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Government & Education

FLORIDA'S STAGE 1 REOPENING:  WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

4/29/2020

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Today, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis announced the first stage of Florida’s reopening would begin on Monday, May 4 at 12:01 a.m.  With the exceptions of Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach Counties, the State will ease restrictions to allow the following:
  • Restaurants can open outdoor seating with parties seated a minimum of six feet apart.  
  • Restaurants can allow up to 25% capacity of indoor seating that is properly socially-distanced.
  • Non-essential retail stores can allow shopping inside the store with 25% capacity and social distancing.
  • Businesses can be fined up to $500 for exceeding the 25% capacity requirement.  Additional enforcement action may apply to certain businesses from their regulatory agency.
  • Employees that come into close contact with customers are advised to wear face masks.
  • All medical services, including elective procedures, surgical centers, family doctors, chiropractors, dentists, orthodontists, and other health care practitioners can reopen.

What hasn’t changed:
  • Bars and nightclubs must remain closed.
  • Personal service businesses like salons and gyms must remain closed.
  • Large venues like movie theaters and sporting event venues will remain closed.
  • Local and state law enforcement are in charge of enforcing the Governor's Executive Orders, in addition to the State's regulatory agencies that oversee businesses.
  • Long term care facilities still cannot allow visitors.  
  • Groups can gather with ten people or less with the individuals being a minimum of six feet apart. 
  • The most at-risk individuals (65 years and older with underlying health conditions) should remain home.  

The Governor stated that data would continue to be reviewed to determine the appropriate time to ease the remaining restrictions.

For more news and events in Mount Dora, Tavares & Eustis, this month, click here.  Discover the area's online entertainment calendar here. Also download the area's free mobile app.  ​​​​
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MOUNT DORA BUMPS POLICE OFFICER PAY TO HIGHEST IN LAKE COUNTY

4/26/2020

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ABOVE: Mount Dora Police Headquarters (photo credit: Mount Dora Buzz)
What lagged behind for years has now jumped ahead.  Mount Dora Police Department (MDPD), which previously had one of the lowest compensation ranges for its officers, has now moved slightly ahead of other Lake County cities.  

Now, with the unanimous approval of Mount Dora City Council members last month, the first year earning potential for an officer ranges from $45,054 to $66,205 depending on experience.  Officers can opt to increase their compensation by adding special work details during any of the city’s 38 events and joining specialized units which pushes the range up to $58,054 to $92,213 annually, commensurate with an officer’s experience.  

The goal is for the community-oriented police department, which serves approximately 14,000 residents in the quaint Central Florida town, to successfully recruit and retain the best law enforcement officers available.   The department is currently budgeted for 46 positions and presently has eight openings.

The fully functioning department’s specialized units include K-9, drug investigations, community relations, SWAT, school resource officer, traffic unit, traffic homicide investigations, field training officer and honor guard, among others. 
“Mount Dora Police Department is currently looking for experienced law enforcement officers who believe in the community policing philosophy,” said Assistant Mount Dora Police Chief Michael Fewless.  “Our relationship with the community is extremely important to us and we always try to serve it in a professional manner.”
Law enforcement officers interested in the opportunities available at Mount Dora Police Department should contact Captain Coy Hunter at  mdpdrecruiting@cityofmountdora.com ​

​For more news and events in Mount Dora, Tavares & Eustis, this month, click here.  Discover the area's online entertainment calendar here. Also download the area's free mobile app.  ​​​​
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LAKE COUNTY OPENS 3 NEW DRIVE-THRU TESTING SITES

4/21/2020

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One thing expert scientists agree on is that widespread testing is essential in better understanding and mitigating the spread of the novel coronavirus in order to prepare for a safer reopening of businesses.  
 
Beginning on Wednesday, April 22, Lake County will partner with a private health provider to increase testing opportunities for all residents, including those who are asymptomatic. 
 
Three drive-thru locations are expected to be open by April 22  in each region of the County. FDA approved swab or antibody tests will be administered to Lake County residents for $20 through May 17.  The sites will be open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at:
  • 3619 Lake Center Drive, Mount Dora (Adult Medicine of Lake County)   Testing available now Monday through Friday.
  • 2525 Oakley Seaver Drive, Clermont (Cooper Memorial Library) Testing to be available starting on April 23, then on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
  • 109 E. Dixie Ave., Leesburg (Venetian Gardens at the intersection of Canal Street and Dixie Avenue) Testing to be available starting on April 24, then on Wednesdays and Fridays.
Testing is limited to two per resident and results will be returned within 1 to 3 days after testing. Adult Medicine of Lake County offers swab or antibody tests for $85 for non-residents. No appointment is needed for the drive-thru testing sites and residents are required to present proof of residence to qualify for the reduced testing fee. Call the Adult Medicine of Lake County dedicated COVID-19 line for more information at 352-329-1133.

Residents are encouraged to call their doctor to obtain testing if their doctor has it available. . Residents with symptoms who are unable to receive testing through their primary healthcare provider should still call the Florida Department of Health Hotline at 352-742-4830; callers that meet the criteria for testing will receive an appointment for free testing at a Lake County testing location.   There will continue to be free testing provided by the Health Department and at the State’s regional test site located at the Orange County Convention Center.    
 
Antibody testing is important because if someone recovered from the virus, the presence of antibodies is their body’s way of recalling how it responded to it, so it can attack the same virus again if exposed to it. People with antibodies are at lower risk of reinfection because they have immune cells already available to fight the virus.
 
To further assist residents, Lake County will be announcing additional locations where residents can obtain and fill out printed forms for State unemployment benefits in order to expedite that process.
 
Business owners should watch for the launch of an online questionnaire to help them prepare for “next steps” to safely reopen their doors once the Governor lifts Florida’s Stay-at-Home order. Businesses are encouraged to respond to Lake County’s online questionnaire to: 
  • Assess their financial situation
  • Understand supply chain impacts on their particular business 
  • Communicate their experiences to leaders overseeing relief programs, 
  • Exchange information
  • Share best practices
 
In addition, this questionnaire will identify how the County can assist them as they implement protective measures to address the safety of their employees and customers.   
 
Once that link becomes available, it will be published here.  For more news and events in Mount Dora, Tavares & Eustis, this month, click here.  Discover the area's online entertainment calendar here. Also download the area's free mobile app.  ​​​​
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NEW SCHEDULE ANNOUNCED FOR FREE MEALS FOR LAKE COUNTY STUDENTS

4/8/2020

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Starting next week, free breakfasts and lunches for students will be available for pickup at specific Lake County schools from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays only.  Students will receive the same number of meals even though the number of distributions days has been reduced.  

Students will receive four meals on Tuesdays -- 2 breakfasts and 2 lunches. On Thursdays, they will receive 6 meals -- 3 breakfasts and 3 lunches.
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The change, effective the week of April 13, lessens the amount of time employees are away from home while the state is under a stay-at-home order in response to the COVID-19 coronavirus. It also aims to make pickups easier for parents, some of whom have complained that the daily pickups are disruptive to their new work-at-home and distance learning routines.  Find a full list of meal distribution sites here. 
 
Friday, April 10, is a pre-scheduled day off for students, so no meals will be distributed that day. Instead, students will receive Friday’s meals on Thursday, April 9. 
 
Staff will distribute the meals directly to those in their vehicle via drive-through service, as well as hand-out meals to any walkers and/or bike riders who may lack motor-vehicle transportation.  The food must be taken off-site to be eaten.  Students must be present to receive the meals. Students are not required to have parents with them when they come, but parents are not allowed to pick up meals without a student accompanying them. 
 
​​​For more news and events in Mount Dora, Tavares & Eustis, this month, click here.  Discover the area's online entertainment calendar here. Also download the area's free mobile app.  ​​​​
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MOUNT DORA LOWERS ELECTRIC RATES TO EASE RESIDENTS' FINANCIAL BURDENS

4/2/2020

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In a move aimed at easing the current financial burden of some of its residents, the City of Mount Dora Electric Utility Department announced plans to lower monthly electric bills early for city customers during the novel coronavirus pandemic. Due to lower fuel costs, the City was able to pass the savings on to customers sooner by reducing their rates now. 

The savings start today and decrease the monthly electric bill between 7.9% and 10.7% depending on usage.  As an example, the typical residential customer using 1,000 kWh per month would see a decrease of 10% on their next bill. 

“I am very glad that the Electric Department can help out our customers when they need it most. Now that fuel prices are low, we felt it was important to go ahead and reduce the rates now as opposed to waiting until later,” said Electric Utility Director Steven Langley. 

The Power Cost Charge (PCC) is a separate charge on the customers’ electric bills which recovers the actual cost of wholesale power that the city purchases from Duke Energy. The PCC is normally calculated for April 1 and October 1 and is applied to the following six-month period. According to the City, it does not make a profit on the PCC.  It's simply a billing mechanism to pass along actual power costs to the city's electric customers, so when wholesale rates go down,  the customers' rates will also decrease. Commercial customers will receive decreases ranging from 9.8% to 13.8%, depending on usage.

​For more news and events in Mount Dora, Tavares & Eustis, this month, click here.  Discover the area's online entertainment calendar here. Also download the area's free mobile app.  ​​​​
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FACTS ABOUT FLORIDA'S "SAFER-AT-HOME" ORDER

4/1/2020

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Today a statewide “Safer-At-Home” Executive Order was issued by Florida Governor DeSantis as Florida continues to be the state with the sixth highest number of confirmed cases of COVID-19.   The mandatory order goes into effect on April 3 at 12:01 a.m and expires on April 30.  Florida's version of a stay-at-home order requires the following actions by everyone throughout the entire state:

All persons in Florida shall limit their movements and personal interactions outside of their home to only those necessary to obtain or provide essential services or conduct essential activities. 

essential services are:

  • Government & public safety 
  • Healthcare 
  • Specific stores: Grocery, pharmacy, hardware, convenience, pet supply and office supply stores  
  • Gas stations
  • Banks & Financial companies
  • Post office & shipping companies
  • News media companies
  • Take-out restaurants
  • Farming, manufacturing and industrial companies
  • Laundry companies
  • Public transportation
  • Energy, water, utilities & sanitation companies
  • IT companies

ESSENTIAL ACTIVITIES INCLUDE

  • Attending religious services conducted in churches, synagogues and houses of worship  (with no more than 10 people and all persons must be at least 6 feet apart).
  • Participating in recreational activities such as walking, biking, hiking, fishing, hunting, running, or swimming (consistent with social distancing requirements).
  •  Taking care of pets
  • Caring for or otherwise assisting a loved one or friend. 
A social gathering in a public space is not an essential activity. Local jurisdictions shall ensure that groups of people greater than ten are not permitted to congregate in any public space.

​Nothing in this order prohibits individuals from working from home and all businesses are encouraged to provide delivery, carry-out or curbside service of orders placed online or via telephone.


Senior citizens and individuals with a significant underlying medical condition are required to stay at home and take all measures to limit the risk of exposure to COVID-19.  Underlying medical conditions include: chronic lung disease, moderate-to-severe asthma, serious heart conditions, immunocompromised status, cancer, diabetes, severe obesity, renal failure and liver disease.

As of today, Florida has 7,773 confirmed cases of COVID-19.   67 of those cases are in Lake County.  

​
For more news and events in Mount Dora, Tavares & Eustis, this month, click here.  Discover the area's online entertainment calendar here. Also download the area's free mobile app.  ​​​​
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