Eye On Entertainment

National Census Day Marks Day for Nation to Turn in Census

It looks like April first is no longer just for pranks...at least for this year. According to the government, today is National Census Day, marking the target date for residents across the nation to turn in their 2010 census forms. Over 134-million forms have been sent out to households nationwide in an effort to count the country's population 121 million by mail and 9 million in person. U.S. Census Senior Regional Media Specialist Pam Page-Bellis says the census means two imoprtant factors for every community. The government has spent 14.7 billion dollars on this effort for an accurate population count, including a 133 million dollar advertising campaign to spread the word of the census. Page-Bellis says she hopes this campagin will make a big difference. Page-Bellis also stresses the most important aspect of the census the effect it has on a person's daily routine. And for local residents, the census will ensure Gainesville has proper representation in congress based on the numbers provided. The Government also has 400 billion dollars to allocate to communities. Local Census Office Manager for Gainesville Norman Sassner says its important for Gainesville to recieve a part of those funds. Both Sassner and Page-Bellis say the quicker you send your form in, the better. Starting May 1st, census employees will start going door-to-door for residents who did not respond. Page-Bellis says mailing in your form is not only easier, but it will save money for the government as well. The cost of the government effort would fall by 1.5 billion dollars if everyone mailed back their census forms and the more people get counted, the more they'll get from the government.

]]> It looks like April first is no longer just for pranks...at least for this year. According to the government, today is National Census Day, marking the target date for residents across the nation to turn in their 2010 census forms.

UF Graduate Adds Olympic Gold Medal to Resume

When most Americans think of the Winter Olympics, bobsledding is not the first sport to come to mind, until now. Steve Mesler and his teammates, known as Team Holcomb, brought home the gold medal this year at the 2010 Vancouver Olympics. Although the United States has claimed the world title this year, Mesler recalls growing up and seeing the country struggle in the same sport. But success has not always come easy for Mesler. He ran on the track and field team during his time as a Gator. Mesler says he regrets not being a stronger competitor during his four years of school. Mesler's path was certainly not a smooth one. After fighting through several injuries and even being banned from the training room, he knew he still had the drive to be a great athlete. But Mesler had not always known that bobsledding was his sport. After graduating from UF, he considered becoming a track coach until one email changed his entire life plan. After slumping in his college track and field career to winning an Olympic gold medal, Mesler still can't believe how far he's come. Throughout the excitement of the medaling ceremony, Mesler chose to perform the Gator chomp after recieiving the gold, but the real emotion of winning the world title didn't hit him until he saw his friends and family. The possibility for competing in the 2014 Olympics is still uncertain for Mesler, but says he isn't ruling out the chance to take another gold.

]]> When most Americans think of the Winter Olympics, bobsledding is not the first sport to come to mind, until now. Steve Mesler and his teammates, known as Team Holcomb, brought home the gold medal this year at the 2010 Vancouver Olympics.

State Employees May Start to Pay into the Florida Retirement System

State employees might have to start paying into the Florida Retirement System. The Florida Senate approved a bill yesterday that would require government employees to pay one-quarter of one percent of their salaries into the FRS. Doug Martin is the Legislative Director for The American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees. Martin says if this legislation becomes a reality, the amount of the tax is sure to increase in the future. The bill was sponsored by Senator JD Alexander. Under his bill, Alexander said an employee with a salary of 30 thousand dollars would end up contributing 75 dollars a year to the pension program. Alexander says that state and local agencies that make up the FRS cannot afford to fund it anymore. But Martin does not think taxing the incomes of state employees is necessary. Senator Al Lawson tried to get rid of the pension contribution in the bill, but the Senate voted against his amendment. The Senate then sent the bill to the House in a 26 to 7 vote. We contacted Senator Alexander, but he was not available for an interview today.

]]> State employees might have to start paying into the Florida Retirement System. The Florida Senate approved a bill yesterday that would require government employees to pay one-quarter of one percent of their salaries into the FRS.

Saturday Mail Could Come to an End

A proposal by the United States Postal Service could mean you may no longer have to worry about checking your mailbox on Saturdays. The Postal Service submitted their cost-cutting proposal to the Postal Regulatory Commission yesterday. Under the plan, mail carriers would stop street deliveries to U.S. homes and businesses on Saturdays, as well as pickups from blue collection boxes. Mail would still be accepted at post offices on Saturdays, but it wouldn't be processed until after the weekend. Gainesville post master Bill Logeson says this proposal will save money and it won't negatively affect service. In addition to cutting one day a week from the delivery schedule, the proposal would eliminate nearly 8 percent of the workforce's jobs. Logeson says the postal service is struggling financially and the weak economy is causing an even heavier burden. Logeson says cutting Saturday mail delivery could save billions of dollars. The new delivery schedule will be implemented by the first half of 20-11 if approved by congress and the regulatory commission.

]]> A proposal by the United States Postal Service could mean you may no longer have to worry about checking your mailbox on Saturdays. The Postal Service submitted their cost-cutting proposal to the Postal Regulatory Commission yesterday.

Alachua County Health Department and Department of Motor Vehichles Team Up to Ease Burden

The Alachua County health department and Department of Motor Vehichles have teamed up to ease the burden of new, tougher state requirements to obtain a license. A county health department worker is now stationed at the Northwest 34th street drivers license office to provide certified copies of Florida birth certificates. Registrar of the Alachua County Health Department Shirley Allen says the plan is to help residents get their drivers license without being turned away from not having their birth certificate. Allen says there's a nominal fee to get your birth certificate and it's a rather speedy process. And a birth certificate is just one of the forms of identification now needed to get or renew a drivers license. Residents must also take two proofs of address, their social security card, and a marriage certificate in order to fulfill the requirement. The new licensing requirements took effect back in January following the Federal Real ID Act as Allen mentioned. The measures are in place to prevent licensing fraud and to keep illegal immigrants form obtaining a driver's license.

]]> The Alachua County health department and Department of Motor Vehichles have teamed up to ease the burden of new, tougher state requirements to obtain a license. A county health department worker is now stationed at the Northwest 34th street drivers license office to provide certified copies of Florida birth certificates.

Social Services

Another service being affected by the bad economic times... Social services.... It's experiencing budgets cuts that effects children and foster families. CEO of Partnership for Strong Families Shawn Salamida ( sala - meeda) they have lost a million dollars in state funding since July 1st of this year. Salamida says Partnership for Strong Families can only take so many hits before it effects the amount of services they can provide. Additional Budget cuts are a possibility for the future of the company. Salamida says the additional budget cuts are not certain but it is possible. If additional budget cuts do occur foster care board rates could be reduced along with the amount of foster parents in the community.

]]> Another service being affected by the bad economic times... Social services.... It's experiencing budgets cuts that effects children and foster families. CEO of Partnership for Strong Families Shawn Salamida ( sala - meeda) they have lost a million dollars in state funding since July 1st of this year.

Children Economic Meltdown

Nearly 200 million children will lose their homes as the economic crisis continues to burden the country. Director for the Partnership for America's Economic Success Sarah Watson says adults are not the only ones affected by the economy. Watson says some children will go to foster homes since their parents cannot afford living. The Partnership for America's Economic Success has statistics on living situtuations for families. Watson says tax payers will pay short and long term effects for children not living in safe and comfortable environments. Parents having to pay for other survival items impacts the quality of the homes they can afford. Watson says parents are under stress trying to afford decent living arrangements for their children. Parents working two jobs to pay for housing do not get to spend a lot of time with their children. Watson says children's living situations will affect their future success.

]]> Nearly 200 million children will lose their homes as the economic crisis continues to burden the country. Director for the Partnership for America's Economic Success Sarah Watson says adults are not the only ones affected by the economy.

Poinsettia

The Enviromental Horticulture Student's Club is providing people with the perfect holiday gift for families. University of Florida student Jordan Upcavage says the club is selling thirty five different poinsettias this season. Upcavage says they are expecting 450 to 500 people to come in and purchase the plants. Poinsettias are an inexpensive gift that gives homes a nice festive touch. Upcavage says this holiday plant comes in many colors to make the holiday season more cheerful. This traditional Christmas plant is grown in time to brighten up the faces of holiday celebrators. Upcavage says when growing the plant at home it needs a lot of water. If you missed the poinsettia sale this year, the horiculture student clubs will be running the same sale next year.

]]> The Enviromental Horticulture Student's Club is providing people with the perfect holiday gift for families. University of Florida student Jordan Upcavage says the club is selling thirty five different poinsettias this season.

Millhopper Greenway

Advocates are trying to persuade county commissioners to build a greenway that links NW 39th avenue to Millhopper road. Chair of Suwannee Saint Johns Group Rob Brinkman says the city needs to build a road for transportation that is environmentally beneficial to Gainesville. Brinkman says not only will this benefit the city environmentally but financially once gas prices go up. The greenway will provide people with new ideas for transportation. Brinkman says building the greenway won't be a big investment, because it will save money for people once cars become too expensive to drive. There are no plans as to when county commissioners will approve the construction of the greenway.

]]> Advocates are trying to persuade county commissioners to build a greenway that links NW 39th avenue to Millhopper road. Chair of Suwannee Saint Johns Group Rob Brinkman says the city needs to build a road for transportation that is environmentally beneficial to Gainesville.

Martinez Retirement

Earlier this morning United States Senator Mel Martinez announced in Orlando that he is retiring. Martinez will not be running for a second term in the 2010election. Alachua County Republican State Committee woman Meldrid Russell was suprised at this announcement. Russell says although she didn't agree with all of Martinez's decisions, he still did a good job representing Florida. Alachua County Democratic party representative Jon Reiskind was also not expecting to hear news about Martinez's retirement. Reiskind says this will change the game of the election four years from now. Martinez announced his retirement two years early so candidates have enough time to prepare for their campaigns.

]]> Earlier this morning United States Senator Mel Martinez announced in Orlando that he is retiring. Martinez will not be running for a second term in the 2010 election.

Holiday Traffic

As people traveled back to their destinations after the four day Thanksgiving break, many Florida travelers experienced heavy traffic. Florida Highway Patrol's Lieutenant Patrick Riordan says there are reasons more people travelled home. Riordan says from 12 to 8 p.m. on Sunday, Alachua County experienced 21 crashes alone. The Florida highway Patrol is now preparing for more heavy traffic that will take place towards the end of December. Riordan says, the increased traffic was caused by people traveling back to their homes and the heavy rain that took place throughout Florida. Alachua county experienced one fatality crash from yesterday's holiday traffic.

]]> As people traveled back to their destinations after the four day Thanksgiving break, many Florida travelers experienced heavy traffic. Florida Highway Patrol's Lieutenant Patrick Riordan says there are reasons more people travelled home.

Thanksgiving Gas

As the Thanksgiving holiday weekend approaches, students from out of town are enjoying the recent decrease in gas prices. Some Gainesville motorists feel extremely happy and relieved that they are able to travel home for the holiday break without breaking the bank to fill up the tank. They say lower gas prices will make the drive home that much sweeter. Despite the decrease, some people are still choosing to carpool with other people from their home town to save even more.

]]> As the Thanksgiving holiday weekend approaches, students from out of town are enjoying the recent decrease in gas prices. Some Gainesville motorists feel extremely happy and relieved that they are able to travel home for the holiday break without breaking the bank to fill up the tank.

Jury Members Asking Questions

Jury members in Florida are now allowed to ask questions during a trial. They must write the question out and submit it to the judge. If the judge feels its appropriate, he will ask the witness. Alachua County Circuit Judge Toby Monaco says jurors may have difficult asking the right questions because they aren't educated in law Monaco says there are some downfalls to jurors being allowed to ask questions. Monaco says usually the attorney presenting the case are careful to make sure all the necessary information is revealed during questioning.

]]> Jury members in Florida are now allowed to ask questions during a trial. They must write the question out and submit it to the judge.

HR Chesnut 2

Legislators who came out on top in this month's elections were sworn into the Florida House of Representatives today. House District Charles Chesnut says December is a big month for legislators. Chesnut says, once legislators know which committees they would like to serve on, the Speaker of the House will be notified. Legislators are waiting for the proposed budget cuts to make further decisions for all Floridians.

]]> Legislators who came out on top in this month's elections were sworn into the Florida House of Representatives today. House District Charles Chesnut says December is a big month for legislators.

HR Chesnut

Organizational meetings are being held this week for lawmakers who came out on top in Florida state elections earlier this month. Charles "Chuck" Chesnut...who represents House District 23 says the rules for legislators are about to change. Chesnut said today's meeting focused on getting the legislators sworn into the House of Representatives. The meeting did not talk about state budget cuts but on what legislators can do that is right for all Floridians.

]]> Organizational meetings are being held this week for lawmakers who came out on top in Florida state elections earlier this month. Charles "Chuck" Chesnut...who represents House District 23 says the rules for legislators are about to change.