| Major construction work taking place in Coral SpringsBy David VolzIf you are driving around Coral Springs, you will notice some major construction projects and you may experience some traffic delays.Because of needed improvements to Lift Station 17-B, starting Monday, May 3, southbound Coral Springs Drive from Wiles to Sample will be reduced to one lane. This is expected to last approximately three months. Lift Station 17-B is located just south of NW 41st St. |
| The Broward County Highway and Bridge Maintenance Division will be performing major bridge rehabilitation on County-owned twin bridges located on West Atlantic Boulevard over the West Outfall Drainage Canal starting on May 10. During construction, up to two lanes of traffic will be closed to vehicular traffic between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. |
| Major landscaping renovations are taking place on University Drive. The current landscape design of the road does not comply with the State’s Landscape Design Standards. The goals of this re-landscape project are to make the road compliant by removing vegetation that violates standards, replace plant material that is in decline due to disease or other conditions, and to restock the medians with new and more suitable plant material, according to City of Coral Springs information. |
Gov. Ron DeSantis lifts COVID restrictions
By David Volz
Governor Ron DeSantis signed Senate Bill (SB) 2006, important legislation aimed at reducing the tide of local and state government overreach. This legislation is effective immediately.
The bill takes aim at arbitrary lockdowns, vaccine passports and enhances emergency preparedness for future emergencies. Governor DeSantis also signed Executive Orders 21-101 and 21-102 suspending all local emergency orders until July 1, 2021, at which point local orders will be permanently invalidated pursuant to SB 2006, according to a statement from the Governor’s office.
“Over the last year we’ve avoided protracted lockdowns and school closures in Florida because I have refused to take the same approach as other lockdown Governors. This legislation ensures that legal safeguards are in place so that local governments cannot arbitrarily close our schools or businesses,” said DeSantis. “In Florida, your personal choice regarding vaccinations will be protected and no business or government entity will be able to deny you services based on your decision. I’d like to thank President Simpson, Speaker Sprowls and the Florida Legislature for getting this legislation got across the finish line.”
Broward Mayor Steve Geller has said that it is premature to declare the COVID crisis over. Many stores and businesses are still requiring customers to wear masks while inside.
“While many states around the country are just now beginning to re-open, under the leadership of Governor DeSantis, Florida has been responsibly opening back up over the last year,” said Senate President Wilton Simpson.
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| Note on upcoming special election From David Volz A special primary election to fill the seat of the late U.S. Representative Alcee Hastings will take place on Nov. 2 and the general election will take place on Jan. 11. This announcement was made by Gov. Ron DeSantis on Tuesday. Hastings died on April. A least seven Democrats and one Republican have said they will seek to fill the vacancy. |
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Hollywood Police and community leaders to hold food distribution event
By David Volz
Leaders of the community will get together to help others through a fun event.
The Hollywood Police Department’s Police Athletic League (PAL), in partnership with the Miami Dolphins Foundation Food Relief Program, will hold a food distribution event on May 12, 2021. Five hundred meals will be provided to 125 pre-registered PAL families. The event will run from 5:00-7:00 PM at 2311 North 23 Avenue in Hollywood.
The Miami Dolphins Foundation began the Food Relief Program on June 1, 2020. The initiative partners with minority owned restaurants to provide meals to families around South Florida, in an effort to generate jobs and revenue while combatting food insecurity on a long-term basis. For this event, Veteran owned business S&J Catering will be providing the delicious meals for families. “We are so thankful for this partnership that works towards helping our community,” said Deanna Bettineschi, spokesperson for the Hollywood Police Department.
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Coral Springs athletes qualify for state championship meet
By David Volz
The Coral Springs High School Track and Field team is sending two athletes to the State Championship meet in Jacksonville this weekend. Neisha Aldajust earned second place in the shot put and third place in the discus at the regional meet and qualified for the state meet. She also played on the Colts basketball team. She wants to compete in track and field at Webber International University. Louma Dufresne won the boys shot put event to qualify for the state meet. He hopes to compete in track and field and football at Florida State University.
“It feels good to go to the state meet,” said Aldajust.
“I am looking forward to the state meet,” said Dufresne.
The Coral Springs High School 4X100 and 4X400 boys relay teams did well at regionals.
Alexandra Bruno of Coral Springs Charter qualified for the state championship in the shot put. “I happy to have qualified for the state meet. I worked hard for it and it is a great accomplishment,” she said.
