Havana resident named to Kennesaw State University President’s List
Sarah Johns, a resident of Havana, was recently named to the Kennesaw State University Fall 2021 President’s List.
A Psychology major, Johns was among more than 5,100 undergraduate students named to the Fall 2021 President’s List.
To qualify for placement on the list, students must achieve a 4.0 grade point average and complete a minimum of nine credit hours.
Gadsden youth center seeks funding from Florida House of Representatives
House Bill 9011, filed by Florida House Representative Ramon Alexander, seeks to gain $300,000 for the William “Bill” McGill Youth Empowerment Center, in Gadsden County.
Requested by Patricia McGill, with the Corp for Community and Economic Development United, Inc., the appropriations request says the funding will be used so the center can provide support, resources, and opportunities to Gadsden County youth – thus preparing them for better opportunities in life and a successful future.
According to the appropriations request, the funding will be used to offer programs and training intended to increase community involvement by empowering youth with the necessary tools to advance academically, professionally and personally.
The McGill Center will offer character development, activities to restore youth self-esteem, self confidence and trust, as well as academic tutoring.
The bill requesting the funding was filed in December; on January 11, the bill had its first reading in the Florida House of Representatives.
Jackson Correctional Institution to host hiring event
The Jackson Correctional Institution will host a one-day hiring event for correctional officers and trainees, Thursday, February 17, from 8-11 a.m. and 12-3 p.m. in the Chipola College Public Service Building.
Interested applicants must be a United States citizen, be at least 18 years old, have no felony convictions, eligible to own/possess a firearm, have a valid driver’s license, and hold a high school diploma or equivalent GED.
Applicants should also bring the following documents: driver’s license, social security card, birth certificate, high school diploma or equivalent, and a military dd-214.
Applicants will take the CJBAT on the same day.
New hires have the potential to earn an annual salary of $38.5k, receive on the job paid training, earn tuition-free college (six hours per semester) and receive single/family health insurance coverage.
For more information or for those unable to attend, contact Morgan Daniels at (850) 718-2212.
Havana resident is placed on Southern New Hampshire University’s Dean’s List
Tatyanna Edwards, of Havana, has been named to Southern New Hampshire University’s Fall 2021 Dean’s List.
Full-time undergraduate students who have earned a minimum grade-point average of 3.500 to 3.699 are named to the Dean’s List.
Southern New Hampshire University is a private, nonprofit institution with an 89-year history of educating traditional-aged students and working adults.
House Bill 9009 seeks funding for a maternal and pediatric clinic in Gadsden County
A bill filed by Florida House Representative Ramon Alexander in December (at the request of Jeanne Freeman with the Neighborhood Medical Center, Inc.) seeks funding from the State of Florida for the construction of a neighborhood medical center and pediatric clinic in Gadsden County.
In the appropriations request, the bill asks the state to fund $1,650,000 for the construction of a facility to house a maternal and pediatric health clinic; the request also states that funds will increase how many medically underserved maternal and pediatric patients can be seen in Gadsden County.
If the funding is allocated from the state budget, Neighborhood Medical Center, Inc. plans to build a new, 10,000 square-foot, two-story building for the center.
According to the appropriations request, direct care will be provided to patients at the facility.
Services will include obstetrics, pediatrics, and behavioral health; there will also be health education and a workforce training center to provide health education and wellness classes to expectant parents and children.
The bill recently received its first reading in the House on January 11, after already going through the state’s Health Care Appropriations Subcommittee and Appropriations Committee in December.
Talquin Electric unveils solar project for cooperative members
Three utility solar projects are taking shape for Talquin Electric Cooperative members; the projects are being developed by Origis Energy and will be constructed, owned, and operated by Origis.
The solar projects will deliver clean energy at competitive rates under Power Purchase Agreements executed between Talquin Electric Cooperative, Seminole Electric Cooperative, and Origis.
One of the solar projects, Hinson Solar, a 4 MWAC project, is located in Gadsden County.
The other projects will be located in Wakulla County and Liberty County.
Construction on the projects is slated for completion in the first quarter of 2022.
Ramon Alexander, Loranne Ausley file bills for donation of surplus, state-owned land
House of Representatives’ Ramon Alexander, and Florida State Sentate’s Loranne Ausley (both of whom serve Gadsden County) have filed bills in their respective boards that would authorize the state to dispose of surplus, nonconservation land that is owned by the state.
House Bill 1367 (filed by Alexander) and State Bill 290 (filed by Ausley) are identical, and both call for the state to donate, sell, or lease surplus lands that are in fiscally constrained counties to either private entities or local governments.
According to the bills, if they are passed then the Board of Trustees of the Internal Improvement Trust will determine which lands may be surplused; if the lands are currently being used for conservation purposes, then the state will determine whether the lands are still needed for conservation or if they can be surplussed.
The bill says that the lands may be sold, donated, or leased.
Private entities will be permitted to sell or lease the land, should it be determined that the sale or lease will create economic development and jobs in the county of the land’s location.
Lands that are jointly owned by the state and another entity will not be subject to this surplussing without the consent of all owners.
Ausley’s bill was filed in September of 2021, and Alexander’s was filed in January 2022.
House Bill 1367 received its first reading on January 11, with no further development at this time; Senate Bill 290 was referred to the Environment and Natural Resources committee in October 2021, and then introduced to the Florida State Senate on January 11.