel]
Florida gas prices drop for second straight week
You may have noticed a tiny bit of relief if you filled your tank in recent days. Florida’s gas prices have lowered for a second straight week, with the average price Monday morning sitting at $2.85 for a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline. That’s two cents lower than last Monday and a six-cent decrease since the 2021 peak of $2.91 on March 21, according to American Automobile Association data. “Florida
Florida inmates to get the vaccine after months-long wait
Corrections officials have identified about 33,000 inmates who want to get the vaccine.
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TALLAHASSEE â Gov. Ron DeSantis refused to send COVID-19 vaccines to state prisoners for several months, but state officials announced Tuesday that about 30,000 doses have been earmarked for the Florida Department of Corrections.
Florida Division of Emergency Management Director Jared Moskowtiz told the
Times/Herald the state is sending doses within the next week. Once supplies arrive, corrections officials have indicated that they have the ability to vaccinate all inmates who want a shot within 10 days.
Corrections officials have identified about 33,000 inmates who want to get the vaccine, Moskowitz said Tuesday. The state will also be assisting seven privately-operated prisons in getting doses to inmates.