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Thursday, December 19, 2024

Good Morning! On this day in 1889, Sanford unsuccessfully challenged Orlando to become the Orange County seat. Sanford later became the seat of Seminole County.

Today is National Oatmeal Muffin Day. Here’s a high-rated recipe for a “quick and easy” oatmeal muffin.

Later today, we’ll be sending you a special email featuring our partner, GoldCo, offering free financial advice to help safeguard your retirement savings. We hope you find their offer valuable!

Today's new sponsor, WorldTree, has an exciting ecological investment opportunity you won't want to miss.

Florida’s Rare Coral Now Endangered

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced this week that Florida’s rare pillar coral has been added to the endangered species list.

The rare corals, which look like fingers reaching up from the reef, can only be found off Florida and in the Caribbean. See the Federal Register here.

The coral had dwindled to just five hundred small colonies when stony coral disease appeared in 2014 and wiped out most of what was left.

Ongoing efforts are underway to breed the coral at the Florida Aquarium.

Residents Push Back on Utility Rate Hike

On Tuesday, some Central Floridians who object to the Sunshine Water Services Company’s pending request to increase customers’ monthly rates for water and wastewater attended a Florida Public Services Commission (PSC) hearing.

If the higher rates are approved, the typical Sunshine customer would pay nearly 23% more for water and about 16% more for wastewater, according to the private utility’s request filed with the PSC earlier this year.

The rate increases would impact customers in Charlotte, Highlands, Lake, Lee, Marion, Orange, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, and Seminole Counties.

In 2022, Seminole County commissioners discussed assuming control of Sunshine Water Services following years of customer complaints about frequent sewage spills and sharp rate increases.

Florida’s Oldest Veteran Turns 108

On Tuesday, Florida’s oldest living WWII veteran, Bill Monfort, celebrated his 108th birthday in Clearwater. You can see photos of him here.

Born on December 17, 1916, he learned to drive a Model T Ford when he was 12 years old.

Monfort served as a radio operator on a Navy destroyer during WWII. He survived kamikaze attacks and was the first on his ship to learn of the attack on Pearl Harbor. He also survived a bout with COVID.

"I lived a long life, and then I have many, many, many, many friends, not only here, but all over the United States," Monfort said.

A Fast-Growing Solution to Quadrupling Hardwood Demand

Hardwood consumption is soaring, and demand for lumber is set to quadruple by 2050. The problem? Traditional hardwoods take decades to mature, leaving a supply gap in the $170B American lumber market. But World Tree offers a solution.

Through the 2024 Eco-Tree Program, they plant Empress Splendor trees – a species that grows three times faster than traditional hardwoods – to meet demand with premium lumber in just 10 years. And as an investor in the 2024 Eco-Tree Program, you can share in that advantage.

Investors in the 2024 program earn 30% of the profits from eventual harvest, targeting up to 5X return on investment in 8 to 12 years. With over 6,000 acres planted across 300 vetted farms, World Tree already supplies lumber to booming industries like furniture, marine craft, and eco-design.

With today’s lumber already selling at $6 per board foot, we’re working to establish the Empress Tree as the premium solution. Invest in the 2024 World Tree Eco-Tree Program to claim your share of this fast-growing opportunity.

➤ Pinellas County: Commissioners voted 5-2 on Tuesday to approve bonds to help build a new Tampa Bay Rays stadium. Two commissioners flipped their earlier opposition. (See Details)

➤ Statewide: Gov. Ron DeSantis and the state Cabinet approved a series of land conservation deals totaling $318 million to protect 86,819 acres across Florida. (More)

➤ Meanwhile, House Speaker Daniel Perez announced chair and vice-chair leadership positions for the chamber’s two dozen subcommittees alongside the full roster of committee seats. (See Appointments)

➤ Also, Florida Insurance Commissioner Michael Yaworsky signed orders approving proposals by three private insurers to assume up to 160,440 policies from state-run Citizens Property Insurance Corporation starting in March. (See Details)

➤ West Palm Beach: A former bridge tender was sentenced to 10 years in prison on Tuesday for violating probation after killing a woman by prematurely raising a drawbridge in 2022. (More)

➤ Boca Raton: Florida Atlantic University (FAU) will rename its football stadium Flagler Credit Union Stadium as part of a $22.5 million deal, the first naming-rights deal for the 13-year-old facility. (More)

➤ The Miami Dolphins Week 17 game against the Cleveland Browns has been moved off of Sunday Night Football and into a daytime game slot. (More)

➤ Tampa Bay Lightning star Jake Guentzel scored a goal in his seventh consecutive game on Tuesday night, helping the team defeat the Columbus Blue Jackets 5-3. (Watch Video)

➤ Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence underwent surgery on his left shoulder this week. (More)

Yesterday’s results: NCAAF | NHL | NCAAM | NCAAW

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➤ Walt Disney Parks and Resorts filed about a dozen lawsuits in Orange Circuit Court to contest property tax assessments at its four major theme parks, as well as several hotels, water parks, and other properties. (More)

➤ Nemours Children's Health announced it will invest $300 million and expand its hospital campus with three new buildings in Central Florida over the next four years, addressing the growing demand for high-quality pediatric care. (See Video)

➤ Bags Inc., owned by Metropolis Technologies, will cut 246 jobs at 10 Walt Disney World Resort hotels following the conclusion of its valet services contract. (More)

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Potential 5X Return on This Investment

Lumber demand is skyrocketing – set to quadruple by 2050. Set yourself up to potentially profit from this boom while supporting sustainability with World Tree’s 2024 Eco-Tree Program.

Invest in innovation; World Tree grows lumber 3X faster than competitors
Tap into the booming $170B US lumber market for eco-friendly, sustainable
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Grow forests. Grow profits. Grow the future. Invest in the Eco-Tree Program today.

In making an investment decision, investors must rely on their own examination of the issuer and the terms of the offering, including the merits and risks involved. World Tree has filed a Form C with the Securities and Exchange Commission in connection with its offering, a copy of which may be obtained here: invest.ecotreeprogram.com

➤ The Thornton Family of Amelia Island donated nearly 400 acres of wetlands last week to The North Florida Land Trust with the intention of conserving its natural state. (See Details)

➤ Virtual reality headsets were used by a judge, the lawyers, and a man accused of waving a gun to shut down a wedding reception at the venue he owns in Southwest Ranches. The hearing was held to determine whether charges against the defendant should be dismissed. (See Photos)

➤ Florida officials are offering a "Certificate of Clearance" to good boys and girls to commemorate Santa's visit to their home this Christmas, as Santa Claus and his reindeer receive official clearance to fly over the Sunshine State. (More)

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➤ ZQuiet is a ready-to-use, anti-snoring mouthpiece that provides immediate relief by gently moving your jaw forward. With ZQuiet, you can finally stop snoring at the source — for good! (See It Here)