New Home Elevation Funding

The Florida Division of Emergency Management announced last week a new program called Elevate Florida to help people elevate their homes.

If approved, residents could receive funding in the form of a loan to elevate their homes or to rebuild them to meet elevation standards.

Currently, residents who get a grant to elevate their home must put up at least 25% of the total to qualify. Under the new arrangement, homeowners would apply for federal Small Business Administration (SBA) loans of up to $500,000.

State leaders said more information about how to apply will be rolling out soon. In the meantime, Floridians can prepare for the application by taking pictures of flood damage and documenting repair costs.

Airboat Collision Causes Injuries

Sixteen people were hospitalized over the weekend after two airboats collided off the Tamiami Trail in Collier County on Friday afternoon.

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission officials said that multiple agencies responded to the 911 call around 3:15 p.m. and found several people injured at the site of the collision near Ochopee. The two airboats carried a total of 33 people.

An investigation into the cause of the crash was launched on Saturday.

Florida Headed for a Cold Christmas

Throughout December, several big cold fronts have plunged temperatures down the peninsula. With Christmas less than 10 days away, meteorologists have predicted a chilly holiday.

A ridge of high pressure is building in the western U.S. In the east, a trough of low pressure is settling over the Deep South. This pattern allows warmth to build in the West and colder air to move south into Florida.

Temperatures in parts of the state could run anywhere from 15 to 20 degrees below average.

➤ St. Petersburg: The City Council unanimously approved spending $1.7 million to hire contractors to develop plans to repair Tropicana Field. The move ensures the city will remain compliant with its use agreement with the Tampa Bay Rays. (See Video)

➤ Orlando: The University of Central Florida began construction on a $90 million stadium renovation project for Roth Tower. The upgrades will include outdoor club spaces, shaded seating, upscale dining options, and 42% more club seating. (More)

➤ Brevard County: Newly released data from Realtor.com for September shows that median home prices dropped by more than $17,000 month over month, representing a 3.9% decrease from August. (More)

➤ Miami: Reports of mysterious drones have surfaced on social media in several states, including Florida. (See Details)

➤ Gainesville: The University of Florida has committed $24 million to acquire a more advanced version of its HiPerGator supercomputer, making it one of the first higher education institutions in the nation to own such a machine. (More)

➤ Keys: After a decade of work, NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) has released the final management plan and environmental impact statement for the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. (See Details)

➤ The Tampa Bay Buccaneers destroyed the Los Angeles Chargers 40-17 on Sunday. Baker Mayfield went 22 for 27 for 288 yards and four touchdowns. (See Highlights)

➤ The Miami Dolphins lost 20-12 to the Houston Texans on Sunday, hampered by four turnovers, including two fourth-quarter interceptions. (More)

➤ The Jacksonville Jaguars came up short in a good game, losing 32-25 to the New York Jets on Sunday. Aaron Rodgers connected with Davante Adams for nine passes, including two touchdowns. (More)

➤ The Miami Dolphins have released three-time Pro Bowl wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. (More)

➤ In college football, Miami Hurricanes quarterback Cam Ward finished fourth in Heisman Trophy voting behind Travis Hunter, Ashton Jeanty, and Dillon Gabriel. (More)

Yesterday’s results: NFL | NBA | NHL | NCAAF | NCAAM | NCAAW | PGA | LPGA | Soccer 

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➤ Space Florida announced that an unidentified space company will invest $1.8 billion in capital improvements and create 600 jobs at Cape Canaveral. Projects to be funded include a high-volume production facility, a high bay, and launch infrastructure for heavy-lift rocket hardware. (More)

➤ Topgolf has announced plans to build a $28 million golf and entertainment center in Viera, which will employ about 200 people if the Brevard County Commission approves the required zoning changes for the project. (See Photos)

➤ Winter Haven-based SouthState Corporation received approval Friday from the Federal Reserve Board to merge with Independent Bank Group and indirectly acquire Independent Bank, both of Texas. (More)

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The Bigger The Market, The Bigger the Profits

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➤ President-elect Donald Trump last week named three ambassadors from Florida to represent the U.S. in Columbia, Argentina, and Greece, respectively. The trio was profiled by USA Today. (See Profiles)

➤ The Florida Museum of Natural History in Gainesville will close for 15 months starting March 24 as originally planned. A $30 million renovation will temporarily pause two dozen employee positions until the project is completed. (See Details)

➤ Twenty chilly sea turtles were treated to a vacation in the Florida Keys. The Kemp’s ridley sea turtles, the smallest species of sea turtles in the world, were sent to South Florida after suffering from what is known as a “cold stun” in New England waters. (More)

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Will you visit a Florida theme park during the holiday season?

1. Yes
2. No

Friday’s Results:

How do you like your hot cocoa?

1. Marshmallows: 28.5%
2. Whipped cream: 28.3%
3. Plain: 24.3%
4. I don’t drink cocoa: 18.9%

What was Florida’s first theme park?

Show me the answer