WFSU Local

After more than a dozen years away from Tallahassee City Hall, former Mayor Scott Maddox says he’s ready to go back.  Tom Flanigan reports Maddox announced his city commission campaign Wednesday.

Maddox announced his plans in the downtown park near the Doubletree Hotel:

“It’s my pleasure to be here to announce my candidacy for the city commission, seat one.”

That’s the seat being vacated by the retiring Mark Mustian.  Maddox supporters include local businessman Kim Williams:

“I’m excited, I’m glad to be a part of Scott’s campaign…be looking forward to helping.”

And Miaisha Mitchell with the Frenchtown Revitalization Council:

Local horse-lovers will celebrate Valentine’s Day a little early…at the “Have a Heart 4 Horses” Fundraiser to help abused and neglected equines.  Tom Flanigan has the story.

The horse was Indie, short for Independence, since he’d been born on the Fourth of July.  The email was from Triple-R Horse Rescue to Lynn O’Connor. 

"The email came out and I looked at the pictures and I said, ‘You know, I cannot say no to these horses.  I have seven acres, I can take in a horse.  The horse did nothing wrong.’  He was skin and bones…very skittish…he wouldn’t lower his head to the ground, like…we said we didn’t know if he knew how to graze anymore.  His hip-bones and his backbone were just standing out, ribs everywhere.  He was in terrible shape." 

Local horse-lovers will celebrate Valentine’s Day a little early…at the “Have a Heart 4 Horses” Fundraiser to help abused and neglected equines.  Tom Flanigan has the story.

The horse was Indie, short for Independence, since he’d been born on the Fourth of July.  The email was from Triple-R Horse Rescue to Lynn O’Connor. 

"The email came out and I looked at the pictures and I said, ‘You know, I cannot say no to these horses.  I have seven acres, I can take in a horse.  The horse did nothing wrong.’  He was skin and bones…very skittish…he wouldn’t lower his head to the ground, like…we said we didn’t know if he knew how to graze anymore.  His hip-bones and his backbone were just standing out, ribs everywhere.  He was in terrible shape." 

A different kind of gas station is being built on Tallahassee’s west side.  Tom Flanigan reports this station will dispense natural gas, both for Leon County school buses and anyone else who wants to use it….

Hundreds of people ignored the occasional raindrops to attend Tuesday’s groundbreaking near the corner of Capital Circle and Highway Twenty.  Governor Rick Scott even added the occasion to his schedule.

“People come up with ideas like this to make sure we save money and hopefully in this case even the school district is going to make some money if everybody uses this.”

Leon School Superintendent Jackie Pons noting the district is just one factor behind the facility:

A Tallahassee hospice throws a chocolate-based bash this Saturday.  Tom Flanigan reports the proceeds will help families who otherwise wouldn’t have access to end-of-life services.

Lydia Claire Brooks is with Covenant Hospice.  It came to Tallahassee in 2003.

“We came in to provide services in this area specifically to those who may not be able to afford hospice care.  They may not have an insurance provider.  They may not have Medicare yet depending on their age.  It’s important to us that everybody who is going through dying with a terminal illness doesn’t die alone, has someone to take care of them.”

It’s a job that can involve a lot of people and resources.

The United Way of the Big Bend has a new leader for the first time in 16 years. The news comes after current president Ken Armstrong announced he is stepping down to take a position at a construction company. Lynn Hatter reports the United Way chose to recruit one of its own as the new agency head.

The United Way’s Heather Mitchell will assume the role as President and CEO. Mitchell joined the agency five years ago, and currently serves as head of resource development. She says she’s got big ideas she hopes to bring to the job.

 “I am so excited about this opportunity, I have so many ideas buzzing around my head to build on the fantastic foundation that Ken and the staff have done.”

While a Florida Senate Committee was considering alternative fuels for the state’s power plants Monday, an alternative energy car was attracting attention just a few miles from the Capitol.  Tom Flanigan reports the car is part of a growing movement to power motor vehicles with natural gas instead of gasoline.

Santorum has branded himself as the  “Christian conservative” candidate over the course of his presidential bid, and during a prayer breakfast at Florida State University, he once again played up his conservative credentials, talking about the role of faith in government, education and politics.

“We will never have limited government, we will continue to be less free, unless we revitalize the institutions of faith and family in America. That’s the real message.”

Santorum is in third place in the polls, behind front-runners Newt Gingrich and Mitt Romney. Ron Paul is last. Voters will go to the polls on January 31st, but early voting is already underway. Santorum says if he doesn’t win the Florida primary, he’ll continue on in the race.

As Florida’s economy continues to rebound from the recession, most of the new jobs being created are in the areas of science, technology, engineering and math, often called “STEM”.  Much of the workforce to fill those positions is trained in the state’s community colleges, and that’s true for the rest of the nation.  President Barack Obama highlighted the need for STEM-based workforce training in his State of the Union address, and as Lynn Hatter reports, his education secretary talked about it during a trip to Florida’s capital city on Wednesday.

Florida hospitals could see big cuts in what they’re paid for treating Medicaid patients.  A key state house committee moved to include those cuts in the health and human services part of next year’s state budget  Tuesday.  Tom Flanigan reports that took place as a “who’s-who” of Florida health care took part in a ribbon cutting less than two miles from the Capitol.

The event was the official opening of Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Florida’s new “Florida Blue” customer service center.  Pat Garaghty, chair and CEO of Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Florida, was one of those cutting the ribbon.