COUNTY 

CBS 4  

Alachua County Commission approves $188 million plan to add more parks, conserve land  

Alachua County commissioners are moving forward with plans to dish out $188 million toward land conservation and parks over the next decade. 

 

The Ledger  

Polk County receives $720,000 federal grant for road safety projects  

Polk County will receive a $720,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation through the Safe Streets and Roads for All program. The competitive grant program, established in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act that President Biden signed in November, provides $5 billion over five years for regional, local and Tribal initiatives to prevent deaths and serious injuries on the nation’s roadways, the county said in a news release. 

 

WTXL 

First responders upgrading communication system  

First responders in Wakulla County will be getting a much-needed upgrade to their communication system. 

 

CBS12 

High-tech security cameras may soon be installed at St. Lucie County parks to combat crime 

FORT PIERCE, Fla. (CBS12) — The St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office is working to get security cameras installed at five county parks. 

 

WCJB 

Alachua County Commission sets course for parks and conservation over the next decade  

GAINESVILLE, Fla. (WCJB) – The Alachua County Commission approved two master plans for how the county will replenish its parks and conserve land over the next decade. 

 

My Panhandle 

Bay County buys home that repeatedly floods as part of FEMA program 

BAY COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) — A North Lagoon Avenue home is going to be the first to be bought back by Bay County for Hurricane Sally-related flooding. 

 

AFFORDABLE HOUSING  

Islander 

Proposed affordable housing legislation bans rent caps, reduces regulations and offers tax breaks for affordable development  

The growing problem of a lack of affordable housing has been building for several years in Florida, but it exploded into an outright crisis in 2022, as rents on average increased in the state’s biggest metropolitan areas by 24 percent, according to rent.com. 

 

Orlando Sentinel  

Will Disney, Universal affordable housing projects lead the way for more? 

As Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando help build affordable apartments for employees and the public, questions remain about who is going to get to live there and what other local businesses, if any, will follow suit. ew