TALLAHASSEE, Fla.—Attorney General Ashley Moody is asking Floridians to be cautious when researching information about coronavirus COVID-19. A malicious website displaying a live map of COVID-19 cases mimicking a legitimate map by Johns Hopkins University was recently reported. Once unwitting users click on the website, a program is activated that can access and steal sensitive user data. It is suspected that the website is being spread across the internet via infected email attachments and online advertisements. Governor Ron DeSantis has issued an executive order placing Florida under a state of emergency. During this health emergency, Floridians may be targeted by scammers seeking to take advantage of general concerns about the spread of the virus to defraud individuals and businesses.
Attorney General Ashley Moody said, “Scammers will use any occasion to prey on the emotions of unsuspecting consumers, and fear is a favorite tool of criminals trying to commit fraud. Please exercise caution when searching the internet for COVID-19 information and do not click on suspicious links or attachments.” Continue reading
TALLAHASSEE, Fla.—Following Executive Order 20-52, Attorney General Ashley Moody today activated Florida’s Price Gouging Hotline for all consumers in the state. The opening of the hotline comes as Governor Ron DeSantis declares a state of emergency in response to positive test results of 20 coronavirus-infected patients in Florida. The Attorney General’s Price Gouging Hotline can only be activated following a state of emergency declaration issued by the Governor and covers essential commodities outlined in Florida Statute, Section 501.160.
Attorney General Ashley Moody said, “We are monitoring the COVID-19 situation in Florida very closely and following the Governor’s state of emergency declaration, our price gouging laws are now in effect. I have a rapid response team ready to immediately respond to allegations of price gouging and our Consumer Protection Division continues to look for scams by fraudsters who would use this situation to rip-off Floridians.
“Be on the lookout for scams and guard against gouging, but remember, the best thing you can do right now is heed the advice of health experts—wash hands regularly and stay home if you are ill.”For a list of the commodities covered under the state’s price gouging laws during the COVID-19 state of emergency, click MyFloridaLegal.com. Continue reading
Tallahassee, Fla. – Today, Governor Ron DeSantis activated the Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program to support small businesses impacted by COVID-19. The bridge loan program, managed by the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO), will provide short-term, interest-free loans to small businesses that experienced economic injury from COVID-19. The application period opens tomorrow, March 17, 2020 and runs through May 8, 2020.
“As we mitigate against the spread of COVID-19, the health, safety and well-being of Floridians comes first,” said Governor DeSantis. “I understand the harm mitigation strategies will have on small businesses throughout our state. By activating the Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan, we are providing the opportunity for Florida’s small businesses to receive cash immediately to ensure they can lessen the impacts felt as a result of COVID-19.”
DEO will administer the Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program in partnership with the Florida SBDC Network and Florida First Capital Finance Corporation to provide cash flow to businesses economically impacted by COVID-19. The short-term, interest-free loans help bridge the gap between the time the economic impact occurred and when a business secures other financial resources, including payment of insurance claims or longer-term Small Business Administration (SBA) loans. Up to $50 million has been allocated for the program. Continue reading
Quincy, Fla. – Today, First Lady Casey DeSantis announced that the Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF) has awarded a $1.2 million three-year grant to Gadsden County for a new Criminal Justice Diversion Project. This project will provide a comprehensive array of services and support for citizens with untreated mental health and substance abuse challenges that too often can trap them in the criminal justice system.
“I’m pleased to be working on this collaborative project that aims to reduce recidivism for those who struggle with mental illness and substance abuse disorders,” said First Lady Casey DeSantis. “With this new diversion program, Gadsden County joins a growing trend of recognizing that these individuals need real care and support to get back on their feet, find meaningful work, support their families and ultimately rejoin their communities.”
The Gadsden County Sheriff’s Office helped the county pursue the Criminal Justice, Mental Health and Substance Abuse Reinvestment Grant from DCF to implement the diversion project. The project partners with Florida A & M University’s (FAMU) Department of Social Work to provide comprehensive support services to ensure a coordinated response to the health needs of diversion project participants. Continue reading
Tallahassee, Fla. – Governor Ron DeSantis sent a letter to President Donald Trump formally requesting that he declare a Major Disaster as Florida responds to COVID-19.
The letter requested the inclusion of the following Individual Assistance Programs in the declaration: Disaster Unemployment Assistance, Crisis Counseling, Community Disaster Loans and the Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Program.
The declaration is submitted as a result of the COVID-19 response for the incident period beginning January 20, 2020, for all sixty-seven (67) counties. In addition to the Individual Assistance Programs, the declaration requests additional resources and support from FEMA.
To view the Governor’s letter to President Trump, go to https://www.flgov.com
Tallahassee, Fla. – Today, Governor Ron DeSantis thanked members of the Florida Legislature for providing the necessary resources to address the state’s ongoing response to COVID-19. The Legislature’s action will support the Florida Department of Health’s ability to receive new funds from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
“The Florida Department of Health now has the ability to receive nearly $28 million in critical federal funds to support Florida’s ongoing efforts to mitigate and contain COVID-19,” said Governor DeSantis. “These funds will increase capacity in our state labs for more testing and support our efforts to investigate and monitor cases. I thank Senate President Galvano and House Speaker Oliva for their swift action to make these dollars available.”
Today the Florida Department of Health received a notice of award for nearly $28 million in federal funding from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to address the COVID-19 response in Florida.
“The Florida Department of Health will immediately begin working with the federal government to access these dollars,” said State Surgeon General Scott Rivkees. “Our state labs and epidemiological teams are working around the clock and this grant will help ensure we can continue to increase our capacity to combat COVID-19.”
Florida’s U.S. Attorney’s and the Attorney General’s Office warn that scam artists will use the COVID-19 pandemic and the fear it has caused for many to take advantage of Florida consumers, especially the state’s vulnerable elderly. It is important to remain vigilant during this time. With many schools and businesses closed, there is plenty of downtime for people right now. Social media activity will increase to pass to the time. Predators will attempt to capitalize using various methods. Here are some of the scams that are being reported nationwide:
- Individuals and businesses selling fake cures for COVID-19 online. Ignore online offers for vaccinations and home test kits. According to the Federal Trade Commission, there currently are no vaccines, pills, potions, lotions, lozenges or other prescription or over-the-counter products available to treat or cure Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) — online or in stores. At this time, there also are no FDA-authorized home test kits for the Coronavirus. Visit the Food and Drug Administration website for more information.
- Don’t respond to texts and emails about checks from the government. The details are still being worked out at the time of this article. Anyone who tells you they can get you the money now is a scammer. Visit the Federal Trade Commission at https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/blog/2020/03/checks-government for more information.
Received a Restaurant Review about Eaton’s Beach in Weirsdale. Janet says she had Eaton’s Beach salmon. The salmon had a glaze that made the dish, the salad, red wine vinegrette, crisp lettuce tossed with corn, Applewood bacon, tomato, blue cheese crumbles, heart of palm, cucumbers, and egg. The service was friendly and very efficient. The price was $16.99 and I feel was well worth it. The writter says she has several food allergies and the server was more than gracious to have the kitchen meet her needs. Janet says I always feel they take care of the needs of those who have food issues.
******
Took my wife to dinner for her birthday. She choose Horse and Hound. It was packed house, long wait to get seated but it was worth it. Monday night 2 for $25 Prime Rib was super great, fixed just the way I ask. My son’s and their wives attended. Really good experience. Continue reading
PUBLISHERS NOTE: This really feels different not going anywhere, not going to business meetings, working at home. Working a little bit around the farm working on my garden. Stay in my robe till noon but working on the computer. Well back to the news releases:
*******
CIA agent Robert A. Levinson captured in Iran while on a mission has been reported dead. He was captured some 13 years ago, he was the longest American captive to date.
*******
My assignment in life is to see your own individual expression is on paper. Your opinion is important!
The marketing manager at a regional banking chain explained it this way: “I won’t advertise in a daily newspaper where readers only look for last night’s scores and skim the headlines,” she said. “But I regularly buy ads in weekly or monthly papers that are read page by page and remain in the house a week or longer.”
Community newspapers are still the most effective way for readers to reach a broad market. They also create consensus, cooperation and “hometown” pride. But community papers will have to change if they want to remain viable. Continue reading
The purpose of the CEP is to be the One-Stop Shop and Voice of the Business Community. We are the designated economic development organization for all of the Ocala Metro. While many focus on our Business Attraction successes (bringing in new major employers like McLane, Dollar Tree, and FedEx) or our Business Services programs (such as Business After Hours, TuesdayTalks, and Leadership Ocala Marion), it is our Business Retention and Business Creation efforts that really have the ability to impact the business community. This is especially true as we go through a difficult crisis such as the current COVID-19 pandemic.
Our Business Retention efforts are focused on assisting existing businesses throughout the community with a particular focus on primary employers (manufacturing, distribution, and large office). We work with approximately 200 businesses every year REGARDLESS of their partnership with the CEP. In other words, a business does not have to be a CEP partner to receive assistance. Much of this work is focused on removing barriers to their growth. Sometimes this means connecting them existing resources on the local, state, and federal level. Other times it means we are connecting them with other businesses to the benefit of both. Continue reading
