A greater percentage of Florida students are performing at or above grade level in reading and mathematics compared to all test years since 2001, according to the 2009 Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT) results released today. Additionally, more students in grades 5 and 8 are performing at or above grade level [...]

From the governor’s office:
www.FLGov.com
TALLAHASSEE – Governor Charlie Crist today signed the $66.5 billion 2009-10 budget, praising the Florida Legislature for putting together a budget that preserves Florida’s investment in economic development, education and public safety.
“The budget I signed today contains no broad-based tax increases, no early release of inmates, and no drastic layoffs of [...]

Hooters Girls from the Hooters restaurant at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino will be going to great lengths to help raise money for Breast Cancer Research. Hooters will showcase girls Teeter-Tottering in a 12-hour marathon to raise much needed money for the Kelly Jo Dowd Fund for Breast Cancer Research. Donations for this [...]

Broward Cultural Division’s Public Art and Design Program commissioned artist Cheryl Foster to create a permanent, original and innovative outdoor artwork for the new new Edgar P. Mills Multi-Purpose Center at 900 N.W. 31st Ave. in Fort Lauderdale.
The artwork proposal, “Wish Vessels” envisions life-sized, colorful and fanciful sculptures placed in the proposed landscaping around the [...]

Broward Teacher’s Union President Pat Santeramo is demanding that Broward County School district officials investigate the administrators at Lloyd Estates Elementary for their alleged failure to report child abuse.
Santeramo said teachers at the Lloyd Estates Elementary reported apparent abuse of students by students to the school’s administrators. After the principal failed to contact Florida’s Child [...]

Multi-platinum artists Counting Crows have announced plans for a summer tour, THE SATURDAY NIGHT REBEL ROCKERS TRAVELING CIRCUS & MEDICINE SHOW with special guests Michael Franti & Spearhead and Augustana, kicking off June 26 in Milwaukee, WI at SummerFest. The show will be an original format where the three bands (and some special [...]

EXOR RAW #3 Purvis Young, Freedom of the Stallions, 91" by 48" House paint and carpet on wood, late 90's
Purvis Young: RAW, which opened at EXOR Galleries Boca Raton, May 23, features twenty works by the ultimate recycler and artist extraordinaire, Purvis Young. Several of the works will be on public view for the [...]

At Middle Class Task Force Meeting, Vice President Biden Calls on the Council of Environmental Quality to Report Back in 90 Days on Ways to Expand Green Opportunities and Energy Savings for the Middle Class
Denver, Colorado

At today’s meeting of the White House Task Force on the Middle Class, Vice President Biden [...]

The Coconut Creek Visions 2020 Assembly was initiated by the City in order to develop a 10-year “greenprint” for the city’s future. Coconut Creek residents, business representatives, and educators participated in this initiative that began with a Steering Committee of 12 and culminated with an Assembly of 60 people.
The topics discussed over a day and [...]

This week, I introduced the Homeowners’ Defense Act of 2009, an urgently needed insurance reform bill to lower the cost and increase the availability of homeowners’ insurance in Florida and around the country. Our legislation allows states that choose to participate in a national catastrophe insurance pool to spread the risk of natural disasters in [...]

From May 26 – 29, the Broward Sheriff’s Office Regional Traffic Enforcement Unit (RTEU) along with the Florida Highway Patrol, Troop L – Davie and Troop K – Broward, will be cracking down on “Move Over” Law violators and speeding motorists in western Broward County.
Between 8:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. on the [...]

Ever yearn to learn the culinary techniques used at a top restaurant?
Now you can. And, you can meet new foodies, sip complimentary wines and sample some of the delectable dishes while you’re being educated.
Beginning Friday, June 5, and every Friday through July 31, from
6:00 – 7:00 p.m., you can learn the [...]

The Department of Education will release the 2009 FCAT Reading and Math (grades 4-10) and Science (grades 5, 8, 11) results on Thursday, May 28, 2009. Check back Thursday for results!
RELATED STORY
Broward scores released
Statewide FCAT scores released
District 4th and 8th grade students increase FCAT writing scores for fifth straight year

HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK FOR SOUTH FLORIDA
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MIAMI FL
300 PM EDT MON MAY 25 2009

FLZ063-066>075-168-172>174-260300-
GLADES-HENDRY-INLAND PALM BEACH-METRO PALM BEACH-COASTAL COLLIER-
INLAND COLLIER-INLAND BROWARD-METRO BROWARD-INLAND MIAMI DADE-
METRO MIAMI DADE-MAINLAND MONROE-COASTAL PALM BEACH-
COASTAL BROWARD-COASTAL MIAMI DADE-FAR SOUTH MIAMI DADE-
300 PM EDT MON MAY 25 2009

…THUNDERSTORMS POSSIBLE ENTIRE AREA THROUGH EARLY EVENING…
…A FEW STRONG STORMS POSSIBLE REMAINDER OF [...]

The National Coalition for Capital, along with the Associated Industries of Florida, Enterprise Florida, Florida Chamber of Commerce and Florida League of Cities, applauds Governor Charlie Crist for signing into law CS/CS/HB 485, the Florida New Markets Development Program – Fast Track Economic Stimulus for Small Businesses.  The law, which unanimously [...]

The Broward County Cultural Division is proud to announce Susan Anderson, visual arts teacher, J.P. Taravella High School, as the 24th annual Broward County Arts Teacher of the Year. A ceremony to recognize
Susan Anderson, center, with students.
this award will be held on Wednesday, October 21, 2009, 6:00 p.m., at the Broward Center for the [...]

RELATED STORY
Broward scores released
To view the 2009 Third Grade Reading and Mathematics FCAT fact sheet, visit http://fcat.fldoe.org/mediapacket/2009/pdf/2009G3RMFactSheet.pdf. To view school, district and state FCAT results, visit http://fcat.fldoe.org/mediapacket/2009/default.asp.
The percent of Florida third-graders performing at or above grade level in math reached its highest point to date according to Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test [...]

RELATED STORY
Statewide FCAT scores released
Broward County Public Schools third grade students continued to demonstrate increased performance in the FCAT Reading and Math examinations, according to the 2009 results released by the Florida Department of Education. Overall, 71 percent of District third grade students produced reading scores of level 3 or above (proficiency), while 80 percent [...]

Don’t leave a shred of your personal documents at the fingertips of criminals…Shred them away!
Following a very successful year of Shred-A-Thons in 2008, where more than 49,000 pounds of documents were shredded, the Broward Sheriff’s Office and the Office of the Florida Attorney General are committed to continue helping residents fight [...]

Each year, the United States Department of Justice gives three awards recognizing excellence in investigating internet crimes against children. The South Florida Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force went 2-for-3 this year.
“This task force has become something to fear for internet predators who target children,” Broward Sheriff Al Lamberti said. [...]

Regular school attendance is vitally important to a student’s academic achievement. It is important that both parents and students be familiar with Broward County Public Schools Attendance Policy.
Beginning with the 2009/10 school year, make-up work for credit and grade will be allowed for all excused absences, including suspensions.  In the case of a suspension, it [...]

A case of the H1N1(swine) flu has been confirmed associated with a student at Davie Elementary School.  Following consultations with the Broward Department of Health, the school will be thoroughly wiped down and cleaned by custodial and Maintenance Department crews over the weekend.  The current direction from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention [...]

Casey Doherty, a senior from J.P. Taravella High School, won the $1,000 first prize in the 2009 Alcohol and Drug Awareness Scholarship Competition, presented by the United Way of Broward County’s Commission on Substance Abuse in collaboration with NSU’s Common Knowledge Scholarship Foundation, CVS Pharmacy, Department of Children and Families and Broward County Public Schools [...]

The Old Davie School Historical Museum will be holding its 7th Annual Juried Art Exhibit from June 12, through July 31, 2009.  An Opening reception will be held on Friday, June 12, from 7 to 9 p.m.  All Florida artists are encouraged to participate. Works including oil, watercolor, pastel, acrylic, mixed [...]

The Fort Lauderdale Police Department arrested several individuals involved in an identity theft counterfeit check ring.  This joint investigation which also involved The United Sates Secret Service began in early February and culminated with the arrest of individuals on Thursday, May 14, 2009.
Details of the investigation are as follows: information was developed that various individuals [...]