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Murphy raises $300,000 to challenge Allen West

Thu, 12 Jan 2012 21:09:50 +0000

Fort Lauderdale Democrat Patrick Murphy reported raising more than $300,000 in the last three months of 2011 and more than $1.4 million since last March to fuel his challenge of Republican Congressman Allen West. Patrick Murphy The race to represent the 22nd congressional district – which straddles Palm Beach and Broward counties – already is one of the most expensive in the nation. West reported raising $1.9 million in the third quarter of last year, and $1.5 million in the second quarter. He has yet to report his haul in the last quarter. West has drawn support from conservatives across the country. But the 22nd remains a swing district about equally divided between the parties. And plans in the Legislature to redraw the boundaries of the district would add more Democratic voters. As a result, the election will be sharply contested and closely watched by political observers in Florida and nationwide. Murphy, a businessman who focuses on environmental cleanup, cited “notable” contributors to his campaign, including former Congressman Robert Wexler, philanthropists Jeff and Yolanda Berkowitz, former gubernatorial candidate Bill McBride and former Wilton Manors mayor and activist Jim Stork.

Teacher accused of trading grades for cash resigns

Tue, 15 Nov 2011 16:42:00 +0000

Charlotte High School math teacher Jeff Spires resigned. He had been under investigation for allegedly trading better grades for cash, reports WINK News-11 in Fort Myers. One student had made the accusation. Get the DUHtails at WINK News-11 in Fort Myers. Photo: Charlotte County School District Read More

FloriDUH tip: Don’t call 911 if you have illegal drugs and weapons in your home

Tue, 15 Nov 2011 16:29:00 +0000

Marlene Annette Culver, 28, called 911 to report that she had been hit in the face by her boyfriend -- before having a change of heart and calling back to say everything was ok, reports The Gainesville Sun. But it was too late. Hmmm...think the change of heart had anything to do with the 9mm Ruger handgun, 9mm Luger "Tec-9", digital scale, electronic bill counter, grinder and more than 1-lb. of pot deputies reportedly found in the home? Get the DUHtails at The Gainesville Sun. Photo: Alachua County Sheriff's Office More FloriDUH

Cops: Teen had gun at elementary school

Mon, 14 Nov 2011 15:00:31 +0000

A 19-year-old Fort Pierce man was charged with trespassing on school property with a firearm early Sunday morning.

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Deputies: 10-year-old girl arrested for kicking teacher’s assistant

Mon, 07 Nov 2011 17:55:00 +0000

A Deltona elementary school student, age 10, was arrested after she allegedly kicked a teacher's assistant in the face, reports WESH News-2 in Orlando. The student went into a rage over being put in timeout for being disruptive. The saddest part: The child's guardians refused to come to the school, telling authorities they are unable to control her. Get the DUHtails at WESH News-2 in Orlando. Image: Volusia County School District More FloriDUH

Judge dismisses ACLU’s ‘Kick A Jew Day’ lawsuit

Sat, 05 Nov 2011 18:02:00 +0000

A two-year battle for Collier County school records concerning a “Kick a Jew Day” incident at North Naples Middle School in 2009 finally came to an end, after a judge dismissed the ACLU lawsuit which sought all records detailing the “offensive conduct” by the 10 students Read More

South Fla politicos raise money, but aren’t sure where district lines will fall

Tue, 11 Oct 2011 23:03:52 +0000

TALLAHASSEE-- Sen. Lizbeth Benacquisto lives in Wellington, Fla. State Rep. Trudi Williams lives two and a half hours away in Fort Myers. But the two women could potentially be opponents in 2012 for the same Senate seat. Over the summer, lawmakers began the process of figuring out how to draw legislative and congressional maps, a process that takes place every 10 years. As a result, many political candidates, including Benacquisto and Williams, aren't 100 percent sure where they will be running for office, what the district could look like and who they will be facing. Several lawmakers and political watchers believe that the seat currently held by Benacquisto could be redrawn to include parts of Lee County, where Williams lives. The two women are both currently registered to run for Senate District 27, and the Palm Beach Post reported in August that Benacquisto has begun renting a property in Fort Myers. If the two do potentially face each other, Benacquisto is winning the fundraising battle so far. According to campaign finance reports filed today, Benacquisto raised $106,074 in the period between July 1 and Sept. 30, bringing her campaign fundraising total to $345,399. Williams reported raising $20,765 in the third quarter, bringing her Senate campaign total to $67,131.

Palm Beach County health officials oppose importing Canadian drugs

Mon, 10 Oct 2011 19:47:18 +0000

No, Canada. That is the answer Palm Beach County’s Health Care District reached after researching to see if importing Canadian pharmaceuticals would cut local drug costs. Palm Beach County commissioners in August suggested that the Health Care District explore the cost benefits of importing drugs from Canada, like some South Florida residents do despite federal laws against the practice. The theory was, if Palm Beach County could show that importing from Canada would save taxpayers’ money, the county could challenge the federal law or seek a waiver to allow importing Canadian drugs. But in a comparison of 10 commonly prescribed pharmaceuticals, the Health Care District found that for seven of them the district’s bulk rate was lower than prices typically paid in Canada. Safety also remains a concern for importing pharmaceuticals, according to the Health Care District. Federal law prohibits importing foreign-made versions of U.S.-approved drugs, because those pharmaceuticals have not been inspected or monitored by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. "Imported drugs may be old, contaminated, or counterfeit” and could “put our patients at risk," according to the Health Care District review. The county’s Health Care District, which voters approved in 1998, provides low-income health insurance and taxpayer-funded medical care. The district has a more than $200 million budget, about 1,000 employees and runs health clinics, the Trauma Hawk rescue helicopter, school nurse programs, a hospital in Belle Glade and a nursing home in West Palm Beach.

Boca raton, parks district to set tax rates, budget

Fri, 23 Sep 2011 23:22:06 +0000

Boca Raton and the Greater Boca Raton Beach and Parks District will vote Monday night to adopt final budgets and set property tax rates for the 2011-12 fiscal year. Under Boca Raton’s proposed property tax rate of $3.15 per $1,000 in property value — up from $3.02 — the owner of a home assessed at $350,000 who took the $50,000 homestead exemption would pay about $945 in city property taxes, an increase of about $39 over last year. The fire services fee would increase $20 for residents, from $60 to $80 per year Under the district’s proposed rollback tax rate of $1.01 per $1,000 in property value, the owner of a home assessed at $350,000 who took the $50,000 homestead exemption would pay about $253 in district property taxes. The district commission will meet at 5:15 p.m. Monday at Sugar Sand Park, 300 S. Military Trail. City Council will meet at 6 p.m. Monday at City Hall, 200 W. Palmetto Park Road.

Boca raton, parks district to set tax rates, budget

Fri, 23 Sep 2011 23:22:06 +0000