| Celebrity Edge will sail from Port Everglades Celebrity Cruises’ Celebrity Edge out of Port Everglades will be first ship to sail from the United States with passengers after a 15-month national hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Port Everglades lost more than 50 percent in revenue in Fiscal Year 2020 primarily from the cruise shutdown, which typically generates nearly $60 million in revenue annually for the port. Celebrity Cruises is homeported at Port Everglades, sailing primarily from Terminal 25. The ultramodern cruise terminal opened in November 2018 following a $120 million renovation to expand the square footage by 83 percent to 157,800 square feet and transform the warehouse into a sleek, contemporary embarkation center with a VIP lounge, a rooftop viewing area, interactive art and a designated crew lounge. |
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Gov. DeSantis to cut off unemployment benefits
On Saturday, Florida residents will no longer be able to collect federal unemployment checks. Gov. Ron DeSantis cut off the benefits to help businesses in their efforts to hire more people. Florida is among 26 states mostly led by Republican governors that have chosen to stop participating in the federal government’s unemployment program before the Sept. 6 expiration date.
Florida residents who can get through the Department of Economic Opportunity’s CONNECT website will be able to collect $275 per week in state benefits which is about $6.87 an hour and is among the lowest payouts in the nation. DeSantis has also reinstated the requirement for people to apply to five jobs per week to stay on unemployment. “We reinstated the job search requirement and now discontinued the added federal money, and the reason is simple: we’ve got almost a half a million job openings in the state of Florida,” said DeSantis at a recent conference.
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Fort Lauderdale Commission hears from residents on Las Olas Boulevard vision plan
From David Volz
During a follow-up to the June 1 regular City Commission meeting where the Commission heard extensive public feedback regarding the Las Olas Boulevard vision plan, the City Commission reviewed an updated plan that incorporated their feedback. The original plan was split into two corridor plans: a western corridor consisting of the area between Andrews Avenue and SE 12 Avenue and an eastern corridor consisting of the area between SE 12 Avenue and A1A. These two plans included the modifications that were requested at the June 1 meeting.
The City Commission accepted the Las Olas Vision Plan and expressed support for improving each of the five distinct character areas along the corridor: Downtown, the Shops, Colee Hammock, the Isles, and the Beach. Looking ahead, efforts will focus on additional traffic studies, financial methodology studies, design, and engineering with an emphasis on integrating infrastructure improvements.
The City Commission approved an agreement with Musco Sports Lighting, LLC in the estimated amount of $4,124,495 for the purchase and installation of sports lighting for the athletic fields at eight City parks: Bayview, Croissant, Floranada, Florence C. Hardy, Holiday, Mills Pond, Osswald, and Sunset. The upgraded LED lighting will result in an up to 60% decrease in electricity usage, increased lighting levels and safety, and reduced maintenance costs.
