Thursday, July 3, 2008
Newmark Drive in Deltona to close for construction
posted 3:34:02pm
DELTONA
News source: Volusia County Road and Bridge
To accommodate construction work, Newmark Dr. between Howland Boulevard and Gatewood Drive, in Deltona, will be closed to all through traffic for approximately four weeks beginning Wednesday, July 9, 2008 (24 hours per day). A well-signed detour will be in place.
If you have any questions, please contact Wayne Jackson, Volusia County Construction Engineering (386)561-8655.
FHP Will Increase Visibility for July 4th Holiday
posted 3:31:09pm
TALLAHASSEE
News source: Florida Highway Patrol
The Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) is stepping up its enforcement operations in preparation for the July 4th holiday weekend. “The men and women of the Florida Highway Patrol will be teaming up with law enforcement officers across the state to provide the safest possible driving environment for our visitors and residents during the Independence Day holiday driving period,” stated Colonel John T. Czernis, director of the Florida Highway Patrol.
In order to ensure a safe holiday experience for everyone, the Patrol statewide will be increasing visibility and enforcement efforts beginning at 12:01 AM Thursday, July 3, through midnight, Sunday, July 6, 2008. Our agency will target three specific causes of highway fatalities: speeding, impaired driving and failure to use occupant restraints. “We want the public to understand that drunk driving is no accident. It's one of Florida’s most often committed crimes that accounts for one-third of all traffic fatalities. If you choose to drink and drive during this Fourth of July holiday period, law enforcement officers will catch and arrest you,” added Colonel Czernis.
This strategy is intended to increase the Patrol's presence on major roadways throughout Florida in an effort to increase public compliance of traffic laws and to provide enhanced services to motorists who find themselves in need of assistance. In addition, our Auxiliary and Reserve troopers will be volunteering their time to assist regular troopers during the heightened holiday enforcement weekend.
Motorists are reminded to use their cellular phones safely. FHP urges all drivers to call *FHP (*347) to report drunk or aggressive drivers. They can also use this number if their vehicle breaks down or need assistance. Motorists needing immediate emergency services should dial 911.
For real-time traffic and road condition reports, as well as maps and other safety tips, the public is urged to visit the FHP website at HYPERLINK "http://www.flhsmv.gov/fhp/" www.flhsmv.gov/fhp/. Florida drivers can also call 511 on their cell phone for up-to-the minute updates on traffic congestion, road construction, lane closures, severe weather and travel delays on Interstates and major highways.
The Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles encourages anyone with a valid Florida driver license or identification card to go online to HYPERLINK "http://www.flhsmv.gov" www.flhsmv.gov and enter their emergency contact information. This vital information gives law enforcement immediate access to this information in cases of an emergency, which makes it easier for them to contact a family member or friend.
Local Registered Nurse wins American Heart Association President's Award
posted 3:29:56pm
VOLUSIA COUNTY
News source: American Heart Association
Janet Connors was awarded the 2007-2008 American Heart Association Greater Southeast Affiliate President’s Award at the organization’s Leadership Summit held in St. Petersburg, Fla. on June 21st. She was recognized with 10 other volunteer leaders for their combined experience and efforts in forming a unified affiliate between the Florida/Puerto Rico Affiliate and the Southeast Affiliate, now known as the Greater Southeast Affiliate. Connors also received an award of Meritorious Achievement. This award is conferred annually to four to five individuals who have rendered an important service to the American Heart Association in the development of its affiliate programs. Recipients of this award are selected primarily for a specific significant accomplishment or project at the Affiliate level.
Connors served on the organization’s Joint Operating Committee during the transition. The primary focus of the Joint Operating Committee was to ensure the appropriate level of due diligence had been completed in making final recommendations regarding the merger of the two Affiliate Boards. In addition, Connors helped to construct bylaws and standing committees and sought feedback from volunteers across the region resulting in a smooth merger on October 26, 2006.
The Greater Southeast Affiliate serves more than 49 million people across Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee and Puerto Rico. The consolidation was conducted to ensure the best and most efficient management structure in order to streamline services and further impact heart disease and stroke in the community.
Connors has been involved with many different facets of the organization including leadership roles involving fundraising, advocacy, health initiatives, and research.
Connors also serves on the GSA affiliate board and chairs the affiliate advocacy committee. She has served as spokesperson on various issues including the Emergency Medical Dispatch Act and Smoke-Free for Health to name a few.
For the past two years, Janet has represented the association at one of the largest go red for women events held during the national foundation for women legislators annual conference. Connors addressed more than 500 attendees including members of congress, legislators, and other public officials on the importance of maintaining heart health.
Foundation to award instrument grant to Deltona Lakes Elementary
posted 3:28:06pm
WESTLAKE VILLAGE, Calif.
News source: Guitar Center Music Foundation
Of the 64 applications the Guitar Center Music Foundation received during the spring term, the foundation chose Deltona Lakes Elementary’s music program in appreciation of their efforts to improve the state of music education in the United States. Music teachers Lorraine and Paul McLaughlin submitted their grant application in February describing how students from varied socio-economic and ethnic backgrounds will actively participate in a positive group experience creating music, which can lead to positive self image, behaviors and lifelong learning outside of the classroom..
grant to Deltona Lakes Elementary Music Department, GCMF has awarded 93 grants to school music programs, music academies and other arts organizations, and national music programs since 2006. Through these grants, GCMF has reached over 23,000 people of all ages in programs located in over 25 states.
The Guitar Center Music Foundation accepts grant applications throughout the year from 501(c) 3 and governmental organizations. Qualifying applicants are established, ongoing and sustainable music programs located in the United States that provide music instruction for people of any age who would not otherwise have the opportunity to make music. The Grant Committee reviews all applications three times yearly, and grant awards range from $500 to $5,000 in value.
Operation Purple Camp
posted 3:26:37pm
DELAND
News source: Volusia/Flagler Family YMCA
YMCA Camp Winona announces July 9th will be a media day for its National Military Family Association’s Operation Purple Summer Camp. NMFA developed this free summer camp program in response to the need for increased support for military children, especially those whose parents are or will be deployed.
“Operation Purple Camps provide a much needed respite from the worries of war that many of our Nation’s children face each day their mom or dad is deployed. NMFA is excited to work with the YMCA on this very worthwhile program,” said Nancy Alsheimer, NMFA Chairman of the Board. “Together we can make a difference in the lives of military children.”
YMCA Camp Winona is set on 60 secluded acres of beautiful pine forest and lies on the shores of spring-fed Lake Winona in DeLeon Springs, Florida. Summer camp is much more than swimming, archery, paintball and camp fires. Camp Winona is about making positive relationships with others in a caring atmosphere. This explains why many people agree that YMCA Camp Winona is "A Place In The Woods That Finds A Place In The Heart!" Camp Winona will host a media day July 9, 2008.
Each camp is “purple” and open to children of service members of any branch of Service, active duty, National Guard or Reserve, as well as children of members of the Commissioned Corps of the Public Health Service and National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration.
Camps are free to all eligible children thanks to a partnership with the Sierra Club Foundation and support from the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation.
A charitable organization, the YMCA is an association of people who come together with the vision of building strong kids, strong families, strong communities. The YMCA is open to people of all abilities, ages, backgrounds, cultures, faiths, and incomes. For more information visit www.daytonaymca.org or call Camp Director, David Larrabee at 386-985-4554.
About NMFA
The National Military Family Association, the only nonprofit organization that represents families of all ranks and services, prepares spouses, children, and parents to better deal with the unique challenges of military life. The Association protects benefits vital to all families, including those of the deployed, wounded, and fallen. For nearly 40 years, its staff and
Nearly 15,000 warnings and citations issued during weeklong Move Over Florida Enforcement Wave
posted 11:45:51am
TALLAHASSEE
News source: Florida Highway Patrol
Florida law enforcement officers have been working hard to enforce the Move Over Law since it became official in 2002. The law requires drivers to move over one lane whenever an emergency vehicle on the side of the road has emergency lights activated. If moving over is not an option, the drivers must simply slow down at least 20 mph below the posted speed limit.
Compliance with Florida’s Move Over Law is critical for the safety of law enforcement officers and other emergency personnel working on highways. A statewide Move Over Law Task Force was formed to develop strategies to better educate the public about the law and to better enforce it. The enforcement wave was a recommendation of the task force.
During the week long campaign from June 23-29, law enforcement agencies statewide issued more than 4,500 citations to Move Over Law violators and more than 10,000 warnings, which included Move Over violations and other offenses.
“This is a true testament to what can be accomplished when law enforcement officers across the state team up with a common goal”, said Florida Highway Patrol Director Colonel John Czernis. “But this effort doesn’t end here. We will continue to enforce this life saving law and we are going to continue to educate the public. We’ll save more lives through enforcement and education.”
How important is this effort? During the five-year period of 1996-2000, motorists in Florida crashed into working law enforcement vehicles that were stopped or parked along Florida roadways 1,793 times, resulting in five deaths and 419 injuries.
“This was a successful week. We appreciate the efforts of all law enforcement officers statewide. We believe when people learn of this law, they will help us protect our law enforcement officers and first responders, so the key is education,” said Executive Director Electra Bustle.
Law Enforcement, first responders, and roadside service personnel remind you to Move Over. Slow Down. Save Lives.
Deltona Library Modular Units to open Monday
posted 11:41:41am
DELTONA
News source: Volusia County
Library services will return to Deltona Monday, July 7, with the opening of two temporary modular units and a bookmobile on Daytona State College’s Deltona campus.
The modular units will have public access computers and adult and teen materials available for check-out. They will be open from 9:30 a.m. - 7:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and 9:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. Friday.
The bookmobile has a large stock of children’s materials and a small collection of adult books and DVDs. It will be open from 9:30 a.m. - 7:30 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Thursday; 9:30 a.m. - noon Tuesday; and 9:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. Friday. Librarians will take the bookmobile Campbell Park for children’s story time sessions on scheduled Tuesday and Wednesday mornings.
The Deltona Regional Library closed in June to accommodate an $11.7 million expansion project that will double the library’s size and add an environmental center and outdoor amphitheater. It’s expected to reopen in July 2009.
For more information, please call (386) 789-7207.
Groundbreaking for Library Expansion, Lyonia Environmental Center, Amphitheater
posted 11:39:19am
DELTONA
News source: Volusia County
The expansion of the Deltona Regional Library and the creation of an environmental learning center and amphitheater at Lyonia Preserve soon will be one step closer to reality. Officials will gather to break ground at the site at 9:30 a.m. Thursday, July 10.
Members of the Volusia County Council, the mayor and commissioners from the City of Deltona, School Board representatives and members of Volusia County’s Library Advisory Board, along with many other community partners, will gather for the ceremony. The public is invited to attend.
The $11.7 million expansion project is anticipated to be completed in July 2009. The project will double the library’s size from 25,000 to 50,000 square feet and add an environmental learning center and outdoor amphitheater.
The Deltona Regional Library is one of Volusia County’s busiest libraries, accounting for 16 percent of county library transactions. Last year, Deltona library patrons checked out more than 580,000 items and accounted for 1.9 million transactions.
When completed, the expansion will enlarge the computer area, auditorium and children’s sections, and a new teen area will be built. Also in the plans is a two-room meeting suite that can be accessed by community groups after hours.
A 4,000-square-foot environmental learning center will be part of the library complex. The Lyonia Environmental Center is being developed to encourage discovery and exploration of Volusia County’s ecosystems and foster community involvement in conservation efforts. Staff will provide
hands-on field and classroom and environmental experiences.
The Lyonia Environmental Center will include two classrooms, an exhibit gallery, a visiting scientist’s workroom, and a coffee and gift shop. The library expansion and Lyonia Environmental Center will be “green.” The county will apply for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification from the U.S. Green Building Council to certify the building is environmentally responsible and a healthy place to work. Additionally, the landscaping will incorporate Florida native plants that thrive in local conditions and require less maintenance and no supplemental irrigation once established.
A 1,000-seat outdoor amphitheater will be constructed next to the library for community gatherings and educational instruction. The Deltona City Commission has contributed $2 million toward the
expansion project and will pay $250,000 a year for 10 years to help with maintenance and operating costs.
For information about Library Services during the construction phase, please visit www.volusia.org/library. For information about the Lyonia Environmental Center, visit www.LyoniaPreserve.com.
Florida to pilot new program to evaluate academic success
posted 11:37:12am
WASHINGTON, DC
News source: U.S. Rep John Mica's office
U.S. Rep. John L. Mica (FL-7th) announced that the State of Florida has been chosen to pilot a new Differentiated Accountability program to better evaluate school performance and help States meet the goals of No Child Left Behind (NCLB).
On May 23, 2008, Congressman Mica joined with other members of Florida’s U.S. Congressional delegation to send a letter to U.S. Department of Education Secretary Margaret Spellings advocating for Florida’s inclusion in the new pilot program. “The Differentiated Accountability program will benefit Florida’s students, Florida’s communities and Florida’s future,” stated Congressman Mica. “I am pleased with the strength of our State’s proposal and look forward to Florida leading the nation in improving our educational system.”
Under this new program, Florida will be given greater flexibility to vary the intensity and type of intervention needed for under-performing schools. In return for this added leeway, the State has committed to build capacity for school reform; take the most significant actions for the lowest-performing schools, including addressing the issue of teacher effectiveness; and use data to determine the method of differentiation and categories of intervention.
Of the 17 States to submit proposals—Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland and Ohio—were chosen to participate in the Differentiated Accountability pilot program. Implementation of the new program is expected to start at the beginning of the 2008-2009 school year. For more information on the Differentiated Accountability pilot program, please see http://www.ed.gov/news/pressreleases/2008/07/07012008.html. Florida’s proposal can be found at http://www.ed.gov/admins/lead/account/differentiatedaccountability/fldap.pdf.
Children and Families to Launch “Operation Do Drop In”
posted 11:35:05am
FT. LAUDERDALE
News source: Department of Children and Families
Leadership of the Department of Children and Families paid an unannounced visit to a foster care group home in Broward County last week as part of the Department’s new initiative “Operation Do
Drop In.” This initiative is focused on seeing first hand how residential group homes are providing timely and effective services, including safety, permanency and well-being for youth in foster care.
Leadership plans to make one unannounced visit a month, dropping inon a different region each time. Children’s Legal Services Statewide Director Mary Cagle was the facilitator and will conduct similar checks on foster care group homes throughout the state. Through this new initiative
the Department hopes to find that residential group homes are providing the quality care to children living in residential group settings.
During the first visit, Operation Do Drop In team members spoke to staff and youth living in the facility, reviewed program documents and resident case files. Cagle was joined by Family Safety personnel, Regional Quality Assurance members, and a ChildNet representative, the lead community based care agency for Broward County. Team members also checked visitor logs and evaluated the environment of the facility and surrounding location for any safety concerns.
“Secretary Butterworth feels that it is essential for leadership in the Department to have face to face contact with youth in out of home care,” said Mary Cagle. “This initiative is not to second guess our
community partners or our quality assurance staff; it is to take an opportunity to talk with the youth and ensure they are on their way to thriving as an adult.”
Operation Do Drop In will evaluate foster care group homes, prepare a briefing and make any necessary recommendations to the Circuit Administrator and the community-based care lead agency. The Department conducts quality assurance reviews and monitors contracts, but this
Operation takes accountability one step further by visiting residential facilities to make sure group homes are providing quality care to foster youths.
For more information about the Department of Children and Families, visit http://www.state.fl.us/cf_web/.
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