Leon County Commissioners Discuss Phased Reopening Plan

Leon County Commissioners Discuss Phased Reopening Plan

At their special COVID-19 response meeting on Thursday, the Leon County Commissioners reviewed a presentation on Leon County’s three-phase reopening plan. Earlier this week, Governor Ron DeSantis issued Executive Order 20-123, outlining Florida’s statewide reopening plan and initiating phase one. Leon County’s plan reflects the executive order as well as state and federal guidelines. In […]

DeSantis Gives Green Light to Youth Activities

DeSantis Gives Green Light to Youth Activities

By Ana Ceballos, The News Service of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Friday said he is lifting coronavirus-related restrictions on youth activities, including summer camps and athletic events, because he trusts parents and local governments will make the right decisions for kids. “We trust parents to use common sense. We trust our local officials. We […]

City Approves Amendment to Canopy Inclusionary Housing Agreement

City Approves Amendment to Canopy Inclusionary Housing Agreement

The City Commissioners approved an amendment to the Canopy Inclusionary Housing Agreement at their May 13 meeting. The amendment passed 4-1, with Commissioner Jeremy Matlow dissenting. Under the amendment, homebuyers eligible for inclusionary housing can make up to 100% of the area median income (AMI). Matlow commented that he is not in favor of adjusting […]

Panhandle Vacation Rentals Cleared to Open

Panhandle Vacation Rentals Cleared to Open

By Ana Ceballos, The News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE — Vacation rentals in seven Panhandle counties Tuesday were allowed to reopen with some restrictions, after weeks of being shut down as part of Gov. Ron DeSantis’ response to the coronavirus pandemic. Halsey Beshears, secretary of the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation, approved plans […]

DeSantis Cites “Insubordination” for Firing

DeSantis Cites “Insubordination” for Firing

Gov. Ron DeSantis’ administration said Tuesday evening that a Department of Health employee who helped create Florida’s COVID-19 information “dashboard” was fired for insubordination, disputing allegations that she was terminated for refusing to manipulate data. “Rebekah Jones exhibited a repeated course of insubordination during her time with the department, including her unilateral decisions to modify […]

State Eyes Plans for Reopening University Campuses

State Eyes Plans for Reopening University Campuses

By Jim Turner, The News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE — State university system Chancellor Marshall Criser next week will present guidelines for reopening university campuses in the fall, after students were sent home in March to curb the spread of COVID-19. Criser is slated to offer the guidelines during a May 28 meeting of the […]

Leon County Home Sales Down 16% in April, Prices Up

Leon County Home Sales Down 16% in April, Prices Up

Sales of existing single-family homes in Leon county were down 16% when compared to numbers sold in the same month one year ago. There were 319 single-family home resales in April 2019 and 268 resales in April 2020. Last month there were 254 existing single-family homes sold. The average sales price in April 2020 increased […]