Local Travel, Real Estate & Services

18+ hour, 53+ min ago (44+ words) Four Florida property tax reform bills advance in state Capitol as lawmakers seek homeowner relief while local governments warn of service cuts. Four Florida property tax reform bills advance in state Capitol as lawmakers seek homeowner relief while local governments warn of service cuts....

20+ hour, 42+ min ago (169+ words) It happened in April in the Glen neighborhood of Killearn Lakes. John Pender claimed the dog bit his child but no injuries were found. - On Air Now Playing 88.9 WFSU-FM (News and Information) - On Air Now Playing 89.1 WFSW-FM (News and Information) A Tallahassee man who shot his neighbor's dog has been sentenced A Tallahassee man who shot his neighbor's dog inside a vehicle has been sentenced to 90 days in jail and 10 years probation. John Pender claimed the dog bit his child but no injuries were found. It happened in April in the Glen neighborhood of Killearn Lakes. A home surveillance camera captured Pender opening the car door and firing with children just a few feet away. Pender pleaded no contest to a string of charges including aggravated animal cruelty, child abuse, and shooting into an occupied vehicle. In addition to jail…...

1+ day, 6+ hour ago (507+ words) Voting-rights groups flooded the Florida Capitol on Tuesday, warning state leaders against what they call an unprecedented, unnecessary, and possibly illegal attempt to redraw the state's congressional map just three years after the last one. Dozens of civil-rights and community organizations gathered for a "We Draw the Lines" Day of Action. They're accusing Gov. Ron DeSantis and Republican lawmakers of bowing to partisan pressure and undermining Florida's Fair Districts rules, which ban partisan gerrymandering. WATCH FORREST SAUNDERS' COVERAGE BELOW: "Voters should choose our elected officials, not the other way around," said Abdelilah Skhir of the ACLU of Florida. Speakers sharply criticized any move to open the maps early, especially as the House and Governor remain divided over when, or whether, to take up redistricting at all. "That is not democracy " that is a power grab," said Genesis Robinson of Equal…...

1+ day, 23+ hour ago (231+ words) TALLAHASSEE, FL " The man seen on camera shooting a dog in April in Tallahassee has been sentenced following a plea deal. Court documents show that 31-year-old John Pender was sentenced to 90 days in jail and 10 years' probation on Tuesday, December 2nd. In late April, Leon County Deputies responded to a shots-fired call on Heathrow Drive. Pender told deputies he shot the dog, Athena, after the dog reportedly bit his child. The dog's owner told the sheriff's office that the dog had run out of the house and approached Pender's daughter. At the time, video from the owner's Ring camera showed them trying to get Athena back inside the home, and when they got the dog into a car, that's when Pender opened the car's door and fired a second shot. The veterinary office that treated Athena said she was shot once…...

2+ day, 4+ hour ago (227+ words) TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCTV) - The Tallahassee branch of the NAACP and Tallahassee Alert have launched a campaign against the proposed TMH-FSU merger. At a November town hall, residents gathered to share concerns about a proposal to sell TMH to FSU and create FSU Health. "TMH is the community's hospital, and any decision must reflect the interests of the people," a statement from the organizations read. "Not FSU lobbyists, or political pressure. The statement also said town hall participants emphasized that City Commissioners are accountable to the voters and residents of Tallahassee. The Stop the TMH Transfer campaign lists four main concerns, including protecting FAMU, indigent care and public assets. It also urges city leadership to follow "good governance standards." The campaign urges a no vote at the December 10 City Commission meeting to stop the transfer. This week, both organizations plan to…...

2+ day, 9+ hour ago (155+ words) Ground-breaking for the first phase of Charlie and Tonja Ward's Champions Ranch in south Tallahassee happened first thing Monday, Dec. 1. The athletics and education complex is already nearly halfway to its fundraising goal. The Marching 100 from Florida A&M University - where Charlie Ward is now the head basketball coach - got the ceremony off to a festive start. Ward's wife Tonja welcomed the crowd, which numbered in the hundreds. Charlie Ward said it's not only the large corporate donors, but the many small contributions that have so far helped raised more than $9 million for the ranch. "And to our small group friends and mentors and the people who believed in this dream at every stage, you laid the foundation for today." The fundraising goes on with an ultimate goal of $20 million. The Champions Ranch will provide opportunities for athletics, education, enrichment…...

4+ day, 6+ hour ago (477+ words) TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) " "Love You Local" connects shoppers with local businesses to keep money and community services from slipping away amid staffing and spending pressures. For shops like these, every item that leaves the shelf is more than just a sale; it's another dollar that stays right here in Tallahassee. I'm Lyric Sloan in Northeast Tallahassee, with how a local campaign is working to shed a much-needed light on local businesses. "Love your local" spotlights independently owned businesses and makes it easy for shoppers to find them, keeping more money circulating in our community. "It's important that the community knows that these businesses are locally owned, which means that for every $1 spent with these establishments, $0.67 stays here locally," Keith Bowers, Office of Economic Vitality Director, said. Many local shops are closing after reporting severe staffing shortages. The Office of Economic…...

5+ day, 5+ hour ago (232+ words) Your voice matters. You need to tell your state legislators what you think. The fact that the state Capitol in Tallahassee is hundreds of miles away is all the more reason why you have to make your voice heard. Most legislators love hearing from their constituents. It helps them make decisions, and it's just as important for them to hear a contrasting point of view. Twenty-seven people represent Broward and Palm Beach counties in Tallahassee. They include 18 Democrats, seven Republicans and one with no party affiliation. Two House seats, both in Palm Beach, are currently vacant. No matter where you live, you have a senator and a representative in the state Capitol. Here is the contact information for all legislators who represent Broward and Palm Beach in the Legislature. Sen. Jason Pizzo, NPA-Sunny Isles Beach, 850-487-5037 Rep. Hillary Cassel, R-Dania Beach,…...

1+ week, 6+ hour ago (47+ words) A Hermosa Beach man is reportedly recovering after enduring a violent beating by more than a half-dozen alleged teenagers Friday night, all of whom fled while the victim lay incapacitated in an alley. Displaced Tallahassee family receives keys to a house in time for the holiday...

1+ week, 9+ hour ago (204+ words) Tallahassee is one of 34 U.S. towns chosen to receive a national arts grant. The Levitt Foundation award will help bring musical excitement to the downtown area over a three-year period. - On Air Now Playing 88.9 WFSU-FM (News and Information) - On Air Now Playing 89.1 WFSW-FM (News and Information) Tallahassee is a Levitt Foundation arts grant winner Tallahassee is one of 34 U.S. towns chosen to receive a national arts grant. The Levitt Foundation award will help bring musical excitement to the downtown area over a three-year period. The competition began back in the summer. Communities across the nation vied to receive the first installment of a $150-million spend-down by the Levitt Foundation. That organization works to promote music in public spaces to promote more community building. Tallahassee's COCA - Council for Culture and the Arts - was among the winners. Here's COCA Executive Director Kathleen Sphear. "It'll…...