Life and politics from the Sunshine State's best city

Tag archive

Treasure Coast

Tom Rooney blasts Weather Channel documentary: Lake O is not ‘toxic’

in Statewide/Top Headlines by

A recent Weather Channel documentary alleging Lake Okeechobee “pollution” drew a storm of controversy among Florida scientists, farmers – and at least one U.S. Congressman. “Toxic Lake: The Untold Story of Lake Okeechobee,” an online video posted last week, gives what many call an extremely inaccurate and incomplete picture of the environmental circumstances surrounding Lake O. The nearly 11-minute video places much of the responsibility squarely on the shoulders of Florida’s sugar industry. In the video, Weather Channel reporter Kait…

Keep Reading

You might be interested in

Joe Negron shows himself a statesman, but his land buying plan is untenable

in Peter/Top Headlines by

Sen. Joe Negron’s statesmanlike news conference demonstrated how deeply he cares about water issues. There’s no doubt his plan to buy 60,000 acres south of Lake Okeechobee will be heralded in his hometown, but in all likelihood, the plan will be met with many roadblocks in Tallahassee. In short, the idea is politically untenable, costs too much, and is scientifically unproven. But few things have ever stopped an incoming Senate President from shooting for the stars. First, there was initial sticker shock at…

Keep Reading

You might be interested in

Army Corps to reduce lake flows fueling Florida algae bloom

in Statewide by

U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio is calling on President Barack Obama to declare a state of emergency to help businesses harmed by the massive algae bloom fouling some of Florida’s southern rivers and beaches. Rubio on Friday toured a portion of the St. Lucie River where a smelly muck is fouling an area promoted as Florida’s “Treasure Coast.” During a news conference later, he called the impact on tourism, home values and small businesses “catastrophic,” saying he couldn’t think of a…

Keep Reading

You might be interested in

‘Guacamole-thick’ algae causes crisis on Florida coastline

in Statewide/Top Headlines by

A smelly, “guacamole-thick” muck is fouling a stretch of beaches promoted as Florida’s “Treasure Coast,” where lawmakers and residents blame the federal government, saying the algae crisis is fueled by freshwater flows controlled by Army officials to protect an erosion-prone dike. The blue-green algae is the latest contaminant featured in yearslong arguments over water flowing from Lake Okeechobee, which is critical to South Florida’s water supply and flood control systems. At Central Marine boat docks in Stuart, pea-green and brown…

Keep Reading

You might be interested in

SFWMD responds to criticism over blue-green algae blooms

in Statewide/Top Headlines by

The South Florida Water Management is responding to critics who say the district isn’t doing enough to stop the spread of blue-green algae. Blue-green algae forced Treasure Coast officials to close some Martin County beaches this week. Algae also have been spotted in waterways and canals across much of South Florida. A spokesman for the South Florida Water Management District told the Palm Beach Post Tuesday the algae is widespread in the district. But water management officials have been criticized for not…

Keep Reading

You might be interested in

Debbie Mayfield, Ritch Workman post ho-hum March fundraising figures in SD 17 race

in 2017/Top Headlines by

Republican Reps. Ritch Workman and Debbie Mayfield put up middling fundraising numbers in a March reporting period shortened by a prohibition on accepting contributions during the 2016 Legislative Session, which ended March 11. Workman, who represents Melbourne in HD 52, reported raising just $5,000 while spending $10,459. Mayfield, from Vero Beach-based HD 52, reported raising $2,075 and spending $12,072. The two term-limited lawmakers are squaring off in a GOP primary to replace Sen. Thad Altman, who is pursuing a House run after his Senate district…

Keep Reading

You might be interested in

Rene Plasencia, Tom Goodson to shuffle House seats near Space Coast

in Top Headlines by

Titusville state Rep. Tom Goodson from District 50 will not seek re-election there, and will instead opt to run for an adjacent House seat, freeing up state Rep. Rene Plasencia to make a run at the Republican-oriented seat. The latest move in Central Florida legislative musical chairs was first reported by Frank Torres of the Orlando Political Observer and Jacob Engels of the East Orlando Post. Plasencia narrowly defeated state Rep. Joe Saunders in a tightly-contested race that saw the Democratic incumbent go down by a margin of fewer than…

Keep Reading

You might be interested in

Go to Top