The wonderful state of Florida
- Thread starter gwb-trading
- Start date
In order to eject homeowners from the state insurance plan -- the company is using unlicensed inspectors who submit fake inspection reports so the insurer can drop them. This is what DeSantis and his crony GOP legislature has put in place.
In push to remove homeowners from Citizens, state-run insurer uses unlicensed inspectors
https://www.miamiherald.com/news/business/article281979663.html
Remember all those crisis stories about the giant seaweed blob that was going to eradicate the beaches in Florida. Well it turned into a nothing-burger.
What happened to that giant sargassum seaweed blob headed for Florida? It shrunk, scientists say
Seaweed abundance quite small now, USF report says
https://www.clickorlando.com/news/l...-headed-for-florida-it-shrunk-scientists-say/
That giant blob of stinky seaweed that was headed to Florida earlier this year has shrunk, and what’s out there is less than scientists have seen in recent years.
That’s according to a report by researchers at the University of South Florida’s Optical Oceanography Lab.
The report for October says there was an estimated .15 million metric tons of sargassum seaweed detected in the Caribbean Sea throughout the month, and much of it had dissipated by the end of October. There was also very little sargassum overall in the Gulf of Mexico, and nearly half of the sargassum in the Central Atlantic was situated west of the African coast.
“Even for this time of year, these abundances are quite small compared to recent years,” the report said. The latest report can be read on the USF website.
Scientists say minimal sargassum is expected in all regions in November. If there is going to be a new bloom for 2024, the first indications will appear in December.
The Great Atlantic Sargassum Belt, a mass of seaweed stretching from Africa to the Gulf of Mexico, caused quite a stink online earlier this year when scientists were concerned the belt would leave large amounts of seaweed on Florida beaches, leaving a smell of rotten eggs, caused by a toxic gas that can be a problem for people with respiratory issues.
Scientists say there was evidence the seaweed was carrying Vibrio, a flesh-eating bacteria.
But in June and July, indications showed the blob was shrinking and moving.
News 6 Chief Meteorologist Tom Sorrells talked to one of the researchers studying the sargassum belt back in April on “Talk to Tom.” Watch that episode below.
(Article has video)
What happened to that giant sargassum seaweed blob headed for Florida? It shrunk, scientists say
Seaweed abundance quite small now, USF report says
https://www.clickorlando.com/news/l...-headed-for-florida-it-shrunk-scientists-say/
That giant blob of stinky seaweed that was headed to Florida earlier this year has shrunk, and what’s out there is less than scientists have seen in recent years.
That’s according to a report by researchers at the University of South Florida’s Optical Oceanography Lab.
The report for October says there was an estimated .15 million metric tons of sargassum seaweed detected in the Caribbean Sea throughout the month, and much of it had dissipated by the end of October. There was also very little sargassum overall in the Gulf of Mexico, and nearly half of the sargassum in the Central Atlantic was situated west of the African coast.
“Even for this time of year, these abundances are quite small compared to recent years,” the report said. The latest report can be read on the USF website.
Scientists say minimal sargassum is expected in all regions in November. If there is going to be a new bloom for 2024, the first indications will appear in December.
The Great Atlantic Sargassum Belt, a mass of seaweed stretching from Africa to the Gulf of Mexico, caused quite a stink online earlier this year when scientists were concerned the belt would leave large amounts of seaweed on Florida beaches, leaving a smell of rotten eggs, caused by a toxic gas that can be a problem for people with respiratory issues.
Scientists say there was evidence the seaweed was carrying Vibrio, a flesh-eating bacteria.
But in June and July, indications showed the blob was shrinking and moving.
News 6 Chief Meteorologist Tom Sorrells talked to one of the researchers studying the sargassum belt back in April on “Talk to Tom.” Watch that episode below.
(Article has video)
How bad is homeowners insurance in Florida? One company is suing dozens of its customers claiming they broke their policies by making some repairs to their own homes after Hurricane Ian.
Homeowners insurance company takes dozens of Southwest Floridians to court
https://winknews.com/2023/11/20/homeowners-insurance-company-takes-southwest-floridians-to-court/
People Trust claims its customers broke their policies by repairing their own homes after Hurricane Ian. But, one homeowner’s lawyer believes the State of Florida needs to get involved.
People’s Trust sued Mary Stewart in September, 2023, nearly a year after Ian. She still lives with the damage in her Port Charlotte home and the suit centers around her trying to get her home back together.
“It’s just too much. The depression, I have to fight it every day because of the number of things coming my way,” said Stewart.
Abidemi Oladipo of the Mubarak, Sharif and Oladio Law Firm agreed to take Stewart on as a client
“What People’s Trust is saying in the lawsuit is that because Ms. Stewart allegedly carried out some repairs in her home for damage to her home caused by Hurricane Ian that they should no longer be able or be responsible for paying any part of her claim,” Oladipo explained.
Before fighting for policyholders, he used to represent insurance companies, including People’s Trust. He told WINK News Consumer Investigator Andryanna Sheppard that the firm represents at least five homeowners People’s Trust has sued for repairing their homes with their own contractors.
“Once People’s Trust invoked their right to repair through rapid response team, that the individuals from People’s Trust would tell the homeowner that that rapid response team could not get to their repairs for a period of eight to 12 months in varying degrees from different clients,” said the lawyer.
People’s Trust told Sheppard they have an exclusive contract with a preferred contractor, Rapid Response Team or RRT. On its website, it claims to be the state’s largest insurance restoration general contractor made up of more than 200 full-time employees that operate out of 9 response centers around the state.
People’s Trust’s COO said both the insurance company and RRT are owned by the same person, President and CEO George Schaeffer. He also said the insurer received more than 12,000 Hurricane Ian claims.
“As the homeowner, you’re sitting there in your damaged home, with a tarp on your roof, trying to protect your family and your property,” said Oladipo. “If they cannot perform the repairs within a reasonable period of time, you have to question why they invoked the right to repair on so many homeowners policies.”
Sheppard brought those concerns to People’s Trust. Initially, the company said the COO Tom Gallagher would do an interview. When he called, he was hesitant to talk on the record.
“I’m doing a story on this so I wanted to give you guys the opportunity to speak on the record about what’s going on. Are you able to do an interview on the record?” Sheppard asked.
After a little back and forth, he went on the record later that same day.
(More about the abuse of these homeowners by an insurance company owned by GOPers including a former state insurance commissioner at the url above)
Homeowners insurance company takes dozens of Southwest Floridians to court
https://winknews.com/2023/11/20/homeowners-insurance-company-takes-southwest-floridians-to-court/
People Trust claims its customers broke their policies by repairing their own homes after Hurricane Ian. But, one homeowner’s lawyer believes the State of Florida needs to get involved.
People’s Trust sued Mary Stewart in September, 2023, nearly a year after Ian. She still lives with the damage in her Port Charlotte home and the suit centers around her trying to get her home back together.
“It’s just too much. The depression, I have to fight it every day because of the number of things coming my way,” said Stewart.
Abidemi Oladipo of the Mubarak, Sharif and Oladio Law Firm agreed to take Stewart on as a client
“What People’s Trust is saying in the lawsuit is that because Ms. Stewart allegedly carried out some repairs in her home for damage to her home caused by Hurricane Ian that they should no longer be able or be responsible for paying any part of her claim,” Oladipo explained.
Before fighting for policyholders, he used to represent insurance companies, including People’s Trust. He told WINK News Consumer Investigator Andryanna Sheppard that the firm represents at least five homeowners People’s Trust has sued for repairing their homes with their own contractors.
“Once People’s Trust invoked their right to repair through rapid response team, that the individuals from People’s Trust would tell the homeowner that that rapid response team could not get to their repairs for a period of eight to 12 months in varying degrees from different clients,” said the lawyer.
People’s Trust told Sheppard they have an exclusive contract with a preferred contractor, Rapid Response Team or RRT. On its website, it claims to be the state’s largest insurance restoration general contractor made up of more than 200 full-time employees that operate out of 9 response centers around the state.
People’s Trust’s COO said both the insurance company and RRT are owned by the same person, President and CEO George Schaeffer. He also said the insurer received more than 12,000 Hurricane Ian claims.
“As the homeowner, you’re sitting there in your damaged home, with a tarp on your roof, trying to protect your family and your property,” said Oladipo. “If they cannot perform the repairs within a reasonable period of time, you have to question why they invoked the right to repair on so many homeowners policies.”
Sheppard brought those concerns to People’s Trust. Initially, the company said the COO Tom Gallagher would do an interview. When he called, he was hesitant to talk on the record.
“I’m doing a story on this so I wanted to give you guys the opportunity to speak on the record about what’s going on. Are you able to do an interview on the record?” Sheppard asked.
After a little back and forth, he went on the record later that same day.
(More about the abuse of these homeowners by an insurance company owned by GOPers including a former state insurance commissioner at the url above)
Put the serfs to work...
Florida lawmaker declares 16-year-olds are ‘not children’ but ‘youth workers’
https://www.rawstory.com/florida-labor-shortage/
Florida lawmaker declares 16-year-olds are ‘not children’ but ‘youth workers’
https://www.rawstory.com/florida-labor-shortage/
Where else would a Russian propaganda mill be headquartered? But in the middle of DeSantisLand.
Inside The Russian Propaganda Mill Beaming Out Of A Florida Strip Mall
https://talkingpointsmemo.com/news/...anda-mill-beaming-out-of-a-florida-strip-mall
Inside The Russian Propaganda Mill Beaming Out Of A Florida Strip Mall
https://talkingpointsmemo.com/news/...anda-mill-beaming-out-of-a-florida-strip-mall
Obvious DeSantis fascism supporter and ex-HOA president leaves 'hand drawn photo of gun' and tears down Hanukkah poster. Spends his time harassing Jews in the neighborhood when not attending neo-Nazi "This is DeSantis Country" rallies.
Hallandale Beach ex-HOA prez cuffed after leaving gun drawing on resident’s doormat, cops say
He’s previously been seen cursing at female residents
https://www.local10.com/news/local/...ng-gun-drawing-on-residents-doormat-cops-say/
HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Police arrested the former president of a Hallandale Beach co-op building — the subject of multiple Local 10 Investigates stories — after they said he left a hand-drawn photo of a gun on a resident’s doormat.
That resident, Deborah Erlichson, had taken out a restraining order against Larry Reinfeld, 75, after she said he subjected her to constant verbal abuse and harassment. He’s also been caught on camera hurling curse words at other female residents.
Erlichson said the drawing made her fear for her life.
“What sick person would do something like that?” she asked.
Erlichson said in February that in one instance, Reinfeld, upset she “didn’t leave him room for parking,” called her a “f---ing b---- Jewish whore.”
He has also made fun of her speech impediment, called her a drug addict and threw a chair at her door, she said.
Reinfeld, who resigned after Local 10 News’ first story about him in February, was arrested for violating that court order. It mandated he have no contact with Erlichson and stay five feet away from her residence.
A witness reported seeing Reinfeld writing something on a piece of paper and leaving it on Erlichson’s doorstep Sunday, according to an arrest affidavit. That witness told investigators he also ripped down her Hanukkah poster.
In body camera video, Reinfeld told Hallandale Beach police officers that he didn’t understand why he was being taken to jail.
“You’re not telling me why I’m being locked up,” he said on the video.
Reinfeld wasn’t happy to see Local 10′s Jeff Weinsier and grabbed his camera as he questioned him about the arrest.
He claims he didn’t draw the photo.
“What I want to know is if that is your artwork?” Weinsier asked.
“It’s not,” Reinfeld said.
“There’s a witness that says it is,” Weinsier replied.
“She has cameras,” Reinfeld retorted. “Why isn’t it on the cameras?”
Reinfeld later told Weinsier that he’s the real victim in the case and that there’s a group of residents aiming to get him thrown out.
Erlichson said she plans to go back to the judge and let him know about the drawing.
Hallandale Beach ex-HOA prez cuffed after leaving gun drawing on resident’s doormat, cops say
He’s previously been seen cursing at female residents
https://www.local10.com/news/local/...ng-gun-drawing-on-residents-doormat-cops-say/
HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Police arrested the former president of a Hallandale Beach co-op building — the subject of multiple Local 10 Investigates stories — after they said he left a hand-drawn photo of a gun on a resident’s doormat.
That resident, Deborah Erlichson, had taken out a restraining order against Larry Reinfeld, 75, after she said he subjected her to constant verbal abuse and harassment. He’s also been caught on camera hurling curse words at other female residents.
Erlichson said the drawing made her fear for her life.
“What sick person would do something like that?” she asked.
Erlichson said in February that in one instance, Reinfeld, upset she “didn’t leave him room for parking,” called her a “f---ing b---- Jewish whore.”
He has also made fun of her speech impediment, called her a drug addict and threw a chair at her door, she said.
Reinfeld, who resigned after Local 10 News’ first story about him in February, was arrested for violating that court order. It mandated he have no contact with Erlichson and stay five feet away from her residence.
A witness reported seeing Reinfeld writing something on a piece of paper and leaving it on Erlichson’s doorstep Sunday, according to an arrest affidavit. That witness told investigators he also ripped down her Hanukkah poster.
In body camera video, Reinfeld told Hallandale Beach police officers that he didn’t understand why he was being taken to jail.
“You’re not telling me why I’m being locked up,” he said on the video.
Reinfeld wasn’t happy to see Local 10′s Jeff Weinsier and grabbed his camera as he questioned him about the arrest.
He claims he didn’t draw the photo.
“What I want to know is if that is your artwork?” Weinsier asked.
“It’s not,” Reinfeld said.
“There’s a witness that says it is,” Weinsier replied.
“She has cameras,” Reinfeld retorted. “Why isn’t it on the cameras?”
Reinfeld later told Weinsier that he’s the real victim in the case and that there’s a group of residents aiming to get him thrown out.
Erlichson said she plans to go back to the judge and let him know about the drawing.
Florida man stands his ground against leaves.
Tire shop owner shoots landscaper for blowing leaves onto his property in NW Miami-Dade
The landscaper was transported to Jackson Memorial Hospital in critical condition.
https://www.nbcmiami.com/news/local...s-onto-his-property-in-nw-miami-dade/3193778/
Tire shop owner shoots landscaper for blowing leaves onto his property in NW Miami-Dade
The landscaper was transported to Jackson Memorial Hospital in critical condition.
https://www.nbcmiami.com/news/local...s-onto-his-property-in-nw-miami-dade/3193778/
This is likely an overpayment scam and could happen anywhere.
https://www.wftv.com/news/local/sin...f-steals-driveway/TMHDDYQF2VE2XMUTGTUXGXIDHU/
https://www.wftv.com/news/local/sin...f-steals-driveway/TMHDDYQF2VE2XMUTGTUXGXIDHU/
Single mother’s future in jeopardy after thief steals driveway
By Nick Papantonis, WFTV.com
December 28, 2023 at 10:56 pm EST
NOW PLAYING ABOVE
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Video: Single mother’s future in jeopardy after thief steals driveway (WFTV)
(WFTV)
ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — UPDATE: After hearing about this situation, a Cox Media Group radio sponsor has offered to install a new driveway at no cost to the homeowner. The homeowner plans to donate the GoFundMe money to a local nonprofit in coordination with 9 Family Connection.
Walking unsteadily off the front porch of 1438 Bethesda Street, Amanda Brochu navigated the bumps and valleys where her walkway should have been.
▶ WATCH CHANNEL 9 EYEWITNESS NEWS
Slowly, she headed for the street where her son played with his friends. She passed the white for sale sign sticking up out of her front yard, normally a beckoning beacon to house hunters. Now, it serves as a painful reminder that her time is running out.
Read: 3-2-1… it’s going to be chilly New Year’s Eve weekend
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In a season where most people fret about porch pirates, Brochu encountered something far worse: someone ran away with her concrete driveway.
“I come home and my driveway is gone,” Brochu said, with a laugh of disbelief.
Brochu said the trouble began when she listed her house for sale in early December.
Read: List of new Florida laws that take effect starting January 1, 2024
The work up to this point had been on schedule. She replaced the roof and made minor touch-ups. The listing agent priced it to sell and bragged about the lack of a HOA and fenced-in backyard.
Then, her son told her people had come by the house to measure the driveway, counting five different contractors in the span of a few days.
Read: Criminals use artificial intelligence, imitate celebrities to trick people into handing over money
She confronted one of them, who said a man by the name of “Andre” reached out to him to ask about a driveway replacement quote. The contractor said Andre claimed to be the landlord and gave Brochu Andre’s phone number.
Text messages supplied by the contractor show Andre received a quote for $7,200 to replace the driveway and agreed to the price. However, Andre said he couldn’t meet the contractor to drop off the deposit.
When the now-wary contractor demanded full payment and proof of ownership before starting the job, Andre cut off communication.
Brochu called Orange County Deputies, who in turn called Andre.
“They said that he said it was a mistake,” she recalled. “He just got the address wrong, nothing else will happen again.”
The next week, her driveway disappeared.
“I was in unbelievable, like, utter shock,” Real Estate Agent Rocki Sanchez, who Brochu hired to sell the home, said. “I’ve never seen this before. I’ve never had this happen to myself or anyone in our office.”
Sanchez posted about the incident to a national Facebook group for realtors. Others began commenting that they’ve seen similar situations for unwanted exterior work, including paint and driveways.
Many scams involved the contractors themselves, though one incident in Washington involved a door-to-door scammer hiring companies to do legitimate paving work, while pocketing the money for himself.
The closest local scheme WFTV could find to Brochu’s incident happened in 2012, when a man stole bricks from someone’s driveway.
Deputies met Brochu at her home Tuesday to follow-up and launched a criminal mischief investigation, according to a document she showed WFTV.
She said they called Andre again, who claimed he had nothing to do with the disappearing driveway before hanging up the phone.
“I just want to find the person who did this because it’s wrong that they targeted me and my family for this,” she explained.
However, the investigation won’t solve all her problems. Brochu is under contract to purchase a nearby property and needed the money from selling her current home to make the down payment.
A company she called quoted her $10,000 to replace the concrete. Money she didn’t budget – and doesn’t have.
Sanchez helped Brochu set up a GoFundMe as a Hail Mary attempt to get her life plans back on track, finish the replacement and get the home sold in time.
“No one’s going to buy this,” Brochu said. “This brings down the property now. And that just messes it up for me and my family.”
Just when you thought Florida could not be any stupider...
Florida school district removes dictionaries from libraries, citing law championed by DeSantis
https://popular.info/p/florida-scho...ionaries?publication_id=1664&post_id=14053064
Florida school district removes dictionaries from libraries, citing law championed by DeSantis
https://popular.info/p/florida-scho...ionaries?publication_id=1664&post_id=14053064