Brevard County budget set for 10% increase
The 2024-2025 budget received initial approval with a nearly 10% increase on Tuesday. The Brevard County Commissioners voted to pay for such items as widening Ellis Road in Melbourne, upgrades to the county jail, and fixing sidewalks across the county.
While the budget is proposed to increase to $2.25 billion, the proposed property tax rate decreases due to rising property values and new construction.
The final budget hearing will take place Sept. 24 at 5:30 p.m. The budget goes into effect Oct. 1.
Bankruptcy judge oks sale of Steward hospitals.
A bankruptcy judge has approved Orlando Health’s bid to purchase three Space Coast hospitals from the financially ailing Steward Health Care. WFIT’s Rick Glasby had details:
Orlando Health will pay $439 million for Melbourne and Rockledge Regional Medical Centers in Brevard and Sebastian River Medical Center in Indian River County. The sale also includes certain Steward Medical Group practices in Florida. Orlando Health is the Central Florida’s fourth largest employer with nearly 29,000 employees and more than 4,500 affiliated physicians. The system currently operates 17 hospitals and other medical facilities.
Florida Supreme Court fast-tracks case over DeSantis 'interference' in abortion amendment
The Florida Supreme Court on Wednesday agreed to fast-track a case against Gov. Ron DeSantis and other state officials for allegations of "unlawfully us(ing) their offices and agencies to interfere with the election" for the abortion-access amendment on the November ballot.
Attorney Adam Richardson filed the case, which, in essence, is for the court to order state officials to show what authority they have for performing some action.
Wednesday, the American Civil Liberties Union of Florida announced it, too, would be filing a lawsuit against the AHCA on behalf of the Amendment 4 campaign.
Eight years after law passed to protect springs, advocates say nothing has changed
Florida's springs face many threats from excessive tourism to over-pumping, and pollution from fertilizer runoff.
Clean water advocates are urging the Department of Environmental Protection to adopt strong standards to protect them.
Ryan Smart is executive director of the Florida Springs Council, an advocacy group.
"There's only one way to restore our springs, and that is to pump less water. And there's only one way to get folks to pump less water, and that's to reduce the amount of water they're allowed to pump. And to stop issuing every single permit."
He says the Department of Environmental Protection’s new rule is the same as what was already in the books when the legislature told them they had to do better.
Suicide Lifeline 988 has great success in Florida
September is Suicide Prevention Month. Experts say it’s a good time to remember how important something as simple as friendliness can be.
Melanie Brown-Woofter, president and CEO of the Florida Behavioral Health Association, says someone reaching out neighborly can change someone’s life.
“Pick up the phone and call," she said. "Text. Drop by their house and say hello, how are you. If you see them in the grocery store, start up a conversation. Perhaps in a place of worship, maybe in a civic environment. Invite them to go do something. Invite them to come to your house for tea or dinner or an ice cream cone. Just something simple like that can work to avoid the suicide.”
If you or someone you know may be considering suicide or is in crisis, call or text 9-8-8 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
For these stories and more visit www.floridatoday.com
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